In the age of technology we are fortunate to have this little diversion called the Internet. In our cases we have found this forum because we all have, want, are thinking about, used to have or just flat hate lapbands.

In my opinion Getting a band for whatever reason should be a considerate, thoughtful and drastic decision to get your weight under control once and for all. I believe for most people it's the last resort. Let's face it no one in their right mind would do it because it's the fad of the year or the cool thing to do. We are all here because we are or were desperate.

That said... Like anything else so people are amazingly successfull and some are not. Some people take to the lifestyle change and others do not. No different than any other diet we have been on. And sorry but based on my experience...call it what ever you like but THIS IS A DIET until you get to the point of maintaining your weight. Thats is where the band shines. I can sight you several examples but the most recent happened last night.

I was at a Christmas party...I had one glass of wine and picked at a few shrimp and a stuffed mushroom. There was a dessert table and there was a piece of chocolate cheese cake with my name on it. That is something I haven't had in 25 months. Not even a bite. So I decided to try it. Keep in mind I have lost 220 lbs and am basically at goal and happy with my current weight. If I lose a little more I am ok with it but bottom line... I am maintaining.

So I get the cheese cake and settle in to enjoy every bite. It was amazing, I don't know if it was really that good of I was just in love with the idea but after the first bite I wanted another. LOL. I ate 3 bites. I left well over half.... Could I have eaten the whole thing? Yes. It's basically a slider food and I hadn't had any food in a few hours. It dawned on me that this is what I am reading about when I see people complain they aren't losing weight.... I wasn't full per se after my 3 bites. If I ate until I was full the whole thing would have been gone and I would be on to the fried shrimp or something.

My point is...you MUST find self control to make the band work for you. PERIOD. If you don't you will come on this forum looking for answers, validation and any excuse you can justify as to why the band isn't working for you. And then people will tell you stuff you do not want to hear and feelings get hurt and tempers rise... And what good is it?

I am an extreme case. I was super strict with myself because I knew if I didn't see results I would get frustrated and be one of those people complaining the band didn't work for me.... I don't expect every one else to do it like I did. But if you ask me about it I can only tell you what worked for me. Please keep that in mind when post about why your band isn't working....

Very well said Floridays!!

Being a new Bander Dec 4th, I have been experiencing the last few days of Christmas parties of food "having my name on it"

I had self control for the first time in my life!! Gosh, I am so pleasED!

Congrats on all your AMAZING WEIGHT LOSS!!

I hope one day I can get to a point where it is my lifestyle but right now this holds me accountable. I try to see food as fuel but I'm definatly not there yet. Head hunger is my biggest obsticle!!

Excellent post. Wonderful read and GREAT inspiration to snap myself back into action! My doctor went REALLY slow with fills, so, two years later I am just now at restriction within the past month. It's reinvigorated me and I am finally seeing results. Because I started seeing results again, I've started eating right and really paying attention - which is what I should have been doing ALL along.

Anyway, thanks again for the kick!

S

Great info everyone. Good to hear when there are so many tempting occasions this time of year.

Great p[ost! I had a similar experience with a brownie the other day.... In the pre-band days, I would have eaten a brownie that was 1/4 of the 8 inch square pan..... but this day, I had 2 bites of a normal portion and was happy !

Also in my PCP's office, they had a LOT of sweets deliverd from vendors.... they offered me a cookie and I politely refused.... what a great feeling!

As a newbie to the sight love being in such good company! I really did soul searching before banding and so far so good

Nice thread!

Great p[ost! I had a similar experience with a brownie the other day.... In the pre-band days, I would have eaten a brownie that was 1/4 of the 8 inch square pan..... but this day, I had 2 bites of a normal portion and was happy !

Also in my PCP's office, they had a LOT of sweets deliverd from vendors.... they offered me a cookie and I politely refused.... what a great feeling!

It's so rewarding being able to feel satisfied with results instead of food isn't it? Food is such a fleeting reward... I am just sorry it took me 50 years t figure it out. LOL

I love my band. When I started the journey, I knew it would have to be a choice for change. I am the turtle of lap band, but, the scale continues to inch down. I have learned that this is MY life, food no longer consumes me. So, I eat healthy, but have been known to have a piece of cake for supper. My band keeps me in check and is my new normal.

With the new year approaching I still have the mindset of ...I'm going to eat healthier and exercise more. So glad I have the band to push me in the right direction

I love my band. When I started the journey, I knew it would have to be a choice for change. I am the turtle of lap band, but, the scale continues to inch down. I have learned that this is MY life, food no longer consumes me. So, I eat healthy, but have been known to have a piece of cake for supper. My band keeps me in check and is my new normal.

With the new year approaching I still have the mindset of ...I'm going to eat healthier and exercise more. So glad I have the band to push me in the right direction

Very wise and practical approach...no need to punish ourselves...

I enjoy things such as cake, ice cream sundaes, beer, etc....if the band will allow, it does hold me in check...

Difference is, I'm not a gluttonous pig like I used to be..I'm not doing it all day, every day......it is also not a diet...but a new life changing lifestyle, no different from what

normal weight people do...

Of course, for people just starting out, the sacrifices are more drastic...

Let's face it, we won't always be around skinny, active people all the time. The way I see it, no matter who you are with you just have to stick to your decision to change your lifestyle or else we will have done nothing!