Question:
Is the adjustable lap useful for a BMI of 54?

I am really interested to talking to someone who has had the surgery adjustable lap band. I ALSO NEED TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY DOCTORES WHO PERFORM THIS SURGERY IN THE MD, VA AREA.    — denise C. (posted on December 1, 2001)

December 1, 2001
Hi Denise.. I got 'rerouted' from my desired surgery (DS) to the lap band.. I'm currently a pre op.. my BMI is 61.5. Let me share with you a couple of great resources for info on the band.. they are both Yahoogroups mailing list: [email protected] has over 900 members, at all stages of banding.. [email protected] is for bandsters over 300 lbs. You can find any kind of imaginable info and meet some fabulous folks through these two sites. Come check it out.. if you're not a yahoogroups member just go to Yahoogropus.com, sign up and search for Bandsters. I hope you find this helpful.. I know it saved me from going nuts finding information. ~Peace
   — Joscelin

December 1, 2001
The adjustable gastric band or LapBand is unlikely to bring a person with a high BMI close to his ideal weight. I hope surgeons are honest with their heavier patients about this reality. Like all other purely restrictive operations, the LapBand essentially provides one with assistance in dieting. If the patient doesn't police his own food choices, he won't lose weight. On the plus side, the LapBand has several advantages over the other purely restrictive procedures: 1) it's minimally invasive; 2) it's adjustable; 3) it's easily reversed; and, best of all, 4) it preserves all your options, should you ever decide you want the more robust assistance of a gastric bypass. Best of luck.
   — [Anonymous]

November 15, 2002
I have seen many people close to and at their ideal weight with the use of the Adjustable Gastric Band. It does take a bit more work on the part of the patient. But it does work.
   — MsPatooti