I am male, 5'8" and 225 pounds, for a BMI of 34, though I probably don't look that heavy on account of being somewhat stocky. Being 55 y.o., I really need to get my weight down to the 180-pound range. But I know myself (and my dieting history) well enough to appreciate that I could never lose and keep off that much weight. Yet 45 pounds seems like a small amount in the context of lap band surgery, compared to many of the stories I see here and elsewhere. Does anyone have experience with using the lap band for the sort of weight loss I need to do? Thanks everyone in advance.

bl

a BMI of 34 counts as you being obese. while your insurance may not cover you - there are dr's that perform the lapband on obese vs only morbidly obese patients & there is nothing wrong with you exploring weight loss surgery to help you lose the weight your looking to drop.

best bet - go to a seminar by a local surgeon. you'll get a better idea of what to expect then.

good luck to you.

Hi boboleo,

I am 5'4" and was 215 lbs at my highest weight. I was 209lbs on the day I called my surgeon, and had a BMI of 35.

I initially said I would be happy just to lose 30 to 40 lbs, but a healthy BMI is 22-25, so really, I needed to lose closer to 70-80lbs to get within that range. I didn't think I needed to lose that much, and always thought that if I lost 30lbs I'd be rapt!

But I'm 2 and a half months out from surgery and I've already lost 30lbs. I feel great but I do realise that I can lose more.

So as far as I'm concerned, despite having a 'lower' BMI, the band is working for me like nothing else has worked for me before. I know I was on my way to gaining even more weight as I got older, so this way I took control of my weight, which was a problem for, and is a problem for most, whether you're 50lbs too heavy or 500lbs too heavy.

I don't know about the insurance side of things (I'm in Australia and my insurance paid for my surgery) but I reckon if your 'lower' BMI is no barrier to getting the band. You're still quite a bit heavier than is healthy for you. So if the band helps you get healthy, why not do it?

Hi there,

I'm another "low BMI" bandster, starting off at 220 lbs, but still 85 lbs to lose. The lapband has helped me immensely -- I would never have been able to lose the weight and keep it off without the band - trust me, I've been trying for years.

Your BMI technicsally qualifies you for the band, according to my surgeon's standards, but it depends on your insurance and surgeon. I understand that insurance can be a lot harder to negotiate in the States than it is here in Australia.

If you think it will help you, and you're willing to change your lifestyle, and you find a doc who is willing to help you, then by all means do it! You won't regret it.

Hope this helps, best of luck in your decision.

Annie.

boboleo...

As others have explained you are considered obese. This is serious, you need to lose weight.

Find the surgery type right for you and go for it.

Hey Boboleo,

I was at 5'11" and 255 lbs - right at a 35 BMI when I was approved for surgery 1 1/2 years ago. I've been stuck right at 200 lbs for the past nine months but am pretty happy with the results. The restriction let's me hold my weight while not being hungry all the time. I eat about 3/4 cup of food at a time - but not always good choices.

Would I recommend the surgery for someone at 35 BMI - sure would! I'd probably be at 270 by now and be a lot less healthy. Is it an easy way out - not a chance!