Is it all worth it???

[icrashem1 0]

I'm about 10 days out from being banded. I've been reading all the stories about what you can eat and what you cant eat or drink. My question is of all you people that have been banded for awhile, would you do it again????

[UpperWestSide 3]

My answer i a total "YES". I was banded about 5 months ago and I can't remember a time a felt better. I have lost 85 pounds on my way to 130 pound lost. I have almost never felt defeated. Were there times that were hard? Sure, like when I went 3 months with almost no weight loss. But that was a long time ago and I have never felt so in control of my weight and my body. You know, change is never easy. I went through a divorce in the middle of this because, in part, my partner could just not be with my on this journey and continued to be as unhealthy as I had been. That was a hard relationship to lose. But I am now in a new relationship and it and I are both thriving.

I remember, early on, when someone on this board said that just wait until the highs of the early weight loss wear off. You will find the band hard to sustain. Well, I waited for that time and understand what she meant in terms of this being a tool you have to work with. And yes, I loved the early months when I would lose 10 pounds in a month. But the sustainability of eating this way was never something I could do on a regular diet and I feel great. So go for it and know that you too can get control of your life and weight.

[Mariasha 3]

Wish I had done it sooner. No regrets here.

[Noturningback15 45]

YES!!! It was worth it! I'm so excited about the changes in my body and mind! I am 70lbs down from my highest weight and I am loving it!!!! I am not losing really fast like some people but I am still happy with what I am doing! I was banded 2-23-10 and 55lbs down since Feb. the rest was lost before surgery. Not one time have I asked myself was it worth it because I was 12lbs away from being 400lbs and felt so depressed about how I got that way. Now I am getting close to the 299 mark and I am pressing forward! I am one of the ones on here that can eat just about anything and I don't have problems with bread or anything that I have came across. I choose not to eat somethings because I know it's not healthy for me. I have never slimed or PB. I have never threw up either. I have 6.8ccs in my band and it feels okay at this time. I hope that it doesn't start once I post this but everyone experience is different with the band. I LOVE my band!:thumbup::thumbup:

[LeighaMason 19]

There were things that I temporarily couldn't eat while I was in the active losing stage like bread, Pasta and tortillas. But after I reached goal I removed .2 fill and now I eat everything. I still don't drink with my meal because it makes my food swell up and I become uncomfortable but I don't even miss it anymore.

I guess for me it wasn't the foods I couldn't eat anymore that bothered me, at first, it was the fact that I only ate such a small meal and I missed the ritual of eating. I have now accepted that what I was doing before was abnormal and the small portions I eat now is normal eating. It took a while for these changes to be accepted in my mind.. Don't be surprised if you go through a mourning period where you mourn the loss of food, or the loss of the eating ritual. Spend time and work through it, it will help you in the long run.

[sparkplug 106]

I am 150% satisfied with my band and my life now, never thought possible to be at goal weight for over a year! I feel like a million dollars.

[LarraineM 6]

In a heartbeat YES! I feel in contol with my band.Without it the cycle never ends lose, gain, lose and gain it all back again.Its worth every change I ve made in my life to feel healthy and in control.

[beernut 0]

So far, it's been totally worth it. The nicest thing for me is the fact that I'm not thinking about food ALL THE TIME. I'm sure I think about it more than the average person, but it's not such an all consuming fixation anymore.

[MaggieB 6]

Totally worth it. I am only 4.5 months out but so glad I made this decision. so happy with my weight loss.

Like a previous poster stated - Right now I feel like I am going thru that mourning stage - I do miss eating like I did preband. I miss not having to think about my food choices, the amount of food, drinking with my meals (though I do take small sips), I do get tired of eatinga little bit from everyones plate when we go out as a family - sometimes it is not worth it for me to spend money on an entree that I will only eat a few bites of.

[JMinDallas 1]

Totally worth it!!! And like so many others wished I would have had it done sooner.

I was wearing a size 22W. Now I just bought some jeans that are a 16. It's been years, like probably 7-8 yrs, since I've worn that size.

I feel AMAZING!

[Manda87 3]

It is worth it! I wish I had done is sooner. I don't miss my past life. I don't miss spending money that I didn't have at McDonald's. I don't miss being over 300 pounds. It was sooooo worth it! What I don't understand is why so many people are against weight loss surgery. :-/

[Bree99 1]

I am 9 months out, 86 pounds down. 5 sizes down in jeans. I can eat anything, but gave up bread during this weight loss phase. I am very satisfied with my food and feel like I have a normal relationship to food for the first time in many years. It is amazing.

[hopeandhealing 0]

Yes and no. Yes I am glad I have the band. The #1 reason is that i can no longer overeat, i no longer have heartburn, and although i have lost only 30# in 15 months, it has not been horribly difficult. However, for me, it is definitely not easy. I still have to exercise, eat healthy foods, stay away from *easy* foods like Soups, etc (which I LOVE), make sure I get plenty of Protein, journal, deal with the emotional stuff, etc etc. So while it has not been an easy journey, it has been a great help. I am thankful, for today, that I have it.

[Melissannde 41]

to OP.. yes, a thousand times yes.

Hope.. CUTE doggie.. is that a Shih-tzu or ??

[123crod 170]

15 months out and down 80 lbs. It has been a great lifestyle changed for me.

Cheri