I am in the early stages of deciding on getting a band or not, and have some questions for those of you who have been banded. I am wondering what is it about the band that has made weight loss better/easier/more sustainable? After reading some other posts, I am understanding that the band is not a cure all and one has to take initiative to do the 'work' of weight loss. With that said why did this work for you and not other diets? Does the band really make that much of a difference? From my other questions most have said that they have no regrets and would do the band surgery over again. I am just wondering and want to make the best decision for myself. Thanks Ruthie:redface:

Hi Ruthie!

Why did the band work this time and not all of the other times . . . well, as you've pointed out, it is just part of the solution - the journey is much more.

For me, one reason the band worked is that in my program, it came with a bunch of classes and support group requirements. When those requirements ended, I continued support groups (I'm in 4 of them) and classes (overcoming emotional eating, etc) on my own.

Another reason that it worked for me is exercise. I work out and run with some of the same folks who started with me and continue this journey with me. It doesn't end in a size or a weight - it really is a journey forever. But it's a GREAT one!

Most important of course is the physical part. I was a volume eater. Volume, volume, volume. One brownie was never as good as 3. One ounce of sunflower seeds was not as tasty as the whole jar. If I had learned portion control (1/4 to 1/2 a cup if it's dense food) and how to eat slowly and chew each bite 50 times as a youngster, I would not have needed the band, because those are healthy habits - and the band keeps me making them! That said, I hear people complain all the time that their band is not working because they can eat cake or bread. Well come on, who's in charge here? You have capacity for an egg's worth of food, and it's up t you tonput the right kind of food in there. The band can't choose dense Protein over bread - thats up to you.

DO IT! I love my band :-)

Riley

Well said Riley

For me the fact that I had majority surgery to get control of my life and this is not a diet - it's about being healthy..

The quality of my life had deteriorated - I was sleeping and eating my life away - could barely vacuum the living room without breaking out in a sweat - walking for any length of time was too much effort - I was 52 when banded I have 3 grandkids (18/15/5) whom I want to see grow up.

For me I had my "ah ha" moment.. I finally understood what they meant in all the "diet programs" by this has to be a lifetime lifestyle change in your eating - not a diet - cuz they don't work - we all have dieted, lost some or all of the weight then go back to eating "normal" and making excuses why we can't exercise..

Well our eating normal for the most part is what made us fat in the 1st place - it wasn't eating healthy and exercise is key in being healthy..

I wanted to add a few more years to my life and be able to do the things all my friends could do - and I couldn't cuz of the weight..

The band is the tool which is permanently installed to help us feel fuller on a smaller amount of food - but it doesn't make our food choices and it doesn't exercise for you.

And most importantly it doesn't do a darn thing about our mental/emotional issues with food.. And truly imho that's where the majority of our problems lie..

There are failures in any WLS and it's not the surgery that fails but the person who doesn't commit to making the lifetime lifestyle change..

I think this is why the statistics for the band is that you will only lose 50 to 60% of your excess weight - and that due to our issues with food and not making the changes needed to be healthy - that we are inferior to some degree - I wanted to prove those statistics wrong - I lost 100% of my excess weight in 1 yrs time..

Not by dieting but by eating healthy and exercising - which I still do today and will have to do for the rest of my life if I want to keep the weight off. I can never go back to being a couch potato and an unhealthy eater (high fat - high sugar - tons of starches)

Again - I think you just have to have your AH HA moment no matter if you do it with or without surgery - you have to make the commitment to yourself to be healthy - Surgery help make a hard job just a little easier but it's still work

Good Luck to you on your journey..

I am in the early stages of deciding on getting a band or not, and have some questions for those of you who have been banded. I am wondering what is it about the band that has made weight loss better/easier/more sustainable? After reading some other posts, I am understanding that the band is not a cure all and one has to take initiative to do the 'work' of weight loss. With that said why did this work for you and not other diets? Does the band really make that much of a difference? From my other questions most have said that they have no regrets and would do the band surgery over again. I am just wondering and want to make the best decision for myself. Thanks Ruthie:redface:

For the most part I've always made good food choices and I'm not a junk food or sweet eater. My problem with eating has always been about quantity. Once I'd start, I would eat well past the point where my brain should've said 'stop'.

Even before I reached restriction, where Hilda (my band) told me it was time to stop, I was eating less. Yes, I was eating more than the recommended 1 cup but I didn't care. If I had that kind of self-control I would never have needed to get the band...but for some reason, just having the band helped me to contain my eating on most days.

The band will help with the eating to excess...if you let it. Meaning some people will still try to overeat which has its own problems once you reach restriction. It will not keep you from making bad food choices. I know a number of people who chose the gastric bypass because they were absolutely sure they wouldn't have the self-control to give up their sweets and junk food...and that may have been the better choice for them since you will not lose weight if you plan to continue to indulge.

I have absolutely no regrets. My goal is to eat like a normal person so I'm not restricting my diet in any way other than to make good food choices and eat less. Before restriction I just ate normal sized portions and I'm still down 24 pounds 7-1/2 weeks post op.

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Right on Indio Girl! I am also shooting for 100% of excess weight in 1 year - I have already lost over 90% so I think I'll make it! 8 lbs. to lose still in the next 2 months and I will be there with you! Congratulations

Right on Indio Girl! I am also shooting for 100% of excess weight in 1 year - I have already lost over 90% so I think I'll make it! 8 lbs. to lose still in the next 2 months and I will be there with you! Congratulations

WTG Riley - You will get there !!!

If you think you can you will - If you think you can't you won't