BabyGotBack

Quote"Today I attended a consultation at my Doctor's office and was told that only 45 to 50% of people who have the Lap-Band done lose any weight. The nurse practioner said that their specific patients have had a 50% success rate. These figures seem very discouraging to me. :phanvan When I questioned him as to why only 50% lose weight he said that people cheat/cannot overcome the emotional or mental obstacles they need to overcome to change their lifestyle. He went on to state that he thinks the figure is 50% because some patients who have BMI's in the 50-60 range have elected to have the Lap-Band and have not been successful, which he feels skews the results. We briefly discussed my health and eating patterns and he feels that since my weight is based more on the quantity of food I eat vs. eating foods which in the future would be cheating foods (ice cream, shakes, etc.) that I would be an "ideal candidate." I find it hard to believe that all of these people cheat after going to the expense/physical demands pre- and post-op to cheat that dramatically. He even stated that they have a patient who has only lost 5 pounds in a year. I asked him specifically what he would do if someone was not losing any weight and was not cheating. He said that he would not tighten the band - that he relies on a more conservative approach and leaves the band more open to "make more of the brunt of it rest on the patient's shoulders."" Answers to this post: "Well, first of all when your surgeon says "50% success rate", how is that meant? a) 50% of the people who have the surgery meet the medical criteria for success. 100% of his patients lost 50% of their excess weight, or numbers that bring in the same average. c) Judging by some criteria he has assigned, some combination of a or b? It's very easy to not lose weight with the band if you're not focused on losing weight. And it's very easy to not focus on losing weight, and use the band as an excuse for that. Think of all the things that make it easy to bypass the band, and you'll see where those numbers might be coming from. E.g. people who never get a fill because they're afraid that would mean they have to give up foods. Or people who use cognitive distortions to get out of good eating habits. Or people who go underfilled and try to "wing it", but then never go after the fill to take off where their willpower left. Pople of ALL BMIs have elected to have the lapband and not been successful, so why would he attribute it to those in the 50 - 60 range? - sounds like he's kind of pulling his numbers from nowhere. "I have always heard that the 50% success rate was that patients loose on average 50% of there body fat, not that only 50% loose any weight. I would question your doctor. There is a percantage of people who don't loose. That goes with any WLS. It is a tool and not a cure. Remember too that the 50% (and I honestly beleive that percentage is higher than that if my memory serves) counst those that don't loose and weighs down the average loss." "Well, what he says is probably true to some degree, where there's a large emotional or compulsive eating type of behaviour, I guess the lap band still slows you down but you have more work to do than somebody who's really only a volume eater. I was pretty much a volume eater and the band has worked brilliantly for me. But I do have to use significant willpower and self control to mainly eat good healthy foods and stay away from junk. I mean, who isnt prey to the convenience of take away and junk foods in today's society? Its the lifestyle we live and that takes some overcoming." "It seems that most of the studies focus on the first 12 to 18 months of being banded. If you haven't reached your goal by 18 months, you're probably considered a failure for the purposes of the study. If you have a higher BMI, it will take longer to get to goal, so I can see why the doctor would say that people with higher BMIs skew the stats if they are only looking at 12-18 months post banding. Statistics can be very misleading, and it's important to understand the criteria on which the data was collected before you put any credence into those numbers." "I always took the studied EWL % to be everyone's EWL added together, then divided by the number of people. Example; Jane has 99% EWL Dick has 45% EWL Mary has 76% EWL Frank has 25% EWL 99 + 45 + 76 + 25 = 245 / 4 = 61.25 % average EWL So while some do really, really well (Jane's 99%) the lower numbers in the study bring the average down." Hope this helps!! <!-- / message --><!-- sig --> <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

What are our goals for this week?? The people perish for lack of a vision, so what is your vision?? Let's keep each other accountable to do better everyday, change at least one bad habit a week. Audree

I was just thinking, let's make a pledge to each other, to help one another. To pick one another up when we are down. If one falls down, that we would go back and pick them up. I think also that the hardest thing to do, is to tell someone in love, that they are messing up. But, I for one, have needed someone to tell me and I have had to choose not to get offended and be mature enough to accept constructive critisism. That has not come easy for me. It actually took years of certain trials in my life to get there. But, it is different if it comes from someone that you know truely has your best interest at heart and cares. I know one day, I may need someone to help get me back on track, help me to stay focused, keep my vision before me of my bikini clad body running on the beach , and run this race with all my might, with all my strength, to win the prize! I know sometimes I do certain things, like exercising just because I am accountable to you guys. Maybe we can let each other know what our daily/weekly goals are, and keep each other accountable to those goals. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results!!!! It is insanity to eat more than our body needs and expect to lose weight. Or expect tone skin instead of flabby skin when we don't exercise. We know what we need to do, so why don't we do it? Why do we sabotage ourselves? Our success?? What if our life depended on us losing weight? Would we do it then? Being overweight contributes to so many health problems, cancer, diabeties. I for one, didn't want to wait till I got some bad news to be motivated to lose. And I hope to never get news like that , since I am busting my butt now. Who wants to be accountable too?

We will all be skinny before we know it!!

, okay!!!

Breakfast (had it late): 2 scrambled eggs, 3 sausages and 2 bacon (left behing ham, hash browns and pancakes-Dad took me out to Denny's) Snack: 5 almonds Snack (took my kids to the park and had a picnic): 2 Laughing Cow cheese, 2 string cheese, 1 sugar free fruit pop Dinner: 5 small chicken mozerlla meatballs in marinera sauce Calories: between 1100-1200 Exercise: I took my kids to the park and ran around so I was too tired to exercise Mood: I was feeling good, then I was feeling kinda emotional. I skipped my period last month, was actually due to start the day of surgery. So, I feel very premenstual, all the symptoms, more hungrier than usual, emotional, wide range of moods. The only thing I don't really feel is bloated like I used to. I hope I start before Fridays weigh in. Liquids: 64 ounces of watered down Crystal Light with Pure Lemon Supplements: 1 tbsp. Glacial Milk, 1 QuickSlim30 and 1 Biotin __________________

Breakfast (had it late): 2 scrambled eggs, 3 sausages and 2 bacon (left behing ham, hash browns and pancakes-Dad took me out to Denny's) Snack: 5 almonds Snack (took my kids to the park and had a picnic): 2 Laughing Cow cheese, 2 string cheese, 1 sugar free fruit pop Dinner: 5 small chicken mozerlla meatballs in marinera sauce Calories: between 1100-1200 Exercise: I took my kids to the park and ran around so I was too tired to exercise Mood: I was feeling good, then I was feeling kinda emotional. I skipped my period last month, was actually due to start the day of surgery. So, I feel very premenstual, all the symptoms, more hungrier than usual, emotional, wide range of moods. The only thing I don't really feel is bloated like I used to. I hope I start before Fridays weigh in. Liquids: 64 ounces of watered down Crystal Light with Pure Lemon Supplements: 1 tbsp. Glacial Milk, 1 QuickSlim30 and 1 Biotin __________________

Hi! I just wanted to say hello! I was just banded on Jan. 5th. I am going for my first fill in 2 weeks. Congrats on the weight loss!!!

I waited 4 days.

Thanks!!! I am feeling the love!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I am there with you. This is what they call "bandster hell". I think I eat more than I should too.

I felt like that too, the burp that wanted to come out and for me didn't. I felt like I had a lot of pressure inside and it hurt. I also felt like you, in that I was not hungry in the beginning. I also felt weak so I tried to add liquid yogurt, V8 and creamy soups. And being sick adds to it! You will feel better sooon!

I think we all have these kind of thoughts pre band and it is normal. I know for the first time in my life, I have felt full. When I had natural restriction it was awesome!! I have heard some say that is what it feels to get a fill. So, during that time, I got full on very little, less than 1 cup. I just couldn't believe how satisfied I felt. Even more than eating 3 servings at an all you can eat buffett and 2 servings of dessert as I used to do. Now that I don't have restriction, I am getting through this little window of time with my QuickSlim30. Following some kind of program helps me to keep on track. Even without restriction, I must have some because I don't measure, but can only eat about 1 1/2 cup of food for less at one time. I still only eat about 1200 calories a day and I feel like I ate a lot! I used to feel like I was starving to death if I ate 1200 calories!!! I think it is the best thing I have ever done (one of the best), and look forward to getting filled in 2 weeks. You do have to veiw the band as a tool, work with it, not around it like some have figured out to do. You have to follow the bandster rules of protein first, veggies, carb. Drinking no water to wash the food through the band. I am able to do anything since I feel full and satisfied. I feel in control for the first time in my life and at peace about my relationship with food. I think it also makes a difference if you are an emotional eater or a volume eater. I am a volume eater. A friend I have is an emotional eater, so she has to work harder especially in times of stress. I have also felt like you say you did today, when I get frustrated and upset and just want to eat!!! I have also heard those statistics are not really explained correctly. I have met a lot of people that are very successful and lost all of their excess weight. My doctor told me it all depended on me and if I followed the rules. That I could lose 28 or 58 pounds in 6 months if I chose to. I want to, so that is why I am so driven. I am tired of being fat and uncomfortable in my own body. I don't want to waste anymore time with this excess fat that can also contribute to health problems down the line. I can also eat anything that I want. I have had carne asada, sausages, eggs, you name it. I choose to stay away from bread just because it triggers carb cravings. We are all different and will tolerate different things. I also do feel like I always thought a skinny person would feel with food and get full on a small portion. I hope this helped. If you need more info or more specific or if I left anything out, you can post here or PM me!!

Thanks Sheila! I just get the feeling some people get irritated by it sometimes. I know some don't mean to, but I have had some people say some things that have made me feel kinda bad for doing good.

Thanks for the encouragement! I was having a bad day, a premenstrual thing! I just get into this mode that is driven to a goal and that is where I am now. I have never been so successful at weight loss and the band has helped me a lot. I just post what my journey is. I hope it encourages more than irritating some!

Breakfast (had it late): 2 scrambled eggs, 3 sausages and 2 bacon (left behing ham, hash browns and pancakes-Dad took me out to Denny's) Snack: 5 almonds Snack (took my kids to the park and had a picnic): 2 Laughing Cow cheese, 2 string cheese, 1 sugar free fruit pop Dinner: 5 small chicken mozerlla meatballs in marinera sauce Calories: between 1100-1200 Exercise: I took my kids to the park and ran around so I was too tired to exercise Mood: I was feeling good, then I was feeling kinda emotional. I skipped my period last month, was actually due to start the day of surgery. So, I feel very premenstual, all the symptoms, more hungrier than usual, emotional, wide range of moods. The only thing I don't really feel is bloated like I used to. I hope I start before Fridays weigh in. Liquids: 64 ounces of watered down Crystal Light with Pure Lemon Supplements: 1 tbsp. Glacial Milk, 1 QuickSlim30 and 1 Biotin

I went out to breakfast with my dad today!! Went to Denny's Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, 3 sausages and 2 bacon (left hash browns, ham and pancakes) Liquids: 32 ounces of watered down crystal light Supplements: 1 tbsp. Glacial Milk, 1 QuickSlim30 and need to take 1 Biotin I have no restriction, but find myself feeling like I need to stop. No pain or discomfort, but just my body telling me enough. It is a weird feeling since I have never had that before. I have not PB'd or slimed. I can eat anything right now and not chew to mush like I did. I know I better enjoy it since I get a fill in 2 weeks! I feel guilty posting how good things are going for me and sometimes don't want to post anymore. I almost feel bad but I can't help that I have lost weight and have no problems. I feel like the odd man out.:cry

Hello!!! I went out to breakfast with my dad this morning to Denny's. It was nice! Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, 3 sausages and 2 bacons (left the hash browns, ham and pancakes there!) Liquids: 32 ounces of watered down crystal light Supplements: 1 tbsp. Glacial Milk, 1 QuickSlim30, need to take my 1 Biotin I have no restriction, but find myself stopping for some reason. It is not an uncomfortable feeling or pain, I can't explain what makes me stop. I have not pb'd or slimed. I almost feel guilty for posting how things are going for me since I am not having any problems so far. :phanvan

Your pre op was better than mine!!! You are doing great!

No prob!!! I know we will all cross the finish line!!! Some a little faster, some a few steps behind, but the beauty of the band is we will all get there!!! YIIIPPPYYY I think my eating style has a lot to do with my personality. I am an all or nothing type of person. Sometimes good, sometimes very bad trait. In the past with my dieting, I would go for it full steam ahead as long as the weight kept dropping. When it stopped, I'd get discouraged, then hit the nothing side of all or nothing. I am just so excited and motivated by the changes I see and the weight loss that it is keeping me really motivated. I also have a vision in my head of where I want to be and by when. Also, I have 2 main goals. The first one, is to lose as much as I possibly can by my step daughters wedding on March 17. I am the maid of honor!!! And my husbands EX will be there, and she is a little skinny ...... woman! She used to make comments about me when my husband and I were dating saying " I didn't know you liked fat girls" and would make comments about my big butt to the girls when they were little. All that has long ended, my niceness wore her down finally. But, the memory of what she said stayed and spurs me on to look as HOT as I can the day of the wedding!!!! I have 40 or so days till then. My second goal is my 12 year wedding anniversary July 12. I have never ever been able to wear cute clothes in the summer or bathing suits. For once in my life and expecially now that I am married, I'd like to go on a trip for my anniversary and look cute with little shorts, tops, short skirts and a bikini!!!! My mom owns a condo in Las Vegas and I have a vision of myself at the pool!!!!! I am eating so well on the Beach and my sugar and carb cravings are in check, so there is nothing I really want to cheat with, food wise. I have no restriction, but the protein keeps me satisfied and pretty full. I have been averaging about 1200 calories a day. I keep a count just for my information, but eventually won't since you don't have to count calories on the Beach!!!! YEAH:clap2:

I am just curious about the daily calorie. My nutrionist told me to keep it between 1200-1500 a day. A lot better than some that I hear they are being told between 600-800 or 800-900! Maybe you can take off 100 calories a day till you reach the 1200-1500 range. When I eat higher in calories, I review my menu and try to see what I could cut out next time. It is usually something easy to take out. And I try to add in something yummy and lower in calories to substitute. Just an idea!!!

10 pecans are okay in phase 1 South Beach!!! You are doing very well! Did you doctor ask you to do South Beach for preop? It is healthier than doing Atkins, since it focuses on healthier fats and carbs. I like you menu!!! Keep up the good work!!!:clap2:

All goals met!!! Breakfast: 3 eggs with mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, 4 cold cuts sauteed and salsa (about 380 calories) Lunch: 1 small can of sardines and a dollop of hummus (about 250 calories) Snack: 10 almonds ( about 100 calories) and 1 Laughing Cow cheese Dinner: 1 sirloin steak hamburger patty with cheddar cheese melted on top (about 400 calories) Calories: about 1150 ish Exercise: elyptical machine for 30 minutes Supplements: 1 tbsp. Glacial Milk, 1 Biotin, 1 QuickSlim30 Liquids: 64 ounces of crystal light (watered down with Pure Lemon )<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Hi!! I am just checking in this evening! Today was a good day! Breakfast: 3 eggs with mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, 4 cold cuts sauteed and salsa (about 380 calories) Lunch: 1 small can of sardines and a dollop of hummus (about 250 calories) Snack: 10 almonds ( about 100 calories) and 1 Laughing Cow cheese Dinner: 1 sirloin steak hamburger patty with cheddar cheese melted on top (about 400 calories) Calories: about 1150 ish Exercise: elyptical machine for 30 minutes Supplements: 1 tbsp. Glacial Milk, 1 Biotin, 1 QuickSlim30 Liquids: 64 ounces of crystal light (watered down with Pure Lemon )

I was 145 and it was good! I have never been below that. My bmi chart says something like 118 to 145. I think I will make some mini goals too!