Kara- Come take a peek at my blog (started it here, but I'm mainly on Blogger now, it's a safe site) http://bandgroupiethesweetspot.blogspot.com/

I'm almost 2.5 years out and I've never 'dieted' with my Band (and I'm in the very middle of a 'normal' BMI...below goal). Yes, you'll have to eat lots of protein like chicken, just to meet your nutrition requirements, but there is NO food that I can't/don't eat and it's been that way since the first day I got my Band.

I'm finishing up a LB book now (suggested by folks here), and it's posts like yours that spur me forward. Hugs -BG

Ok, I LOVE that band groupie...I am a groupie of hers! I am in maintenance also (normal BMI 145 for me, now 140 and a size 6) and I also have never dieted or exercised...if I could have done that I wouldnt have needed a band! I still eat all regular food and some bad food, and some cocktails etc but just in smaller amounts! Looking back I really struggled with not drinking with meals and I shouldnt have worried about it...now I cant drink with meals or I get too full and cant eat enough!

There are a ton of people on this site who, in my opinion, are just struggling to diet and exercise and even if they are losing weight I always wonder if they can keep it up for life...unlikely. The changes I have made are not drastic and I am used to them...

Don't be scared. :-) I am one month post op and lapband does not do all the work for you. I have changed the way I eat (although occasionally I've had a few treats) and I think it would be really hard to live with lapband if you didnt change the way you eat. Like carbs and things like that a lot of banders have trouble with and cant get them down, but I've had a little and had no problems. So it's no gaurantee what you will be able to eat. Lapband is not the easy way out and does take a lot of effort if you really want to lose the weight. It's more than just portion control. :-) I know how you feel though. It is a little dishearting knowing that I may not be able to eat some of the foods I use to love...but at the same time I am greatful for that because those foods I "loved" are what put me in the boat I am in now. I have more than 100lbs to lose and to me thats just crazy! A whole person! So in a way I am greatful that the lapband does not tolerate certain foods and that I have had to change my lifestyle for it!

<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">It's been 16 months since I was banded. Yes, I want to have a healthier life style, but I don't totally restrict foods that I like. I do know that's one of the main reasons my weight lost has been slower to come off. But I am losing constantly! I pay more attention to the inches- instead of the pounds. I can wear something one day and a couple of weeks later, it fits me totally different. For me, the main purpose for having my surgery was to control my portions and to aid with losing weight. Losing weight has never been an easy thing for me, but now I am able to know my limits and be more satisfied with eating smaller portions. No, I don't count calories but I make an honest effort to eat foods that are better for me. "No", pigging out on unhealthy foods totally defeats the purpose for having a band. There must be some accountability for food choices and doing some kind of physical activity as much as your schedule allows. Some weeks I hit the gym hard and others weeks I can't. I also try to be as active as possible daily. You just have to figure out what works best for you once you have your band! I do wish you the very best of luck.</SPAN></P>

Thanks everyone reading these comments make me feel better and that im not alone lol ! Keep them comin!!!

I just received my first denial letter for my lap band yesterday and my insurance coordinator assures me that the insurance company has ALL the required medical info and evals and that this is typical of Blue Cross *** to deny on the first submission. i chose the lap band because I have type 2 diabetes due to my weight and I am on high levels of insulin and i inject 2 different insulins every day. The side effect is hunger. So, naturally, I'm hungry ALL THE TIME. That of course leads to high sugar spikes and MORE insulin, etc. I am really hoping the lap band will help curb my hunger and make it easier to make the eating and lifestyle changes required to be successful with the lap band. The gastric sleeve and the gastric bypass scare me but stats show almost complete resolution of diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea, but not so much with the band. Any thoughts or suggestions?

I just received my first denial letter for my lap band yesterday and my insurance coordinator assures me that the insurance company has ALL the required medical info and evals and that this is typical of Blue Cross *** to deny on the first submission. i chose the lap band because I have type 2 diabetes due to my weight and I am on high levels of insulin and i inject 2 different insulins every day. The side effect is hunger. So, naturally, I'm hungry ALL THE TIME. That of course leads to high sugar spikes and MORE insulin, etc. I am really hoping the lap band will help curb my hunger and make it easier to make the eating and lifestyle changes required to be successful with the lap band. The gastric sleeve and the gastric bypass scare me but stats show almost complete resolution of diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea, but not so much with the band. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Keep submitting your paperwork to the insurance. If you meet all the requirments they have to approve you. I think by law they can deny you 2 or 3 times before they have to submit it to a doctor that is not with their company and most of the time it's approved at that point. If not contact ObesityLaw. They are partially funded through allergan (part makers of lapband) and everyone I have seen go through them has gotten approved. DONT GIVE UP!!

I was banded June 29, 2009, seems like yesterday! I LOVE my BAND. Living with the band it a lifestyle change that's for sure! One that you will need to deal with. Many people can and will eat foods that are not as healthy for them, those are the choices we all have to make. The key is the better food choices the weight will come off. As for me I was one who chose healthy foods, real foods, not too much and mostly plants with proteins. The weight fell off me. Lost 110 pounds I was a GOOD bandster alrighty....<div><br></div><div>I got the "Nip and Tuck" after two years of keeping the weight off. This past summer and spent two weeks in bed recovering. That surgery was way different than the LB. With LB I was up in about two days. It took me two weeks before I felt myself. I must say that the "Nip and Tuck" takes way more out of you and a lot longer recovery time. I also had a very large unfill just before and I am not back to my sweet spot yet. I am at maintenance and it has been a struggle of the mind kind. I am looking forward to a fill soon I planned one just before Thanksgiving. I am so glad I have the band today I am happy and energetic. Love to shop for new clothes and I am just happy to be alive! The band works if you work with your band. Best wishes to everyone who posts. imaluckydog </div>