Okay...so, I wasn’t trying to judge or come across as harsh in my previous blog, and for MONTHS I’ve read so MUCH B.S…and I didn’t blog anything “negative,” because I didn’t want to be negative, or hurt anyone's feelings. But for the love of Kirstie Ally, people; let’s all just ‘fess up and be honest! For those who have legitimate problems with their band...for those who have worked and struggled, and continue to work and struggle (and, yes, it will continue to be a struggle, and NO Virginia, there is no magic-cure-all-procedure…you stand a better chance of there actually being a Santa Claus.) For everyone who needs to hear some encouraging words every once in a while, or for people who have simple questions or suggestions; for the pre-ops and post-ops (can you hear the national anthem playing in the background?...) this site is a great place.

HOWEVER… for the people (and you know who you are,) who whine and cry and bitch and moan because they:

· Can't seem to stop drinking sodas, and then proclaim that: the band isn’t working.

· It's day 3 post op, and even though they’ve managed to puree lasagna and a Bundt cake and drink it through a straw, they CAN'T understand why: the band isn’t working.

· Their friends and family aren't supportive and they don't understand. They continue to insist upon having fried chicken and mashed potatoes, sweet corn casserole, yeast rolls and fried okra every Friday night, and they simply can’t tell them “no.” I mean never mind the fact that they sabotage the Bandsters efforts and don’t need to be eating that unhealthy crap…they fix the food anyway, eat the food, and then complain that the band isn’t working.

· Instead of eating protein first, they eat a big plate of loaded up nachos because the extra cheese and meat and melted cheese, and cheese IS protein, and then; SURPRISE, they don’t lose any weight and of course; the band isn’t working.

· Just can’t seem to get into working out in any way shape or form, and so, it must be that: the band isn’t working. News Flash: most Bandsters; we don’t get “into” working out either, but we do it; not because it’s fun or makes us feel alive or at peace with the world, but because we know we have to.

· Kind of, sort of went a little crazy celebrating Vernal Equinox day, their niece’s graduation, their best friends, sister’s son’s Bris, or that most recent holiday and grazed 24/7 on crap that they KNOW they shouldn’t’ t have been eating, and now: the band isn’t working.

· They count alcohol as part of their water intake…Eight, 8 ounce glasses of Peach Stoli and tonic a day!...but: the band isn’t working.

· They figure that since they’ve had the band, and even though it’s been stressed that it is just a tool and, that they have to eat three small meals a day...of lean, healthy foods, and become physically active, that they can continue to do things way they’ve always done it, somehow get completely different results, because hey, when they tell everyone how the band works and what to do, they weren’t really talking to them…just everybody else, and by the way; the band isn’t working.

So, yeah…there it is. For all you pre-ops who may be reading this, take heart; the BAND DOES WORK...as a wonderful, life changing tool. You do your part and it will work. For all of you post-ops and Bandsters; the BAND DOES WORK…as a wonderful, life changing tool...You do your part…really do your part and it will work.

Blogs are for anyone to journal whatever they want...it's not the Forum and they can say whatever the heck they want here. Hey, I've read both your blogs today and nothing you said is harsh, it's just real, and even if it was harsh to anyone, it's your journal/blog...say what you want. BTW- I think very few of us here aren't food addicts.

For me, what was key in your wording was 'the band isn't working'...come here to the blogs and whine all you want (I certainly do it all the time), but don't blame your band for things you know are your fault (doctors issues and complications are a different story). Whine away if you know you've screwed up...we'll give you support here to get back on track and I know it's helpful to journal the 'I screwed up' parts of our journeys as well (I've screwed up things from the very beginning, so I know it helps to share that and everyone here has helped me to keep going). Tell me you went to your family reunion and ate your cousin and I'll be there for you, just don't blame it on the band.

I usually walk away from the blogs that blame the band...if people want to lie to themselves in their own journal...so be it. If, however, you put it on the Forum where you're asking for opinions though, watch out, because you'll get them and you've opened the door for me and others to tell you it's not the band's fault. JMO. Thanks for the blogs Wendy!

-BG

PS- You all now have permission to b*tch slap me if I ever blame my band when it's my fault....you've all got your hands at the ready, don't you?

I think your blog was really very honest. I posted a few times with questions like, "Is this normal?" or "Am I doing the right thing?", but noticed that more often than not I'm seeing a lot of posts looking for validation that it's okay to do the wrong things. I think I typically stay away from those because I get how hard the decisions can be, and I don't want to be part of someone's poor decision making one way or the other, but I agree with you. It took me a few months to realize that they REALLY weren't joking when they said it could come off slow and that I would have to work just as hard to get a very slow weight loss. I had to really temper my personal weight loss against all of the people I was seeing on the boards that were losing crazy amounts of weight in 6 months. Now I have my own expectations. It was nice to read a bit of honesty !

::Raising my hand:: I know darn well why I'm not losing weight and it has nothing to do with the band. It's my fault I'm being a naughty bandster. I'm trying to correct the problem despite the saboteurs who eat naughty foods in front of me, but I'm not saying they put a gun to my temple and made me eat the stuff, either. It's called personal responsibility.

Lena- I thought you were *raising your hand* to b*tch slap me LOL (not that I don't need it).

Thank you for all you said about why the lap band doesn't work!! I'm scheduled for my surgery next Tuesday and I'm so sick of "friends" telling me they know people with the lapband and they aren't losing weight. There is a reason I'm sure. I think you listed most of the possiblilities!! I know this won't be instant. My nurse even said to take my measurements because I may be losing inches when the pounds are coming off slow. I'm so glad to have this site. You all GET IT!!!

hi this is my first blog and I need need help. Im not having any positive results with the band three years into it. I have no fluid in it now but food keeps getting stuck. I find myself running into the bathroom, after only a few bites. Its upsetting my husband and my meal. Im sick of cooking and Im always hungry, especially at night. So I eat at night because its the easiest time to get the food in. I haven't lost weight because I am a food addict, but thats why I had the surgery in the first place. I see the surgeon Monday, with much shame and remorse. I have canceled many appointments because I dont know what the solution is. Ireally don't want to give up. What should I do? Has anybody else experienced this? And is it true that if I go back to liquids for one week, and then mushy foods for the next, that the band will shrink back up! Im just afraid that if they fill it again, Ill just be starting all over again with the vomittng.

Laura

Lauraann, you need to have your band checked for complications. If there's no saline in it and you're still getting food stuck, but you're not losing, something is possibly wrong. The band is plastic, hon. It's highly unlikely it'll shrink like a worsted wool sweater.

I've just had my bandiversary, and I still throw up but I know why every time. I've eaten something I shouldn't, like bread or stringy meat. That's why my doc continues to monitor his patients. His low carb diet is not easy, especially with all the temptations presented in our modern society. I threw up today, but I knew I ate that stuffed portobella mushroom too fast. My fault, not the band's.

Have your band checked and take a serious look at your food intake. Keep a food journal and mark down honestly how much you ate, what you ate, calories, proteins and carbs. Your nutritionist may be the really strict kind like mine. Then again, s/he may not be. Why not have the data for them in case they ask?

Time for some serious analysis with your surgeon and his team of experts. Think of it not as going before a judge like a criminal, but like a seeker going before the guru.