HAS ANYONE HAD Gastric Sleeve Surgery WITH LOW BMI

 HAS ANYONE HAD Gastric Sleeve Surgery WITH LOW BMI? CAN YOU TELL ME YOUR EXPERIENCE

I had surgery with a BMI of 31.  I have lost 55 lbs and have maintained that weight loss for the past 3 months.  The first 6 months, I lost 42 lbs.  Then it was about 3 lbs a month for a couple of months, then 1 lb a month.   I think we lose more slowly than those with more to lose.  I was 57, almost 58 when I had surgery.  

I am wearing size 6 pants and medium tops.  I weigh about what I did in high school when I swam competatively...I'm thrilled with how I feel and look.  I didn't start exercising until about 5 months after surgery as I had been ill with an undiagnosed tumor.  

My blood pressure is now normal and my knees don't hurt....two problems I had before surgery.  I would absolutely do it again, it has been that wonderful.  I feel much better in general and have more energy than I have in years.  

The first month was pretty rough, adjusting to a new surgically excised stomach and liquids or mushy foods.  After that, it was adjusting to eating small amounts and what worked well for my stomach.  

I currently eat mostly protein and vegetables; I avoid pasta, rice, bread and sweets.  I do not have much of an appetite; that disappeared with the ghrelin.  So, it is easy for me to avoid the foods that used to be trigger foods to overeat.  

If you have specific questions, let me know.  But, as I said I would do it again.  There is a very active VSG board on this site.  You should check it out.  

Hi, I am in my mid 50's. I am encouraged to see that you were also in this age range at the time of your surgery.  I have a BMI of 31.5 and am worried about saggy skin. Did you have this issue?  Thanks for posting. I was thinking I had waited TOO LATE to do this surgery.

Lots of people do. It's a great option for lower BMI folks. My BMI was at the higher end of the recommended weight for the sleeve, so my experience won't mean a lot to you.

Post on the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy forum for more responses. Here's the address: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/VSG/ or look in the upper right below the dark blue bar where it says "Forums". Choose "Surgical Forums" then  "Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum".

Thank you, that was very helpful.  

I am considering doing it. My BMI is 30. Did you go through with it? I would love to hear your experience.

Hi my BMI was 31.5 and I'm 40 yrs old. I've lived on medication to suppress appetite for the past 10 yrs so my dr and I knew that GS was the was to go. I had gastric sleeve surgery done only 5 days ago and OMG! This is tough! Feeling nausea all day long and finding it very hard to get down the nourishing liquids that I've been told. Every time I sip I feel I'll in my stomach I know it's only early days but I hope I feel a little better in the second week. 

Can anyone tell me what they were having as liquids in the second week? Thank you 

If I wasn't as big as I was I wouldn't have considered surgery. 

 

Not to knock anyone but if I was 30ish bmi the risk of complications to reward wouldn't have matched up. 

 

 

 

As to to the beverage question above. I drink a lot of power aid zero 32 oz. I drink 4 of them a day and 2 liters of fiji water to stay hydrated at work. I was forcing down 2-3 liters of fluid in the second week and was still dehydrated. I went back to work full time 50+ hours in a hot busy kitchen about 4 days after leaving the hospital. 

Lot many people go through the surgery with a low BMI.  Having the gastric sleeve will help you avoid complications and maximize short and long term weight loss.The higher your BMI before the surgery,the more the chances are of your  developing complications. Therefore it is essential to get your diet under control well before the surgery to reduce the risks. 

Exactly what my surgeon said, he knew I would do well and the risks were less as I has a lower bmi. Everybody is different and having the surgery has given me a new start. 10 yrs on strong meds to surpress appetite wasn't much fun. The down side to the meds were anxiety attacks, depression and other not so nice side effects. This was the best decision for me I had it done at a bmi of 31.5 before I grew to a 40 bmi 😀