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Am I being overly optimistic?

Sarah A

By Sarah A, in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

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Sarah A    6

Sarah A
Posted

Hi everyone,

Got banded about nine weeks ago. I developed PCOS about four years ago and steadily gained seven pounds a year despite all frantic efforts - and finally lost my temper with my doctors and booked myself in for the band.

Since then, everything's gone well. I've lost 15 pounds, my periods have gone back to normal, and it's coming off at a rate of a pound a week. I've had no fills and never vomited (I have a strong emetophobia so chew everything to sludge). I don't feel hungry or deprived, I just eat less than I used to because I physically can't eat anymore. This seems to be enough.

I've been watching the weight just melt away with some pleasure. Reading about people's experiences though, this seems to be almost unusual. So I guess I just wanted to ask some of the more experienced banders - am I being overly optimistic that I'm going to make it to 160 pounds? Is this steady loss rate going to just stop at some point? What is the likelihood that I will continue this process until I hit a healthy BMI?

I've been looking up success rates in medical journals but everyone talks about average rate loss which includes people who have compulsive eating habits which I don't (I'm sitting writing this with a half cooked meal in the microwave that I've ignored for an hour now) - do people make it down to a regular healthy weight?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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Soon2B2LittleE    21

Soon2B2LittleE
Posted

Hi everyone,

Got banded about nine weeks ago. I developed PCOS about four years ago and steadily gained seven pounds a year despite all frantic efforts - and finally lost my temper with my doctors and booked myself in for the band.

Since then, everything's gone well. I've lost 15 pounds, my periods have gone back to normal, and it's coming off at a rate of a pound a week. I've had no fills and never vomited (I have a strong emetophobia so chew everything to sludge). I don't feel hungry or deprived, I just eat less than I used to because I physically can't eat anymore. This seems to be enough.

I've been watching the weight just melt away with some pleasure. Reading about people's experiences though, this seems to be almost unusual. So I guess I just wanted to ask some of the more experienced banders - am I being overly optimistic that I'm going to make it to 160 pounds? Is this steady loss rate going to just stop at some point? What is the likelihood that I will continue this process until I hit a healthy BMI?

I've been looking up success rates in medical journals but everyone talks about average rate loss which includes people who have compulsive eating habits which I don't (I'm sitting writing this with a half cooked meal in the microwave that I've ignored for an hour now) - do people make it down to a regular healthy weight?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi Sarah A,

Although I've converted to a sleeve due to band complications, I did loose 150lbs. So it is possible. Mind you I am 6'0 tall and weighed 375 when I started. Keep up the great work!

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grammy4    17

grammy4
Posted

I got my band 2 years and one month ago. I've had a steady weight loss--some months better than others, but I've lost 93 lbs. I've had a few bumps along the way--I mean there have been times that I've thrown up--and I've had a struggle with reflux the past month or so, but I'm happy with my loss. I have a friend who got the gastric sleeve about 8 years ago and lost some weight, but she's put almost all of it back on. The band is a tool....not a miracle weight loss machine. It sounds like you're doing great. Losing slowly is the best way!

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gowalking    10,790

gowalking
Posted

Hi Sarah. It's more than possible as I too lost all my excess weight on a steady basis. It still took more than a year as I had an awful lot to lose. I never lost more than 3 lbs. in a week, but it was a fairly steady loss of 1-2 lbs. per week. and I also did not get any fills for a long time. Even now..almost four years after being banded, I have less than 5 ccs in the band.

Just know however, that this is NOT typical. Most banded folk...and most WLS folk, regardless of what surgery they got, do not lose weight in a steady fashion. It tends to be in fits and starts...and sometimes you can gain, or get off track. Just as a heads up, I used the myfitnesspal app to track my food. it was a great help to me so consider it as well.

good luck and glad t hear of your success!

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kbarnett61    18

kbarnett61
Posted

Just a tool. You must do the work. Banded July 2011. Lost 310 pounds. My doctors said I had lost too much and needed to gain a little weight.

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BayougirlMrsS    3,938

BayougirlMrsS
Posted

@@Sarah A I don't think your being overly optimistic at all.... I lost 100lbs and have kept it off. Nov 10 was my 7 year anniversary with the band. You are doing great....

I was a slow loser.... i lost a lot like you. I think it was to my benefit. I worked out 5 days a week... i started with zumba and then worked my way to body pump, combat, weights... I also did some thread mill and the elliptical. But if you really want to drop some weight.... start doing spin class... it is brutal... but omg it works. This, i think, was a huge part of my skin going back into it place... I needed no work on anything except my stomach. But i had also had 2 c-sections, gallbladder, hysterectomy, Lapband surgeries... so my stomach was shot. So Feb 2012 i had a Tummy Tuck.< /p>

I'm blessed that i have had zero complication and thank the Lord everyday that i still have my band.


@@kbarnett61 Holy smokes.... you look amazing...

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AmyR    38

AmyR
Posted

I have PCOS as well. I had tried everything to lose weight and keep it off. Finally, I found something to help me lose weight at a normal rate and keep it off. I was banded in March and have lost 65 pounds. I am in a strange position right now. My daughter is getting married on New Year's Eve. I have my dress and I'd like to stay at my current weight, so I don't have to get alterations to my dress. But I keep losing. Never had that problem before!!!

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OttawaMommy    6

OttawaMommy
Posted

Good job!

I've been banded since 2012 and at my goal weight. Like all who have posted before me, the band is a tool and should be treated as such. You have to change your eating habits to make weight loss a permanent thing.

Keep it up :)

Heather

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Go To Topic Listing LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

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    • LeighaTR

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      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

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      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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