I weigh 195. I would like to lose 70 pounds. I've been fighting these 70 pounds for 10 years and they are beating me bad. It seems like most of you had more weight to lose then I do. . . still I feel desperate and am really considering getting the band. Is it worth it for 70 stubborn pounds?

Heather I'm in the same place as you, about the same amount of weight to lose. I began thinking about a band, one surgeon told me no, but I"ve since discovered that in Australia medicare pays more for patients who are morbidly obese and less for the less severely afflicted so there are some surgeons who only operate on the patients that put the most dollars in their pockets.

I went to a lap band information session last night and I came away FINALLY feeling sure that this is for me. I was nervous before going, I was concerned at turning up with all of my 35kg weight problem and offending those in really dire straits. I did get some dirty looks too. But there was another woman there the same size as me.

The surgeon was such a nice man and ever so respectful of the issues behind obesity - and he will consider patients of 30 BMI or above, but of course the focus is on 40+.

He explained to me that at a lower BMI, the proportionate improvement in health problems (if you have any) is much lower because you're not as fat, the health problems not as bad and the weight not as much a contributing factor. But that it is still a VERY valid choice. I am starting to get the picture that in Australia, simply having been overweight all your life and having tried everything you can to lose it means the band will be considered medically necessary - our private health funds dont argue to and fro with the surgeon and require proof of your incapacity etc.

I was specifically interested because there's about 2 months lead time in the process between first consult and surgery, maybe more, and I dont want to sit on my fat butt doing nothing in that time, not least because I need to fit into my summer clothes once summer rolls around down under! I was concerned that if I'm just a BMI 35 now, I could be as low as 32 or so by the time I got into theatre and that I would disqualify myself.

Now I know that I could lose 5 or so kg (and indeed already have from my highest point), but what I also know is that in six months time, not only will that 5kg be back but so will another 2 or 3. He acknowledged that and pointed out that statistically, the chances of losing 70lb and keeping it off are non existant. It just never happens to normal people.

So even if this is more of a cosmetic procedure for me and I dont have the comorbidities (apart from a very injured foot and ankle) its entirely valid and most importantly its a PREVENTATIVE. You and I are very lucky that we get to make this choice now before our problem gets even worse.

I've ummed and aahed about this but I've decided I"m going to do it.

Hope that helps.

Jachut! You have decided! I remember when you first were just thinking about it and then decided not to. We were in similar circumstances (low BMI, unsure if we should do it), but then I decided to go ahead. I noticed you stuck around on the boards and wondered if you were still thinking about it. I think you have done a wonderful job here hitting this from every angle and asking lots and lots of excellent questions. I see we finally came to the same conclusions, and I am happy for you that you have been able to settle on something. I know I for one cannot wait to start losing that 70 lbs! Also, I know me and this 70 could become 100 before I know it, so I do not kid myself about how serious this is.

Good luck to both of you!! Keep us posted.

I also struggled over doing the band - not doing the band. I know when I go to my lap band meetings - the other ladies must look at me like - "What are you doing here?" - but after yo-yo dieting up and down a 90 + pound ladder all my life - I figured - I also needed this tool.

I have only been banded since 7/25/05 and after losing 38 lbs. I am only 55 lbs. from my goal weight. That is exciting. I know I wouldn't be headed in that direction had I not pursued the band.

Good luck to you and I hope you do what is exactly right for you. Take care.

I weigh 195. I would like to lose 70 pounds. I've been fighting these 70 pounds for 10 years and they are beating me bad. It seems like most of you had more weight to lose then I do. . . still I feel desperate and am really considering getting the band. Is it worth it for 70 stubborn pounds?

I am exactly the same as you just look at my signiture.. i am 5'2'' and i weighed 195...I have never been so happy with a decision in my life... i struggled with this weight up and down for years and now i can say i am finally on the down side for good!!... I did have to self pay but i got a really good deal and it was well worth it..If you are really serious about losing and keeping that weight off then go for it you wont regret it... just a quick nothe though.. dont think this is the easy way out because it isnt... i have lost over 40 pounds in 4 months but i exersize every day and i watch everthing i eat most of the time... you do eat less but you still have to diet the band is just a tool to help!!!

Take it from a big girl... DO IT NOW. Don't wait until you have become huge to take control. GO, GO GO! It's no fun to top 300lbs... no fun at all.

I wish all of you the best success! This isn't some exclusive club. You won't get any dirty looks from me.

(((Hugs!)))

Ten years you have been fighting it!.... I think if you put the time in to getting banded it will pay off in the end, I lost 99 pounds in about nine months and Im not banded but my doctor scared the hell out of me that i was in begining stages of Pancreatitis and the Id be a Diabetic,as my trigiycedrides were over 600. now78

weight was 310 with the bmi of 40. Cholesterol over 300 now 132. weight now 211

what ever you do you should loss that weight.

I ,lost the weight by walking and some kind of compulsive disorder haha.

The main thing is loss the weight/with the band I think you lose it in a health manner

and your always thinking about the band and that will keep you in check!

it has saved alot of peoples lifes. Good luck most of all God bless.

Heather Feather,

I had the same questions and felt the same way. I too am in the low BMI zone - somewhere around 70 - 80 lbs overweight. I decided to have the band done because if I don't take control now who knows where I'll wind up. I already have some health problems related to my weight and I don't even have kids yet. If I gain more weight I'm in real trouble. It took over a year to make this decision - many long nights thinking, thinking thinking (my poor husband ) and needless to say many failed diets. I think because the criteria for insurance companies says you have to be 100lbs overweight, 70 - 80 doesn't seem that much. But think about it - 70 pounds overweight is alot and can pose so many health risks. Not only that but how many people do you know lost 70 lbs and kept it off? I don't mean to sound grim but it's the truth. I am finally at peace with my decision - finally. Hope you will be able to be at peace with yours too - whatever it is.I am scheduled for surgery on Sept 9th. Wish me luck and good luck to you. I will keep you all posted after - let you know how it goes.

Heather,

I too only need to lose 75 or 80 lbs. I was borderline diabetic with my triglycerites too high. I decided I did not want to sit around and wait until I had more problems. I had the band put in on July 6, 2005. I have not regretted it. My weight is coming off slow but I figure my age (52) and my thyroid condition will make it come off slow but I am really trying. I agree with nygrl, this is not the easy way.There is no easy way. You still have to make the right choices and realize you did not put the 70 lbs. on overnight and will not take it off overnight. You will have to change your lifestyle, begin exercising and eating right. The band is a tool that will help you. Good luck with your decision.

My doc says statistically I will lose 72 pounds (even though I think I need to lose 93) but if I lose 72 I will be happy as a friggin clown! I also noticed there is someone on here banded to lose 40 pounds and I thought that was weird for a second and then I quickly realized that 40 pounds is alot of stress on your body too. When you realize what 70 pounds, or 93 pounds, or even 40 pounds of fat looks like and what it can do to your body there's no question that it needs to go.

Thank you so much for all of your ideas. I really appreciate the insight. Anyone else have thoughts? My mother and my sister both struggled with obeisity but their problem was much worse than mine. Both of them peaked at probably around 400 pounds. My sister had the gastric bypass surgery about 18 months ago though and she has lost all of the extra weight. Whether obesity is a nature or a nurture problem doesn't matter in my situation because I would have caught the problem either way. I just feel like I have been struggling with this for a long time, and I am so tired of losing the battle. All of my in-laws are thin and they just don't understand. "Just eat sensibly" they say. . . if only. . .

Alert: Thread Jack - Just for a minute.

"With The Band" - I was banded just 1 day after you, you weighed just a little bit more than me, and I've only lost 17 lbs - but you've lost 38 lbs OMG - I'm SOOOO jealous. What are you doing? PLEASE tell me. I go for over a week and the scale doesn't move - are you still on liquids?

>What are you doing? PLEASE tell me. I go for over a week and the scale doesn't move - are you still on liquids? <

Men always lose faster than women. On average, women burn 10 cals per pound per minute and men burn 11.

I've been losing at a fairly decent rate and I can tell you it is only because I workout on my elliptical trainer (at a FAST pace) every morning for 20-30 minutes and walk a MINIUMUM of 40 minutes (usually longer) every night. That's what it takes for me.

Seems like I can eat 1200 cals a day forever and not lose weight. It takes the moving to kick it in.

Heatherfeather - I used to be JUST 40 lbs overweight - then 50, then 60, then 70, ..... once I got to 100, I thought, how did I let myself get this way? It sneaks up on you and all of a sudden - Hey - I'm fat! I had the band so I didn't have to go through what a lot of the others here have had to go through - high blood pressure, diabeties, sleep apnea,..... my mother and grandmother were both big women also and have suffered from these things. The sooner you stop the crazy "fat" cycle, the better off and healthier you'll be.

I finally got sick of the extra 100 pounds on my poor body! I'm getting banded this week and I love this thread...I've been kinda nervous, but these posts have reinforced that fact that whatever I weigh, post band, will be better than now!

Shawn

I too am looking to lose about 70 lbs. I want this so badly! I have my mind made up I just don't know the who, what, when, where...etc. I am in Texarkana, TX and my insurance is through Wal-Mart and they won't cover. I need all the finance info I can get...my husband is Mr. Anti-credit himself and likes to pay CASH for everything. Needless to say, I don't have that kind of cash sitting around. I have to convince him that I have 70 to lose now and at this rate I don't see it coming off any other way! I am 5'1, 192 lbs, 42 and have recently returned to college to get a degree in education. If I don't get this weight off I won't be in good enough physical condition to teach when I graduate! I AM READY TO DO THIS!! Keep the encouragement coming...ya'll do a grat job on LBT!!!