.....I would'nt need the band. I didnt chose the band because i thought i could make life style changes and good choices while i was going thru this process, I chose the band in hopes it would work so well it would force me to eat less and want better food. That is still my hope, but i get the feeling alot of folks feel if you cant change significantly, the band wont work. i got banded 2/25/9 and have had one fill and have had very little restriction. I am sorry to say i am still a sugar junkie, but eat much less of it. i have always exercised moderatly, so that helps. somehow i have lost 7 lbs since the surgery and pretty much stay right at 207. I applaud all the folks who have made life style changes and lose weight before they get restriction, but I have not so far...i get my second fill middle of May and it cant come soon enough.....anyone have any experience feeling like i do but eventually had success because the band does eventually work and do the job? If not, I sure hope I am one in a million!

all you winners- keep up the good work, i am happy for you and encouraged despite my bad habits.

luchay (thinlizzie)

Every one has encouraged me and it has really helped. I know it was radicle and a little obnoxious to put my post out there but I am glad I did. Havent had any sugar today and it is looking like I am gonna make it for today. One day at a time, make small changes, keep moving, dont beat myself up but begin again. Yea, I get it...thanks to you!

ps- I am feelin pretty good!!! second fill- May 9th....

Hello Luchay! I was totally in your boat. I was banded 12/16/08. Since I was self-pay (took money from my 401k since my insurance wouldn't cover it -- a rant for another thread), I wasn't required to do the pre-op diet, or go through the psych eval.

I did have to do the 1 hour diet consulting, but honestly, I just agreed with whatever they said, didn't really listen and just tossed all the papers into a drawer somewhere.

1 month post-op, I hadn't gained any, but I hadn't lost any either. I wasn't feeling any restriction and was pretty much eating whatever I wanted, including sweets. Feb. same deal, more fills, but no weight loss.

March's appointment rolled around. Hadn't really lost any weight. My doctor pulled me aside and told me how sad it was that I just blew 15K for nothing, because as long as I refused to change my eating habits, I was going to fail even with the band. That was a wake-up call.

He also informed me that there a two types of people. Those who can simply restrict their food intake and others, like me, who had to also restrict the carbs, because my body simply can't process the sugar.

He gave me a super tight fill and asked for a commitment for just two weeks, of strictly 30 carbs a day. I WON'T LIE, the first week was horrible. I seriously felt like I was withdrawing from drugs. I was sick, I felt terrible, no energy, I had the shakes, I could only equate it to what I'd seen on drug rehab shows. IT SUCKED!!!!

However, the second week was better. I started feeling normal again and was really determined to finish my two week goal. When I went back to the dr., I had dropped 6 pounds. He asked for another two week commitment. The next time I went back, I was down a total of 10 pounds. Two weeks after that, I'm down almost 20 total. The sugar craving is completely gone. Easter came and went, candy everywhere, and for the first time, I could have it in front of me and not need a bite.

However, I didn't start out like this. I too thought the band would not let me eat more than I should and help with hunger. It does now, but it took 5 fills (yeppers, 5 since my surgery, approx. every 3 weeks), but it also involves me really making an effort to eat the right things and most importanty, I HAVE TO STAY AWAY FROM THE SUGAR!

Another little trick. I'm not going to tell you you can't have a small piece of chocolate or a cookie. But if you let that be the very last thing you eat in the day, and limit it to ONE, you'll do much better. The earlier you start off in the day eating sugar, the more you are going to crave it during that day. However, I'm going to issue to you the same challenge my doctor issued to me. Just for two weeks, really try to stick to the 30 carbs. I promise once you get through the initial first few days, it's going to get much easier. Don't think of it as giving it up for ever, just try to get through that period. Email me anytime. Another thing that has really helped is I've started going to support groups and being more active on the boards. It really has made a difference.

Good Luck!!!! :wub: