atgoalgal

Hi Snowy. Welcome. We're all here to help you on your journey. Do you feel like you understand what you need to do to use your lap band?

Hi Spartan, Please share your story. When were you banded? Who did your surgery?

I love that Bob posted the "rules". We all have our own version of those rules from working with our doctors and our own experiences, but they are all very similar. It 's important to understand these rules - becasue they are the "owner manual" for how to work the tool. I did go into this looking far ahead. I was looking for what would give me the best odds at a long-term solution. I also was able to lose 80 lbs on and off. I was an overweight child, teen, and yo yo dieter. I couldn't really remember a year that I hadn't gained and/or lost 40 -50 lbs. I was banded in 2006. What I can tell you is that I've been maintaining for over 2 years, so this tool has definitely worked for me. You can learn a lot more about my story, including how I made my decision ( I was conflicted between bypass and band) on my blogsite which is in my signature below. Do your homework, talk with people (like you are doing here), learn your options, learn how this tool works, and what you will have to do to work it, figure out what your goals are in terms of health, weight and quality of life, and what it will take to meet those goals. We are all here to help. Good luck with your decision.

Hi everyone, Sorry I haven't been here in a while. Going to have to catch up on everyone later today, just want to send some positive energy to everyone on this thread. I'm doing well since spring seems to finally be breaking in the northeast - even if we are having flooding. Anyway, I just read the last page of the thread and see that some of you are trying my (acutally my surgeon's) don't eat with your hands suggestion. To be honest, since I think I work my tool well, I am surprised at what an impact my doctor's suggestion to try not eating with my hands in having on me. What's cool also is that he is trying it himself. Anyway I'd appreciate to hear from you (and I'll read the back posts later) on how this idea is working out for everyone who is trying it. It's making me much more conscious of my choices. Have a great day everyone!

Hi Spartan, Just wondering where your data about complications and declining rates for lap bands is coming from? Do you have a band? I don't see anything in your profile, so I was wondering. Very interested in hearing your story.

Lot's of people get concerned about erosions; I think some of us - including me early on in our journies, get concerned because in the back of our minds, we're expecting to fail again. Erosions are possible but very rare, and from what I understandusually occur much later in the journey. Resticition can be a fickle thing. Some days I'm looser and some days tighter. Try eating a half cup of white meat chicken without food lube, then assess your restriction. If you are really concerned call your doctors office. Let me know if this helps.

Hi folks, Many of you have read my posts on other threads or my success story, on the success story forum. I'm in my 4th year and MAINTAINING my normal, healthy weight. Now I spend a lot of time paying it forward, and trying to share a lot of the things I learned that I wish someone could have shared with me when I was early in my banded living journey. You may already be following my blog. We just released a new interview in our audio/video series on Preparing for LAP-BAND®® surgery. Here's what it covers: 7 Tips For Preparing For Lap-Band®® Surgery 1. Start documenting your journey. 2. You’ve decided to have surgery, now who are you going to tell? 3. Keep your doctor’s instructions in reach. 4. Useful things to bring with you the day of surgery that may not be on your doctor’s list. 5. Prepare your home for your first days after surgery. 6. Stock up on things you will need for your first weeks after surgery and finally. 7. Learn from others who have bands and who have been successful. Here's the link to the download page; you can also sign up for regular updates while you are there; http://www.gloriasbandedliving.com/audio-video/ Please let me know if you find it useful

hi everyone! I haven't been here in a while and I missed you guys. Traveling again, on business and visiting my old friends on the est coast. Also having an opportunity to check in with my surgeon. Great to see how everyone is coming along. I'm not going to try to reply to everyone or I'll be here all day. I did want to comment on a few things that seem to be top of mind: Firstly welcome to everyone new here. Welcome to banded living! Congrats on your decision to take chargeof your health! On shopping in your closet. I shopped in my closet for a year. It was an event! I had yoyed so many times, that I had clothes rangiing from 22+ to 12's. It was so much fun to shop in my closet and give away clothes as I shrunk out of them, but I'll never forget when I completely shrunk out of everything in my closet. I went shopping. I was in a J Crew outlet store, and like Leigha, brought in sizes that I thought would fit that were too big. I walked back out, and brouhgt in my first single digit size 8 corduroy jeans. I pulled them on and they fit. I sat n the floor in that dressing room and cried. When I went to pay, I was kind of waiting for the shopping police to come out and tell me I couldn't possibly be a size 8...I still lhave those pants; I've kept them the way I've kept some of my kids newborn clothes, for the memories, but they are too big! OK - now for an experiment. My surgeon has challenged me by telling me to try "Don't eat with your hands" I've been doing this for about a week now, and finding it really helpful - but HARD!!!. So, nothing from a bag, no finger food... I sat with a knife and fork yesterday and ate a pickle (I'm probably going to blog about that one this week...) Is anyone interested in trying "don't eat with your hands? If so please let me know how it works for you. Missed you all.

Welcome. We're here to help and support you on your banded living journey. What are you most nervous about - is it the surgery itself? whether you'll fail at losing weight one more time? givining up food as comfort? Fell free to ask away...

Hi Tracey, I think everyone goes thru a different process. I am in my 4th year, maintaining a normal weight, and like u struggled with my weight all my life. I fretted over my decision to get my band, now my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. I put up a retrospective blog, as a way of paying it forward, and hopefully by sharing my story to make it easier for people like you. You can find my story at Gloria's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Please let me know if you find it helpful. BTW I lurked on these boards for years before having the courage to join in. Let me know if I can help.

noticed that most of u posting on this thread are relatively new to banded living. As somewhat of a veteran, I'm happy to help out in any way I can, feel free to ask away, nothing is off limits.

good morning everyone... It's another beautiful day, here in the New England! I'm heading to visting friends in CA next week, so I'm hoping that winter will be gone by the time I come home. theknewme: thanks for getting back to all of us. It sounds like you know what you need to do to work your tool. I think all of us wanted to make sure that you went in eyes wide open and weren't expecting a magic wand Illuminationlady: thanks for posting the list. Some helpful stuff here, even though it is long - here's another one - don't eat with your hands - if anyone wants to take that one on, let me know it works for you countrychic - good luck today; come back and tell us about your surgery day story bestsyb - I knew about the extra weight from working out, but I didn't know why - thanks for that. I'm one of those people who need to know why cocoa - I am picturing u in that courtroom - uh oh!! Leigha - You're making me think about the 3 types of people - interesting; also (now u r going to hate this, but..); when I go to my last 5 lbs. my doctor told me that those 5 lbs would take 6 months to get off. It didn't take 6 but it tool 3. The lower our % body fat, the harder our bodies work to hold onto the fat that's left. Those last pounds were really tough. Then when I go there, my doctor suggested I work to stay in a 10 lb wieght range. First I was mortified, but I think that really was the best advise I ever got to maintain my weight - and I never maintained any weight ever in my entire life. Elfie, Jen - hadn't see u in a while; good to hear from u. Bob - sounds like you are back in full force Have a great day everyone!

Hey Bob - I'm typing, on my elliptical right now.. clapping for you. Love the straight talk. I'm guessing the 60%, came from the data that says the average person loses 50 - 60% EWL, those of us who want more have to work harder. But those who expect the band to be a magic want won't get average results either. The tool, is just a tool and we have to work it. I know many of you were nice enough to go to my blog and comment on my post about how I use my tool... wanted to cut and past an excerpt here: So here I am, in my fourth year, and maintaining a normal healthy weight and in the best shape of my life.... My doctor, my head coach on this Banded Living journey reminds me over and over again, that it’s a tool, and I need to work it. I shouldn’t expect “it” to do anything. (A screwdriver can’t remove a screw unless you turn it.) I have to work it to get the results I want – and for me that was more than the average 5o% Excess Weight Loss. My band helps me with portion control, controls my hunger and leaves me with a feeling of satiety when I work it. Here are the 10 things I learned about how to use my tool: I stay close to my surgeon (and his staffb) and have a whole team of people to help me on my journey. It starts with my surgeon who is my head coach. I also surround myself with other successful members of the Banded Living community. I don’t drink with meals. It defeats the band. I make sure I get enough protein everyday. I eat good quality meals and I don’t graze. I do best when I eat for 20 -30 minutes and leave the table. I don’t drink my calories – my properly adjusted band helps with portion control but only if I am eating solid foods. (It doesn’t restrict ice cream or a high calorie frappuccino, or Long Island Iced Tea). I’ve learned to take small bites and chew, chew, chew. I also use small plates. I’ve learned what foods are difficult for me, and I stay away from those choices. I have lots of great choices. I’ve learned to dine and enjoy food again. I always have a plan or a least a plan B, each and every day for how I am going to use my tool. NO EXCUSES. I’m not afraid to carry food with me (Ziploc bags are my friends), or ask a hotel to open the gym at 5:00 am because I’m traveling and have an early meeting. I journal when I need to. I journaled consistently during my first year of Banded Living. When I wander off track, or gain a few pounds, I go back to basics and journal for a while. It helps me stay in my target weight range by keeping me accountable to myself. I make myself a priority. I take care of my health, I eat right, I exercise, I take my vitamins…and live my life to the fullest! Now I’m not saying that I use my tool perfectly all of the time...

The facts are published on the manufacturers websites. Average or typical results are about 50% EWL in clinical studies. Results for the band and gastric bypass are roughly the same at 3 years and beyone. That being said lots of us have achieved results not typical by (as so many have eloquently commented on this thread) by working with our doctors and their staff to really use this amazing tool. I'm in my fourth year and have achieved 100% EWL. Getting my band and learning to use it has absolutely made the difference between yoyoing and finally achieving what I thought was beyond my reach - achieving a normal, healthy weight (BMI<25), and maintaining that weight. Also wanted to add that for those who "only achieve" average weight loss, keep in mind that diet and exercise alone has a 95% failure rate. If you're interested I have more information about this on my blog at Transforming #002, Maintaining #003, My Lap-Band® Journey: RESULTS NOT TYPICAL When people ask me about getting the band, I really encourage them to do their homework, like you are trying to do, understand the facts, and go in eyes wide open. I believe that greatly improves our odds for better long-terms success with our lap-bands. Good luck with your decision.

I find that each day can be different for me. I've tried to analyze why and I cannot explain it. Exercise doesn't seem to be that much of a factor for me. My period was defintely a factor, and the closer I got my ideal weight the more atttention I needed to pay to really working my tool. Looking at your ticker, I think we may have a lot in common I started at 232, my goal was 150, which would get me to a normal BMI, and I've now settled into about 145. I had to work a lot hard for my last 25 lbs, than for my first 65. ( I think you were following my blog - I talked about that phenomenon in my results not typical blog entry Transforming #002, Maintaining #003, My Lap-Band® Journey: RESULTS NOT TYPICAL Anyway it will be really interesting to see if this is a one day event (hopefully), or a new pattern. I was also someone who was always tighter in the morning. I do add a mid-morning dense snack like 1/2 and apple and a slice of turkey - to give me that sensation of fullness, which for me leads to satiety. Have you tried adding more dense foods to your am routine? I am also someone who can feel a big difference by adding a few drops of Fluid to my band. Please let me know if I can help (or at least listen).

PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP (aplogies for shouting). What size do you think you'd be wearing today if you didn't get your band. I'm living proof that if you learn to work your band you can get results! (now in my 4th year) For me my lap-band was about getting long-term results, which meant that I eventually learned that slow and steady wins this race for the long-term. Glad to see that you can get into your doctor sooner (despite the co-pay :ohmy:). Are you really comfortable with your doctor? Can you describe exactly what you are feeling (physically and emotionally). I find it helps when I'm brutally honest with my doctor and his staff. Please keep us posted.

Many of you have seen my story - in my 4th year and maintaining my goals weight. I'm spending a lot of time paying it forward now. Lots of questions on the boards about bending the rules. Here's my thinking... I think there's an important discussion we need to put on the table. Do you bend the rules and are you accountable to yourself if you do? Please post your point of view on this. Here's my point of view. If you want to get the best results(better than 50%EWL), follow your doctors instructions as closely as you can. If there is a band rule that you don't think you can live with, talk to your doctor about it, be honest and see what wiggle room you have, but make those decisions with your eyes wide open and be accountable for your decisions. I'm not saying I never bend the rules or fall off the wagon. I am saying that I need to be accountable for my decisions - can't have my cake and eat it too (LOL). My experience says its really important to be honest with ourselves and our doctors, if we want results. What do you think

Just checking back on this thread, I really like this list of "wills" - what a great motivator. I can honestly say I'm doing all of them, although the running is something I'm just starting...am going to start training with a group of women to do a mini triatholon. More about that when I hear more...

I am SOO happy for you. That is exactly what happened to me once I got to the right fill level. I'm in my 4th year and maintaining. I titled the opening entry in my blog "Hungry No More"! Gloria's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story When I was exploring lap-band surgery back in 2006, the most important question I had for other patients who had the band was "...but are you hiungry". I'm finally a normal person, with a normal body, and loving banded living!

Hi folks, I was traveling yesterday, and wasn't on the board - which seems like weeks on this thread. Great catching up with everyone. BTW - I relocated to Lexington, MA from Southern CA (miss the weather, did if for DH), and spending most of my life in NY. We could rename this thread to positive peope love our pets. Will post a picture of my first born Sami, she's a shelter puppy, pointer dalmation mix, 15 years old, losing her hearing, lost sight in 1 eye, has had 2 ACL's repaired, and is full of love, and still going strong...Since Sami we've had 2 (human) babies, 8 year old boy and 10 year old girl. Need to keep counting those blessings.

Nice to meet you folks from Mass. I live in Lexington though I was banded in CA (moved here 1 1/2 years ago). Nice to find you all here!

I love how this thread has become a little community. Very cool. What's strange is that I realized that even though a lot of you have pictures up I have images of all of you and for some reason everyone is of a normal BMI. I wonder if it's because everyone is talking about the healthy lifestyle we are all working so hard to live - so it's the imagery that comes to mind. Don't know what to do with that thought? Any ideas? Anyway went our last night for a great anniversary dinner with my husband. Me, who talks about how I use my tool, decided that the way I would use my tool is to have a plan to have whatever I wanted for one meal, and get back to basics today. So having given myself permission, I really didn't veer very far off course, but yes, I did drink with my meal, and it had bubbles, and the sparkling wine was great... I hope everyone has a great day. Here in the northeast we are going to have sunshine and 60 degress; I know my friends in SoCal are going to have rain - since I lived there for 5 years and desperately miss SoCal sunshine, I had to share....