Question:
How many of you have had WLS, with no life threating comorbs and BMI in the low 40s?

I have joint pain, pinched nerves in my back(sciatica), urinary stress, hypothyroidism, but no major comorbs. I also have a family history of Diabetes and heart diease, High blood pressure too, but other than that I am a pretty healthy person. But over the years I am slowly getting worse. On top of that my grandfather and my aunts didn't get there diabetes until they were in their mid-30s, well I just turned 30 so I figure its only time.. My BMI is 40.6 ~Katrina    — Katrina D. (posted on December 17, 2000)

December 16, 2000
Dear Katrina, Hi...I am 5'1" short (ha) and when I first asked about WLS, I weighed 207, I gained up to 212 on my surgery day (10/12/00)..I have lost 45 pounds so far. I did NOT have life-threatening comorbidities. I have fibromyalgia (a chronic pain condition), chronic fatigue, and had severe shortness of breath (with exertion). I also had a family history of heart disease, diabetes, all the baddies! Anyway, I was approved and had the open bpd/ds and I'm doing really good. I didn't worry about death (alot of people do, I read your profile...so, I wanted to add this part), I felt like you said...it wouldn't matter where I was when it was my time to go home, if the good Lord wanted me home then home I was going. I will be praying for you and if you want to email me, feel free. I love this site and all the people I have met here. God bless, Terri
   — Terri G.

December 17, 2000
I didn't have any MAJOR co-morbidities, but I do have a strong family history of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer...all the major diseases that are only made worse by being obese. I had joint pain, knee problems, urinary stress incontinence, GERD, heart palpitations and shortness of breath on exertion as well. But all of that has been corrected by the surgery. And I didn't have any problems getting my surgery approved by Medicaid either...I was really fat. I am only 5'2" and weighed 251 at the time of surgery, so I was a walking time bomb with my family history. Hope this helps...Hugs~
   — Marni

December 17, 2000
Katrina, I was in the same boat as you. My BMI was 43, but I was still pretty young (32) and had no major co-morbs. I saw diabetes, heart disease, high BP, etc in my family, but these hadn't hit me yet. The thing is, once you get into the 40's for BMI, your weight itself is a life-threatening health problem, even without any co-morbs. And, you only have worse to look forward to if you can't find a way to lose some weight. That's why I decided to go ahead with the surgery. It is harder to make that decision when you are still relatively healthy, but it will benefit you to go into surgery healthier, and to have more of your life to live on as a thinner person. Good Luck!
   — Lynn K.

December 17, 2000
Katrina, my BMI is 37.3 and my surgery is Thursday. I am only 5 feet tall and the same family history as you. I see what other members of my family suffer from and don't want to get into that line. So for me the surgery is a no brainer. Good luck to you.
   — Judy G.

December 18, 2000
Katrina, I was BMI 43, 277 lbs. with a family history of living a long time whilst abusing our bodies. That isn't to say the quality of life has been great. I had every reason to expect to live to 70-75 years old, even though I smoke and was 130 lbs. overweight. I just didn't want to live it in a wheelchair. My only co-morb is bad knees due to injuries, and not necessarily my weight. My heart, lungs and cholesterol are all excellent, but I was moving like my 70-year old mother who has osteoporosis. I think you are doing the right thing by researching this, as it is so much easier to gain weight as you age, and so much harder to lose it, too. Good Luck!
   — Allie B.