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For those with BMI 35-40?



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I only weighed 218 at my heaveist weight and when I tell some people that I am scheduled to have lap band surgery they say, "just exercise more and lose it that way". I've tried exercise, weight watchers, etc and it doesn't work for me. I am only 5' 1" and 218lbs makes my BMI at 41, how much more unhealthy do people think I should get before I have major health problems.

My husband, kids and best friend are supportive of my decision and I know I can make this work.

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Im 5ft 2 in weight 198 lbs scheduled for lapband 12/15 many people say I just dont have self control willpower etc, also have type 2 diabetes, arthritis in knees. Some friends I have told about upcoming surgery others I havnt

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I was close to 190 at 5 ' 1 1/2 inch tall when I had my band done.

When people ask me how I'm losing the weight, I don't lie! I tell them that I'm eating about 1/2 of what I used to eat. They are usually satisfied with that and I don't have any guilt feelings to contend with. i have only told my husband and 2 kids about my band and would love to spread the word to others, but on the other hand, I don't have to deal with all the negatives that would surely come if more people knew.

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My surgery is Wednesday. I am so excited. My BMI is lower than 35. I've had 1 person not support me, my husband doesn't really care (unless we're talking about the expense of it), and my best friend is totally supportive. I haven't told my Mom or sister yet (who are both incredibly skinny). I too thought "I was taking the easy way out". I've gone back and forth many, many times about the right thing to do. I know this will be the best thing for me. Anyone who I think won't be supportive... I'm not telling. This is a great tool to make our lives better. Good for all of us. We are here to support each other!!!

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Around May, 2008 my highest weight was around 225 and I'm 5'4. My weight at my pre-op apptointment was 210 (BMI of 37). Tomorrow I am exactly one month post-op (woohooo!) and weigh in at 195.

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I sooooo agree with this. I was at 35 BMI for years and always had problems with slightly high blood pressure. 2 Summers ago I gained about 30 (for a variety of reasons) which increased my BMI to about 38/39. I cannot lose it (or I can and it reappears). My ins is even covering this. My best friend knows and my husband knows but no one else. I even told my daughter that I had gall bladder surgery because I didn't want her telling others and I didn't want her to have to lie. What people don't realize is I am 100 pounds over weight. I mean, if I lose 100, I will just be in the range for my height. I can't be that overweight and live a long healthy life and I need to for my daughter.

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I sooooo agree with this. I was at 35 BMI for years and always had problems with slightly high blood pressure. 2 Summers ago I gained about 30 (for a variety of reasons) which increased my BMI to about 38/39. I cannot lose it (or I can and it reappears). My ins is even covering this. My best friend knows and my husband knows but no one else. I even told my daughter that I had gall bladder surgery because I didn't want her telling others and I didn't want her to have to lie. What people don't realize is I am 100 pounds over weight. I mean, if I lose 100, I will just be in the range for my height. I can't be that overweight and live a long healthy life and I need to for my daughter.

Omg I totally know what you mean when you say people don't realize you are around 100 pounds overweight! Me too, and no one ever believes me (which is one of the ways I was deluded into believing my problem wasn't so bad for such a long time!)

We can and WILL get there!

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Good for you Shamrock! I know me and I can't keep any good news to myself so I will probably be telling people who don't even ask! I too had the same situation when I went to my meetings as well. I try to think they were not dirty looks just looks of yearning to be like you! The entire proceeder is so much easier on the body if it is at our weight than well over 40 BMI!

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My overweight cardiologist said the other day "You're not that big". Others say you are not 100 lbs overweight...ya wanna weight me...I'm 98 over healthy weight...I carry it well I guess and can wear clothes to hide it but they don't have to feel the pain physical and mental of carrying it. .

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I am 5'5 and 220. When I told my friends, I had people just laugh and then say Oh your not that big. I can hardly walk and I am in pain all the time. I have back problems and even telling people that I am tired of being in pain still did not change their minds. I really do not care at this point. My husband is very supportive and is happy that I did it. (11-6-08) My husband wants me to be around for him and my kids. I want a life and I want to feel good about myself. Society is so judgemental. When I told my husband I did not want to tell anyone because of the comments that I will hear, he said they are just going to be jelous. I want to have quality of life and not just be here. The band does not make the weight fall off, it is only a tool and you will still have to work for it. Getting the band is to help you live a longer, happier more fulfilled life. We have the opportunity to live a life and be healthy. Come here for support and do not tell anyone and when they ask how, just smile and say just watching what I am eating. Not lying. Good luck,

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I didn't tell anybody IRL but my husband. This is precisely one of the reasons. I've toyed with the idea of telling my mom, but I don't know if I ever will.

Who was your doctor? If you don't mind be asking? I am still in research stages.

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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