To Band or not to Band?

I believe that photo was taken on a day when kirmy overindulged in donuts and crisps and became airborne because of all of the gas....sort of like the hot air balloon effect.

I concurr with Phyllis...it was uncontrollable flatulance that set me hovering.

The "now" airborne Kirmy has a much prettier smile that the miserable fat *******!!!

There are less chins but now my arse slaps my  thighs when I jump.  Oh and my titties tuck into my underpants....aside from that its all good baby girl.

I miss you.

 I think this is my favorite post-wls pic I've ever seen.

It shows so much more than your skinny new BMI. Just beautiful!

Och your too kind love.

Hello Jennifer,

WLS is a personal decision you have to make for yourself.  You say you are not willing to deal with POSSIBLE gas and bowel issues so are you willing to stay at current weight?   I know for me LB was not an option even given to me and thru research I found out LB  was not as successful for people with BMI's over 50. LB is not as successful as VSG and RNY for anyone but it is a good option.  For ones I see at support groups for the last 10 years LB is for people with BMI's right at 40 and not over too much.  That is strictly an unprofessional IMO......:-)  I hope it all works out well for you.  If you are in under 36 and want to keep trying I recommend keep trying on your own.  If you are over 36 and have tried everything else then i surely recommend trying one of the WLS options.  Have you tried myfitnesspal.com?  I log my food and exercise there and may people who are pre-op and post op use it and many who are trying to lose it on their own use it too. 

 I couldn't agree more with the posters about the DS with your BMI, but you will have to put in SOME effort to appeal, and no surgery is a free ride as far as effort. I like the sleeve, and think it may be the best as far as not needing much supplementation and less effort, it may be way too little with your BMI. A surgeon that would put a band in you should be sued. 

Honestly, you don't really sound ready for surgery (well, at least not one that you SHOULD get). Maybe you should take more time to study them, and see if there are other options to pay.

I don't know if DS was approved by my insurance when I had my surgery but I do wish I had considered it before having my RNY.  I am still happy to have lost over 230 pounds and have maintained it for many years but I had lost 300 pounds. Jennifer,  I just want to tell you one thing whatever surgery you decide on it will be hard work to keep the weight off.  It will mean you have to exercise most days of the week.  It is not an easy way out for sure so effort is going to be involdve after the honeymoon period is over. WLS is a tool and be thankful you have many options now. Maybe too many! lol!

You need to post this over on the lap band Forum. There have been MANY that have lost successfully with high bmi's with the band many have lost 150-200 pounds with their band, you have an advantage, the heavier you are the quicker you will lose, after you have lost about 70- 80 pounds you can start walking and exercising like other high bmi's do. I've had my band going on 6 years, starting BMI was 49.8, almost 50, I lost 100 pounds within 10 months, not too hard, of course the last 30 pounds was harder since the smaller you are with any surgery it takes more work of course.

Of course you will hear others persuade you away from the band, but it can be a great tool if used wisely and properly and it can be disaster if you don't follow up with your surgeon if you get too tight/ fills not an exact science so it's all about common sense to get ajusted properly, once you are adjusted properly you will not need anymore fills, unless you lose more weight which sometimes require more fills.

I followed my post op diet/ and used my band with common sense and so far NO ISSUES, NO hospitalization with my band going on 6 years (knock on wood) and I am very happy with my decision , I live a very normal life, I eat what I want with no consequences, the only difference is I can't eat much, I just sample a little of this and that when I eat out at restaurants and get full quick, and  I only take 1 multivitamin when I remember...lol, I am very healthy and of course maintaining my size 10/12 at 5'8 feet inches very proudly....good luck with your decision.