It is a very thin line, a delicate balance between having the band properly adjusted, and adapting new habits in order to exist and let the band work optimally....and the perception of what is that "perfect" place is left up to the individual.....many variables to consider....

The hardest aspect of the Lap band Surgery was finding that place....took many months of some very hard lessons, many stuck episodes, a lot of behavior modification....some very miserable experiences.

I had to accept things that I did not want to accept....I had to loose things I did not want to loose....I had to change...I was forced to change.....

The downside to all this is that is is totally up to me to manage this...I can determine what I want to do, and then determine whether or not my band is adjusted to where I want it to be...

At any time I can tell my Dr. this or that, and can pretty much dictate if I want more or less Fluid in my band....I can determine for myself what and where I want to be...where I want my comfort level....I could if I wanted to, have my cake and eat it too.....

No wonder there is a high failure rate with the band.

A short time ago I asked to have a small amount of fluid taken out....for no good reason, and my Dr. thought I was nuts....but he did it....and I was back 2 weeks later getting the fluid put back in....with a big "I Told You So" grin on his face...

And yet...it was my decision....I was/am in control....what was my Dr. going to say, NO?

Unlike other surgeries, where it is what it is, lap band surgery is a process, it is adjustable.....and the Dr., staff, cannot get into our heads and really know what it going on.....they have to leave it up to us to tell them, and it can be construed to our liking....good or bad....

Reading these forums, people with the lap band are over the spectrum....too tight, too loose, always hungry, never hungry, one small fill and can't keep anything down.....numerous fills and cannot stop eating.....100% successful to can't loose at all....on track, off track.....

THIS, for me was the most difficult thing of all about this surgery....I wish it was cut and dried....2+2=4...but it's not.....just read these forums enough and one can see just how broad this can be in peoples beliefs, experiences, theories, and success and failures...or not.

It is difficult to pin it down as to what is happening, because it is all about each owns personal behavior.

i can read a post about someone who has lost all the weight, only to gain much of it back, needs to get back on track, lost restriction......

In reality, I have absolutely no clue as to what is going on with that person...nor do I care to speculate....

Only thing I can do is share my experience, but that does mean anything other than what I do, what works for me.....

On the flip side I do not need people telling me what I'm doing is right or wrong...they don't know me no more than I know them....and I have experience and a successful track record without any problems....it's kind of hard to argue with that....

It took a while for me to figure it out....and what I have found what works for me, is not what others should or should not do....unless they find similarities in their experiences.....

I know nothing about the other WLS's, but this Lap band can very difficult......there are just too many parameters...to may variables....

I can see why it is frustrating for many Dr.'s to work with The lap band, and would rather go with something else such as the Sleeve or By-Pass....

And I can see why this can be very daunting for newly banded people....

This website can be very, very helpful...at then sometimes, too many voices......

Edited May 31, 201412 yr by B-52

As usual, good post B-52. I'm glad you're back (been back for a little while now), but you were definitely missed when you took an understandable break.

B52 you sound very intelligent and know your band. there are however some of us that enjoy reading some of these messages and find solace in some of those responses. you have had your band for years and have experience under your belt so to say...but there are some of us that are new to this and find some of the answers helpful. I sure hope you are not saying that reading these posts are futile. that would be sad to know that we are wasting our time.

I hear what you are saying, but I wonder if you realize that not all people that get the lap band have providers that give them educational materials or have conversations with them on the do's and don't's of lap band world. I so know that we are all different and our experiences and weight loss/gains will all be different, but it is just helpful especially to me that there is a place I can turn too when I need answers/suggestions. Some folks on here have providers that are less then forthcoming with answers...I suppose they could go to another one, but some don't have that option either.

Because I don't know you like you mentioned here...I am not sure if you are being critical of us that choose to use this website for some answers or if you merely are stating your case. I find it confusing though...but so understand that you truly have been there done that and I appreciate that!!! thanks for you very knowledgeable post.

Good words B!