Had my second pre-surgery appointment on Friday and was so nervous because I was pretty certain that I had not lost ANY weight in the 4 weeks since the last time i had been there. I know the doc was looking for weight loss and all i could think about was how busy i had been and how i could have done so much better. The nurse calls me back and as we walk to the scale i start emptying my pockets and even take my sunglasses off of my head...because they weight so much you know! On to the scale i step and i can't even look down. The nurse smiles at me and at first i cannot tell if it is a sympathy smile or an encouraging smile....after years of being fat i tend to automatically see the sympathy/pity smile. I finally get the courage to look down and i've lost 7.5 pounds! HOLY CRAP! How? When? Where was I when that happened? SHOCK!! So into the room i go to talk to the doc and i have my fingers crossed that he doesn't tell me "see you in 4 weeks" again. Now the REAL shocker of the day. Doc has been VERY pro band since I first met him back in March. Today he tells me that he is just not seeing the weight loss results that he had hoped to see over the past year with banding. My heart just sank. In my mind i am wondering, what does that mean? does that mean you want me to have the more invasive surgery......just tell me, don't beat around the bush, tell me. So i ask, doc, do you think it would be more beneficial in the long term if i have the more invasive surgery or do you think that i can get to where i need/want to be with the band. his answer "you make that decision and let me know in two weeks so we can schedule the surgery". WHAT!!! I mean...WHAT?? So i come home and get back on this site and start REALLY looking at what people who have been banded have lost. And doc is right, there are a lot of people who are a year out and only down 40 pounds, but there are a lot of people who are one year out and down 80+ pounds. I think in the end it has to do with what you eat and the mentality that you maintain after surgery. if you eat the right things and do not test the waters to see what "bad" foods you can go back to, you will loose. I still think the band is the way I should go but now all the confidence that I had last week is just gone, completely gone. If anyone has any suggestions i would love to hear from you!

good morning ,

just wanted to comment on your blog here from some experience i have had. i have been banded since 2/13/07 and you are definately right about being successful if you do not test the waters. I have been successful with the band, yes I should be at goal probably but i'm not. I feel if i did not get the band I definately would have gained back my 52 LBS. that i did lose, and more. Having more invasive surgery? well I have two siblings who have both had the gastric bypass and sure they have lost there weight with one year BUT they dont look healthy, they look sickly, there personality had chanbbed, one of them got devorced, addicted to alcohol, shopping, and strayed away from the family. So I'm not so sure all those negative outcomes would be worth losing weight to me. But you can only decide that this is only my personal experience. Would I do it all over again? yes I would. I am here to help so if you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask me. Good Luck in your decision making, I know that if you do get the lapband you will not regret the outcome. Just remember it's only a tool and if you follow the rules you will be a success!

Good Morning! I agree with Minn Lady, I was banded on April 6 and don't regret one moment of it!! I have had one fill and get the next one in July. The weight has been slower coming off than the other surgery but it has been a healthier way of coming off! I also have sister that had the gastric and she, too, lost her husband, some of her family, almost died because she kept on smoking and developed an ulcer in her small stomach, now she is also drinking, and not mentioned how unhealthy she looks! It is all in how you use the band, you can eat around it or you can use it to help you get to where you want to be! The other surgery has rules also but I think they are more harsher!! You need to read a blog by BAND_GROUPIE, the name of the blog is " Ride the Magic Band ". She got the band in April and she is just now starting in her journey and has really put in words what we all are feeling. Keep me updated on how you are doing! And remember, the Dr. can not make the decision for you, follow your heart!!!

Hi everybody, I am new to this forum. I was banded in april of this year, and i have a question. does everyone have days that you just have no energy. i know it's only been a month, but some days i just have no energy if do it only lasts a few hours. help..