Is Lap Band right for losing 80 lbs?

[david6789 0]

I am starting to second guess my desire to get lap band. I see a lot of ppl on here that got lap band but they were 100+ lbs over weight. I need to lose 80 lbs, give or take, to be my "ideal weight".

I think one of the things that is making me second guess getting the lap band is I will have to go into further debt to pay for it myself.

Any thoughts?

Anyone get lap band and only needed to lose 70-90 lbs?

PS I really really hate being fat, I think about it every day (maybe every hour). I so depressed about it, I've been fat all my life.

God reading over this post I sound like a nut job!

:wink2:

[mljalways 1]

Your not a nut job:) My intent is to loose 90lbs however 80 would absolutely thrill me!!! I have lost only 47 so far and if I didnt loose another I wouldnt regret it! Anything I have lost and can keep off is a blessing!

[Cleo's Mom 257]

I weighed 196 on the day of surgery. A healthy weight BMI is 146 for me - so that is only 50 pounds. The band is promoted as helping you to lose 50% of your excess weight, which means for me that would be about 25 pounds. However, I have lost about 75 pounds from my highest weight to where I am now and that is from my own dieting, the 6 month pre-op diet, all the liquid only dieting before and after surgery and then some (about 15 pounds) from the band itself. So, I would never have lost this much weight without starting the lapband journey. Who voluntarily goes on liquids for a month?

You have already answered your question by saying how much you hate being fat. If it is consuming this much of your time and thoughts, then you should go for it.

Do your research, and choose an experienced bariatric surgeon in a hospital of excellence and one who provides good follow up care. Good luck.

[david6789 0]

I am really considering Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum (Denver, Co). Everyone on this site talks highly of him and the price seems to be about right, though I will have to charge half of it.

[patricksmom 0]

I just got done by Dr. K this past week. With preop and post op (5 days) I have already lost 14 pounds :wink2: He was very good to me and I am sure he would be a great surgeon for you too! Good luck

Jill

[Headhunter 6]

The simple answer is yes, it CAN help you lose that weight.

But, the better question is, "is it right for ME?".

The different Weight Loss Surgeries are really meant for different body types and personalities. You might need restriction (lap band, Sleeve), or you might need Malabsorbtion (Bypass). And, there is the possibility that NONE of them will work well for you.

It's not as simple as just choosing a surgeon, going in and telling them what you want. You really need to do the research and find out what YOU need.

And, don't rule out the very real possibility that a different diet/exercise program might be what works for you as well. The BEST weight loss surgery is NO surgery. You really don't want to do this unless you HAVE to. People are very quick to jump into WLS these days, because insurance is pretty quick to pay for it, and the advertisements make it sound like a "fast and easy" solution. MOST Lap Band "recipients" and the those who have had other WLS will tell you that it is neither fast NOR easy.

Do a LOT of research, and don't go too much by what OTHER people's experiences have been. Just because something worked well for them does NOT mean it will work well for you. Take your time to study this.....you didn't become obese overnight, and you shouldn't make any quick decisions in picking a solution to the problem.

best of luck to you in this process!

HH

[NiceWillSuffice 0]

David,

I was 263 and my goal is 195. That is 68 pounds. I have the band and it rocks. I was already down to 250 by my surgery (was dieting by choice). So really I got the band being only 55 pounds from my goal.

If you want someone to tell you to just do it..I will. Go for it. 80 over is fat and unhealthy and you deserve to feel good about yourself and to be healthy. You are posting here for a reason. Start taking the steps for approval or budget to self pay. I think it is GREAT you want to proactively fix your situation before it gets more out of hand.

howz that? :wink2:

I am starting to second guess my desire to get lap band. I see a lot of ppl on here that got lap band but they were 100+ lbs over weight. I need to lose 80 lbs, give or take, to be my "ideal weight".

I think one of the things that is making me second guess getting the lap band is I will have to go into further debt to pay for it myself.

Any thoughts?

Anyone get lap band and only needed to lose 70-90 lbs?

PS I really really hate being fat, I think about it every day (maybe every hour). I so depressed about it, I've been fat all my life.

God reading over this post I sound like a nut job!

[Catherine55 43]

Yes -- my goal is to lose 75 lbs. I'm down 46 at this point. There is no way I could have been perfect on a diet for the 9 months that it has taken me to get to this point. And, even if I somehow had managed to lose this weight on my own, I am sure (based on my past experiences) that I eventually would put it all back on again.

I am so glad that I made the decision to get banded. It has taken me off the course of getting fatter each year and feeling terrible about it. Feel free to check out my blog if you are interested.

Catherine

[Jachut 487]

There's a lot of evidence that the band works better for people who have less to lose - you're more likely to be able to work the band well, you're more likely to lose ALL of your excess weight. And my surgeon says its easier to perform the surgery and fit the band (and choose the size that will ultimately be best for the patient) on a lighter body.

[krysimarie04 0]

Anyone get lap band and only needed to lose 70-90 lbs?

:wink:

I have to lose 82 pounds to be at my ideal weight....

[wk55 0]

Hi, I'm having lapband sergeory next week. My present weight is 272 and I am hoping to lose and keep off 75 to 80 pounds. It's the right choice for me, good luck, Bill

I am starting to second guess my desire to get lap band. I see a lot of ppl on here that got lap band but they were 100+ lbs over weight. I need to lose 80 lbs, give or take, to be my "ideal weight".

I think one of the things that is making me second guess getting the lap band is I will have to go into further debt to pay for it myself.

Any thoughts?

Anyone get lap band and only needed to lose 70-90 lbs?

PS I really really hate being fat, I think about it every day (maybe every hour). I so depressed about it, I've been fat all my life.

God reading over this post I sound like a nut job!

:wink:

[david6789 0]

You guys rock!

Thanks for the support. I plan to get my band done ASAP. Even if it means maxing out my Credit cards. I really am tired of being fat!

[Evie71609 0]

David- I don't know what you are paying but I am going to Michigan for mine because the price was $7k lower in MI than my home state of Maryland- the doctor is EXCELLENT (John Webber, MD) and the hospital they use is a center for excellence and JAHCO Certified for Obesity surgery (both of these items are awesome- I work in the medical field) I am paying $10,500 and that included my procedure, hotel stay, hospital stay (24 hrs) and two extra days of hospital stay- they also take Care Credit which is a medical credit card so I didnt have to max out my personal credit cards.

The airfare to MI was cheap $200 and they pick you up at airport and bring you back to the airport.

Let me know if you need further information about this!!

Evie

[lellow 1,713]

I only had about 70+ lbs to lose when I got the lapband, and despite being on a relatively low BMI, lost all of that in 7 months, and am still losing despite not really trying to lose.

The band was definitely right for me.

[Rutiglius 0]

Nah...you are fine! I would like to lose 80 to get to my ultimate goal, but would be thrilled with 60!