Hi, I will be having the lap band surgery on august 23. My bmi is a little lower than most of the people that I have read about. But high enough to be a canidate for lap band surgery. Is anyone else having or had surgery with a bmi in the range of 35-37?:help:

Terri, that is amazing! If I could lose 26 pounds by Christmas I would be very happy!! Especially since according to my Dr., once it comes off it doesn't come back!

I have a friend that said her friend had gain 30 pounds back. I don't know her, but the only thing I can figure is her friend did not continue to get the fills.. Does anyone else have any insite on this?

Hi,

I am in the process of trying to pick a surgeon.

I am about the same weight and BMI as you are.

Many of the places I have called will not talk/schedule with me since my weight and BMI are considered too low for them. I am healthy other than being overweight and I have realized that I will have to self pay.

Questions I have are:

1. Can any one give me names of U.S Doctors who will work with me?

2. Many of the doctor's I have reseached are far away, did any one else travel for the surgery? How has that worked out for you with the fills etc?

3. Was any one affraid that this would not work for them?

Any comment would be appreciated.

Thanks

I have read (on this site and others) that for those who's excess calories are coming from sweets, alcohol etc. the band can't really help because liquids and chocolate slip through. Maybe this was the problem?

I live in Texas. My doctor just said I was on the light side, but when I told him I had been on diet pills for most of my life, he just said okay. He is rated by Dallas as one of the best....Dr. J

yep, mine is 36. I'm a wee bit nervous about this.... but I've spent too many years of my life not being me. I'm not telling anyone I'm doing this though, other than my H.

I have a friend that said her friend had gain 30 pounds back. I don't know her, but the only thing I can figure is her friend did not continue to get the fills.. Does anyone else have any insite on this?

Sure, it's easy to gain weight if you don't maintain restriction and indulge in things like milkshakes and cheesecake!! It's not impossible to "eat around the band", as my doctor says. This does take some work after all!

Hi,

I am in the process of trying to pick a surgeon.

I am about the same weight and BMI as you are.

Many of the places I have called will not talk/schedule with me since my weight and BMI are considered too low for them. I am healthy other than being overweight and I have realized that I will have to self pay.

Questions I have are:

1. Can any one give me names of U.S Doctors who will work with me?

2. Many of the doctor's I have reseached are far away, did any one else travel for the surgery? How has that worked out for you with the fills etc?

3. Was any one affraid that this would not work for them?

Any comment would be appreciated.

Thanks

Being self-pay will definitely work in your favor. I had several co-morbidities that were starting to raise their ugly heads and I was just trying to avoid allowing my health to deteriorate any further. I had a weak back, plantar faciatis, insulin resistance, suspected sleep apnea, and borderline high lipid levels.

I'm sure there are many doctors who might work with you, but you are right to be concerned about fills afterwards. That is something you have to make sure you have worked out before you are banded. Your best bet is probably to go with a very well known surgeon that has a good reputation so that the fill doctors aren't afraid to maintain his work, y'know? My doctor (Spivak) in Houston is one of the lap band pioneers as he was involved in the FDA trials way back when. He's done thousands of these procedures and has proctored many of the surgeons that are placing them today. Going with someone like him would be a good bet on finding a doctor willing to do the follow-up. Being banded in Mexico is risky...there are those who have problems finding doctors to do fills on Mexican surgeries. Dr. Spivak won't.

I think we're all afraid going in that it won't work for us. We're so used to failure!! I'm loving my band and I hope and pray that it will serve me for many years to come. It's the best thing I ever did for myself.

Thanks, You have been very helpful.

I have contacted Dr Spivak's office and another Dr in Denver. I too ,do not feel comfortable going to Mexico despite many other people having success there. My husband is nervous about the surgery and that would put him over the edge.

I wish you the best with your journey.

Thanks,

Sure, it's easy to gain weight if you don't maintain restriction and indulge in things like milkshakes and cheesecake!! It's not impossible to "eat around the band", as my doctor says. This does take some work after all!

Being self-pay will definitely work in your favor. I had several co-morbidities that were starting to raise their ugly heads and I was just trying to avoid allowing my health to deteriorate any further. I had a weak back, plantar faciatis, insulin resistance, suspected sleep apnea, and borderline high lipid levels.

I'm sure there are many doctors who might work with you, but you are right to be concerned about fills afterwards. That is something you have to make sure you have worked out before you are banded. Your best bet is probably to go with a very well known surgeon that has a good reputation so that the fill doctors aren't afraid to maintain his work, y'know? My doctor (Spivak) in Houston is one of the lap band pioneers as he was involved in the FDA trials way back when. He's done thousands of these procedures and has proctored many of the surgeons that are placing them today. Going with someone like him would be a good bet on finding a doctor willing to do the follow-up. Being banded in Mexico is risky...there are those who have problems finding doctors to do fills on Mexican surgeries. Dr. Spivak won't.

I think we're all afraid going in that it won't work for us. We're so used to failure!! I'm loving my band and I hope and pray that it will serve me for many years to come. It's the best thing I ever did for myself.