ohiobluegal

Yes and No. I made the correct decision at the time, about 7 years ago. I was skyrocketing to a very unhealthy weight. Would I have the surgery with the information I have now? No. Yes, I did lose weight with the lap band. Yes, I have gained weight back with the lap band. I have also lost weight without the use of my band (a total unfill). The lap band does not help with my night snackings, that is me and only me. The lap band does restrict the amount of food I eat in the morning and afternoon. So, please do your research before having the surgery. Why are you getting the lap band? If you think it is a magic tool that will make the weight drop off then you are wrong. You still have to diet and exercise. Good luck on your journey.

I was banded 5 years ago. Did good the first year and then gained it back. Had an unfill about three years ago. Well here I am again. Decided to try again in September of this year. After the first fill, I got the "full" feeling. That lasted about a week. Went for another fill. No full feeling. So here I sit depressed because the band is not stopping me from eating. The reason I got the band was because it was supposed to tell me when to stop eating! It hasn't. I did diet and exercise and lost weight without the band and lost 50 lbs. Of course, I gained that back too. Not sure if I should just get another total unfill and give up on the band, after all it doesn't do anything for me. Maybe I'm supposed to lose it the old fashion way. I really thought the band was my answer. After struggling with my weight my whole life I'm tired of it! I would really like to lead a normal life without my weight being the center of it all!! No replies necessary. Just needed to vent. Thanks.

Thank you for all of your feedback. I don't remember ever being told to eat 1 cup of food at a time. What I do remember is to eat your protein first. Also, when I go in I continually ask for a fill to get that full feeling. The girls that do the fill never say anything different. I am now confused. Guess I better do some more research on the this tool that is implanted in me.

I have never noticed that before but it does say that when mixed with fat free milk. So, carnation does not add the sugar but when mixed with the fat free milk you get the sugar. Hope that helps.

Congratulations on the birth of your son! Please thank your husband for his service to our country!

The best thing to do is to contact your doctor and discuss your symptoms with them! Let them decide if you need to go back in or not.

I'm going to have my first fill in almost 3 years and have forgotten a few things. What do you all eat/drink for your first few days of liquids?? I always had tomato soup with protein powder but that gets old after the first meal. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I was banded at least 5 years ago....can't even remember the year. I did well at first then I started stretching my pouch since I never did get that full feeling. Two years ago I had a total unfill. I am even contemplating having the band removed. I actually lost 50 lbs last year on my own...exercise and eating better. I started getting horrible feet pain; stopped exercising. I have arthritis in my feet now. And, I have gained all the weight back. Some people have succeeded at this but I have not. I am wondering if I should try it again? What advice can you give me? I am planning a big over seas trip next summer and would like to lose weight and be healthy!!

I went and met with my surgeon today. Had a nice chat . Was supposed to get a fill but the machine was broken. I have to wait two weeks. That's ok...I have waited this long. I wasn't prepared to do two days of liquids so its ok.

I would like my band removed as well. I can honestly say it didn't work for me. I lost the weight but it came right back on. I was constantly stretching my pouch because I never got that full feeling. I had a total unfill a few years ago. I still have trouble where something will stick. Very Frustrating! I have seriously thought about looking into having it removed. Any advice?

I was banded March 15, 2007. I was so excited and thrilled to be on this lapband journey. At first I did pretty good. Lost about 50 lbs. To make a long story short I have gained the 50 lbs back. I am back to where I started...struggling. I very seldom got the full feeling. I constantly asked anyone I could talk to....why??? I had two total unfills. The last one was when I decided enough was enough! I had stretched my pouch both times. Why didn't the lapband work for me? When I went into this journey I didn't look at it as a "diet". The band was going to tell me I had eaten enough. No measuring and weighing. The band didn't tell me when I had enough. The tool didn't work. I am so frustrated and depressed!! Any advice???:laugh::mad: :w00t: :sad: :thumbup: :crying: :mad2:

I have been drinking this for the past two mornings and it is very satisfying...if you can get past the green color!!! Thank you again!!!

Thank you for the recipe! I will give it a try. Actually sounds good!

Thank you Leigha. You sound like a wonderful woman. I am an emotional eater. I don't usually get the hungry feeling. What I have discovered is that if I don't get enough protein in my diet then I get very tired. I eat my meals whether I am hungry or not. Noon comes around and it is lunch time so I eat. I am now seeing a doctor, psychiatrist, who is looking at everything. She has put me on a fruit and vegetable diet only for two weeks. My glucose, insulin, and cholesterol numbers are up. I'm hoping that seeing this doctor will help me understand why! I now realize that I should have seen a doctor earlier to figure out why I eat! I am VERY frustrated but I haven't given up!

Thank you for your advice. When I went to the seminar before I had my surgery the point that really stuck out for me was that I didn't have to diet anymore. Most overweight people do not get hungry. They eat for other reasons. I was tired of doing the weighing and measuring. I was told that I would only be able to eat small quantities. The band is a tool that tells me when to stop. Why go through the surgery if I still had to weigh and measure the food? Why get the band if I have to still diet? What is the band for if doesn't tell you when you are full? I have always concentrated on getting my protein in first. I took my vitamins. The bottom line, I believe, is that the band didn't work for me. Sure, it would work if I weighed and measured out my food. But then I would lose weight that way without the band. Right? When I read stories from successful people I read that they changed their eating habits and exercised. Let me ask you this: If they didn't have the band and they changed their eating habits and exercised they would have lost weight too, right? :thumbup: :mad: :mad: :sad: :sad: :mad: :laugh: :w00t: :crying: :mad2:

I have been banded since March 15, 2007. I have lost over 50lbs. But, I still have the horrible eating habits. I can sit down and eat 1/4 gallon of ice cream with no problem. All the good stuff goes through my band with no problem. What can I do to help this tool help me. Nights are the worst for me. I have lots of things that I can do but I always turn to food. I do exercise. Any suggestions? :confused2:

I think you are right on that I need to figure out WHY??? I have lots to do with my hands but......I guess it just doesn't satisfy whatever needs satisfying!!! I need to use the band as a tool...I have to put forth more effort.

Thanks for the message. You are so right!!

I will be graduating to the mushies this week but haven't had much luck finding information on what is good and what's not. I have heard not to eat too many potatoes because of the carbs...so tuna, salmon, etc. Any more good recipes would be greatly appreciated. Thank You:clap2:

I was banded March 15th....best decision I ever made. I'm in my final week of liquids. It really hasn't been that bad. I blend all my soups (cream of chicken, clam chowder, lentil) and make them runny. My question is what is a good food to start on with the mushies? I plan on eating s/f jello.....I though mashed potatoes would be good.....well cooked veggies. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I don't plan on blending up meat....just doesn't sound very good. I'll wait until I can chew chew chew on that one. :confused:

My surgery date is March 15th.....can't wait to hear back from everyone to see how they did!!:girl_hug:

:clap2: HOORAY for us for getting this fabulous tool!! I'm getting banded March 15th.....and I have all the same feelings. I like what someone said...giving up our best friend - FOOD. Food is always there for us....when we are happy, sad, or lonely. We now have to be our own best friends. Food isn't that great of a friend anyways. Look at where it has gotten us!! :omg:

Welcome......I'm having my surgery on March 15th.....I am scared, anxious, unsure of the unknown. This is one of the best places to find the information you are looking for. They sure have helped me!!

I have my surgery date of March 15th and a little concerned. But, I know that everything will be ok....I keep telling myself that anyway. :rolleyes