Was It Worth It?

Considering

I have a BMI of about 36 and considerting a band. At age 51, I have yo yoed several times in my life by about 70-80 pounds and countless times by smaller (20-30 pound) fluctuations. I am tired of constantly worrying about my weight, medical issues are starting to present themselves and, as I get older, it is increasingly difficult to lose without more radical assistance.

My chief worry is about what my life would be after going through the procedure. I was wondering whether any of you who also had lower BMI's have regretted (or know of anyone with lower BMIs's who regretted) going through the procedure?

smgallop

I had a higher BMI, but let me tell you why I chose the lap band outside of being overweight. My family has history of diabetis and heart issues. I want to live to see my five yr. old graduate from college, get married and have little ones. Most importantly, I want to be able to grow old with my hubby.

I've yo-yoed with diets too. Ireally think this is the best way to help with weight loss and and sustaining it. It's surgery and does carry risks. However, it's reversible if it is absolutely necessary. I would consult with a doctor and maybe go back for a second opinion. I waited three years to get the band, while I researched. I'm almost a week out from sugery now. I'm happy I did it.

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Jachut

I had a BMI of 36 when banded and I havent regretted it for one single minute.

My life is normal, I eat normally, nobody would know I was banded if I didnt choose to share the information.

The only thing is the old urges that arise, eat fast, eat lots, eat rubbish, it puts the brakes on that, big time. I just cant do it.

But other than that, I eat entirely normally, I go out to eat and enjoy it etc.

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Jacqui

Sufina

Hi, I'm eager to get started, reading everything and wanting to get to know others of you. It sounds like there is a period following the lb surgery where not much weight loss occurs until the first or subsequent fills are started. Is this usually how it works? thanks, sufina

SCJ

BMI of 37 when banded in January 08. Self pay and don't regret it for a minute!!

stl_lulu

Hi my bmi was also low barely 37. I just ha it done yesterday. I spent months researching. I am only 34 yrs old but there are some minor weight related issues in my family too so i decided to go for it. I'll keep you posted. Good luck with your decision making

DonHoll1

My BMI was a little higher,40 or41 i think. I am so glad i had this done, it is like a new life. Donna

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Weight Loss Tickers



Banded 7/27/07 Mexico Dr. Zapata

NEWME10

Hello all, I have a bmi of just over 37 but I have Diabetes, reflux, low thyroid problems and lots of joint pain. I'm 5'8" and weigh about 250.
Does the weight come off fairly quickly or is it really slow. I know everyone is different. My surgery date is May 14th and I've been working on this since August, 07. Finally got Cigna to approve. Going now to all the pre op appointments. It seemed far off but I really have a lot to do before surgery.


Susie

nume130

I am so happy that I did this. I was having alot of arthritic and fibromyalgia pain. I am off my meds and just need an occasional pain med. I am shopping and enjoying it- finally. I no longer need plus size clothes. Size 10, size small/med. I can hardly believe it!

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Surgery date, October 5

Liz1531

Okay everyone, I don't want to be Captain Negativity or sound like I'm trying to scare anyone off, but I want you to know that it may not work the way you're thinking. I also had a low BMI and it has taken me over six months to lose 20lbs. I ddn't start losing anything until I learned to work with the band and started excercising. No joke, a single pound wouldn't come off until I started to work out. I had hoped that SOME weight would come off on its own, but no. I have to watch what I eat (I follow Weight Watchers) and I have to work out! My first few months were spent thinking I put my family $8,500 in debt to lose NOTHING! I finally realized that the band alone would do NOTHING for me if I didn't diet and excercise. I hope that you drop the weight effortlessly like many do, but it didn't work for me. The first few weeks I did lose, but once the swelling went away I could and did eat exactly as before and quickly gained back anything I had lost. Good luck!

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Banded 08/30/2007 4cc band
Dr. Ortiz in TJ, Mexico
$8,500 self pay
1st fill 1.8 on 10/13/07
2nd fill .6 11/17/07

stl_lulu

Its interesting to me that the fills didn't help you either... could you even feel a difference after you had them? That is too bad for you, I plan on staying with weigh watchers myself, (my mom and I had started a while back and I think it is the most logical eating program, so I plan on continuing regardless of my band) I was banded on April 15th, at 206lbs. I would like to weigh 135. I am down about 5 lbs.. and have my first post op tomorrow. I think its important for us all to remember that there is no magic thing... its and ongoing struggle, and I feel badly for you that the band didn't work as a booster/tool as it is designed.

rnmom80

I actually lost between surgery and my first fill 12 - 15 lbs. My doctor said the initial swelling causes some restriction and feeling of fullness. I have talked to other patients in the waiting room who have said they gained before the first fill. Good luck!

anxious2bthin

I had a BMI just under 35, but chose to get banded due to diabetes, acid reflux and sleep apnea. I just had surgery on April 21st and have already lost, but have not felt hungry at all until today. In fact could only get down about 1 c. of protein shake at a time. Don't get discouraged, I had a freind who had a low BMI and didn't lose anything for 5 months, but now 1 year later is down to her goal and said she would do it again in a heartbeat.

Lap-bandit

I had a lower BMI and I am so glad that I had the surgery. I was banded on September 14, 2007 and I have lost 51 pounds WITHOUT a fill. Initially, I went through a period of thinking that maybe I did not make the right decision, but once I got through the rough part of getting acquainted with the band and the issues that you sometimes face, I realized that after years of struggling with weight that I finally felt at peace with food. I have yo-yoed for years and I am an avid exerciser, but it seemed like no matter how much I exercised or how healthy I ate, there was always a point where I would collapse and screw everything up and end up right back where I started weighing even more. I still want to lose another 30 pounds and I am not even sure if I am going to get a fill, because honestly, I still have a sense of restriction. So, for me, I am so glad I took the plunge, because after struggling for so long to be "skinny" I am finally almost to where I want to be and I know for a fact that I would be still struggling to lose weight if it wasn't for the band.

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URL=http://www.glitteryourway.com]

lessnless

I started with a BMI of 35, and I've lost an average 1.5 lbs a week since surgery. I have never had trouble losing weight until the last 3-4 years (since developing thyroid issues, Type II diabetes). The last few years, diets started out great but then just petered out.

Post-band, I still have to plan my meals but I never have that restless, unsatisfied, hungry feeling. I eat something, then I don't think about food for 3-4 hours. Sort of like quitting smoking WITH the patch vs. WITHOUT the patch.

Best of all? I squeezed into a pair of SIZE SIX jeans t'otherday.

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...if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got...

Dr Adam Smith, Fort Worth TX
Surgery Date: 08/30/2007