JessRess

B-52 wow did you say it all! It's a tool installed that hasn't been activated yet! Now I understand. I did research this for 2 years! I wanted to do this first to support daughter who is getting it in jan. I honestly did not understand that it could take 6 months. at least now I can guide her better when in her first months. But I don't want to be obsessed with weighing and measuring . That's what I did in the past. That's not what I thought I had to do.

Boy do you ever sound like me......after my surgery I was told I needed to count calories, measure/weigh all my food, keep a journal, etc, etc....I WAS PI***D!
ANOTHER DIET??? I did not need surgery for this....I could do this at WW, Jenny Craig, etc, etc....
However, I did eventually learn what it is all about.....for me anyway, everyone has a different experience.....
Having the band surgery is nothing more than having this device installed....that's all, it is not really activated yet....first stage is post op healing, eating the right foods so as not to damage the tender post surgery area, etc. In my case it took 30 days.
THEN the adjustments started - Fills! This is a step by step process, adjusting the band, to get to that point where the band really starts to do what it is supposed to do....
It took me 6 months from surgery to get to that point....
That 6 month period from surgery, was also for me a time to learn the lessons that I would need later in order to survive with a tight band....
I called it "Bandster Bootcamp" or "Basic Training"....it is also called "Bandster Hell" because everything you do during this time is mostly will power, self discipline....white knuckling all the way....very frustrating....
But once I hit that groove, where the band takes over...it has been all a piece of cake....I began loosing weight without trying....my appetite disappeared, lost interest in food. Only ate when I felt like I needed to.....beats dieting hands down.
Critics say it is the easy way out...I say SO WHAT...I LIKE EASY, and I LIKE BEING SKINNY!!!
That was 2 years ago, and the feeling has not gone.....having this surgery was the best thing I could ever have done...only regret is that I did not do it a lot sooner.....
But there was a big learning curve in the beginning.....now it is normal day to day life....never have to diet again!

In my opinion, no, I would not. Simply because I know I would go way overboard, which is why I'm overweight to begin with.
I get stuck every so often, usually due to taking to big of bites or not chewing enough. It IS a learning experience to some of us. To those who don't have issues with this...good for you!
That being said, and maybe I'm being overly sensitive... But a few responses to your post seemed very harsh to me. I'm not saying that they're not right, in fact, in principal I agree with them...but I think a little more tact could be used.
Of course one shouldn't encourage someone to do something they think might harm them, but using sarcasm and making the person asking the question feel foolish seems counterproductive to what this forum is about. We don't want to discourage people from asking questions, do we?
Just something to think about...

In my opinion, no, I would not. Simply because I know I would go way overboard, which is why I'm overweight to begin with.
I get stuck every so often, usually due to taking to big of bites or not chewing enough. It IS a learning experience to some of us. To those who don't have issues with this...good for you!
That being said, and maybe I'm being overly sensitive... But a few responses to your post seemed very harsh to me. I'm not saying that they're not right, in fact, in principal I agree with them...but I think a little more tact could be used.
Of course one shouldn't encourage someone to do something they think might harm them, but using sarcasm and making the person asking the question feel foolish seems counterproductive to what this forum is about. We don't want to discourage people from asking questions, do we?
Just something to think about...

being skinny will not make you happy (nor will being
unhealthy)
you just had major surgery a couple of weeks ago. so you are still healing and tired. bless your heart.
congrats and
i am so proud of you.

the (not being able to eat) is mainly so that your insides can heal properly. by eating (food) too early you could hurt yourself. please dont cry and dont be depressed. it does get better and you will be happy you had this surgery in the long run.

i had this surgery (to save my life literally). i couldnt hard walk.
it was either have this surgery or eventually they'd have to cut out my walls of my house to get me out. i am sure of it. now that was depression.

you will be able to have wine again and have birthday cake and whatever you want. but just heal for now. i see your profile picture, my gosh you are gorgeous. put a smile on that face. chin up. shoulders back and say to yourself, i am so worth it.

because you are

Don't give up! I too was banded June 2011, did ok, slow prgress and then after my last fill in March 2012, I lost while on the liquids for 2 days and then nothing. I am now 4 lbs heavier than when I had my last fill.... I decided that I needed to think about how I am using the band. My band works, as I can get stuck everyday if I am not careful. But I think I am realizing that that is why I haven't lost any weight.
I have been taking the easy way out and making poor decisions food wise. I lost my health insurance in March and haven't been back to my doctors since then either. I kinda fell off the band wagon and keep rolling down the hill til today. I have sat down and re-read my information. I have thought about my diet and the lack there of, of exercise. I have read the posts on here.
I hope that my band is still good and that I haven't hurt myself by the poor decisions I have been making. food addiction is a hard thing to overcome because it is legal and it is EVERYWHERE. I guess we just need to learn how to move past the struggles with food one little bite at a time. Counting calories is tedious I agree but I think as an "addict" it is helpful to be mindful of what you are "using" hence journeling everything that goes into your mouth. Sit back at the end of the week and read your journel and reflect on ways you can tweak your food intake and make the band work for you!
The band is not a miracle cure all to weight loss and you will still have daily struggles with food but you need to find ways to manage your addiction and take control. The band is a tool and a tool only... we all have to keep working hard daily to reach our goals... I am starting all over, back to the basics because I know this tool works and I know that I have the information to make it work... I just have to do the work and so do you!! It is so hard to get back on track but the only way you can do it is to just DO IT!! Track your food, measure your food, be mindful of your food and take control!! Best of luck and I hope you think about it for awhile before you plan to remove it...

i was walking in the parking lot yesterday and this lady stopped me and said."i really love your outfit..too bad they dont make that in big girl sizes"! OMG!!! i was elated to think a perfect stranger doesnt consider me a "big girl"! BEST NSV YET!!!!

Good luck with it all model...I hope you don't ever need a fill, otherwise, how would they do it? Let's hope there wasn't something else going on further up the tubing...
The whole thing boggles the mind. I would think you might appreciate the oddness of your story and that people were/are shocked by it. Further, most people responding WEREworried about your health, both mental and physical. If you don't care for a wide variety of responses, maybe an open forum online community of fatties is not for you.

I was supportive, just not in the way you wanted me to be. I was more concerned with your health than your vanity. Sorry that isn't what you'd like.

I think you just need time. Everything seems better in the morning. My surgery is Monday and I keep waffling. But I've battled this for 30 years. It's obvious that I can't do this alone. You needed a tool. And you gave yourself one. Don't regret choosing yourself and better health. Ask for some pain meds or something to help you sleep. Keep me posted. I'd love to hear you reach many milestones over the coming couple of years.

I officially weigh 135.0. That was my goal when I started this just over 14 months ago. It is just unreal I cannot believe I am here. I have lost 141 pounds and am in size 4 or 6 pants. I just want everyone to know - I am no one special - I have been horrible about exercise, continued to drink alcohol, to cheat on slider foods sometimes, the list goes on and on. BUT, i went to every single dr. appt and got all my fills - got good tight restriction about 6 months in (yes it is all will power before you hit restriction which can take several months) and stick to my surgeon recommended 800-900 calories per day about 80% or 85% of the time. I love this site and will continue to be on it daily as I work to maintain this weight (a whole new chapter). BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!!

There are three classifications of slips:
(a) Pouch dilation above the band. This happens when people eat too fast on a chronic basis. This leads to reflux and heartburn, as do all of the slips
( Pouch dilation with slip. The pouch dilates, as it dilates it pulls up stomach above the band. This is the most common type of slip that we deal with
© Pure slip. Easiest surgically to deal with- happens when something gets stuck and people try to force it out.
Slips are a complicated topic - and they are best avoided by (a) Not having the band too tight ( not eating too fast
food goes through the band quickly- or we hope quickly. If it stays above the band for too long it can cause problems.
We have more on our site at azlapband.com/blog -- hope you find the information helpful there.

My port is right under my ribcage on the right side. No problems so far *knocks on wood*

I was banded on 7/5/11 and since then i have lost 129.6 pounds!!!!

this may sound like a ridiculous idea............. but if you're ADHD and have to be "doing something " while you eat, have you considered going to the Sporting Goods store and getting your self a little clicker thing ? Umpires use them to keep score, so do golfers. You could "click" everytime you chew and then would be able to keep track of your chewing and also be "doing something" as you eat. Just a thought !

My doctor didn't give me any guidelines calorie-wise. Following her guidelines I'm taking in about 1000 calories a day which is dramatically less than what I used to.
I guess I'm just going to have to hang on tight and ride it out. I didn't go through all this to fail!

To the OP- I realize I joined the party a bit late but I'm going to toss in my two cents anyhow :-)
I can seriously relate to your wife and the whole situation. My boyfriend and I live together, have for several months. He is amazing and I love him dearly. However I am generally disinterested in sex. I have been on an anti depressant for the last few years and I'm wondering if it plays a role.
Another part is, because of my weight I feel so incredibly unattractive. My bf is SO sweet and goes out of his way to make me feel beautiful and while I appreciate it, it still doesn't help much with my desire in the bedroom.
Kudos to you (and my guy <3) for being so patient and understanding. I hope you all rekindle the romance soon!

Thanks Doc.

Wow, everyone is in a different place as far as what motivates you. Getting the band does not eliminate your mental struggles with over eating and it does not mean that you no longer like Snacks and unhealthy things. I think it takes courage to come on here and say you are struggling. I think everyone struggles from time to time, the key is knowing your struggles and figuring out a way to conquer them. If everyone was perfect, none of us would have needed surgery. I am only 5 days post op and have been overweight all my life. I have been successful on diets before and swore that was the time things were going to be different, but here I am. So I am highly motivated, but know there are days I will struggle. If some are not struggling and can say you are perfect, I commend you, but many of us will have struggles. Struggle does no equal lack of success, so keep pressing on.

Ok I'm 3 wks post op surgery and I've lost a total of 25 lbs had a cpl of slip ups but it's all good I gotta be doing something right my weight loss is going good ... Ima try and keep up the good work

I am 5'9 and my BMI was 55 and the scale indicated I weighed 377. I was on a 2 wk liquid pre surgery diet and lost 22 lbs... so the day of surgery I weiged 355.
Fast forward 16 months and today my BMI is 28... and I have 30 more lbs to go.

Thanks yes its been some day!! But I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!!!

This is a great statement. I just posted on my blog about how I questioned my decision to have the band or bypass. I think I am done with that. I have the band and now I am going work it. I lost a lot of weight before without the band (gained it back) so in theory I should be able to do it again with the added tool.

I am 5'4 my starting weight was 306 I am at 211 right now. I feel that my goal weight should be 180... I like being thick I don't want to look like hanging skin and bones LOL!