This group is for weight loss support for lower bmi bandsters (of course anyone is welcome!).

For encouragement, tips, accountability.... Give stats, helpful advice, etc.

How much weight you have lost, how long it took. etc.

In some case I have found it takes a lower BMI patient a lot longer to lose the weight.

Introduce yourself and jump on in!!!:welcomeB: :welcome2:

Audree

Do you think US doctors would band me with a BMI of 33..? I would self pay.

I was banded @ 31.5 in College Station,Texas by Dr. Mason $11,500. Dr Spiviak in Houston, somebody in east Texas, San Antonio, and Coos Bay Oregon also does lower BMI's. I think it will be easy to find a Dr near you! Approved for lower Bmi's, and who wouldn't want a self pay paitent?

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I was banded @ 31.5 in College Station,Texas by Dr. Mason $11,500. Dr Spiviak in Houston, somebody in east Texas, San Antonio, and Coos Bay Oregon also does lower BMI's. I think it will be easy to find a Dr near you! Approved for lower Bmi's, and who wouldn't want a self pay paitent?

.

Wow so it was only 11,500..? A local doctor is saying it's 17,000, but to be honest I would rather have it local. I'm trying to get a consult by me, so we'll see.

Wow so it was only 11,500..? A local doctor is saying it's 17,000, but to be honest I would rather have it local. I'm trying to get a consult by me, so we'll see.

Where do you live? My dr. in Oregon charges 10,000

Where do you live? My dr. in Oregon charges 10,000

I'm in Florida, I'm just wondering how the whole process would work with being out of town.

I had my done where I live in College Station Texas. I was looking at Mexico, Coos Bay oregon (10), and Houston(15K). After checking things out, I re-visited with the local Dr. to double check that the local community hospital (were having a 12K special for 35's & up) really would not let him do low bmi.(Mine was 31.5) Thankfully, a artical had just come out recomending bands for low bmi's so he was able to convince a local private hospital to allow and match price (plus my insurance paid for my pre-ops via my local family doc so saved $500 or so)! Being local has been great, but I have not needed anything but regular fills the first 3 months, so out of town would have been okay. I am real "tight" now, knowing I have Dr. right here is comforting in case I need a little let out. If you get a local fil Dr you would have the same comfort level. I felt pretty wiped out and took pain med post op, but could have traveled I think if I had to have! Maybe a few days in a hotel post-op would be better if you have a long trip.

When I was doing research I seem to remember some Doc in Florida that did fills in Fl, but flew to Mexico once or twice a month to do the surgeries cheaper.

I used to have a ticker? How do I get it back?

I was banded in Monterray by Dr. de le Garza. It was $8000.00 and I paid for the air fair which was another $500. He was great! The hospital and everyone on the staff were wonderful.

I would recommend him, but I know some people are very skeptical of going to Mexico.

I went by myself,and had NO PROBLEMS. I left on a Thursday, surgery on friday- shopped for about 6 hours on saturday. I flew back sunday morning and was at work on Monday.

Banded 1-19-2007

Weight when banded 212

1st fill on 3-6-2007 2cc

current 183

goal 150:clap2:

Jane D

I was banded in Monterray by Dr. de le Garza. It was $8000.00 and I paid for the air fair which was another $500. He was great! The hospital and everyone on the staff were wonderful.

I would recommend him, but I know some people are very skeptical of going to Mexico.

I went by myself,and had NO PROBLEMS. I left on a Thursday, surgery on friday- shopped for about 6 hours on saturday. I flew back sunday morning and was at work on Monday.

BMI 34.5

Banded 1-19-2007

Weight when banded 212

1st fill on 3-6-2007 2cc

current 183

goal 150:clap2:

Jane D

I was banded in Monterray by Dr. de le Garza. It was $8000.00 and I paid for the air fair which was another $500. He was great! The hospital and everyone on the staff were wonderful.

I would recommend him, but I know some people are very skeptical of going to Mexico.

I went by myself,and had NO PROBLEMS. I left on a Thursday, surgery on friday- shopped for about 6 hours on saturday. I flew back sunday morning and was at work on Monday.

BMI 34.5

Banded 1-19-2007

Weight when banded 212

1st fill on 3-6-2007 2cc

current 183

goal 150:clap2:

Jane D

SWEET... Congrats everything is going well.

Lower BMI Bandsters I need some advice.

My surgery date is counting down and (yes i'm getting scared) i'm worried about my weight loss-i'm supposed to lose 12 lbs by the 9th of May and i've only lost 3 lbs. I have a really hard time losing weight, that's why I am getting the band - to help me. I've been drinking a slimfast for breakfast & lunch and having a lean cuisine for dinner. To curb the hunger pains...and there are ALOT, I eat celery. I have eaten two packages of celery in the past three days-that's alot of munching...i'm drinking tea every day all day long trying to keep my hunger at bay too...i'm NOT drinking alot of water due to the fact that i'm drinking tea, but I was told that since it is clear that is equates to drinking water...however as you can see I am not losing very fast. I'm so afraid if I don't lose enough weight my liver won't be shrunken enough to make for an easy surgery and quick recovery. Any advice/experience etc would be greatly appreciated.

I'm so afraid if I don't lose enough weight my liver won't be shrunken enough to make for an easy surgery and quick recovery. Any advice/experience etc would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like you are really hanging in there with your diet. Are you exercising? That might help get you going. Some doctors (including mine) don't require a pre-diet to shrink the liver. I ate regular food up until midnight before surgery, had surgery at a surgery center, and went home four hours after I was wheeled into surgery. I was back at work on the 5th day after surgery. No problems from my liver not being shrunk. Every dr. is different and it's so important to follow their protocol but I just wanted you to know that you will most likely be fine if you aren't able to lose all the weight you are supposed to before surgery. BTW, I started at about your weight as well. Good luck to you!

Do the best you can. I had Ortiz, too. You will have a great experience with him. Celery is supposed to be -calories so that is good! I wish I could still eat it but it doesn't go down good anymore. I would try to stop the tea for a few days to see if that makes a difference. Some say tea increases the appetite and dehydrates you. Drink alot of water instead.

try all liquids..I had to do all liquids for 2 weeks before surgery..it worked- I lost more weight with the pre-op diet than after the surgery! Best of luck!

-Hi my name is Jane D. I was banded in Mexico on 1-19-07 and weighed 212. I am now down to 183. I have had one fill in March, 2cc.

I am female 39 and waiting to enjoy the rest of my life!!

My starting BMI was 34.2 and I think it is 29.9 right now.

Welcome, Jane! And congrats on your success so far--good for you taking control of your life and setting great and achievable goals. Good luck on your journey--you are doing great!