Is my BMI to high for lap band??

Post Date: 11/16/06 10:40 am I posted this on the lap board but would also like any feedback from you nice people also! I am scheduled to have the lap band on 12-5. Yesterday I went for a second opnion because I felt like my surgeon was somewhat bias to the lap band. I weigh 335 and have a bmi of 52. My main concern is that I weigh too much to be succesful with the lap band. Is my BMI to high? The second opinion doc said they do not usually recommend the band for someone with a BMI over 50. I am not a sweet eater but a quanity eater. I am SO afraid of failing. Any input/support would be GREATLY appreciated. P.S. Is life with the lapband like being on Weigh****chers or any other diet?

My eating habits scared me away from the band. Now i am looking at the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, it seems much better for a bulk eater like me.

You are a bulk eater and you are looking for WLS that will permit you to continue being a bulk eater? What am I missing? WLS really honestly isn't for everyone. If you are looking to continue your eating habits then surgery can make you quite ill. I wouldn't go for any procedure until you are in a place where you can make some substantial changes in your thinking and behaviors. Sorry, I realize this is an old post but I had to respond. This makes no sense. You will not lose weight if you don't cut down on your food consumption.

Hi Valerie, Just to let you know my starting weight was 326 (BMI 49), I was a sweets, volume and emotional eater and a yo-yo dieter, I finally ballooned up to over 300 pounds, before I had weight loss surgery, I would diet and lose weight and eventually gain it back plus more. I was deeply concerned just like you that that lap band may not work for me. I would not think your BMI is too high for the lap band. My doctor did not sway me either way to gastric bypass or lap band, but he did let me know they are both tools and both procedures requires exercise although the other procedures like rny and the sleeve I would probably lose quicker in the beginning. I looked at all the procedures, such as complication rate, death rates, weight loss, quality of life, long term complications, re-operation rates, fastest recovery and living with the acutal procedure. By far the lap band had the lowest, I was willing to have a slower healthier gradual weight loss as opposed to losing 100 pounds in six months and risk being sick all the time. I am not saying folks who get other procedures are sick all the time from losing weight too quickly, but the risk is high. I will share from my own personal experience with the lap band. First off, I lost about 15 on my pre op diet, my surgeon wanted me to lose 30 pounds this would have been either lap band or RNY. Secondly, I had some restriction early after my operation and quickly lost about 40 pounds in two months, the heavier you are starting out the band the quicker you lose weight. I followed my doctors post op diet plan, which was basically all the healthy foods I like anyway, I was not a burger king milkshake, fries type of obese person, so basically I have not changed my eating habits much. I like sweets, I still eat them, I have eaten sweets pretty much every week since I have had my lap band. I have lost over about 118 pounds since my surgery over 13 months ago. But the key for me is that I don't indulge every day and I exercise about 5 days per week (brisk walks about 30-45 minutes). Once the lap band is properly restricted it is very easy to stay on track because it reduces your intake and makes you feel full quick and I will tell you it is very hard to over eat on a tight band, without consequences. I would go with my gut, you are the one will have to live with the procedure not your doctor. I am over a year out from surgery, I am still obese, but not morbidy obese like I was when I started, I probably will get to my goal weight next year, so basically for those starting out over 300 pounds with the band it does takes longer to get the weight off as opposed to someone who typically gets gastric bypass. I am very pleased with my weight loss so far, I am still losing weight with my band there is no window of opportunity, I started out in size 26, now I am in a size 14/16, my goal size will be a size 12, (I am tall about 5'8, so I would not want to be too thin anyway) I will probably reach that in about 6 more months, (knock on wood) I have not been sick one day with my band, I feel better and look better and I can eat all the foods I ate prior to surgery, (the lap band can be adjusted to our own needs) I don't maintain my band too tight, just enough to eat small amounts to make me feel full. Once I get to goal weight I will probably remove a small amount of saline where I can eat more to maintain my weight loss. If I was more strict and did not eat sweets weekly I probably could be more close to my goal at this point. Good luck and all the best in what ever you choose... Naomi

Naomi I have got to thank you. I have been reading and reading some of the things said on here about lap band because I am in the last stages pre op. I have been scared from time to time I am making a mistake. I have a bmi of 48 and pretty healthy except for sleep apnea, joint problems, and asthma. I weight 276 lbs and 51 years old but I still work like I am a 30 year old. You gave me hope that lap band is the way to go. I really didnt want to be cut on in my stomach and that is why I have put this off so long. By reading what you said I think now I can move forward and look at this like a life time commitment that will bring me hope. I belive I can do it and you helped.... Thanks every so much Charolette

Starting BMI was 57, lost 156 lbs. The band is especially good for volume eaters. And no, it's not like being on WW, but as with every type of WLS, you're required to make substantial lifestyle changes. You cannot eat the way you did pre-op as a WLS patient and still lose weight and keep it off. The focus is on a healthy balanced diet. Nancy

My starting weight was 352 and BMI of 52. My BMI is 33 right now, and I weigh between 220-225 (depending on the day). I am 18 months post-op. This band has exceeded my expectations. My surgeon said this band is the key tool for volume eaters, and in my case it severely diminished my sweet tooth. This is the perfect tool for me! Good luck with your decision!

Starting at the end, life with the band is different for everyone. For ME, it was a diet. Living on 1000-1200 calories per day and not being able to eat whatever I want, to me, is a diet. As far as the BMI is concerned. My insurance, Blue Cross CA no longer covers the band for BMI of 50 +. (They are collectively insane, of course, and have--since paying for my DS surgery AND since Medicare has begun allowing the DS--declared the DS to be experimental...yeah, right.) But, about the band, their logic is that even though significant weight can be lost, on AVERAGE (and that's the operative word, because some will do better and some will do worse), the weight lost will not be enough to get the AVERAGE patient out of a state of morbid obesity. So, with a BMI of 52, I would weigh 315...and if we assume an ideal weight of 150 and that I could lose the AVERAGE of 60% of my excess weight, I'd end up weighing about 215 or so and--if I had comorbidities--I'd STILL qualify for wls. Now, this logic is rather flawed in that, a few years out, the band and the RnY people are at the same place. HOWEVER, they get to that same place different ways. Let's see if I can say this in a way that doen't start a flame war...the RnY people who end up a few years out with a post-op weight that qualifies them for wls often get there by losing and then regaining...so--say the insurance companies--the surgery did fine, the patient just screwed it up AFTER a successful surgery. But the banded people who end up still eligible for wls get there by never losing enough to get out of the BMI of 40 or bmi of 35 with comorbidities categories, so--say the insurance companies--the surgery was not a success. There are people who lose the weight and have no problems...and then there are people like me who lose weight and develop problems and then move on to another surgery. There are no guarantees about who will do well and who will not. BUT...if you think this guy is basically a band doctor, go to one who is an RnY doctor and to one who specializes in DS. (There aren't many of those.) Know your options and what chances you can live with and what restrictions you can deal with. You just can't do any more than that. good luck... Sue

My BMI was over 57 when I was banded last year. So far I have lost over 77 pounds! I eat so much less than I used to. My health is so much better and so is my life! I am just sorry that I didn't get the lapband years ago! Good luck to you!

I was banded on 12/15/6  I have lost 40 lbs since 12/1 I am 5'1" and starting weight of 315.  I am now 275.  My BMI was 57, now it is 52. I am not a sweets eater either.. I was a bulk eater.. now I don't eat nearly as much as I did.. *maybe a fourth* AND I can still treat myself to things most don't and still lose weight. Good Luck Amanda