Hello Everyone,

I was given the address to this forum form a woman on my same hospital floor almost two weeks ago. I have been on the OH boards, they are wonderful, but I thought I'd find some "chat" with bandsters only.

My BMI was 30. I had a few co-morbidities, but mainly just wanted to stop the up 40, down 40 pattern of weight gain and loss. After gaining back my last "weight watchers" success, I finally decided I would never diet again, because no matter what, I gain it all back plus more. Enough already!

As a lower BMI bandster, I have faced some rolled eyes, but I am okay with that. Noone knows me the way I do and I knew/know that this is the highest level of self-care I can implement.

For ten days now, I have stayed within 800 calories per day with 60 grams of Protein. I am trying out all different kinds of protein powders and practicing slow sipping, eating (yogourt). I am down 13 pounds, which I know will plateau very soon. I am walking every other day and already seeing positive changes. My skin is smoother and more "rosey." I sleep better. I am practicing the art of "not trying to get everyone's approaval" for my choices in life.

I am so going to benefit from the band!!!

Yeehaw!

Cindy

P.S. My incisions are 90% healed.

Hi Cindy!

Welcome to the board! I am a soon-to-be bandster with a lower BMI as well. I am scheduled for May 6th and I can't wait. I currently have a BMI of 32 with some comorbidities. I'd really love to keep in touch with you in regard to your progress...keep me posted!

-Jessica

Jessica, Cool!

I would love to keep in touch!

You will LOVE it.

Cindy

Hi Cindy,

I get eyes rolled at me because my bmi was/is 36! I know how you're feeling. I have high BP, super high cholesterol, reflux, fatty liver, etc. I avoided dr's for years because I was so embarrassed to go. I avoided old friends and numerous social situations. I am excited about the second chance at life I've rec'd. At 5'5" and 215 I had enough! Now- I've been overweight 10 years- so I DO remember what it was like to be thin. I was hungry ALL the time and I know this was going to be my solution. No more excuses for me- that brick wall I built is coming down with my weight. I am 7 days postop and 9lbs less. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.

Lisa

HI!! I was so glad to see these posts about lower BMI banders. I was 35.5 with comorbidities too and when I tell people I have the lab band, they go "what for?" At 211lbs (only 5'3"), I was only a size 14-16 but personally, I was very uncomfortable and unhealthy. My insurance approved the surgery, so obviously they too saw the surgery as "medically necessary". I had my surgery 3/11/09 and so i'm not quite 2 weeks out either. I am still on liquids and have dropped 22lbs since the start of a liquid diet 2 weeks before surgery. I am NOT hungry... i don't have any hunger pains like I used to get and I have to think about drinking my protein shakes to get my nutrisioin. I'm curious to see if the next 2 weeks before my first fill if the hunger pains come back... I am scheduled for my 1st fill on 4/13. I can start adding soft solids, proteins and vegies only, on Wed. this week.

I'm glad I found this group.... good luck everyone!

Laura

Hello,

Just congart on your 13lb wt lose so far and many more. I soon hope to have my surgery on April 13 2009. I cant wait. so I know what you mean about letting other people decide whats best. good luck.

Hi Laura,

Congratulations on your new lapband. I just passed my 1 year anniversary. I'm now 167lbs and wearing regular clothes!!! It felt sooo good to buy size 10 jeans in the Gap. I have NO regrets whatsoever. My confidence is back. The biggest recent surprise is losing a shoe size. I was an 8.5-9, now I'm a 8-8.5. I can't wait for this summer!!! Good luck, you're going to do great!!

Hi Cindy,

I was so excited to read your story today. I just went on last night as queen yo, yo because that has been my life's story. I have a bmi of 31 with 50 to 60 Pounds to loose. I take hbp pills and my parents both had severe heart problems and diabetes. Genetics not in my favor!

I'm seeing dr. on thurs. and along with being nervous and excited about this process, I'm also very nervous about the rolled eyes and people not supportive of my decision.

Thanks for posting your story. I hope can keep in touch.

Good Luck! Denise

Its great to read messages from others with low BMIs. Mine is 31 - 32 , but I have high BP and high cholesterol.I weigh 74 kg which when you are 5 foot nothing tall is a lot and all the excess weight is around my stomach, the unhealthiest place for it to be. I am tired of looking pregnant when I'm not and would like to get this under control before I get to the stage where it would be considered "normal" to do this.

I have followed every diet going in the past. Some have been successful for a while but I have always regained. I have even tried non diet methods such as hypnosis which was a total waste of time. the older I get (46) the harder I find it to lose weight.I have a new GP as I moved about 10 months ago. I asked him to refer me for a lapband and he REFUSED, he said I wasn't overweight enough and that the risks outweighed the benefits.

Unfortunately(or is it fortunately) I hate been told I can't do something so I made an appointment to see the specialist myself. The admin staff were quite surprised that I didn't have a referral and completely shocked when I told them my GP refused. My specialist assessed me and due to the comorbidities agreed that the surgery was an option and that my risks are relatively low.

I now have a date of 2 June and am extremely nervous. The only person that knows about this is my husband - I don't want to have to explain to everyone and would rather keep it private.

Some of the preop testing scares me more than the op. I am wondering how I am going to cope with a sleep test when I have a major problem of getting up all the time at night to go to the loo! That could be really interesting - I'm likely to either not sleep at all because of worry or forget I'm attached to electrodes and fall over and injure myself.

Would love to hear from others there experiences of the tests etc.

Also I want to put a ticker on but being slightly chat group challenged have no idea where to add it. Can anyone help me ? PLEASE:smile2:

Wow, I am so glad I read this post. I too am a lower BMI candidate. BMI was about 37 when I started this process and not it is about 35. But I also have sleep apena, reflux and a lot of joint and foot pain. As a matter of fact I just got home this morning from having another dumb sleep study, those things suck..LOL. I am sooooo tired of people saying you are not bing ENOUGH fot this surgery. Well what the heck does that mean, that I am fat just not fat enough????? Even the cardiologist I went to said to me are you big enough for this surgery. I think the thing is that people who have never had weight issues just done understand what it is like to struggle with you weight your ENTIRE life. I have done Phen-fen, phentermine, weight watchers, Alli and many other things. The issue is not just losing weight, but Keeping it off. So with this tool I am hoping to lose between 70-80 pounds and not be so self conscious about how I look. Oh and my surgery in coming up---April 16 :frown:

Cindy,

I'm thrilled to hear you are feeling so well so quickly...I don't know what your secret is, but I would be much obliged if you would share it...LOL

I hope things keep moving in a positive direction for you!!

~Monica