hello...

I would like to hear about how people are doing with the band... I attended a gastic support group that is held locally and was kinda scared about what I heard...one was a gastric by pass patient that was a year and half out and was very discouraged she had gained 30 pds and could not get control...the other gal was a lap band patient and was a year out and had lost control she would eat what ever and did not excercise, she stated her dr said he would not see her because she was not eatting slow enough or like she was suppose to...I just got the feeling from her she had also given up......so I would like to hear some postives about the lap band...I had the procedure on August 15..(lap band) and I want to have successes....the negative talk did scare me..so I would like to hear some stories how your process has been ..that are possitive...I had this procedure to get healthy and stay that way....guess I want to hear some postive things.....I feel it can andwill work.....it seems to be so far.....I am down 55 pds.....

thanks for what ever you can share...

Jenny

Hi jenny!

Im only 2 weeks into banding and so far I know i made the right choice.

Just lurk thru the different posts and youll be amazed my all the positiveness!

I'm 7 mo out, have lost 97 lbs, feel like a new person.....I was to the point of being handicapped, now I'm walking a mile a day and living a full life for the first time in about 6 years. Six mo. ago I was on 11 meds/day....now I'm down to 5 but the amounts of them is much less. I haven't suffered with hunger/cravings, etc.

To be successful you have to go by the rules. It's just that simple. Many people cannot do itfor whatever reason. It's imperative that you use high quality Protein supplements made for bariatric patients, not weight lifters, and not the stuff off the grocery shelves....about 80-100 gr/day. You need to cut out all white carbs, all carbonated drinks, all fried foods, and keep carbs under 50 gr/day. It's important to keep your body moving and to drink lots of Water every day.

A support group is very important....don't let yourself feel isolated. With the band it's easy to forget it's there unless you have someone to be accountable to, someone that cares, someone that can help you over the rough Patches. The message boards are great sources of encourgement and iinformation.

Best wishes to you!!

There are many success stories and many threads on success. I have never been happier than after I got the band. It truely change my life. It helped me gain control over food - which used to control me.

Losing weight gave me confidence. I quit my job, gave up my retirement, went into contracting and moved to Africa. I couldn't have done that as a fat person.

Its not easy. I lost my best friend - food. When I get depressed I don't have a crutch anymore. I try to love exercise but I just do it

You can do it - you have a tool to help you, not something that will force you. Make your decisions wisely. Celeste

thank you for your reply...and I agree it is a tool, that I hope I can continue to use and sucessed with....I want to be a success story...this has been a challenge all my life I want to make it work..

when you said it was your best friend..that is so true......

thank you for your reply..

There are some great inspirational stories on this thread.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=25491

Congratulations on your band!

Well,

I can say nothing but good things about my experiences. I had surgery July 10, 06 and have lost 50+ pounds in less than 4 months.

Follow the rules and you'll do great...

Good restriction

Solid Protein first, then carbs, etc

Don't drink with meals

Chew your food very thoroughly

Eat slowly

Avoid "slider" foods: chocolate, ice cream, chips, etc

Exercise