I have seen that little asterisk next to all of those people that have supposedly lost weight on all of those diet programs. If those results aren’t typical then why are they telling us that we can do what they did? If that isn’t the expected outcome for the majority of people then why are they shoving them in our face?

I was banded in October. I am almost 4 months from the time I started my pre-op diet. Four months ago I weighed 285 lbs. Today I weigh about 222 lbs. Is that typical? I have seen others in my Smashing Pumpkins group (that is what we called ourselves that where banded in October) that have done just as well if not better than I have. Some have not lost as much as I have, but are doing GREAT! I think that most people can do great with the band. Then every once in a while I run into a thread where people say that they can’t lose weight. They have tried, but they are hungry and they haven’t lost much. Is that typical? I ask myself have I done something they haven’t. I have had to really listen to my body to find the difference between head hunger and true hunger. I think that is the hardest thing to do and the biggest hurdle to climb. Telling the difference between the hungers.

Well that is getting off of topic. My question is what is typical? Everyone is different. Are my results typical? I think they are because this isn’t has hard as I thought it would be. It is tough and lately I have been eating more. I need to go back to watching my calories a little closer although I still keep track of everything. Pick a day in the past 4 months and I could tell you what I ate and how many calories I had along with carbs and protein.

It is that cookie I decide to splurge on a couple of times a week. That is the little stuff I need to watch. I think I have had a cookie 5 times in the past 2 weeks. It tastes good. I don’t feel deprived, but is that taste and feeling worth the extra 22 carbs that are in that little cookie? No I guess not. I am down to a size 18. I’m glad I kept these from 5 years ago. These are the last pants I have left before I have to start buying smaller sizes. I have a suitcase full of clothes that don’t fit me anymore. I have lost 63 lbs. Is that enough? Am I happy with the weight I am now? NO! So next time I have to put that damn cookie down and ask myself ARE YOUR REALLY HUNGRY? IS IT WORTH LOSING 2 LBS THIS WEEK INSTEAD OF 3? IS THAT TASTE OF CHOCOLATE WORTH NOT FEELING AS GOOD ABOUT MYSELF LATER?

Are my results typical? For me I guess they are and if I want to keep it coming I better not use my great results as an excuse to slow down now!

You're doing great JA! You're BMI is almost the same as my start, so I'll really be watching how you do now (since they keep telling me lower BMI's lose more slowly...sigh, I hope I'm not 'typical' on that one. As you told me...I believe in you! Now....step away from the cookie! -BG

Hi Julie thanks for sharing your story. I was hoping you could answer a couple questions for me. My banding is scheduled on the 27th.

I thought the whole point of this diet was that we could eat whatever we wanted but that with the band our bodies would not allow to over eat? Am I wrong.

What is wrong with having a cookie? Are you on a diet as well as having the band?

Christy,

I invite you to read my blog. I have my bandster rules posted there. You are right. I can eat anything I want as long as I take small bites. But just because I can eat it doesn't mean I SHOULD eat it. The band dims your appetite and that is a great thing because it gives you the extra resolve to eat the right things. I am very strict when it comes to no potatoes, pasta, rice or bread. I can eat it, but I don't because of the cravings it causes.

You can still over eat. I comes with consequences. For me that means chest pain and feeling crappy for a while. If you over eat enough you stretch your pouch and then you are about back where you started.

Am I on a diet? No, not really. I just have some rules for myself and first rule is that if I am not hungry I don't eat. I sounds like a little thing, but it isn't. If I want to eat I stop and ask myself if I am hungry. Yes, I literally say the words to myself. AM I HUNGRY? If am then I eat. If I'm not I do something else because I know I am not hungry.

Please don't get the wrong idea about the band. It is not something you get and then you lose weight just because it is in your body. The band is a tool. It is a marvolous, glorious, beautiful tool, but still just a tool. You still have to eat the right foods. I could gain weight with the band if I ate ice cream and milk shakes and potatoes chips and all of those soft or crumbly foods that slip right through the band. You have to make a point to eat your solid protein first and then produce. You have to make healthy eating choices. You have to give up soda pop so you don't stretch your pouch.

I really encourage you to go back to my blog and catch up. I have a few posts you will really like. One is "What my band does for me." and "Bandster's Guidelines" I think that might answer a lot of your questions....but if you have more just let me know. I can share what knowledge I have. I don't promise to have all the answers.

Good luck on your journey. It is a great one to take!