Should I feel guilty that I'm not super obese and perusing surgery

So I am 5'3 and 228 lbs. my vim is 40.8 with anxiety as my co morbidity. I have been heavy my whole life. Size 18-20 and have been since I was 16. (I am now 30) I am scheduled for surgery in 3 months. And I am very excited about it. However lately, watching the 600lb life series and my friends who have had the surgery are all over 275#. So I have started feeling guilty or doubting if I am deserving of the surgery.  My surgeon says it's perfect and He's excited at my results. What do you all think? 

Your BMI puts you in the "extremely obese" category. Why would you feel guilty about pursuing WLS? It's the best thing you can do for yourself. I'm sure you have other health issues besides anxiety. Have the surgery now, before your health deteriorates any further - because it will get worse. WLS will change your life for the better. It's not "the easy way out" and don't let anyone make you feel like you don't deserve it. Listen to your surgeon! Good luck to you.

You are morbidly obese and need to lose 100lbs - you absolutely qualify for the surgery (with most insurance plans) with no co-morbidities - anxiety wouldn't count anyway!

Not sure why you'd feel guilty ...

I'm also 5'3" and started the process at 323 pounds. I'm now 10 months post-op and weigh 194; still quite a ways from my goal of 130.  If I had started the process at 228 pounds, I would likely be at goal right now.  Surgery is the only proven treatment for obesity - I think you're smart and brave to take care of it before it gets more out of control.

Also, per my insurance requirements a BMI of 40 qualifies you on weight alone, no comorbidities necessary. And just for laughs: one of my friends asked me at my highest if I was "big enough" to need surgery - my BMI was fifty-freaking-seven. 

You should never feel guilty for taking care of yourself.  Clearly with a BMI over 40, you qualify without any co-morbidities needed.  I'm very much in the same boat as you.  You just need to think about it as you are taking control over your weight now before it gets worse and your health is impacted even more.  Good luck to you! 

I had roughly the same BMI (starting weight of 250 at 5' 6").  I didn't feel guilty or not deserving of the surgery at all.  I was morbidly obese.  Good luck!

if you needed heart surgery,would you wait until it got "bad enough"? 

You are wise to take care of the problem before you do weigh 600#.

As of this morning, my BMI is 35.6, meaning I'm about 4 lbs away from being too light to qualify. My surgery is next Thursday :) I have about 80-100 lbs to lose. You are definitely not too small!

I am having surgery on Saturday and my BMI is 35.  I barely qualify.  I had to write an appeal to my insurance company and I simply said that it is better to get it done now before there are many more problems. My weight was slowly creeping up each year and no diets seemed to work.  I don't feel guilty or bad at all.  I am very excited and know that the next few months will be tough, but it will be worth it!

40 BMI defines you as morbidly obese - validating your desire and necessity for wls, so don't waste another moment feeling guilty.  Everyone else weighing more just waited TOO LONG before they had the nerve or availability for it.  Take this brass ring and make the most of it without guilt!