Im confused how the Lap Band works. If people won't or can't exercise and eat healthy without the band, how come they can with the band? I went to my first seminar today on the lap band and the doctor stated that diet and exercise is a must even after banded. If that is the case, then why do people get banded?

hello right now i'm asking myself that same question, maybe it doesn't work all that well after all for some people, i was banded on sept 13th and lost about 24 lbs went from 277 to 253 in 2 months and now i'm back up to 260 after the holidays..i'm trying to get back on track with dieting, one good thing is I cannot eat as much as i used to at one meal but can eat throughout the day small meals so that doesn't help, i'm going to the see my surgeon this month and possibly have a fill I am hoping that will help kick start the weight loss again..we'll see. I am not opposed to the band don't get me wrong but it is still a lot of work and worry to lose weight with or without the band.

hello right now i'm asking myself that same question, maybe it doesn't work all that well after all for some people, i was banded on sept 13th and lost about 24 lbs went from 277 to 253 in 2 months and now i'm back up to 260 after the holidays..i'm trying to get back on track with dieting, one good thing is I cannot eat as much as i used to at one meal but can eat throughout the day small meals so that doesn't help, i'm going to the see my surgeon this month and possibly have a fill I am hoping that will help kick start the weight loss again..we'll see. I am not opposed to the band don't get me wrong but it is still a lot of work and worry to lose weight with or without the band.

Do you feel like it was worth it? Also, what do you tell people why ur not eating much? I would rather not broadcast that I am banded, so i just wondered what you tell people or what they think. I know it doesn't matter what others think but I am a private and would prefer to keep this to myself.

Hi there, I feel like it's too soon for me to tell if it was worth it or not I sure hope it ends up being worth it. I have to get some self control, I still have to diet but it feels different than before though I don't feel as hopeless as i did before. I was honest with my friends about it so they know why I don't eat as much as before, me and my freind were "eating buddies" we both loved food and I thought that it would be hard but it has ended up being ok, I see here eating the same amount that she used to "alot" and I am thankful that I cannot eat that much anymore. If I start losing weight again all of this will be so worth it.. I am hopeful!

Do you feel like it was worth it? Also, what do you tell people why ur not eating much? I would rather not broadcast that I am banded, so i just wondered what you tell people or what they think. I know it doesn't matter what others think but I am a private and would prefer to keep this to myself.

Hi there, I feel like it's too soon for me to tell if it was worth it or not I sure hope it ends up being worth it. I have to get some self control, I still have to diet but it feels different than before though I don't feel as hopeless as i did before. I was honest with my friends about it so they know why I don't eat as much as before, me and my freind were "eating buddies" we both loved food and I thought that it would be hard but it has ended up being ok, I see here eating the same amount that she used to "alot" and I am thankful that I cannot eat that much anymore. If I start losing weight again all of this will be so worth it.. I am hopeful!

I'm sure you'll start dropping the pounds soon. It's a New Year! Thanks for your response.

There is no "magic pill" for losing weight. You MUST exercise and eat right. Even people who have gastric bypass can eat the wrong foods, which can make them VERY sick, or eat too much and stretch out their new stomach. I know someone who had this surgery a few years ago, did this, and is not heavier than ever. You must be willing to do your part. Here's how the band works: The band squeezes the very top of your stomach. When you swallow food, it causes your esophagus to contract, only allowing a small portion of the bit into your stomach at a time, and it moves the food up and down (you do not feel this) until it all goes into the stomach. This causes the nerves in ths area to tell your brain its getting more food than it actually is and you feel full faster. Because you are only eating a small portion of food, you must eat good quality nutritious food. And you won't keep your weight off without exercise. The band is not the cure, its a tool to help you. Be honest with yourself before you decide to get the band...if you are not willing to do your part, don't waste your time and money, and you might even put your health at risk by not following the rules.

Good advice TamiLB How long have you been banded and how much have you lost?

There is no "magic pill" for losing weight. You MUST exercise and eat right. Even people who have gastric bypass can eat the wrong foods, which can make them VERY sick, or eat too much and stretch out their new stomach. I know someone who had this surgery a few years ago, did this, and is not heavier than ever. You must be willing to do your part. Here's how the band works: The band squeezes the very top of your stomach. When you swallow food, it causes your esophagus to contract, only allowing a small portion of the bit into your stomach at a time, and it moves the food up and down (you do not feel this) until it all goes into the stomach. This causes the nerves in ths area to tell your brain its getting more food than it actually is and you feel full faster. Because you are only eating a small portion of food, you must eat good quality nutritious food. And you won't keep your weight off without exercise. The band is not the cure, its a tool to help you. Be honest with yourself before you decide to get the band...if you are not willing to do your part, don't waste your time and money, and you might even put your health at risk by not following the rules.

Thanks Carmen. Its funny that I didn't actually know how my band worked until AFTER my surgery. They did not tell me all the details. I learned little by little by doing my own research. I couldn't understand why I was getting "stuck" until I did my own research. I was banded 3/26/10, so almost 10 months ago. I have lost 43 pounds and have about 40 more to go. I hit a plateau a couple of months ago, and had to have another fill...I'm not really getting full anymore. Will probably take another fill or two to get me back in the green zone.

Carmen, don't get discouraged about the holiday weight. You always lose a bunch of weight after surgery because you were on a liquid diet for so long, then you start eating again and you gain. They don't fill you for awhile because your stomach is still swollen and "angry" after surgery. It can also take several fills to get you in the green zone. I think I started with about 4 cc's and its taken about 7 months to get me to 6.7 cc's. Just remember that slow and steady will help keep the weight off and give your skin time to adjust so hopefully you won't have to have plastic surgery to have it removed.

hello right now i'm asking myself that same question, maybe it doesn't work all that well after all for some people, i was banded on sept 13th and lost about 24 lbs went from 277 to 253 in 2 months and now i'm back up to 260 after the holidays..i'm trying to get back on track with dieting, one good thing is I cannot eat as much as i used to at one meal but can eat throughout the day small meals so that doesn't help, i'm going to the see my surgeon this month and possibly have a fill I am hoping that will help kick start the weight loss again..we'll see. I am not opposed to the band don't get me wrong but it is still a lot of work and worry to lose weight with or without the band.