Hey guys just joined and looking for advice

I have struggled with my weight for years with it constantly fluctuating up and down - diet going well for a few weeks and then it all falls apart, weight piles back on, the usual.

This cycle has been going on for years and I am now at my heaviest having joined a workplace where there is free food and Snacks everywhere - and free all you can eat lunches with delicious food. This does not go so well for me, I have no willpower - however I know I could work with the bad.

My self confidence is really low right now as I cannot seem to keep weight off (even though I can lose it and have done a few times, it is not maintainable for me and as this has been going on for years it seems conventional methods are really failing me.

So I am looking into lap band surgery and I think it is something I want.

The only issue I have is that my BMI is 30.5 which seems to be pretty low for the surgery from what I have read. I am classified in the Obese category on the BMI scale but I think I have found a surgeon who will perform the surgery at BMI 30.5.

My question is do you guys think it is too drastic for my BMI? I would be aiming to lose 50-60lbs post surgery from 200 at 5'8".

I really feel this may be the right thing for me to do but just want input from others.

Also do the results tend to be good for a low BMI band?

Any thoughts on the matter appreciated!

Thanks!

Sounds like it would work for you, but you may have to self pay.

Simply, in one word... yes, it's too drastic! My bmi when I started this journey was in the upper 30's, and I felt like "one of the smaller ones". The only reason I went for it was my hard to control high blood pressure and my serious back issues. I would have never opted for this lifestyle if my only issue were cosmetic and my bmi was in the low 30's! LAP BAND IS NOT AN EASY "FIX"!!!!!

I think I answered this the other day your other thread..... . I personally think its too drastic at your height and weight. If you are willing to commit to the band you should be willing to try to do it on your own and work to keep it off.

Just my opinion ...and what I would tell my daughters or friends. I love my band and am thankful it helped me achieve the results I have... But in no way was it easy or should be taken lightly. It's a last resort in my opinion.

The question is can you find a great doctor willing to do the surgery? Also I agree this is not an easy fix and the band wont prevent you from overeating at work. ALso this is a life change for the long haul.

Good luck with your decision.

Thanks guys - looking for as many opinions as possible.

Also a really big factor is that I come from a family of really large women and they all went down the same road as me - struggled with weight in childhood and teens and really gained a lot in their early 20s and continued through adult life. I really don't want that to happen to me (I am in my early 20s now and have gained quite a lot since leaving college 3 years ago, though my weight did yo-yo before that) and I can see myself going the way of my family - I just find it very difficult to resist really starchy foods like chips, fries as well as meat etc.

I believe these foods are tough to take with the lap band which would really help me - I'm not much into ice cream, and while I do like some chocolate here and these it's really the starchy stodgy foods that are my downfall. A lot of the foods I have trouble resisting are the ones the band seems to make difficult and I know I'd be too afraid of anything getting stuck to be tempted. I also want my appetite to reduce!

It'll be a while before I decide yet all things considered and I can see why it seems like an easy way out - but I guess I wouldn't be thinking about it if I hadn't consistently failed at conventional methods.

I'd really like to hear from more people who started low BMI to see if they regret the decision or think it was right. All in all, do the pros outweigh the cons?

Also if I did decide to get it what happens if you decide to take it out? I know research dates back 15 years but is it medically inadvisable to keep it longer?

chips, fries, mashed potatoes, as well as many other high fat foods, are all "sliders" and very easy to eat with the band. If you cannot resist them, the band will do you absolutely no good -- you may even gain weight, because while other foods (high in protein) that are better for you to eat and will keep you fuller, longer, are harder to go down than sliders.

If the band prevented you from eating all the bad, high in fat and starchy foods, we'd all be on Easy Street!

I know what you mean. It's just portion sizes I guess.

I may be being naive here but I really believe if I did get the surgery I'd want to do it right - I think for me appetite and portion control are a big deal and it's the feeling of craving them I have a problem with.

Surely the band has some impact? Otherwise how does anyone lose weight on it?!

I know it's not a quick fix but I have seen people who absolutely swear by it who would have been similar eaters to myself (though heavier to begin with)

Toddy is right. The behavior you mention won't go away because the band. It is not a quick or easy fix . I have had band for years and didn't follow the plan. I ate crap and drank sodas and everything else I should not have done. Here I am giving it another try.

My BMI was low not as low as yours. Mine was 34.5 and I'm 5'5 212 lbs 35 yrs old and I have been losing and gaining for the past 13 years. Myself also have a family of obese women and that was one of my decision makers. My mom had the surgery three years ago, and she was very supportive of my decision. My husband not so much at first but once I started explaining my reasons for wanting it he finally decided that it may be best for me. He was never one that wanted me doing all these diet pills and diet drinks so one of my convincing tactics was either I can have this surgery or I will continue to take and do all this different diets to try to keep the weight off. So I would not tell you no its totally your decision I'm trying to lose around 60 lbs. So just continue to pray and talk about it with people on here and you will come up with your decision. Btw I was self pay not because of my BMI only because it was an exclusion on my insurance policy.

No, i dont think you're "crazy" to be thinking about the band just because you have a low bmi. i do think however that you need to think a little about some of the things in your post. i totally get your problem with the lose it/gain it weight , but the band doesnt take away cravings, so if you "have no willpower" on the free food at work, the band doesnt take away the cravings. on the other hand, since i fill up on protein and fruits and veggies 1st, my cravings have gone away 90% Since my portions are now so small, im naturaly losing weight (Down 63 lbs in 11 months !) . i just have very little room left for the junk food "sliders". As far as your favorite sliders, (mashed potatoes, fries, carbs) , i cant eat more than 6-7 fries or a few bites of potatoes as those start expanding on me and i feel like i have heartburn, so i stop after a few bites. I totally get the low self esteem, your age and family history, and the up and down weight, so the band has been a lifesaver for me , as it literally gave me my life back ! i dont think your bmi is as important as to wheather or not you're willing to follow the band rules. If you'e not, it will be a waste of time and money. If you are, then dont worry about your bmi and go for it ! good luck to you !

I definitely would be willing - after all I wouldn't really want to put myself through such drastic surgery if not, or affect my health in any negative way.

Congrats pink dahlia - that is a really excellent result.

Hey guys just joined and looking for advice <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I have struggled with my weight for years with it constantly fluctuating up and down - diet going well for a few weeks and then it all falls apart' date=' weight piles back on, the usual.

This cycle has been going on for years and I am now at my heaviest having joined a workplace where there is free food and Snacks everywhere - and free all you can eat lunches with delicious food. This does not go so well for me, I have no willpower - however I know I could work with the bad.

My self confidence is really low right now as I cannot seem to keep weight off (even though I can lose it and have done a few times, it is not maintainable for me and as this has been going on for years it seems conventional methods are really failing me.

So I am looking into lap band surgery and I think it is something I want.

The only issue I have is that my BMI is 30.5 which seems to be pretty low for the surgery from what I have read. I am classified in the Obese category on the BMI scale but I think I have found a surgeon who will perform the surgery at BMI 30.5.

My question is do you guys think it is too drastic for my BMI? I would be aiming to lose 50-60lbs post surgery from 200 at 5'8".

I really feel this may be the right thing for me to do but just want input from others.

Also do the results tend to be good for a low BMI band?

Any thoughts on the matter appreciated!

Thanks![/quote']

I have to a low bmi 31.9, and I'm going to surgery, I have struggled with my weight since I was 11. I am now 21 and I believe in prevention as I believe in cure. I don't want to be 31 and then wishing I done this surgery 10 years ago. I am a very motivated person but when dieting hard I seem to get stuck on 11st6 and it won't go down which is frustrating. I am 5ft1 and my 12st4 weight doesn't belong to me!!! I would though suggest that you are mentally prepared for the changes on your diet, because the band ain't a miracle but a tool. A tool that I need the help to succeed, and with my determination I know I will. In uk people with 30 bmi over are allowed this surgery but self pay.

Hope you make the right decision for you

Thanks alicelopes. I am from Ireland so would have to self pay anyway, but if I get it done it will probably be in Belgium as it is much cheaper there and I have looked into a lot of reputable surgeons there.

I am beginning to think it may be the best solution for me. I know I must be willing to change myself and that is something I really want to do at this point. I am going to need to save up money to pay for the surgery anyway so it will give me a lot of time to think about it.

I think it is a great idea....50 to 60 lbs is alot to lose and keep it off. I feel you know yourself better than anyone...you know your patterns. It sounds like you are just like the rest of us who have gained and lost and gained again...only not to keep it off. I think it is irrelevant wether you have 50 or 150 lbs to lose ..it is still the same struggle we all face. This is a tool to help if you are willing to help it...you just have a shorter distance to get to your goal than most of us. It is not a fast fix for most but will work if you are willing to follow the rules. Good Luck!

Thanks alicelopes. I am from Ireland so would have to self pay anyway' date=' but if I get it done it will probably be in Belgium as it is much cheaper there and I have looked into a lot of reputable surgeons there.

I am beginning to think it may be the best solution for me. I know I must be willing to change myself and that is something I really want to do at this point. I am going to need to save up money to pay for the surgery anyway so it will give me a lot of time to think about it.[/quote']

Hello dublingirl, I am from manchester uk and I was too thinking of doing abroad in Prague. But then decided to do it in uk because if I was going to go for fills it would end up being more expensive. So my only advise to you would be to weight the pros and cons about having it abroad just because of the fills and aftercare. Having said that I think you already have found a reputable place and you would be in very good hands. Yeah you have got time to think about it and I am sure you going to do the right decision. I hope everything goes wonderful to you. Don't forget to keep me posted. I will have my surgery January I'm sure to keep you posted too.