Anyone out there doing Weight Watchers with the band? I have had it with this band and not losing a pound. Had to have an unfill last week cause I could not get water down. So I am filled. Still not losing a thing. Just wondered if anyone out there is on WW and how it is working for you?

Yup! I was banded last July and realized right away that once the 'dust settled' I needed more structure. I love doing ww now! It is actually fun!! I feel sorry for all those boardies over at WW online -falling on and off the wagon..'specially the gals/guys on the 100+ to lose boards..I had done WW for SO many years and failed just like everyone else because of my hunger or over eating..well now both those issues are solved!!

I highly recommend it.

At first I felt a little bit like a failure or something. When I busted out all my materials..Like there must be something wrong with me. It wained fast as my results show.

But, now I KNOW that there are many different ways to do the band and each person has to find what they can do (essentially) for the rest of their lives.

Here is what I do:

1. I am a long time flex points person so that is program I do.
   
2. Reduced my base points to what a person 150LBS would eat (20 pts a day)
   
3. Use all my flex points in a week (35 extra) if I need em.
   
4. Have a mission to find all different kinds of WW and band friendly foods and meals
   
5. I have been able to get in about 40 oz of water a day and am aiming for 64 soon.
   
6. I walk 30 minutes 5 days a week (I hate it, but I do it)
   

Send me a message if you need more information or post on the boards.

I have been struggling lately and think I will take out my old WW program and try the flex system too. I need more structure at this point. I think it's a good idea.

Edited March 5, 200917 yr by SueAZ

I just started this week and lost 2 pounds. I like WW, you can still eat what you want and lose weight.

I highly recommend this...I joined in January and it's helped me with the structure I need. I don't even eat all of the points a 150lb person can eat, but I feel like it keeps me on track to make the right choices - the filling choices. I would definitely join for the structure...

and stepping on that scale every week makes you stay on track too! Good luck!

I have been a Weight Watchers member for at least 20 years and have gaine and lost many mny pounds. I even made it to lifetime status in the very beginning. It's a good program and when I follow it I lose a lot of weight but, in the past, I have always fallen of the wagon. Now with my band and the weight watchers program, I am losing 1-2 lbs weekly. I allow myself 20 points ( about 1000 calories) daily and use my flex points if needed. I am attempting to get on an exercise program that involves running and weight lifting. I know that weight watchers frowns on weight loss surgery and have not mentioned my surgery at meetings. good luck to all with their journey.

So I just wanted to post again re: WW. Now I know how successful doing WW is and having the band! I lost such steady wt in the last couple of months that I ended up having to get another fill! Which is nutz because I was perfect before. Now I am totally convinced that doing WW points and having the proper restriction is key.

Jenn

Thanks for posting. I am motivated now to go back to WW. I think I need more structure with food. I feel like the food issue isn't addressed enough at my surgeons office. I would have liked a food plan to follow. Like others I have had sucess in the past with WW but could not maintain it. A new challange ahead.

I'm confused by WW. In the end, isn't it really just counting calories? I mean yes you can have more calories if it has a lot of fiber, and less if it is mostly fat, but how is that really different then what we are suppose to eat? I thought we were suppose to be watching our calorie content even after the band?

This is great info.............I too was totally debating joining WW.I've been sucessful in the past with ww only to fall off and gain it back.

I feel like I also need structure and like I am sooo lost about what to eat.This confirms for me I think I will join and it shouldn't be so hard to follow this time as I have the band on my side.It will be my little secret!! LOL !!

Jaffa Steve:

My surgeons office had no eating plan to follow after surgery. All that was said was 1/2 cup protein and 1/2 cup veggies. Drink 60 + ounces of water. The nurse here doesn't want us to use ANY sugar subsitute. No crystal light, no splenda, no diet foods and no fruit juice and she's not crazy about protein shakes. I have stalled on my weight loss and need to try eating differently. I have 6cc in a 10 band and don't really want another fill because I do have some restriction and I'm afraid that another fill would have me PB'ing. That is no fun. So that's the reason for me.

I'm thinking of rejoining WW too. I think, like the rest of you, that the food aspect of "working the band" is not really covered very well by the surgeon. They do have a nutritionist on staff which is great, but my surgeon is an hour drive away and I don't feel comfortable just calling the nutritionist to chat.

WW might actually work long term for me now that I have the band!

As you can see by my ticker, I'm losing rather slowly, so maybe joining WW will jumpstart me to losing more!

Edited March 17, 200917 yr by Betelnut
Added the comment about the ticker

I am getting banded on March 27th in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Physician Assistant strongly encouraged me to attend Weight Watcher meetings post surgery. I have been a life time member of WW since 1972. Like so many people, I lose and then regain the weight plus extra pounds. In order to make a life style change, I intend to attend a weekly WW meeting. I think I need all the help that I can get and the meeting should help me maintain my focus. A WW meeting receptionist is a family member and she says that many banders are also WW members.

The hospital where I am having my surgery has once a month support meetings, but I think I need more help than that. I am 66 yrs old and have been on almost every diet known to man.

Thank you all for posting. I am so happy to 'read' that there are others out there going down the same path.

HEY, moderators!!! Can you build us a Weight Watchers Board!!

(Do you think they scan these posts?? LOL)

Oh ya, I am now completely unfilled. Had a huge fill which didn't go over well. So I am just chugging along: "me and my points calculator" until next week.

Thank you all for posting. I am so happy to 'read' that there are others out there going down the same path.

HEY, moderators!!! Can you build us a Weight Watchers Board!!

(Do you think they scan these posts?? LOL)

Oh ya, I am now completely unfilled. Had a huge fill which didn't go over well. So I am just chugging along: "me and my points calculator" until next week.

I know how you feel with the fills...if i get more than .2 or .4 i need to get an unfill...so i'm always scared to get more in lol.

I think weight watchers would be good if you need structure. I have my own "program" that works for me and my needs. Since i'm approaching a year of having the band..i crave much more. I want "splurge" foods often. So i have them. Just to give you an idea you may want to consider here's what i do that's been working:

First, mon-fri i post in the food section on this board on everything i eat. I post the good, bad and ugly.

Monday-Thursday i'm pretty strict on my diet. Although, today i woke up wanting sweets so i planned them out to stay within my calorie structure for the day (see the thread for specifics).

Friday: i eat whatever (that's my weigh in day). I drink a nice latte and have whatever for Breakfast, lunch and dinner (same volume of food--just more caloric options).

Saturday and Sunday: i wake up to a nice latte (these are my fav) and i watch what i eat for breakfast and lunch and then eat whatever for dinner (again i don't binge..just allow myself anything i crave--within reason).

So, this works for me because as i'm sick of eating healthy monday-thursday---i just think to myself "well my cheat days are coming" and i lose about a lb or so a week.

I should note, however, that i do work out which i'm sure helps.

I applaud everyone on the weight they have lost.. I am truely shocked though that so many still want to follow this program. I didn't get banded to go on a diet. I guess that's how I ended up with the band because I couldn't stand structured diets like that. I would fall off the wagon then feel like a failure and go back to what I knew best... Volume eating.