I am really new here and need some reassurance. I have my surgical consult on the 17th and am worried my doc will not band me. I am 440 and know they prefer to do gastric and such with people that have a lot to lose. I have my heart set on getting the band in the beginiing of august and have all my preop stuff done etc. psch eval, nutrition apt, physical . I am self pay sicne my insurance excludes this procedure. We have just gone to settlement to refinacne our house to do this . Do the surgeouns do the lap band on those of us that have a lot to lose?

I don't think you should have a problem at least at your weight. My surgeon has done some that heavy. I was banded by Dr. Kuri in TJ Mexico and had a fabulous experience.... would do it exactly the same if I had to again... so if you are self-pay and have good aftercare support in your area, you might want to consider Mexico if you can't get your insurance to pay ... it was $7,500 by Dr. Kuri, which included the 2 nights in a hotel as well. Totally safe, totally professional and a great experience.

My weight at the start of the Lap Band Journey was 359. My surgeon or any of the Doctors i saw during my 6 month insurance imposed weight loss supervision did not have a problem with me wanting to be banded at that weight. In fact they were all quite encouraging. Not once did anyone try and deter me or suggest i opt for a gastric bypass. Im so glad i took the band route. Best of luck to you!

Rest easy, I was 457 and got the lap band. have lost 53# since Feb 26 (and probably could have lost more by now but could not exercise for 6 weeks due to a bad back)

I had a high BMI and my surgeon did question my decision to have the lapband instead of the bypass. He said because of my diabetes it would be better for me to lose the weight faster. I told him that I had made up my mind that I would not do the bypass. I got my band six months ago.

Congrats on your decision. You are self pay, so you can have whatever procedure done you want. If your Dr. say's no then say bye bye. There is a thread on here for amout of weight you have to loose. Go check it out! Coose which catagory that you need and read! It is on the left side of the home page little past 1/2 way down. good luck

The first surgeon I visited with regarding lap band surgery tried to push me into RNY. I had my heart set on the Lap Band (after much research of both procedures) so, I found another surgeon that would be committed to my success, on my terms. There are many success stories of people with high BMI's reaching goal weight with the Lap Band.

There's no reason you shouldn't have the procedure you want.

Good luck!

Hi, Just to put you at ease, my husband had the lap band put in and he weighed in the mid 400 range. Our doctor feels strongly that the lap band is effective for those who have high BMIs (over 60). My husband who is so motivated has already lost over 60 lbs in 2 1/2 months. Much more than me and I have been banded 5 months. Although I'm told that weight loss is faster for men, we both recomend the band. We feel that it is safer and there are less complications and the band will help us maintain our weight loss forever. By the way, my husband's internist has removed 4 diabetic type pills, a water pill and will be reducing his blood pressure medicine after one more check-up.

Good Luck to you.

I saw a woman in my surgeon's office who was at least 200 lbs overweight get banded without issues. Go for it! Just find a surgeon that will do it. Mine would but he is in Northern, CA.

Hi, I started my journey at 449 lbs, joining TOPS as i knew they would not take me unless i showed some loss on my own. I officially weighed in at 419 and was able to get the process started for the lap band. I weighed 413 day before surgery 5/8, today i am 381. Lap band is so much less evasive, still a struggle as i find i can tolerate pretty much anything and i have to really eat slow so my body registers it has had enough, and there is pain when i over do it, but i have no regrets, haven't touched my trigger foods and i get mad cause i miss eating the volumne of food and i can't do buffets or restraunts cause i refuse to pay for a meal i won't finish1 I hope you are able to get your lap band, keep me posted. Tina

Thanks so much to all of you on your reassurance. I am feeling stronger going into this consult now. I have been lurking here for a few weeks and was nervous to post and I greatly appreciate your support!!