I have BMI (under 32) and I was wondering about results? I have 50 lbs to lose that I can't for the life of me shed so I want LB surgery--lots of diabetes in my family--I'm not there yet but worried its a matter of time. Is it a much slower process to lose weight if you have lower BMI to start?

I was a BMI of 37, now I am 26. But I was borderline with the dr requirements and the insurance deal. I had two medical factors that helped cross that line, the sleep apnea and thyroid and borderline sugar issues. I am almost 14 months out. down 65 lbs. I guess If I could have had it done at BMi of 32 I would have.I never even Knew anything about the Lapband then. I just kept trying to diet, and diet some more with no avail. I guess if you are self pay it is another story, but I needed my insurance to pay. I don't regret a thing, and would definetly do it again. Minor issues with learning how to eat, changin my habits and exercising has most the most difference. Good luck with your decision!:eek:

My BMI was around 33 when I got my band done, to be honest I didn't do much to help my weight loss and went 6 months at one point without a fill but shed a lot of my weight in the first 11 months. I let the band do ALL the work. If I had put in some effort I could have lost all my weight by then. The speed you loose the weight is dependent on a lot of different factors, your metabolism, your food choices, how active you are, your age etc the band has far exceeded my expectations. My weight loss has been up and down a bit the last 6 months as I am learning restriction again due to a total defill 6 months ago, my body is reacting different to the amount I have in now so its a whole new learning curve, I get a fill then it is too much, I loose a lot of weight, need a defill then gain again and go back a month later for a smaller fill than the last one etc.

I have noticed posts from people on here that are eager to feel restriction which is understandable but PLEASE DO TAKE CARE AND LISTEN TO YOUR FILL PROVIDER, A FILL OF 0.5 CAN REALLY PUSH YOU OVER THE EDGE IF YOU ARE CLOSE TO RESTRICTION. Its better to go back and get more than have to search for an emergency defill which can cost double the amount of a fill depending on where you go then you are further back than ever.

Good luck on your journey

Heather

My BMI was 35 when I went in for surgery and I've lost almost all my excess weight in 6 months. I did put in effort though - I cycle until I'm pouring with sweat 3 times a week minimum. But then I was always quite active, even before surgery, so this was just stepping my exercise up a couple of notches.

The band is supposed to work well for low BMIers. But how fast you lose will depend on the effort you put in.

I had 45 lbs to lose. It took me 5 months to lose the first 7 on my own. Nothing that use to work worked anymore. I had tried for 3 years & my asthma was getting worse.

I watched a friend gain over 150 lbs. It scared the heck out of me, knowing that every year I gained more.

As of this week, I am officially at goal.

With the band, it took me 8 months to lose the rest - about 1 lb per week. That is what I expected & I was happy with a 1 lb loss every week.

My BMI was comparitively low, 34, and I had no health factors at all. I didn't qualify for my insurance to pick up anything but the hernia I had no clue I had! I didn't want to lose a bunch of weight again only to gain it back, plus 15 - 20, until I reached the proper BMI. My surgery was Dec. 01, 2008 and I have lost around 25 pounds with two fills. I'm happy & starting to recognize the person in the mirror. Good luck with your decision.

My BMI was 36, and I took almost 2 years to lose 100lb, but I'd lost 80 of that by the end of the first year.

I too found I lost weight just about automatically although I built up over time and now work really hard - it was a lot of work to lose the last 20 lb or so, and I'd still like to shed another 10 to 15 but it hasnt happened in 18 months of trying! I run, do circuit training, do stuff like spin classes on top fo that just for fun and am really active in my every day life.

There's lots of thinking in Australia that the band works BETTER for lower BMI patients, and we were discussing this in another thread, its almost as if your body doesnt get as sick or as determined to stay fat, better to nip it in the bud now! Who wants fast weight loss anyway if its just weight that you didnt need to put on in the first place?