I read the success stories and think I want to do it. I read the stories of complications and think I don't want to and I get scared! And I like food, and after reading through a lot on the internet, sounds like my diet will definitely have to change, as will my exercise habits. And then I think, huh, if I'm not gonna be able to eat all the food I like (I love breads/carbs) and I'm gonna have to exercise, why shouldn't I just do that and skip the surgery and the possibility of complications, you know what I mean? Maybe I am missing something? I know it's just a "tool", I've read that over and over. But I keep thinking it just forces diet (b/c who wants to be in pain and throw up all the time) and exercise. How did it help with the cravings and the fact that you like to eat??

I was banded on Oct 7th and I feel great. i have not thrown up at all nor felt sick. I am still in phase 2 pureed foods of my post op diet. I lost just under 20 pounds pre op and have lost over 15 more since the surgery. I am not hungry at all, and i do not crave sugar at all which is huge for me because I used to love ice cream. I exercise 5 times a week at a gym which I never thought I would do and have a ton of energy. The reason you are considering WLS is because diets have all failed you. The restriction tool is unbelievable and if you have a great, experienced surgeon then you will be ok. check out your surgeon very carefully and feel comfortable with him or her first. Stay in touch and let me know what you decide to do.

debbie

It's also great not to feel hungry when you eat a small amount. On regular non-banded diets you're always having to deal with hunger pains that try to get you to eat, but with the band you are satisfied with that small amount of food.

And then I think, huh, if I'm not gonna be able to eat all the food I like (I love breads/carbs) and I'm gonna have to exercise, why shouldn't I just do that and skip the surgery and the possibility of complications, you know what I mean? Maybe I am missing something? I know it's just a "tool", I've read that over and over. But I keep thinking it just forces diet (b/c who wants to be in pain and throw up all the time) and exercise. How did it help with the cravings and the fact that you like to eat??

Yes! You are definitely missing something! :sneaky: :w00t: The band stops you from overeating. It lets you feel full and satisfied with much less food. It's seriously an amazing tool.

I don't imagine for a second that I could have been perfect on a diet for two years in a row. But with the band, staying on plan for two years straight was not all that hard. I'm not saying that I'm PERFECT with the band -- I still have Cookies, ice cream and chocolate . . and foie gras, etc. once in a while. But I follow the rules more often than not -- and when I do have a "splurge" food, I only eat a little amount of it. So, it never makes the scale go up any significant amount.

The other thing that is so great about the band is that maintenance is pretty easy. At this point, I'm two years out. I started working out in earnest about six months after I got banded, and I have stuck with it (it is SO MUCH easier and more pleasant to work out with less weight on me!). Following the rules is second nature now, and I don't struggle at all to keep my weight where it is. I just get on the scale every day, and if it's a little up, I make a point of being really good -- and if it's fine, I do what I like within reason.

Also, you don't have to 100% give up any foods just because you are banded. I still eat a little bread now and then (things like baguette b/c they are crunchy and don't "gum up" like normal white bread would). That said, I eat a heck of a lot less bread now than I did before.

I knew that getting banded would require me to make a lot of changes, but I didn't know until after I experienced it how much easier it would be than I expected. I also hadn't realized how good I would feel every single day knowing that I was addressing (or now, have fixed) the one thing that made me feel badly about myself every single day.

If you are serious about committing to follow the rules (and not bingeing on shakes and slider foods to sabotage your weight loss) and to working out, the band can get you to goal. I know a bunch of other bandsters who started when I did who are at goal now. This thing works! :drool:

Best wishes for your success,

Catherine