do you love your band or do you wish you would not have gotten it?

i was thinking about the band and the journey over the weekend:finding a doctor in Mexico, getting it financed, getting my then fiance/now husband on board with it all, the actual surgery, immediate weeks post op, learning the band, losing weight,pb's, etc. then i saw a couple of church members that have had the gastric bypass and i thanked God for letting me get the band. one person has lost like 200 pounds in a year. one had lost alot of weight from having the surgery some years ago, now she has regained it all then some, then another girl had it 2 years ago and lost, but has stopped and she is still pretty big. i thank God for giving me an alternative that i think is great--for me. unlike with the bypass, i can control my weight loss years from now. if i begin to plateu, i could get a fill and just start my losing again. and i don't have to worry about malnutrition.

i didn't think it would be as hard a work as it it. let me explain, portion control has always been an issue for me. i knew with wls your portions HAD to be altered. planning a complete meal in only 3-4 ozs was hard. how do i get in everything in 4 oz meals: Protein and veggies and carbs. i got it down now. handling cravings was easy at first. i didn't want to eat any of the wrong stuff that might hurt the band. bread is still completely out. but now, i realize Cookies and cake can make it through the band. so, that self discipline has got to kick in and I HAVE to make the right choices. the band can't do that for me. then there is exercise. at first, the weight was coming off without exercise. now, i have incorporated it in my journey experience. what a dunce i was for not doing it sooner. but, i find it easier to do 36 pounds lighter than before! pb's. had never heard of this before the band and still didn't really understood it till i had one! if there is anything i can take away from the journey, it would be those and slimes! but, they help remind me to slow it down and chew and enjoy food-something i didn't really do when i was wolfin' it down before

I am so happy I got the band. I have never looked back. I know sometimes I think about food and wanting bigger portions but that is quite normal. I'm just really happy. I don't remember a time when it was as easy for me to lose 30 lbs as it has been from the band. I thank God every day that I found the band a such a wonderful Doctor. Thanks for the post. Julie

They would have to fight to take my band back!

Even with all the struggle and ups/downs. I would do it again in a minute.

I too have several aquantances over the years with GB who have lost huge amts...only to gain it back a couple of years later.

Its heartbreaking for them.

I just love my band. I would be totally freaked out if I had to lose it. It is my new best friend.

LOVE IT. No question.

absolutely love it and would do it again in a heart beat ..

Never, Never, Never. I never ever want to be without my band. I love it!!!!!

love It!!!

Never Want To Be Without It!!

Well....it certainly hasn't been easy!!! But, I can't complain about my 40 lb weight loss.

Not even a question! Would do it all over again, wouldn't want to be without it!

Although there are some foods I've had to give up along the way, it has been worth it. Also, in the long run there's very little of those foods I've given up that I truly miss and wish I could eat again

. No other way I would've been able to loose the 76+ lbs I've lost.

My band???

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!!

Kat

Totally love it even though it has been a long and arduous journey!

LOVE IT!!!

My friend. I was totally shocked at how much I need it. As my band got looser as I lost weight, I gradually ate more. Not because of any reason, but because it tasted good. Just one more bite. Oh, I eat much less than Iever did before-but I realize why the band is for me. I never felt like a glutton. I never binged. It was just one m ore bite all day every day to seventy to eight pounds worth. I am losing gradually and slowly. Now I am ready for my second fill-which bums me out a bit. Why could not I learn portion contol. Reality is-if "portion control" was the answer, then we all could do it. Thank god for the lap band.

Love it!