The Perils of Borderline BMI

[Guest guest]

Hi, everyone.

Thanks so much for the responses to my posts. They've been really

helpful to me in navigating this surgery wilderness.

My appt. with my PCP in only a few hours away and I'm feeling all of

this pressure. Even though it hasn't happened yet, I feel all of

this pressure to *not* have surgery--to come up with/settle for/give

another try at more conventional methods of weight loss. Even as I

say this, I know that it's an almost ridiculous idea considering my

personal history. But, even so, I think I just want to avoid

conflict with someone with an " M.D. " after their name so much, that I

could conceivably walk in there and ask for Meridia or Xenical just

to ensure a favorable response.

I'm 27, 5'5 1/2 " and I weigh 240lbs. My BMI just at the 40 mark, but

just barely. I have no co-morbidities at this time as far as I

know. I feel stuck between a feeling guilt for even considering

surgery and this complete and utter sense of dread at being denied

coverage/not being accepted by a surgeon. It's a really crazy way to

feel. Sometimes the anxiety of it is so great that I just want to

drop the idea all together and just take speed or something.

I'm no longer sure of the original objective of this post. I think

I'd like to ask if there's anyone else out there that has/had a

similar pre-op BMI to mine, and if so, what was your experience with

pursuing this DS surgery?

Thanks,

-j

[Guest guest]

ME!!!! My BMI is 40.2! 5'8 and 260lbs. I felt the exact same way! I still have doubts until I think about all I've been through and take a good look in the mirror! I was very fortunate that my PCP is a woman who herself is on Weight Watchers and hoping it will work for her. She's lost over 100 lbs. I talked to her today to give her my surgery date and she is as excited about this as I am. My surgeon calls me "tiny" but only in jest. He, too, is very supportive. If you know you have tried everything and it's only getting worse and you're at the point that you don't dare diet anymore because you know you'll just gain it all back and then some, then you are ready. I do have co-morbidities so my goal is to feel better physically. You have to decide in your own heart of hearts if this is for you.

Mickyco-owner KoalityKare "Quality childcare isn't expensive. It's priceless."http://www.homestead.com/koalitykare/KoalityKare.html

The Perils of Borderline BMI

Hi, everyone. :)Thanks so much for the responses to my posts. They've been really helpful to me in navigating this surgery wilderness.My appt. with my PCP in only a few hours away and I'm feeling all of this pressure. Even though it hasn't happened yet, I feel all of this pressure to *not* have surgery--to come up with/settle for/give another try at more conventional methods of weight loss. Even as I say this, I know that it's an almost ridiculous idea considering my personal history. But, even so, I think I just want to avoid conflict with someone with an "M.D." after their name so much, that I could conceivably walk in there and ask for Meridia or Xenical just to ensure a favorable response.I'm 27, 5'5 1/2" and I weigh 240lbs. My BMI just at the 40 mark, but just barely. I have no co-morbidities at this time as far as I know. I feel stuck between a feeling guilt for even considering surgery and this complete and utter sense of dread at being denied coverage/not being accepted by a surgeon. It's a really crazy way to feel. Sometimes the anxiety of it is so great that I just want to drop the idea all together and just take speed or something.I'm no longer sure of the original objective of this post. I think I'd like to ask if there's anyone else out there that has/had a similar pre-op BMI to mine, and if so, what was your experience with pursuing this DS surgery?Thanks,-j----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

> I had an exact bmi of 40 5'10

280. I thought since I did have the low bmi, I was young in

relatively good shape always been very athletic I would breeze

through this...um NO!!>>>>

Brigid: You are so right that complications can happen to anyone at

any time. I mean, statistically they *may* be higher for those with

higher bmis, co-morbidities, etc. -- but being young, active and

having a low bmi is no 'guarantee' -- it can only increase one's odds

of getting through with minimal problems.

I didn't experience any complications at all (YET - God willing) and

know it is a blessing. I consider it sort of a miracle actually

because I've really been able to eat, haven't experienced any

reactions to foods, etc. I knew going in, though, that anything (and

I mean ANYTHING) can happen after being an angel and visiting others

who experienced grave complications (necrosis of the intestines,

leaks, blockages, pnemonia -- you name it). One of my surgery

sisters, Nellie (who had an RNY) went into a coma for about a month!

She had a lower bmi than mine (I was at 45 pre-op)!! She experienced

a leak and had severe problems and they weren't even sure she would

make it through. Another friend went through the surgery fine only to

have a SEVERE and prolonged allergic reaction to the steristrips!

I think it is so scary how some people can breeze through (literally)

while others have extreme difficulties and many have so-so recoveries

(with setbacks such as nausea, etc). I don't think there is any way

to actually predict how one's body will react -- They can only provide

'statistics'.

I would also advise any pre-op to know ALL the possible outcomes. I

was praying for an 'average' recovery without major complications and

feel like I hit the lotto! Although this information may not make

one totally prepared for a major complication (who really is?), it

would help to be less shocked if it did occur.

all the best,

lap DS with gallbladder removal

Dr. gagner/Dr. Quinn assisting/Mt. Sinai/NYC

January 25, 2001

pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45 (5'9 " )

[Guest guest]

Hi, everyone.

Thanks so much for the responses to my posts. They've been really helpful to me in navigating this surgery wilderness.

My appt. with my PCP in only a few hours away and I'm feeling all of this pressure. Even though it hasn't happened yet, I feel all of this pressure to *not* have surgery--to come up with/settle for/give another try at more conventional methods of weight loss. Even as I say this, I know that it's an almost ridiculous idea considering my personal history. But, even so, I think I just want to avoid conflict with someone with an "M.D." after their name so much, that I could conceivably walk in there and ask for Meridia or Xenical just to ensure a favorable response.

I'm 27, 5'5 1/2" and I weigh 240lbs. My BMI just at the 40 mark, but just barely. I have no co-morbidities at this time as far as I know. I feel stuck between a feeling guilt for even considering surgery and this complete and utter sense of dread at being denied coverage/not being accepted by a surgeon. It's a really crazy way to feel. Sometimes the anxiety of it is so great that I just want to drop the idea all together and just take speed or something.

I'm no longer sure of the original objective of this post. I think I'd like to ask if there's anyone else out there that has/had a similar pre-op BMI to mine, and if so, what was your experience with pursuing this DS surgery?

Jeje, Hi, When I initially went to a weight loss surgeon I was pretty much at the same point that you are with your obesity. I am 5'2 and I weighed 230. I was at my witts end and I didn't know where else to turn. I didn't even tell my PCP about me visiting a WL surgeon. I was scared of his reaction. I did not want to be told to try something less 'drastic.' I had already dieted my way up to 230 and I was going strong. I had been on every diet pill both legal and illegal in the past 20 years and every diet program out there including some of my own sick starvation diets. Much to my surprise the WL surgeon thought I was a perfect candidate for WLS once we went over my dieting history. Then I went to my PCP with this crazy idea of WLS. Guess what? When I told him, I waited for the long lecture on why I was fat, what I needed to do, etc., etc. What I got instead was a very optimistic response.

My PCP thought it might be the way for me to go. He asked me to take a bunch of tests, including a sleep study and gave me the go ahead to have my surgery. I had an open DS on February 12, 2001. I am down 40+ lbs and feeling fab!

Have faith in the knowledge you have obtained through your WLS research and let him KNOW that this is what you intend to do and why you feel it's right for you. You just may be surprised at his response. Stay strong and best wishes to you.

Resa