This question is mainly geared toward people that have been banded for six months or longer. If you're completely honest with yourself, and you haven't lost much weight, is it more because you haven't changed your eating habits and been following the band eating rules, or is it more because you haven't maintained your band with the proper amount of restriction?

I'm not trying to make anybody feel bad. As someone only two months post surgery and not terribly restricted yet, I'm beginning to wonder if restriction really will work for me.

I know for myself I havent been as successful as I could be because I havent changed my eating habits AND I dont follow the rules. I still eat fast, I still dont chew well. I get stuck frequently, which isnt good for the band. I am aware of all these behaviours, yet I seem to have a hard time changing them. The band is only a tool and I really need to do some work on the psychological end of things. I consider myself a food addict, so that is a problem as well.... Im working on it....A work in progress. Im interested to see if anyone one else will share. I want this to work for me, so I wont give up!!

C~

Toddy, I personally consider any amount of weight loss a success. We are all so different and lose weight at different speeds 5 pounds to me just might mean success if I've struggled with weight my entire life. But for others it may be 25,35 or 45 pounds. The band is going to involve life style changes so we should not count on restriction to get us to our definition of successful weight loss. Don't get me wrong "Restriction is Great" lol but its just like us its individual and some get it at 3cc's and other like me it will take 7cc's. IMO we should work on the life style changes 1st and when restriction comes it comes as an added bonus to what you've already been doing. Good Luck to all who share on this Topic. To me you are all successfull because you have decided to make a change.

Amanda, I agree with what you've said, any weight loss is a success.

The reason I posted this question is because daily you will see posts on here about someone saying that they've had the band for awhile, but haven't lost much weight. I often wonder if that person is doing proper follow-up with their doctor, or if they've just gotten to a certain point and are not maintaining their band. A lot of people are self-pay and I can see where it might be difficult to go to the doctor every six months for regular band maintenance.

I have only been banded since December, but I know what my issues are. I found out I can still eat some stuff I was told I probably wouldn't be able to, so I do, even if only in small amounts. When my MIL sent my hubby home with chocolates (mini ones!) instead of tossing it out, I ate a couple. Which turned into more, and more, and now the whole bag is done.

I am also an emotional eater, and while I am working on my mind, I let my irrational side of the brain take over in some instances, and eat too fast, too much, or both. It's a struggle I am still working on, and I need to send the irrational thoughts packing. And soon.

I have had my band since July and I have been able to eat all types of food, just in smaller portions. There is not a food that I can not eat. I have found myself being very destructive many days, eating things i know I shouldn't. I don't beat myself up very often about it though, I am human and I make mistakes. I also don't get on here asking for help and whining about not losing weight either, knowing I am not doing all I should be. The first 30 pounds fell off quick, within the first four months. It took another three months to lose the ten that has now put me at a 40 pound total loss. I have been between 178 and 175 for the past three months. I do think your body gets to a point where it just stops dropping the weight like you plan it to. I totally get how people say they have so much trouble losing that last 25 pounds. Sometimes it gets hard for me to mentally push myself to follow the strict rules when so many people tell me how great i look and how skinny i am getting, although I am 25 pounds from even having a normal BMI. Long story short, the lap band is never the reason for failure unless the equipment malfunctions. It is the person and his/her behaviors that set the success or failure rate. I WILL be a success, as long as my band stays intact, it just may take me longer. After all this is not a race and every day, I get a little stronger! Good Luck!