Hello!

Im writing to you cuz i need support so please don't judge me, thats the only reason why i came here. Im 22 years old, turning 23 in september. I have struggled with my weight since i was 3! I was always the fat one in class. Honestly i don't know where to start. I hate my body and i hate that i have to live on a diet constantly to maintain my weight. Im 168 cm tall and i weigh 78 KGs so my BMI is 27. Everytime i try to lose the excess weight i end up gaining it right away, i tried every single diet there is. Im also insulin resistant and recently i went to my doctor and he said i need to lose the weight ASAP cuz its effecting my sugar levels a lot and i have 40 percent body fat which is very dangerous. One year i lose 10 to 15 kgs the next i gain double. Its always been like that and I'm suffering. If i eat a burger today , the next day will show on the scale. Living in Dubai makes it extremely hard to diet and exercise given that i work and study and own my own business. Its really tough cuz I'm in the fashion industry and every time i look at my pictures i feel incredibly shocked and depressed. Im really really down. I found a doctor in Lebanon, Beirut ( self pay, i can afford it ) that accepted to band me but told me since i have such a low bmi then the risk for the band slipping is higher. Is it really that dangerous to get banded at bmi 27? a lot of people lose plenty of weight banded and keep the band when the Bmi reaches 25, so whats the difference? I have considered lipo and other options but i knew that that was a short term solution. Please help me.. I'm really down

if this is any help im the biggest baby in the world when it comes to pain. i had my surgery and was home 6 hrs after being banded, quit taking the pain meds for the very mild pain after 3 days, and was so bored by the 3rd day i went and did some lite xmas shopping. banded last december , down 25 lbs and feels great. had my 4th fill today, had a small shot, i said ow and she was done. in and out in 5 , yes 5 minutes. easy. yes i have 5 little scars, yes i have to watch what and how much i eat, yes i do a swim fitness class 3x a week and yes my clothes are falling off and yes i look and feel 100 % better in just 3 months. do your research, ask questions, and make a decision to get your body healthy. And YES, i would do it again in a heartbeat. good luck !!

Glad to see some lower BMi'ers. I just starting to look into this, I'm current at about 31 -32 BMI, but all the dr's website that I've viewed so far say I have to be at least a 35, what state are you all in that had the surgery under 35? I'm in Ohio.

Victoria, Australia!

Our private health insurance is a bit different to yours.

I'm in South Florida...

Had bmi on 30 and Strax Rejuvenation was my place of surgery.... Super happy so far

Go for it. I was a 35.7 when I weighed in but only about a 31 when I was banded. I've lost 36 pounds since I was banded and it has changed everything for me. Just remember that you will probably lose a little slower than others with a higher BMI. It took a number of fills to get me to the point where I have good restriction.

I hear ya on the problems you have. Even at 24.9 BMI, no longer technically overweight, my waist to hip ratio is still not good, a risk factor for heart disease. It would be good to check out doctors in Dubai who will be willing/able to manage your aftercare. Good luck and good health.

My waist to hip ratio will never be good. I am shaped more like a man than a woman - skinny hips and straight at the middle!

Glad to see some lower BMi'ers. I just starting to look into this, I'm current at about 31 -32 BMI, but all the dr's website that I've viewed so far say I have to be at least a 35, what state are you all in that had the surgery under 35? I'm in Ohio.

In the US the FDA just recently approved the use of the band down to a BMI of 30 with a co-morbidity. That doesn't mean that insurance companies are paying for it for BMIs that low. Also, doctors could band someone with a lower BMI before FDA approval as an "off label" use of the band, if the patient is willing to pay. But each surgeon decides what is right for the individual patient.

Dwolley-

Here's what it all boils down to...you can seek out others advice and opinions ad infinitum' date=' but at the end of the day, you are the only one that can decide what is best for you The procedure is minimally invasive, outpatient procedure and there is a quick recovery. My doctor does the surgery in less than 17 mins. The pain involved depends on one's pain threshold.

One other thing...there seems to be group of people that are very preachy and negative toward low BMI candidates. I find it fascinating - like a kind of resentment and passive aggression. And remember...it's not about losing the weight, it is about keeping it off!

Good luck![/quote']

I've noticed this as well. My decision was based on my personal history and my family history. I'm just not willing to see 200 again. I was banded yesterday, yes I'm very sore and I'm still wondering myself crazy but I'm grateful there is a tool out there to help us control our portions! What an amazing gift! I don't want to be a statistic and want to live a long healthy life. Remember it is your decision and you know you best!

Hi - I'm a BMI of 31 and just started the liquid diet. Getting banded 5/30 in Indiana. I'm self-pay because my insurance only pays if one's BMI is over 35.

I don't really have any co-morbidities, although heart disease is rampant in my family.

I haven't told many people (just my mom, boyfriend, and one very close friend) because I don't want to hear "oh, you don't need it", etc.