Re: low BMI

[Guest guest]

Caroline, In my experience I see that lower BMI patients are very happy patients. Losing 30 lbs can make a world of difference for a low BMI patient. The difficult part may be getting approved for surgery, there are many doctors that will not do it. There are many things to consider Family history of obesity, family history of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, highest weight you have been, etc. This surgery is done for health reasons and not cosmetic ones so the doctor needs to be sure that he will help you get healthier or prevent health problems and that you have failed at other attempts at weight loss to perform the surgery. What you mean by best outcomes is very subjective. What may be a success for one may not be for another. In regards to weight loss, a person that needs to lose 200

lbs, for example, many not be able to lose 100% of the excess body weight but if they lose 150 lbs most will consider this a success. Additionally they may need plastic surgery after the weight loss. But lives are changed when you lose 150 lbs and they will be very happy with the results. If a person needs to lose 70 lbs it is easier to reach their goal weight and may or may not require plastic surgery, this will be success to them. After the initial period right after surgery, most lower BMI patients lose weight slower. the amount of food will be restricted so they lose weight gradually too but at a slower pace. Unfortunately it is not a math equation: she lost 50 lbs in 4 months I will lose 25 in 2. I hope this helps. Ninacmcogen <cmcogen@...> wrote: I am a believer that we should start this process well before BMI's reach 40. I would like to have a band placed. I have a BMI 0f 30. I am 35lbs over weight and 5'4. There is morbid obesity in my immediate family, every person in 300lbs at least. I see the road ahead and I not going there. I want the band, i WANT THE WEIGHT OFF. What I have read is the people who have best long term outcomes are people who have 30-70 lbs to loose. any insight to geting one? caroline

Nina Eguia Patient Coordinator, Dr Aceves888 344 3916 , 619-962-8142nina_eguia@...

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[Guest guest]

Hi Melinda,

I did not have any serious complications. But, I think sharing with your primary care doctor in the US before you go about what you are going to be doing so they are on board with it makes a whole lot of sense. Let him know what kind of surgery you are having and let him know that you are going to Mexicali. I took information in about Dr. Aceves and information in about the "sleeve surgery." Believe it or not some doctors do need a little education on this type of surgery. Then if you have any problem, question or complication you can go to your primary care doctor right away. My doctor was very on board with what I was going to do and she said go for it. The only thing I had was low potassium and I knew that before I left Mexicali. So when I got home my doctor put me on Potassium tablets and I will probably always take them.

I think the fear of the unknown is what scares most everyone. I can tell you that the care you will receive in Mexico from Dr. Aceves far exceeds any kind of care you will get in the US. If I lived closer to him, he would be my primary care doctor. He is so caring and an excellent surgeon. He send the most detailed report home about your surgery so that you can add it to your medical files in the US. He is amazing. Don't hesitate to keep asking question. You are doing all the right things. You may have more questions and this really is a great site to come and ask your questions. I wish you great success.

Take care

Suzanne

[Guest guest]

When I got home from surgery I had a terrible time getting anything (liquids) down. I ended up dehydrated and in the er and they did an upper gi to check the surgery and I was told everything looked fine, then a week later I was admited for three days, again dehydrated and my patassium level was way messed up. Again they did tests to check the surgery and everything looked fine. I was told in the hospital that most likely I had a severe stomach virus and that is why I was throwing up all the time. Later my PCP said he is not convenced that it did not have something to due with surgery but no one really knows what it was. That being said I would do it again in a heart beat. Yes I was scarred but everything turned out ok and I am so much healthier after the surgery then I was b4 and I do not regret anything. I think I had a flu and being that I had

just had major surgery it just hit me harder then normal because with all the tests they did (upper GI and another one where they made me sleep and went in with a camera) everything was OK. Thats my story. I also read where someone ended up with a blood clot again very rare but it is a risk whenever you have surgery.

From: Melinda <blastedinhere@...>Subject: Low BMI Date: Monday, September 27, 2010, 9:45 PM

Two of my best friends had the VSG several months ago with a different provider and have done fantastic. We all started out the same . . .BMI just over 30. I was originally opposed to the idea of surgery, but seeing how well they have done and how happy they are, I'm now researching it. But, I'm scared to death about the idea of surgery.With a lot of research, I am leaning towards Dr. Aceves. Nina has been very helpful. My biggest concern is complications after returning home. Seems like they are few and far between, but I don't know what types of complications to ask about. Hopefully, I will sail through, but I want to know what the possibilities are out there.If anyone is willing to share with me their complications and experiences, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.Melinda