I am new to this forum. I am 57 years old and have been yoyo dieting since the age of 10. Over the last 10 years, I have lost and gained 40 to 70 pounds at least five times. My life is either dieting or gaining weight and I'm totally discouraged and ashamed. There is nothing legal that I haven't tried.

My last weight loss experience was a very low calorie medically supervised diet (I've done that at least four times). I lost 2 pounds per week while others lost 3 to 5. I had a resting energy expenditure test to see how many calories a day my body needs for basic function. Most "normies" use 10 or 11 calories a day per pound, so a 140 pound woman needs 1400 calories a day to exist, using a figure of 10. My REE is 6.8, so, basically I'm screwed, even with regular exercise (I am a Crossfitter and the oldest one in my class by 25 years). The doctor at the obesity clinic suggested that I consider a lap band. She told me that Dr. Waltrup at SALSA in Roseville, CA, was doing an informal study on people like me---life long yoyos with a lower than normally required BMI (mine is probably 30 now).

I was shocked that I could be a candidate for a lap band since my BMI wasn't that high. So, after losing and gaining 40 pounds in a year, I'm starting to think that perhaps I am a candidate. Since insurance won't pay for me, and I can't afford 20k, I have been looking into Tijuana. A friend had surgery performed there by Dr. Ramos Kelly, and was very satisfied, but I haven't seen anything about Dr. Ramos Kelly on these boards. I do see a lot about Dr. Ortiz however, so I thought I'd contact his clinic as well.

So, is there anybody like me out there who has been banded? How's it been???? Again I am a chronic YOYO dieter with a BMI of about 30 (give me time, and I can get it higher...)

Thanks

Deborah

Deborah- There is a forum titled "Low BMI Bandsters." You might ask your question there and get more answers.

Good luck!

I don't know much about surgery in Mexico but that sounds a little scary to me. I picture you going to there to get a lapband and leaving without a kidney! Sorry to make a joke but I guess I've seen too many movies. What can you afford? I paid for my band since my insurance wouldn't cover it. My BMI was 37 but I only had 1 co-morbity. I needed 2 for them to cover. My Dr is in NJ and is excellent. He does not advertise...only goes by word of mouth. I paid him $5000 and the surgery center $8500. My first 2 fills are included in the 5 grand. Then I think he charges $100 for each visit after that.