Do You Sometimes Get Discouraged Or Regret Getting The Lapband?

[AlottaBS 0]

I was banded 4/23/10. I started at 273 and got down to 223. I've been in the 233-238 range now for about a year and can't seem to lose what I've gained. I exercise at least 5 days a week. I have no regrets and I want to thank the posters for reminding me of the positives. I'm currently very frustrated but know that I'm not doing everything I could be doing foodwise. However, I'm still trying. Any helpful hints out there to help get me back on the "band"wagon? My problem is "grazing". I'm working on cutting out my drug of choice-sugar- and eating better.

[lorena st 33]

Do I get frustrated and discouraged at times? Yes

Do I regret getting the band? Absolutely not! I was banded on October 17, 2011 and other than the first couple of weeks after surgery, I have not regretted my decision to get the band.

If I have a bad day, I just start over the next day and get myself back on track (follow the diet and exercise rules from your doctor). It's not always easy but it is worth it. So far, I haven't let the bad days turn into bad weeks or bad months (the longest I have gone is 3 bad days over christmas). I also keep a food/exercise diary, so I can figure out when and why things went off the rails (it's usually stress for me). It can be done, but it is hard work. Good luck with your struggles.

[Cocoabean 430]

Back when I was one week post-op I asked why wasn't I losing weight????? I was so very frustrated. I had 'only' lost 4 pounds since my surgery the week before. Boy, was I young and naive. Those 4 pounds were just the fluids from the surgery, and about the only weight I lost until about 5-6 months post-op when my fills finally kicked in and started working for me.

But, the nice people here at LBT boosted my spirits and reminded me that until I got to my green zone, my weight loss would be limited.

Then I starte getting my fills, and the weight started coming off...pretty easily too. Easily if not consistently. The Lap Band literature tells us 1-2 lbs per week. That was a pipe dream for me. I averaged 3/4 lb per week. Yes three quarters. Some weeks were more than others, some weeks were gains, some weeks/months were plateaus.

But the overall trend was down. I stuck with my new portions and habits, and I got to a healthy BMI, my blood pressure normalized, my cholesterol normalized, and my blood sugar improved.

Sometimes, when the short-term is sucking...look at the long term...focus on Portion Control, food choices. Even if your portions are not tiny, make them better.

One of you was banded in November...you've had what? 1 maybe 2 fills? The band isn't helping much yet. But it's there, and you are working on it.

The July bandster, DON'T compare yourself to bypass patients. We had completely different procedures. That will mess with your psyche and set you up for failure..."why should I get a fill, it won't help..my brother's lost 100 lbs already...there's no point, I'll never catch up."

We are in this for life, being banded is not really about losing the weight. It is about making changes forever that help you become a healthier, thinner person. Work on the habits...the weight will follow.

[mamastwo 1]

cocoabean, thank you!!! your post really boosted me up...everyone's responses have helped, but yours really touched me, thank you.

i'm getting myself a little worked up, because here i am, banded in july, and it is january and i don't really feel i have a lot to show for it.

I am going for another fill soon and i will keep on the right track.

congrats on your loss, that is wonderful!!

thanks

[Cocoabean 430]

cocoabean, thank you!!! your post really boosted me up...everyone's responses have helped, but yours really touched me, thank you.

i'm getting myself a little worked up, because here i am, banded in july, and it is january and i don't really feel i have a lot to show for it.

I am going for another fill soon and i will keep on the right track.

congrats on your loss, that is wonderful!!

thanks

You are welcome. Thank you! Just so you know, I was banded in Mid-February and my losses didn't really start until the middle of summer when my fills kicked in. The first time I really experienced my band in full force was toward the end of June when I ate something I should not have at the county fair..I got stuck.

Get another fill, let the band help you.