Gastric sleeve with a low BMI

I have a PhD in gaining weight. I'm thinking of starting a consulting business.

If you add a half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (180 calories) to your food plan every day, you will gain 18 pounds in a year. That's a meal any toddler can eat. In 5-1/2 years, you'd gain 100 pounds, just from adding a toddler's meal to your maintenance plan.

The math for losing weight is just as easy, but much, much harder to put in practice. Gaining weight is like falling out of a boat and hitting water.

Lol.  You and me both.

I too have a lot of fear. I am scheduled on 5/10 for surgery. I have gained

and lost the same weight all my life with anywhere from 25lbs to 75lbs post pregnancy. My current BMI is 33.8. I too was a little worried I might get too thin as I am 51 and don't need to look like I have anorexia. I am paying out of pocket as I refuse to gain more weight and allow myself to become diabetic like other family members. I would like to weigh around 140-150 and I currently weigh 215 and gaining. I need lots of support because no one would be supportive if I told them as they would say I am not overweight enough. I also have fears about the surgery and if something would go wrong. I am having surgery at journey lite in cincinatti and they are very encourageing. Any thoughts????? or encouragement??

Hi mini_mom. It was great to read your post. I hope you can help me find a solution to my problem here. I have been struggling with 30lbs for the last 12 years after I gave birth to my son. I have tried everything and now I have decided to get the gastric sleeve done. 3 of my close friends got it done here in US had a lot more to loose than me. They are extremely happy with their decision and I have watched them successfully loose the weight and become happier. Here is the problem I'm having >>>> I have a low bmi of 27.5 and I can't find a reputable surgeon in Mexico to take me on. I don't know what to do and I feel hopeless and desperate. What do I do??? I don't want to gain the weight just to get someone good to do my surgery.

Surgery will not magically make you lose weight and if no surgeon will take you, that's probably a sign that surgery is not for you.

I recommend that you start tracking everything you put in your mouth with something like MyFitnessPal. This means weighing it so you can be accurate. Everything - liquids, alcohol, food.

From there, work on establishing healthy basics. Here are mine. I think they're applicable whether you've had surgery or not.

1. Prioritize protein and water
2. Deprioritize carbs, especially the refined and processed ones
3. Make the most of healthy fats
4. Eat three meals a day with no snacks
5. Avoid liquid calories (protein shake for breakfast is my exception since I've never liked putting solid food in my stomach first thing in the morning)
a. Don't drink with meals or for 30 minutes after eating
6. Weigh portions and track/log what you consume
7. Eat mindfully and with no distractions aside from real live people
a. Try to eat at a table
8. Move as much as possible
9. Weigh yourself daily
a. But focus on the trend of your weight, not the day to day fluctuations
10. Be kind to yourself