Jennifer Hathaway

Good luck on your banding! I wish I would have had your preop diet instead of just liquids. But every doctor follows their own ideas. And in the long run they both seem to work pretty well.

I like the ready made Premiere protein shakes from Costco. They are 11 ounces, 160 calories, 30 grams of protein. Most other protein shakes are higher in calories and have less protein. These aren't the best tasting ones, I like GNC powder too. But they are portable and the nutrition is totally worth it.

I read a lot of negatives when preparing for my surgery but the risks are so much less than an RNY, so I took the chance. Here I am 10 1/2 months later and down 111 pounds and below my goal weight. I have nothing but great things happening with this band. I get stuck sometimes but only because I eat too fast or take big bites. But I am off my blood pressure meds, I am only on 1 anti-depressant for my bipolar rather than 3 because I am happy again with myself. You have to make the decision for yourself, but I am so glad I did it. Good luck!

Thank you Jen79co. That makes me feel so good!

I am 5'7" and on surgery day 10 months ago I weighed 262 lbs. My doctor's goal for me was 169 but my goal was 160. Today I weighed in at 152. I wear a size 8, 6, or 4 depending on the brand. I am pretty happy with my weight right now as i am in a normal bmi and off meds, but if I lose more that will be a bonus.

41 May 25, 2010 24 March 5, 2011 I love my band!

Way to go! Keep it up! Everytime you drop you should get yourself something special, those are great goals to meet.

When I needed a fill I just told my doctor I was getting hungry between meals sooner than 3-4 hours recommended by her. I was losing 10-12 pounds per month and I always was able to get a fill. I am now at goal after being banded only 9 months. Down 107 pounds and my doctor would like to take out some saline for maintaining but I like where my band is right now. Good luck. Just be honest about having to use willpower and hopefully you will get the help you need.

Wow, I wish I had that. I have done the complete opposite. I have lost 107 pounds in 9 months and now at goal. I noticed the more I lost, the less I wanted sex. I think all my stretched out skin and smaller chest have something to do with it. But I was also hiding behind my fat because I was abused as a child and I don't know how to react to all the extra attention based on my smaller body.

I have lost 107 pounds in 9 months and am now maintaining at a normal bmi. I am much healthier at 155 pounds than I was at 262 pounds. Losing it fast hasn't hurt me in any way that I know of (yet). I was on 2 bp meds and pre-diabetic but now off bp meds and my blood sugar is fine. I don't know if losing too fast will have any ill effects on you or not, but consider the other great benefits.

I didn't realize that the band didn't always help control hunger. I hardly get hungry with mine, it's like when I took diet pills. I can't imagine I would have been able to lose this weight or keep it off using only willpower. I am sorry for those that aren't getting the full benefit of their band. I will count my blessings that I am one of the ones it works for. I thought if you just followed the rules it would always work. Sorry if I was sounding like a snob. I would be very frustrated and probably angry if I was promised something and it didn't work for me that way.

I am now at goal and bought my fancy treadmill to stay at goal. But there is a pair of $100 jeans I plan on getting this weekend. There are rhinestone crosses on the back pockets and they are hot!

Cleos mom, I am sorry the band hasn't worked for you. It's really hard to see that some people have issues with it. I have been really lucky and happy with it. I hope that whatever happens you find something that works for you. It seems like it is hit or miss with some of these surgeries, but there are also people that have it done but they are not doing their part of the work. But it sounds like you are and that would be frustrating. Good luck.

I have been banded only 9 months and i have never had a problem with reflux, heartburn, pb or anything. I have lost MORE than 100% of my weight goal. I started at 262 and my doctor's goal was 169, my personal goal was 160 and I now weigh 155. If you want to fail keep doing what you have always done, if you want to succeed you need to change your head and your eating. Good Luck, I have only seen people fail after rny. The Band works.

I have never been unfilled, that must be frustrating. I am at the perfect level right now for maintenance and I am only 9 months from surgery today. My doctor has been awesome and lets me decide the amounts I need. She believes small increases are best for sneaking up on the perfect restriction. I have had .10, .15, .20, .25 put in at different times. Your doctor is wrong in his beliefs, the small amounts do make a difference. I have lost 107 pounds and never gained with this approach. Good luck.

I am now down 107 pounds and below goal.

I take in 1,000 calories a day and starting maintenance so I can add a couple more.

I call mine Bandit. She's my best buddy. Lol!

I passed my doctor's goal and I hit my personal goal of 160 this morning. I am down 102 pounds in 8 1/2 months. I have now changed my personal goal to 145-150. If I don't make it I will be fine with that because I am happy right now.

I forgot to add I lost it in 8 1/2 months. I can't love this band anymore than I already do!

I have lost 102 pounds as of this morning and hit goal! So happy! But I think I want to lose another 15 lol.

Hi Kristina, I am 37, 5'7" and WAS 262 at time of surgery may 25, 2010. So we have very similar statistics. It's only been 8 months since surgery and I have lost 98 pounds, only 4 more to my personal goal of 160. If you follow your doctor's orders you will be successful. Protein first, I eat one cup of food at lunch and dinner. Protein shakes for breakfast. I get in at least 60 grams of protein and stay around 1,000 calories. No drinking with meals or before/after for at least 30 minutes. Never drink pop or any sort of carbonation. And exercise, at least walking as much as I can.

I was able to bring a machine home to use in my own bed. I am really glad the doctors I see use this method. It was difficult to sleep soundly attached to wires but well worth it to get surgery. I didn't have sleep apnea. Good luck.

I had surgery may 25, 2010 and I too was super excited. Here I am 8 months later, 98 pounds down and pretty much at goal. I only need to lose 4 more pounds, yay! I am struggling right now because I am getting into too many sweets right now. Good luck, you can do it!

My doctor only uses lapband so I had no choice. But I love it. No complications and I have gone from 262 lbs to 165 lbs in 7 1/2 months. Just research and decide what features you like best, but just getting a band no matter the brand is a great step towards better health. Good Luck!