Hey everyone, so here is my dilema. I have been overweight for over 15 years now. I have been over 300 pounds for about 3 years, give or take. I have done every diet and taken every pill out there. I have lost weight and gained it all back and then some. I even lost as much as 80 pounds at one point.

Here is my problem. If i go on a diet, and make a concious effort to really do it, can i loose weight and keep it off. On the other side, if I get the Lap-band and take the weight off and reach a goal, will i be able to keep it off. I need to hear from some people who have had the band a while on what their experience has been.

I need to make a change but i cant decide if surgery is the right deceson for me.......HELP!!!

I can only speak for myself. I was banded 11-17 and love my band. I have lost 58 pounds and don't think I could have done that without the band. I was heavier than I've ever been.

There are a couple things I wish I had known. I didn't realize how much hunger would be involved, exspecially at the begining. It took me 3 fills to get restricion. Also, the feeling of fullness is quite different. Instead of a good feeling, it's actually a bit uncomfortable. I get a slight pain in my chest, then usually burp and it goes away. I am left feeling more not hungry then full.

Hope this helps and good luck in your decision.

I have only been banded since January, but feel 100x better. Not only because I am losing weight (slowly) but overall feel wonderful. I no longer have the "over-stuffed" feeling after eating, because I only eat until I'm satisified. So far I have no regrets!

Good luck on your decision.

Getting banded was the best thing I ever did. I have been banded since 11/14/08 and I have lost 120lbs. This has saved my life, seriously. ALthough every day is a challenge and eating these days is exhausting. Every morsal of has to be thought about, and lets just say that stuck feeling is HORRIBLE. You learn to work with the band, and thats most important to know. This is not a quick fix this is something that you will have to do your part or you wont be successful. I am happier and healthier then I have ever been and I can't wait to see what the future will bring. Good luck to you!

I've been in your situation and it's exactly why I got the band. I've always been a successful dieter. I've lost countless lbs with nutrionists, Weight Watchers, LA Weight Loss, Atkins .... The problem has always been that I gained the weight back. I could not stand to hear one more time that diet and exercise work, because for me they don't. At some point in the process, the weight loss always slows to a standstill and then I get frustrated. Because I'm still hungry, I end up eating too much, then I stop working out and before you know it, I'm gaining what I've lost. The difference for me is the adjustability of the band. Even when I got way off track at Christmas, I called my doc, got a much-needed fill and lost the 5 lbs I gained in 2 weeks. Try to do that with Weight Watchers. The band allows me to live like a normal person. I eat moderately and work out moderately. I don't count Protein or carbs or calories. I just live my life and I lose weight. I am one happy camper with my band.

There are some things that take getting used to, as I'm sure you've read on this site, but once you've learned how to manage your band, it's life as normal. I've been banded almost 2 years and it's one of the best decisions I ever made.

Cindy

Here's the thought that decided me: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I knew that I was doomed to failure every time I tried a diet. What was different? This time it's the Lap-Band. We'll see!

I agree, my old boss use to say "If you keep doing what your doing, your going to keep getting what your getting" So basically if you want something different do something different, or keep doing the same thing and you will keep getting the same thing.

And my favorite question: If you could lose the weight and keep it off why haven't you already? (This is the question that made up my mind.)

5% of people who lose weight on their own, do it permanently, is recent statistic I read. Personally I am not buying it. I think it is much lower. The reason? Hunger. I could diet and lose weight too but even after I felt thinner, I had to look at the rest of my life and realize I was going to feel hungry almost 24/7. I always gave up. The truth is, that after banding you can snack yourself back to your previous weight if you don't do some work to make sure you are ready to change. The band helps with the hunger but it doesn't do away with it. It is a big enough help to me to make me think I will keep off the weight. I already have a different attitude about food, and that is the reason I would do it all again if faced with the same choices. Food has always been huge to me and it was for my parents also. They were not overweight but they grew up during the depression and truely knew hunger. I love my new attitude and I am willing to do whatever the rest of the journey requires... Hugs

Hi,

I just wanted to share alittle bit of my story with you. I have been overweight all my life and like you I have always lost and gained my weight. I would watch what I would eat go to the gym and after awhile I would go back to my old habits. one day while at the gym I saw the commerical about the lap band procedure and I have always been scared to have any kind of procedure done. I kept on thinking of the highlights of having it done so finally I went to a semair and my consult. I decided to do it as a self pay patient and it was the best thing I could have done for myself. I had my procedure done 12/28/09 and I have lost 35 pounds soo far. I feel great and I know I could have not done it alone and stay on track. I wish you the best of luck.