Question:
I have high BP and only about 70-80lbs to loose should I bother with surgery?
— maleek2 (posted on November 4, 2004)
November 3, 2004
Have you had the pre op tests? There are few healthy folks who qualify for
surgery:( Most find they have other health troubles during pre op testing.
Recently a 21 year old friend found she had a heart valve trouble:( WLS
probably saved her life. Finding it allows it to be monitored and the
weight loss takes the load off her heart. <P> Hopefully your healthy
other than the high blood pressure. Your probably on pills, and honestly
those pills, while lowering your BP may have other unknown bad side
effects. Are you getting heavier? Most gain weight over time:( With your
blank profile we dont know much about you. How is the weight impacting your
life? Achey joints? Limit family activities? WLS is first about health, but
it helps quality of life so much.
— bob-haller
November 3, 2004
Hmmm, no profile to go on, and "only" 70-80 lbs to lose. Should
you "bother" with surgery? I get the feeling you may think
weight loss surgery is no big deal. Well, it is a permanent, life altering
surgery that carries risk with it that can affect the remainder of your
life if you don't remain vigilent and take care of yourself and continue to
take your vitamins and supplements every day for the rest of your life. If
you are not prepared for that, don't even consider surgery.
— koogy
November 4, 2004
Unless you plan to pay for WLS yourself, your insurance probably won't pay
for it. Usually insurance requires you to be 100 or more lbs. overweight.
You also must have a BMI of 40 or higher and you probably don't.
— juju524
November 4, 2004
I would not consider the surgery if I only had 70 pounds to lose. Also, I
would not consider gaining the pounds necessisary to qualify for the
surgery.
This surgery is so serious---and so life altering. It is not for everyone.
If you're not serious about losing 70 pounds on your own (without the
surgery)...then you cannot possibly be serious about having the surgery to
lose the weight.
I tried everything in my power to avoid having the surgery first. I lost
some weight, but I was never able to take off very much or keep it off for
a long period of time.
There's a big difference between being "overweight" and being
morbidly obese. Don't confuse the situation with vanity. Your weight loss
journey should first be about getting healthy---and then about looking
good.
Good luck to you with whatever you decide.
— Lauraj64
November 4, 2004
If I only needed to lose 70 lbs, I would consider the Lap Band.
— SarahC
November 4, 2004
I don't agree with some of what is being posted on this topic. I had
surgery on 10/06/04. I weighed 204 lbs. I am 5 feet tall, and had a BMI of
39.1. I was approximately 85 pounds overweight before I had surgery. If I
lost 10 pounds for every time I was told " I can't believe you had
surgery...you're not fat enough" I'd be weightless. I KNOW that I have
lost weight on my own in the past, but I have never been able to keep it
off. I NEEDED this TOOL! I believe that if a person has 70 pounds to lose,
all of their options should be reviewed. That's a lot of weight! Lap Band
would be worth looking into. Only you know about your circumstances and
what's right for you. My suggestion would be to find a surgeon in your area
and go to a support meeting, or call and speak with the office to get more
information. Good luck to you!
— Kim P.
November 4, 2004
Oh, I forgot to include this information in my previous post. I had Open
RNY, and United Health Care DID cover my surgery, even though my BMI was
39.1. I had absolutely no problem, no denials, appeals or anything.
Remember, there are a bazillion different UHC policies, so some may have
exclusions, etc.
— Kim P.
November 4, 2004
totally agree with Kim. I certainly have not forgotten how it felt to be
"only" 70 or 80 pounds overweight. If I could have lost it then
and maintained it I wouldn't have gotten to 130 pounds overweight. That is
significantly obese. I wish you luck!
— **willow**
November 5, 2004
I would not. However, I would suggest you attend several support meetings
before making a decision to have surgery. You need to know that this is
not a quick fix. There are good and bad side effects with this surgery.
This is not something that can be reversed easily. Research this first
(months). Most insurance company will require that you have been on a diet
program before having this surgery. I would recommand that you do that and
join a support group of people who have had the surgery. Pour over this
site concerning the pros and cons and side effects. This is a VERY
IMPORTANT decision that you have to make. I very happy that I had this
surgery. I was 329 lbs only 5'4" and have lost 193 lbs. It is a
restrictive diet tool and requires you to exercise. Are you ready to made
a commitment for the rest of your life? Are you ready to give up sugar and
fats? Are you ready to not be able to drink 1/2 before meals, during meals
and 1 hour after? Are you ready to eat no more then 1/2 cup of food per
meal (only after you have been post-op for close to a year)? Something to
think about.
— Linda R.
November 5, 2004
i would not have considered surgery if I had only been 70 pounds
overweight. Also, be aware that it is not a sure cure for high blood
pressure. I am still having to take my blood pressure meds as well as my
friend also has to and we have both lost over 100 pounds and are under
goal.
— Delores S.
November 5, 2004
Surgery can't be considered a "bother" I suggest that you
SERIOUSLY research and find out every option then decide if you should have
surgery. Being 70-80 pounds over weight is STILL overweight!!!! Have you
tried losing??? has it worked??? When I started I was 229 5'2"
currently 187 and loving my new found tool and especially freedom and
looking forward to losing more. I certainly disagree with the posts that
bluntly state that you shouldn't have this surgery. Why is that?? So even
within our community there is still discrimination. People told me that I
shouldn't have the surgery because "I wasn't fat enough" well
what should I have done wait until I hit 340??? Heck NO. While this is all
my personal opinion I suggest you research and ASK yourself what it is YOU
want.
— Marcy L.
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