Need some serious advice from some1 with lap band

I had gastrc bypass...not familiar with lapband but you can check out www.obesityhelp.com. They have several different weightloss surgery forums and info.

Girl!

You know me, you know my story. You can read my profile again if it will help.

Best decision of my life. it IS a TOOL.... It is to HELP you with your portions. it does NOT take away cravings nor does it take away the need for exercise. YOU still have to be accountable and follow doctor's orders & guidelines. There ARE rules to follow. it is NOT the easy way out.

Send me a message if you want/need more specific info.

Something I personally don't get and I looked into this as well. If you have to watch what you eat, calories, exercise etc. then why put yourself thru the surgery?
I thought this and then i decided I dont want surgery to lower my appetite, that comes a few weeks after dieting alone. I decided to watch my calories and exercise as if I had the lap band and ya know what? The weight is coming off. In 8 months I'm down 65#'s.
I don't condemn anyone who does it, its a personal choice.
I do know 3 people that had it done. One was very successful, she exercised 3 hrs a day but like I said if she exercised 3 hrs a day without it, she would have lost weight.
The other two were not successful, they ate the wrong foods and they finally stopped getting their fills and they are bigger than they ever have been.
Good luck to you.

:flowerforyou: Hello I too am a bander and well I agree with most on here - A TOOL and it still falls back on you to make the mental change and physical changes to your lifestyle.

I had mine 10-09 and lost 70 but gained back 5....so I am really working to not only maintain but lose more. Now I went from 26-28W to a 14-16 and well I know I am healthier and stronger but I still have my moments when I think ..should I have done another form of surgery...vertical sleeve or gastro...many ?'s linger. My husband and I decided on the band that in the future if we wanted more kids the band could be released and I wouldn't have to worry about what is going in..a stress free pregancy..but on that same note we aren't thinking of adding to our family anymore..unless we win that lotto.

It's a hard decision for anyone and it really is up to you to make the commitment to change...if you don't do that then you use the tool to it's fullest extent.

Hope that helps

you need to make a prior commitment to working hard at it, eating right, exercising and really putting your all into it to make it succeed, but making the decision to have the lap-band procedure was deifinitely one of the best decisions i have ever made. i have had no complications whatsover, my dr.'s have been awesome and i am probably as healthy as i have ever been in my life.

I was banded in June 2009. I am hoping to reach my goal by my 2 year anniversary. I have .9 pounds to go and I think I can do it! I have lost 72 pounds so far. My BMI was not over 40, but with pre diabetes, my insurance company approved the surgery. I only lost about 13 pounds in the first 6 months after surgery. After that, I realized I was not being successful because I was a grazer. At that point, I joined MFP and lost another 20 pounds in the next 6 months. I hit a plateau and though I was exercizing, it was only 2 times a week. Last August, I gave myself a pep talk and got back on track. I go to the gym anywhere between 5-7 days a week, depending on my schedule. Gradually the weight has been coming off, and I have lost a total of 72 pounds, and wear a size 8. I never thought I would see single digit sizes again. I could not have done this without surgery. I am now satisfied with much smaller portions. I had been on weight watchers before, lost 55 pounds and then gained it back. I tried sticking with that program, but I just could not lose again. The band has proven to be the tool that I needed to lose my excess weight.
Good luck with whatever decision you make.

I was banded a little over a year ago. I would do it again. Like Ms Scorpio said, my only regret is not doing it sooner.

It really is a tool though. If you don't eat right and exercise, you won't be successful. My issue was that I was a perpetual overeater. i could eat and eat eat and never feel full. When I think about how much food I could consume in one sitting prior to my surgery I want to puke. Now I eat a normal amount of food. It's up to me whether I choose to do that with healthy food or crap. If I choose healthy 90% of the time, I'll continue to lose.

I was banded July 27th of last year, and I have only lost about 20 pounds since I got it. BUT I will be the example of the BAD bandster.

What your supposed to do:
-Do NOT drink 15 minutes prior to eating, or 30 - 45 minutes after eating.
-Don't eat bread. You'll regret it.
-Limit your sweets. They go right through.
-Stop when your full!!

What Lisa did:
-I drink before, during, and after.
-I eat bread. Not as much as I used to though.. Why?? Because when I eat bread I "cough up" any bread, and anything that went with it. I decided today was my final cough up session because of stupid bread. So I'm changing it all up tomorrow.
-I was never a huge chocolate person.. Until after surgery. It was a go to comfort food, that wouldnt mess with me. WRONG.
-OBVIOUSLY I'm not going to get full when I'm supposed to when I drink before, during, and after. I can eat a full meal. Granted, It is no where near the amount of food I ate before... But still, Its more than I should be able to eat.

If your willing to change the habit of drinking with every meal... And you aren't a huge bread fan, or you can easily give it up.
I would definitely recommend it if you qualify. It is only a tool to help you with your success, as all the others above said. I'm 23, so I'm stubborn, and I didnt do what I was supposed too. Now, I'm slowly breaking my habits. Starting with cutting off bread, and I'm working on not drinking while eating. Sweets aren't an issue for me anymore either. Its hard, but I know from seeing others that it is so worth it in the end.

hi i found your topic - I have had lapband and it was one of the best things I have ever done. however you personally have had some problems lately because i have lost about 35kg to date now and its not loosing weight again and I have gained. if you do get this I would recommence planning everything in well advance which is what I should have done. its something that you need to monitor and see your goals which make you more motivated - this is only a operation to help you portion control however you can over eat it and it wont work and you will have to get it taken out. you need to set goals like a 12 month planner and go from there monitor with photos videos so you can see the results your self. i regret not doing this becasue I have had up and downs and over eaten and had it adjusted a few times. it may not seem like abig deal to some people but i tink its one of the best things to do and t help you. im on your friend list message nything you want to know about it anything. x

I love my band. Best choice I ever made. It takes work but I would recommend it if your really ready to change.

www.bandedme.blogspot.com