Let's see...where do I begin? I think I should start by letting you all know that I am 30 pounds from my goal weight. I had my surgery in October of this year...just a couple of months ago...literally. Since then, I have lost 16 pounds. However, I lost an even greater amount of weight before my surgery. I have lost a total of 67 pounds since beginning my journey of weight loss back in June of this year.

Now, I have to tell you that I am not your "normal" lapband patient. Nope! I eat normal...chicken, beef, popcorn...you name it, I can eat it. I swallow pills...regular pills...Not a problem. I live my life normal. BUT~~my normal is not YOUR normal. We are all different.

My lapband is NOT the reason I have lost ANY of my weight...not even the 16 pounds since my surgery. Why? Because I made a conscience decision to begin eating healthier way before my surgery. I had already begun to get in the mindset of eating smaller portion...that is something "most skinny folks" do already. I had already begun making wiser choices in my food preparations. I had a healthy mindset.

So why did I get lapband surgery? Because I wanted a backup plan. Yep! I had to gain weight three weeks before my surgery in order to make the cut off line of weight limit. We are not talking 20 pounds...only like 7 or so. I have always had the yoyo thing going on with weight gain and loss. So, gaining it was a breeze! Now, what I can say is that I have conditioned my mind and my body to eat "normal". And if my normal is 1/2 a cup...fine. If my normal is 3/4 cup fine. If my normal is 1 whole cup..GREAT! The deal is that my body is now working with my band. I am not overeating. I have never thrown up. I have a grasp on my life. I have a NEW life!

But~~YOU may be different. And if so, just remember, just as I have a testimony, I also have had many tests...and I am certain I will have more! So, as you are going forward with your journey, remember you are awesome, and your journey is YOUR journey. You are an individual and what works for one person may not work for another. Smile! And you will have a story to tell! :-)

Great story, Dana Adams! I agree we are all different. You said it is a back up plan. I agree, I have it because I yoyo, too. I get bored with dieting, easily. That is my story. I have had lapband for 3 years and even tho' I knew what to eat for years, I ate too much junk! I loved bread, growing up, and forever. I can't eat most breads, so I have had to break a love affair with it. Best wishes, and stay awhile, you have a lot of wisdom to share. Karen

Thank you, Karen!!! :-)

Good story and attitude! I like it!

Good story and attitude! I like it!

Great story, thank you! And I totally agree, I wanted the band to help me keep it off, I could always lose it, just can't keep it off.

Maybe Oprah and Kristie Alley should include a backup plan in their dieting.

Very good story.....

There is no such thing as a "Normal" Lab band person.....(or patient)

This Forum is, and should be, a place where people come and share their own personal experiences.....all different! All good and bad.....

It bothers me when people here promote themselves as "Experts" and come right out and say "This is how it is" and "This is what you should or should not be doing" when the next person may have a entirley different experience.

People should only share what THEY have found to be true for THEM....

I have been working with patients for over 30 years, and that approach would only invite lawsuits.....

Everything should be based on "Probable" Outcomes, taking into consideration case studies covering a wide range of patients, all with different stories to tell......and experiences with other patients.....

I will admit, there are some some people here that I have blocked.....better to not hear what they say....

I don't know if they can read my posts, but I sure cannot read thiers......

i 100% agree...i am different than anyone else and doing what my dr and i feels what works for me.

i am also like b52, i block people because sometimes you just cant fix stupid. just my opinion.

bee well (everyone who tries to make themselves healthy)