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I think you have unrealistic expectations of the band, and what it does. At the end of the day, all the band is intended to do is dim your appetite, so you can use your willpower and common sense to achieve the weight loss you're after. To expect the band to do more than that is inviting frustration and weight loss failure. It's true - the band doesn't do anything you can't do for yourself. Technically. So you're right - you possibly could do this with diet and exercise. I did that. And I lost the same 20 pounds a dozen times. For me, the band helps keep the hunger monsters at bay, so I can focus on the rest of my life, and NOT focus on the next meal, or mindless snacking, or finding junk food, or finding the nearest drive-thru. It's liberating for me to be able to NOT constantly have to worry about where I'll find my next meal. I don't diet, in the traditional sense. I eat healthier food, compared to how I used to eat, but I eat "real world" food, focusing on higher Protein, lower glycemic carbs, and avoiding fried, fatty, or overly-sweet foods. (Note I said "avoiding" not eliminating - I still eat some of those kinds of things, just not a lot.) And I find I'm very satisfied with a smaller portion of food, because my band is properly adjusted. The balance of calories in vs. calories out is up to me, and I take responsibility for my weight loss. I work my band, and in return, it works for me. When you make statements like "I am a very picky eater. I do not like foods that would be better for me to eat. The foods I do eat, I cannot get down. They get stuck and I wind up purging or just in a lot of discomfort for a while." it shows you're doing something wrong. If you eat in proper bandster methods (small bites, taken slowly, chewed thoroughly, and not rushed), there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to eat anything you want. The rest is all about the food decisions you're making. I suggest you evaluate what you're taking in every day, compared with what you're burning off every day. See your doctor to discuss your situation, and what you can do about it. Find out if your band is properly adjusted, and if there is a medical reason you're having such trouble. There is no reason to have to suffer with a band. For me, it has been a Godsend, and I'm grateful every single day that I have my life back in control. Good luck! Dave

Just want to let everyone know that if you are looking for a cheap and easy alternative to the gym resistance bands are great! I just picked some up off of Amazon for $30 and boy am I sore. So far they are just as good as freeweights for me and much more convenient than driving to a gym. Here are the ones that I bought and thoroughly enjoy: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Mountain-Products-Resistance-Exercise/dp/7245456313/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1312767004&sr=1-3 Just thought I'd pass along the tip! Gaither

Everyone on here has been part of this journey for me - AND THANK YOU AND LOVE YOU ALL. Just wanted to share my news.... I've hit my personal goal of 160 lbs. Lost 126 lbs in just a little more than a year. SO INCREDIBLY HAPPY and feel so good. Take a look at my blog if you have a moment: http://aleadsinger.blogspot.com/ Here's my picture for the WALL OF FAME at my surgeon's office:

I'm looking for opinions on the main things that really worked for you, or what you would go back and do differently if given the chance. I am pre-op, and I've read tons of great information all over these forums. But I wanted to start a single thread for post-op people to express "This really worked for me..." or "I wish I had NOT done this!" about things like nutrition/food choices, cardio, weight training, who you told, friends/family support, etc. based on individual experience at any stage during your journey. I do realize everyone's experience is a little different, and everything doesn't always work for everyone. But so far everything I've read in these forums has been helpful to me in some way. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and stories. I wouldn't have made the decision to move forward with this surgery had it not been for some of the posts on here. :-)

So I had my surgery on Wednesday, July 27th. I'm not gonna lie, i thought it was pretty brutal the first few days. The nursing staff DID NOT listen to me when i was trying to tell them that my pain meds were making me sick... Well untill i started throwing up everything. STUPID STUPID! It really pissed me off. Caused more unnecessary pain and more anger from my end since im miserable and in already alot of pain. But today makes 4 days out- and tmrw i can start my phase 2 liquid diet. Basically "full liquids" so i plan on having some yummy sugar free pudding and some thinned mashed potatoes and cottage cheeeseeeeee! EEK excited. Although it takes me like an hour to eat one jell-o cup. NO MORE FAT KID! I finally bought a scale so i could keep track of my weight loss- As of today i am 217. 18 more lbs till ONEDERLAND! Yippie! I've lost 13lbs since like the end of May when i had my consultation with Dr. Katz. Also- keep in mind i just gave birth back in January also My lil guy will be 7 months old the 8th of Aug So I'm really excited i decided to do this. I do have staples instead of stitches... they look pretty disgusting if i might add along with 5 incisions with the biggest one to the left of my bellybutton. I go to get those removed on tuesday morning and will be then going back to work tuesday after my appointment. Hope I do okay Dr Katz called me last night to check up on me- Told him the pain meds they sent me home with were still not staying down so just stopped it altogether. He said to try just regular liquid tynenol. I'm allergic to viccodin so i didnt get sent home with that- they gave me liquid tynenol 3 instead but just smelling it made me nauseous. So I guess im being a trooper Its not soo bad just sore. Definitely cant bend over to shave my legs in the shower- so pants it is for a few weeks LMAO! Looking forward to seeing the changes coming up! Thanks to everyone for all the support. -S

200 lbs gone in 2 years. No, the band doesn't work. I work the band.

I just had my surgery on April 14th.. Get some Adtkins protein drinks and carry them in a cooler.. Little individual microwave mash potatoes, grits, oatmeal, sugar free pudding and jello, sugar free popcicles.. You can try those Campbell soups that you drink..

Startingover, I would be amazed if ANY Doctor out there would do a Gastric Bypass on someone that is only 26 lbs. overweight!!!! There is certain criteria that you must meet in order to be a candidate for Gastric Bypass surgery. I may not be a doctor but I'm pretty sure that you DO NOT meet that criteria. It seems that you were doing just fine with the Lap Band, so why on God's green earth would you have it removed??? Maybe your plan is to go down to Mexico where they will do a Gastric Bypass on ANYONE for the right amount of money!!!! I am appalled to hear that you are trying to get a quick fix for your weight loss instead of eating healthy and exercising. After all, that is how you lost your weight to begin with, correct??? I have a disease that has taken over my entire body since 2005. I was unable to exercise due to the enourmous amount of pain that I endure each and every day 24/7. After two years or so of sitting in a wheelchair I had gained a lot of weight. I discussed things with all of my doctors and I decided to have the Lap Band put on in Dec. 2007. After having fills put in monthly until there was no more room, I was only able to lose 12 pounds. Yes, I followed the program to a "T". I continued to get more and more depressed over my weight. I spoke to my surgeon along with all of my other doctors to see what they thought about me having the Lap Band removed and converting me over to a Gastric Bypass. They all agreed that it would probably be more benefisical not only to lose weight but to also help with my high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and depression. I had my lap band removed and converted over to a GB on January 12 of this year. After almost 4 months now, I have lost 52 lbs. I still have another 68 lbs. or so to go. I had all of this done because I NEEDED to do so for the sake of my health. After all, that is the biggest reason why people have a Gastric Bypass to begin with. Can you honestly say the same thing about your situation???

By accident I overheated my corn tortilla. I broke off a piece and voilla! a baked tortilla chip. 1 Corn Tortilla (Mission lo fat) Microwave on high for 1.5 to 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't overbrown. Allow to cool and break into "baked" tortilla chips Spray with no cal butter spray and season to taste before microwaving if you like. Made a great "cracker" for my mexican salad (lettuce, 1/4 C refried Beans, 1 T lite sour cream, pinch of shredded cheese and salsa). I think I found a new lunch:hungry: :hungry: Where have I been? I'll bet lots of people know this trick!!!

I think you are hopeless and should give up. Mimi