Should I Or Shouldn't I?

[dublinbandgirl 1]

Hey guys just joined and looking for advice

I have struggled with my weight for years with it constantly fluctuating up and down - diet going well for a few weeks and then it all falls apart, weight piles back on, the usual.

This cycle has been going on for years and I am now at my heaviest having joined a workplace where there is free food and Snacks everywhere - and free all you can eat lunches with delicious food. This does not go so well for me, I have no willpower!

My self confidence is really really low and as this has been going on for years it seems conventional methods are really failing me.

So I am looking into lap band surgery and I think it is something I want.

The only issue I have is that my BMI is 30.5 which seems to be pretty low for the surgery from what I have read. I am classified in the Obese category on the BMI scale but I think I have found a surgeon who will perform the surgery at BMI 30.5.

My question is do you guys think it is too drastic for my BMI? I would be aiming to lose 50-60lbs post surgery from 200 at 5'7".

I really feel this may be the right thing for me to do but just want input from others.

Any thoughts on the matter appreciated!

Thanks!

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

Yes the calculator says you are obese.... But it's certainly on the low end.... Nothing that a few months of dieting wouldn't change. What concerns me is that if You don't have the will power to not eat the free food you woudnt be a good band candidate...because we can still eat anything but we run the risk of having the food get stuck, not losing weight and possibly having serious medical issues from the band slipping.

The band isn't a magical cure. It's a tool which helps you lose. But is is drastic. Its surgery. Its also forever for the most part....so while you may benefit from the tool based on your size I think I would try it on your own first... So just how committed you are.

Just because you can find a dr to perform the surgery doesn't mean you should have it. If it were me I would try it on my own... Track your calories and measure your portions...just like you would if you had the band. If after a few months you haven't been successful then talk to 2 or 3 doctors and get their opinion.

[dublinbandgirl 1]

Hi Floridays,

I absolutely agree it is a radical solution and certainly not a decision I will take lightly. I think I have a lot of thinking to do and if I do get the surgery it will be a long time away, in order to give myself the time to try lose the weight myself.

I guess what I meant by the lack of willpower is that yes I am not very self disciplined - but that is purely because the food is there.

I think if the circumstances were the same but I was post-op the same sense of "I'll eat it because I can" would go away - the desire to eat in such quantities would go because of the risk of the food getting stuck, and the potential nausea that would come along with it.

I love the taste of food but not as much as I love not being sick so I think where discipline is forced it would really help me.

To be honest I am at the very early stage of considering the surgery and will certainly be trying other methods. Only if they fail will it start to become a reality - however this has been a struggle for years, and it really swings in cycles - I'll lose for a few weeks, or even a few months as has happened a couple of times, then gain back again. I find it very difficult to maintain.

Thanks for your thoughts - All in all do you think it is not appropriate for someone of my size if the diet and exercise regime were to fail again?

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

I am glad you are giving this careful consideration.... I personally think if it were me who was 200 lbs at 5'7 I wouldn't consider myself a candidate for radical surgery. I am 5'9 and had a BMI of 55 and I still thought long and hard about the decision. It was my last hope in my opinion because I had

Lost weight on weight watchers, nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, Adkins ...you name it but I always gained it back because I never learned how to eat normally like a thin person and I would get board on diets and revert back to my old ways. That may be you as well but your weight is still manageable.

Have you spoken to your family dr or maybe a counselor?

[♥LovetheNewMe♥ 1,216]

Personal opinion, I would try other options before lapband. I know they will do the surgery for low BMI but I would try a personal trainer and join MFP. Log your calories and give it a try, what do you have to lose. I chose surgery afte failing multiple times at dieting and always gaining more back, I was morbidly obese and had many health problems. I wish I would have had the want power to lose weight with out lap band. I do not regret my band but sometimes I wish I would have tried harder and believed in my self.

[dublinbandgirl 1]

I agree with you guys - it is definitely radical and something I have only begun to consider.

I have tried all of these methods numerous times before and have failed, I guess this is why this idea has even begun circling round in my head.

[JennyBee 340]

I had my LB with a BMI of 30.

I stopped while I was ahead, didn't want these 50 lbs to turn into 100, 150, or 200 lbs to lose. Best decision of my life...

Go for it!

[dublinbandgirl 1]

Thanks JennyBee!

What were your results like?

Did you find because you had less weight to lose that the results weren't as good?

When did you get it?

[JennyBee 340]

Thanks JennyBee!

What were your results like?

Did you find because you had less weight to lose that the results weren't as good?

When did you get it?

Hi there! I got my band 2/14/12 and have lost 40 lbs....yes, MUCH slower than the higher BMIers but I'm only 8 lbs away from my goal:)

[dublinbandgirl 1]

That's still amazing, 40lbs in 10 months is awesome! it's a huge difference - As I'm 5'8" it leaves me with a little more weight to lose... I'm hoping to lose about 55-60lbs altogether.

Do you think much has changed? What was your dieting history like before that?

Also is yours less filled than average due to the relatively low initial starting weight or is that more to do with your body itself?

Thanks, great to hear of someone else starting relatively low, makes me not feel so silly

[JennyBee 340]

I'm only 5'1 so I was obese at 165.

Right before LB I did the HCg diet... I ate 500 calories a day, mild exercise and take the HCG drops before every meal....I lost the promised 30 lbs in 30 days. Then I gained them back and some a short time later. I was done playing games.

I have 6.5 Cc in my band, and I feel pretty good with that amount.

Whatever u decide best of luck, there are plenty of low BMIers on this forum for support!!!

[bandedsheree 17]

Hey guys just joined and looking for advice <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I have struggled with my weight for years with it constantly fluctuating up and down - diet going well for a few weeks and then it all falls apart' date=' weight piles back on, the usual.

This cycle has been going on for years and I am now at my heaviest having joined a workplace where there is free food and Snacks everywhere - and free all you can eat lunches with delicious food. This does not go so well for me, I have no willpower!

My self confidence is really really low and as this has been going on for years it seems conventional methods are really failing me.

So I am looking into lap band surgery and I think it is something I want.

The only issue I have is that my BMI is 30.5 which seems to be pretty low for the surgery from what I have read. I am classified in the Obese category on the BMI scale but I think I have found a surgeon who will perform the surgery at BMI 30.5.

My question is do you guys think it is too drastic for my BMI? I would be aiming to lose 50-60lbs post surgery from 200 at 5'7".

I really feel this may be the right thing for me to do but just want input from others.

Any thoughts on the matter appreciated!

Thanks![/quote']

That decision can only come from you,I have a low BMI, but I am still classed as Obese, had my surgery due to health issues, i was banded 1stOct, it's hard i have mind and food battles constantly. I am told, the band is a great tool, to work with you to loose the weight, but you have to get out and workout daily,this in turn will help you get to your goal weight and maintain it. And that's the difference to a normal diet, when you stop, you can gain weight back, good luck with your decision Sc

[CHEZNOEL 4,061]

Please consider this carefully. I think you might do well just following the lap band pre diet. The band is serious surgery, and not to be treated a fix from basic lack of will power.

[6footplusTexan 0]

I too am considering Lap Band surgery. I have a best friend who had it done and have talked to him and he is pleased so far with the result of his. I am almost 6' 3'', large frame and weigh about 280. My BMI is said I was at 35.9, which I think is on the low end of what they accept for this surgery. I've done Atkins and alost down to 210, which was about right for my size. I have Type 2 Diabetes, and my Blood preasure is inching back up, and I have Plantar faciitis in both feet because I walk so much.. My cardialogist asked me to think about it and I am. I'm 43 and had a cardiac incident when I was 40.

my problem is that feeling full is a high for me. I can't control my cravings to eat. My job keeps me fairly active. I was hoping that the lap band would force me to eat less. when I cut back to even about 2000 calleries a day I lose weight. now the new healthcare law has me wondering if my insurance will continue to provide meds. etc. for my conditions. I'd rather just do away with it. Any input would be greatly appreciated, paitent or physician.

[Banjo257 920]

Where I live, you are in 2 months of classes to prep you and it gives you time to back out or move forward with the band. Keep learning