DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

The average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds per week. You've lost about 5 pounds per week.
You didn't gain the weight overnight and it won't come off overnight, either. It takes time and patience.

Only YOU can decide what will work best for you!
I just wanted to say that when I sat in my consultation appointment, I was asked what my goal weight would be with the surgery (I was 296lbs at the time). I said I'd like to be 175 within 2 years of surgery. She sort of laughed, and said I needed a more realistic goal, and based on my weight should expect to lose about 40lbs the first year, and 20lbs the following. Well, I reached my initial goal weight of 175lbs in under 9 months.
With any of the surgeries, you'll get back whatever you put into it.
Wishing you the best of luck with your decision!

My best advice is to thoroughly research both procedures and do what is best for you.
Btw, I too was originally told I couldn't lose enough weight with the Lap Band. My BMI was 72 and I had over 260 pounds (117kg) to lose. I knew I wanted the Lap Band, not the other surgeries, so I found a new surgeon that supported my decision.
I have lost over 230 pounds (114kg) in less than 20 months with the help of my Lap Band- which is about 89% of my excess weight. I'm still losing, too. (though slower as I get close to goal)
My point? Don't listen to the BS that you can only lose a certain amount of weight. How much you lose, or don't lose, is 100% up to YOU.
Best wishes

This is what I believe as well.

My best advice is to thoroughly research both procedures and do what is best for you.
Btw, I too was originally told I couldn't lose enough weight with the Lap Band. My BMI was 72 and I had over 260 pounds (117kg) to lose. I knew I wanted the Lap Band, not the other surgeries, so I found a new surgeon that supported my decision.
I have lost over 230 pounds (114kg) in less than 20 months with the help of my Lap Band- which is about 89% of my excess weight. I'm still losing, too. (though slower as I get close to goal)
My point? Don't listen to the BS that you can only lose a certain amount of weight. How much you lose, or don't lose, is 100% up to YOU.
Best wishes

The average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds per week. You've lost about 5 pounds per week.
You didn't gain the weight overnight and it won't come off overnight, either. It takes time and patience.

My best advice is to thoroughly research both procedures and do what is best for you.
Btw, I too was originally told I couldn't lose enough weight with the Lap Band. My BMI was 72 and I had over 260 pounds (117kg) to lose. I knew I wanted the Lap Band, not the other surgeries, so I found a new surgeon that supported my decision.
I have lost over 230 pounds (114kg) in less than 20 months with the help of my Lap Band- which is about 89% of my excess weight. I'm still losing, too. (though slower as I get close to goal)
My point? Don't listen to the BS that you can only lose a certain amount of weight. How much you lose, or don't lose, is 100% up to YOU.
Best wishes

Details, details, details. Every time you put something in your mouth, put it down on paper, or in the computer. Measure everything, KNOW what you are doing, don't guess.

My best advice is to thoroughly research both procedures and do what is best for you.
Btw, I too was originally told I couldn't lose enough weight with the Lap Band. My BMI was 72 and I had over 260 pounds (117kg) to lose. I knew I wanted the Lap Band, not the other surgeries, so I found a new surgeon that supported my decision.
I have lost over 230 pounds (114kg) in less than 20 months with the help of my Lap Band- which is about 89% of my excess weight. I'm still losing, too. (though slower as I get close to goal)
My point? Don't listen to the BS that you can only lose a certain amount of weight. How much you lose, or don't lose, is 100% up to YOU.
Best wishes

The average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds per week. You've lost about 5 pounds per week.
You didn't gain the weight overnight and it won't come off overnight, either. It takes time and patience.

The average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds per week. You've lost about 5 pounds per week.
You didn't gain the weight overnight and it won't come off overnight, either. It takes time and patience.

3500 calories is a pound (ate or drank)
are you taking in more calories than you burn off?
and just because you can eat more than you should (or was recommended) doesnt mean you should.....
congrats on 25 pounds lost.....try picking up 5 bags of sugar and tote that around all day and see how it feels...sounds like you are doing well...losing is based on a person on many different things...who can say....only you know if you eat more cals than you need to or if you exercise...

My best advice is to thoroughly research both procedures and do what is best for you.
Btw, I too was originally told I couldn't lose enough weight with the Lap Band. My BMI was 72 and I had over 260 pounds (117kg) to lose. I knew I wanted the Lap Band, not the other surgeries, so I found a new surgeon that supported my decision.
I have lost over 230 pounds (114kg) in less than 20 months with the help of my Lap Band- which is about 89% of my excess weight. I'm still losing, too. (though slower as I get close to goal)
My point? Don't listen to the BS that you can only lose a certain amount of weight. How much you lose, or don't lose, is 100% up to YOU.
Best wishes

My best advice is to thoroughly research both procedures and do what is best for you.
Btw, I too was originally told I couldn't lose enough weight with the Lap Band. My BMI was 72 and I had over 260 pounds (117kg) to lose. I knew I wanted the Lap Band, not the other surgeries, so I found a new surgeon that supported my decision.
I have lost over 230 pounds (114kg) in less than 20 months with the help of my Lap Band- which is about 89% of my excess weight. I'm still losing, too. (though slower as I get close to goal)
My point? Don't listen to the BS that you can only lose a certain amount of weight. How much you lose, or don't lose, is 100% up to YOU.
Best wishes

On December 11, 2012 I had my first appointment with the bariatric surgeon who would, four months later on March 20, 2013, install a lapband around my stomach. This decision and surgical action was major and dramatic, but I was sad and desperate as well as exhausted, defeated and no longer willing to buy into the fallacy that I could do this without surgical intervention. So I lay down my previous weapon: the cycle of "traditional" dieting which I had been believing in and paying into since I was 14 years old. Traditional dieting was so clearly not working for me; I had lost and regained weight my entire life and I no longer had the energy to do one more round at Weight Watchers, filling up on salads and bulky foods to keep my hunger at bay, gaming the points program so I could work in a dessert each day, hanging on by my fingernails from one meal to the next, and fearing vacations, birthdays, holidays, as I knew these would either see me feeling frustrated and deprived, or overeating because "hey, I've already gone over my points. Might was well start back on Monday."

I had done hours of research and had a good idea of what lay ahead. I had a few fears as a pre-op, notably the fear that I would no longer be able to "eat as much as I wanted" when I wanted. I also feared the surgery itself (I try and stay out of hospitals as much as possible) but I was willing to override these anxieties to become one of those people that I see here, on this forum: a success story, transforming myself inside and out.

I had made a list of why I was doing this and I brought that to the hospital where, the night prior to the intervention, I read and re-read my hopes for this surgery. I was ready, peaceful and in a mindset of self-care when they wheeled me to the OR the next morning.

I am now 8.5 months post-op, almost 50 pounds lighter than I was on the day of surgery. It goes without saying that I am happy to have back a more aesthetically-pleasing exterior, renewed energy and mobility, and a load of self-confidence.

My original fears about surgery were unfounded: the lapband gives me a physical restraint to overeating, certainly, but it also has an effect on my brain and how I view food now. ( I call it the nicotine patch for the stomach as it dims the appetite much like the patch works for smokers.) I should not have worried about missing the ability to stuff myself, as that is of no interest to me today. (Just the thought of that makes my band tighten!) I am free from the dieting mindset that I must seek bulky, filling foods or I'll cave and break my "diet" because my lapband clicks in and gives me satiety when I eat my small portions of lapband-compliant foods. I don't have to log points or calories, and restaurant dinners, parties, vacations or holidays are not viewed as opportunities for white-knuckling deprivation or, alternately, opportunities to go off my eating plan and eat all the cake, Cookies and candy that I can, "until Monday."

I have experienced so many unexpected benefits as the result of my decision and the most striking is this wonderful sense of fierceness that I now have. I feel so strong, capable and confident! This fierceness has manifested itself in many ways. Physically: alongside my daily dedicated exercise, I now do aquagym and ride my bike each weekend when I'm out in the countryside--26 km logged last weekend through the fields of Normandy! Mentally: I travel out of my comfort zone--last month I went to Morocco, a place I'd always dreamed of going to. Professionally: I seek opportunities to speak publically and am involved in more professional conferences, meeting others in my field which has the effect of re-energizing my own committment to my job.

I am so grateful that I did not try and convince myself to give Weight Watchers (or another diet program) "just one more try" last year. I know as surely as my heart is beating that I would weigh more today than I did last year at this time had I not had surgery. Instead, I am looking towards this Christmas season in deep gratitude for my self-care, not fearing the supermarket aisles filled with chocolates, buttercream buche de noel (that was a real binge food for me pre-surgery), and special holiday foods. I know that I will eat peacefully, enjoying my small portions of delicious food, and I won't be waking up on January 1st feeling fat and guilty, and embarking on another futile attempt to diet and "do it for good this time."

Just went to the Dr for a fill and am knocking on the door of 200's. I'm at 311..yay... I haven't seen that in about 20 years....How to I keep up my momentum during the holidays? I'm starting to snack more often...UGH!

My advice to you is to seek out and speak to a few other surgeons and get more opinions. Especially since you are self pay they are working for YOU.
Do lots of research there is also a study being done now which is the band with plication which mimics the sleeve procedure without removing the stomach. it folds it in upon itself and sutures it to be a smaller stomach.
Research research research there are lots of options out there, do your homework before you make a decision and when you do make sure it's what YOU are comfortable with.

because of my high BMI, my dr wanted me to have bypass. my ins did not approve sleeve and i wanted the lapband..the dr had major doubt in his eyes as to if (i would lose weight)..he told me that unless i changed what i ate and began to exercise, no WLS would help me.....
here i am 18 months later, 150 pounds...yep, you can lose on the lap band.

Sleeve is a good option, but so is the band.
Your Surgeon is lying though, most banders do not have theirs removed after 3-5 years. Most banders don't ever have theirs removed and average weight loss is closer to 60% of the excess weight.
Weight loss will be slower with the band, and it will require more after care from the Dr.
Complication risks are higher with the sleeve
Both are going to require substantial changes in your life style and you can screw either of them up.
I was self pay, I chose the band. Do your research, get numbers not stories. Choose the one that is right for you and get a different surgeon if you go with the band. One that has a good aftercare program.

Deciding which surgery to have can be daunting. I was ALL over the map, and was initially scheduled for the bypass. I freaked out 10 days prior and cancelled it. I settled on the lap band with plication…..and at 8.5 months out, I'm thrilled with my decision.
When making your decision, keep in mind that weight is lost AND gained with all of the surgeries. No matter which, it all boils down to patient compliance. There are so many people who have lost tons of weight with the band; more than 200 pounds! You have to choose what YOU can live with, even if the doctor is pushing you in another direction. The sleeve isn't a perfect answer either, but if that is the one you can live with, then it's the best answer for you. My sister works with a woman who had the sleeve, and she's gained a lot of weight back. She grazes on junk all day long, so no mater how small our stomachs are, if we're so inclined, we can figure out ways of eating past it. I'm not telling you this to sway you in either direction, only that we can gain weight back with any of the surgeries. For me, I made a decision that I could no longer live the way I was, and the band was going to work. The surgeries are tools, and if we're compliant, we're successful.
I wish you the best with your decision. It can make you crazy! All I can say is do all of your research, and leave no stone unturned. Information is your best friend, so you can make the best choice for you . Good luck!

Many people don't have to have their 1st fill right away. As B-52 said, if you are losing on your surgeon's schedule, about 1-2 pound a week, then you might not need or want a fill. Make sure that you can find a local fill center, or doctor that will treat you. Many surgeons are willing to take new patients even if they did not do the surgery.Best luck in your after care and surgery. Karen

Thank you Jamilyne! There are some really good, helpful and encouraging people on here...I am so glad to have this resource!

That's GREAT!!! Everyone is doing so good. I love this site & it's really encouraging to me to be with so many people going through the good & bad in this journey!

NSV went out shopping for a Christmas party and naturally picked up a 3x top. Wouldn't you know it, too big! 2x is fitting and not even snug. Who would have thought. 2x would make me smile! So happy to read everyone's NSVs!

My daughter takes Flexeril and only takes it before bedtime, too. It does make her drowsy. However, I've taken it and only had a mild drowsy effect. I suspect if I took it regularly, I'd get used to it.
I take Baclofen for muscle spasticity, cramping and pain. It too is a muscle relaxer but it doesn't have nearly the drowsy effect.