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I was banded in January 2012, and within months of me, two of my real life friends had Gastric Bypass. One had it in October 2011 and the other February 2012. We all started out with over 200 pounds to lose. I was originally scheduled for Gastric Bypass, too. But, I canceled the surgery because I simply couldn't justify permanently rerouting my internal organs without trying something far less drastic first. So, I got the Lap-Band instead.
Like so many others on here, I heard endlessly how I was a fool for choosing the Lap-Band over Gastric Bypass. "Oh you'll be lucky to lose 50 pounds with Lap-Band"... "You should have Gastric Bypass, you'll dump a ton of weight much faster"... "why don't you stick with the sure thing, Gastric Bypass, rather than waste your time with Lap-Band?". Believe me, I heard it all, so much so I even began to doubt myself and my decision. What if they were right?
But I researched not only the Lap-Band but the Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Bypass thoroughly. I knew the pros and cons of each, I knew what the surgeries entailed, and I knew that regardless of which one I chose the work would be mine to do and I'd have to make diet changes for a lifetime. I knew Lap-Band was right for me, so despite the naysayers, I went through with it.
Fast forward to now, July 2012...

My friend who had Gastric Bypass in October 2011 has lost 64 pounds. She lost all that in the first 3 months and hasn't lost anything in the last 6 months. She never really changed her eating habits because she figured she didn't need to with the Gastric Bypass. She did cut back on portions in the beginning, but currently she admits that aside from vomiting occasionally from eating fatty foods or sweets, she eats pretty much like she did before surgery.
My friend who had Gastric Bypass in February 2012 has lost 14 pounds. She hasn't changed a single thing about her eating habits and is vomiting multiple times daily from trying to overeat.
I, who had Lap-Band in January 2012, have lost 121 pounds. I am far from perfect, I struggle with head hunger almost daily, and I definitely have times I eat unhealthy foods. But the majority of the time I eat very healthy and follow the portion and nutritional guidelines my nutritionist gave me.

My point isn't to gloat, or to say "See, Lap-Band is better!" My point is the fact that it doesn't matter which WLS you choose, you MUST DO THE WORK YOURSELF. I don't care if it's Gastric Bypass, the Sleeve, or Lap-Band. The surgeries are tools not magic pills. If you don't change your eating habits to healthy ones for a lifetime you simply will not get the results you desire. Period, no exceptions. I hear people say all the time "Oh I got the band because I don't want to diet". Of course, we all did, but guess what? You do have to eat healthy, not just for awhile like a diet, but for a lifetime.
Ultimately, no matter which WLS surgery you choose, your success or failure depends on you not the surgery itself.

I freaking did it! I am so freaking excited!
Twoterville!!!
*HaPpY dAnCe*
That is 32 pounds in approx 4 months!!! I am thrilled that I recommitted to this process. New goal is to see 100 pounds lost again. 15 pounds to go until that goal.

I freaking did it! I am so freaking excited!
Twoterville!!!
*HaPpY dAnCe*
That is 32 pounds in approx 4 months!!! I am thrilled that I recommitted to this process. New goal is to see 100 pounds lost again. 15 pounds to go until that goal.

I freaking did it! I am so freaking excited!
Twoterville!!!
*HaPpY dAnCe*
That is 32 pounds in approx 4 months!!! I am thrilled that I recommitted to this process. New goal is to see 100 pounds lost again. 15 pounds to go until that goal.

I freaking did it! I am so freaking excited!
Twoterville!!!
*HaPpY dAnCe*
That is 32 pounds in approx 4 months!!! I am thrilled that I recommitted to this process. New goal is to see 100 pounds lost again. 15 pounds to go until that goal.

Congratulations!!
Woohoo!
I am finally in the 270's again. I haven't been here in 5 years.

Congrats on a tentative date!! How exciting.

I freaking did it! I am so freaking excited!
Twoterville!!!
*HaPpY dAnCe*
That is 32 pounds in approx 4 months!!! I am thrilled that I recommitted to this process. New goal is to see 100 pounds lost again. 15 pounds to go until that goal.

I freaking did it! I am so freaking excited!
Twoterville!!!
*HaPpY dAnCe*
That is 32 pounds in approx 4 months!!! I am thrilled that I recommitted to this process. New goal is to see 100 pounds lost again. 15 pounds to go until that goal.

I freaking did it! I am so freaking excited!
Twoterville!!!
*HaPpY dAnCe*
That is 32 pounds in approx 4 months!!! I am thrilled that I recommitted to this process. New goal is to see 100 pounds lost again. 15 pounds to go until that goal.

I freaking did it! I am so freaking excited!
Twoterville!!!
*HaPpY dAnCe*
That is 32 pounds in approx 4 months!!! I am thrilled that I recommitted to this process. New goal is to see 100 pounds lost again. 15 pounds to go until that goal.

I freaking did it! I am so freaking excited!
Twoterville!!!
*HaPpY dAnCe*
That is 32 pounds in approx 4 months!!! I am thrilled that I recommitted to this process. New goal is to see 100 pounds lost again. 15 pounds to go until that goal.

Congrats on onederland!! Amazing accomplishment.

Glad to see surgery went well for you. Yay! How are you feeling today? I feel back to normal. I am trying to be careful not to overdue it... it is hard when you feel good.

Well it hit me like a ton of bricks this morning when I stepped on the scale and the first number was a "1" instead of a "2" that this is really working!
I don't want to say the band is working for me, because I feel like I'm working with it. I'm doing more than my fair share - jogging or hiking 3-4 miles a day, counting calories like a mad woman, taking my Vitamins religiously. The band gives me that gentle reminder to slow down and eat responsibly because I may not get to eat a whole meal - only eat what my body needs, I can't afford to waste hunger on crap food.< /p>
I can't say my journey thus far has been hard or easy, but it's been different. Making myself a priority in life was a huge change, and this whole process from the seminar to today has been life-altering.
I feel very lucky to have such an amazing weight loss team. Beyond my surgeon, dietician, and coordinator, my team includes my husband, parents, sister, even my coworkers...they all offer their support in different ways and I means the world to me to have it, since before I was the girl that didn't want support.
I wish everyone out there in Band Land a successful journey.

Hi All!
Well, 1 year this week! I attached some before and after shots. I can't believe how far I've come. This year has been an awesome, hard, tearful, joyful journey. I would not change a thing! Go me!
  

I had a leak in my port. I had port replacement surgery last year done under local anesthesia and my restriction returned. Honestly... now that I think about it in hindsight... they didn't test to confirm it was leaking at the port. I guess I am lucky that it was or I would have had the surgery for nothing.
I believe there is a dye they can use with fluoroscopy that will help them see where it is leaking form.
Good luck! Sorry about your leak. My best advice is be proactive and get it repaired as soon as possible. I waited almost 2 years and re-gained 56 pounds. Ugh.

I try and look at everyday as a fresh start. If you dwell on the mistakes, it becomes a vicious cycle where you comfort with more poor choices.
Tomorrow make a goal to get through one day.
Just one.
Then build on it.
Add another. And another.
Replace eating with a new habit or hobby.
You can do it. One bite at a time. One decision at a time.

Muscle?

Yeager... congrats!! Welcome to the other side.
Every surgeon is different. Follow your surgeons orders. There are a zillion different diet requirements out there... you will drive yourself nuts trying to compare. Do what your surgeon requires. Best of luck!

Checking in... down 3 pounds!! Very excited. Was retaining a lot of Fluid since surgery on Monday... they literally fell off the last few days. Sooo close to TWODERVILLE!!
Weight on July 15th: 303
Weight on July 8th: 306
Weight on July 1st: 307
Way to go on passing your goal already!! Rocking it!

Head hunger is a constant battle with me. Honestly.. I wasn't prepared to get banded when I did. I did the work and did really well initially... lost 100 pounds... then I had some complications and I just gave up. Went back to overeating (no restriction due to a leak in port) and I went back to my kryptonite.. ice cream. I am talking a 2 pints a night habit. BAD BAD. Gained over 50 pounds back.
I felt SO freaking awful. Not only was I still fat, I undid all the hard work I had done for over a year and a half... AND I was now fat & banded. So embarrassed. So I kept eating to cover my shame and embarrassment.
It wasn't until a few months ago when I was contemplating having my band removed that I really SAT DOWN and started to do some head work. Well crap... I should have done that from day1. I really AM an emotional eater, and I need to be aware of that at all times.
I avoid my trigger foods. Not allowed. These are foods I feel I have no control over, mainly ice creams, Cookies, sweets. That was the first step. As for the rest... I have an internal dialogue with myself. I ask myself, am I hungry? Am I bored? Do I want more because it tastes good? Am I trying to soothe an emotion I am uncomfortable with? When I figure out the WHY.... I address it. Without food.< /p>
I am not perfect, but I am miles ahead of where I have been for years. One day at a time, one pound at a time. It has been getting easier... but for instance, last night I REALLY really wanted soft serve ice cream. I obsessed about it for hours. I got anxious, and I thought about how it would taste and feel. I got close to my... "screw it" mentality... where I would cave. But I didn't. I talked myself down, and reminded myself of my goals. Instead I squirted a dollop of light whipped cream in a glass of unsweetened almond milk. I drank it super slow and savored the light sweetness with the creamy milk. And I felt awesome! I ENJOYED my HEALTHY sweet treat, and I felt like I had the power. Not food.
Sorry for the long rambly post. I guess what I am trying to convey is BE AWARE. Have a dialogue with yourself. Figure out what your triggers are. Take your power back. And most of all... do not let a moment of weakness turn into a month or year of weakness.

Checking in at 184. I Lost the 2 pound Water gain from last week plus 5 more actual pounds for a total of 7 pounds!!
1 pound to this months goal!! I might even be able to see 179 by the end of the month.

Katie... I am glad you felt comfortable enough to come here and ask. But like you said... you knew it was wrong. What is done is done. Don't beat yourself up over it. Just jump back on those liquids!!
My surgeons discharge orders were really lenient. I actually just wrote a post about it on my blog. I am not sure if it was because my band was just repositioned vs newly banded... but I decided I wanted to give my band the absolute best start I could. I want to make sure it is healed, and strong, and the sutures and scar tissue are secure. So I adjusted my post-op diet and am restricting myself much longer than he requested.
I am on liquids right now. I am lucky that my hunger has stayed away since surgery 7/9... and only just today has started to ebb back. Drink Protein shakes! They will fill you up. Drink Fluid as often as possible. This period is HARD. But you will be so glad when you make it out on the other end. Make yourself proud! This is your new beginning!!!