LOW BMI BANDING: Am i crazy?

[NYUBoi21 0]

Hey everyone,

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I am a 25 year old male from <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:State>. I weigh, as of today, 228 pounds and have a BMI of 33. Two months ago I went for several lap-band consultations, at which time my BMI was a 36 (weight was 246 I believe). I since gave Optifast a 5<SUP>th</SUP> try, and went down to 220, and then up to the weight I am at now. During all this I went through the hoops to get Lap-band approved. I wasn’t even 100% sure – I figured if they say no then theres nothing to think about, and if they say yes I can decide from there. I even considered going to one of two places in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> that do it highly discounted for non-insured procedures. Well, in addition to the acid reflux disease and stuff, I just found out I have obstructive sleep apnea. On that basis, my insurance just approved it, and I am scheduled for surgery THIS TUESDAY 8/21/07. Naturally, I am a little scared, but yet I feel highly inclined to want to proceed with getting it. I have been overweight since I was 7. I have gain and lost the same 70 pounds several times now. My senior year of high school I was able to get down to 170 briefly, but then it gradually went back up – eventually hitting the 200s. Then I was able to get back to the 180s, followed by going up into the 220s and then hitting a high of 249. I have done every diet in the book, both commercial and medical weight loss programs, and been on every prescription – Meridia, Phentermine, Adderall, Bontril SR, Xenical, etc. Even if I can manage to get the weight off, I just don’t want a lifetime of yo-yoing back and fourth. My problem has always been I take my anxiety/stress out on food. I was never into alcohol or drugs, and never smoked, so food was my drug. Having said that, I don’t like to vomit or feel sick and I would NOT eat to the point of making myself like that – which makes me believe lap-band would fore me to get down to a normal weight and, more importantly, stay there. I also have a hiatul hernia – I asked the doctor to fix this while im under (since I live on Nexium for GERD), but he said he will not be able to tell till the day of the operation. If its bad, he said he will repair it. But he said mine is not that big (5cm) and that the lap-band alone may be sufficient in stopping the stomach from going up my chest. He said he would not be able to make that decision till he is in the O.R. though, but that he assures me he will do whats best for the implantation of the lap-band the safety of such.

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Naturally, I am scared. It doesn’t help that the site states “You should know death is one of these risks, it can happen anytime during the surgery or immediately following the procedure.” Even if I focus on the more common problems, the idea of nausea and band slippage or a tear in the stomach all sound scary. Plus I will be in law school in one year and can not imagine what I would do if I got an infection or became very sick (people get ulcers in these programs as it is, let alone having extra stomach problems). Then the issue of not being able to eat certain foods scares me – I love steak, Chinese food, etc. And is it true most people can’t tolerate breads or Pasta? ??

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As much as the health benefits sound great, I am not going to lie – I am interested in the procedure mostly for cosmetic reasons. I just simply want to end the cycle and feel good about my body once and for all. I gay a lot of criticism from many people that I am not overweight enough – the “YOU’RE getting lap-band?” I admit it seems a little extreme, especially risk to reward in terms of complications. Then some tell me I should wait till I’m 30 and see if I still want it, that’s definitely not what I want to do though – frankly I’m sorry I did not get it five years ago when I was 20. I can only imagine how much difference my high school or college experience would have been… The clubs and all were very into looks – tight clothes, very in shape, etc. I have never in my life been able to shop at Abercrombie, for example. My weight is the only thing I hate about my appearance and I would just love to feel 100% confident for once. Plus I will never be able to convince my insurance to swing this again – especially as I lose weight.

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I just feel like at least this would give me the major tool to commit to keeping the weight off once and for all. I do know in the back of my head I could probably lose it on my own – maybe. But everyone who I know says they lost it on their own once is currently overweight, meaning they gained the weight back – it just seems like they inevitably gain it back, that is, how many people truly keep it off on their own without the help of something like this? The other thing that scares me is I know certain medicines interact, like anti-inflam’s. What about A.D.D. medicines – will I be able to take Adderall (amphetamines) or Ritalin while in law school or does it cause problems with lap-band? Anyone have experience with this? (And does anyone have a link for the diet that should be followed after surgery?)

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Just in case I started an all liquid diet today to prep for the surgery and had my pre-op testing done today. So, if the world does not think its crazy to base this on cosmetic reasons, I guess I am good to go… I am basically writing to see what people think or would do in my situation. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

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Paul

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[WASaBubbleButt 41]

You say others believe you are crazy for doing this with a low BMI. Actually, at 36 your BMI isn't all that low. 33 isn't all that low either. At 33 you are considered obese (vs. overweight) and at 36 you are severely obese. That doesn't sound low to me.

Your option is to continue dieting knowing it isn't going to do anything or get banded and not wait until you are morbidly obese (40+BMI) with joint deterioration, heart disease, and diabetes.

The risks associated with banding are potential, not absolute and they are minimal. The risks for being fat are already there, you already have sleep apnea and I double dawg dare you to try to get through law school never sleeping well. It isn't going to happen. The rests of the risks WILL happen with severe obesity, they aren't potential, something will give. Joints, heart, pancreas, something. Your body simply isn't designed to carry an extra 100lbs.

You are 2nd guessing yourself right now and that is perfectly normal. If you weren't 2nd guessing yourself you WOULD be nuts. You are supposed to feel this way. But I would urge you to look at this as objectively as you can. When we have the issues we do, they don't get better with age, they get worse.

College is supposed to be the most fun part of your life, so go get banded and enjoy yourself!

[girlygirlz 0]

Paul - am so with you! My bmi is about 35.2 and I am hoping that I have enough co-morbidities to get approved. When I went to my seminar I was probably the smallest person there and I asked myself if I shouldn't just give dieting another try. But I am a lot older than you and I have lost hundreds of pounds (10-50 at a time) and have gained them all back. I have only told a few people that I am having lap band and I expected them to say that I did not seem over weight enough for something so extreme but hardly anyone has said that (I guess I look fatter than I thought!) As a guy you probably carry your weight better than a woman so you probably have people tell you you look fine. My husband recently lost 30 pounds and nobody but me even noticed! He went from 220 to 190 but at 6 foot 1 he has a lot of room to carry his weight. I do think you should do the surgery because your health will benefit and as someone who has struggled with weight for twenty years it doesn't get easier! I have seen too many people gain their weight back and I don't want to do that again. We should do this before we get to a bmi of 40 and possible heart disease, diabetes, knee replacement, hip replacement etc. Good luck!

[kacee 3]

My BMI was only 38, but I too have been obese since the age of 7. That predisposition plus my sleep apnea, hypertension, etc. drove me to get the lapband an I have NEVER looked back. This will be the tool to aid you in keeping that weight under control for the rest of your life. If you are 25 and struggling, I can guarantee you're going to do nothing but go up up up as you mature and your metabolism slows. You are absolutely doing the right thing.

[kacee 3]

By the way, I am now down below you in BMI, and I am still considered obese and have 34 pounds more to go before I hit my (very realistic) goal.

[kacee 3]

Oh, and yes, I was the smallest person in MY seminar also. All I could think as I looked around the room was, "Thank GOD I am doing this now instead of waiting to where some of these other folks have gotten to...." It just resolved me MORE to get it done and get on with my life.

[cathryn65 0]

:confused:i hear what your saying. Right now my BMI is 36. I lost 15 pounds but can't get pass that mark. I attended weight watchers for six months recently and can't get pass the 35 BMI. I have high blood pressure and acid reflux. I am sooo tired of trying diet pills and every diet that comes in the market. My family and friends think I am crazy for considering the lap band but I do not want to wait until my BMI reaches 38 0r more before I do something. I am waiting for a consult appointment and hope that I am a candidate. I also hope I get the approval from my insurance company. I did the reach for the insurance and according to their guidelines I qualify but I have to wait. I understand how you feel.

[Michee 2]

Get the lapband NOW

If you spend some time in this forum you will see that for most of us, the only regret was not getting the band sooner.

The more years you invest in yoyo dieting or obesity the more your health will decline. When I think of the things I missed out on because of my weight, it makes me sad. There were countless summers of wearing a T-shirt over a bathing suit, and looking around to realize I was the biggest one at a beach or pool, the years of dressing much older because the plus size stores only carried "old lady" clothes. This does not even include the type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.......

Run, do not walk to the doc and get the band!

[stef123633 1]

I was banded 3 months ago w/ a BMI of 32. It has been slow but worth it. Don't expect quick results, we don't have far to go, if we dropped the 30 lbs some do in 3 months, we'd be 75% of the way there. I thought about this a long time, we to seminars, waited, tried on my own etc. After my 3rd fill I think I am finally there :-)

[Jachut 487]

I dont think you're crazy and I agree with wasa, a bmi of 36 is a serious weight problem.

I was banded at a BMI of 36 and had no health problems (YET). My decision to be banded was for prevention of future worse obesity for sure but probably 80% cosmetic, I absolutely HATED how I looked.

It was only after having lost the weight that I realised how unhealthy and bad I'd been feeling and that its done a lot more for my health than I anticipated it would.

So what if its a cosmetic decision? Where do people get off judging you for having WLS surgery for cosmetic reasons whilst at the same time posting on other threads about their impending tummy tucks and boob jobs? That's so hypocritical. Nearly ALL of us are interested in looking better. A WLS that doesnt reroute your insides forever is a very safe way of looking better and unlike cosmetic surgery also results in much better physical health.

[cathryn65 0]

I am hoping that my insurance company feels the same way. I want to do something now before my BMI turnsback to 39-40. It can easily be at 40 in a few months. I lost 12 pounds this year and struggled to do that. I am ready.....

[Mizzoupoodle 0]

I had a pretty low BMI at the time of my banding and am so glad I went thru with the procedure. I'd lost quite a bit of weight on my own but had stabilized. I noticed I was hungry all the time and I was petrified of regaining the weight and then some. I decided I wanted to find a solution that had long term success and banding does!! You will be amazed at how free you feel after the band!! For the first time in my life, food is NOT on my mind 24/7.

The decision is yours but consider the testimonials and success stories. Many of these people had previously lost/regained/lost the same weight over and over UNTIL the band!! Weight gone with the band pretty much stays gone!

[Trace Curry 1]

Paul,

We probably do more low BMI bands than anyone in the country, and I can tell you that it's a great operation with very little risk. We frequently see patients get rid of hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, and high cholesterol. Cumulatively these diseases certainly would have a higher risk of death than the operation itself.

The only thing I would say is that you have to be mentally prepared for the rate of weight loss. It's not an overnight fix and low BMI band patients still lose their weight over a period of 12 to 18 months. So if you lose 50 lbs over 18 months, that's not a tremendous amount of weight on a weekly or monthly basis. That's ok though because we are looking for a solution that will last you for life, not one that is a quick, temporary fix!

Trace W. Curry, M.D.

Medical Director

Center for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, Cincinnati, Ohio

Lap Band Surgery Ohio :: Lap Band Doctor Trace Curry Ohio Trace W. Curry, M.D. Lap Band, Realize Band, Sleeve Gastrectomy, and Gastric Bypass Surgeon :: FAQ's :: Nutrition

513.559.1222 / 877.442.BAND

DISCLAIMER: Any information contained within is meant to be general medical advice only. Please consult your surgeon on your specific problem!

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[cathryn65 0]

I decided to switch doctors. I went to the seminar at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY on 8/21 and was told that I would have an appointment in a couple of weeks, I still have not heard from them, So I decided to do some research and found a doctor in Poughkeepsie, NY(St. Francis Bariatric Center . I called on a Tuesday 9/2, I had an consult on 9/10. I am waiting for them to call me on 9/15 to give me an appoitment for all required test,consults w/ specialists done in one day. The doctor states that if the insurance company approves me, I am looking at being banded in mid Oct. or Nov. The staff and doctor were friendly, knowledgable, and there was minimal waiting room time.

[hallen651 8]

I have been searching for a room like this for low BMI! I HAVE A bmi of 36.8 and have Cigna oap ins I have almost all my tests done and my doctor will be sending in all my paper work in about 2 months for approval.I have gerd and high triglyserides about 600:cursing: and im also on Fluid pills my body is filled with fluids and its hard for me to walk so im hoping and praying that my Ins will approve me for this surgery.