lower bmi bandsters

Akbar · February 17, 2006

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.

megan · February 17, 2006

My starting weight was 181 with a bmi of 36--no comorbidities. Dr. Spivak was my surgeon, and i was self pay--he is excellent!

Before banding, I had never lost more than a few lbs--every diet i did i gained. I too was unsure it would work for me but i wasn't willing to keep gaining, so went for it.

I am now 117 lbs, 2 lbs from goal, and went from a tight size 14 to a size 2--all fairly effortlessly. The band ROCKS!

Nugent72197 · February 18, 2006

I had a BMI of 39.5 with no co-mordidities. Obestity does run in my family. I was so afraid that my doctor was gonna say I wasn't a good canidate for the surgery. I had my surgery on 12/14/05, and my BMI is down to 34 and I am 30 lbs lighter, it was the best thing I have ever done for myself!

HeatherGurl · February 18, 2006

I think it is just great that you with lower BMI's were able to do this!!! You will never have to go thru the pain of having a 50+ BMI!!!

Hats off to all of you for being so knowledgeable that you didn't want to become morbidly obese!!!

(Wish this would have been an option for me... but I doubt I have EVER had a low BMI!)

Great job

wannabelean · February 18, 2006

I have a BMI of 31, but I am only 3 weeks post op...can't tell you if it was a good option yet, but I must say, I am thinking yes, in that I have been on liquids only for three weeks and I have only lost 5 pounds, it just proves to me how difficult it is for me to get the scale to budge!!!! Anyway, I used Dr. Daniel Huacuz in Tijuana and I was very happy. They were very professional, nice new and clean facility and wonderful follow up. hope this helps. I'll let you know if I lose after my first fill. Good luck

SkyeBlu · February 18, 2006

My BMI at banding was 39 so I was just under the requirements for banding without co-morbidities. I had back surgury last Feb, high cholestorol (even with meds) and a minor heart attack in October so the insurance covered some of the surgery.

I am one week post-op and down 10 lbs ....I know this is just the begining and there is a very tough road ahead, but I'm thinking I made the right choice, my husband who was very against my banding choice at first is even thinking it was a good decision!

Skye

asbrown · February 23, 2006

Thanks for the kind words HeatherGurl..

Many people don't have the insight to realize that they are getting themselves into trouble with food and weight.

I realized it because my blood preasure, stress, feeling overall horrible, and starting to look like my mother who is 5'3 and 220 pds with high bp.

Many people may think I'm crazy but I traveled to Monterrey Mexico and the people there are general thin and the woman are beautiful. I've been to the Far East and it's the same. We here in the US are bombared by super size this and that and huge meals at restaurants that we are generally an obese society. A bmi over 30 is considered obese. I wasn't interested in becoming morbidly obese and the feelings and poor health that comes along with it.

So, I was banded 5 1/2 days ago and i've lost 11 pounds. I can't believe it and i'm sure the weight lose will slow once I come off of the liquid only diet.

:clap2:

Anita

Scott F · February 24, 2006

My wife and others told me I'm not big enough for the surgery (BMI of 36). But my feet hurt, I could no longer do the biking and hiking that I love, and I was getting some negative reaction from people I'd meet for the first time.

Eight years ago I lost all my excess weight on phen/fen and had a wonderful two years, doing things I hadn't done since college. It was great to be thin and trim. On the other hand my heart suffered slightly from the phen/fen.

I'm just four days after surgery, and hoping to avoid complications and get thin again.