Hey there, when I weighed in for the first time, pre-op, I weighed 519 pounds. Making me "mega", "super", or "holycrapwhathaveyoudone!" -obese. I only have sleep apnea, and have managed to avoid all the other co-morbidities so far. In that respect, I consider myself lucky. But if I don't get my crap together and fix my weight problem, I probably won't make it to 35.

I was banded Sept. 17. Had my first fill 3 days ago. Since that pre-op weigh in I have lost 22 pounds, putting me under 500(thank god).

So, I was wondering if there was anyone like me who has to lose around 300 lbs to get back to "normal". If so, I was wondering, how long have you been banded? Is/was it successful? How much have you lost? What are your thoughts in general?

I've heard a few people say I should of went with Gastric Bypass, but my Doc and myself think I'll do great with the band. Gastric Bypass just flat out scares me.

HI,

I have to lose 200#'s and am on my pre-op liquid diet now with banding scheduled for November15th. I am the same as you the Bypass is way scary. Cgts on breaking the500, soon it will be 400.

I am over four hundred pounds. I am scared to death of dying. I am so young and so foolish. I honestly can relate to how you are feeling. I see a doctor this Monday, November the 5, 2007 about this weight. :help:

Both my husband and myself had over 150lbs to lose...we are now both at almost halfway. While not three hundred, I can totally relate to your post. I wish you much success...There is a thread for "super sized" bandsters...basically those starting with a BMI of over 50...you may want to check it out...it's on the support forum.

Best of luck and keep us updated. Congrats on your banding!

Rain

I needed to lose 230 pounds....BMI of 62...lots of co-morbidities. I'm 19 mo. out and have lost 160 pounds with very little distress, just some acid reflux because my band was too tight for a while. If we eat right we can do.

Some doctors (and infomercials) say that with a lapband you can eat whatever you want, just less of it. I know almost no one who can really do that, espcially if they need to lose much. All the sucessful losers I know eat by the same food guideline as the people who have had Gastric Bypass....heavy on the Protein (100 gr/day); no white starches; less than 40 grams of good carbs; no carbonated drinks; at least 1/2 gal. water/day.

It took a while before I could begin to exercise and it's still hard for me but I keep plugging along. I'm off all eleven of the perscriptions I was on for many years (diabetes, heart, blood pressure, gout, sleep apnea, etc, etc.) and I am 20 years younger than I was this time last year. If I never lose another pound it's all been worth it.

Best wishes to you and I admire you for taking this major step to get control of your life again. It's a wonderful feeling!!:clap2:

Rainer is right, yall should come over to the supersized bandsters thread. ALL of us over there started out at the supermorbid obese level. We talk about special problems that pertain to us and support each others progress.

heres the link:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f15/thread-super-sized-bandsters-starting-bmi-over-50-a-16168/

You need to get in touch with this guy: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/wendell-edwards/

He's an inspiration to all of us but I think you could especially relate to him. Good luck!

Hi! My goal is to lose 222 pounds... I started this Lap Band journey at 382 pounds, though at one time I was in the 390's. My biggest fear was that I would hit 400 and drop dead of some obesity related disease. It kinda sounds silly now... but it was real.

You'll LOVE the support you find on this place! I've learned sooo much and whenever I'm having an 'off' day I know that I have friends here that will understand and give me a hug and a swift kick in the rump all at the same time!

WELCOME!

I can't really answer your question since I "only" have 200 pounds to lose! (I'm such a petite flower!) But I did want to tell you that this "holycrapwhathaveyoudone!" -obese. made me laugh out loud. I think we should definitely recommend that category to the AMA. :Banane20:

Hey there, when I weighed in for the first time, pre-op, I weighed 519 pounds. Making me "mega", "super", or "holycrapwhathaveyoudone!" -obese. I only have sleep apnea, and have managed to avoid all the other co-morbidities so far. In that respect, I consider myself lucky. But if I don't get my crap together and fix my weight problem, I probably won't make it to 35.

I was banded Sept. 17. Had my first fill 3 days ago. Since that pre-op weigh in I have lost 22 pounds, putting me under 500(thank god).

So, I was wondering if there was anyone like me who has to lose around 300 lbs to get back to "normal". If so, I was wondering, how long have you been banded? Is/was it successful? How much have you lost? What are your thoughts in general?

I've heard a few people say I should of went with Gastric Bypass, but my Doc and myself think I'll do great with the band. Gastric Bypass just flat out scares me.

Success with either gastric bypass or adjustable gastric banding is determined by the patient's willingness to modify their lifestyle.

If you are willing to do the work, it is possible.

Success with either gastric bypass or adjustable gastric banding is determined by the patient's willingness to modify their lifestyle.

If you are willing to do the work, it is possible.

TheCapn....

Wendell is a bit of a hero around here. Everyone loves him, he is quite an inspiration to everyone.

I'm just a guy who is trudging up Mount Normal....

It's awesome you had this done while you are young and before the co-morbidities hit. There are a few people here who were/are pushing 500 and have done really well.

My co morbidities were just in their infancy (diabetes, a few gallstones, starting to get a slightly fatty liver, ongoing thyroid issues, high blood pressure, heart irregularity, morbid obesity). Seeing them all on paper scared the bejesus out of me, especially considering they didn't exist a year or two earlier. They just sneak up on you. I was feeling a hell of a lot older than 31, I can tell you.

I also felt that I had willingly flushed my life down the toilet and I had to do something.

My highest weight was 374 but I could easily have seen myself getting to 400 and beyone over the next few years. It was only the fact that I've been a vegan for many, many years that stopped me reaching that point.

A lot of bandsters here had the potential of dying for obesity but they found something in them that wouldn't give up. So far I've found that the band in fine, the food is fine, the exercise is fine. The battle with the mind is the true battle here and that's what I have to conquer.

Wendall, I finally got to see your pics. You have done great. Donna

Congratulations on making the choice.

I am starting at about 360 and go for my pre-op stuff next week with surgery scheduled on the 17th of December. My doctor said that he thought Bypass was a better option but understood my concerns about the mortality rate and that if I lived in Australia I wouldn't get anything but the lap band... I think that what most people have said here is correct... depends on the person and their amount of determination! Good luck!

I am so amazed and encouraged by so many positive feedbacks. Through this I am sure that I am doing the right thing. I was discouraged in the beginning because i did not think you would loose alot of weight with the band but after reading the posts i saw otherwise. I had a discouraging doctors appointment today...i did not even get to see him. i forgot my medical card. so they sent me home. And i rescheduled another appointment for next wedneday which its not that far away its the 14 of nov. I have got to get my insurance taken care of. I am already having problems with them not wanting to pay for it. And the company says they will pay. the doctors say they wont. I will call tommarrow to see who is right. Well I will be going thanks again everyone.