Having some serious second thoughts

[HeatherinCA 10]

I'm seeing that the ones who are successful with the band are the ones who learn how to eat right and use willpower. How is that any different than any diet? Couldn't I just go on a 2-week liquid diet to detox then start Weight Watchers and get the same results?

I really don't understand the people who say it's all about will power yet they got the band so ... why? Why did you get the Band if it's all about will power?

And please, don't say "It's just a tool".

If you want to talk about what that means I have a previous thread for that.

Right now I'm looking for solid reasons that people got the band even though they have great will power.

Thanks!

It keeps you from being hungry all the time, and helps you eat less. I eat significantly less!! But I don't eat rabbit nibble portions.. I eat about a cup to a cup and a half per meal. BUT it's still easy to cheat and eat too much, eat between meals, drink milkshakes, eat ice cream, eat fattening slider foods. Haha but it IS a tool, it's kind of built in willpower. It's in you, it's not going away, it's like the nagging voice that says eat correctly! Frankly, I'm satisfied with what I can eat and I don't feel deprived. The band helps with that, on a regular diet you are hungry a lot and it makes it easier to cheat.

Lots of people do fail because they don't follow the diet. If you think you can eat cheeseburgers and brownies and lose weight then you are crazy. It's still a 1200 calorie healthy lifestyle. Skinny people eat less, and eat healthy.

If you could of done it on my own with weight watchers (which i've probably done 5 times in my life, along with lindora, Atkins, south beach and every other diet program) I would have. I can get 50lbs off, I can't get 150lbs off. I needed more help.

[54Shirley 105]

Truthfully ! I didn't want to die. I couldn't even lie down without coughing, and then I would go and Pee. The more that came out the better of a chance of sleeping. Plus the Water was even coming threw the pores of my skin. Make it short. I saw a surgeon at the U of M, and he made it clear, that if I didn't do something,,, I was going to drowned in my own fluids. I said i know, he said "OF COURSE YOU DO, OR YOU WOULDN'T BE HERE" Right, so let's do something about it. WHOA! not my field Bariatrics. Go to Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit. They have the Monopoly on this.

He took me off the steroids,and in a couple of days I started to go to the Bathroom,all Water ! I lost 30lbs. in 30 days. The surgeon was aware of the condition called pockets "THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A NAME FOR IT YET !" He agreed, surgery was a must to live, so I chose the band, because I didn't want to have everything cut out, and thrown away.

I lost over 120 lbs. regained it when they said it was blown, but now I had it fixed, and a fill, and I feel G R E A T ! So I'm on my way again.

That's my story.

Shirley

[RetiredSue 0]

I still don't get it...someone said they lost 50 pounds pre-op...they put their mind to it and did the best they could. So...why didn't they keep doing that and forego the band? If I could get my mind around losing and start doing the best I could, I wouldn't need the band.

Very confused

I'm seeing that the ones who are successful with the band are the ones who learn how to eat right and use willpower. How is that any different than any diet? Couldn't I just go on a 2-week liquid diet to detox then start Weight Watchers and get the same results?

I really don't understand the people who say it's all about will power yet they got the band so ... why? Why did you get the Band if it's all about will power?

And please, don't say "It's just a tool".

If you want to talk about what that means I have a previous thread for that.

Right now I'm looking for solid reasons that people got the band even though they have great will power.

Thanks!

[ElfiePoo 109]

I still don't get it...someone said they lost 50 pounds pre-op...they put their mind to it and did the best they could. So...why didn't they keep doing that and forego the band? If I could get my mind around losing and start doing the best I could, I wouldn't need the band.

I did lose 70 pounds before I got the band and I did keep it off...but I never had a 'full' point...that point where you feel sated and know you've had enough. Within 30 minutes of eating a meal 3 people could've eaten, I was once again looking for food almost obsessively. I was led to believe the band would not only give me that full feeling, but would also control the quantity of food I could eat. Unfortunately for me, it never did physically restrict me and that full feeling even at the sweet spot was not consistent.

.

[cwm812 11]

I still don't get it...someone said they lost 50 pounds pre-op...they put their mind to it and did the best they could. So...why didn't they keep doing that and forego the band? If I could get my mind around losing and start doing the best I could, I wouldn't need the band.

That's exactly what most "normal" people don't understand about the obese. I was always the star of any weight loss program I joined (WW, LA weight loss.....), until I failed. I'm good at following directions (if they make sense), but doing it for a lifetime with all the things life throws at you was another thing entirely.

What I like most about the band is that, for me, it's like a leash. I can stray off the diet and overeat, but I can't go too far. I do have restriction and I have from day 1. Yes, I could down all the milkshakes and chocolate I want, but with real food, I can only eat about a cup. That keeps me from sliding down that perilous slope. I've been banded nearly 3 years and I have had my forays to the dark side. Every Christmas, I tend to eat all the goodies in sight for a couple of days and I gain a few pounds, but then after the holidays I am able to get back on track, with the help of my band. Once I start eating real food, I'm not hungry and I am able to get the weight off in a week or two.

Another big difference between the band and all those diets, is that I don't feel deprived. I pretty much eat what I want to eat, but much, much smaller quantities. I keep my band pretty loose, so I can eat everything. It's a wonderful feeling to eat a cup of some fabulous dish and be just as satisfied as if you had eaten a huge portion. I do love junk food and sweets and there I do need to use some willpower, but I give into it regularly. I think the leash aspect of the band allows me to eat a small piece of cake and not half the cake. It's just what I needed for consistent weight loss and a happy life.

Cindy

[cheryl2586 3,053]

The band is not going to stop you from eating too much, you have to learn Portion Control. Its a diet like all the rest that anyone has ever tried. Those who cant eat too much are probably way too tight and undernourished. It is a big decision to make but one you have to decide. Its not easy because you are still on a diet for life.

[54Shirley 105]

I still don't get it...someone said they lost 50 pounds pre-op...they put their mind to it and did the best they could. So...why didn't they keep doing that and forego the band? If I could get my mind around losing and start doing the best I could, I wouldn't need the band.

Very confused

Well it took a year for surgery. "insurance Now remember, the majority of my weight comes from Water...

He put me on a 1200 calorie diet for 1 year. I lost over 100lbs. On my way to surgery, the nurses said 'WHY R U DOING THIS?"

I explained that I had to have my knee replacement surgery, so the Orthopedic Surgeon said don't come back until you lost 100lbs.,

and have had Bariatric surgery. "I WANT YOU TO KEEP IT OF !" So now were talking about 2 Dr.'s that won't touch me, until I meet

their goals. I did ! I ended up getting both knees replaced,

And through calorie counting, and the band helping me control my HUNGER ! ! !

I will be successful again, and I now have a place to go to in Northern, Michigan, where I am welcome with open arms. It's a 120 mile drive

each way, but I will still go, if it means I will keep on walking, and help keep this Fluid off.

The bottom line is,,, the less I way,,, the better of for my health in my case. So I'll do whatever it takes to stay alive. I'm only 56, that's to early to be

taking that express elevator to the top for me.

I have been full of Water since the age of 4 months ! I never really had a normal life, being like a balloon all my life. So if this will make me healthy,

and get a chance to enjoy my life before I die...... I'm all for it.

I hope this helps answer your question, because it answered mine a long time ago.

Also, I just started up with a Endocrinologist "THYROID" for me it's practically non functional," So we will see in Months if this helps too or not..

Shirley.

[isit5yet 37]

I'll be perfectly honest, I'm hoping the band with help with behavior modification because I completely, 100% hate vomiting. Since I hate puking, I won't overeat knowing the band is there. I actually hope I never have to get filled and that the idea that it's sitting there and can make me puke is enough to keep myself in check

[dits4golf 0]

Simply put: if it feels good, do it. If it doesn't feel good, don't do it 'cause you'll be doomed to failure.

[Rainydayz 3]

The band is not going to stop you from eating too much, you have to learn Portion Control. Its a diet like all the rest that anyone has ever tried. Those who cant eat too much are probably way too tight and undernourished. It is a big decision to make but one you have to decide. Its not easy because you are still on a diet for life.

If it's a diet like all the rest, why were you willing to pay big bucks and go under the knife for it? Why not just diet?

[Rainydayz 3]

Simply put: if it feels good, do it. If it doesn't feel good, don't do it 'cause you'll be doomed to failure.

Well it feels good to me right now to eat to the point of bursting and keep eating like that every day. I believe I am going to have to suffer at some point for the long-term good.

[lauragshsu 6]

I've tried dieting, so many times. I lost 40lbs for my wedding but couldn't keep it off. Once I went "off" the diet, the pounds came flying back on. With the band, I've lost 117lbs in just under a year. Have I had to use willpower? yes, when my students are bringing me baked goodies, candy and other treats, I have to say thank you and either give them away later or toss them. However, with the band I can "cheat", but with moderation. I can still have mashed potatoes and gravy, but not 2lbs of it. I can have chips and dip, but not the entire bag. The band keeps me from overeating (or else I vomit or am in pain).

[Rainydayz 3]

I still don't get it...someone said they lost 50 pounds pre-op...they put their mind to it and did the best they could. So...why didn't they keep doing that and forego the band? If I could get my mind around losing and start doing the best I could, I wouldn't need the band.

Very confused

I share your confusion with some of the responses. That's why I keep asking. I'm really wondering if the successful ones have just mentally psyched themselves into believing the Band does something for them. For every one that says it keeps them from eating too much another comes along and says that it doesn't - you have to just use willpower.

I KNOW I could lose the weight. I have no doubt in my mind. The problem is that I don't believe I can keep it off and when I regain I will regain more than I lost. That is what is keeping me from doing it again on my own. If I could have some assurance that the Band will help me the rest of my life to keep it off then my decision would be made today. I'm just not sure that if I do this I won't simply regain the weight again anyway. AND I will be out thousands of $ and have the risk of a foreign body inside me.

It's a very difficult decision for me. The best thing in its favor is that it is completely reversible and all the problems that relate to the band itself are easily fixed. So far. But what if it causes esophageal cancer 20 years down the road? However, the chances of that are slight as there is no evidence so far, and the chances of me dying early due to obesity-related causes is large.

These are the conversations that go on in my head all day long over this thing. One minute I'm convinced, the next I'm not. <<sigh>>

[54Shirley 105]

I share your confusion with some of the responses. That's why I keep asking. I'm really wondering if the successful ones have just mentally psyched themselves into believing the Band does something for them. For every one that says it keeps them from eating too much another comes along and says that it doesn't - you have to just use willpower.

I KNOW I could lose the weight. I have no doubt in my mind. The problem is that I don't believe I can keep it off and when I regain I will regain more than I lost. That is what is keeping me from doing it again on my own. If I could have some assurance that the Band will help me the rest of my life to keep it off then my decision would be made today. I'm just not sure that if I do this I won't simply regain the weight again anyway. AND I will be out thousands of $ and have the risk of a foreign body inside me.

It's a very difficult decision for me. The best thing in its favor is that it is completely reversible and all the problems that relate to the band itself are easily fixed. So far. But what if it causes esophageal cancer 20 years down the road? However, the chances of that are slight as there is no evidence so far, and the chances of me dying early due to obesity-related causes is large.

These are the conversations that go on in my head all day long over this thing. One minute I'm convinced, the next I'm not. <<sigh>>

If your not comfortable with the band, there are other methods. Even Weight Watchers on line. Give yourself a year, and if it doesn't work. Then you will have answered your own question. You can't do it without assistance. Then if you don't like the band for your reasons, there are other WLS. Hope you find what you seek.

Shirley.

[cheryl2586 3,053]

If it's a diet like all the rest, why were you willing to pay big bucks and go under the knife for it? Why not just diet?

First of all I didnt pay big bucks my insurance covered it and I did not do it for the weight loss part as much as if I didnt do it possibly having my stomach removed from excessive bile backing up in to my stomach and in to my esophagus. My GI doctor suggested it for the issues I was having with my stomach which now I have none. The weight loss was just a plus. Some bands are done for other reasons besides weight loss. I had huge stomach issues that could not be resolved without the band or have my stomach completely and totally removed so which option would you have chosen. Secondly you can still eat large amounts of food only it will take you longer. The food only stays in the pouch less than a minute then it goes on to the bottom portion of your stomach which is still there, always will be and still is as big as it ever was from the beginning. If you want to lose weight with the band then it is a diet and Portion Control there is no other way out of it except for that. Yes I did lose 70lbs and now am weight training because I can now and dont have horrid pain in my stomach. It was only a trial for the bile if it didnt work then I probably would have had major surgery. It worked, I am thinner, and happier but never the less still dieting.