Hi there...I have been reading these blogs and forums and have a question for any successful banders.

I am trying to figure out the benefit of the band itself...as a tool.

I know before I would be able to (and want to) eat way too much food. Example...too much extra cheese and pepperoni pizza, too many tacos, too many cheeseburgers and fries.

With the band...do you NOT eat these foods at all anymore? ...or eat a bite or two and are satisfied with that? Does the band make you just eat less, or not want the food that we used to love? And, is this true long term as well as immediately after surgery?

I am meeting with my surgeon on Thursday and am hopeful to get banded by the end of January! I had no belief that I would ever eat the pepperoni pizza again...and am at peace with that!

I am about 6.5 months out and I can eat anything that I want. I do not deny myself food. If I want it, I eat it, just a lot less of it. I feel I am successful for two reasons...not denying myself food (If I did, I would eat way more of it when I finally gave in) and exercise. I am down 95 pounds in 28 weeks, so I think I am being successful, but like people are saying, everyone is different!

Thank you Kristen for bring up this question! I have enjoyed each and everybodies input to your question!

I love the diversity of the lapband experience. It just goes to show you that ANYone who is obese can benefit from this procedure. We are all made so different and live different but we gather her for one purpose! The best thing is that everyone experiences their procedure differently.

I really needed all this input, I am at a stage of my procedure that there is a fork in the road. This band has done so many things for me and yet my habits, my thinking and the way I view life can make a u turn right back to where I was. It is with you guys that I can choose the right road for me! People are what makes the world go around and I thank each and everyone of you!

Kristen, my input would be to embrace the procedure and guidelines to make your own road!

tira

I have actually lost 26 pounds but cannot figure out how to change my ticker, lol!

There are times when I wonder how I have been successful. I really dont folllow the prescribed diet that I was told to do when starting. I have slowed down considerable with my weight loss, but have continued to lose over the last few months. I eat alot less but dont feel deprived at all.

I am starting a exersise team fitness program on the 16th that will hopefully help me lose my last 20 lbs. I might try to restart with the diet as well as see how that goes.

I have actually lost 26 pounds but cannot figure out how to change my ticker, lol!

click on your ticker and it opens up another page, and update and hit save

I am about 6.5 months out and I can eat anything that I want. I do not deny myself food. If I want it, I eat it, just a lot less of it. I feel I am successful for two reasons...not denying myself food (If I did, I would eat way more of it when I finally gave in) and exercise. I am down 95 pounds in 28 weeks, so I think I am being successful, but like people are saying, everyone is different!

....Wow congrats, 95lbs and no fills. Do u excercise and how many calories do u eat a day

I can eat most of the things I could eat before the band. I have only been stuck twice, and it was more about the timing and *how* I was eating those things rather than the things themselves...

For me, having the band - and reaching restriction - has released me from the hold that food had over me. I no longer think and obsess about food, because the hunger is gone. Because I'm not starving hungry ravenous, it's easier for me to make a healthy choice when it comes time to eat...

I do allow myself "cheats". Like last night, I was PMSing and craving carbs etc. I had fish and chips - probably a whole day's calories in one meal! But I can do that guilt-free because I'm following everything so well all the rest of the time.

I do exercise...I do the Wii Fit for 30 mins before work in the morning. Resistance training (free weights, resistance band, body ball, medicine ball, etc) for about 40 mins and at least 60 mins of cardio after dinner. I take one day off a week, usually Sunday. As far as calories, I try to stay between 1000 and 1200 a day, but I do not worry if I go over because some days I am under...thanks. Yeah no fills, but I am thinking I may need one soon. I am starting to eat a little more than I need to. Tomorrow I am starting back to mostly Protein shakes and one meal a day to see if I can get back on track before going for a fill. It is my birthday present to myself...more protein shakes! LOL

....Wow congrats, 95lbs and no fills. Do u excercise and how many calories do u eat a day

Or ........ you could get your fills and not bother counting calories