Am I too obese for a sleeve??

Lol I did, thank you!!! heh guess I'm still not used to having that "2" there.  fixed it :)

I have lost 70% of my excess weight at 9 months, which is what is expected with a RNY at 12 months.  I was a heavyweight with a BMI of 57, I am now 9 months later a 34

I started out with a BMI of 58. I was 387.5 pounds. Now, 3 months later I am 319 with a BMI of 48. You are not too big by any means. It is a great tool and an awesome choice. Good luck and don't worry!!

My BMI weas just under 52 when I started. I weighed 263 and I am only 5 ft tall. I have lost over 135 lbs (in about 11 mos) and have easily kept the weight off for about 5 mos.
I agree with your comment about WLS being a tool. The reality is regardless of the procedure it will be up to us to continue to make healthier choices in terms of what we eat and how much of it we eat. No doubt having a far small stomach and less capacity makes it easier to make those choices but we are still responsible for our success.
Folks that had RNY and DS predicted my failure and told me that ONLY malabsorbtion would work. I do not agree. There is another poster that used to always say
You can argue with me but you can't argue with my results. I love that quote

Have you looked into the Duodenal Switch (you didn't mention it)? I would research every surgery available before making my final decision, if you haven't already. The VSG may be just what you need, but definitely know what surgeries are available and the long-term stats for each procedure before making such an important decision. If your sleeve fails, I think you would revise to DS and not RNY, but revisions are not easy and can result in some some serious complications and very difficult recovery. The reason I am telling you this is because you have already mentioned the possibility of a revision. As people here say: Think twice, cut once.

Now, my BMI is toward the lower end, but I would get the VSG before I would ever consider the RNY. The stats seem to be about the same but with VSG you have a fully functioning stomach and fewer comlications. Right now I am waffling between the VSG and the DS.

Here is the link to the DS board just so you can be sure you are making the right decision going with the sleeve:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ds/a,messageboard/board_id,5357/

p.s. I don't want to **** any VSGers off by mentioning DS as much as I do. I just think people need to be educated about EVERY surgery out there before making such a life changing decision.

I started at 404 pounds. At last weigh-in, I was down to 317. I don't think anyone is too big for the VSG. One thing to remember is that the RNY pouch stretches over time. There are many people who would debate it being the "gold standard" of WLS, because there are advantages the sleeve has over it.

I think most of your reasoning is valid. I wouldn't be looking at it from the perspective that you can revise to RNY at some point though. No matter which WLS you choose, try to choose one where you think it will be IT. Choose one that you feel will be the one and only WLS you need.

I was a 51 BMI when I had my surgery.  I was also 65 years old.  I have, as of today, lost 165.3 pounds since my surgery on 9/15/2008.  I have severe psoriatic arthritis and have to take Motrin 800mg three times a day.  With the sleeve, this is not a problem, as it is with most other forms of weight loss surgery.

You do NOT want to even consider an RnY from a sleeve.  If you have anything else done, the common thing is to have a duodenal switch, which is a sleeve with realignment of the intestines.  That way you get restriction and malabsorption.  But a sleeve should be more than enough, if you are motivated.

You are far from too big to have a sleeve.

Just keep in mind, you will get out of that sleeve, exactly what you put into it.  If you work it, and work it hard, you WILL lose your excess weight. 

If you play around, and don't follow the proper diet, do adequate exercise, etc., then you will NOT lose the weight.

  I walk, three days a week.  I do not other "exercise', just walk at a 3.2 miles per hour pace, 3 miles at a time.  You do not have to kill yourself with exercise.  I follow my diet plan fairly closely.  If I do cheat, I don't beat myself up over that fact, I just stop and try hard not  to do it again.

This is NOT magic, it is a tool to help you get that weight off and keep it off.

I now weight 5 pounds LESS than I did when I was discharged from the Army back in 1969.  I no longer have diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglyceridres, etc. That's what a sleeve can do for you.

My BMI was much higher than yours..and it's worked well for me!

Btw, my surgeon is seeing his sleeve patients lose as much as his RnY patients. That's one reason he recommends the sleeve for self-pays -- less risk, similar results, lower price. It's just a better all-around value for a self-pay IMO.

hey hey....another heavyweight vsg'er here.... and my sister was the same.

I started at 305 and 6.5 months down the line I am 115pounds down, and still losing steadily at 188 pounds....... i will lose all my weight within two years.......BECAUSE I do not want a revision to RYN....there are far more complication risks and the sleeve works just fine when I keep my head in this game.

All that said...if if was a nightmare, and unsuccessful (which i literally cannot imagine) then just get the revision done. That simple.

My older sister was sleeved 5 months before me and have lost 70kg's.... so 150 pounds ish....she started with a BMI of 57... she looks AMAZING!

Your definately not too big for VSG...in fact, your PERFECT for the VSG.

Best of luck to you, but just between you and I..... I LOVEEEEEE my sleeve....it's the best thing I ever did....particularly as it takes away your hunger.... my tormentor was silenced the day I got the sleeve.....