bandfan1

Hi Ebonyrose!! Yes, isn't that staff great?!! I didn't think that Dr. Duffy did any banding. You have had awesome results since November!! Keep it up!! I have been veeerrrryyyy slow at losing, but I feel comfortable with it. I have just committed to an exercise program and I am sure that will make all the difference.... My schedule is crazy, but I should try to get to one of those meetings. When are they?

I have been reluctant to post here, but the reality is that I AM a slow loser!! I always have been!!! I have stepped up my exercise and am watching what I put into my mouth. It's unfortunate that some of the healthy foods don't go down very easily, but the "bad" stuff does!!! The nice thing about being a slow loser is that I feel natural at my weight whereas in the past when I lost it fast I always felt that it was "temporary"... This loss is forever and I will be able to keep moving forward and not slipping backward thanks to the band!!!!

I am happy because I was able to fill up 2 contractor size bags of clothes that are too big!!!! Gone forever are the big clothes!!!!!

Congratulations!! What is the secret to your success? I am losing slowly, but it's steady......

Hi Fab-forties!! I am 46 yrs old and have started my lab-band journey!! I have not been banded yet, but I can't wait to start that new chapter of my life. I have a date set for May 1st. I have a few questions: first, what is the average weight loss for everyone and how long did it take? I have been struggling with my weight since I was a child. I can't even fathom wearing a size 8!!! I am 5'3" and weigh 235. I noticed that StephC has similar weight stats. I now have diabetes and severe sleep apnea. I am ready to take charge of my weight and get rid of these annoying conditions. The reason that I am asking for support on this thread is because our metabolism in our 40's changes (not for the good)....... How about support from friends/family? Has anyone experienced someone who did NOT support them? So far this hasn't happened, but I am sure it will..... Still trying to figure out how to do the weight tracker, etc.... I'm usually good with the computer, but this one has me stumped!!! Any input or support would be greatly appreciated!!!! :teeth_smile:

Thindolphin: How old is your son? I have a 17yr old who sucks every bit of emotional energy from me. He is very needy, constantly tries to get out of things and makes me CRAZY!!! However, I have made the choice to NOT let him interfere with my success and need for my own time. Is there anybody who can sit with your son at the computer while you go to the gym? Maybe you can do some type of barter with them...they help you out and you do the same for them in a different way. Personally, I haven't been good about sticking to an exercise routine and my weight loss has been VERY slow. I recently made the mental commitment to "just do it" and there is no looking back now. I think that the main thing is that you have to know that YOU are worth it!!! Don't even look for encouragement from your son because he is not capable of that at this time. He has his own issues to deal with. I feel that if he sees that you have made a commitment to yourself, maybe he will straighten up (even if it is just a tiny bit). You are in a very stressful situation, but your health is MOST important right now, so hang in there and make the commitment to yourself!! All the best to you!!!

It's going to take a while. The initial weight loss is always high, but then it slows down significantly. If you can step up your exercise then it will speed things up a bit... Good luck.....

Hi Delrio: I am 47 and I feel that it is definitely slower when you get into your 40's, but not impossible!! I believe it will require more patience and persistence, but I also believe that we have more of that also in our 40's..... Have you been banded yet? I couldn't tell from your signature. I LOVE your exercise goal!! That is a great idea!! Exercise is the area that I am in need of most...... All the best!!

Hey Jesangel76!! I was banded by Dr. Kurt Roberts who is part of Duffy's group. I was at Yale New-Haven and had a great experience. The office staff is extremely attentive and I am so impressed that they ALWAYS answer the phone!!! My follow-up visits have been very positive and have been filled by Dr. Roberts himself. He is a great doctor with an exceptional bedside manner!!! All the best to you!!!

MargieOK2: I haven't been on the site for a while, but I noticed your post. I don't regret my decision to go forward with the lap band surgery, but I am realizing that it is DEFINITELY not a magic bullet. It is a tool that needs to be used along with new healthy eating habits and exercise. I finally got on the exercise bandwagon and am hoping that it speeds things up for me somewhat. The nice thing about the band is that in the past when I have reached this point of weight loss I would have started to revert to my old ways and the pounds would slowly creep back until I weighed more than when I started. With the band, I am able to keep going and move past this point thanks to the restriction that I am getting. If used correctly AS A TOOL, the band is a wonderful thing!! Good luck to you!!!

GlenSand: Congratulations on your decision to go forward with the surgery. It was a very easy and positive experience for me. Don't forget that the band is ONLY a tool and must be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes. Healthy eating habits and exercise will definitely speed up your progress!! All the best for 2009!!

Congratulations on such an awesome accomplishment!!

Congratulations Kikival!! What an accomplishment. I think that the closer we get to our goal weight, the more of a challenge it will be. I finally started to take exercising seriously and am hoping that I will see the difference in weight loss!! Happy New Year!!!

I'm sorry that you have had NO success. My weight loss has been very slow, but I am happy with my progress so far. I think that we all need to be totally honest with ourselves. I know that I haven't lost as much as I could have because I was resisting the lifestyle changes. It is VERY EASY to cheat and revert back to the old foods that got us to where we started. The fact is that the band is only a tool to be used in combination with lifestyle changes. I have just gotten back on the exercising bandwagon and I know that it will make a huge difference in my loss. When I find myself straying, I go back to the basics and focus on the protein (about 40grams/day) and lots of water. If I am focused on that, then there is not a lot of time to put anything else in my mouth..... Hang in there and try shaking things up a bit. Set a new goal for a healthy new year!!!

I was banded on May 1st in New Haven by Kurt Roberts. Experience has been AWESOME!!! Weight loss has been slow, but I feel like it is gone for GOOD!!! I have just stepped up the exercise and I KNOW that it will make a HUGE difference!!! All the best to all of you CT bandsters!!

Yes, I can only get meat down in very small bites and it has to be in combination with something else so it is not too dry. I have been eating greek yogurt mixed with splenda and other sugar-free jams.... I also eat eggs, fish and Beans to get my Protein.....

Hi Pattic: Yes, I have a LOT of trouble with ALL meat. There are other things that are fine. Everybody is different. I can get down rice & bread, but Pasta is very difficult for me (not a bad thing!!) Good luck on your journey!!!

Hi Margie: I think that I am the one who started this thread early this year. Since then I have been banded (May 1st). Losing weight for me has always been difficult. Even now after several fills, my loss is very slow.......but steady. Since May 1st, I have lost almost 40lbs. The best part about it is that I am at a stage where in the past I would have given up. I can't do that with the band. I need to continue working on my behavior (ie good food choices and exercise!!!). I am ok with the fact that I will be a slow loser. What is most important is that it is going in the right direction. All the best to you. Feel free to e-mail me if you would like to communicate privately... mclondon@optonline.net. Marilyn

Hi Everyone!! Nice to see some of your results. I am losing much slower, but very consistently. I'm happy with that. I am fitting into clothes that I haven't worn for years. The band is also KEEPING me on track. In the past, there is a much greater chance that I would have quit at this stage of the game. With the band, quitting is not an option. I am also not "stress" eating....stress is still there, but I am not solving it or comforting myself with food. I do have to step up my exercise and I'm sure that I will see better results...... All the best to all of you!! Marilyn

Wow Heather, your eyes look so much bigger (and beautiful)!! You look great!! Keep up the good work!!!

Wow!! You really can see the difference!! You are doing phenomenal!! Keep up the great work. Don't get "down" if other people don't notice right away. I am down 30lbs and have not had ANY comments yet!!! I know that I am looking and feeling good, so that is all that matters!!!

Kammi: Congratulations on your success!! It is so nice to follow my fellow May bandsters and read all of the success stories!! I am due for another fill on Monday. I think that this will be the "one"!!! I am looking forward to being in onederland by Christmas!!!

That is a 7 pound difference between your scale and the doctor's scale. Seems like something is amiss!!! Don't be so hard on yourself. You probably haven't hit your "sweet spot" yet. It takes some time to get there. My weight loss has been very slow, but I refuse to give up. My restriction is pretty tight, but I think I will ask for 1 more fill. I want to be in onederland by Christmas!!!!!

AthinnerDenise: Thanks for that information. I have a loooonng way until I will be at the point where the fat pad in my stomach is gone. My stomach is where I carry most of my weight. However, there has been good results in that area and the inches are melting away!!! All the best!!

I have just discovered this thread!! What GREAT information!!! Thanks Wendell for starting it and thanks also to Dr. Watkins for adding your professional input. I was banded on May 1st and am realizing that, as Wendell said, it is a stop and go experience (like stairs). I think that not getting too caught up in the numbers is a good idea and working on the behavior modification is huge!! I can honestly say that the band has been helpful during those times when I feel like "stress" eating. I simply can't do that anymore or else I will end up pb'ing. Also, in the past I have always been successful with the first 25 - 30 lbs and then ALWAYS hit a wall!! My plateaus always "won" and I would revert back to my old bad behavior and forget about why I started the journey. I have never before been able to get past that point. This is where the band is going to help a LOT!!!! It is definitely a tool that needs to be used along with behavior modification, but I can honestly say that this tool will finally be the what helps me to reach my goals. All the best to everyone!!!