So many post with newbies and wannabe's stressing out about if their pre authorization with their insurance will be approved. Ecstatic when approved! Cannot possibly make it through the liquid diet, or possibility of post op pain. Do it any way, then break every rule laid out for success with the band. Really?

Is it because you do not value the wonderful gift of having partial payment from the insurance company, therefore, the band does not hold the same value as it would if you paid 15 thousand out of pocket? Or, do you not value yourself?

Some of the behavior exhibited, makes a mockery of the hard fought battles of folks struggling to loose by following the rules, and when they are successful, the same people who break every rule, wonder why the band isn't working for them, how they are not one of the "lucky" ones.

It's all about you. Decide before you put yourself through all of the above, that you are going to do this, not cheat yourself, and not cheat some of the amazing people on here, who don't know you, and are reaching out to help you be successful.

Sorry for the rant, but it's so upsetting when people break the band rules.

One of the hardest lessons of my life was to stop worrying about other people and concentrate on my own actions. I am not being critical of what you said, only sharing what I have learned.

One thought for you is that most of us here are not the most emotionally stable people in the world as evidenced by our eating issues, so is it any wonder that that those issues don't go away when we are banded?

You are right Terry. Just annoyed.

If you want to change you have to be willing to be uncomfortable. Like it.

Please don't take this the wrong way...you were only banded about a month ago right?

You have a lot to learn about the reality of living with your band. Some of your points are valid, but you should not judge anyone or their journey...you haven't lived through any of the challenges of being banded yet so it's very unfair of you to tell others what they should or shouldn't do.

Exactly whose rules do you believe we should all follow? If you've been on LBT for long, you will see people tell variations of their pre-op diet, their post-op progression from liquids to regular food and the instructions they are given after a fill ( or even an unfill). The only rules that anyone should follow are the ones given by their own doctor.

Lastly, your point about cheating the people here on LBT is really challenging for me to understand. If I choose at this time in MY journey to eat something, I am not cheating anyone besides myself. I record everything that I eat, so should I now feel guilty because you wouldn't approve of my choice? Sorry, but at nearly three years out, I don't worry about too much about anyone's approval. Just saying all of this in my humble opinion.

"do you not value yourself", was one of the first things I learned before getting banded. I came to a point in my life where I had to put myself front and center.

I matter, I'm worth it and no one is going to take care of me, but me.

I truly wish, those considering banding or newly banded would work on how important their lives are and how worth it is, to suffer a little to gain a better, healthier life.

We are all special. We deserve to be healthy.

The rules I am referring to are what admittedly are their doctor's rules.

I too get very frustrated when I see post after post of people sabotaging themselves, or people saying "the band didn't work for me" when it was them that clearly failed not the band.

If someone tells me I'm "lucky" for losing so much weight I tell them luck has absolutely nothing to do with it- I worked my @ss off for every pound I lost.

But one thing I have learned in the 16 months since being banded and on these forums- you can't take what others do (or don't do) to heart and you can't let it bother you. The only person you can control is you. If others choose to drown in their own ignorance that's their problem, not yours.

Please don't take this the wrong way...you were only banded about a month ago right?

You have a lot to learn about the reality of living with your band. Some of your points are valid, but you should not judge anyone or their journey...you haven't lived through any of the challenges of being banded yet so it's very unfair of you to tell others what they should or shouldn't do.

Exactly whose rules do you believe we should all follow? If you've been on LBT for long, you will see people tell variations of their pre-op diet, their post-op progression from liquids to regular food and the instructions they are given after a fill ( or even an unfill). The only rules that anyone should follow are the ones given by their own doctor.

Lastly, your point about cheating the people here on LBT is really challenging for me to understand. If I choose at this time in MY journey to eat something, I am not cheating anyone besides myself. I record everything that I eat, so should I now feel guilty because you wouldn't approve of my choice? Sorry, but at nearly three years out, I don't worry about too much about anyone's approval. Just saying all of this in my humble opinion.

I believe Kitt was just stating her humble opinion, which she is free to do. She said she was venting and I'd rather someone do that, than hold it in.

It is frustrating to think someone went through jumping threw all the hoops, and not take this seriously.

Personally I did not undergo serious surgery to not take it seriously.

IMHO

What we must remember is that everyone journey is there own some people get it right the first time through and others need more tries but in the end it's individual and what u make it how u plan to achieve your goal

it took me a while to work with my band but now i am working better with it and doing the right choices and i may fall back but i got right back up and do better!

I too get very frustrated when I see post after post of people sabotaging themselves, or people saying "the band didn't work for me" when it was them that clearly failed not the band.

If someone tells me I'm "lucky" for losing so much weight I tell them luck has absolutely nothing to do with it- I worked my @ss off for every pound I lost.

But one thing I have learned in the 16 months since being banded and on these forums- you can't take what others do (or don't do) to heart and you can't let it bother you. The only person you can control is you. If others choose to drown in their own ignorance that's their problem, not yours.

I totally agree with Mis people lifestyles are their own, its their choice if they want to do the best they can or if they want to cheat themselves its their responsibility, I, similar to Mis had a ton of weight to lose, it wasn't luck it was sheer hard work, and the hard work continues but that is our choice to do this and no one elses. I used to get frustrated when I read the whines about pre-op diets, or cheating only a couple of days out of surgery, or blaming the band for a 'headache' etc but then I realised we all do what we need to some will be successful some wont that is part of life. So I do understand why u feel the way you do but move on from it and live your own life the way you want to

to me it is simple

the dr advises you how to work the band and get the most success out of it...you either do it (adhere as best you can) or you dont. ..no one is perfect and people just need to do their best....in my eyes, i can either stay fat or suck it up and get on with it.

So many post with newbies and wannabe's stressing out about if their pre authorization with their insurance will be approved. Ecstatic when approved! Cannot possibly make it through the liquid diet' date=' or possibility of post op pain. Do it any way, then break every rule laid out for success with the band. Really?

Is it because you do not value the wonderful gift of having partial payment from the insurance company, therefore, the band does not hold the same value as it would if you paid 15 thousand out of pocket? Or, do you not value yourself?

Some of the behavior exhibited, makes a mockery of the hard fought battles of folks struggling to loose by following the rules, and when they are successful, the same people who break every rule, wonder why the band isn't working for them, how they are not one of the "lucky" ones.

It's all about you. Decide before you put yourself through all of the above, that you are going to do this, not cheat yourself, and not cheat some of the amazing people on here, who don't know you, and are reaching out to help you be successful.

Sorry for the rant, but it's so upsetting when people break the band rules.[/quote']

Sorry but who are we to judge others?

Weight loss is a tremendous struggle and the lifestyle change is really hard for those who aren't fast leathers

As stated earlier, Kitt was not judging anyone, by calling them out by name. She was frustrated, like many of us and as stated "venting". She's trying to understand where others minds are, what makes others tick.

I think its terribly unfair to be judge for doing so.

I would hope that anyone is free to ask anything to do with LBS and those that don't like the thread are free to move on. No one gets judged!IMHO

Since we all got here by not following dietary guidelines, it's no surprise that many struggle with adhering to "the rules" for preoperative and postoperative eating and exercise. Empathy and support is asked for in many different ways. Sometimes it's in the form of "confessing" to cheating. Whether insurance covered the surgery or not is irrelevant. Self sabotage is how we got here. Dealing with "head" issues throughout the process is essential to success.