I've been reading different post in the forum trying to get a good idea of the process before and after so to speak ups and downs etc. I noticed that there are lots of people on "diet" foods after the surgery.

It seems almost like a diet on a diet type situation.

I don't understand I was under the impression you do one or the other not both at the same time?

When you are doing your counsultation prior to surgery isn't part of it a lesson in learning to eat properly? most of the items I see people eating I cannot imagine are good for you long term before surgery I cannot imagine after.

I also noticed that some people are keeping the device for life not sure why but I thought it was temporary and with your new found learned eating habits you can maintain your health without "dieting" per say just mindful behaviors.

What was your overall purpose for getting the device?

Mine would be to loose weight to my desired goal and then remove. I have started retraining myself on how to eat properly.

I will never get rid of my lapband unless I medically have to. I have lost weight too many times to count, only to regain it. The purpose of the lapband for me is to help me with portion control, so I will feel full on a much smaller amount of food that I usually was eating.

I know the theory. I've "learned" how to eat. It hasn't stuck very well.

At the most, I'd unfill my band a little when I get to maintenance. But knowing it was always there to help me if I need it makes me know I will be successful this time- for the LONG haul.

Oh, and I forgot to add, that I am learning how to eat more healthy, smaller portions, and to avoid slider foods. I will be in the habit of doing these things for the long haul. Still want my band though!

You still have to be on a "diet" with the band- meaning eating well, eating healthy foods and appropriate portions. There's a time when you're first banded when you do DIET- in the traditional sense of the word. You're in "bandster hell" where the band is in place but not filled- you won't have restriction, any weight you lose you'll lose the "old fashioned" way. It also builds up your willpower.

It's not a magic thing that you get for just awhile and then, voila, you're cured. It's a permanent thing.

The band is meant to be a tool for life. You do have to learn how to eat healthy with the band. The purpose of the band is to limit the amount that you can eat and to keep you feeling fuller longer.

From the reading I have done, when a person loses their band for whatever reason, the weight comes back on really quickly because your body has gotten used to eating such a small amount.

I'm not sure where you're getting your information from. The band is not intended to be removed unless its malfunctioning or defective. It's for life. Also, if you could lose weight and magically keep it off before then you wouldn't need the band. You're always going to be a food addict. So will the rest of us. Eating junk will make you unhealthy no matter what size you are. No one can just eat whatever they want all of the time, eventually it catches up with everyone, fat or thin. This is a tool. Nothing more, nothing less. You will be expected to work hard. Anybody who told you this was easy lied to you. The one thing it can do is help you be successful. If your not prepared to do the work I would not bother getting the band.

I've been reading different post in the forum trying to get a good idea of the process before and after so to speak ups and downs etc. I noticed that there are lots of people on "diet" foods after the surgery.

It seems almost like a diet on a diet type situation.

I don't understand I was under the impression you do one or the other not both at the same time?

When you are doing your counsultation prior to surgery isn't part of it a lesson in learning to eat properly? most of the items I see people eating I cannot imagine are good for you long term before surgery I cannot imagine after.

I also noticed that some people are keeping the device for life not sure why but I thought it was temporary and with your new found learned eating habits you can maintain your health without "dieting" per say just mindful behaviors.

What was your overall purpose for getting the device?

And

Mine would be to loose weight to my desired goal and then remove. I have started retraining myself on how to eat properly.

I read somewhere that the band wasnt intended for life and that its suppose to help you lose weight and adjusy and understand what you should eat and how much. I asked my surgeon about it and he most likely if you need it because of genetics and what not if you have it removed you're more than likely to fall back to old eating habits. I believe it depends on determination and will. I get banded the 20th and depending on how things go I'm thinkinh about getting it removed in 5 years (the idea of having something foreign in me my whole life is strange to me)

My band has no removal date nor do I unless something goes wrong. Following the rules, eating healthier, and exercising is key to its success. To my success. I was a quantity eater so for me this band has been successful. I did choose to have fills slower and smaller amounts. I was banded dec 2010 from 276... I'm to 187 with a goal of maybe 145 or 150. I don't have regrets. I hope to learn from my band portion control and healthy foods.

That's an interesting mix of thoughts. I have recently befriended someone whom is a representative for Medifast and I've attended a few of the seminars. One of the biggest push for them seems to be learned eating habits. This makes perfect sense otherwise when you are at your goal weight you'd just ballon back up or become part of the yo yo dieting I suppose.

I also have a friend whom had I believe her stomach stapled this was back in 2003 or so and I remember how scared we were for her before during and after. She wasn't very big but to her she was huge and found herself unpleasant and had taken so many pills to try to loose weight. I was totally against the pills but I guess once you get it into your mind you'll do anything. Her problem was more so she wanted a "quick" fix so to say because she never really changed her habits. I remember her being stapled about a month or so into it and she was eating bread which was on the top of the DO NOT list because it expands and she'd eat and eat and eat. I used to think oh dear God don't let this girl explode.

My point is very early on before I even thought about dieting or looking at my options I realized there has to be some self discipline and dedication to making yourself healthy by not only loosing weight. I am currently 320 pounds and because I've become ill I've done so much food research and it scares me to know what I was and put into my body at this point. I too struggle with emotional eating, depression eating, uncontrollable snacking etc...but I've taught myself to be mindful and that its not always about giving in but holding out.

I appreciate the feed back its always interesting to see how people are doing personally and how things relate to them.

I'm looking forward to finding a seminar I can attend and getting more details =)