I am scheduled for 11/20 and I have been waiting for this day forever. But in the past week I am wondering if maybe this isn't for me after all. I lost 20 pounds on my own so far, losing about 2 pounds per week. I am not starving myself, just eating more sensibly by making better food choices and watching my portions. I also walk about an hour a day, five days a week.

I see a lot of banded people really aren't losing as much weight as I would have thought. I know that it is a slow process when compared to gastric bypass but I am wondering why I am losing more without the band. But then I look at some of you who have had unbelievable success with it and it inspires me. What should I do?

Before even pursuing the band I had lost about 50 pounds. I had a horrible knee problem that made it almost imposible to even do grocery shopping (I was 38!). As part of my preop diet (7 months) I lost another 50 pounds. I am two years post op and have lost another 70. Yes I am a slow looser for a bandster. I eat very conservatively and exercise 7 days a week (up to 2.5 hours of cardio). This is however the longest period of time in my life that I have continued a healthy lifestyle (eating and exercising) about 4 years.

Before even pursuing the band I had lost about 50 pounds. I had a horrible knee problem that made it almost imposible to even do grocery shopping (I was 38!). As part of my preop diet (7 months) I lost another 50 pounds. I am two years post op and have lost another 70. Yes I am a slow looser for a bandster. I eat very conservatively and exercise 7 days a week (up to 2.5 hours of cardio). This is however the longest period of time in my life that I have continued a healthy lifestyle (eating and exercising) about 4 years.

It doesn't matter if you are a slow loser. You are a loser, how long it took you is irrelevant, as long as you are happy. Congratulations!