To Band or not to band

caeleb · June 5, 2006

I'm 43, have a BMI of 32, and a strong history of diabetes. I got the intragastric balloon and have lost about 10 lbs in a month. Thing is, I have to get it removed in 5 months. It's so nice to not have to will my body not to eat all the time. I want a normal BMI to escape the family curse of diabetes, and am considering the band for a more permanent solution. Any thoughts?

Edit: Sorry folks, this is my first post. It probably belongs in the general forum.

vinesqueen · June 8, 2006

Hi Caeleb, welcome to the board. Yup, this probably best belongs in General, but that's okay, it just means that fewer people will see this.

So, I think you are basically asking if the band will be good as a preventative measure?That's a very interesting concept.

As for your BMI, if you are banded, I would need to caution you most strongly to understand that with that low of a BMI you would mostlikely lose very, very slowely. Of course, I'm not a fan of the BMI to begin with, but that is a different story. Kind of sucks to be told "you aren't fat enough" and I think you would need to speak with a couple of qualified surgeons, or a good clinic.

I think the folks I used are exceptional, but there are many exceptional clinics available. Your needs are different that someone who needs to lose weight but with no co-morbidities, different that someone who is "just fat."

Even with as little weight as I've lost, I don't regret my my banding.

Poodles · June 8, 2006

If your insurance will cover it, or you are willing to self-pay, I would say go for it. I know you want to avoid diabetes... like me. My goal is to make it past 58. (That is the age my parents died.)

Keep reading all the positives and negatives and then make your decision. Why did you get the balloon first?

Tired_Old_Man · June 10, 2006

I have had more problems than many with my Lap-Band, but would do it again.

Until they come out with a pill or under-the-skin time-controlled release of a chemical that can cut or eliminate hunger, many people will need bariatric surgery. Whether it is biological or genetic, I am always hungry and without my Lap-Band, I would probably be pushing 400#'s by now and injecting insulin.