Hi, Im new to writing in these type of forums/blogs/chat etc.. I recently went to an out patient surgery center in Chicago for a consult regarding low BMI lap band. Like most of you (I am assuming) I have been dieting my entire life.. My weight has been up & down. Thus causing my emotions & out look on life to be up & down based upon my weight. I recently found out the FDA approved this low BMI lap band procedure. Is it worth it? I DONT have any accompanying medical issues due to my weight. My BMI is @ 31 just barely. Im sure by time of surgery it will be below. I have Surgery schedualed for mid-Oct. It will be self pay. I hear stories of people vomitting post surgery all the time, amoung other issues. Has anyone had this issue? I can only find once place in my area that does low bmi lap band procedure. Day One Health in Chicago. Anyone been a pt there? Anyone in the Chicagoland area go anywere else. I appreciate any thoughts. comments, stories on anyone that has had low bmi lap band procedure.

Well I have a BMI of 36 or so. People say I don't even need this surgery. For me it isn't about losing as much as not gaining. Every year losing weight gets harder.

Curious you did not tell us your weight if you can lose weight with out Lap Band save the money and do it. I understand that your self esteme and outlook is effected by your body image but judging from a low BMI in appears your not seriously overweight and you have no other complications.

It makes me wonder what Dr would just schedule you for surgery so quickly ....just sayin. Lap Band is not for everyone and it is not a walk in the park. Have you had your psyche eval and met with a nutritionist. I am interested to hear what others have to say...

My BMI was 30 when I decided to get my band... I am barely 5 ft tall. I went to my initial consult, and 2 weeks later I had my band. Best decision ever.

I feel like I did a very smart thing, I did not want my 55 lbs to turn into 100, or 150 lbs to lose. I highly recommend the band to low BMIers.

I was low with a BMI of 33 when I was banded. From Initial consultation to surgery day it was 1 month. I was self pay...I don't regret it

I first met with my doctor when I was at a BMI of 33 and whilst I have successfully lost weight on my own over the years, eating lean wholefoods and training throughout the week, the problem I've had is I was always hungry, feeling as though a normal portion of even healthy food wasn't satisfying and with any set back or injury when training, the weight would start to creep back. I've got a wardrobe varying from size 10-18 clothes that has been the result of the ups and downs over the past few years.

I was recently made redundant and took the opportunity to focus on myself after 10 years of investment banking, working ridiculous hours and living between office, hotels and airports for much of the week. I originally saw the surgeon to explore options such as the balloon, but they seem to be falling out of favour and the surgeon noted after 6 months when it's out i'd probably be back on the yo yo weight diet. Together we explored the lapband as a tool to ultimately help keep the weight off longer term and come back to a healthy meal size portion, compared to going back for seconds even if it was a healthy lean meal.

So far the weight is coming down about a kg a week. I lost quite a bit during the pre op diet, that actually put me under the 30 BMI at the time of surgery. The anathesiologist was asking why I even needed the surgery at the time of the operation.

I've not told many people I've had the surgery and most people think I've just gone back on a diet. For those who do know, a lot of them question why I bothered, saying 'but your not fat' or your just 'big boned' but for me it was my weight was unhealthy and I'm doing what I needed to get to and stay in the healthy weight range.

I've also found some good eating practices have been enforced with the band such as eating slowly, if you don't have time to chew then you don't have time to eat, not washing your food down with a drink, walking away when your full and focusing on the quality of the food vs the quantity, that even my non banded friends are following these behaviors. As easy as it is to say those rules are easy to follow, having the band there acts as a form of reinforcement so you can't just forget for a meal or two, which then becomes a habit again.

I hope to go through this journey with minimal fills, I've had 1 to date, which has been fine, and so far I've still enjoyed a varied diet including steak, bread, Pasta, salads and rice. I am quite disappointed to find for me pineapple and celery just dont chew down enough to swallow when eaten on their own

Good news is I've gone back to work, starting afresh with a new bank and also being able to have this new persona that focuses on exercise and eating healthy.

I wish you all the best in what you decide

My BMI was 33 when I was banded. I am now at 26 and hoping to someday get to 22-23 BMI. It was def worth it as my BMI and weight was only climbing so I bit the bullet before it got bigger.

My BMI was 30 when I decided to get my band... I am barely 5 ft tall. I went to my initial consult' date=' and 2 weeks later I had my band. Best decision ever.

I feel like I did a very smart thing, I did not want my 55 lbs to turn into 100, or 150 lbs to lose. I highly recommend the band to low BMIers.[/quote']

This is exactly why I'm doing it. Need to get 60 off but last year it was 30. Tired of looking for new diets every year

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Agree 100%!!!!!