Hi all!

I'm scheduled for banding Xmas eve morning and am pretty excited. I, like most of you, have tried every diet under the sun. No matter how much I lost with each I always knew it wasn't sustainable. After an internal struggle, I decided that getting banded WASN'T a sign of weakness - I was born with the "overweight" trait and I need a solution outside of myself, much like I would take insuliin shots if I was diabetic.

I am, however, having a tough time understanding why this doesn't work for some. For myself, the math seems simple:

Calories req'd to hold my current weight: 3200/day

Calories allowed after banding: 1500/day

Calories burned by exercise: ~300/day

Those numbers suggest I should lose 3-4 lbs/week, at least at the start. I realize as I lose weight the 3200/day also goes down so the loss will slow but, if averaged, it seems that during my intended 70 lb loss I shouldn't drop much beyond 1.5-2 lbs/week.

I get that the above assumes I don't ever cheat. After what I've read it seems that cheating not only makes a person feel guilty but can cause physical discomfort, even pain, so I'm hoping that's a good enough reason to stay on plan. I'm probably being naive, especially since I've not yet experienced this.

Assuming I stick to the plan, I've got to be missing something. Someone please school this boy!

you are very flattering but i don't know everything...just what worked for me. and I am so excited about my results I really want to be able to offer any help I can to those who are serious about wanting this to work for them.

The help is appreciated. In truth, for me a big part of this is because there are several people I care about who need to do as you (and me starting Monday) have done. For whatever reasons they are all hesitant or maybe don't know about this. I'm hoping if I can successfully plow the road they will be willing to follow.

As for the flattery, I think most anyone would agree. Credit where credit is due though my goal is to do an even better before/after. Big talk from a newb but who knows?

I would say something, but I lost my calculator! ROFLMAO

In looking at my posts in this thread I've gotta say I'm looking like a serial suck-up. Maybe when you find your calc you can let me know how many times...

The second reason I say physically is because mentally, I still struggle. I have a very hard time seeing myself as I truly am. In my mind, I'm still a 400 pound woman, so when I see my own reflection it's literally startling at times. Plus I'm not done losing, so I am still very much in must-lose-this-weight mode. I'm hopefully one day, in time, my brain will catch up with my body

As a kid who was "big-boned" until I finally grew out of it in high school, I completely get this. It took me forever to stop thinking of myself the way I was. I'm truly looking forward to re-living that experience.

Based on your results, anyone who doesn't listen to you must not have ears. Amazing loss and maybe the best before/after pix ever. Well played ma'am... well played.

You can bet I'll pay attention to your posts and follow what you've done as closely as possible.

i agree with you. i read every thing floridas says and she has helped me more than i can say (via pm's) and on here with her insight and knowledge and being her and i were (nearly the same) when i started, i came to respect her even more bc it gave me hope.

hang in there uncle ted.

Congratulations Uncle Ted for your upcoming Day!

Many have posted for you with lot's of different results. I've been on close to 1200-1260 calories per day for awhile and when keeping this calorie intake I'm losing about 1.5-2 pounds per week. I was banded on Aug 6 and I'm close to 78.9 pounds so far. I've lost about 6-7 inches off my waist. So the inches came off me very rapidily. I do stretch bands every ohter day for close to 40 reps for chest, arms and legs. This has tighten my skin quite a bit so as I lose the weight, hopefully less loose skin will show.

For me it's not so much I've lost a fair amount of weight as opposed to other's, but I feel healthy, am healthy for the first time in a long time. All my levels have greatly improved, lots more stamina and less stress to cope with. Common goals embedded in your brain will help you achieve your success. We all do this in our own pace. But please don't compare yourself to anybody here and believe you should be the same. Our creator made us all individuals with many different trits and habits. You will do great, just focus on YOUR goal!

Best wishes and Keep the Faith.

3500 calories = 1lb of fat......

Divide that by 7 days, that would = 500 calories per day....ABOVE what you consume.....

So, if you consume 1000 calories per day, you need to burn 1500 calories per day to loose 1 lb per week.....

Normal body functions, breathing...maintaining body temp. (burn more in winter) your heart beating....etc, ..burns calories....so it is hard to calculate what one actually burns per day although there is a given fudge factor......

Loosing weight has always been about burning more calories that you consume...always has, always will be....whether it's accomplished by dieting, surgery, and in many cases a combination of both......

You can eat more and exercise more...eat less and exercise less...or better yet...eat less and exercise more!

Early on, in the first 6 months, I drove myself nuts trying to keep track of everything I ate, and every activity I did....had all the fancy app's...download to my computer..printed graphs to show my Dr....he was not impressed, he wanted to SEE results, not paperwork...

So, with the aid of the band...I eat little but make wise nutritious food choices with everything I do eat...., and remain as active as I can possibly be....and pay special attention to my

daily Protein intake, (that I do count) if not with food, then supplements....my daily Water intake to maintain metabolism and other body functions, and Vitamins, omegas, etc....my Dr. does not question my techniques, what I eat and how much...what he is pleased with is the results, and my overall health and fitness...which has never been better....

Also, it is said the more you have to loose, the more you will loose in #'s......but it is all about %'s ....loosing 100 lbs for one person is no different than loosing 50 lbs for the next person....depends...

The important thing is that we all loose!

The help is appreciated. In truth, for me a big part of this is because there are several people I care about who need to do as you (and me starting Monday) have done. For whatever reasons they are all hesitant or maybe don't know about this. I'm hoping if I can successfully plow the road they will be willing to follow.

As for the flattery, I think most anyone would agree. Credit where credit is due though my goal is to do an even better before/after. Big talk from a newb but who knows?

I am anxious to watch your progress...you have the right attitude !!!