Anybody start at over 300?

[ljones4521 4]

I did not start in the 300 category, but want to comment that people will advise what they are most comfortable with. Perhaps your doctor doesn't have much experience with lap bands and particularly doesn't have much experience placing bands on patients with higher BMI's. Why don't you ask him how many bands has he placed on patients with similar weight/BMI as yours.

Personally, I too belive the RNY surgery will help to take the weight off sooner but there are far too many tradeoffs. Far to invasive. I like knowing I haven't done anything 'permanent' to my body.

Good luck with your decision.

[jqpublic 1]

Doctors office scale 306, Mine medical 310 its all the same! Bmi of 40. Triglycerides 543 now 46

Cholesterol between 350/325 both below 150 Good 78, bad ldl 74

Weight now 198...and hold for a long time now.

bmi now 27 life is great!................ Not banded,not by choice Insurence.

[GeezerSue 7]

Here's the answer you don't really want...and it's all about number crunching.

Apparently, for higher BMI patients, the end result ON AVERAGE gives less than optimum bang for the buck. So, let's say that someone who is 5'4" and weighs 300 pounds (BMI 51.5) has "average" success and loses 60% of her excess weight. That person would then weigh 216 and still be obese, with a BMI of 37.1. In fact, with "the right comorbidities," she would STILL qualify for wls.

For that reason, BC California has stopped covering the band for patients with BMI's of over 50. Of course, it's illogical, in that the band and the RnY have the same long-term results. But they can show that the RnY patients GET to a lower weight and then regain and blame that regain on the patient...but the band patient who just loses slower and ends up where the RnY patient is two or three years out can be called a "failure," for never getting to the goal weight.

I think it was Twain who said somthing like, "There are three kinds of untruths...Lies, damn lies and statistics."

[Mikey 0]

When I started all of this, I was at 515 - and my BMI was nearly 63. I had my band 'installed' on Feb 13 - just over a week ago. My 1-week post op appointment was yesterday, and I was at 490... not a bad start!

For me, the band was the only choice. Fortunately, I was self-pay, so I didn't have to rely on the rocket scientists of the insurance industry to determine my course of action... :welldone2:

[gentlespirit 1]

Hi~

I was at 329 the day before surgery and had a BMI of 50. I was banded 1/24/06 and am down about 30 pounds. Loving it so far!

I have seen some really bad outcomes of bypass surgery, so it was never an option for me. Somewhere on here (I think...or maybe Obesityhelp.com?) I saw a post/article that after 18 months to 2 years the results are virtually the same for bandsters and those who had bypass surgery. Of course it depends on the individual and how their body reacts and the choices they make to some extent. But if your surgeon is pressuring you, I'd find another surgeon who is more familiar and comfortable with all the options. DOn't let him pressure you into something you aren't comfortable with!

Emily

[juliek 0]

Hi there,

I started at 354 lbs on June 3 and am now down to 260ish. I LOVE my band. My dr. recently told me that she is beyond thrilled with my results as the average band loss is about 70 lbs the first year. I would have never considered RNY, so I would suggest looking into another dr. I saw a dr who had only done 3 bands and was pushing the by-pass, so I found another dr. Good Luck!

[burnsun 27]

My weight when I first thought of banding was about 330. I lost about 30 on Atkins got and stayed pregnant for sa surprise. Delivered at 270 on July 4th 2003 and got my band on 7/27 2004 at 278. My BMI was high- but not 50- I amalmost 5 ' 10 now (I keep getting taller as I loose weight.

before at 330 ish

after in October 2005 158 ish

But I will say I was still breastfeeding which burs lots of extra calories so I did very well.

I currently have no fill due to a problem (not really band related- just lost pregnancy) and am still at 155 (was actually happy to gain some weight back) I still have about 20 lbs of hanging skin in places I don't want.

But you can do it!

[Morsaille 4]

http://www.inamed.com/pdf/health/94829F_LB_Patient_Book.pdf

This is the link to the OLD inamed handbook. It has statistics on one of the middle-ish pages 3 years out on bandsters only. It compares successes between different levels of obesity.

I hope it works, this is my first link on LBT. :nervous

Wheetsin pointed out that this handbook has not been updated since 2003. That makes it horribly out of date. I'd delete it, but I am just so proud of my first little link.. Thanks Wheetsin!

["Just" Paul 1]

I started in November 0f 2005 at 371.

[leighhoffman 0]

I started out at 337lbs on the day of surgery 10/10/05 and this morning I was 273lbs. I have been very happy with my decision. I think 64lbs in 4 months is not that bad!

[Wheetsin 714]

The good news is - that book hasn't been updated since 2003. :welldone2:

[Anndallei 0]

My start weight was about as close to 340 as you can get and at 5 foot 1 inch, my BMI was 64. I had lap band surgery on 9-13-05 and, as of today, weigh 289 pounds! Lowest I've weighed in 24 years!

[TrishS 3]

I started out at 341lbs.... and even thought I have had some problems I have lost over 50lbs and I couldnt be happier....

[Teresa A 0]

I was 312 pre-band and around 300 the day of surgery. It is working great for me. My doctor and I (after much research) thought the Lapband was the perfect tool for me.

I haven't had any problems and I love my band.

[marypetunia 0]

It was suggested several times by medical staff that a bypass would be better for me... I absolutely refused that procedure, telling them if they couldn't do the lap, I would leave the program... I DO NOT regret that decision one bit! I'm 6 weeks out today and couldn't be happier!! (The complications from bypass just scared me waayyyy too much!) I feel great and it's working!