I'm newly banded, but I read a whole lot more than I ever post. I have spent hours and hours this last week doing a lot of reading here. I have read a lot of posts that its obvious that the people recognize that this a just a TOOL to help in weight loss. I have also read many posts where people were banded 2 or more years ago and have only lost 40 lbs. How in the world is that even possible? The physics of weight loss are simple. MORE ENGERY EXPENDED THAN CONSUMED = WEIGHT LOSS... Are their really people undergoing this operation that don't understand this?

I am not judging anyone, please don't think this. But its like I see people FREAKING out if they dont feel "their restriction". What that says to me is that we are relying totally on our bands to do the work. For me I feel as if its going to be a lot more "headwork" than anything. I dunno, I could totally freak out if I don't feel it either. I just feel like as if I am scared that I will totally be dependent on the band to do everything when I know from that start that no matter what I have to do my part of eating right and moving my body.

I read the results of the studies and its right there in black and white. People with lapband lose only 30-40% of their weight? What they aren't saying is why is this happening? It could be a multitude of things. But I like many others felt this was the best course for me and am committed to do the right things and let the band be my aid. I think it just goes to show that those so called "thorough psych evals" are hogwash.

If any this doesnt make sense, forgive me. I tend to ramble when I have a lot of thoughts. Also, not trying to offend anyone. Just food for thought.

you are right, the band is a tool. if people use it properly (eat right and exercise) then it works better for them.

if people are sucking down milkshakes and whatnot, then they wont lose weight.

i am not saying that we have lots of people here doing that, but i've seen it happen. you have to use your band as it was designed - as a tool.

yes, it sucks "dieting" at times and it really sucks getting up at 4:20am to go work my @$$ off, but it is working.

I was just talking to my friend and his wife had lapband surgery a couple of months ago and has lost 70 lbs. She has about another 100 to go, but all of a sudden has started eating ravenously and has put on some of the weight she's lost. When she went back to the doctor he said that she obviously needed psychological help since she was obviously sabotaging herself. I'm not sure what my thoughts are on this, but I know that it also happens with gastric by-pass patients. My cousin has gained about 50lbs back after by-pass. It saddens me because this is such hard work at times and to let go what we've worked so hard for is difficult to understand.

You're right...this is certainly not magic and it's unfortunate that our minds can ruin what we've put so much time into. Then again, I guess we'd all be thin if our minds weren't really in charge!

Terri

Please people, come on... I realize the lap band is only a tool, but...

If I were strong enough, determined enough, exercised enough blah blah, then I would have been thin to begin with. I have been overweight much of my life BECAUSE I overeat, I underexercised, I ate for comfort, for joy, for sadness, whatever. I got the lapband, because I COULD NOT lose weight and overcome "these eating demons" on my own. So I went through surgery for help, for solution, for salvation. If people say now, blah, blah it's just a tool, I could have bought dietpills or whatever, Most people, including myself, reached for the lapband, because we could not help ourselves with the conventional methods and we/I believed the lapband could "do it" for us and restrict our eating. I had my surgery almost 3 month ago and only lost about 13lbs out of 80 to lose. Not until last Thursday, when I had my third fill and am finally feeling some restriction, can I tell the band is really working. For the past 3 months it was hell, because people (family) thought that I would drop pounds like mad, and eat very little and I didn't.

:angry

BonJosie,

when you are properly restricted, you WILL eat little amounts of food and if you follow the guidelines you should lose on average 2 pounds a week.

i'm sorry, i have no sympathy for people who eat around the band (milkshakes all the time, etc) and complain that they are not losing weight.

you will have to work at this to be very successful.

in addition cause i hate the editing feature here ...

pre band i DID NOT eat properly nor did i even THINK of moving my big butt... it is a mindset and you have to be ready for it.

If you get up at 4:20am to go exercise, my hat off to you. You probably didn't need the band. That is determination and I know I love sleep way too much to EVER get up at that hour to work out. You are like Oprah, girl...

I guess I am not determined. Now, I don't down milkshakes and candy, but I still eat what my family, all are slim, eat. Smaller portions now, but still the same meals, we just ate stuffed lebanese zuccini with rice and lamb. You should have been here!! The exercise thing is hard for me, I hate to sweat...I know that sounds bad, but I love to walk and swim,( I live on the beach)

Most people with Normal metabolisms would not weigh 210 lbs but I do.

I was really hoping for restriction that would only allow me to eat 4-6oz and feel satisfied. But the MAGIC is not happening..:hungry:

I'm from the UK and my surgeon said that I should lose 60% of my weight loss in a year. He also said it is 30% band and 70% yourself is the effort needed to lose weight. I had my lapband on 21.06.07and have lost 48lbs since I started a pre-op diet on 04.06.07. I have not had a fill and only have a little restriction. I decided that I would only eat healthily and would cut out sugar and processed food. I also decided that I would only eat smaller portions and eat my meals from a small plate.

I do not do great amounts of exercise, but I have been doing about 45 minutes walking each day except for the last week when I could not go walking as I have had blisters on my feet. I feel I now need to up my exercise as the weight loss seems to be slowing down.

I hope the above is of interest of you in the US, Canada and Australia as from reading the posts all countries seem to be a little different.

If you get up at 4:20am to go exercise, my hat off to you. You probably didn't need the band. That is determination and I know I love sleep way too much to EVER get up at that hour to work out. You are like Oprah, girl...

I guess I am not determined. Now, I don't down milkshakes and candy, but I still eat what my family, all are slim, eat. Smaller portions now, but still the same meals, we just ate stuffed lebanese zuccini with rice and lamb. You should have been here!! The exercise thing is hard for me, I hate to sweat...I know that sounds bad, but I love to walk and swim,( I live on the beach)

Most people with Normal metabolisms would not weigh 210 lbs but I do.

I was really hoping for restriction that would only allow me to eat 4-6oz and feel satisfied. But the MAGIC is not happening..:hungry:

before banding i didnt move... i would ask my DH to get up from the couch and get me something to drink. i would have him drop me off at the entrance so i didnt have to walk from the parking lot - even if we could find a close spot. that and eating garbage (reese's Peanut Butter cups by the dozens - i would go thru a huge 7 lb bag in less than a week) is what helped me get to be 402.5 pounds.

i eat with my family - same foods - minus some carbs because low carb is what works for me. i wake up every morning and exercise because i see the results. i am SO not a morning person. if i could, i would wake up at 630 and leave for work at 7. but i see what it has done for me. there is NO WAY i could have lost 132 pounds in 11 months without working out and low carbing it.

you need to find what works for you. if you are happy with the way things are going, there is no need to change. if you dont like how things are going, it's time to change things.

whether that be working out more, getting a fill and eating less or trying a different style of eating (low fat, low carb, a Protein shake instead of a meal, whatever works for you)

i just had a fill on 8/16 and i am finally at my 'sweet spot'. it took over 10 months for me to find it. keep persisting with the fills until you are at the proper restriction level. the band is not designed to work that well until you are filled properly.

good luck to you!

I guess I fall into one of the "results not typical" categories, because I was banded 3 months ago and I have lost OVER 50% of the weight I needed to lose since then. I hear about all these folks who lose 10 pounds in a year or two...I am wondering....what on earth are you eating and do you do anything but sit? IF you are eating the proper things and IF you are eating the proper amounts, how can you NOT lose weight? I have plateaued two times since banding and I know damn well WHY I did. I weigh every day and I log my food every day and I can put my finger RIGHT ON IT and tell you where I screwed up. No mystery there at all!

Well said losingjustme and kacee. The lapband is a only a tool. You have to be committed to change your lifestyle and eating habits if you really want to see the results. I am trying to follow my doctors and nutritionists instructions to a T because I want this to work. Plus I do get really really full - I guess because I am only 2 weeks out.

The hardest thing for me so far is waiting the 30 minutes to drink after a meal.

Thank you for being such good role models for us newbies.

shelli:bandit

The drinking thing is pretty much just a habit. I still have to remind myself not to automatically drink right after my meal...but you know, it's not because it's so HARD....I just forget. If I remind myself (like the old "You can't go swimming for one hour after eating!" we used to get in the 50's from our parents) I remember and don't do it, and I'm just fine.

Yes, its just a tool, but its a tool that works. It does make the difference over diet pills and the like becuase it is permanent and effective.

I feel for people who havent lost with the band. I divide it up mentally into 3 categories. The first is that some people genuinely have something wrong with their bodies, diseases like PCOS can make it extraordinarily difficult to lose weight, they change your metabolism. The second is people who really do need psychological help, who have deep seated problems that need to be addressed. And the third group is those that just cannot and willnot take responsibility for their own actions. They're full of excuses, too busy, too tired, too poor, its too hard, it doesnt work because I'm not fully restricted, I cant exercise becuase its winter. You want something to change, then YOU have to change, simple as that. But I also feel sympathy for these people because its just as hard to overcome personality as it is to overcome any other obstacle.

Bravo Jacqui! Absolutely well said! (looks around trying to figure out which group I'm in) just kidding. I do see myself in the excuses group but I was and am prepared to change all that when I got my band.

Could someone explain, "eating around the band"?? Is this sub-ing high calorie liquids or the such instead of eating? Is this by choice or do people do it because they are too tight in their band and cant keep food down?

Curious.... learning everyday

the drinking thing was a BAD habit i had. the only way i solved it was to physically remove my drink from the table and then 1/2 hour afterwards either do the dishes or play with my DD.

guiness -

eating around the band is having high cal not nutritionally packed foods. ie - a milk shake, Cookies, carrot cake (not that i would know anything about carrot cake ), if you eat those foods consistently, then you will not succeed. yup, i admit it, i had a piece of carrot cake tonight. last time i had one? who knows ... it's been a L O N G time and i didnt eat much today so when i saw it, i was like - OK - why not? will i pay for it tomorrow at the gym? you betcha! will it show up on the scale tomorrow, probably. but it's all about choices...

This is the wonderful part aspect of the band - we are allowed to make choices. I have spent the last 2 years watching what my thin friends eat - it is a heck of a lot less, and of better nutritional quality, that what I was eating. The band is going to allow me to eat the way they do and be satisfied. That's the difference; not being so hungry that I would be ready to eat the arm of the person next to me because I was "dieting". My new lifestyle will see me be able to make good food choices, lose some of the weight and be able to walk/exercise, and occassionally have a drink, or a piece of carrot cake. Big deal - that's what life and living is all about! I for one, intend on enjoying it.

Cindy:clap2: