Question:
Does anyone know of someone with a BMI of 70 or more who had surgery? How did it go?

   — Leslie L. (posted on June 13, 2000)


June 12, 2000
Hi Leslie... my surgeon just did a BPD/DS on a patient a few weeks ago with a BMI of 100! She is doing very well! My surgeon does both the RNY and DS. He feels that the higher the BMI, the more appropriate the DS is.
   — Kris S.

June 12, 2000
My BMI was 79. I was 494, 5"7". I had the longitudinal gastric resection, with duodenal switch (LGR/DS)three and a half weeks ago (5/18). I went through the surgery just fine, had good pain control, so I made a point to get up and move as much as possible. I had surgery Thursday, came home Monday, ate a cheese omelette Tuesday, walked over a half a mile (before I couldn't make it to the end of the driveway), have lost 45 pounds, and am going back to work this Wednesday, one day short of 4 weeks after the surgery. I feel great!!! I am almost fully compliant with my food list, drink water, and make a point to move, gently bend, stretch, deep breath and all that other good stuff that makes for a fantastic recovery. Good Luck to you! Fondly,
   — merri B.

June 13, 2000
Leslie, there are some surgeons who won't operate on the Super Morbidly Obese, so your task is to find one who has experience with larger patients. There are many excellent surgeons who can help you. Dr. Gagner at Mount Sinai hospital in NY routinely operates on patients with a very high BMI. He does both the RNY and DS, but would likely recommend the DS for you, leaving the final choice to you. He's the Chief of Laparoscopic Surgery at M.S. and is an excellent surgeon. I travelled from Virginia to see him, Fran Gomez from Florida...you get the picture. Best of luck to you!
   — Duffy H.

June 13, 2000
Yes, just this past week. Someone I know from South Carolina with a BMI of 89 had open RNY surgery. She came through it wonderfully. My BMI at the time of surgery was 65. I guess your general health at the time of surgery would be a pretty good indication of how the surgery will go.
   — rinnchris

June 13, 2000
I had surgery on 5/26/2000 and I had a BMI of 70. Everything went well and I'm feeling better everyday. I've lost 28# as of 6/10/2000. I started out at 437# and am now at 409#.
   — Linda M.

June 13, 2000
Hi Leslie! My BMI was 89.9 and I Had an open RNY on 2/29/00. I have not had 1 single complication and I feel better than I have in years! I have lost 71 lbs..not as fast as some, but I am still very happy. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions @ [email protected].
   — Holly G.

June 14, 2000
Leslie, I had surgery 5-30-00 and my BMI was 73. I had BPD/DS - open and as of yesterday, exactly two weeks post op., I had lost 46 lb already. My doctor told me I would loose fast at first as my body was FULL of fluid. I'm two weeks post op., still eating small amounts and making sure to chew well and the work at taking all the vitamins and calcium but it's well worth. My future looks brighter than it ever has. There are doctors who will do it. Find the one right for you and go for it. Good Luck, Feel free to ask me anything if I can be of help to you.
   — Bonnie K.

May 15, 2001
I have done 6 patients with BMI>=70 and they have done ok but certainly they must be at a higher risk of hernia, pulmonary emboli, and wound infections. On the other hand their potential benefit is higher.
   — Bruce B.

April 19, 2002
My husband had a BMI of 79 when he got his surgery 6 months ago. He came out of the surgery just fine. He had to have his gall bladder taken out because there was a mass, but other than that his surgery went as expected. He is now down over 160 pounds and getting around so much better and is a lot more active than he was.
   — Cindi Spurgeon

April 19, 2002
My starting BMI was 83. I have lost about 130 pounds and I feel fine
   — Gail A.




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