mauraclegg

You are right it's pretty negative on my part, but that stems from listening to people whine. I understand that not everyone is ready, but if u are already banded AND still eating large amounts of junk don't blame the band, blame yourself I have posted positive things, but have been avoiding the forum to avoid the negativity. I was banded a year ago and have lost 85 lbs. It was relatively easy for me. I cut my calories and cut out most junk from my diet. I still don't exercise enough- but I blame no one but myself (not my bad back, not the nerve damage in my leg or my missing L4/L4 disc). Do I wish everyone could love their band as I love mine- yup, sure do. But I also wish people would stop thinking their band is a magic wand that makes the pounds melt off and see it as the to it is. Is their magic to weight loss, no not magic but common sense and calorie counting help

While I am not doubting there are some bona fide medical issues that can come to light because of the band I think if u are not losing weight then it's because you are NOT using the tool to it's fullest potential. If we didn't have good issues we wouldn't need the band in the first place. You HAVE to have willpower even with the band. You have to work with the band to lose weight

While I am not doubting there are some bona fide medical issues that can come to light because of the band I think if u are not losing weight then it's because you are NOT using the tool to it's fullest potential. If we didn't have good issues we wouldn't need the band in the first place. You HAVE to have willpower even with the band. You have to work with the band to lose weight

Congrats!!! I get stuck on size too - but it just feels so good to say those numbers

. He asked this becuase he had adjusted my band so many times, he could NOT and refused to admit that the band had failed me NOT that I had failed the band. Anyway, I am an EXTREMELY non confrontational person but after going to see him a few times and him blaming me, I did not go back. I had NOT been drinking shakes and eating mashed potatoes. I had been eating like I would have normally eaten but I felt EXACTLY as I did BEFORE the surgery. I am still doing horribly. I have NO will power over food. It's awful. I am not a person who will eat if I am full but I just don't seem to feel full unless I eat a considerable amount more than a normal meal. I just WISHED there was something out there that could help me to feel full I hope this helps. I am sorry but I think the surgery is the BIGGEST waste of money that you can throw away. I do have a question for you - if you have no willpower then how did the band fail you, and not you fail the band? Please know I am not trying to be churlish - I just know that the band is a tool and that if you continue to eat however you want then it won't work.

I have never heard of scarring i the pouch?? How would scarring within the pouch happen? But I do think that some people are not well informed before their banding. I did tons of research even as I was going through my doctor appts. I know there can be issues and some of them are medical. I would think though that if someone hates their band that much having it removed would be the smartest move. It is a reversable situation. I am not trying to be critical - just thinking outloud. I know that if I HATED my band I would have it removed, even if I had to save - and while I was saving I would have all the liquid removed

Halloween Girl- I think it is so much a mental thing. I have days where I eat around my band, but I try and do better more days than not. Even now a year later I am still learning to eat "right". I know I need a fill right now, but I am going on vacation in a week and I am enjoying a little freedom with my now looser band. I think if u can conquer your own need to defeat the band, which is a battle, then u can SUCCEED. We all can!

Darn- I am just a year out. Too much time or I would sign right up

Xavier if u document any problems with hanging flesh (rashes, redness, etc) you surgeon should be able to get an approval

SVM & JMS You both have my support. My insurance certification is dated July 29, so I am going in a bit later than I thought. Good luck to you both and I am looking forward to heRong how you are doing

Well said! It has been gloomy here as of late- tbh I have friends who are interested in banding, but not telling 'em to cone here because of the negative lately. :o/

Ugh- men can be so dumb! Just tell him that after your done losing and you get your TT you won't have any flab

Any puking I have done has been from poor food choice, poor chewing, or simply not paying enough attention to my eating. Never overindulgence. If I am "full" I will hiccup but nothing productive

It's funny I had restriction from the start, even though my band was empty. Maybe it was mental for me. I expected restriction, so I got it. I have days where I have the "hungry horrors" and I can eat and eat (especially popcorn) and others where if I wasn't aware I wouldn't eat at all. Try a cup of food- then wait like 10 and see if u are still really hungry or u just think u are

Cindy, How was the TT and the pain? How much did you lose after all swelling and such was over? I did have a NSV yesterday - I got "measured" at Victoria's Secret and I am down to a 36DD - I was quite excited This last 20 is def a killer - but I just started using a hula-hoop so I am hoping that helps some too

The band isn't magic. You NEED to track your calories! I don't track every day any more, but I do keep track of what I am eating. The band is a weight loss tool and you can only get our of it what you put in. I understand your frustration, I seriously do. But think about it this way.......if you are in school do u expect to graduate with a perfect GPA without doing the work? Of course not, you study, complete assignments and do what you need to in order to succeed. The band, and weight loss, is no different. You need to cut calories, exercise and increase Protein intake in order to succeed. Will you plateau? Yup, you sure will! I hit a very stubborn plateau in Feb- but the inches keep falling even though the scale barely moves. Since my surgery June 2010, I have gone from a 22 to a 10 and from like a 44F to a 36 DD. It's not easy, but it is well worth it!

The band isn't magic. You NEED to track your calories! I don't track every day any more, but I do keep track of what I am eating. The band is a weight loss tool and you can only get our of it what you put in. I understand your frustration, I seriously do. But think about it this way.......if you are in school do u expect to graduate with a perfect GPA without doing the work? Of course not, you study, complete assignments and do what you need to in order to succeed. The band, and weight loss, is no different. You need to cut calories, exercise and increase Protein intake in order to succeed. Will you plateau? Yup, you sure will! I hit a very stubborn plateau in Feb- but the inches keep falling even though the scale barely moves. Since my surgery June 2010, I have gone from a 22 to a 10 and from like a 44F to a 36 DD. It's not easy, but it is well worth it!

@Cindy, As far as my clothes, they continue to fit a bit looser, but the scale is still being stubborn with me. I have upped my Protein, increased my Water, excercise - you name it, I have tried it - even Phentermine (script from my dr). I just realized this morning that I am less than 20 lbs from the weight the PA at the doctor's office said I should be (exciting). I am going in for my TT next month - maybe I'll lose a little with that (maybe not), but I am hoping it will give me self-esteem a kick-start and get my butt back to working hard and not letting my band all the work for me

I do slimfast shakes and Atkins bars. Have tried pure protein- they make me sick

Congratulations on your banding - may your journey be full of (weight) loss

I was wearing a 8 1/2W or 9 - and now I can fit in a regular 8 1/2 and in some cases an 8

You were the one who said you were looking for a legal remedy- my point is try calling Realize, writing letters and providing proof of why u are looking for replacement before u jump to a lawsuit especially if u are in that much pain. Lawsuits take years,especially against large companies

I guess that is corporate America for you - they don't want to accept responsibility for their action - I would check around on the 'net (not just here) for people with similar probs and see how they remedied it

If it was a known manufacturer problem then why stay with Realize and not go with lapband or sleeve? I wasn't trying to offend so jumping all over me is uncalled for. If you are in that much pain- have it removed

I am sure if the band manufacturer is aware of a problem that they would take care of it