Lower BMI'ers--2008!!!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I wonder why your age shows up as 48 over next to your post. Mine automatically changed to 56 on my birthday.

Do you know how long you'll have to do a liquid diet after your surgery?

[Sooverit! 1]

It's crazy but I started going on this site to research the LB when I was 47! I'll be 50 in March but my number doesn't change s the years roll on.

[Sooverit! 1]

Are there any low BMIers who looked at themselves in the mirror pre op and thought ...gee I'm not fat... I'm just a little over weight....what am I doing? Am I just applying over kill like I do with everything else in my life? Am I punishing myself for gaining weight in middle age? Was everyone right that told me I don't need to get the lap band just go on weight watchers? Yikes!!!!What will I do when I'm bored and watching TV? Will I yell at my kids and husband? Will I lose my mind???

__________________

[julirey1 0]

I did that! I was banded Feb of this year, was a self-pay and went to Mexico for the surgery because I didn't qualify in the US. I had never had health problems or any kind of surgery or even an overnight stay in a hospital in my life and my husband was completely against it but I was bound and determined. I got there and started getting nervous and thought, what I am I doing???? But then I remembered why I made the decision. Have struggled with my weight my whole life. Although never morbidly obese, I have been overweight or obese most of the time in my life. When I have dieted and lost weight, I struggled with hunger to keep it off until giving up and putting it back on. So tired of fighting it my whole life. Wanted a permanent solution. I needed to lose 60-65 lbs and have only lost 20 so far but took my 3rd fill (7 months after getting banded) to really start feeling the restriction and I loved it!! I feel I am on my way now, although I am also working on the mental aspect of my relationship with food to be as successful as I can be. The band isn't exactly what I expected but I still expect it to help me achieve my weight goals for the long-term. I am now seeing that it takes me and the band and I can't expect the band itself to be the solution.

[Sooverit! 1]

I am twelve days post op and feel just right. I am losing well but I don't go on the scale as I just use measurements to tell how much I am losing. It looks like the last thing to go on me is my stomach. Can anyone tell me how long it takes for the swelling to go down? I sure look like I did when I was 4 months pregnant. Can you believe even my glasses are loose on me! :rolleyes2:

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Gee, I never had that problem. I have always had a big belly though, but unfortunately, it's not from swelling. It's where I carry my weight. Even at 110 lbs, I never had a flat stomach.

[Mischievous1 6]

So are we going to continue on this thread or start a 2009 one???

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I think we should start a new one for 2009!

[rjo132 17]

Are the Lower BMI'ers still out there?

I was banded in May '06. 5'3", wt: 202- I gained 10 pds to make it look good. (cholesterol med and heart med to regulate rapid heart rate)

I had battled my wt all my life bouncing between 135 and 165 but had gained more after going through a devasting tornado that I barely escaped and then living in a camper for 2 1/2 yrs while we built a new home. I found it hard to cook and eat right. Anyway, my ins. covered it all-no out of pocket and I love it. Best thing I could have ever done for myself.

Now 3 1/2 yrs out I'm struggling. Developed terrible reflux, had a scope done. My small stomach had become slightly stretched. My doctor decided on a slight unfill. The reflux is gone but I've gained 11 lbs since October. I want a fill, am I being unreseasonable? Thanks

[rjo132 17]

Oh, as a note to my post just now, I had lost 63 pounds, my goal being 70. But as I said, I'm now back up 11.

[Band_Groupie 3]

Hey there...I'm here. I also developed a reflux issue after my fourth-'sweet spot' fill and here's my 2 cents. I started Nexium right away and continued it for a few months. I'm just starting off of it (at my PCP's advice) and we'll see how it goes (using other things like Tums, as Nexium can cause an overproduction of acid when you stop it). I'm definitely at perfect restriction...can still eat all foods and not hungry between meals, but I know that reflux is the most common banding side-effect (I've never had it before). I didn't have to get an unfill as the reflux was controllable and I wasn't having problems while sleeping (a red flag you're too tight). I'd suggest you start back slowly with fills...it seems to be a delicate balance, but I do know that how tight you want to be is very much a matter of choice (ie. I prefer to still be able to eat all foods, some like it tighter). Best wishes! -BG

[rjo132 17]

Thanks for the input BG! I'm scheduled for a ck on Jan 21. I think my doc will be agreeable with a smidgen of a fill. I'll take your advice and start slow....It's just he's 8 hrs away....I need to find a doc closer to home now, maybe that would help with the fills in increments to find my sweet spot.