I am at the pre-op stage and am still wondering if the lap band is the best option for me. Unfortunately, there seem to be no clear answers concerning which WLS method will work best for my personality.

I am a perfectionist by nature and while I am "good" at losing weight, the only time I have been able to maintain a weight loss was when Phen-Fen was available. I lost weight, then maintained that loss because I was devoted to daily exercise and didn't overeat; for the first time in my life, I ate reasonable portions because I wasn't excessively hungry all the time. However, once that drug combination was no longer available, my hunger was out of control again and I was no longer able to maintain my healthy weight, though I still continued to exercise at the same rate. I lose weight ever single year, only to gain it back the same year.

I overeat because I am physically hungry; I never experience being full. (I have devoted much time to analyzing this and am confident that I'm right.)

I am interested in weight loss surgery only if I will be able to maintain a weight loss. If I can't, I might as well stick with yo-yo dieting. I eat fairly healthy (except for chocolate candy sometimes) because I choose to control my home environment, and I exercise almost every single day. I am obese because I eat way too much. Is there anyone here similar to me that the lap band has helped? If so, could you please explain why you believe the lap band is superior to traditional, less invasive weight loss methods?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Loaded question.

I am 60 years old. For the last 30 years I have tried every diet you can think of, including Medically Supervised Programs.

I always do well in the beginning, then fail miserably, gaining all the weight back, and then some .

I simply do not have the discipline to see it through for the long run.

Surgery was my last resort. I needed surgical intervention.

I have been banded for one year now, and for me, it is the easiest, and most successful weight loss program I have ever been on.

Right now, I cannot overeat no matter how much I may want to. It's impossible. There is a band wrapped around my upper stomach preventing me from doing so, without experiencing adverse results. Automatic portion control.

But, I don't want to overeat because the band also has suppressed my appetite. I can walk into a room full of food at a party, and it simply does not interest me. I'll have a taste here and there, but no more making a pig of myself.

So bottom line, standard weight loss (diets) simply do not work for me. I needed surgery to do do what I could not do myself.

I see people everyday that are always on a diet. I do not consider this surgery a diet, but a entirely a new lifestyle..

i have only had the band less then three weeks but i am just not hunrgy as often and i dont watch much to eat, i still havent had a fill yet but i have dropped 25 pounds and i started back to the gym thei week i do water aerobics every day and i find i enjoy that a lot ...im sorry i'm not very helpful yet but i hope that helps you just a little

Short and to the point.

All i can say is band is a tool. If you follow the rules eat right and exercise you will do well. The band has helped me eat less. I have lost 82 lbs and feel great.

Good Luck

Wendy

The band works because you simply cannot overeat, it helps to take away some of the need for willpower in that you don't need to work as hard to make sure you don't eat too much but you still have to have the willpower to make the right food choices.

The band works because you simply cannot overeat

I'd like to modify that statement slightly

The band works because you simply cannot overeat if you choose the correct foods.

So what the hell does that mean?

That if you eat foods such as solid Protein , veg and a small portion of carbs you cannot overeat. The band will work in the way that it is designed to work and you shouldn't be hungry for a period of a number of hours afterwards. What it won't do is choose those foods for you so if you decide that you are going to drink milkshakes and eat candy and icecream and Cookies and other so called slider foods your band won't stop you , you will be able to eat enough of these that you can still gain weight and you will get hungry again sooner than you should. The band also won't force you to exercise.

Often people that think they are physically hungry aren't. People lose touch with the true hunger signals and interpret stomach noises and grumbling etc as hunger which in most instances isn't. There are lots of reasons people eat other than true hunger.

Having said that I think most of us have had a similar experience to you. We have tried every diet know to man ( and then some) and not been able to keep the weight off. I know I have even tried hypnotism, injections etc. I have lost all my excess weight and have been maintaing now for approx 2 years. This is the easiest diet I have ever been on.

Right now, I cannot overeat no matter how much I may want to. It's impossible. There is a band wrapped around my upper stomach preventing me from doing so, without experiencing adverse results. Automatic portion control.

But, I don't want to overeat because the band also has suppressed my appetite. I can walk into a room full of food at a party, and it simply does not interest me. I'll have a taste here and there, but no more making a pig of myself.

Thank you, B-52, for your insight and for taking the time to respond. If I can get to the point like you where my appetite is suppressed and I am able to control my portions, I am confident I can do the rest.

I'd like to modify that statement slightly

The band works because you simply cannot overeat if you choose the correct foods.

So what the hell does that mean?

That if you eat foods such as solid Protein , veg and a small portion of carbs you cannot overeat. The band will work in the way that it is designed to work and you shouldn't be hungry for a period of a number of hours afterwards. What it won't do is choose those foods for you so if you decide that you are going to drink milkshakes and eat candy and icecream and Cookies and other so called slider foods your band won't stop you , you will be able to eat enough of these that you can still gain weight and you will get hungry again sooner than you should. The band also won't force you to exercise.

Thanks for taking the time to respond, elcee, and for encouraging me. I'm a rule follower, so I think I will be able to make good food choices. I am already committed to exercise and have been for many years so I think I have that covered as well. You inspire me!

i have only had the band less then three weeks but i am just not hunrgy as often and i dont watch much to eat, i still havent had a fill yet but i have dropped 25 pounds and i started back to the gym thei week i do Water aerobics every day and i find i enjoy that a lot ...im sorry i'm not very helpful yet but i hope that helps you just a little

You're off to a fantastic start! Thanks for your encouragement and for sharing your thoughts with me, sunshineinbama.

Short and to the point.

All i can say is band is a tool. If you follow the rules eat right and exercise you will do well. The band has helped me eat less. I have lost 82 lbs and feel great.

Good Luck

Wendy

You are doing great, zinnaa! I definitely need help eating less, lots of help. However, I think I can follow the rules, and I rarely miss a day of exercise. Thanks to all of these responses, I am feeling more confident that I can indeed do this!

The band works because you simply cannot overeat, it helps to take away some of the need for willpower in that you don't need to work as hard to make sure you don't eat too much but you still have to have the willpower to make the right food choices.

Congratulations on your weight loss, Shellyac! Overeating is the reason I have become obese. Every single day I struggle to not overeat. Thanks for responding and for your encouragement.

ElizabethAnne,

If you are considering the lap-band or comparing it with other surgeries like gastric bypass, I would certainly do some research. You will find that lap-band is much less risky and it is completely reversible if it turns out that it isn't the right tool for you. Recent long-term studies have shown that the success rate of the two surgeries is equal, so I can't imagine why anyone would want to take the added risk of gastric bypass without at least trying the lap-band first.

My surgeon seems really interested in the long-run impact the band will have on my life. He isn't just the surgeon, he will be there to help me make the right decisions about adjustments and his staff are amazingly friendly and helpful. He has two nutritionists at his office. I can't imagine a more secure environment for helping me on my journey.

I just started (was banded yesterday), but I have no regrets or fears that I will have regrets. But that is because I did the research to find the right procedure for me with the right surgeon.

Good luck in your weight loss effort, no matter what road you choose!

Well, If you have ever Dieted, lost weight, then gained it back over and over. "I see you have"

This band can help prevent this.

You might fall of the wagon, say,,, if you were to have a unfill for a reason.

As soon as you see the scale going up ! You can stop, and get yourself back to the basics without any trouble. "I'll bet you can't do that now, or keep it going in your future..."

Then, once filled again, you stay back on track.

It really is a great tool.

Also, I am addicted to food. certain foods "TRIGGER FOODS" could set me off !

Now ! I don't miss them, and I don't eat them. If I have a chip or two, I can deal with it because of the resistance from the band.

The resistance takes away that drive to just sit back and eat, or go out to a Restaurant, and go in to the kitchen, and start cooking.

My food bill has dropped allot !

So yep I know what your talking about, and I have lost weight, and it's still coming of.

Also remember that yo yo dieting is very dangerous, and will really mess up your Matabilissim.

That means more weight gain.....

I am at the pre-op stage and am still wondering if the lap band is the best option for me. Unfortunately, there seem to be no clear answers concerning which WLS method will work best for my personality.

I am a perfectionist by nature and while I am "good" at losing weight, the only time I have been able to maintain a weight loss was when Phen-Fen was available. I lost weight, then maintained that loss because I was devoted to daily exercise and didn't overeat; for the first time in my life, I ate reasonable portions because I wasn't excessively hungry all the time. However, once that drug combination was no longer available, my hunger was out of control again and I was no longer able to maintain my healthy weight, though I still continued to exercise at the same rate. I lose weight ever single year, only to gain it back the same year.

I overeat because I am physically hungry; I never experience being full. (I have devoted much time to analyzing this and am confident that I'm right.)

I am interested in weight loss surgery only if I will be able to maintain a weight loss. If I can't, I might as well stick with yo-yo dieting. I eat fairly healthy (except for chocolate candy sometimes) because I choose to control my home environment, and I exercise almost every single day. I am obese because I eat way too much. Is there anyone here similar to me that the lap band has helped? If so, could you please explain why you believe the lap band is superior to traditional, less invasive weight loss methods?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

I highlighted in red the exact reason why dieting didn't work for me either. I also took Phen-fen and was able to get most of the weight off, but as soon as it went off the market my appetite returned and so did all of the weight plus some. I am an "excellent" dieter too..lol...I can get it off, but I can never keep it off. The wonderful thing about the band for me is that it has taken my appetite away, the same way the phen-fen did. I find that small meals truly satisfy me and I no longer have the desire to overeat. I can actually watch the food network and not get hungry! For me, this band has been the answer to my prayers. I always told family and friends that if I could find something that would stop my ravenous hunger I knew I could get back to a healthy weight. I still have a way to go on this journey but I know I will make it this time.

All I can say is that I have not "dieted" since getting my band almost 4 years ago. I have easily been maintaining this weight for over two years.

The band has given me control over my portions by giving me the sense of satiety that I never had. My thoughts no longer revolve around food at all times. Before being banded I was always thinking about my next meal or snack. I always felt physically hungry. That is no longer the case.

I think you sound like a great candidate. I was like you--a big exerciser with a big appetite--and I think we're one of the types most likely to find success with the band. The exercise is key and the band manages portion control. If you were a sedentary snacker who grazed on cookies and chips throughout the day I'd say you might want to consider other options, but as it stands I think the band and your natural tendencies are a good match. Eventually you'll get to have those chocolates back too!