labwalker

I am happy for you. I am at 278 trying to get to 269 is next goal...moving along at about 5 lbs a week.

I've been banded for several years and have zero problems with the band and there are no foods I cannot eat, so long as chew properly. I've lost more weight than expected, and it is still coming off slowly. I have no regrets having the band. If it comes out, there are other options that I will explore. But, the band gave me my life back and it works for me. I've learned how to eat and how to control the quality of what foods I choose to eat.

I've been banded for several years and have zero problems with the band and there are no foods I cannot eat, so long as chew properly. I've lost more weight than expected, and it is still coming off slowly. I have no regrets having the band. If it comes out, there are other options that I will explore. But, the band gave me my life back and it works for me. I've learned how to eat and how to control the quality of what foods I choose to eat.

I will never understand people come on to boards like this and preach. Nobody cares, really. The band worked for me, too, and anybody who has been indoctrinated into to the cult of band naysayers can go suck an egg!

I've disappeared too. I've limited myself on this website because I have experienced too many instances of people who elected other procedures critiquing me or other Banders for the procedure that we selected. It's incredibly discouraging when you are on your journey and you have all these people who are telling you that you are going to fail within a few years. I had to spend a lot of time telling myself that other people's experiences are unique to them and that mine is unique to me. If it didn't work for others, that does not mean that it won't work for me. The band was the only option available to me. I have Celiac Disorder, which means that I cannot undergo a malabsorptive procedure. My doctor is still a big believer in the band. He still has his own without problems. It has been 16 months since I was banded. I have lost a decent amount of weight and I am playing the sports that I love.I have no regrets and at most, I have experienced minor inconveniences from time to time.

I live on coffee and diet root beer. If there is enough carbonation in a beverage to cause belching or even mild discomfort I would avoid it. I have not had a problem with diet sodas and I am several years post surgery. I am also constantly losing weight--even this far out. So long as your doctor is fine with the beverage, I would also be comfortable... but I would avoid gulping it down to avoid problems with internal gas pressure. But the doctor's rule.

They are falling out of favor because they require follow up with the surgeon and that leads to problems when a doctor folds up his tent, or when insurance changes, or when a patient receives substandard surgery from a quack. Bands require some effort.

They are falling out of favor because they require follow up with the surgeon and that leads to problems when a doctor folds up his tent, or when insurance changes, or when a patient receives substandard surgery from a quack. Bands require some effort.

Anyone who claims to be living a band nightmare for nine years either picked the surgeon based on price or never did the requisite follow up visits. I see my doctor every four months and I can assure you no reputable bariatric surgeon would allow a patient to suffer for nine years. 90% of the band haters had a procedure under insurance that wouldn't cover follow up visits, adjustments or in rare instances medically necessary removals....or lived with a maladjusted band until their health was affected. If you have the band chose the best doctor and heed their advice. Bands are not place and forget procedures. I know people who are having problems with sleeve and bypass surgery. It happens. My band works, and all I know is it controls my appetite with zero side effects.

I had my surgery back in 2011... I've learned that the band is a tool that helps to control my weight, but in the end I have to carefully count my calories, carbs and Protein intake.
I went through a few years of having the band tightened and loosened. Either I was getting stuck all the time, or had no restriction. The magic spot for me was when I had a fill that allowed me to eat one slice of pizza in comfort (a rare treat these days!) without feeling the need to eat the whole thing! I have had years where I've gained some of the weight back, but that was due to my lack of diligence.
At this point there are no foods I cannot eat as long as I chew properly. I've learned that counting carbs was very critical when I hit a stall. I've managed to lose weight continually by carefully monitoring and controlling the quality of what I eat. Giving up sugar and switching to fat free Half and Half in my coffee was enough to cause noticeable weight loss. Little things add up. That means I have to keep a computer log of my daily food intake and activities. I've learned that becoming complacent leads to weight gain.
I've learned a lot reading these forums. In my humble opinion too many banders think the band is going to do all the work. Living with a tight band and being in discomfort IS not what the band is about. I have not been stuck if over five years. I don't have any sensation that the band is there, except that I know I feel satiated sooner because I do have the band. I am now averaging about .7 lbs a week weight loss, which is pretty good for a guy in his seventies and who is several years post surgery. I want to lose another 20 pounds before I leave this earth, makes it easier on my pall bearers.
Good luck on your journey, it is worth it.

the jeans do a great job. You really only know what a wreck you are when naked.

So I’m starting to notice that whenever I cheat and have something with a decent about of carbs, the next day I’ll have lost.. like a pound.

I seem to stall out or lose super slow when I stick to my high Protein foods.

What gives?! I’m not sure, but I’m not beating myself up for having a few carbs here or there.

Sometimes I think an occasional cheat is actually helpful. Kind of like carb cycling (a topic I barely understand, btw...)
At least once or twice a year I will have a large fried seafood dinner. Whole clams, fish, shrimp and scallops! Of course fries. Usually for my birthday. The first thing I do is divide the platter in half since there is no way I could eat it all; and there is enough for another one or two meals. pizza is a favorite, but at most one slice at a time, maybe every two or three months apart. Rare treats, but I think everyone needs to do a cheat every so often.

I would wear clothes from Goodwill.
I would buy food at Aldi.
I would buy a fixer upper house, car, boat, etc..
But when it comes to surgery, I wouldn't go anywhere but a center of excellence affiliated with a major trauma center and preferably at a major research hospital. My surgeon needs to be board certified in his/her specialty and must have a reputation for excellence.
There are no guarantees in life. However, sometimes increasing the benefit-vs-risk odds is worth the extra cost.
To each their own, however.

Sometimes I think an occasional cheat is actually helpful. Kind of like carb cycling (a topic I barely understand, btw...)
At least once or twice a year I will have a large fried seafood dinner. Whole clams, fish, shrimp and scallops! Of course fries. Usually for my birthday. The first thing I do is divide the platter in half since there is no way I could eat it all; and there is enough for another one or two meals. pizza is a favorite, but at most one slice at a time, maybe every two or three months apart. Rare treats, but I think everyone needs to do a cheat every so often.

1. Relationship to premiere research hospital.
2. 20+ years of doing bariatric surgery. Sits on board of bariatric surgeons. Helped develop the qualifications necessary to board certify other surgeons.
3. Does surgery at a center of excellence that is also a first rate trauma center.
4. I could be part of a research project.
5. Recommended diet includes lots of healthy carbs and calories are not insanely restrictive.
6. Five year success rate of patients is excellent compared to others.
7. Dedicated 24/7 emergency line for bariatric patients.
8. Tons of education and resources. Good support staff. Process of approval was made very simple and straight forward.

Anyone who claims to be living a band nightmare for nine years either picked the surgeon based on price or never did the requisite follow up visits. I see my doctor every four months and I can assure you no reputable bariatric surgeon would allow a patient to suffer for nine years. 90% of the band haters had a procedure under insurance that wouldn't cover follow up visits, adjustments or in rare instances medically necessary removals....or lived with a maladjusted band until their health was affected. If you have the band chose the best doctor and heed their advice. Bands are not place and forget procedures. I know people who are having problems with sleeve and bypass surgery. It happens. My band works, and all I know is it controls my appetite with zero side effects.

Anyone who claims to be living a band nightmare for nine years either picked the surgeon based on price or never did the requisite follow up visits. I see my doctor every four months and I can assure you no reputable bariatric surgeon would allow a patient to suffer for nine years. 90% of the band haters had a procedure under insurance that wouldn't cover follow up visits, adjustments or in rare instances medically necessary removals....or lived with a maladjusted band until their health was affected. If you have the band chose the best doctor and heed their advice. Bands are not place and forget procedures. I know people who are having problems with sleeve and bypass surgery. It happens. My band works, and all I know is it controls my appetite with zero side effects.

Every morning. Keep a running log in a notepad.

I weigh daily. I only log a loss. I feel it helps me recognize trends and not obsess so much when I’m a few ounces more today than yesterday. I fluctuated with 3lbs during my first stall. Weighing daily helped me see it was just moving here and there and then took off again.

Lean deli meats--turkey, chicken, etc.
Can you handle low fat Greek Yogurt? If you shop for yogurt you will find products that have around 100 calories, 15 grams of Protein and 7 grams or less of natural sugar. Yogurt has become my go to for snack foods. It is also a tad less expensive than deli products.

Lean deli meats--turkey, chicken, etc.
Can you handle low fat Greek Yogurt? If you shop for yogurt you will find products that have around 100 calories, 15 grams of Protein and 7 grams or less of natural sugar. Yogurt has become my go to for snack foods. It is also a tad less expensive than deli products.

By mid morning I have 46 grams of the 80 grams of Protein I need for the day. For Breakfast I eat One hard boiled egg (6grams) One Oikos Triple Yogurt (15 grams) and 30 minutes later I start drinking 32 ounces of Water with one scoop of Isopure "unflavored" Protein Powder (25grams) with crystal light and Optifiber. The rest of the day I'm eating mostly fish, Beans, nuts or other seafood. I stopped drinking Protein Shakes when I found "unflavored" protein powder. I get a twofer, protein and my water. Note: The Isopure "unflavored" protein powder has it's own taste and I had to get use to it. The better tasting "unflavored" protein powder is Unjury (21grams) but it does cost more.

I applaud you for being vulnerable and telling others. I didn't tell anyone except my husband. I didn't want to hear everyone's opinions. People are always going to have opinions both positive and negative. Try to focus on yourself and do what is best for you.

Well, if you have a lap band, you can always have revision surgery in the future, IF needed.
80% of the failed lap bands are due to folks not following correct eating habits, or not doing follow up visits. I personally know two folks who had revisions because they were not losing weight, and they are still failing after having a sleeve. I work hard to ensure my band works like the tool it was intended to be.
At my age, the doctor felt the band was the best solution for me. And, they have be go back for follow ups at least once every six months to make sure there are no problems. If you don't have insurance, that can be costly. Few doctors want to deal with past patients, and that is another reason they avoid the band. I'd opt for a sleeve today, but I am happy with the band.