gin765

Don't be vain about your height if they're relying on your own height testimony? For instance, my daughter is 4' 11.5". She says she's 5 ft tall but she's not. If your rounding up, don't. Round down. 1 inch can make a big difference with your BMI.

In my experience, yes, Once the insurance company approves you, yes you can drop below the qualifying weight (assuming your dr will still do the surgery). I was at 34.8 BMI (w/1 co morbidity) and was lucky enough that the office staff got the insurance to approve it. By the time I had the surgery my BMI was around a 33.8

"Can you feel the band squeezing your stomach, connecting tube and/or port inside your body on a regular basis? "
......no....
the port is visible bump after I my Fat Iceburg melted.....I can also touch my ribs & hip bones!!! THAT was a freak out the first time since 1957!!!!

That was a main concern of mine before I got the band too. I remember worrying that it would make things awkward if it was poking my husband in the chest when we hugged etc rofl.
Anyway Im noticing that the more weight I lose the more I can feel the port, especially after a good session of crunches, I was a little cautious of touching it at first thinking it would be fragile but after a while it just starts to feel like a part of you.. A special knob to turn on your life :-D
When I got pregnant with twins It really made me realize just how much the port can handle being shoved around, so now I never worry about it! Good luck!

@@gin765 no such thing as a silly question! I asked a zillion when I was researching and getting my head ready for banded life. We have fun here...

You guys are the best!!! Yeah, I felt a little ridiculous asking, but since it's been bothering me, just decided to put it out there. Thank you so much... feeling calmer already! Didn't want an unfounded fear to stand in the way of a better life.

You guys are the best!!! Yeah, I felt a little ridiculous asking, but since it's been bothering me, just decided to put it out there. Thank you so much... feeling calmer already! Didn't want an unfounded fear to stand in the way of a better life.

Good question, though! Add another voice to the choir: I don't know my band is there.

You guys are the best!!! Yeah, I felt a little ridiculous asking, but since it's been bothering me, just decided to put it out there. Thank you so much... feeling calmer already! Didn't want an unfounded fear to stand in the way of a better life.

No...don't feel the band at all...

I started to laugh when I read this post but realized if one is not banded, then it's a legitimate question. So yes...as the others have said, you cannot feel the band. As you lose weight, you will be able to feel the port because it will stick out but you don't feel anything 'inside' your body.

Hi no can't feel any of it . With certain foods sometime it feels like you have eaten whole if that makes since xxx

You can feel the port near your skin by touching your stomach. You can't feel the band at all.

No! Can't feel the band in that way at all. What we feel is the effects of the band but not the band itself.

Mostly when you lose the weight you can only feel the port & you get used to it ,you can't feel the band just the port it really isn't bad like I said you get used to it.

Find another surgeon. I had about 60-70 pounds to loose. Had the banding done Feb. 24 2014. Lost 77 lbs in 6 months. I have trouble walking due to medical condition. If I didn't loose the weight I could be house bound. It takes a life time commitment to maintain. You will feel better and have a different outlook after weight lose. Go for it.

Hi there, my insurance required a BMI of forty and I was a wreck about that, had to gain some plus heavy pockets for those weigh-ins. Wish I had slouched for inch or so shorter. I was in the 240s and needed to be 250 for my height. Since I "should" (?) be in the 140s that is 100 pounds -- geez, not fat enough for you, insurance co? But even though that was all a little stressful I am hardly able to recall all those appointments, etc. this time last year as I got ready for my surgery.....cause now I am jumping for joy every single day. It's not just the weight loss -- it's having the appetite monster off my back and feeling at peace with food.
Check with your insurance company re: any requirements and find a surgeon who is committed to the followup. In the first year that's what it's all about. And don't let one nurse stand in your way. She was inappropriate.

Don't let one surgeon stop your show girl. I had a bmi of 35 when I started. My surgeon prefers to band lower bmi's. He feels it easier to level their weightloss and just as effective. Banding from everything I've researched hasn't lost its ground.

No, I dont think you're nuts because you want WLS. It sounds like you're doing your research well. Smart thinking on your part ! Just because you hit one brick wall does 'nt mean you should give up, it just means you might have to shop around for a good surgeon who is willing and able to work with you. A big part of success with WLS is to be on the same train of thought with your Dr. , so keep looking ! You need to be happy and healthy to raise your kids, and it sounds like you're on your way ! Good luck !!

It all depends on your insurance and what your surgeon is willing to do but personally, I qualified for the vsg with a BMI of 35 and GERD. My BMI actually dropped to 34.8 and I was really worried I wouldn't qualify because 35 was the cut off but my doc fought the insurance company for me and I qualified. Yes, it was awkward going to the group requirements feeling like people were judging me. I just kept telling myself that I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to get this done before I am older and before I have way more weight related complications.

My BMI was down around 37 when I had surgery but my doctor actually suggested the band and still does to this day.
Post surgical care such as fills, follow up visits and consults regarding any complications are just as important as having the band placed around your stomach. We see so many patients who fail to lsoe due to their surgeons unwillingness to support band patients for years after surgery. Don't make the mistake of allowing a disinterested surgeon place the band and kick you to the curb.
You sound like a good band candidate? Although, we have many many banders here who are quite successful and had BMI's up around 45-55. For me, I didn't want my stomach removed, period. I think the sleeve and bypass and DS are all very good surgical techniques and on average produce faster and better results than the band. But, all I really wanted was a little help with reducing my hunger and allowing me to feel satisfied with less food. That's what the band did for me. And that's all I wanted.
If you think you might need more from the surgery, you might not be a good candidate. If you need a tool that will only allow you to eat 4 ozs of food at a time, the sleeve or bypass might be a better choice. Because I still have my lower stomach, I can still eat a lot of food, IF, I want to. But I don't, because the band helps me feel satisfied with less and keeps me satisfied for hours after a meal. Good luck and I look forward to many comments to your topic.
tmf

Nope, that's not how it works. It's late here so to save time I'm going to post 4 videos for you to watch. Dr. O'Brien explains how the band works perfectly. However, some of his comments may conflict with your own doctors guidelines. Follow your own surgeons guidelines. Dr O'Brien will explain how this works. I'll be back tomorrow morning to add more of my own comments!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa3Lwt6ElIs&list=UL Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4jYJipQ7vc part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbdhf44ZweI&feature=relmfu Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF3TCKUn3YI Part 4

Well, I went to a bariatric surgery seminar at my local hospital last week. The surgeons require attending one before they'll allow you to schedule a consultation. As I headed out the door, I told my husband I felt awkward, because I knew I'd be one of the smallest people in the room. “Don’t worry,” he said.
After checking in and taking a seat, a nurse took it upon herself to come over and speak with me, because I “looked like a lightweight.” She didn’t want me to “waste my time,” by staying for the seminar, since I “probably didn’t qualify.” Mind you, I was the only person she singled out, we’d never met and she had none of my medical information. Even though she continued to quiz me on what obesity comorbidities I have, I stayed. During the presentation, they focused heavily on gastric bypass and sleeve and glossed over banding. When I asked a question about it, the surgeon said he’d still consider it, depending on the patient, but it was on its way out. Embarrassed and disappointed, I cried all the way home.
So, what’s a 38 year old girl with a BMI of 36 to do? My mother had gastric bypass 13 years ago. She was well over 400 lbs, but they really didn’t know, because that’s as high as the scale went. I’ve always been the smallest female in my family by at least 100 lbs. I can see where I’m headed and just don’t want to participate. I have two children under the age of 5 and feel like I’m missing out on their lives. I’m tired, grouchy, my joints hurt and there’s not a single picture of me with them.
The more research I do, it seems like banding may actually be a good choice for people like me. I was amazed to find there’s actually a “Low BMI Bandsters” board! Earlier today, I made a list of the dozens of diet plans I’ve been unsuccessful at since high school. My husband and PCP are supportive. I’m pretty confident my insurance will approve me, based on my orthopedic issues. This is not a whim; it’s been on my mind for years. It just doesn’t seem intelligent to me to wait until I get even heavier and my health deteriorates to get banded. Why not do it now, while I’m healthy enough to withstand surgery and enjoy life? Am I nuts to be considering this???

Well, I went to a bariatric surgery seminar at my local hospital last week. The surgeons require attending one before they'll allow you to schedule a consultation. As I headed out the door, I told my husband I felt awkward, because I knew I'd be one of the smallest people in the room. “Don’t worry,” he said.
After checking in and taking a seat, a nurse took it upon herself to come over and speak with me, because I “looked like a lightweight.” She didn’t want me to “waste my time,” by staying for the seminar, since I “probably didn’t qualify.” Mind you, I was the only person she singled out, we’d never met and she had none of my medical information. Even though she continued to quiz me on what obesity comorbidities I have, I stayed. During the presentation, they focused heavily on gastric bypass and sleeve and glossed over banding. When I asked a question about it, the surgeon said he’d still consider it, depending on the patient, but it was on its way out. Embarrassed and disappointed, I cried all the way home.
So, what’s a 38 year old girl with a BMI of 36 to do? My mother had gastric bypass 13 years ago. She was well over 400 lbs, but they really didn’t know, because that’s as high as the scale went. I’ve always been the smallest female in my family by at least 100 lbs. I can see where I’m headed and just don’t want to participate. I have two children under the age of 5 and feel like I’m missing out on their lives. I’m tired, grouchy, my joints hurt and there’s not a single picture of me with them.
The more research I do, it seems like banding may actually be a good choice for people like me. I was amazed to find there’s actually a “Low BMI Bandsters” board! Earlier today, I made a list of the dozens of diet plans I’ve been unsuccessful at since high school. My husband and PCP are supportive. I’m pretty confident my insurance will approve me, based on my orthopedic issues. This is not a whim; it’s been on my mind for years. It just doesn’t seem intelligent to me to wait until I get even heavier and my health deteriorates to get banded. Why not do it now, while I’m healthy enough to withstand surgery and enjoy life? Am I nuts to be considering this???