A thread for super-sized bandsters - starting BMI over 50?

[pandagirl 0]

BMI 55. current wieght 380, goal weight 170. I've not been banded yet. I am ready for the change in lifestyle, but have been reading too much on platic surgery and am a little scared that I will go through all of this and have tons of skin hanging. It seems like the ones who only have a 100 pounds to lose have trouble and since I am way bigger then I might have way more issues regarding PS.

[vessa 1]

<p>

Hi not sure how i stumbled onto this site but hope it will help me in the coming wks. I am having my band fitted in four wks am so so excited and am dreaming every night about my new life ahead. Am i expecting too much!!!!!!

</p> <p> </p> <p>"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." </p> <p>Henry David Thoreau -(this is a favorite of mine)</p> <p> </p> <p>p.s. i wish someone had told me that there was the chance that i would not have had restriction until i got my first fill. When I came out of surgery and was ravenous a week later, I so thought i had failed and made a big mistake. Now I have had two fills, and I finally get what the restriction is that everyone else is talking about. Just don't give up, and don't worry about expecting too much from the band, i would rather expect to much and fail then expect too little and win.</p>

[Klovermom 0]

<p>

Hi everyone. I hope you don't mind if I jump in here. I went to a surgical seminar last night and I just left a message with the dietician that my the surgeon I'm using recommended to set up and appointment for my six month supervised diet. Once I complete the diet and get my psych evaluation, then the insurance company will approve me. So, I'm looking at early 2008 for my banding. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do the six month diet so that I could get banded sooner, but c'est la vie. I'll do what I need to do. I have a long way to go and I hope to "meet" you guys soon. <img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/happy.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" smilieid="60" class="inlineimg" />

</p> <p>I know it seems a long way off, but the time will pass and we will will be on the way to a new way of life. My husband and I are both getting banded Oct. 1 2007 and are self pay because we simply did not have the patience or the tolerance for aggrivation to do all of the insurance requirements. I figure we will save enough on food over the next couple of years to reimburse ourselves. </p> <p>I hope to read more of your posts and see you in the success coawproceed along.</p>

[faithmd 14]

Welcome and glad to hear you are getting banded soon.

Actually, lots of folks say that they find they are spending more on their food bills now. It's cheap to eat poorly. I have also found that I am spending about as much as I was before because I buy better foods, but it's worth it anyway!

[elinrw 0]

I was heartened to see your story. I weighed 371 at my first meeting with the dr yesterday. I wish you all the best and would love to hear how your journey goes.

[leedorr 0]

BMI 55. current wieght 380, goal weight 170. I've not been banded yet. I am ready for the change in lifestyle, but have been reading too much on platic surgery and am a little scared that I will go through all of this and have tons of skin hanging. It seems like the ones who only have a 100 pounds to lose have trouble and since I am way bigger then I might have way more issues regarding PS.

Pandagirl

I weighed at my highest 378 by the time I had my surgery 1 year ago on Wednesday 7/24 I weighed 311. I know weigh 202 I did not have any problems with the surgery or afterward as far as surgery and the band. I do have a total change in life style, work out and eat small amounts and very slowly. I went from over 55 BMI to 32 right now. I have about 20 pounds to loss I can't believe I am even saying that. It sounds so weird! You can do it I just wanted you to know I did weigh over 100 pounds and I didn't have problems! Hang in there!:eek:

[elinrw 0]

hello, i am pre-band-no surgery date yet-i hope in may or june.

i think i weigh 375 and @ 5'3 1/2", my bmi is 65!!! i get so discouraged

to think about it--having to lose about 200 lbs. at least. i KNOW i will be

all wrinkly and saggy and will not be able to ever have any cosmetic

surgery, but hopefully i will live longer. i would like to be able to take a

shower again w/o a shower chair-you know -maybe actually stand up!!

not have to ride my scooter when i have to go out in public. i don't use it at home--but i am sure my kids hate me having to use it for ball games,

school functions, etc...........oh, well , i know i have a long way to go--

and i am committed--i will look for the small victories ....:straight

Oh my dear, I so feel your pain and can relate so much to your struggles with mobility. Even fat I used to e fairly fit in a walking/swimming sense until about 8 years ago when I got this desk job and turned into a blob. I am to do my surgery on 8/31--How have things gone for you since you posted? I hope all the best!

[Darragha 0]

My current BMI is 57. I weight somewhere around 335 and I'm 5'5"

I have lost hundreds of pounds and gained them all back again over the last 20 years--which oddly, have been the happiest years of my life!

If the nurse at NWWLS phoned me tomorrow and said, "Start your liquid pre-op diet tomorrow" I'd be there. My consult is 8/9 and I am ready to be a part of the band. Rock on!

Darr

[phyllser 3]

My current BMI is 57. I weight somewhere around 335 and I'm 5'5"

I have lost hundreds of pounds and gained them all back again over the last 20 years--which oddly, have been the happiest years of my life!

If the nurse at NWWLS phoned me tomorrow and said, "Start your liquid pre-op diet tomorrow" I'd be there. My consult is 8/9 and I am ready to be a part of the band. Rock on!

Darr

:funnypost: :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

Yeah, you ARE DEFINITELY a writer. Congrats!! You're on your way!!

[Darragha 0]

My current BMI is 57. I weight somewhere around 335 and I'm 5'5"

I'm a writer, true--and thereby I spend my life in a seated position. See that BMI of 57? I didn't get that by doing construction!

When I was a bingo hall floorwalker back in the '80's I didn't weigh 335! I spend 12-15 hours a weekend on my feet. Now, my rear is planted firmly in my computer chair. My husband says only my fingers get any exercise. Hrrrummpf.

[BeckyNTn 0]

My presurgery weight was 317 pounds. I was in a tight size 30 in April, now I am in a loose size 24. I almost cried when I realized I don't have to shop exclusively at Catherine's anymore. I can actually shop at regular stores now!!! Better prices and selection, I love my band!

[leedorr 0]

To those of you who are just beginning this wonderful exciting journey. Please let me tell a little of my journey. In 2001 I weighed 378 pounds. My left knee was "bone on bone" I was in so much pain I couldn't walk without crutches or a cane on a good day. I was forced to use the go carts at Disney World with my grandchildren and always shopping. If it wasn't for my job I would have been totally housebound. The pain was awful. Because of the weight the right knee got bad also. The physical therapy people told me to ask the Dr. for a go cart, they couldn't do any more for me. I went to the ortho doc who really didn't want to do anything for me because of my weight for a referral to the Water aerobics class. She did give me that. I went and found women bigger then me there working out. Three days a week I was there faithfully, pain and all. After about 1 year I got down to 284. I went to another ortho doc who did arthroscopic surgeries on my knees and then referred me to another ortho doc who was wonderful and replaced both my knees. I should say by the time I was 325 and friend went with me to a gym where I found a trainer who was willing to take me on. That's how I got to 284. After the knee replacements I went from 284 to 315 back and forth until I got tired of it . My insurance company paid for my lap band July 24, 2006 I am not abut to break 200 for the first time since I was 18. I am 59! I have so loose skin on my arms and my abdomen but I am about to have a BM! under 30! I know this is long, but I just want you all to know there is hope! You can do it! I had a few little set backs with my eating and my exercising but the band wouldn't let me gain more than 4 pounds, and my Doc really got on my tail when that happened, helping me figure out why I did what I did! Go for it! :clap2::eek::whoo:

[synicalchick 0]

Haven't posted in awhile. It will be 6 months 8/27 and this procedure has totally changed my life for the better. My BMI alone is down 10 points from a 56 to a 46!:whoo:

[phyllser 3]

Thanks to both of you for sharing your encouraging testimonies.

I am one week postop. Highst weight 328, started preop diet at 326.6, 5 ft tall. Similar knee problems. Bought a handicap scooter about 5 years ago. Very little exercise except in winter when we go to CA and stay at an RV park with pools and I do Water aerobics every morning. I'm going to make this work.

[Darragha 0]

abut to break 200

BIG, HUGE CONGRATS!

I love this thread. It is quite encouraging.

Darr