Question:
She is 5'7 and weighs 240pounds and wants to know if you guys thinks she should have

this surgery? The Fobi Pouch    — Tammy W. (posted on September 8, 1999)

September 8, 1999
This isn't a decision to be entered into lightly, and it's definitely not one to be made by someone other than the person having it. My suggestion to your friend would be to learn as much as she can about the surgery. Hang out here at the OSSG site and read the posts. If she believes it's something she would like to pursue after having learned more about it then encourage her to make an appointment to discuss it with her doctor. Good luck..
   — Brealynn

September 9, 1999
That is a decision she needs to personally make. Look at the pros and cons. According to the Weight Charts (I'm 5'7" too) she should weigh about 140. That makes her eligible. But she needs too do her own research and decide whether or not she wants to change her lifestyle from that wrapped around food, to that wrapped around health. Best wishes to her in her journey.
   — Sherrie G.

September 9, 1999
I am 5'7" and weighed 248 to start. I had many medical problems also and decided to have WLS. It's the best thing that I've ever done for myself. It's 7 weeks later and I'm down 48 pounds (only one more and I won't weigh 200 anymore!!!) My self-esteem is coming back and all my medical probs are gone! No more diabetes, high blood pressure, fibromyagia, sleep problems! I can bend over and tie my shoes without feeling like I'm going to pop! I can ride my bike, walk, sleep in the bed instead of a recliner. The list goes on! So would I have the surgery at 240 - the answer is yes, yes, yes! Good luck.
   — VickyTaylor

September 27, 1999
that is a BMI of 38.9....is cutting it mighty close...you might be able to find a surgeon who would recomend surgery..does she have any secondary problems related to her weight? sleep apnea? diabetes? chronic back pain? bad knees?Respiratory insufficiency? How many weight loss programs has she/he tried? they will take all that into consideration.....good luck
   — pam.leach

January 16, 2000
I am 5'7" and weighed less than 240 pounds. I am 57 yrs old and have slightly elevated blood pressure, controlled cholesterol, incontinence and a heel spur. I had no problems getting my surgeon and insurance to agree to the surgery. I have gone up and down so many times and just couldn't face another failure. Many workers in the hospital commented that I looked too small to have the surgery. They are used to the 400 and 500 patients, I guess. This was a very personal decision and I researched it carefully. I am having the same problems (perhaps to a lesser degree) than others who weigh much more than I did. There are definite risks with this surgery, but there are serious risks if you don't lose the weight, too. After only 4 weeks, my health problems are all getting better and I know that I will never have to go through the yo-yoing of weight again to the extent I did. Moreover, I expected my weight to continue in an upward spiral if I didn't take some positive steps to stop it once and for all. I am glad that I didn't wait til I weighed even more than I did. Ideas about who should get the surgery are changing. Think through all your options carefully and if you truly can lose weight without surgery and keep it off, that is the best way to go in my opinion. Otherwise 240 may soon be 280 or more.
   — marilyn J.