So I have been planning band surgery for 5 years now. Back in 2007 my insurance didn't cover it and I could not afford it. Back in 2008 I could afford it but issues with the overseas clinic I was going thru prevented me from going thru with it. Now my insurance will cover some and we can afford the rest and after 6 months of pre-surgery diet it looks like I am finally going to get this done. Now I have done a lot of research over the years and I feel I am pretty well informed. I knew there was success stories and not as successful stories. In my head I was thinking "I really want this and I am a practical person, and this is going to work for me because I am tenacious and will make it happen" However 2x in the last few months I have come across banded people that barely lost any weight. And now I am alarmed and I am thinking "Hmmm, maybe that will be me." I bet those other people wanted it just as much as I do so what makes me different? Who is to say that after all the classes, and appointments, and the time, and the money, that I still won't lose weight? I really appreciate this moment of self-doubt. I want to go into this with my eyes open. To be confident, yet not cocky. But will I be able to this?

Statistics say that a banded person will lose 40-60% of excess weight depending on age. Stats for bypass say 63% of people will lose excess weight. With the band, if it is not properly adjusted, the tool is sitting unused. Who knows why the people you met are not successful, but the only person you can know and count on is you. Maybe those people found a surgeon who was a pop-up shop and got them in and out without really explaining expectations and those people thought once banded, they would lose weight like a miracle diet. This is not true, and as you've been researching for so many years, you know it requires dedication and hard work.

We all experience the "what-ifs," but I figured the outcome of going through with the surgery would be better than without it.

well, its simple as i see it.

if you get the band and continue to overeat and not change your eating habits, you will not lose weight. the band is a plastic band they put on your belly to make you feel full. you have to choose to eat better/healthier foods instead of the junk that got people to the state they are to need WLS surgery.

i have found some people blame the band for them not losing weight but

they are the only ones who know for sure.

if you want to lose weight, follow the guidelines the dr's give you

and you will. its up to you really.

you can do this if you want.

if you choose not to band, you stay the same or get bigger.

i made that decision and am on my way.

i only wish you the best.

I bet those other people wanted it just as much as I do so what makes me different? Who is to say that after all the classes, and appointments, and the time, and the money, that I still won't lose weight?

Actually, no amount of money spent, classes attended, and appointments kept will make you lose weight. What will make you lose weight is sticking to band sized portions, making healthy food choices, and learning to listen to your band.

For people who aren't successful with the band, the majority have no one to blame but themselves. They go into surgery completely uneducated or think it's going to be some magic fix to fat. Many will eat band sized portions but still eat the same high fat, high calorie food they've always eaten- so smaller portions or not you're not going to lose weight.

Really, it's all completely up to you. If you want this it's right there for the taking. Logically speaking, if you reduce portions (aka calories) and make healthy food choices, you will lose weight.

Btw, that fear and doubt you're feeling is totally normal. I've been there and I suspect the majority here have been as well. Just remind yourself that you have an amazing opportunity for health and you can totally do this!

Best wishes

I guess any diet where you reduce portions (aka calories) and make healthy food choices, you will lose weight. Hopefully the band will trigger a signal in our heads and stomachs to stop eating much sooner. Part will power & part band?

Thank you all for the advice. I will let you know that one of the persons I spoke to said she didn't keep up on her fills. So I will learn form her mistake and make sure to keep going in for fills until I hit that "sweet spot" I hear mentioned so often. I guess I just wanted to hear that the doubt is normal. Sounds like it is. Its just a big deal and a life changer and I want to be the person that makes it happen. I am just going to vow to myself to keep going in for fills, keep going to support groups and try to remember why I am doing this. Thank you. Maybe next time I post it will be with a surgery date!

Statistics say that a banded person will lose 40-60% of excess weight depending on age. Stats for bypass say 63% of people will lose excess weight. With the band, if it is not properly adjusted, the tool is sitting unused. Who knows why the people you met are not successful, but the only person you can know and count on is you. Maybe those people found a surgeon who was a pop-up shop and got them in and out without really explaining expectations and those people thought once banded, they would lose weight like a miracle diet. This is not true, and as you've been researching for so many years, you know it requires dedication and hard work.

We all experience the "what-ifs," but I figured the outcome of going through with the surgery would be better than without it.

BTW thank you for the stats. Its reassuring that low end of the average will still put me at normal weight. I will put in the work and hopefully will be part of the stats

My doctor's assistant told me a story about a man who has the band but drank milk shakes everyday then complained because he was not losing. Now I don't really think this was the dr office fault because they have told me time and time again it's not a magic bullet it's a tool to help you. You have to put the work in. I'm learning this as I go but once you get in that mind set it will work. Just don't do what that man did!