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Congratulations on your patience and success. Your story is encouraging. I am still worried about the process. I had the band put in June 16 and am not at the “green zone.” I had 3cc inserted mid July and then 2 cc inserted in August. I got violently ill -- a night of pain-- and had 1 cc removed the next day. I have now been at 4 cc a few weeks and I am hungry a lot. Before you reached the “green zone” were you tempted to overeat? Did you overeat? Did you ever overeat slider foods, like ice cream. I have managed through great effort to maintain a 20 + pound weight loss from the pre and post op diet, but it is a struggle (just like dieting pre band). Some days I eat well, others I can’t resist the temptation to overeat. I can envision gaining weight. I had no idea this was the process. I don’t know if it is process or if I’m failing. Please let me knowhow it went for you. Thanks

Within the first few months after Lap Band Surgery, I was EXTREMLEY unhappy, frustrated, disillusioned and downright ANGRY!...you name it....after all the hype and preparation I was convinced I wasted my time and money, and this was just more weight loss hype.
30 days after surgery after coming off the post op diet, I started to gain weight! My hunger was as strong as ever.....When I expressed my displeasure to the people at the Bariatric surgical center, they started to lecture me and give me handouts about counting calories, weighing portions with a food scale, watching out for carbs, etc, etc....
That's all well and fine...but that is EXACTLY what I did with the countless diet programs I tried in the past, and failed at!
I DIDN'T need surgery to do all that again! I can't tell you how angry I was!!! It was all Hype just like all the promises everyone else claimed....
Fortunately, my Dr. took to the time, sat me down, and using the "Yellow-Green-Red" chart, explained to me the process....showed me what his goal was for me, getting me into the "Green" zone....explained it took time, a series of adjustments. And with each fill minor changes will happen where I will need to adjust to in ways of what and how I eat...
Those so called "Rules" will start to make sense and have practical application, so start learning them now.
My Dr. was aggressive with my fills, maybe because I was an unhappy customer, but the first fill was 4cc's, then 2 more after that 4 weeks apart.
So, 12 weeks after surgery, I had my final fill...and got into the Green Zone...it was not easy, and from what I have read here many people would have backed done sooner being concerned about stuck episodes ( I had numerous every day) saying they were too tight, when in reality, with me, it was not the band too tight, it was me learning to eat a whole new way and give up the old way. Learning to live within the Green Zone was very hard, and took another 6 months...I'm still learning little tricks here and there.
I can now say, THIS is the best thing I could have ever done...once I got through that adjustment phase, both for me and the band, I can say it is a Breeze! EASIEST thing I could do!!
I have lost ALL my excess weight and at a normal weight - body fat %....I have no hunger/cravings (that was my biggest problem) and most times don't even think about food or eating....
I go about my business day to day and don't think about my band that much anymore, and don't worry about loosing weight, or ever gaining it back!
Granted, that early learning phase was absolutely HELL.....but once I got through that, it has been absolutely HEAVEN!
I do not consider it a "Tool", but corrective surgery....change! It was not at first, but now it is the "Magic Bullet", a "Cure all"
It has been over 4-1/2 years, and I have not had a single problem....I did have a stage where I could not keep anything down, but like I said above ...it was a learning phase. Not the band's fault.
The band is adjustable, and everyone feels for themselves where they should be and how it should be...everyone with the Lap band has complete control of their future, success or not.
Many Dr.'s are not doing the Lap band as much as before, because of everything I said above....with other surgeries, there is no adjustments, etc...it just is....now start to learn to live with it!

Protein Shakes will not give you the satiety you need. You need to eat food, not drink your meals. Can I suggest you try what I did? I followed a weight watchers type of plan. I ate 3 oz. Protein, 1/2 cup of veggies and 1/4 cup of carbs for lunch and dinner. Breakfast was often a packet of cream of wheat or oatmeal. eggs once in a while as well. I tried to stay at around 1,100 calories daily. By following this basic plan, I lost over 150 lbs.

Hi KATHY,
Thanks so much and congratulations to you. I am so encouraged to hear from so many people who have lost weight. Congratulations! candy

Thank you! I will try the plastic surgery web site you recommended. Congratulations on your amazing weight loss. Must be thrilled to have a BMI of 23.2! Hearing about all this success is so encouraging to me. candy

Dear KateP,
Wow. Congratulations on your loss and on maintaining it for 8 years! Your response is encouraging. I heard one weight loss surgeon who had the band himself talk about how not being hungry makes a big difference. I’m nervous but hopeful. Thanks, candy

Dear JustWatchMe,
Congratulations on your amazing weight loss and on doing it inspite of binge eating disorder. I have struggled to address the emotional issues you mention for many years, in OA and in cognitive therapy. I am still working on it. Your reply is encouraging as is your wonderful success story.
Best, candy

Binge Eating Disorder and LapBand: I met with a surgeon and am now going through the 6 month period of required by Medicare. Although I prefer the lap band, I am open to what will work best for me. My question is: has anyone had success with the lap band when they have had binge eating disorder? How does eliminating hunger work when so much of my eating is repeated trips to the frig without hunger, an obsessive type of eating? Thanks, candy

Dear JustWatchMe,
Congratulations on your amazing weight loss and on doing it inspite of binge eating disorder. I have struggled to address the emotional issues you mention for many years, in OA and in cognitive therapy. I am still working on it. Your reply is encouraging as is your wonderful success story.
Best, candy

Julie,
Forgot to congratulate you on your weight loss. Fantastic! A BMI under 25 is wonderful. candy