The Band as a Tool

[Thee-O 15]

Today is my 2 month anniversary of getting my surgery. Since then I have lost almost 30 lbs, a couple of inches and also gained a lot of "You look great" comments. I decided on not getting a fill on my 6 week visit but I am going to see my surgeon next week to see where we are at.

The band has been great for me, but I don't think in the ways many people would think. Has it cut my appetite? Sure it has. That is what it is meant for. But a lot of other things changed for me after I got my band! Myself as a person, changed first and foremost. I think what the band has done for me more than anything is change my thinking. I gave up things that I don't really have to with the lap band. I can't really say why either, but I know I needed a change. I know I needed this to be more than just "well I can eat less but still eat crap". I needed to change my head and it is funny how a piece of plastic around my stomach can change that.

I have given up what a friend of mine calls the "white devils". Sugar, Rice, Potatoes and bread. This was not something I was planning on doing. It was something that kind of happened naturally after I healed from surgery. I am not sure what triggered this but I am glad it happened. I also started working out. A LOT. At least 4 days a week. It has now become somewhat of a addiction. I feel like I need to get my "sweat on" and if I don't I feel like I let myself down. I also started counting calories and that has helped a lot. Again not something you have to do with the lap band and not something I was planning on but it just happened.

Restriction is great, but the real deal for the lap band in my case has been the change in my head. The lap band is my daily reminder to do right, to stay on the difficult path and to move in positive directions. It came upon at the right time of my life where I was truly ready for change. I don't think the band would have worked for me if my head wasn't ready to make this all possible. The band is a tool. It doesn't do the work for you. It can't change your habits if you don't want them to change. It can't stop you from eating that cookie if you can't stop yourself. I guess those of us who have had the lap band use it differently. I just know it didn't just affect my hunger and I for one, am very happy about it.

[Rachel412 116]

That's all good to hear, Jacob. I'm really glad you're being so successful! I'd love to see pictures of you...

[Cindy C 150]

That's great. I agree with everything you said. I began to recognize the same changes in my head almost immediately after surgery. Now, three years later, those changes are still in place. I'll never go back there!

[Dave_NW 92]

Thee-O, you typed a mouthful. I could have written the same post, because my experience has been exactly the same as yours. Wait a bit longer until you have full restriction - your attitude will get even stronger about your band. And when you're nearing your goal, you'll be jazzed like never before. That tool will sing for you, if you manage it right.

The reason you dropped your "White Devils" is because banding broke your sugar cycle. Each of those items feeds into the sugar load you put into your system every day, and when you were on the liquid diet either before or after banding, healing from your surgery, that sugar addiction went away. After you got back on solid food, sugar didn't have the control over you it once did. I find nowadays, if I eat a sugary food, it makes me uncomfortable bordering on nausea. I don't miss sugars at all.

Best of luck going forward, and i look forward to hearing great things from you.

Dave

[MelissaNY 16]

Great post !!! you are 100% correct !!! Great job and post your diary on myp !! would love too see what you eat lol

again great job and i agree, i also feel the same !! :D

[vickyd 24]

I had the exact same change in my way of thinking. I find that I naturally make good, healthy choices without even thinking about it...what a switch!

You're doing great!! Keep it up!!

[Thee-O 15]

That's all good to hear, Jacob. I'm really glad you're being so successful! I'd love to see pictures of you...

Here you go

Will send body shots soon but you can tell a lot from the face.

[Kimmypoo38 5]

Your words are so true! I never counted calories and now I am obsessed with what I am putting in my mouth. I am only 7 weeks post op but this is a big change. Keep up the good work! I am down 22lbs and feel great! Whatever it takes to drill this new lifestyle in our heads is what we need in order to concour the weightloss. IT WILL HAPPEN!!! YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!!!!

[sassyfrass 24]

I am glad to read this!! I am hoping when I get banded, that it changes my ways of thinking about food, just like that. Or at least, for most of the time. This post and all of the comments have been a big encouragement for me while doing my reasearch for the band. Thank you all.

[mauraclegg 29]

This is an AWESOME POST!! I have tried to tell people that the band is a tool & the rest is all mental. You said it perfectly

[SageTracey 608]

Great pix Three-O, you are looking awesome. And great words, too. I love the change in my headspace and hoping it will last, too.

[Jenn1214 120]

Great post, I think it's very easy to forget that the lap band is not a magic wand (at least for me anyway). Too bad they couldn't band my brain too! Great pics by the way, you can really tell just from your face how much you've lost. Keep up the great work!

[Debora Anne 3]

WOW You look GREAT-- your post is perfect I feel the same way~~~ KUDOS to you

[Rachel412 116]

You're looking fabulous!!

[Melissannde 41]

I know the band and I would not have worked nearly so well together if I had not been ready in all 3 areas.. physically, mentally and emotionally.

When I start having the thoughts "oh, I wish I had done this xx years ago", I have to stop and remind myself that I wasn't to the point to take my obesity problem seriously at that time. I was in denial that it was a health issue for any WLS to be effective. When I got my head straight.. it was time... I was ready and it was Game ON.

Congrats to all who have made the mental and emotional leap.. and hang in there to those who are still struggling. Keep on keeping on.