Hey guys,

I need some help. I am wondering now if I am doing the right thing. Everyone keeps telling me (dr, nurse, dietician) that I will only loose 1-2 lbs a week. And then I read about people not ever loosing anything.

I am doing the band because the R En Y seems too drastic for my age. BUT if I won't loose on the band what is the point. Maybe I am jsut having a bad day, maybe it is reading too much negative stuff.

PLEASE PLEASE give me some sucess stories! NO MORE BAD NEWS PLEASE!!!

:help: :help:

Hey guys,

I need some help. I am wondering now if I am doing the right thing. Everyone keeps telling me (dr, nurse, dietician) that I will only loose 1-2 lbs a week. And then I read about people not ever loosing anything.

I am doing the band because the R En Y seems too drastic for my age. BUT if I won't loose on the band what is the point. Maybe I am jsut having a bad day, maybe it is reading too much negative stuff.

PLEASE PLEASE give me some sucess stories! NO MORE BAD NEWS PLEASE!!!

:help: :help:

What appeals to me about the band is that I believe I have a lot to say about whether or not I will succeed. I want to lose it all tomorrow, but I know that 1-2 a week is a healthy rate.

DH was banded 2 years ago. He has had no major problems at all, he does PB at times, but then he made a decision that he'd rather eat more of what he wants and he's OK with a slower rate of loss then he'd have otherwise in return.

Something I've read here more then once is that these types of boards are great for support and info, but we need to keep in mind that for the most part, those who have been banded a while and are doing great don't post a lot. So what we read is a bit skewed in a way.

Everyone is different. I have to say I have enjoyed the ride thus far. I am almost a year post-op and down almost 120lbs. I weigh between 180-185, I am smaller now than I was in middle school.

Would I do it again?? DEFINALTELY.

Bottom line, you have to do what is right for you. You didn't put this weight on overnight, nor is it realistic to expect to wake up skinny. 1-2lbs a week is a healthy weight loss and really adds up in a year!!

Remember Long haul, not immediate results (I know easier said than done soemtimes)

Keep in mind that you are going to find mostly bad stories here because people who are having dificulty are the ones that are searching out support groups. a majority of the people doing really well are not spending time on the board.

Rest assured that the band is good, and theloss (while slower than other WLS) is safer than most wls.

A woman gave my mom this advice once, and it seems to hold true.

What you believe is going to happen, will in fact happen.

So if you believe that it won't work, then it won't. I am SURE (even when I am not) that this band is going to get me down to 175-180 lbs. I know it. I am not wavering, because once you begin to doubt, then the doubt wins.

SO, don't doubt, it will work. To use an AA saying, it works when you work it, and your worth it.

Believe in yourself!! YOU can do this. A new me emerged the day I got my band. I remember telling my DH in the hospital that I was SO happy and thrilled even though I was in pain. This is the beginning of a new YOU. There may be bad days from time to time, but I will never be as heavy as the day I was banded and my scales will continue to fall.

I was just banded on Tuesday of this week, but I too woke up telling my daughter that I had begun a wonderful journey and was thrilled (this despite the pain which is common). I lost 10 lbs. on the pre-op diet of Carnation Instant Breakfast with some Water, tea, and a little broth snuck in, and have lost 4 lbs. since being home. I am not the least bit hungry but am keeping up on the Protein and the water. I am taking my multi-vitamin and Calcium and feel great today abeit still sore.

I had a friend who had RNY and cried for 2 weeks afterwards wondering what she had done. I had absolutely no misgivings and am so thankful to have had a wonderful experience in getting the band...great surgeon, hospital and staff, and great support from this forum and my family.

I am 64-years-old and had a knee surgery a week before this. I already feel younger and am up to the challenge. I'm so glad the band was an option for me and I didn't have to do anything drastic.

Good luck in your decision,

God Bless

Don't be depressed . If you want the band to work, it will for the most part. For the most part (and i know there are exceptions), most of the people who have not lost on the band are the ones who still make bad food choices. I have several co-workers who have lost just a little and are discouraged. About a month ago, one said to me that she was struggle to loose, she just couldn't give up the fried foods. Just this morning a friend at work was upset because I have lost twice what she has and she was banded before me. Then she says, "I guess the McGriddle I ate this morning isn't helping, huh?". So if you have made up your mind that the band is the way to go and you will succeed with it - you will! Be encouraged, it does work!

I LOVE my band!!!!!!!! It's the best thing that ever happened too me....I have some control in an area where I seemed to have lost it!!!!!!!!!! I see this as a permanent fix....is it easy???? NO! Am I worth it?!!? YES!!!!!!!!!!!

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -67lbs

The previous posts are right about people posting a lot of their thoughts when they are low. I too tend to only post about the negative, but I am 9 months post op and down about 65 lbs. I have lost slower than I know I could have, because I have not deprived myself of certain things that I love. I told myself that I will lose the weight in time. I am happy how things have gone. I am not consistent with the weight loss, but it's ongoing and I haven't gained. It is a good feeling when everyone around you starts noticing. That's the encouragement for me. I also find that the before and after pics help me a lot!!! I'm telling you, if I can do it, anyone can. We will have bad days and good days and bad weeks and good weeks, just keep with it! Good luck

I'm 9 months out, and down nearly 150lbs.

You have to remember to work a WHOLE program... exercise, diet, couseling etc. To maximize the band, you've got to use all the tools in your arsenal.

the band alone will not do it. Barring any medical complications (or other medical conditions), you can exceed the weight loss they tell ya, if you work the WHOLE program. Look at Wheetsin, Tricia, Telly, Mororless, Emilee and others and see how well they have progressed, and it is because they have pushed the envelope, working the whole thing!

I was banded on June 3, 2006. I just had my first fill. I have had some ups and downs, emotiionally, during these few weeks. I want it to be easier, more magical, but at the same time I am ecstatic that I AM losing weight. I have lost 23 pounds so far.

I chose the band over the RNY because I didn't want future complications, and also because I want to be able to eat MORE than a RNY patient. Because I chose a procedure that allows me to eat more, I will lose slower. That's the trade off.

For the most part I will be able to eat like a "Normal" person. I don't have to tell anyone about my LapBand unless I choose to. All other people will notice is that I am losing weight.

It's all good! ~Cathy

Thank you all. I appreciate the support and it makes me feel so good to know that other people have done it!

When I went for Pre-op all the nurse, dietician and dr talked about where the negative things of people not loosing. That was hard to listen to! I just needed someone to tell me that they are doing it, so I can too!

I hug you all and congratulate you for your achievements! I will learn to make the right choices. I have to do this!

:kiss2: Thank you all!

Just to be clear -- thanks "Just Paul" for the compliment - I do NOT have a band - and yes I am working the WHOLE program even without it -- so don't worry - the band will work if you work the band! Just keep reading posts on LBT and you will be convinced!

Losing weight comes from the motivation to WANT to be healthier. If you are setting yourself up for failure before you're banded, your negative thoughts will become a reality. You have to be patient in healing, getting the right amount of fill, and committing yourself to a healthy way of eating and living. If you're up to the challenge, the band will work with you.

I dont know if this helps.. but I have lost close to 100 pounds and I didnt excersize or follow the rules at all and have done a ton of things wrong and my band has only been filled "right" about 1/3 of the time I was banded..

So, imagine if I was a better bandster and had good fills!!

I swear, if I can, anyone can!