MollyBrown

Yes, Ted. I did get banded back in November of 2007. The band has been marginally successful for me. Throughout the process (decision to get the band, pre-surgery diet, and then life after the band) I had lost 58 pounds. I still have 60 to 70 pounds to lose, and many of my peers on this site have lost most if not all of their weight, so I feel like a complete slacker.... I am still glad that I got the band because it keeps me mindful of what I am eating. I probably should have selected gastric bypass given my eating behaviors, but my husband did not like the mortality risk of bypass surgery. Also, I do love to cook, entertain, and drink wine occassionally, so the band allows a more "normal" life. As the New Year rings in, me, my husband, and daughter have a renewed commitment so we will be incorporationg some major lifestyle changes now. Did you want to know anything about Dr. Singh?

jbflorida, How much have you lost, and how long did it take? Sorry to be nosey... Size 12 sounds fabulous.... You know, if I am able to get to a size 12 again and hold it, and my skin is sagging, I will not hesitate to get surgery. And bravo, might as well get a two-fer or three-fer while you are under....

Fills do help some curb their hunger... But not me. The head hunger gets me often. The band reminds me not to over-ate, therefore I am maintaining nicely. But maintaining is not what I want since I have 70 more pounds to lose. Get another fill, keep getting them until you can determine if you are one of the lucky ones that realize a cessation from hunger...

It has not been the best tool for me either. Overall I am glad I did something because at least I feel the damn thing there everyday and it reminds me to stop, eventually.... I have only lost 34ish since being banded 11/08. I want to hit 50lbs at my one year mark. I know I can do it if I just put my mind to it. So, what the hell is wrong with my mind???? Everyday I start and do well and then at 2-3pm I hit the chocolate bowl at work (you are right, it slides right through). And I am a good cook, we like to entertain and be entertained, and that includes lots of good food.... Somehow, some way, I need to get on track.... As much as I would like to think I would be doing better with a bypass, it is likely that my skin would be sagging to my knees, I would test the dumping syndrome thing, and my hair, my nice full hair would be thin and chemo-like.... The band was the right thing, I am just fighting it, afraid of success, letting my head hunger rule my physical need for wellness... So, how are we going to fight this thing and make it work? Is it one day at a time, change one thing at a time.... I made the decision today that I am going to Overeaters Anonymous next week; and take at least three walks next week. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it is a start...

My God, Boo Kitty you look friggin fabulous. I love that you are the girl at the top of the page too... That is you isn't it. Anyway, I am 45. Banded 11/07. Losing weight since 11/06 (VERY SLOWLY, BUT NOT INTENTIONALLY). I am still big, I have another 70ish to go, but no sagging yet, which isn't bad for 45. My face has few wrinkles, and has slimmed down a lot. The excessive Protein has let more inches come off even though I have not lost a lot. If I could get a regular exercise routine going, and get back on track (to much chocolate and wine-but not together-yuke) I would be doing VERY good and I am confident my skin would be okay for an old girl like me.

I was mildly diabetic. A1C of about 7.5, average morning glucose 130-150. I went on one Metformin tablet per day in the morning. The A1C went to 7.0, morning glucose to 110-120. Then because I was diabetic, my Triglycerides doubled, and the cholesterol started eeking up, had to start on cholesterol medicine. I was banded in 11/2007. I have only lost about 34ish pounds since being banded, but have lost about 54ish since 11/2006. I no longer take Metformin or Cholesterol medicine. My A1C is 6.4, average morning glucose is between 100-110, I am always higher in the morning for some reason. My over-all cholesterol is 164, triglycerides are normal. Now, that is only losing 54 of the 110-120 I have to lose. Right now I am going through a bad patch and sticking chocolate in my face everytime I turn around so hopefully it is not making my numbers climb but I am not gaining weight. If you want my opinion about the lap-band, I am glad I did something since I was not able to do it entirely on my own, but it has not been the cure-all for me. I have head-hunger, and an attachment to sweet stuff that I really need to deal with. I sort of wish I had gone with gastric bypass or the sleeving. My doctor lets me know it too every time I come in (he can be a little ass sometimes). Hope this helps...

Pam, That would be grueling for me to watch too... I do love my husband, and I know I am blessed everyday that I have him. He struggles with his weight too, but he only has to put half a mind to losing weight and it falls off him. His struggle (other than keeping it off) is exercise. That is where I kind of wish he could step up and mandate for the both of us a healthier way. Years ago, before I met my husband, I was engaged to this strapping, athletic, eat like a horse, thin guy... Of course I struggled with my weight back then too. He would eat enormous amounts of food every day and it would run through him. He would get on my case, alot as a matter of fact, and then I was 70 pounds lighter than I am now. So you are right, I should praise my hubby every chance I get... How are you doing with your weight loss journey?

Raysbabe, Here here on the good husband.... Mine has been wonderful our entire marriage. He is faithful, doesn't criticize me or my weight, or our lack of sex, and was totally willing for me to have the surgery (lap-band, but he was against the bypass because of the mortality rate). I do thank God for him every day. He will clean, participate in anything I ask, but I usually have to ask...... I do kind of wish he would get on my ass a little bit about what I eat (not the cost of the surgery). I would like him to set some boundaries for the both of us, I would like him to help and take charge of our healthful eating/exercise, kind of like how I have to take charge of everything else. I hate taking charge all of the time. Sometimes I think that I control everything in the world except my weight. Like I use all of my control everywhere else that there is nothing left over. I juggle a career, church youth group, church fundraising, all household matters, finances, etc... I know it sounds like I am complaining about him. I really shouldn't, he has a good job, is a great father and husband, and lord knows me and our daughter can be, shall we say, complicated.... Anyway enough rambling... What are we going to do about this? Obviously sitting here and complaining about it isn't working... Short of sewing my mouth closed, advice, anyone?????

One other thing too... I am telecommuting today so I will eat healthy (there is nothing bad in the house)... Anyway, my friend, who went to the band informational seminar with me, chose not to be banded and started on Optifast in April. She has lost 51 lbs so far. I gotta say, I am a little pissed... Now granted, I eat like a normal person, where she is in the diet now, she eats one normal meal a day and drinks the rest, and she had a much higher BMI then I had, but still.... I really am happy for her, just sad for me......

I always feel good about life, just not my weight, and sometimes I let the weight creep into the other parts of my life. That stinks.... Anyway, I am not doing any better with my diet. I have eaten healthfully, but just to much, so I am not losing any weight. The thing that gets me is I work so hard to have lots of good Protein (meat and other), good and Vitamin rich fruits and veggies. But every day something throws me just off track enough that my calories go up to 1700-1900 and I don't lose weight (but I am happy I am not gaining either). I just wish I could stop undermining myself. I have started talking in my head a little when I get the urge for a couple pieces of chocolate, stuff like, you don't need that crap, that stuff is really bad for you, it is poison.... It has worked a little bit, but last night I totally blew a great day by binging on chocolate when I was trapped at work until 9:30pm with no decent food, after a 12.5 hour day. Anyway, it is a new day....

Being Honest... At first I did not journal the bad stuff I ate. Then I said, be honest, write it all down and then maybe I will make myself accountable. Alas.... no.... that did not help. My journal is only longer now. What the heck is wrong with my head????? I actually feel like I am in that movie "Groundhog Day", every day I wake up with resolve, eat right until about 2-3pm, and then I would chew my own arm off if it were made of chocolate... Geez, could my current life and future health be worth a little bit of chocolate everyday (okay, maybe more then a little bit of chocolate)... HELP!!!!

Mizpeppy, I am 10 months out too.... 34 pounds is not the amazing amount of weight I thought I would lose. I haven't gained though, and other then being really disappointed in my performance, I am feeling good health wise. Sweets are my crack... God I wish I could hate them 97% of the time... Anyway, I did recently get a fill and it is making a difference although they suspect a possible leak in my band. How much weight have you lost, what was your beginning weight? I send you good wishes on staying on track!