Over 300 pounds

[Dozy 3]

Would it be possible to have a sticky for those who are banded and over 300 pounds.

My doc really wanted me to have gastric by-pass thinking it would be better for me. I was too terrified of it, and my husband didn't want me to go so radical.

My BMI was 59 for a 5'4" shorty. If 60 or more, the doc would have considered a NO, but since I'm self-pay, he felt that the outlay could be my incentive.

Meanwhile, I'm wondering about the struggles of the 300 plus gang. Whether you're newly banded, in between, or a success, please chime in with your issues, and triumphs.

Thanks!

[METALBAND 0]

Check out this thread under lapband support. It is a thread for super size bandsters. Good luck!

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f15/thread-super-sized-bandsters-starting-bmi-over-50-a-16168/

[Dozy 3]

Thanks for the link!

[joe7777 1]

oh my....300+ and wants you to get RNY??? Never heard such a thing. I think it would be a MINORITY of ppl here who were below 300 pounds when they got a band.

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

I was 320 to start. Dr told me that I was a better canidate for band because I was only 320..yeah only...lol..

Doing great now! If you want the band, don't back down and get into the RenY when you don't want it.

[Dozy 3]

Brandy... your pics are an inspiration.

--

I started the process at Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA with the first informational seminar you have to attend.

The docs there actually seemed to discourage banding (I was the only one asking banding questions).

I started a search for a new doctor and found one locally to me (at Lapband.com).

So a few months later I gathered the nerve to make my first appt. He trained at Hershey (good gosh), and told me that I'd be his largest weightwise banding and was concerned that it would not be successful for me.

I spoke to many people at my support group about the doc and came away with feeling good about my choice of physicians, but still hoping that I qualify for the banding. The ratio of GBP to LBS in my support group is like 20 to 1.

So at my appt a week before the surgery he asked, "so which one do you want?" I said, "Lapband." and it was a go.

[Kimmie 0]

I was over 300 when I started...330 to be exact! Bleh....

I'm currently down to 287ish! Woot!!!

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

Thanks Dozy!

Best of luck to you!

[Brenda G. 0]

My physician wanted (and tried to talk me into) a bypass, he said because I was diabetic it was a better option. I just couldn't get myself to consider the bypass. So he relented and agreed on the lap-band. I was banded on 10-5-07. I started out @ 347 and after the 2 week low calorie diet and the 2 week pre-op liquid only diet I was @ 324. I am inspired looking @ the pictures of Brandy, I want to look like her. ha ha. I am a little discouraged that I havn't broke 300 yet, but I going to hang in there. Just looking and reading the posts give me hope.

[Reesh 0]

My physician wanted (and tried to talk me into) a bypass, he said because I was diabetic it was a better option. I just couldn't get myself to consider the bypass. So he relented and agreed on the lap-band. I was banded on 10-5-07. I started out @ 347 and after the 2 week low calorie diet and the 2 week pre-op liquid only diet I was @ 324. I am inspired looking @ the pictures of Brandy, I want to look like her. ha ha. I am a little discouraged that I havn't broke 300 yet, but I going to hang in there. Just looking and reading the posts give me hope.

I was 307 when I was banded in March 07, I am now 250, I went from a size 28 to 18-20, feeling great. My goal is to lose 100 more, get rid of my cpap, and begin to look like the person God created me to be. My children have never seen me thin and that is one of my goals. I gave all my clothes away and today went shopping and even fit into a 14-16, it was a little snug around the hips but before I wouldn't even think of trying it on. If I can do it, you can do it too!!! Good Luck!!!!

[Dozy 3]

I ran into a by-pass patient in the waiting room of my docs appointment a few days ago. We actually have nothing in common because our surgeries, recovery and food-intake are so different.

I had a hard time with considering my internals being rerouted. I once did consider by-pass, until I saw the LapBand commercial. That's when I knew I had my tool.

[GayleTX 1]

I chose the band for the very reason that I was over 300......350 to be exact. I knew that the 'window of opportunity' with the RNY is for most people (I realize not all, but most) is about 24 months. After that you need to have changed your lifestyle and eating habits to lose the rest of your weight or to keep off what you've lost already. I did not trust myself to do that.....I wanted a tool that would last forever, not just 2 years. Also, I am older, had serious health problems including heart trouble and feared the radical nature of the RNY surgery and malabsorption. So for those reasons, I chose the band. Was it the best choice? I dont' know.....but I do know it's working. I'm 18 mo out, have lost 160 pounds, am off all my meds, threw away my CPAP and my walker. I also realize that I'm very compliant with the rules and that much of my success has come from using my head, not just my band....but I tried that pre-surgery, too, and it didn't work. The lapband is working for me and with me and we are doing a pretty good job!!:clap2:

[Dozy 3]

I was 307 when I was banded in March 07, I am now 250, I went from a size 28 to 18-20, feeling great. My goal is to lose 100 more, get rid of my cpap, and begin to look like the person God created me to be. My children have never seen me thin and that is one of my goals. I gave all my clothes away and today went shopping and even fit into a 14-16, it was a little snug around the hips but before I wouldn't even think of trying it on. If I can do it, you can do it too!!! Good Luck!!!!

I actually remember feeling OK at 255. I gave birth at 277 and actually went down to as low as 220 (in 2000). And then, and then, how could I have let myself gain more than 100 pounds?

That yo-yo really is REAL!

Reesh, all the best to you! I hope to be a 50 pound loser soon (at 299) so that I can be somewhat of an inspiration to those starting out where I was.

[Dozy 3]

...I'm 18 mo out, have lost 160 pounds,...:clap2:

Great inspiration. Thanks for sharing. Now I know that my goal is quite possible and I really needed to know that.

Thank you, thank you and thank you!

[Darragha 0]

I started out at 347, banded at 333, and am now 320 as of my last weigh-in at the local postal scale.

I had never considered by-pass before, though I do have relatives who've been successful with that surgery.

I "have heard of" more people with success having the band. Friends of friends. "She's lost over a hundred pounds."

I personally know 3 women who've been banded and they are all doing well with their weight loss journey.

I'm one month out, just about healed up, had my first fill and am doing OK. I'm suffering through my first major PB as I type this and that's not fun, though I'd never go back.

Darr