The more I follow the different surgeries, the more I feel that there are people who "learn" what they need to learn, and others for whom the lesson just does NOT compute.

I have a friend who had the DS, lost a ton and then gained back about 20 pounds before she went off to WW. Before I had my revision, I asked her what she had learned abot herself that helped her keep her weight off. First she said, "Not a damned thing. This surgery hasn't taught me a damned thing." Then she changed her mind and said that it got her to a place where her excess weight was a managable number and she COULD run off to WW to lose 15 or 20 pounds, instead of going there having to lose 130. I have another DS friend who manages to eat the sandwich filling but only a little bit of the bread. She varies five pounds from her ideal weight.

I know of a person who has been a band role model. But when the saline has to be removed for whatever reason, and restriction is gone, she has been known to pack on thirty pounds in no time. Then there's Michelle, who is on top of things.

The same holds true for RnY people, so I imagine is applies to those who are without a working wls at any moment.

What's the difference? What makes some of us "learners" and the rest of us candidates for the short bus? What do we have to do to be ABLE to learn from whatever wls we have had?

Ideas anyone?

For me, and I am not banded yet, I have tried to take a little of every new way of eating and apply it to the way I eat daily. My body has gotten used to it and if I don't eat low carb, I actuallly feel sick! I can't deny myself when I want something or else I will binge and have way more. I try to eat when i am hungry and stop when I am full. The problem is, I can eat a lot! So, even if it is a salad, I can eat a huge salad!

I cut out soda, drink mostly Water, Crystal light. I try to not eat fast food more than 2-3 times a week. I also try to eat fruit when i have a sweet tooth. I try to get some type of exercise every day. And if I mess up, I just pick up eating healthier the next meal not the next day. I used to just throw in the towel and blow the diet and just eat badly.

I try to keep busy which keeps me distracted so I don't eat when i am bored. I am not heavy because i am an emotional eater, I juat can really pack it away. Last night I think my husband really understood when he stopped when he was full and I passed him up, kept on eating and was finally full.

This is what I do to maintain my weight between 180-190. If I didn't keep these rules, I'd be in the 200's again. I am so excited about the band and I can't wait to have another great tool!!!

Audree:scared:

Penni...I think we become the old, wise women we are seeking. This may indeed be the time of transition from seeking...into being. Perhaps we must embrace the journey and prepare for our arrival.

I've learned a ton. I have learned that it is okay to be hungry. I have learned it is okay to PB when you overeat. I have learned that food isn't the main focus in my life. I am much happier now!

I have learned a lot...like I am totally dependent on food. I am an emotional eater. I am exhausted living the way I do. I have learned that the craziness musy end. I know the band will be a tool, not a miracle cure. I must "get it"...the whole relationship-to-food thing. Meanwhile, my insurance is going to put me through a few more hoops before I get my surgery date. that is ok...I am preparing mentally. I have to learn and learn again, to take care of myself.

I'm nearly 3 years out from surgery, not at goal yet, but down 80 lbs, which is good.

It never 'clicked' for me. If I lost my band, I'd have a hell of time maintaining, let alone losing. Unfortunately, I'm a very all or nothing person. Supposedly it's a sign of being a perfectionist (thanks mom, lol), but if I can't do something all the way, it's not worth doing at all. Dieting included. I have learned alot, I *know* lots of things, I dunno... I'm in counceling right now and we've plowed through alot of *stuff*, and we're working on me realizing there are things I just don't have control over that I need to let go of, so that I can work on the things I actually have the power to control. I'm hoping as some of the stuff that I can't control is pushed away, I'll be able to take better control of myself.

Hi Elizabeth are you still on this site? I see you posted last year at this time and your doctor was Dr. Geiss I have an appt. with them next week. Was wondering how your experience was and how are you doing now a year later.

thanks so much

Marg

I also love this thread. Here I sit one week after having my band replaced. It seems to me that a lot of bands slip. What have I learned? In three years of having the band I have learned a lot. I am profoundly different than I was three years ago. I have learned that it is the journey that is important not the destination. I can say this because this has been a very complicated and enlightening journey. Having the band allowed me the courage to accomplish many goals in my life that I never thought possible. Yet, I was unsatisfied by my accomplishments. Even the significant weight loss that I had accomplished seemed hollow in terms of what I expected it to be. I found that I had lived my entire adult live in terms of what some future accomplishments or goals would bring me. When these goals were met, I was left with the reality of living each day in the moment and finding acceptance in myself in the moment. I feel that my band slipping was a blessing in disguise. It made me look at things from a new perspective and realize every moment is a blessing. Today is a perfect and beautiful moment. I am the perfect person in this moment. Please enjoy every day in the moment and focus on your daily journey. Love yourselves; we are all brave and worthy. Jennifer