grandy

Thanks so much for this blog. You have worked so hard and you deserve success. I was banded 1-1/2 years ago and only lost 60 lbs. initially from pre-op, post-op and liquid diet. I never felt restriction from the band and the doctor and his nurse have steadfastly refused to tell me what my fill volume is. You are right about the band being 30%...in my case, it has been less than 20%, and that's not what I expected. I expected what the commercials and billboards in Texas say..."Tried every diet and failed...then the lapband is for you." I am starting up once again, but I will probably try to do it on my own, like I always did before. My dietician told me 3 months ago (my last supposed fill after gaining back 20 lbs.) that according t my chart, my band hardly had anything in it...when I asked the nurse after the fill, she said I didn't really need to know how much was in there...I pray for the courage and perseverance to do half as good as you have. I work out 2 or 3 days each week, but am close to 60 years old and work 50 hours a week also at a high-stress job. I would love to hear how you are doing. Your success is a real boost!

I also know how you feel...I did well at first with the pre-op and post-op diets (early 2010) and then gained 20 of the 60 lbs back...my band has not been helpful, and the doctor and nurse don't think I need to know how much fill is in band. My dietician looked at the chart 3 months ago and said I hardly had anything in the band... I know I am wrong to count on the band to kick in and make me feel full, but that is what the TV commercials led me to believe...it actually works on some people; the band does kick in with each fill and it guides them on when to stop. I have only felt a small restriction a handful of times in 1-1/2 years... I want to start over with the band, but I can't do 90% diet and let the band work 10% of the time...that's not what I was told in the seminars that the band was for...I have always failed on diets when I have to do it all by myself...I have lost more than 1000 pounds over the years, only to gain everything back. The band was my last resort...

One week of mostly liquid diet usually works...broths and tomato Soup...small quantities.

I totally agree! I pray for the "full" feeling. I was banded 1-1/2 years ago. I pray to be like a lady in my group who lost 107 lbs. in 7 months. She could NOT eat more than a tiny piece of meat and a teaspoon of veggies at a meal. She has her regular fills and they always work. Mine never have. My losses go up and down... 60 lbs in first 5 months...than gained 20 back in 6 mos. The pre-op diet, post op and liquid diet are what caused my weight loss...not assistance from the band. I would love to have enough restriction to not be able to eat but 3 oz. of food per meal...that's what I paid for... Thanks for listening...

I had my surgery 1-1/2 years ago and lost 60 pounds initially (mostly due to pre-op, post-op) and liquid diet. I have gained more than 20 lbs back, my band has never been completely filled, and I feel like I have let myself down, and the band has let me down. Would like to hear from others...The band has not been the miracle it was advertised to be for people who have tried every diet and failed...

Sorry...I'm new to this website. I didn't know it was for new bandsters only...thanks

Thanks, Kim. I guess I have given up. My dietician told me that there's hardly anything in my band, so I'm certain they are not giving me complete fills. When I ask the nurse, she tells me I don't need to know how much is in the band. I think the doctor and his nurse who does the fills have given up on me as well. Does the band help you to eat less? You have been so successful! I have never experienced the full feeling in my band like some of the ladies in my group. They are forced to stop after eating tiny amounts; I have never experienced that type of assistance and I need it desperately. I was told that the band only works when you go on a strict diet and stay on it...then it kicks in. If I could go on a strict diet and keep the weight off, I wouldn't have needed the band in the first place. I know I need to start over; I'm just praying for the strength to start the high protein-low carb diet one more time. What I really need to do is forget about the band, since I have never felt like I had one. My hunger is in my head...always has been. Thanks for your comments. You should be so proud of yourself and your success!