Hi I am 39yo, 97 kgs, 172 cm, BMI 32.4 and I have been yo-yo dieting for 20 yrs. I have been having initial consults to have lapband. Is there anyone out there with similar stats pre-op?? Has surgery been successful?? Is this a pipe dream??

Success is of course personal. I have been dieting my whole life too. We are the same age. I went from a BMI of 40.2 to 26.4 in 8 months so it certainly is not a pipe dream!

Wow Jodi_620,

What kind of culture shocks am I in for? You have had such success. How did you deal with smaller meals socially etc. I am not planning on telling my family (apart from hubby) as I am afraid I will fail.

How much exercise are you doing?

Teresa (aka Mermaid1)

I had planned on keeping it a secret but after surgery, the weight started coming off and my diet had changed. I had to take time off work for the surgery and follow-up appointments and fills so it was just easier to tell everyone. And I have no regrets there, everyone was curious at first but for the most part supportive, especially when the weight started coming off.

Fear of failure is natural. We have failed at weight loss our whole lives. I was sure that I would fail too and the thought of doing something so drastic and failing horrified me. But since everyone knew, I felt as though I was being held accountable. But honestly, If you stick with the rules and maintain your fills, you will not fail.

Since everyone knows, there have been no huge social issues. I've had a few instances where we had get-togethers or outings with extended family and friends or lunch meetings at work and their choice of food or restaurant did not work for me and that makes me feel uncomfortable. I don't want others to have to change their plans to suit me so I just make due. When I eat out, I order regular meals and a takeout container, I keep 1/3 of the food on my plate and take the rest home for later.

Honestly, I did not have an exercise program for the first 6-7 months. I have never really been a couch potato and as the weight came off, I developed more energy and became even more active. I have a dog so have always walked. Those walks became longer and more energetic and as the energy increased I also managed to ge more accomplished in the day. Now that I am closer to goal I am seeing areas that need some toning. I am not ready for the gym scene so I chose to join Curves. I like the environment and think it is a good starting point for me. It is just a block from my work and on my way and since it is a quick 30 minute workout I think it is something that I can stick with. I've only been a member for a couple weeks though...

Jodi_620,

Thank you for letting me know about the energy levels. My main reason for weight loss is to regain my energy levels. I am a senior executive in my organisation, so I am keen very for no people knowing, if I am successful I would like to let other family members know as they have BMIs in the 40 range.

You are right fear of failure is what I am feeling, I had not actualised this. How long after surgery were you able to work and do basic things at home like showering, cooking, grocery shopping etc? Is 2 wks after surgery reasonable?

I am surprised by blogs stating that 1lb (1/2 kg) per week weight loss is expected. I thought that 2 kg (4lb) per week would be closer to the mark. How much did you lose in then first few months?

What kind of dog do you have? I love border collies but think they are too active for me.

T

I don't remember exactly how much I lost initially but it was somewhere around 25 pounds then after two fills an average of 2 pounds a week thereafter.

I had hiatal hernia repair done with surgery and had some issues with breathing so I believe that slowed recovery down for me just a bit. I took a shower the day after surgery. After about five days I was driving and making short shopping trips but I couldn't lift heavy items and I tired quickly (again due to the labored breathing). I was able to cook and clean about five days out too but I was a bit slower and a little sore so I needed to take a rest here and there. I had my surgery on a Friday and went back to work 1/2 day the following Thursday and Friday...back full time on the following Monday. There was still some pain but it was tolerable. Loose fitting clothing is a must for the first two weeks. Also I was not able to lie flat in bed for almost two weeks. I propped myself up on the sofa during that period.

I have a German Shepherd. He is 10 years old now but still has a lot of energy. But border collies are definitely one breed he could never keep up with at the doggie park...Those little guys never stop!

Hi,

I was under the impression that you only qualified for lap-band surgery if you had a BMI of over 40, or a BMI of over 35 combined with a weight related illness (diabetes etc). That is certainly the case at the clinic that I went to. Are you sure you can get the surgery done?

I think being a senior exec it would be good to tell people. You have acknowledged a problem and you are doing something about it....being pro-active about it and not sitting around letting it defeat you.

As far as recovery, I was pretty much up and running 2 days later. I was operated on the Wed, driving on Friday and working by Sat. On Monday it was business as usual with the kids and housework etc. I think alot of it is metal as well.... if you think you're ok, you will be.

My surgeon will lapband anyone with a BMI over 30.

My BMI was 37+ at it's highest, and 35 at surgery, and gastric banding, combined with exercise, has been sucessful for me.

Though before surgery, I of course was looking at all the people for whom it hadn't been successful (or all the stories about how lower BMI patients took forever to lose) and I was sure I was going to be one of them too.

None of those fears have been realised. I am 6 months post op and am close to goal (which my Dr set at 70kgs).