Because it seems completely clear to me, I often make the mistake of thinking it must seem obvious to others. So here it is:

• If you are over-weight and don't have a band, losing weight without eating well/exercising is damned near impossible
  
• If you have a band and don't eat well, don't exercise or have no restriction, you're pretty much as above
  
• If you have a band, don't eat well, don't exercise and have some restriction, you may still lose, but probably not much, and eventually you'll probably start regaining
  
• If you have a band, eat well, don't exercise and have no restriction, you might still lose, but slowly
  
• If you have a band, eat well, don't exercise, and have restriction, you will lose steadily but may not lose ALL your excess weight.
  
• If you have a band, eat well, exercise and have restriction, you now have the trifecta and have given yourself the best chance of success with weight loss.
  

I am a realist. If I don't exercise, I don't expect to lose fast. If I drink alcohol, then I expect that I will have to burn that off. If I don't have restriction, I expect to GAIN. The responsibility of how well I do is in my hands. No one else, and certainly not the band's alone.

People say the band is a tool, and this is what it means.

Say what??? I've been jipped. I was told I had to do nothing the band would do it all for me...WTH!!!! I want my $$$ back

(smirk)

Hahahaha

*smack*

<charges for smacks...(bahahhahahaha)

Your logic is undeniable. But since when does logic apply? lol

Lol I'm getting cynical in my old age, I think.

Sorry for those who find this a struggle....for me it was the best...and EASIEST thing I could have ever done....

All I have to do it exercise (which I love) and eat good healthy foods....(which makes me feel great)

The band does the rest in terms of taking away all hunger and portion sizes which has become a very natural everyday lifestyle without much thought and no effort on my part.........

A tool, by definition, is something that I choose to use, or not choose to use.....like a hammer....the band is in control and I do not have that choice..if anything, I'm the tool being used by the band....

But, reading these posts on these boards, it is plain to see everyone has their own paths to success......

I just feel bad for those who find this very difficult....it does not need to be....

While I do agree with the above postings, and I do understand that the only way I will reach my goal weight is to continue my commitment to exercise, there are sometimes extenuating circumstances which make the weight loss journey more of a challenge.

I am not able to have any more fills in my band due to some potentially serious complications, so my band must remain totally unfilled. My level of restriction is virtually non-existent, and can vary widely from day to day. So...I would be the person who eats right, has little restriction, and is committed to an exercise regimen.

Yes, the weight loss has been slowed, but the scale does continue to move in the right direction. I have to take more of the responsibility for managing my hunger. Because I am motivated, I have every expectation I will successfully reach my goal weight.

Sometimes parts of the equation are not the first choice of the individual, but I believe we can all be successful if we are sufficiently motivated to reach our goals.

Yes, the obvious should be pretty obvious, but there are many who don't receive appropriate and adequate aftercare to understand how the band really works. And I believe that the aftercare is an important component to weight loss success.