VSG with BMI over 50? Anyone?

Hi!  I'm Tamara.  I have a BMI of 58 and am looking at getting the gastric sleeve done and really that being all.  Has anyone else had the sleeve done with this high of a BMI and it worked for you without getting the 2nd stage RNY done?

Thanks!

Hi, Tamara.  I had a high BMI too (61) at surgery time and I went with the full sleeve and duodenal switch.  I'm very glad I did.  It's going to be a challenge for me to reach goal even with malabsorption.  Some have reached goal with sleeve even with high BMIs, but I have not seen enough in the way of long-term statistics to be convinced it's a good idea.  My restriction has lessened significantly in the year since surgery and I think I'd start regaining if I didn't have the switch as well!

ETA:  I didn't mean to sound overly negative, I wish you all the best in whatever you choose.  Just look at the stats and really look inside as you make your decision.

Hi Tamara, I just got my VSG 10/20 so I cannot give you much stats on long term success, but I wanted to share the link with you to VSG with over 150 or more to go. 

http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/vsgswith150ormoretogo/

I am only 10 days out, but I am so far not hungry at all and been averaging around 400 cals a day.  I am on a stage 3 diet.  Very limited food options.  Have been 100% compliant with ease.   I think you will find this group helpful.

Thank you for sending the link.  I joined the group and hopefully I'll learn a lot. 

wow!  Only 400 calories and not hungry.  I love it!

Started with BMI of 65ish.  Lost 80 pounds so far...expect 200 by surgiversary.  Last 75 will be low and slow in year 2.

Not much help, I'm sure....good luck

80 pounds is great.  I hope you are proud of yourself.  I know the first year is a lot faster than afterwards.  I started at 331 a couple of weeks ago and it says I should be 130.  200 pounds??  who knows???  Doc says I'm sure to lose 120.

I started out at a BMI of 63.3 and I am now 1 pound away from getting my BMI below 50. My ticker isn't updated since I only do that on Mondays, but I have "unofficially" lost 85 pounds. And for the first time ever, I feel hopeful and confident that I will keep losing and losing. The surgery did wonders for me mentally too.

I would just say not to let yourself get pushed away from the sleeve just because you might have "too much" to lose. If you don't want the DS or RNY and think the sleeve is for you, go for it. Just do your research and choose the one that is right for you. Don't pay attention to meaningless statistics. Personally, I think the more important thing is to decide which lifestyle would work best for you and which WLS would be best to solve your current eating problems.

Thank you, especially for the last sentence.  I have to decide which lifestyle would work best for me.  I believe that is the VSG lifestyle.  And hopefully it would cure my eating problems also.

Congrats on 85 pounds.  You must feel wonderful!

 "And hopefully it would cure my eating problems also."

Tamara, just a friendly caution.  I dont think anyone would say WLS cures eating problems.  That you have to do yourself with a lot of hard "mental" work.  But the WLS, any kind, helps with the physical aspect.  But you can still have "head hunger", like being around foods that you really enjoyed in the past, seeing a commercial, being upset and thinking about eating.  There are alot of good books out there for emotional eating and learning coping stratagies. 

For example, since my surgery, it is true I still have no hunger.  Dont know how long that will last.  I wish forever!!!!!  But, that said, my guy has been working on snacking on a oreo cookie cake the last 4 days.  Seeing it in the fridge bothers me, but I have to learn to deal.  He likes snacks and only weighs about 185.  I cannot expect him never to bring home snacks.  But I have learned skills.... I covered it with the shopping bag and shoved it under the bottom shelf and told him it was the first thing he brought home that bothered me.  This is head hunger.  I acknowlege that.  I tell myself as much as it looks yummy if I dip my finger into the icing I will feel like I have failed and the sugar will probably make me want to barp.  It makes me feel strong that I am still 100% compliant with the stage 3 plan.  I see my NUT and the PA for my 2 week postop on Monday and advance to stage 4.  Cant wait to find out what I could possibly be eating for Thanksgiving.  Yes I am not hungry but I am alas already thinking in my head, what can I eat on Turkey Day.  But we visited John's parental units yesterday and let them know John got the day off and my schedule is flexible so i am in and everyone is curious what I can eat.  They want to know if they can make something special.  Mrs. L wanted me to ask the NUT if I could have cheescake.  I think she was serious.  I just chuckled and said Oh, I am quite sure that has way to much fat and calories for me to eat yet (I was thinking probably EVER!).  She means well.  But, some people will never get it totally. 

Hope this helps.  Donna

Donna, you are RIGHT ON!!  We have to do the mental work to achieve long-term success. When I was at my heaviest, I was convinced that if I had to live on 1,500 calories a day, I'd die.

Two and a half years out, I have some perspective. After all, I did fine for a year and a half on 500-800 calories a day.

I'm active, I feel good when I eat well, and I know that food is just fuel, it's not love or a solution to my problems or stress. I eat 1800 to 2000 calories a day, which is just fine for maintaining or for getting rid of a little extra fat--my goal is to go from 28% fat to 24% this year.

Tamara, we all have to face our demons and do battle. Choose the surgery that fits your goals for your lifestyle, but also suit up for the war against "head hunger." We're there for you!