vucarre 0 Posted January 24, 2011 My BMI is only 32 at this point. I was at 35 two years ago. My husband talked me out of the surgery and I went to Duke Weight Loss center for 2 months and I managed to lose 30 pounds. I kept if off for about a year, but never reaching my goal of losing 60 pounds. Lasy year 2010, I started CEAHOW (which is like overeaters anonymous) and again, lost 30 pounds but never reaching my goal. I want to have the surgery now because I know this disease is progressive and I really dont want to wait until my bmi is 35 again. I would like to avoid the problems I have at that weight, which are lower back pain, and slight incontinence along with the problems I currently have, which are, high blood pressure and acid reflux. My insurance will not cover it so I am going to pay myself. Here in South Africa, it is only about $10,000. So, I am hoping I am not the only one in this boat!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
angel2001 0 Posted January 25, 2011 Hi My BMI is 35 i will be paying for the surgery .Like you i have tried everything I joined Weight Watchers back in July I lost 20 lbs since but with Christmas gearing me off im sure i have put on 10 i don't know i haven't weighed my self and haven't attended any meetings....Im tired of this rollar coaster ride up and down....spending money on gym memberships, weight loss centres, weight loss pills, etc. Im hoping the Band will help me I love food and 1 serving never seems to be enough for me....So heres hoping that the Band will control this issue and the pounds will shed....It's expensive and Im terrified that it won't work as i have read some story's of it not working....I can't imagine how that would feel?? I have desided not to tell anyone that im getting the surgery only my husband knows... My BMI is only 32 at this point. I was at 35 two years ago. My husband talked me out of the surgery and I went to Duke Weight Loss center for 2 months and I managed to lose 30 pounds. I kept if off for about a year, but never reaching my goal of losing 60 pounds. Lasy year 2010, I started CEAHOW (which is like overeaters anonymous) and again, lost 30 pounds but never reaching my goal. I want to have the surgery now because I know this disease is progressive and I really dont want to wait until my bmi is 35 again. I would like to avoid the problems I have at that weight, which are lower back pain, and slight incontinence along with the problems I currently have, which are, high blood pressure and acid reflux. My insurance will not cover it so I am going to pay myself. Here in South Africa, it is only about $10,000. So, I am hoping I am not the only one in this boat!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanWho 0 Posted January 25, 2011 I started out with a BMI close to 34 and I had the procedure done. I was self-pay, so I went to Mexico to do it. I payed half of what I would have paid here. Its been one month and I have last nearly 20 pounds. I had a similar experience with dieting prior to surgery. I wasn't so hesitant because my step-mother and sister had it done back in 2007. My step-mother had a similar BMI and within a year she looked great. The surgery isn't bad, it just is uncomfortable afterwards. It was my first surgery ever. Good luck with your decision. Vanessa Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annieM 2 Posted January 26, 2011 I had a rather low BMI as well and was self pay. Best decision I ever made. I am now 4 years out and maintaining about 5 pounds from my goal. I have never been able to maintain a weight after a diet before. No matter what I lost, I'd start gaining it back right away and then some. Now if I gain a pound or two I watch it, if it's three I go for a tiny fill and it comes off right away. I love it. I find it a very easy way to live compared to having umpteen sizes in my closet all the time. Now, in my closet, everything fits me! I've gone from a size 22 to a size 6! I love my band. Good luck on your journey! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grumpys wife 1 Posted January 26, 2011 I feel like I could have written all of these responses. I am going to be a self pay with a low BMI also. I told my doctor that I could lose 20# on a diet and I could gain 25# back but I can't get 50 off. I know if I could get down 50 that I would keep it off. He tried to talk me in to getting a gastric sleeve but I'm not going that route. Glad to hear these success stories from low BMI patients I had a rather low BMI as well and was self pay. Best decision I ever made. I am now 4 years out and maintaining about 5 pounds from my goal. I have never been able to maintain a weight after a diet before. No matter what I lost, I'd start gaining it back right away and then some. Now if I gain a pound or two I watch it, if it's three I go for a tiny fill and it comes off right away. I love it. I find it a very easy way to live compared to having umpteen sizes in my closet all the time. Now, in my closet, everything fits me! I've gone from a size 22 to a size 6! I love my band. Good luck on your journey! 1 allready4this reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
onthego317 4 Posted January 26, 2011 I had surgery 5 months ago and started with a BMI of 32. I paid $15,000 for my surgery and do not regret it. The weight loss has been slower than I imagined but it is sooooo worth every penny! My weight has yo-yoed up and down all my life and I now have a tool to keep me off that rollercoaster. I do not have good restriction yet because my Dr is conservative with fills. I can still eat most anything and it is still sort of a diet. This is not a magic fix...you have to work towards your goal. I weigh on the Wii Fit every morning and when I started it would tell me I was obese (just barely at the bottom of the chart) and just two days ago it told me I am "Normal" (just barely at the top of the chart!)!! I started out a sz 14/16 and can now wear a size 8/10!!! I am worth every penny it cost! Dont be surprised to hear negative comments from people because of your low BMI! I have never tried to keep it a secret from anyone. At first I had several people tell me that I wasnt "THAT BIG". My respponse was "You carry around 55 extra pounds for a week and then tell me how you feel!" It always shuts them up! Good Luck on your journey!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dianeinva 0 Posted January 27, 2011 I had surgery 5 months ago and started with a BMI of 32. I paid $15,000 for my surgery and do not regret it. The weight loss has been slower than I imagined but it is sooooo worth every penny! My weight has yo-yoed up and down all my life and I now have a tool to keep me off that rollercoaster. I do not have good restriction yet because my Dr is conservative with fills. I can still eat most anything and it is still sort of a diet. This is not a magic fix...you have to work towards your goal. I weigh on the Wii Fit every morning and when I started it would tell me I was obese (just barely at the bottom of the chart) and just two days ago it told me I am "Normal" (just barely at the top of the chart!)!! I started out a sz 14/16 and can now wear a size 8/10!!! I am worth every penny it cost! Dont be surprised to hear negative comments from people because of your low BMI! I have never tried to keep it a secret from anyone. At first I had several people tell me that I wasnt "THAT BIG". My respponse was "You carry around 55 extra pounds for a week and then tell me how you feel!" It always shuts them up! Good Luck on your journey!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dianeinva 0 Posted January 27, 2011 Hi Shelly, I was just banded 2 weeks ago, had a BMI of 32 and need to lose about 50 pounds. You stated that the weight came off more slowly than you had thought. After 2 weeks I've only lost 6 pounds and I'm really concerned. My calorie intake is so much lower than what I had before the band, I thought that I would have lost more by now. What can I expect as the weeks go along. I'm on mushy foods and try to make sure that I'm getting 50-60 grams of Protein a day. Any info you might have would be so welcomed. Diane Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boccomio 0 Posted January 27, 2011 My BMI is 33 and i was also self pay. I when to Tijurana, Mexico because here in Los Angeles the cost was 15k. I save a chunk of money and drove to Tijuana which is 2hours drive. I am a size 14 and aiming for size 4. I been on a roller coaster since 1996. I have lost on my own 70lbs but is hard doing it.. i took diet pills, starved, workout like a crazy woman, vegan, low calorie, jenny craig, you name it i had done it. i want something pertmant that can help me stay at a steady weight. people were telling i was crazy for doing the surgery because i wasnt fat enought , but they had no idea all my body discomfort from carrying all this extra weight. Good luck with your banding Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter 0 Posted January 31, 2011 Thanks for this post. I'm going to be a self pay in Seattle w Dr. McMahon. Its going to be around $16K and my goal is to loose 60-70 lbs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aabtaysul 0 Posted February 8, 2011 My BMI is only 32 at this point. I was at 35 two years ago. My husband talked me out of the surgery and I went to Duke Weight Loss center for 2 months and I managed to lose 30 pounds. I kept if off for about a year, but never reaching my goal of losing 60 pounds. Lasy year 2010, I started CEAHOW (which is like overeaters anonymous) and again, lost 30 pounds but never reaching my goal. I want to have the surgery now because I know this disease is progressive and I really dont want to wait until my bmi is 35 again. I would like to avoid the problems I have at that weight, which are lower back pain, and slight incontinence along with the problems I currently have, which are, high blood pressure and acid reflux. My insurance will not cover it so I am going to pay myself. Here in South Africa, it is only about $10,000. So, I am hoping I am not the only one in this boat!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aabtaysul 0 Posted February 8, 2011 I too had a lower BMI and was self pay. I had a BMI of 32 and paid $15K for the suregery. I am 46 years old and have been dieting my whole life. I have lost and gained the same 50 pounds a million times. I needed to get off of the merry go round. I only had the surgery 2 weeks ago so I don't have any restriction on it yet. I am not sorry I have done this. For health reasons and other reasons, I believe this was the right choice for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites