Praying To Be A Candidate

bandmenow · September 25, 2003

I'm looking at my stats; 5'5 height, 238 pounds and BMI of 39.

When I confided in my best friend that I have considered the lap band surgery, she looked at me like I was crazy. I asked her, "What?" She sat there for awhile and said, "You're not big enough to have the surgery!" I was stunned.

I thought about what she said and questioned whether or not I would be accepted for the surgery. I keep the reasons of why I want the surgery, going throuh my mind continuously.

1. I have been overweight since the age of 9.

2. I have been on every diet ever existed, even Optifast.

3. I have prolems with my knees due not from amy particular injury but just has developed over time. ( I believe this is from walking around for years with an excess of weight).

4.I am tired of YO YO DIETING

5. I AM TIRED OF LANE BRYANT

6. But most of all, I am tired of being told to watch my calorioe intake and exercise and all will be well. Especially now, since my knees will not allow me to do any extensive walking or running.

So, I stand in front of the mirror and think, "Am I really overweight or do I just have some distorted body image?" Then I stand on the scale and it reads, 238. My theories are confirmed all over again.

THough I am aware that lap band will only fix the inside pat of my weight problem, I know I wil have to work on exercising, which I enjoy doing believe it or not. I can't wait to be able to speed walk without worrying about my knees swelling!

I was curious if anyone out there has ever been told they were not a candidate because the weren't "big enough," though you felt differently.

mkcarpen · September 25, 2003

I was banded on 9/15. At 5'2" and 202.5 my BMI was 37. I had a slightly high cholestoral level and a possibility of sleep apnea. My insurance approved me for the surgery.

The nurse getting me ready for surgery told me I was not big enough and her daughter was the same size as me and was losing weight on the Atkins diet.

My doctor told me I was not big enough and I should try the sugar-busters diet. Luckily I did not have to have her recommendation to get insurance approval.

I did it for me and knowone else. Why wait until I am at 250 lbs with diabetes, high cholestoral, etc.

GOOD LUCK!

202.5/187/130

donali · September 25, 2003

According to the height/weight charts I am familiar with, 5'5" at 238 would be more than 100 pounds overweight. I think it's a certain BMI, or 100 pounds overweight, so if that's the case you should qualify.

Life would be bleak without friends, but sometimes... lol Sometimes, they just don't say the right things. We love them anyway.

Good luck to you!

marsha · September 25, 2003

I have not been banded yet but have been told that I am a canidate for lap band by my surgeon. My whole family thinks I'm not fat enough to have surgery...so I ask them "how fat do I have to get?" I'm currently waiting for insurance approval. I'm 5'6" 222lbs my BMI is 36. I don't have diabetes but I do have insulin resistance. My ankles hurt when I walk or exercise (I do my best to walk 1 mile twice a day despite the pain). I also have a family history of obesity, diabetes and heart disease and I will go next week for a sleep study to determine if I have sleep apnea. I've watched my weight go up and down all my life. I just cant bring myself to try another diet and watch the pounds come back on with a few bonus pounds for all my effort! Another failure will just add to my already low self-esteem!

I think you will probably qualify but you should at least have a consult with a surgeon to see if you qualify. Don't give up before you even get started!

Let us know how you do!!!!!

Marsha

quakergirl · September 27, 2003

Well, medically speaking, your BMI is definitely in the right range to justify weight loss surgery, especially if you can show you have a medical condition aggravated by your weight. For example, if a doctor can confirm that your knee pain was caused by the excess weight (and will be helped by weight loss), then the insurance will be more likely to approve surgery for you.

I believe some of the surgeons in Mexico are willing to do lap-bands on people with a BMI less than 40, so that might be an option for you even if your insurance won't approve you at your current size.

Most people don't know very much about lap-band surgery, so it's not surprising they are worried about you getting it. You might want to try reassuring them that it's a lot safer than gastric bypass, and a lot safer than staying obese.

Nobody supported me when I started investigating this surgery. Even though I'm obviously big enough to need it, my family and friends were scared by the thought of surgery and thought "one more diet" would do the trick.

Fortunately, I persisted in pursuing surgery, and so far I'm very happy I did!

Good luck!

bandmenow · September 28, 2003

THank you, everyone, for your replies. I see my primary physician this Wed. to plead my case!! LOL

I'm ready to do anything, even switch insurance providers, to get this surgery! I keep thinking, "You want me to be bigger for this surgery? Ok, give me a sec. I'm sure I can gain five more pounds before the surgery date!" The point is, I shoudn't have to.

THanks for all of the encouragement!

Lindaloo · October 9, 2003

How did it go???

I am 5'6" and currently 255. I was 253 when I first saw the surgeon. I was about 245 and I will confess to trying to add a little weight so my bmi would be 40. I have been told by several others and also by the dr.s office that I am a "lightweight" for this surgery. I don't think that means I'm not a good candidate, but just that I'm not as big as some who come in for the surgery.

I wanted the surgery and I didn't want to have to wait until I was much bigger to do it.

linda