Hi Everyone! I'm just starting my journey here, and looking into lap band as an option, since nothing else has worked.

I don't know if it's right for me because I feel like lap band is always sort of "sold" to people with a hundred pounds or more to lose. I could probably be healthy at 150 lbs, but would like to be 130, which would be a weight loss of about 65 lbs or so. With the health problems I'm beginning to experience from being overweight, I know I need to do something, but nothing has worked so far. Is 50ish lbs enough to justify the expense of the procedure? I would be paying out of pocket. Or should I continue struggling with diet and exercise on my own?

I had Lap Band surgery at the end of February with "only" about 69 pounds to lose. I have struggled with my weight for my whole life (since age 6) and because I didn't have any co-morbidities that my insurance company recognized (depression didn't "count"), I paid for it out of pocket.

A few years ago I lost 110 pounds doing Weight Watchers and exercise -- a LOT of exercise. I even became an exercise instructor and starting going back to college to get a degree as a Fitness Specialist. I thought I had "figured everything out" and was done with obesity for the rest of my life. THEN, I started gaining it back- first 10 or 20, then 30, 40, 50... back up to 70 pounds put back on. I couldn't take it and I couldn't stand the idea of another "diet" so I went the Lap Band route. And I'm thrilled that I did!!

Since 2/26 I've lost 24 pounds and I have more energy than I've had in a LONG time.

There is a forum on this site called, I think, "Low BMI Bandsters." You may want to check that out, too.

It sounds like you and I are the same, I weighed 195 when I started this process. I weigh 147 now (yeah!) and I am going to lose somewhere between 10-17 more. I paid $10,200 and it is worth every penny. The last time I was under 150 was over 16 years ago. I don't care if you are 195 or 295 being obese sucks and I wasn't going to take it anymore.

Hey there Nursy! Welcome to the forum! I had the same feelings as you before I had my surgery. I'm 4'11 and was approaching 200lbs so at that weight I finally made the decision to have lap-band surgery. My goal weight is 120 which gives me about 77lbs to lose and while it's on the low-side for many bandsters it's on the high-side for me. My insurance has an exception for WLS so I self-paid and it was the best decision I have made in my life! I'm a bit over 2 months post-op and have lost 26lbs. I have never had more energy and I actually look forward to working out. I hope that answers your question Nursy, feel free to PM me if you'd like to chat or have more questions.

I am also just starting on this journey and have fought this battle for 45 years and am now ready to finally end it with lap band. awaiting another couple of weeks to see if my insurance will cover it - i am 39 bmi and 227 and need to drop 80 pounds. how will it make you feel?

I am nearing my finale goal in my journey, I'm not really in your boat because I was a fatty with 100lbs to lose. But I will tell you that the band not only helps you get to goal but to maintain which is the problem I always had. I would lose weight and then gain that plus more back. I was self pay and also think it was worth every penny. I have a new lease on life and have grown so much as a person. Negitivity is no longer in my world i just don't allow it around me. Just make sure the band is right for you, Do your research be well informed and please know that the band is NOT a quick fix. It is alot of HARD work and takes dedication, You'll do great if your really ready for a lifestyle change because that is what it is. Good luck on whatever you decide.

Edited April 13, 201016 yr by kimaly

Thanks you guys! It helps to hear about other people's stories. Being a student with one year left and a hefty amount of debt already, I think I won't be able to use any surgery as an option for at least a few years, which is frustrating and disheartening.

I'm one with more weight to lose but I think that the best thing is that it can help you from gaining it back. When you learn to use the tool and use it properly, that's the biggest benefit. That's just my honest opinion. I wouldn't let the "smaller" amount of weight deter you from the surgery. If it were like 20 lbs, I might say differently, but I think anything over 50 lbs can adversely affect your health.