Try to understand

Hi to all. This is my very first post to this great message board so bear with me. I hope you will understand and not judge me when I explain my situation.  My BMI is at 35 and I weigh 202 lbs.  I have high lipids, cholesterols, and triglycerides.  I have hypertension and degenerative joint disease, especially involving the spine, Rheumatoid arthritis and grade 2 esophagitis.  I have had previous back surgeries and am fused from C-4 to the Sacrum.  I have been approved for gastric bypass surgery based on the above comorbidities.  I struggle with telling my family that I am going to have this surgery because they don't understand why I just can't lose the weight on my own.  Believe me I have tried and have even lost only to regain it all back and then some.  I had my last back surgery 10 years ago and my surgeon decided that it would be best for me to go on long term disability so that I wouldn't be sitting at my job all day.  It was at this point that I really started to put on the weight due to inactivity and depression.  I am hoping that with this surgery I will be able to lose this weight once so that I can get my health issues under control.  I will be swimming for exercise and light walking. 

I just have one question and that is "Is it possible to loose too much weight?"  I have read these wonderful message boards every day and I worry that I might be to sick or not feel like eating and I am afraid of loosing too much weight.  I am older and don't look at this surgery as a "make me beautiful and thin" person.  I just want to feel better and gain control over my poor eating habits.  

Thanks for listening and not judging me.  I would appreciate any feedback you might have for me.   

It is just as possible to lose "too much" weight as it is to "not lose enough"

Which surgery have you been approved for?  Have you discussed your concerns with your doctors? What did they reccomend? 

I don't know you or anything other than what you posted above, but I would think that if you really wanted to control the amount you lose, the lap band might be a good choice for you. -- but again, I am not an expert on the lap band - or anything else for that matter! LOL  I guess I would just think you would have more contorl over your weightloss with the band.

Good luck!

I just want to wish you the best of luck, I am impressed by anybody who wants to make good changes in their life and as a Nutrition professional I really hope everything turns out well for you.

You might want to wonder over to the Light Weight board. Go to Fourms ->Light Weight Board

You will find many of us in the similar situation, it has been a great resource for many.

All my best,
Jen

Hi.
Welcome to the Main Board. I understand your concerns, and I've read posts by those who have gotten RNY and are concerned that they'll continue to lose past a good point. I don't think I've read posts like that with those who have had the VSG or Lap Band surgeries. Maybe it happens and those folks don't post about it. I would encourage you to visit those forums, to get a better glimpse into life with each.
Have you attended an informational seminar through the surgeon you may go with? I think that will help, too. Like the other post person, just from what you've said, it sounds like a lap band might help you feel more in control.
Sometimes it's hard to exchange difficult but familiar health issues for the unknown of weight-loss surgery and post-op life, but you just research and research and then make the decision that is best for you. Good luck in your journey.
Blessings,
Mary

Not only is it possible, it is a very very realistic thing to consider before going forward.  Malabsorptive gastric surgeries will cause drastic weight loss - and in a person just 202 pounds - what then?  How much weight must you lose before it's too much?  I am not picking on you - I have just already seen in happen.

I wish you all the luck in the world, and please seek some peers  - that have been there ... at your size and co-morbids.  :)

Hi and welcome. I am sorry you felt worried about being judged. I would hope that no one here would do that. We have all been judged at some point in time because of our obesity. Most remember how horrible an experience that was.

You have a BMI of 35 and significant comorbidities. That qualifies you for WLS. People tend to associate WLS with the super obese, but those of us who are/were "just" obese can benefit as well. My BMI was 39 when I was approved and 42 when I had surgery. I had the DS, and my weight has been stable for the past year. When I worried (unnecessarily) about losing too much, I just ate more, which the DS allows you to do.

You basically have 4 surgeries to chose from, each with its strengths and limitations: DS, RNY, VSG, and lapband. DS and RNY involve restriction and malabsorption. The VSG and Lapband use retriction alone.  If you want to know the ins and outs, visit the surgery specific forums.  Each person you talk to will likely try to convince you that there's is best. If you're interested, I'll tell you why the DS is best, even for light weights. As a previous poster noted, there is also a forum for ight weights. You might get support from them.

Good luck with your journey. Maybe I'll see you on the DS forum.
SherryB

No worrys I started out at 203.  The Doctor recomended RNY.  He said for my medical problems he did not recomend Band.  He is one of Seattles top Doc's.  Talk to your Surgon.
I am only 5'.  Good luck Debi

Yes - it is possible to lose too much weight with WLS. I'm one of those people struggling with it. I'm 5'4" and down to around 99 - 100 lbs. I was a lightweight when I had the surgery (240lbs, bmi 39 with co-morbidities). Not everyone runs into this problem, but it is a risk that's not always talked about and something to definitely think about.

Geek girl, i' am sorry to have seen your myspace pics, but the link was there, hope it doesn't bother you. You look very healthy and I have to sqay you are doing a great job keeping the weight. Regarding the extreme weight loss, have you tried protein shakes?