Getting sleeved with less than 100lbs to lose?? Why?

With a starting weight of 360 lbs, I have a message to all you lightweights out there that are considering sleeve surgery, or have already done it...

Bravo! 

Seriously.  I had some medical conditions that led to my weight gain, but I wish I had the surgery when I "only" had 100 lbs to lose.  So much damage done and time lost since then.  

I think everyone here sometimes feels judged for their choice in having WLS - sometimes that judgment is real, sometimes we are just being overly sensitive to it.  In any case, I truly believe this surgery is a wise move for lightweight that "only" have 80 or 100 lbs to lose (or whatever the number).  Once you are obese, the statistics are NOT on your side to lose the weight and keep it off.  And years of yo-yo dieting is extremely damaging, both psychologically and physically. It isn't for everyone, but the sleeve is  fantastic tool that not only saves lives but improves the quality of lives.

It is sometimes disheartening to see someone's starting weight being equal to my goal weight.  But, we all have a common enemy (obesity) and we are all just trying to fight the good fight.  Someone else's starting weight has no impact on my journey whatsoever... so I barely think about it, really.

So, I say you lightweights are AWESOME.  Brave, smart, and taking charge!

I did it because I could see the path that I was on. My highest weight was 212, morbidly obese for my height. No matter what diet/exercise routine I tried, I still gained 10-15 lbs a year, my joints hurt all the time, and I felt tired and lethargic constantly. I needed a permanent solution and the sleeve was it. I don't want to be a burden on my family down the road, my hubby and son deserve a better life than the one I would be a part of if I weighed 250 lbs.

I'm not sure if I fall in the light weight or heavy weight category. I have a 116lbs to lose. I remember when I first saw a post from Elina. I immediately thought why did she have surgery, she did not have a lot to lose at all. Then my very next thought was wait a damn minute, if I had been as smart as Elina, I would have done something about my weight right after the birth of my son. I was exactly 194lbs 17 years ago and I have been fighting this weight every since. I am now up to 251lbs and my 80 year old grandfather gets around better than I do. Again, I wish I had been smart enought to make some serious changes long before now.

i wish i would have had this opportunity after having my daughter 14 years ago, but in a way i'm glad i waited this long because i'd much rather have the VSG than any other surgery (which probably would have been bypass at the time and god only knows what shape i'd be in now). 

better late than never!

I agree, I am glad to a certain degree I was not ready back then, nor was I ready when my friend had gastric bypass 10 years ago. She is doing awesome and has not had any complications. I have been researching every since she had her surgery, but was never sold on the bypass or the band. The sleeve is the only thing that I would consider doing.

i think you will do really good, just by reading your tagline at the bottom :)

I pray you are right...

Thank you for "getting" where I am coming from here. I am a tiny, 5'1" although my doctor told me I have now "grown" to 5'2", and at 196 lbs., I had a BMI of 37. I had lost and regained 60-80 lbs. six times, and this doesn't count the numerous attempts where I lost and gained 10-50 lbs. I was so tired of this roller coaster. If you would chart my weight over the years, it always went up. If I was to project my weight into the future, well, let's just say, it didn't look good. Doing something about it now, was the right decision. I have zero regrets. I just came home from the hospital where I spent the night with my friend who was getting the VSG, she has less weight to lose than I did. I am convinced that for her, this is the right decision as well. The toll that being obese takes on our health, both physical and mental can't be overstated.

The THANKS really belongs to you. You have been and still are such an inspiration to me. I have every intention of following all the advice you have freely given without any hidden agenda on this forum, when I am sleeved. I am wishing your friend a speedy recovery.

Diet and exercise fail 95% of the time. Are you saying that someone with diabetes doesnt deserve the best known treatment? or is the best known diabetes treament only reserved for those who let it go longer and became more critical?