mperkerson

Hello, it's been a while since I've posted on this site, but I have a question or two and would like to know if anyone could answer them. I am 37 years old with a 34 bmi. I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol(but not real high). My question is..Can someone like me that has been on a diet since they were 14 be able to get the lalpband if I was self-paying? Also, do you have to have gone to weight watchers, Jenny craig or any of those sites? I haven't done any of those diets just because I've done everything else out there under the sun and seen friends on weight watchers that lose a couple of pounds and gain 10 more back and being on so many diets before with the same end result it's frustrating. In what research I have done so far on the lapband, it seems to have a higher success rate for people to lose and keep off.I'm not looking for an easy solution because I know the band is a tool and just as hard as any other type of weight loss solution but it just seems like it has a higher success rate.

Hi, does anyone know of a doctor in Georgia that would consider banding someone with a 32 bmi?

Hi,I was wondering if anyone heard about the FDA possibly lowering their BMI requirements from 35 with comorbidities to 30 with cormobidities? On the FDA website under the news and events,if you go under meetings to the advisory meeting calendar (tried to put a link in before wouldn't work) and slated for December 2-3,2010 is the gastroenterology devices panel meeting that states that they will be discussing the issue of lowering the bmi range. This may be good news for some of us that fall between 30 and 35 bmi because hopefully they'll lower the requirements and the insurance companies will follow. I don't know how long it takes to make changes happen if they do decide to do that.

Hi, can anyone recommend a doctor in Georgia? If so, where are they located? I am close to Atlanta and there are several but if I could get anyone's input on who they used, that would be great. Also, if you were self pay, approximately how much did it cost? Not that the cost is as important as the doctor's knowledge and experience is.Thanks!

Thanks, I will look into him.

Hi, I am assuming that most self payers are of low bmi. My question is: Will US doctors take self payers if they are under the 35 bmi? The reason I ask is because most people I've run across with low bmi went to Mexico and my husband is dead set against going there. Any input would be much appreciated.

Thanks! I couldn't get the link to work.

If someone can get the lap band with a 40 or higher bmi or 35 bmi with comorbidities,eventually they are going to lose the weight and be under the 35 bmi scale, so my question is if they will eventually be under the normal scale to determine whether someone gets the band or not , then why can someone who is under the 35 bmi but has the health problems not get it unless they pay out of pocket? Doesn't make sense to me and seems a little bias. Just because you aren't 35 bmi doesn't mean you haven't tried to move heaven and earth to lose the weight. And reading some of the post where people are telling others to gain weight to get the band is crazy. Why not try to do everything to prevent having an unhealthy body? I don't understand, sounds totally nuts to me.

Hello Everyone! I'm new here and I haven't been banded or been to a doctor yet. I am trying to find as much info as I can before I make a decision. I may not even qualify for lap band surgery. I have a low BMI (32). I'm 5'4" and weigh 187 lbs. I've got high blood pressure and high cholesterol which scares me because my father had a heart attack in July at the age of 60 and had to have stints put in and half his heart is dead now. I'm 36 and have had a weight problem most of my life. I'm been on lots of diets where I've lost some weight then gained more back. Does anyone know of a doctor in Atlanta,Georgia that they would recommend me talking to?