Bmi 28, Am I Crazy--Considering surgery

[kit 0]

:help: I am 31 years old and 35 pounds overweight. I have lost it and gained a couple times in my adult life, not to metion all the 5, 10, 15 pounds I would loose and regain. All great efforts, but I have a food addiction and can't keep it off. I really want this surgery as a tool to get it off and keep it off. I understand it is not a "cure all" and I still have to deal with my overeating, but it sure would be nice to not binge on a box of twinkies:hungry: when I have an impulse moment after a week on weight watchers! Anyways, I know I am not "morbidly obese" but I know I could be on my way. Also, I don't feel good a lot because of all the bad food I eat and the overeating is aggrevating my Rhematoid Arthritis.:faint:

I metioned this to my husband and he just feels (like everyone else).....:bored "just watch what you eat, Portion Control and excercise". Well, I know very few people who have ever done that AND KEPT THE WEIGHT OFF!!!!!!!!! I know I can loose it but I am so tired of regaining it and dealing with all that emotional stress and not to metion how bad that is on your body to loose and gain!!!! I would like to do a little preventative medicine here and not get to a 40 BMI.

So all you bandsters out there, DO YOU THINK I'M CRAZY? IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE LIKE ME WITH A LOW BMI (28-30) WHO HAS HAD THE SURGERY AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH ME?

I do not want to hear the opinions any more of people who have no idea about this surgery, who are overweight or thin and telling me "just diet and excercise":heh: and/or think I am just selfish and vain. I WANT TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO UNDERSTAND!!

I am so frustrated and tired of dealing with this! I know I have to deal with this the rest of my life but I would love to have a tool like the LapBand to help me.

Please help soon,:help: I go to the seminar on April 12th and I would like to be more prepared.

Thank you.

[faithmd 14]

Hi kit, no need to post multiple threads, most of us love to read all over the board, welcome to LBT!

Here's a thread geared toward lower BMI bandsters, hope this helps you some:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/lower-bmi-bandsters-t26697.html

You *might* have a challenge finding a doc to band you at such a low BMI, but that thread is certainly a good place to start looking. At your BMI you will almost definitely have to self pay. I do wish you luck in your journey and hope you keep us posted.

I don't think it's an awful thing that you would want to get banded, the Band is a tool, and if you need that tool, then you need it. Just because I am two hundred pounds overweight doesn't make my pain with being heavy and worse than yours at your weight. We all have our own perceptions, we're here for you!

[kt_999 0]

Hi Kit

My BMI is 35 so a lot higher than yours but I too have had people question my motivation for wanting to be banded. I have also beat myself up over not being able to maintain my previous great weight losses.

I am obsessed by food as I seem to always be hungry and I simply don't want to be! I am 36 years old and have already spent 1/2 my life worrying about my weight and where it will eventually get too. I think that the gastric band is a great tool for those of us (regardless of BMI) who have a real problem with contolling our hunger... I wish that I had considered it at a lower BMI and a younger age so I say... if you know that it's right for you and if you've done lots of research then you should go for it :-)

KT

[MollieBeth 0]

I wasn't that much higher than you, I had a BMI of a 32.5, I know that is a lot higher than a 28 but like you said you are losing and gaining. I can tell you it has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. My doctor does the surgery for lower BMI patients but he always says, now...you aren't going to lose like all of the other patients in their 6 week period before their first fill. That is true, because you have to think about it. The reason heavier patients with a higher BMI have a lot more fat lining the stomach wall which gives them restrcition with the band. So you may not lose very much in the beginning but after your first fill you will be just as tight as everyone else. It is the way to go and I recommend it for everyone that has problems sitting down at the table and eating way more than we should. Another great thing, is I have not lost as many pounds as I thought, but I am losing inches and pant sizes. So it all works out. Email me if you want molliebeth.smith@yahoo.com I would love to tell you about my experience, but I also say GO for it!! It will be the best thing for you!

Mollie

[Davyna 0]

There are a few people on here who found a dr to band them with a lower BMI based on the idea that it is a preventative measure, as you were stating. I think a dr in Mexico would be willing to do it, but I can't remember the name. Sorry I'm not much help but I do think there is hope!

[jdee 0]

I was banded with a bmi of 34 in mexico on March 1. It was the best thing I did. I had been dieting for over 20 years yoyoing up and down. I think I had a mental addiction. Since the band I have lost 20lbs and am not hungry. For the first time in years I feel I have a chance to be successful.

[RowdyReptile 2]

hey - you only get one chance to live your life. if the band can help you live a healthy, happy life... I say go for it.

[waterlily1072 5]

The thing is that the band is just a tool. We all still watch everything we eat. It isn't a miracle cure for weight issues. A banded person can gain weight too very easily in fact. All we have to do is eat the junk food that goes right through so easily. The band will not restrict chips, Cookies, candy, ice cream, any liquid calories, pudding, frosting. Log everything you eat and be honest. If you are eating these things even on a semi regular basis, it is likely that the band wouldn't be effective for you. If you don't eat junk and are not a grazer and simply eat too much at meal time then the band can help you. I see nothing wrong with preventative banding, but if it is just another diet for someone or they think it is a quick and easy fix, it's a lot of money to spend on a diet and it is far from easy. Good luck on your journey