60 lbs or less to lose from the start?

I am so glad I found this group.  I know that most people having WLS have 100+ lbs to lose and see from the other groups that this is true for most.  I see that this group is for lightweights so thought I would post here.   I feel like I might be crazy but with my family history and my heart disease my cardiologist told me that losing weight was about the only way to extend my life.  I am 52 and have dieted most of my life with success when I was in my 20’s.  I am at a BMI of 36-37 (5’2”-198) so at the lower end but because of heart and high cholesterol I was ok’d by my insurance.  I am on the pre-op diet and it is hard but I take it a day at a time.  Surgery date is 3/19 and I am feeling things like “am I nuts there are a lot of people a lot worse off than me”.  I am having the sleeve (VSG) and am having wondering if I should maybe do the band.  Many people say that they don’t think I need to be so drastic.

I am more active than most.  I work out with a trainer and have been working out for years including running, hiking etc. but have never been able to lose much weight.  It gets down to the food – calories in vs calories out.  Yes I have been on every diet there is. 

The main reason for my decision at this time is that I lost my brother in June from a heart attack.  He was a year older than me and had just lost 50lbs and did a 35mi trail run the weekend before.  Yes I have a bad heart history, my older brother died 20 years ago at 39.  A month after my brother passed last summer my sister had to have 3 stents in her heart so you see I guess as the youngest I am blessed to not have that bad of a heart but I do have heart disease and high cholesterol. 

I would love to hear from others that don’t have a ton to lose in the scheme of things but that understand the importance of losing it.

First of all welcome.  Second, no no no to the band!!  Have a look on the revisions board http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/revision/a,messageboard/bo ard_id,5360/ you'll see plenty of people revising FROM the 'crapband' there.

The band has limited success and even the few that do OK early on end up revising later on as you'll need further surgery down the line.  The VSG is a good choice, although personally I think the DS is a great choice too.

I am by no means an expert but reading about your family history, I would move forward with the surgery.  I wouldn't consider the band, but might consider the RNY.  Your family's cardiac conditions makes even having a few extra pounds dangerous and the statistics are slightly better for the RNY.  Therefore, I would really sit down with my doctors both cardiac and  surgeon and way the pros and cons of each.  I would also see if they would map out a plan for success including details about what type and duration of exercise they want you to do and when. 

You sound an awful lot like me (Surgery Weight 207, height 5'1", 45 Years Old) the only way I could lose weight before the surgery was to work out 3 to 4 hours a day and that just wasn't sustainable.  I watched myself get bigger with each passing year and develop the same health issues as my mother and sister.  I saw my fate and decided I had to change it. My doctor would like me to lose about 57 pounds from my surgery weight of 207, and thinks my goal of 125 is a bit aggressive, but considering I could do an hour on the elipitcal and burn 600 calories at my highest weight of 220, I think I can make it.  My mother and sister were opposed to my surgery, but I had to do what I thought was right for me now and right for me in the next 20 to 30 years.  I want a good quality of life.  I know that having the RNY was my best chance.   Good luck and if I can be of any help, feel free to reach out. 

Suzanne 

Actually my sister is about my same height and build and although she hasn't been as big as me she struggles with weight.  My doctor thinks 140 and that is what my sister was at when she was at goal.  She said it was hard to keep at that weight but looked great.  I am thinking maybe 130 but will see how it goes and how I feel.  I just want to get out there and go hiking, skiing and exercise with out feeling to heavy and having it be such a huge struggle.

Welcome    Glad you found us.  My dad had his 3rd heart attack at 49 and died.  i had been on BP and cholesteral meds for years before I did surgery.  Now nothing.  My choices, insurance wise, were band and RNY and I opted for RNY and have never looked back.  I was 61 when I had my surgery, 4'11", 220.  Now, 124 most days.  And I do zumba 2x a week and muscle pump 2x a week as well as all my farm work.  I couldn't have done it before.  I got my life back. 

Welcome to the best board on OH!  I am only 3 months post-op.  I started at 190lbs and I am 5'2.  I have lost 46 pounds so far and couldn't be happier.  I changed my surgery type 3 times after I did more and more research on this site.  I actually ended up getting the DS (which I previously thought was not an option for me since I am a "light-weight") but this is the best decision I have ever made.  I would be happy to send you a PM on why this is the surgery I chose, but I would strongly advise against the band just from the things I have read and the horrible results people seem to have. Just do your research, and don't be afraid to change your surgery type to whatever is going to work best for YOU!  Best of luck in your journey!

Wow I just looked at your blog and you have done a phenomenal job!  I to don't expect much as far as speedy weight loss.  I hope I am surprised like you.  We will see.  Thanks for your input.

Welcome to the lightweight board.

I agree...NO BAND. In fact, my pcp said he would not even write the recommendation if that was where I was headed. He had no issue with the other three (DS, RNY, and sleeve). I needed the malabsorption but also needed NSAIDS so that left me with the DS. If I had not needed the malabsorption and Medicare had covered the sleeve AT the time, I would have opted for the sleeve. But Medicare in 2011 limited my options to just three, the band, RNY, and the DS. The band was NOT an option for me, the RNY would not allow NSAIDS...so I had the DS (it has a sleeve stomach)

To reach a normal BMI of 24.9 I ONLY had 58 lbs to lose. I am 5'4" and was a 35.2 BMI pre-op. Right now I am between 136-138 depending on which week. I had my DS at 56, turned 57 later that year and am now closing in on 59 this summer.

The sleeve is an excellent option for those who don't need the malabsorptive component.

Welcome aboard!  Please read up on the sleeve and the other surgeries before you make your final decision.
Think twice, cut once. : )

--gina

Thanks all for all your input.  It definitely sounds like the band is not the way to go.  I feel better about my decision.  I am glad that there is a place like this to ask questions and get input from those that have been there done that.  Thanks!