Miss_A

I too have been thinking about this question since I saw this thread the other day. First off, I have already met many of the milestones when I dropped 70ish pounds. I was banded 4/3/2009. Then I became complacent. When I think back, I think I became complacent because I was getting uncomfortable with the attention. My head started playing games with me... I was still seeing the same person that I was before weightless. I know where I strayed and have since renewed my efforts to lose my remaining weight.
Things I have enjoyed from losing the weight are seeing my collar bone, smaller clothes, smaller shoes, no sprained ankles every week, getting out of bed and not having to sit on the side and ease down so my knees and ankles didn't pop and walking many 5ks for charities just to name a few.
Things I look forward to still doing, I would like to go kyacking. (my family doesn't think I can do it) I want to do a tough Mudder race, I would like to be in single digit clothing, and I would really love to learn how to ride a horse. The last time I tried that, the saddle BROKE as I was getting in with step stool and all. I was mortified..... They tried to comfort me but WOW!!! Such an imbarrassing moment. I have so many dreams and ideas now that I never thought were even possible. as a big person some things are just off limits...
I'm sure I will continue to think about this post and may post my goals on the bathroom mirror as a constant reminder.
Thank you for bringing this question to the table. Really brings it home as to why we wanted to have the surgery anyway...besides the health benefits of course. :-) I am so glad that I found this site!

Ok I have to share this....I went to lunch with a really close friend of mine today. He is 22 and one of those super hot guys that people r always all flirty with. Anyhow, I was sitting there sipping my Water in my cute new top when he says "uve lost so much weight already, u look great!". I look at him and he's totally talking to my boobs (yeah I should've been offended but this does not happen to me hehe). I was a little embarrassed so I say, "yeah, it must all be in my boobs the way u r staring at them". He kind of blushes and says he can't help it I look so good. I go to the bathroom and and look in the mirror and I do look good!! I'm only down 30 lbs since surgery but I am feeling NICE! Can't wait for more but it's so nice to see a little curvature on my sides! Silly story but made me feel good so wanted to share!

I have been banded one year and still want to lose 70~lbs. but I am so happy with where I am.
I am now able to get down and up off the floor to play with my son without having to brace myself.
I flew in February and fit comfortably in the seat and the seatbelt - my husband actually got to use his arm rest!!
I don't have to worry about the booths anymore, I fit in them with room to spare.
I actually have displayed a few photographs of myself with my family around and I don't mind looking at them!!
I look forward to getting dressed up for things not dreading how uncomfortable I will feel.
Last night I wore a size 14 nightgown - down from a 26 merely a year ago.
My period has been regular for months which means maybe we can have another baby soon without all the complications I had with my son due to my weight!
Thanks for the post! I hope all of your NSV's happen for you!!

WOW!!!!! such a great post....
i want to get my groove back.
I want to feel good about myself again
I want to wear cute clothes again.
I want to not have a muffin top.
I want to no longer feel FAT but fell FABULOUS.....

This is a great post!
I want to feel good! Not sluggish.
I want to get the bounce back in my step.
I want to be the one that gets noticed rather than be the fat lady tag along.
I want to buy cute clothes.
I want to feel sexy again.
I want to feel good about myself.
I want to not be able to rest my arms on my stomach roll.

Love this idea! My last binge that lead me to start over was a bag of chips and dip. So your suggestion would be a wonderful alternative. With no bingeing, of course.
Hummus filled hard boiled eggs sounds pretty good too.

Greetings fellow Bandsters,
I got a six year congratulations notice from the organizers of this site. It reminded me that I wanted to check back in with the community and talk about how wonderful this journey has been for me.
I was banded in November of 2005. It took me two years to shed the 100 lbs (seemed like forever), with all of the ups and downs. I seemed like it took forever to hit the sweet spot with fills. I made a deal with myself that I didn't need to be a "perfect" bandster, just a very good one. If this is you--hang in there. This thing does work.
I ate all of my food, never touched any "beaker food" or scientifically engineered food. I decided not to drink anything with calories in it for the first year of being banded. I made it a priority to either be filled enough to be losing weight, or going in to fill, each month until I was where I wanted to be. I think many bandsters never get tight enough to really learn how to use this method well.
I reached goal, and made my appointment with my plastic surgeon. He did fantastic work getting rid of my extra belly skin.
Since then, I am living the dream I used to have when I was heavy. I wake up slender. My clothes are beautiful and they fit. I never need to pull anything down to make sure anything is covered up. I am no longer self-conscious about how I look--I know I look good. I went from a size 18-20 to a size 4. I never believed I was a small person until after my plastic surgery--I have large bones and nice muscle (many formerly fat people do!) and not much else. When I look at my body in the mirror, I really like what I see.
Now that I know people who never knew me heavy, I am careful to represent my former fat community with respect for us all and the struggles we have endured. Yes, I have learned that many thin people sit around congratulating themselves for their wonderful self-discipline and judging others--and I tell them how really lucky they are to have been born thin.
Many doctors dont "get" the band. I am an executive in Health Care, so I meet many. They often explain to me that banding doesn't work, people "gain it back", yada yada. Then I tell them that I am a bandster, 100 pounds more than five years ago, never gained it back and they are shocked. They are probably surrounded by successful bandsters who, after learning to use the tool, don't talk about it all of the time--"did you know I used to be heavy" just doesn't come up in every conversation.
For me, I gained a huge amount of time not "navigating" being fat. I don't worry about how I look. I don't worry about what people think when I am eating. People automatically assume that I am as intelligent as I am. I fit in any airline seat comfortably, even the middle. I pull on wetsuits to go diving never worrying about if it will fit. If I ever try on anything that doesn't fit--the salespeople, and I assume that the product is not cut for me, not that there is anything wrong with my proportions. I am not out of breath walking up a mountainside, and I am as strong as I was when I was fat (most of us fatties are REALLY strong from carrying ourselves around.) I feel like I have averted the blood pressure and diabetes problems that run in my family. I get a lot of attention from men who say I am attractive. Since I lived my whole life up to six years ago not relying on my personal beauty for my inner peace, I think that is just a bonus. It is fun not to feel I want to avoid having my picture taken.
I have learned that if my band is too loose, I gain weight. I allow a ten pound max swing upwards before I go in to get my band filled. Then, gradually I get back to goal by cutting out a few extras like crackers and cheese, caloric beverages and the like. I have never missed fast food--it doesn't stand up to being chewed 20 times. Now, it's high quality or I don't bother eating or drinking it. There is nothing I don't eat, I just can't each much of it. I have cycled back down to goal three times so--I think I know how to do this the rest of my life. People used to say that it wasn't about dieting, it was about lifestyle changes, but for me before the band, it was about self-denial and dieting. After the band took the edge off my hunger and helped me understand Portion Control, it IS about lifestyle changes.
My only regret is that banding didn't exist when I was in my twenties--still getting past obesity at 45 was better than even later--although even that is possible.
All my best to all of the newer or wanna be bandsters out there--there is joy at this end of the road.
Chris

Started the Couch to 5K in November, 2 wks post op, and just ran a 10 mile race this morning! It works!

I want to genuinely thank everybody who has responded............I am happy to report that the mere act of my taking the time to write my story and share it with all of you has begun sparking a bit of a change in me, I am feeling a little more hopeful again, feeling like maybe I can still make it work, I have even been eating better since my first post, it seems to have been a bit cathartic.....I also recently went to a 12 step AA meeting (although I am not an alcoholic) and found it very powerful too.......I simply substituted the word food everywhere they used the word alcohol......
In fairness to all here I think I owe it to admit that I just found out my un-supportive wife was doing things far worse than simply not caring about what foods I ate..............I don't care to go into details but any adult ought to understand what I am saying.....
I must have been aware of this at some subconscious level and that caused my food addiction or compulsions to be extra hard to manage...................
I plan to go ahead and get the study done to make sure the band has not slipped, and I am going to give it my all once again....
For those considering the band I just want to say that my experience shows that the lapband is not magic, it can and does fail if you are not ready for it.....Weight loss is an an all encompassing process of changing many things in your life...............The band will reduce your hunger and you will feel full quicker...............but if you are using food as a drug to make you feel better (as I was) you CAN and WILL find ways to defeat it........
The work is not over once the band is on, frankly it has only just begun...........all it does is gives you a little boost, head-start or helping hand in the process, but it does not run the race for you.........
I think I will spend more time on this forum, I can see that the support, tips, tricks and experiences of others can be truly valuable in helping us succeed.........
Thanks again, I'll keep you all posted, I need to go weigh in quick tonight before I start losing weight without knowing it!

First off... I am sorry you are in a bad place right now. You sound depressed. You sound resigned. You sound like you have given up.
I was there too. I gave up. I had complications sure, but I let them be my excuse for failure. My failure was learning to eat around the band. Drinking with meals. Consuming ungodly amounts of ice cream. Not chewing well enough. Eating slider foods.
I kept my head in the sand and blamed the band for my problems.
I recently was diagnosed with severe esophagitis and a hiatal hernia. I was all ready to throw in the towel and have my band removed. REMOVED.
Then I sat and really thought about it. Was I doing everything I could to be successful? Hell no I wasn't. I was doing all those things listed above. Fact is, when I was committed and motivated, I lost 100. When I gave in to old addictions, I gained 50 back.
So I am recommitted. Again. That is why I am back on LBT. Support helps. Reading tips about being successful helps. Looking up recipes. Trying new exercises. All of that helps.
Find what works for you!
My husband is an enabler. Ice cream is my addiction, and he will buy it for me whenever I ask. He will always be an enabler. Just as I will always be addicted to ice cream.
I finally realized that I have to change. I can't expect him to change. I can't expect my band to change me. I have to change.
When I eat the proper foods the band works. I stay full. I can only eat small amounts. When I cheat the band, I cheat myself.
I don't know what will help you get back on track. I was banded 4 years ago and I feel like I am finally really truly back on track. Everyday I have to be mindful. I have to plan my meals and be firm. I sat down and had talks with my husband about needing support not sabotage. But honestly if I asked him to pick me up Ben & Jerry's.... he would. IT IS ON ME TO CHANGE.
I need not to ask him to get it. I need not to put the ice cream in my mouth.
You need to really evaluate why you are eating a pizza over a 4 hour period. Is it hunger? Or are you still using food as an emotional crutch? Be honest with yourself.
Could your wife be more supportive. Yes. But you have no control over that. It is sooo hard when the temptations are in your house. I am sorry you have that extra obstical. But JUMP OVER IT. You control you.
You are not alone. Hang in there. You can still do this.
Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Get the plain Greek yogurt and add sugar free pudding mix.....yum! White chocolate is my favorite!

Another snack I like is sliced cucumbers with veggie dip that I make with plain Greek yogurt and a low sodium veggie dip packet.
2oz of dip = 5g Protein | 30 calories
Ingredients:
1 packet Kroger Party Dip Ranch (I used Kroger since it is cheaper)
17oz tub Fage Total 0% greek yogurt (I used 0% to save on calories)

Yes, I would say you've developed an addiction. Maybe due to some other issue that has happened in your life? If you're like me, you're an emotional eater. You've probably gotten into a cycle of, I eat it because it makes me feel better - temporarily - but then I feel like crap afterwards, which brings on self-hatred and you eat more to punish yourself. That's me, anyway.
I'm 14 months post-op and I'm 10lbs heavier than the day of surgery. I only lost about 25lbs. I've learned that I cannot eat like my friend - who was banded in Oct. 2010 and has lost 70lbs and just got a Tummy Tuck. She eats whatever she wants, just not much of it, because the band won't allow it. However, in my case, I can eat a lot of food. (I have 7cc's in my 10cc band.) And I learned real quick to eat the slider foods and then I would binge. Especially w/in the last 8 months. I had something very tragic happen in my life. And as I'm always used to doing, I turned to food. With that said, I think I've finally had enough of feeling like a failure and hating myself. I'm ready to give this healthy lifestyle a try. And, for me, that means measuring out portions, counting calories and no junk. Which is going to be a task with a 14 year old son.
After bingeing on an entire bag of ruffle potato chips and an entire container of dip 3 days ago, that was my wake up call. I told myself that that was enough. I didn't have this procedure just to let it go to waste. So I've been on liquids the past 3 days. I'm starting over from the beginning. It's what I've got to do. And if that's what you need to do, then do it. There is no shame in that. I know I rambled on a bunch, but just know that you can overcome your addiction.
Hang in there, hon.

Yes, I would say you've developed an addiction. Maybe due to some other issue that has happened in your life? If you're like me, you're an emotional eater. You've probably gotten into a cycle of, I eat it because it makes me feel better - temporarily - but then I feel like crap afterwards, which brings on self-hatred and you eat more to punish yourself. That's me, anyway.
I'm 14 months post-op and I'm 10lbs heavier than the day of surgery. I only lost about 25lbs. I've learned that I cannot eat like my friend - who was banded in Oct. 2010 and has lost 70lbs and just got a Tummy Tuck. She eats whatever she wants, just not much of it, because the band won't allow it. However, in my case, I can eat a lot of food. (I have 7cc's in my 10cc band.) And I learned real quick to eat the slider foods and then I would binge. Especially w/in the last 8 months. I had something very tragic happen in my life. And as I'm always used to doing, I turned to food. With that said, I think I've finally had enough of feeling like a failure and hating myself. I'm ready to give this healthy lifestyle a try. And, for me, that means measuring out portions, counting calories and no junk. Which is going to be a task with a 14 year old son.
After bingeing on an entire bag of ruffle potato chips and an entire container of dip 3 days ago, that was my wake up call. I told myself that that was enough. I didn't have this procedure just to let it go to waste. So I've been on liquids the past 3 days. I'm starting over from the beginning. It's what I've got to do. And if that's what you need to do, then do it. There is no shame in that. I know I rambled on a bunch, but just know that you can overcome your addiction.
Hang in there, hon.

I love the title to your thread! I'm going to use that! Especially when the temptation to eat unhealthy is strong.
Congrats on your success. All the best to you on your journey.

A couple of ppl have suggested I do this so here it goes. I have lost 100lbs yaaay in eight months. I honestly was at my wits end wit weightloss and thought I was stuck. Having the lapband was the best decision I ever made for myself. It has not been easy by any means and I work but butt off at the gym daily but it is worth it. For anyone that is scared of the procedure it can be done although the first few days are tough and just plain uncomfortable. Good luck to everyone on ur journey! I know mine has been worth every min pics comin soon...

Is fat really the worst thing
a human can be?
Is fat worse than vindictive, jealous, shallow,
vain, boring, evil, or cruel?
Not to me.
-J.K. Rowling

To those of you who say you don't have time for exercise or you don't like to...I'm sorry but to me all I hear is excuses excuses. Yeah you may have a busy lifestyle but after getting the lapband put into your body to make a "lifestyle change" how can you do that without getting some exercise in? What is an hour out of your entire day? You have 23 hours to do everything else you need to do..and if you know you will tone your body and loose even more weight from it why wouldn't you take advantage of that? I think you guys need to step it up and quit making so many excuses...I have a life too...a job, family, boyfriend, pets, house to take care of, appts to go to in between everything else..and every single night I come home and get my exercise in. I have lymophdema in my legs and as much as it hurts to be on my feet and my ankles are so big it looks unhuman but I do not miss it...because I didn't get this lap band put in me to just sit back and watch the weight fall off...I'm working my ass off and don't understand why you can't either!!!
Do you want to end up like the people on here who are making a post in 1 or 2 years saying they only lost 30 pounds? If not, you need to make the change now...and if you don't want to..then I really don't understand why you got the band in the first place.

I hate to be mean, but she is a prime example of someone who doesn't have the right mindset for WLS. It's not a magic wand, although she clearly expects it to be. I don't think the lap band will work for her either until she gets her head in the right place. I wish her the best of luck though.

The first time being stuck is an awful feeling, but hopefully it won't happen again for you! Unlike me, who gets stuck weekly and even daily at times....the only thing I can say is now I've learned how to get it back up quickly.

As we all know, white meat chicken is a real challenge to the band, it's one of the few things that still block me up.
But more important, you admittedly eat too fast and I'm assuming you are not cutting your food into small pieces, putting your utensils down with each bite, and are not chewing well. I'm over three years into this and yet I still find myself once and a while briefly wolfing food down and then paying for it minutes later....slow down...period!

#1 take out the diet mentality - I have not dieted since I started my journey 3.6 yrs ago... My goal was to get healthy - to get healthy you have to eat healthy and exercise and allow for treats too.. I am a FIRM believer in keeping a food diary - I asked a lady at work how she kept her weight down - she said when I have gained a few lbs - I start keeping a food diary writing everything down and keeping my calories around 1000- 1200.. She's one of those pple who we think - can eat whatever she wants and stay thin - Well there is no such person really - and we have to quit thinking that we can eat junk and quit exercising and stay thin or lose the weight...
This is about a LIFETIME LIFESTYLE change in our eating and exercise habits - If we want to lose the weight and maintain it we have to understand this.. We have the tool to help us.. So why are we going to screw that up..
I've maintained my weight loss for 2.5 yrs now - How you ask - Cuz I eat healthy 98% of the time allow for treats 2% of the time and continue to workout 4 days a week.. I know that I have to do this to maintain the weight loss - I know that my previous eating habits and lack of exercise is what got me fat in the 1st place - I feel to freaking good to go back there..
I can also tell you that almost every single night since 7/17/07 I have had dessert - SF puddings, sf ice cream, sf yogurt... I go on vacation and eat what I want but continue some type of exercise - but when I come home I go right back to eating healthy..
It was my Birthday last weekend - I had bday cake & ice cream Sat & Sunday - Monday morning it when in the trash !!! I looked at the cake a few time during the day on Sunday -(in the past I would have eaten it all day long) but said - you are going to have some tonite - if you eat it now - no treat tonite - I wanted to save it for the evening.
Peeps - you can do this - you just have to understand that you can't eat high fight - high sugar - high carb foods 24/7 365 - you can have them as treats - but on a daily basis you have to eat healthy and exercise.. As the saying goes you can't have your cake and eat it too..
You have to decide for yourselves - what feels better for you - being morbidly obese or thin and healthy - I hate the saying nothing taste as good as thin feels - cuz I love the taste of food - (fat & sugar) but I can tell you nothing feels better than being able to live your life with out your weight limiting what you can or can't do.. And I can still have that fat & sugar even now and then as long as I exercise and eat healthy the majority of the time..
I'm a 56 yr old grandma - who can now zip line - Para Sail - scuba dive - hike a mountain - walk all day long - leg press 400 lbs - I'm the grandma who can catch air - not the fat one sitting on the beach looking at everyone else have fun..
Use your tool - quit sabotaging yourselves - Love yourselves enough to do this for you - to improve the quality of your lives - Don't let that little devil tell you it's ok to eat the junk - cuz it's not - it's going to catch up w/you..
Sit down plan your meals - plan your treat - budget your calories to allow for sf dessert at nite and make sure you get your exercise..