I got banded in March 2009. By September 2009, my doctor told me I had lost more than the average gastric bypass person (I was down to 230). And then it happened. My dad died. My mother became suicidal, my brother became detached. My family was fractured. I couldn't handle the stress, and my weight loss came to an abrupt halt.

I felt like a failure for over the next 5 years. I wondered if I should have gotten the bypass. Should I have waited until something better came along, like the sleeve ? I was beating myself up emotionally, every day. I did not gain all of my weight back (my highest was 289), but I got very offtrack and gained a few pounds and stayed there (235-240). I had even gone back to WW, but that didn't work for me.

Fast forward to 2015. I was all set to start counting calories on 1/1. But I didn't. Again, I felt like a failure. But then something dawned on me. Maybe I could start counting calories with some friends (non-bandsters), and use each other for tips, and tricks and encouragement.

So on 1/12, I started carrying a little Mead notebook in my purse, and I started using it religously. I write down EVERYTHING and the calories. Good or bad. My calorie goal is 1450-1500 a day. I have gone under that, and gone over that. But I've never eaten more than 2000 calories in one day. And similar to the Wendy Plan, I think my daily fluctuating count is what is helping me lose weight. And seeing the numbers in ink help me stay on course more than any point ever could.

From 1/12 to 2/9, I lost 13 pounds.

NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE - I see that the band is a helper, a "tool." It is NOT a magic bullet, and if you treat it like it is, you are bound to fail.

I hope every banded person finds their way and doesn't spend years regretting the surgery, like I did. I know I am finally using it the right way. If all I have to do is count calories the rest of my life, I know I can make it to my goal.

Edited June 17, 201511 yr by KarenInOhio

Preach it!

However it works for you is all that matters, as long as it works....

Everyone does approach it a little differently, each with their own success stories...and that's what matters...success, not theory!

Congratulations