SumthinsGottaGive

I can certainly relate to this! I haven't been banded yet..but even on my attempts to lose weight before I couldn't see it. I know it's going to come down to mind over matter. That's really what it's always been. Congratulations on your success!! 100lbs..that's amazing!! Stop going into Lane Bryant.. lol you've earned the right to shop the petite racks! Thank you for sharing!! All the best as you continue your journey!!

Definitely understand that!! It should be a very exciting time. That makes sense... can't see what I've never been. But I am very much looking forward to getting there!! Thank you for sharing!! Best wishes on your journey!

((((Hugs))))) This was so amazing and inspiring!! If this is the only answer I get, I'm SO glad I posted!! Thank you so much for being so candid and real in your response. This really hit home and I feel better after having read it. It makes so much sense and I think I will look into that counselor for the long-term! Again, thank you so much!! Best wishes on your journey!!

I'm getting a little discouraged.. I can't seem to picture myself thin. I can usually visualize how things will come together before they do and this is just a block!! I'm getting anxious because I know that it's a mental game as well as a physical one and I don't want to sabotage myself. Did anyone of you guys have that problem? Does it last long? How did you get over it? It's funny because I can look through peoples pix on here and I can see the thinner them in their before pix.. I can't do it w/me.. Is something wrong w/that?

Thank you for sharing! So funny, I was just reading a forum yesterday on gas and how loud and annoying it can be.. but most everyone just says you'll get used to it after a while. I am glad your pains have subsided! I hope you get to your goal with no problem! All the best on your journey! Please keep me posted! -Mary R.-

Thank you for sharing! I've heard that a lot of the doubt in the beginning comes from the fact that it's still so new..you can't really see any change and the surgery just mentally does something to you. But if you hang in there!! I've heard it from so many people that this is the best decision they've made in their life! I think, like anything, you have to do what works for you. And if you're ok w/no fills right now ..then stick to that. As long as you are seeing the kind of progress you can be happy with! All the best on your journey! -Mary R-

I LOVE LBT!! All of you bandsters are so fabulous! You guys and gals encourage me so much and I am so glad I found this site. I love reading your updates and viewing your amazing progress photos! But sometimes, I know there are wonderful stories behind the photos! If you feel so inclined, I'd like for you guys to share some of your greatest moments in banded history. It could be anything; funny, scary, a learning experience or even a great "look at me now" story about an ex or someone you haven't seen in a long time. I love to read...so no matter how long or short the story, I want it! So please...share away! Look forward to reading from you soon! Thanks in advance for sharing! -Mary-

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!! I love this site..it has so many like-minded people in one place! I couldn't agree more.. healthy choices.. diet and exercise are still very necessary. That is the reason I was drawn to the band... because it's not an "easy way out." It's a tool and if you use as such..you should be very successful. I am 27yrs old...so I completely understand your statement about a more fun and healthier early 20's.. but as I stated earlier.. everything happens for a reason! Congratulations on your banding! All the best on your journey!!

Quite the contrary, Shirley. I don't think that's shallow at all.. I think it's necessary.. it's survival. It's hard to succeed at anything with so much opposing force coming at you. You make a great point. If someone received so much negative response to their decision, I could understand not telling one if you had the opportunity to do it all over again. I guess I just didn't think of that because I've received nothing but overwhelming support from my family and friends. I'm sorry you had to go through that. However, you are proving them all wrong and congratulations to you for doing that! The best rebuttal for people's doubt in your abilities, is to succeed in that very task. I hope you get to see the egg on all of those peoples faces that ever doubted or discouraged you! All the best as you continue your journey!!

Congratulations!! That's amazing! I know seeing 11lbs in my favor on the scale would certainly remove any doubt I had, as well! LoL! I guess for some people it's just giving the band time to do its job. And I also agree that at some point many people probably do question whether or not they did the right thing or have a breakdown... but hopefully most of them get the same results as you did shortly after that doubt/breakdown. Thank you so much for the well wishes! All the best to you on your journey, as well!!

Hmm..that's interesting. Why not?

Yea, no kidding!! If I'd've known about this about 7-9yrs ago, I surely would have jumped on the bandwagon (no pun intended LoL)! But everything happens for a reason! Thank you for sharing! All the best as you continue your journey!!

I have heard that same thing from some people. I've also heard people say they wish they'd've done this sooner. I was thinking the same thing, but like you...I know I wasn't ready. Mentally, physically or financially. So this is the right time. That's amazing to have lost your weight mostly by sheer will power! Congrats on all of your success and thank you for sharing!! All the best on your journey!!

Yea.. In my research I did see that around the 10yr mark it doesn't hold up so well. But hopefully by that time I'll be where I want and need to be..and have even been considering a sleeve at that point or that new non-bypass bypass.. LoL! I don't know much about it, but I am going to read up on it. Thanks for sharing!! All the best as you continue on your journey and with your surgical decisions!!

Wow..that's some quick regret!! Well, I hope everything works out. You seem to have a great "can-do" attitude, so I'm sure failure is not an option. I definitely understand the concern of something foreign being inside you..but I just hope for the best. I have not been banded yet, but I was told that over the course of about a month the Dr. will gradually fill and, subsequently, tighten the band as the swelling goes down..but they don't tighten everything at once because you'll feel false restriction from the swelling. I hope everything goes well with the healing process! Thank you so much for sharing!! All the best on this new chapter of your life's journey!!

What did they require from you before your approval?

Thank you for posting this! I have not been banded yet, but I thought the same thing! I had my seminar last night and one of the things the Dr. addressed to my questions, was that after the initial surgery the band is relatively loose. He said they do that because of all the swelling around it..and over the next 2 to 4 weeks as they fill the band and let thing adjust and settle you will begin to feel the restriction. So glad I went to that seminar! All the best on your journey!!

Congratulations hun! That's got to be an amazing feeling! Nothing says we can't enjoy the journey! All the best as you continue on your journey!!

Definitely can relate.. I realized I had to do something about this weight when I looked up one day and I was eating because I depressed about eating. What kind of sense does that make?? LoL! I have had so many "not hungry" eating moments.. and those are no fun. Thank you so much for sharing and being so candid! All the best on your journey!

LOL!! Well that's a good regret!! hahaha..I can't wait until the day I can say, all my clothes are too big for me! Thank you for sharing..that put a smile on my face (and made me LOL!)!

Wow..so far this has been so informative! I'm grateful to everyone for their candor..even if it was a bad experience. I've done my research and I know what I'm getting into, risks, numbers, potentials.. but it's always good to hear the voices of experience! Thank you all for sharing so freely! It is very much appreciated!

That's amazing! And that you pretty much did it on your own is even more impressive. I've gone hard for a year at the gym, 6 days a week and not had the kind of results I've been seeing people on this site have with the band. I am very much looking forward to getting banded! Congratulations on all your success..and all the best as you continue!!

This was very encouraging to read!! I'm so happy for you and your new lease on life! It's amazing how the band can transform people into someone they never thought they'd be...but in a good way! Thank you for sharing this!

I am sorry for all your misfortune during your banding period. I don' t know that I'll have that same regret with regards to giving diet and exercise one last shot, because I have literally been dieting since I was 18.. I'm ready for a lifestyle change. I hope for all the best as you continue on! I hope things get or have gotten much better! Thank you for sharing!

Thank you all for your input!! Hopefully, the only regret I'll have is not doing it sooner, as well!! I'm so excited and sure that this is what I want..and I'm ready to be on the other side of my journey! Hungrybetty..thank you for your candor. This is a very serious decision and shouldn't be made haphazardly.. I'm sorry it may not have been the best choice for you. The concerns you have are very real and legit, but I do wish nothing but the best for your journey!