Do I need the Band??

[OilSooner 23]

Well, I am 5-8 to 5-9 and weight about 268. I think I want to get the band, but am not sure. I know I weigh WAY too much, and know that I have tried every diet I have ever heard of, with the most success coming from traditional diet and exercise (lasted about 5 months, and I went from about 255 to 220). Now, I weigh more than when I started that diet (2 years ago) and am constantly gaining. I def feel lost with my weight problem (I think I am a binge eater/emotional eater/bored eater), but I dont know if the problem is bad enough to warrant surgery. I dont know if the Doctors are going to say "You're not nearly big enough for bariatric surgery." I mean, I would like to get the surgery if it was available, but I dont know that I will be a candidate.

Anyway, I have insurance so that is a plus, and I am scheduled to go to a meeting Thurs night to get a consultation at the local hospital.

So, just looking for advice from people who know more about it than I do.

Thanks in advance.

[mdcutie01 0]

Welcome :-)

I am around the same weight and a little shorter. I understand what you are saying about whether you think you are big enough for surgery because I went through the same thought process with myself. I have my pre-op appt tomorrow and to be honest I am still thinking it! I believe it is a major decision you have to really be ready for. Go to the seminars and talk with your doctor. Being "big enough" has nothing to do with it, it's about being healthy and feeling good about yourself.

Good luck!

Well, I am 5-8 to 5-9 and weight about 268. I think I want to get the band, but am not sure. I know I weigh WAY too much, and know that I have tried every diet I have ever heard of, with the most success coming from traditional diet and exercise (lasted about 5 months, and I went from about 255 to 220). Now, I weigh more than when I started that diet (2 years ago) and am constantly gaining. I def feel lost with my weight problem (I think I am a binge eater/emotional eater/bored eater), but I dont know if the problem is bad enough to warrant surgery. I dont know if the Doctors are going to say "You're not nearly big enough for bariatric surgery." I mean, I would like to get the surgery if it was available, but I dont know that I will be a candidate.

Anyway, I have insurance so that is a plus, and I am scheduled to go to a meeting Thurs night to get a consultation at the local hospital.

So, just looking for advice from people who know more about it than I do.

Thanks in advance.

[mattie7632 24]

It's a big decision, and one I do not regret. The major things I considered were 1) My age and health prognosis plus likelihood of changing lifestyle without the band 2) Chances of success-feedback of others 3) Safety and invasiveness of procedure.

All things considered, it was a no brainer for me! Good luck!

[OilSooner 23]

Thanks for the replies so far, and I guess I should have mentioned that I am a male, which puts my current BMI at 40.5, which is right on the border, as I suspected.

I dont think there is any chance of me attaining a "normal" weight (the BMI calculator says "healthy weight" is 155, but I dont think I could ever get that small....175-180 would be comfortable for me) without surgery, so that is my main motivating factor. Plus, I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and diabetes runs rampant in my family.

[mattie7632 24]

well it sounds like most doctors will find you a candidate!

[justplaintired 0]

You are definitely a candidate from a medical/insurance perspective. They will band you with a 40 BMI with no co-morbidities (and you have a number of them). Co-morbidity is a weight related health problem. If your BMI was 35 with those health probs you would be approved.

I was just banded last Friday. I had a 35.9 BMI when I was submitted to insurance (with apnea, high blood pressure, etc.) I was approved.

I think what you are thinking is am I big enough that I need this help? Can't I just do it on my own without surgical intervention. I realized that I needed this even though I am considered a low bmi candidate. I can lose the weight, and I lose rather quickly. However, once the novelty wears off, I go right back to my gorging on food. I got the band because I am expecting itt o prvent me from being ABLE to gorge at single sittings.

It isn't for everyone. And it IS a surgery. You are right to really think it all through.

Good luck to you!

Thanks for the replies so far, and I guess I should have mentioned that I am a male, which puts my current BMI at 40.5, which is right on the border, as I suspected.

I dont think there is any chance of me attaining a "normal" weight (the BMI calculator says "healthy weight" is 155, but I dont think I could ever get that small....175-180 would be comfortable for me) without surgery, so that is my main motivating factor. Plus, I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and diabetes runs rampant in my family.