AXA

I only lose on the lapband with strict dieting. I didn't think I'd have to. The difference is that I can stick to the diet a little better and when I fall off the wagon, I can't do too much damage. As you've read in all these posts, we are all different. I really thought my experience would be just like those people who's weight just "fell off" or who found that magical green zone. Nope, no such luck. Just keep trying new things and read all the advice people give you. Something is bound to work eventually.

"I wont do that again!"
Wanna bet?
For me, 63 years of programming has been very hard to change. I've had the same thought 30-40 times now.

Weight-loss surgery is as controversial as abortion. Lots of people have lots of different opinions. You should read the forum a week back or so when we were all writing why we had lapband surgery over gastric bypass. Gastic bypass people would be so offended at what we wrote with us choosing not to get THAT surgery because of it's severity, non-reversibility, and side effects. So the same goes for people who would choose a less invasive way to losing weight than the lapband. People are just thinking of themselves and what they would do when they say negative things. The way I handle it is just not to tell anyone. Everyone seems to support me eating less, cutting carbs, etc. I think people like to support others in getting healthy . . . people just don't all agree on how that's best done. I think social acceptance of the Lapband and other WLS will happen some day, but we aren't there yet.

My husband knows and one of my brothers. That's it. I haven't told my parents, children, friends, coworkers, or anyone else. I figure it's no one's beeswax! I didn't feel compelled to tell anyone that I had a hernia operation or the results of pap smear either. I figure this is a medically necessary operation to make me healthy and sharing it with people is not something I have to do.
Another reason that I didn't tell everyone was in case it didn't work. And it didn't work at first (first 3 months) so I was thankful I hadn't told and I only got grief from my husband ("you should have gotten the other surgery"). A girl at my support group had told everyone and then, four months in, she hadn't lost a pound and she felt guilty and ashamed around all these people who knew she had the surgery. She told us that everyone must think that she's still overeating, not exercising, or not trying. We gave her similar advice to what you get on these forums (track your food, lower calories, lots of Water, exercise, talk to doctor) but she never came back to the support group again. I felt so bad for her. I had a similarly hard time at the beginning but at least there weren't people around me with expectations!
Telling people about it is such a personal decision. I think people should do what's right for them. I don't criticize those who tell the world or those who tell just a few. No one should feel bad about what they decide to do because there is no right or wrong answer here.

My husband knows and one of my brothers. That's it. I haven't told my parents, children, friends, coworkers, or anyone else. I figure it's no one's beeswax! I didn't feel compelled to tell anyone that I had a hernia operation or the results of pap smear either. I figure this is a medically necessary operation to make me healthy and sharing it with people is not something I have to do.
Another reason that I didn't tell everyone was in case it didn't work. And it didn't work at first (first 3 months) so I was thankful I hadn't told and I only got grief from my husband ("you should have gotten the other surgery"). A girl at my support group had told everyone and then, four months in, she hadn't lost a pound and she felt guilty and ashamed around all these people who knew she had the surgery. She told us that everyone must think that she's still overeating, not exercising, or not trying. We gave her similar advice to what you get on these forums (track your food, lower calories, lots of Water, exercise, talk to doctor) but she never came back to the support group again. I felt so bad for her. I had a similarly hard time at the beginning but at least there weren't people around me with expectations!
Telling people about it is such a personal decision. I think people should do what's right for them. I don't criticize those who tell the world or those who tell just a few. No one should feel bad about what they decide to do because there is no right or wrong answer here.

Just eat the hamburger part, not the bun. That way you feel like you are having a treat but you are only having the Protein.< /p>

I only lose on the lapband with strict dieting. I didn't think I'd have to. The difference is that I can stick to the diet a little better and when I fall off the wagon, I can't do too much damage. As you've read in all these posts, we are all different. I really thought my experience would be just like those people who's weight just "fell off" or who found that magical green zone. Nope, no such luck. Just keep trying new things and read all the advice people give you. Something is bound to work eventually.

I eat under 1000 calories a day, under 100 carbs and 60-100 Protein. If I eat any more than 1000 cals or 100 carbs, I don't lose weight. It seems like a crazy-low amount of calories to live on but the people in these forums were the ones who let me know that is what you need to do to lose.
On Saturdays however, I eat as many calories and carbs as I want, then I get back on my regimen for the next 6 days. It keeps my cravings at bay and keeps my metabolism from slowing down. I have no idea why my high calorie Saturday doesn't derail my weightloss-but it doesn't (but I make sure I don't weigh myself for the three days after).

I only lose on the lapband with strict dieting. I didn't think I'd have to. The difference is that I can stick to the diet a little better and when I fall off the wagon, I can't do too much damage. As you've read in all these posts, we are all different. I really thought my experience would be just like those people who's weight just "fell off" or who found that magical green zone. Nope, no such luck. Just keep trying new things and read all the advice people give you. Something is bound to work eventually.

Welcome to my world. I lost 5 pounds in the first 3 months! (so you lost more than double that in less time)
Then, I woke up. Now I'm down 32 (in the last 2 1/2 months). Here's what I suggest (and what I did):
1- go to your doctor and get advice
2- go on a healthy diet (my favorite is the Slow Carb Diet) and track it on something like myfitnesspal.com
3-drink lots of Water. RiteAid have these great 32oz bottles. Drink 2 a day.
4 -increase your activity. It doesn't have to be an hour gym workout....it is as simple as adding in walking in as many parts of your day as you can. Put a pedometer in your pocket (or a fitbit) and shoot for 10,000 steps a day. Get a big, energetic dog that needs long walks.
5- take your body measurements so you have another way to measure your success. Do it NOW while you're still big because it will be SOOOO satisfying later when you see the difference. (I started at a 42 waist and now I'm down to 37---can't wait to see 30).
I hope these ideas help. Keep in mind that all of us are different, with different metabolisms, bodies, and even different stomach bacteria ( 3 different kinds). We have different doctors who give us different advice. There is no absolute consensus in these forums on what you have to do to be successful but there is a general theme in most posts to eat healthy, exercise, drink Water, listen to your doctor, and most of all be patient.

I found it very hard to follow all the rules before my surgery. Why don't you just pick one or two that will really pay off for you later? The major thing I did was quit diet soda. That was huge for me because I was so addicted. I replaced it with drinking lots of Water. So, then, I followed two rules! That's enough. It's good that you know what the rules are but just do what you can right now. It's better to succeed with one rule than to fail at all of them all, right?
The exception to all this is... when you do get scheduled for surgery, concentrate on doing well on your pre-op diet because it really will make your surgery safer if you can reduce the size of your liver.

I found it very hard to follow all the rules before my surgery. Why don't you just pick one or two that will really pay off for you later? The major thing I did was quit diet soda. That was huge for me because I was so addicted. I replaced it with drinking lots of Water. So, then, I followed two rules! That's enough. It's good that you know what the rules are but just do what you can right now. It's better to succeed with one rule than to fail at all of them all, right?
The exception to all this is... when you do get scheduled for surgery, concentrate on doing well on your pre-op diet because it really will make your surgery safer if you can reduce the size of your liver.

I forget I have a band 99% of the time. I used to take a regular bite, not chew that well, and generally eat too fast. and I would get the hiccups or all those other lovely things that happen on the way to food getting stuck. It kept occuring again and again. Now, my solution is to first cut up all my food into tiny little baby bites. It lets nothing get stuck (or almost stuck) and it's a visual for me to remind myself how and why I eat this way. The only problem is it's realy embarrassing around people who don't know I have a Lapband (which is everyone but my doctor and my husband!). My mom even asked me why I have regressed and eating like a child again.

I really like all the posts before mine. Everyone has really good advice. For a lot of people, the lapband doesn't work by itself. I only give it 10% credit for my weight loss and the other 90% to OCD-type compliance to a diet, plenty of Water, exercise, and tracking everything. I used to think that micromanaging my diet so much would cause me to stress out . . . but I think it's much more stressful to not lose weight and not to know why. I'm only about 6 months out too and lost nothing the first three months but in the last 3, I lost 32 from being super-strict with myself.

Jess,
Good for you for unloading all of that! You know, once you get it all on paper (or on the post), you might be able to let go of some of it and move on. Talking and writing is very therapeutic.
I recommend a book. It's called "The 4-Hour Body: an uncommon guide to rapid fat-loss, incredible ***, and becoming superhuman" by Tim Ferris. I know, it sounds gimmicky. My regular doctor recommended it to me! I am on the Slow-Carb diet that Ferris outlines in the book. It follows all the Lapband rules: high Protein, lots of veggies, lots of Water, few meals but then it has one day a week you can splurge. The psychological benefits of being able to eat whatever you want once a week and to still lose weight has been my Holy Grail to weightloss. None of my family know about the surgery so they keep asking how I'm doing it so I point them to this book. My mom, my brother, and my husband have all lost weight on this diet (and no Lapbands!)
I don't want to over-promote it. I'm sure it won't work for everyone and there are some fabulously successful people on these posts that have lost weight with their own methods. But, it's something different and it sounds as if you need a plan that gives you a day in which you can feed your demons.

That's great that you got off that. When I got this band I made sure I was going to work with it, it's a good thing to not abuse something that can give us a better life. Thanks for your caring thoughts. It's nice to have others to talk to threw this journey. But when I had my surgery I had that gas pain in the shoulder they talk about. It went away after about 3 days then the day before yesterday I was laying down watching t.v and I felt the pain in my shoulder again and then it kinda went down my arm and made my hand go numb and tingle, so I started researching on here and noticed some had it to even after 7 years. I did come across a few that had it in there hands like me and they said there is a nerve beside your stoma and when u move or eat certain things it can touch that nerve and irritate it. I'm thinking that's what my problem is. I sure hope it goes away for good. They also had a lady that had it so bad she had her band removed, I will never do that because I enjoy what the band is helping me with. I have lost 7 pounds since my surgery 2 weeks ago so I'm doing good that's over 2 pounds a week. I sure can't eat no less than I'm already doing. I only eat around 600 to 800, I'm suppose to be eating 1300 calories a day but it just don't happen because I'm full. If you ever want to talk just private message me

I forget I have a band 99% of the time. I used to take a regular bite, not chew that well, and generally eat too fast. and I would get the hiccups or all those other lovely things that happen on the way to food getting stuck. It kept occuring again and again. Now, my solution is to first cut up all my food into tiny little baby bites. It lets nothing get stuck (or almost stuck) and it's a visual for me to remind myself how and why I eat this way. The only problem is it's realy embarrassing around people who don't know I have a Lapband (which is everyone but my doctor and my husband!). My mom even asked me why I have regressed and eating like a child again.

Pretend you don't have a lapband and go on a diet. Find a healthy one that you may have done and had success with in the past. If you can stay away from sugar for a week, you're cravings will subside a little. Fill up on good Proteins and veggies (snap-peas and celery are my best friends).

Welcome to my world. I lost 5 pounds in the first 3 months! (so you lost more than double that in less time)
Then, I woke up. Now I'm down 32 (in the last 2 1/2 months). Here's what I suggest (and what I did):
1- go to your doctor and get advice
2- go on a healthy diet (my favorite is the Slow Carb Diet) and track it on something like myfitnesspal.com
3-drink lots of Water. RiteAid have these great 32oz bottles. Drink 2 a day.
4 -increase your activity. It doesn't have to be an hour gym workout....it is as simple as adding in walking in as many parts of your day as you can. Put a pedometer in your pocket (or a fitbit) and shoot for 10,000 steps a day. Get a big, energetic dog that needs long walks.
5- take your body measurements so you have another way to measure your success. Do it NOW while you're still big because it will be SOOOO satisfying later when you see the difference. (I started at a 42 waist and now I'm down to 37---can't wait to see 30).
I hope these ideas help. Keep in mind that all of us are different, with different metabolisms, bodies, and even different stomach bacteria ( 3 different kinds). We have different doctors who give us different advice. There is no absolute consensus in these forums on what you have to do to be successful but there is a general theme in most posts to eat healthy, exercise, drink Water, listen to your doctor, and most of all be patient.

Someone put a video in these forums somewhere by a doctor that really loved the sleeve. He showed how insulin levels were much more controlled on it. I remember he called the lapband, "a diet with a seatbelt," he thought gastric bypass wasn't the best, and he loved the sleeve. He had me convinced but of course I already have the lapband and like everyone else on this forum, I want to keep all my body parts intact even if it is harder and takes me longer. By the same token, I feel that I get to take credit for my weight loss because the lapband only works if I put in effort.
My husband mentioned to me after my first three months of the Lapband with no weight loss that I should have had another surgery because it would have been easier. It would have been but I wasn't look for easy, I was looking for healthy. I think the Lapband is the healthiest option.

I always find it strange when new people that have never participated in this board before come on and their first post is about how they are having their band removed.
I always wonder.
Are they for real?
What is their motivation?
Are they maybe being paid as some kind of troll to achieve some kind of result.
I have always been a sceptic, it is part of me that is not going to change.
So if you are for real I wish you all the best in your bandless future.

Thank you for your replies. I have my daily calorie goal set for 1200 calories on myfitness pal. I've managed to stay right at that level for the last three days. I know that in another two days I'll lose my mind because I feel so hungry.
My Protein is usually pretty high because I do a lot of exercise. I got 100 grams today. I eat grilled chicken, egg beaters, chobani yogurt, and muscle milk light.
I also drink a lot of Water. I do have good habits but I'm more like a person without a lapband. Biologically, my body is doing everything it can to maintain this weight and I thought the lapband would give me at least some help but it's like nothing is there, just something that makes me throw up and not let me eat certain foods anymore.
I'm still confused why it's not working for me.