Beginning as a low BMI bandster

[clarebear08 0]

Hi everyone,

New to these boards- but what a fantastic resource!

I have a BMI of 32 but am looking to be banded, I can't understand why a doctor would prefer i got fatter and sicker. Prevention rather than the cure for me. Has anyone else started with a low BMI? I am currently trying to convince the doctor who banded my dad to do me too- and he will provided I show him some research that supports my plight as a low BMI-er!

Any help greatfully recieved!

[TerriDoodle 6]

I hate to be a kill-joy, but I think you might have a hard time convincing anyone that you need to be banded at your age and BMI. Unless you have a history of being overweight since you were a young child and/or showing some kind of issues with your health like diabetes, it's not likely you'll get banded. Your parents approve of it?? I'm surprised.

[clarebear08 0]

My parent's suggested it- my dad had it done in November.

I'm completely healthy, other than my weight and I have been overweight ever since I was young.

The reason I'm doing it is because I want to be happy and healthy for the rest of my life- I'm sure many people on this forum would have done it at my age if they could go back :biggrin:

[TerriDoodle 6]

Well, since you have a history of being overweight it might not be that difficult...and you obviously have a family history as well.

I would think the main thing you have to tackle then is to convince the doctor that you are ready and willing, have the maturity to manage your band AND demonstrate knowledge of the principles of good nutrition. Those things would go a long way in your favor!

Good luck to you! I was a low BMI-er but have been 40# overweight for 30 years!! With menopause kickiing in I was looking at nothing but gaining from here on out....so I had to 'convince' my doctor, too. I think it helped to have my compelling argument ready...it showed that i had done a lot of thinking and analyzing of what I was capable of.

Make sense?

[clarebear08 0]

Makes a LOT of sense! I shall bear it in mind!

Thank you!

[olgi330 0]

My bmi is 33, I'm getting banded in less than two weeks in Monterrey Mexico w/ dr Rumbaut, a VERY very highly recommended surgeon. No one in the US would band me unless I "gained" another 15-20 lbs...pretty bad idea, I've been heavy all my life, I have had periods of weight loss but they didn't last too long. I'm just tired of going at it alone & I really think the band would be my strongest ally. My problem is that I overeat...that is where the band would come in. I'm going to do all I need to FINALLY lose the weight. Good luck convincing your doc to band you. If he wont, you do have other options if your willing and able to self pay...

[Skinnybones 0]

I got lucky and got in on a low BMI study. I had a BMI of 33, I was 33 years old, and I have a bad family history. I am happy I got the band, it's made a hugh difference in my life. However when you think I paid $19,000. and have lost 50 lbs, that equals $380.00 per pound. You also have to give up so much. I do wish I would have been more commited to other weight loss programs I tried. Now I know I could have still had the foods I love only in moderation instead of giving them up all together.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Hi everyone,

New to these boards- but what a fantastic resource!

I have a BMI of 32 but am looking to be banded, I can't understand why a doctor would prefer i got fatter and sicker. Prevention rather than the cure for me. Has anyone else started with a low BMI? I am currently trying to convince the doctor who banded my dad to do me too- and he will provided I show him some research that supports my plight as a low BMI-er!

Any help greatfully recieved!

Are you a self pay? that makes a huge difference. The insurance companies want people to be 75-100 lbs overweight.

I think if you self pay, and you can convince the doctor that the only thing that lies ahead for you is gaining and gaining, you could get the band. You need to do a lot of research and reading on here before you make that decision. It's not as easy as some people think. Having the band is a learning experience. You have to be ready to make a lot of changes in your life.

[Leather 0]

At 6'2 and 243 pounds my BMI was pretty low (32?). I have diabetes real bad in the family and obesity is also a problem on my line. I have been watching as my weight has continued to climb each year even though I am constantly dieting so I decided to take control of it. I could see the writing on the wall so I got banded.

To ensure I would be able to get the band I worked my ass off to get my BMI up to 35. Not healthy, but I was looking at the big picture. I got my weight up to 260 (have you seen Super-size Me?), and I also fudged on how tall I was-- BMI recorded at 35, surgery approved and done. (Mexico self pay).

[Lisa99 1]

My BMI was 33 and I had no co-morbidities, but I was self-pay and my surgeon had no problem with it.

I'd lost the same 80lbs four times in 20 years and everyone in my family is morbidly obese so my rationale was prevention as well.

I've lost a little over 50 pounds and have another 20ish to go. I would do it again in a millisecond!

[jayme 0]

My BMI is 33. I will probably be a self-pay, but my questions are about living with the band. I have been to one seminar and my consult is next week. I know that there is a pre-op and post-op diet, and that when that is over you have to eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and learn to recognize when your body is becoming full. Eat small portions, protien first, etc. What are the things you have to live without? What do you believe are the biggest sacrafices that you have made?

I have been heavy my whole life, and I'm ready to do it

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

There are several threads on which foods give people problems. My main thing I have had to give up is pizza and bread. I can eat tiny amounts of bread if I take a tiny bite and chew it until it's liquid. It's just not worth it to me.

You should do a thread search on problem foods. The best thing you can do is read this board all over the place to do your research.

[VegasGrace 1]

My BMI was 33 and I had no co-morbidities, but I was self-pay and my surgeon had no problem with it.

I'd lost the same 80lbs four times in 20 years and everyone in my family is morbidly obese so my rationale was prevention as well.

I've lost a little over 50 pounds and have another 20ish to go. I would do it again in a millisecond!

That's me, too. At 256 lbs, I yo-yoed from that to 160s, then back then down to 140s, then back then down to 136. When I went back to the 200s I knew I had to do something to maintain....I got the band with a bmi of less than 30.

Prevention is what I was aiming for. I need to stablize my weight. And I've been at the same weight for 2 months now. I weigh a few times a week to ensure I don't start climbing.

Time will tell with me.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I wish I could lose this last 10 lbs. The scale has moved in such a long time. I am eating right and exercising so I don't get it.

Grace, did you have that problem with the last 10?

[VegasGrace 1]

I weighed daily until I went home for Christmas...forgot to pack the scale. So from Dec 21st to Jan 3rd I didn't weigh. This was the time I met goal and surpassed it.

Imagine my surprise when I stepped on the scales and saw I was BELOW goal. I was a pound or 2 above goal then a pound or two below goal when weighed. So I had lost a few pounds during those weeks.

Restriction is key. If you are 'maintaining' then you are on maintenance. And if you aren't at the weight you want to be...you need a fill.

what you are doing now is what you are to be doing once you reach goal.

Good luck.