How many of you are "lower" bmi's who have had weight loss resistance and opted for banding. Who did your surgery? Was it a good solution for you?

Thanks;)

I can answer yes to both of those questions, but I have not been banded yet. My surgery will be in early March. Perhaps someone else with more experience will come along. :-)

Yes, I had a BMI of 35-36 preband, I had about 35-40kg to lose so well less than 100lb. I had no trouble being approved since my body WAS starting to protest carrying that much weight, pure and simple, and I really and truly felt that if I didnt act now, I would be in a lot worse situation in another 10 years time.

I'm in Australia though, where they have a much more lenient view of banding low BMI people, even as low as 30.

It has been a good solution since even now, if I never lost another gram, I've halted the slide into real obesity and am much fitter and healthier and have significantly less ankle problems at just 12kg down. I look pretty normal, yes, I'm overweigth but not enough to stop me doing anything I want to and certainly not enough to attract notice from others. So I kind of feel that I've achieve my biggest goal - to stop gaining and getting really obese and that whilst I know I'll lose the rest of my weight over time that's just going to be a bonus. I've lost enough to make significant gains in health already.

I havent had the enormous fast weight loss that others that were heavier have enjoyed, but then again, I think 12kg in 2 months is absolutely fantastic, more than I've ever done before.

I think it was a great solution and I think there's loads of arguments for doing it now rather than later - the fact that I'm unlikely to have yards of loose skin and require expensive cosmetic surgery (may have some work done on my boobs for vanity's sake but needed that anyway) is one of them.

What counts as "lower BMI"?

I had a BMI of 37 when I went in for surgery. Since I didn't quite meet the US criteria I opted to have my surgery done in Monterrey Mexico with Dr. Rumbaut...who is the best doctor i have ever had. I am so glad I went to Mexico and I have no regrets. I haven't gotten my first fill yet, but have it scheduled in two weeks. I was told that since i had a lower BMI I probably wouldn't lose as much weight before my fill. I did though. BUT it was all by the food choices I made and not the band. When I was feeling well enough to eat more...I didn't let myself. I stuck with small healthy portions of food and have continued to lose weight. I feel so much better about myself. I am ready to have my fill so that I will get full from eating and not just quit becuase I don't want to gain any of the weight back I have lost.

I wishyou the best of luck with your decision making. The lap band was the best choice i could have made for myself.

I was a 35 I believe. No co morbidities at all. I was healthy as a horse, I just ate like one. My stats are below. Self pay in Mexico was my only option. Banding was nearly my only option.

My bmi was 37 but I have high bp, arthritis, and some other stuff that the insurance companies felt was acceptable for the approval. I believe I made the right decision getting banded.

Usually a bmi of 40 + you qualify (as far as the insurance companies are concerned)

Between 35 - 40 you must have comorbidities to qualify.

I am a lower BMI (31) patient and I get banded Feb 18th. Of course, i'm self pay and must go to Monterrey for surgery.

I have hypertension and come from a family of obesity. I don't live near my family so after struggling with failure to loose and keep the weight off, i've decided to do this before I gain to much more weight. Some people may think I'm crazy, but when you know nothing but eating out at Mickey D's and having fried pork chops for dinner, it is hard to change.

I also have a 9 yo son who is considered obese and i'm hoping my change will help him modify his eating habits.

I've heard it is harder for lower bmi patients to lose weight....not sure..but i'll find out.:rolleyes

My BMI is 37 and I was banded on Fed. 8th 2006. (Last Wednesday) It's flustrating to tell people that you are having it done and they say... "You're not big enough" or some other comment about how I should just diet and exercise.

I choose this surgery and paid myself because I'm so tried of the struggle. It's a daily struggle to just maintain my weight and not gain. I'd be much heavier if I didn't exercise daily and watch what I eat.

People look at me as if I didn't try other methods first. I did and I've gained and lost the same 80 pounds 4 or 5 times. The last few years no diet worked and I tried them all. And will power eventually gives way when you've done perfect and not lost a pound for 3 months.

Also, I didn't lose anything on the 7 day liquid fast pre-op.... I'm a little scared.

Dr. Spivak is banding me on March 13, and my BMI is 37 with NO CO-MORBIDITIES

He, too, mentioned 40 lbs or more for self-pay. However, he did not call it cosmetic.

My bmi was 33. It's 24 now. I also went to Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey Mexico. I am sure glad I got the band.

Hi! My BMI was 36, I had no comormidities, so went to Dr.Ortiz in Mexico. I had my surgery on 8/19 and am down almost 40 lbs. and am very happy with my decision. I haven't had a fill yet though, one of the few. I still find it hard to eat sometimes, and I'm losing on average about a pound a week so I'm happy. I can't imagine how much I'd lose if I did have the fill....

Many people in Europe get banded if they are 20lbs or more overweight just to avoid gaining weight. I have seen many patients who are about 40lbs or more that have been banded and are doing great. If you have any co-morbidities even if you are not 40 BMI you can benefit from this procedure.

Hi,

I was at 39 with no real health problems. I too elected to get banded as a way to prevent any future health problems, such as Diabetes, which runs in my family. I was also tired of all the diet failures. I am now at a 27 bmi and am very happy with my decision. I have lost 66 pounds, but must admit, I have been counting calories the whole time. It has been a joint effort between my band, will power, and a little exercise. Only 3 more pounds till I reach my first goal. I haven't seen 150 since I was in high school and literally starving myself. I will be so excited if/when I see this number again!

I am having surgery on Monday (the 20th) with Dr Morton in Nashville, TN. I had a BMI of 35 when I went in and complained of my ankles and feet hurting really bad (which they did) and that I have several bouts of high blood pressure but was not on Medication. I was approved through the office and through the insurance within 2 weeks. I am having it on Monday am so excited. The office is great at getting insurance to pay for the surgery. Let me know if you want more info.

I was just banded (1/31/06) by Rumbaut in Mexico. I'm 44, and have struggled mightily to shed the excess weight, with only modest results. I have a considerable family history of obesity, but no significant medical consequences yet. Even without any fill, it seems to reduce the quantity of food I eat before feeling full, so I have high hopes that this will tip the scales, so to speak.

It is both expensive and extreme, but it also seems to work, without any of the disadvantages of drug therapies. So far, it HAS been difficult, or at least tedious, to explain or justify to others - I think I may have to stay in the closet for most people.