Greetings from low bmi'er

Hello All,

I am a 50 yr old female, 5'8" 195lbs.  I've been losing and gaining for over 20+years.  I've been as high as 200'ish and as low as 140'ish.  I have lost weight many, many times, practically every other year, only to creep back and usually higher than last time.  My mother has diabetes, my grandmother had diabetes, my sister is on the boarder line and having VSG in Dec as she has a couple co-morbidities.  

I have depression/anxiety which I treat with meds and I have a lot of back/neck and leg pain.  I had a breast reduction 10 years ago when I was in a leaner period, only to put the weight back on and not get much benefit from the surgery.   I don't do drugs or drink or smoke and otherwise I'm a very disciplined and together person, who just can't manage my weight.

I went to my primary internal medicine doctor last week (he's been my doctor for 13 years) and told him how frustrated I am about my constant failure.  I always believe this time will be different and think I've changed my mindset, etc, only to find myself back where I was plus some in 8 or 9 months.  I've done every diet, every self-help book, etc.  I did WW so many times, that twice when I made goal they asked me to be a leader!  It didn't last.  I asked him what he thought of me having a lap-band to give me more control and hopefully aid me in maintaining.  To my surprise, he said he'd rather I had VSG as from all he's read, it's the best at giving the tool of control long-term, safest, and he would support me in finding a doctor who will do the surgery for me self-pay.  I was shocked, since he is a very conservative doctor.  But he says he knows I've tried and my chart shows my ups and downs and that studies show my chance of keeping weight off is very low over time and that's just a fact.  He also thinks that putting a halt to the chances of getting diabetes is a major pay-off.  Also, the toll on your psyche, whether you have depression or not, of being in a cycle of failure and self-loathing is no way to live.  

Soooooo.  I live in MN and there are several reputable surgeons here.  I'm planning to go see a couple and get their feedback.  Ideally, I need to lose 50 lbs to be a healthy weight.  I'm not trying to be a swimsuit model, just want to be healthy and active for the rest of my life.  

Has anyone been in a similar bmi range (30) and can share their experiences.  

Thank you!

 

I'm darn closed to your twin but 5'7 started at 222. I haven't struggled with depression or been succesful with WW but otherwise "twin". I was barely into the BMI where they really think surgery is a good option. My sis-in-law is the wisest Dr/woman I know and strongly encouraged me to get the VSG. I did 10/30. I only had to lose 14 lbs for surgery but it totally encouraged me to follow thru with the surgery! I was tired of looking in the mirror and being so sad at what I saw and feeling like I NEVER looked pretty! It wears on you. I had the money--my insurance would pay $00. I did it and I'm 28 lbs lighter total (19 post op). It hasn't been a walk in the park but imnso thankful I'm this far along. I look forward to a healthy happy life and loving what I see in the mirror! Not sure I mentioned I'm 53. I decided for 53 years I ate what I wanted most of the time, now I want to eat to live! Go for it! We are just making the decision to get better we're morbidly obese!

Welcome to the LW board.

Liz

Are you going to be able to find a surgeon who will do a VSG on you at "only" 30 BMI?  I say "only" because I know full well that 50lbs might as well be 200lbs when it affects  your health and self esteem, but I know that insurance won't usually pay if you are under 35 BMI unless you are having a revision.  You may need to self pay and even in that case you may not be able to find a surgeon willing to do the surgery on you.  I  have heard of some people around that BMI having it done in Mexico where apparently the surgeons there don't have to worry so much about the liability issues that they do here in the USA with it's litigation crazy society.

You may be able to convince a surgeon to do a more conservative sleeve, making it a bit larger so you won't lose too much.  Isn't that a concept, losing too much weight 

 

I intend to self-pay and my primary doctor is aware of that as well.   He sees the benefit whether insurance pays or not.  

You're right, I may not be able to find someone to do it.  If that's the case, I think I will have to go to Mexico.  I know there are a couple of really highly thought of surgeons there and I'd be willing to do that.

Thanks for the feedback and replies.

 

Welcome aboard!   I've heard good things about the surgeons at the U of MN.  You sound like many of us here. Don't worry about the BMI thing. 30 is the norm in many countries and has started to catch on here for some of the WLSs. Wishing you good luck as you go through the process.

--gina

 

Hi Theosmom,  I could be your triplet!  I'm 5'6 and 216 (though the doctor's scale - fully dressed - shows 221). The doctor is submitting me with a 36 BMI. I was concerned my insurance wouldn't approve me because I don't have a co-morbidity. He feels with previous co-morbidity dx's, I can stll get approved.If I can't get approved, I'll go to Mexico. However, I've spoken with my insurance and they agreed, I should be approved because I'm hypothyroid with Hashimoto's autoimmune disease.

My VDH and I have tried many diets: WW, Southbeach, Medifast. We were successful on each but have gained the weight back each time. My honey is getting the DS on November 28 and we're hoping I'll get getting the VSG in December.

I hope you can find a doctor that will help you and good luck!

Diana

Thanks for sharing everyone.  I know many think "oh, 50lbs, that's not enough", but if that were the case, everyone on these boards would've stopped at 50lbs overweight and lost the weight.    What people don't understand is that we can white-knuckle and lose the weight, but keeping it off is nearly impossible.  I have will power, I'm not lazy, I work out 30-40 minutes 4-5 times a week regardless of how high I am at any time.  But, I just don't get "full" very easy.  I can sit and eat a huge meal where everyone else is saying "uhhh, I'm so full..." and when I get home, I can eat some more.  I've done lots of psychotherapy and have battled my painful childhood, etc.  So, there's not some big mystery issue lurking behind my struggles.  I've tried tapes and cds and books to try to become a person who only thinks of food as "fuel" and it just never sticks.  So, rather than beat myself up for another 20 years, exacerbating my depression and my back/neck pain, I just want to try to give myself a tool to stop the merry-go-round!   Can y'all relate?  

One question I have is do you eventually stop thinking about food so much?  Did your mindset change over time with the aid of a smaller tummy?  Also, did those who lost

I ONLY had 53 lbs to lose to get to a normal BMI...so I know how that goes. I did end up losing 73 lbs tho.

And NO, I still think of food...but I can no longer hold as much and I am listening to when to stop. Plus I am focusing on protein first.

Liz

I wish you the best of luck.  For many of us surgery is needed for any type of maintenance.  Hopefully you can find a local surgeon who can help you.  I agree with your physician regarding VSG; more and more people are having difficulty with lapband so VSG is a great recommendation.  Like, Liz said, some us still think about food.....I do!!  But many don't feel hinger and could care less.  Either way the restriction helps so, so much.  I love knowing I cannot eat too much and easily stop when full. 

Keep reading on this board...it is really helpful and I have learned so much.

~~Jennifer