Question:
Since I am 219 to start with will my recovery period be less time?

I heard that because I am 219 to start with my body may heal faster? Has anyone experienced this?    — Jennifer L. (posted on June 2, 2001)

June 2, 2001
I'm sorry someone chose to respond to your question with a judgement about your surgery qualification. Based on your profile you indicate your BMI is 39, which at 219 pounds means you're around 5'3" and have around 90 pounds to lose. You do fit into the NIH criterion for surgey if you have co-morbidities. All that said, your recovery will be unique, just as you are. We each heal at our own pace and in our own time. Of course, having a lower BMI reduces your surgical risks and should allow you to be "moving around" more easily that some of the larger people who have the surgery. I wish you tremendous success with your journey.
   — BethVBG

June 2, 2001
I'm sorry too for the first post-er. That was uncalled for. To someone else I may be only 229, but to me and how I feel, I am 229!!!!! I cant wait till postop just so I can breathe better not to mention go off the two blood pressure meds I'm on. I am 5'3" and weigh 229 right now. I am wondering too how my weight loss, and recovery will go. My surgery is June 13th. I've had four laparoscopies thru the years for exploratory surgery for female problems, then I had a complete abdominal hysterectomy. Thru the years my weight has gone up and up. So when I had my first lap's at a lower weight, then again later at a higher weight and so on, I noticed the incisions healed slower as my belly was bigger. And sorer too. But I still bounced back pretty fast compared to alot of people. We're all different though. Good luck to you! :)
   — Karla K.

June 2, 2001
Jennifer--I cannot believe how inconsiderate some people can be. I don't have an answer to your question, but I too weigh about the same after recently loosing about 10-11 pounds...I am 5 1/2 feet tall(or should I say short) My BMI is approx 42. Just because we are not heavier doesn't mean we shouldn't have a chance for a much healthier, happier life. Sure, we could wait a year and gain 50 pounds, (to make the anonymous happy)but we deserve this surgery just as much as someone who weighs 300lbs. Good Luck to you and best wishes for a speedy recovery!! You deserve it!~~Heidi
   — Heidi H.

June 2, 2001
As a matter of fact, you will heal faster and easier. You'll also have less breathing trouble immediately post op, easier movement, and less likely to get clots. Good luck.
   — Amy K.

June 3, 2001
Hi Jennifer, just had my Lap RnY on May 31. I do expect I will heal faster because there is less abdominal fat with less weight and better chance for increased mobility. I didn't see the post referred to it is no longer here. But let me say this. To be discrimminated by both sides of this issue is a travesty. I, and many more of us have spent many years in emotional and physical pain that is just as anquishing as someone a hundred pounds heavier than we are. I've/we've fought HARD, REPEATEDLY to hold even to where we are. In my case, virtually 45 years of little rest where diet is concerned. Now...if I had not fought the battle so hard, if I had given up much earlier in life instead at 53 or so, and had gained an additional 20-30 pounds per year and weighed 350-500 pounds instead of my 237 pre-op, would I be better off? More accepted by those who do weigh in at that higher weight? What a price to pay for acceptance... I too, have experienced prejudice on some other lists, it is like we don't exist, we are not properly qualified somehow. I say, they are the real losers. We are all in this together with more in common than not, with much to share and learn together. Genetics, and the mind that is where the commonality lies. Bless you, and may your surgery and healing be successful and soon.<br> Carolyn B.<br> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RnY_5-24_6-8-01
   — Carolyn B.

June 3, 2001
I don't think I'd say our bodies heal faster exactly, but it is generally easier for lower weight obese folks to move around, and the more exercise we can get, the better we feel and the faster we heal. So in that sense, you may heal faster. I was at 250 when I started, and found that I did not need any respiratory therapy in the hospital, and no physical therapy - I was just up and out within a few hours of surgery. - Kate -
   — kateseidel

June 3, 2001
Hi! On the morning of my surgery I weighed 208# @ 5'6". And if I wouldn't have had surgery, I would have been dead by now. My co-morbidities gave me a terminal prognosis. That was almost 14 months ago. I am now a FAT person in a skinny body. It is all in the attitude. I refuse to ever get the holier than thou attitude that goes with a skinny person. If there is a fat person sitting in a crowded room, I will sit next to them instead of a skinny person, and start a conversation. I feel like I still belong to that group!! See, I am still the same person inside that I was before I lost the weight. I lost most of my weight in the first 5 months, and I had a longer healing process because of my poor health going into WLS. Good Luck, and God Bless --
   — CohenHeart