I have a few questions. I have been researching the LapBand option for months now and I am getting closer and closer to the actual surgery. I have all my finall preoptesting this week.

While talking with the nutrionist and a friend about why I am considering the lapband, I began to wonder what is going to make this attempt to be a healthy wieght different? I read this site every night and it is full of people who done really well since there surgery and are well on there way to goal. But i have lost and gained 80 lbs 3 times. I know how to diet, I know how to follow a plan, my problem is always in the maintainance area. I like many others have this all or nothing attitude towards food and when it comes to dieting it is perfection of nothing.

I am hoping that those of you that have reached goal and been able to maintain it for sometime can shed some light on how you got to goal and how you are able to maintain it. :eek: How did you pick your goal weight? How does the band help? Is it easy to gain wieght back? How much excersize are you really doing to maintain? Are you dieting? How do you handle social situations? :thumbup:

I know those of you at goal are out there, I am just afraid that this site may be a bit like weight watchers. Where you sit in the room and they point out all these people who are losing but in a room full of 25 people only 2 have actually made it to lifetime and kept it off. I really what this experience to be different.

Thank you in advance to all who answer.

IndioGirl55 that is a great tip about using a slightly flat diet soda as a way to calm head hunger! I hope I don't have it much but probably will. What a wonderful tip. I'm going to write it in my lap band book the surgeon gave me for on down the road. Thanks so much. I always learn something useful from you!

IndioGirl55 that is a great tip about using a slightly flat diet soda as a way to calm head hunger! I hope I don't have it much but probably will. What a wonderful tip. I'm going to write it in my lap band book the surgeon gave me for on down the road. Thanks so much. I always learn something useful from you!

It's cuz I am the JEDI MASTER at figuring out how to fool the head hunger issues - either fooling them by distraction - or feeding them with good but low calorie things...:girl_hug:

Hey I've been going to a behavioral therapist for 11 months now to master that! You are the master! :girl_hug:

Hey I've been going to a behavioral therapist for 11 months now to master that! You are the master! :sneaky:

Well I bet your therapist would dissagree :girl_hug::biggrin:

I guess I'm at "goal". I'm not really sure. I've been in this weight range for about 2 months. I'd like to lose another 10lbs and then another 10lbs with a TT. I'm trying to base my goal weight on the way clothes fit me and having a healthy activity/energy level but needing a TT, affects those things and makes it kind of hard to tell where I'd ideally like to end up.

I have no restriction with my band. I can't even tell it's there. Some people would say I've lost my weight with diet & exercise alone but I think the band has played a roll. I feel full on a smaller amount of food and for a longer period of time. I definitely burp a lot more. :bored: Plus, I've never been able to lose this much weight on my own.

I figure if I feel myself start to lapse into old patterns, I can always start getting my band filled. That is my safety net. I wish I had more optimistic answers but I'm just getting into the maintenance mode and feeling a little anxious about it still.

I run or walk 2-4 miles per day with my dog about 6-7 days per week. I also ride a bike and just started rollerblading. I need to get to the gym this winter!

I'm not really counting calories any more but I do watch what I eat and try and coordinate my level of exercise with my calorie intake for the day. I've had a crazy sweet tooth lately! Ugh!

I'm in Patchogue :smile2:

Hi Candle...or should I say neighbor.

I don't think their was anything pessemistic about your answers. They are the reality I wan to hear. I do hear more and more that the band is a safety net for those who were successful and that diet and excersize were really the key.

I can totally live with that. Its not losing that scares me at all it is doing all that work and then gaining it back. I am really trying to wrap me head around how this will be different.

Congrats on your success it is inspiring!!