Iffy Feelings

[Amanda61082 28]

My surgery is in a little over a month, and I am starting to feel...unsure. I have been so excited and pumped and ready for my two week diet, and surgery to happen. I want to start my new life with new eating habits, and exercise plan. I feel like with the Band I will have that motivation to keep me going.

Then I was browsing through posts, and I one that said the LapBand wasn't worth it. They I got an empty feeling in my stomach. What if this doesn't work. What if I only loose the normal 20lbs I always loose and thats it? I know it will all rely on my determination, and I can feel deep in my bones that I REALLY want this, but what if it doesn't work? The one thing that is driving this, is that when I met my surgeon the first time, he ask why I didn't want bypass. That has been in the back of my mind. Does he think I won't be successful with the band? Do I have too much to loose with the band?

I think I just need to hear people's success. Tell me how much you lost at 3 mths, 6 mths... I know its different for everyone I just need to read it.

[Cazzy 725]

I understand your fears, my biggest one was failing, or they couldnt fit the band, or it would go wrong, I am sure we all get those sort of feelings, but u know yourself, if u have enough determination u can do anything, the band will support you in this. Being banded was the base line for me to start again, wipe the past away and start setting goals for the future. I know i needed this base line, i have mainly relied on myself to lose all the weight i have but my band supports me, i still have a good appetite, i do sometimes get stuck, not often , but mainly i can eat smaller amounts of good healthy food and not feel hungry so much as i did before the band was fitted.

I chose the band over anything other WLS because it felt right for me, and because i made this decision it made it easier to have the determination to make it work. Surgeons like sleeves and bypass as they dont have to do any fills u are in effect a short term patient, bands create work with maintenance fills. Gather all the information and make an informed choice based on what u feel is right for you

good luck !

Ive lost on average 3lbs per week since i started and since christmas its dropped to 2lb a week. Theres been 2 weeks where i lost 0lbs but thats all !

[2bSMALLER 28]

Omg, you can NOT go by what other people experience. How do you know this person didn't follow all the doctors orders and if they over ate?

I will tell you there's one person in here that hangs around to give bad feed back about the band because she SAYS it didn't work for her.

If you aren't gonna follow the doctors orders and the nutritionists orders and the menu and the mouth of food they tell you to eat each month. Then don't get it.

Just keep in mind,this is a TOOL to HELP you lose the weight. You have to work with the band for the band to work with you.

I'm new WITH the band. But ive research over 2 yrs maybe even more before I got the band.

December 1,2011 banded and I'm down 15lbs.

No fills yet, and I don't have any restrictions right now. The first 6-8 weeks is about healing. Not losing weight. But I will be honest and tell you , I would have lost more , if I followed my menu to a T. And I didn't . But I'm on track now. Good luck and keep us all posted on your decision .

[Cocoabean 430]

What was your surgeon's response when you explained why you didn't want bypass? Was he on board with it? Did he say bypass would be better for you because.....?

ANY WLS has its failures. Any WLS has its successes. What I lost at 3 and 6 months is inconsequential. The fact is, I lost 70 lbs and have maintained the loss with ease. It took my just under two years to do it, but I also didn't work very hard at it.

I lost an average of 3/4 pound per week, but I did it with ease and without weighing and measuring my food or journalling it. Your experience may be different.

Below is an outcome expectancy chart from my surgeon. I LOST 100% within 2 years and have kept it off since then.

Typical percentage of excess weight loss at 5 years

LAGB 50% Limited long term data available.

VSG 50-60%Limited long term data available.

GBP 55-70%

[Amanda61082 28]

Thank you everyone! I think I am just so nervous that I am putting my eggs in one basket, and have no results! But I am determined to drastically change my life, and be super strict on myself! It is about time I did so!

[Amanda61082 28]

What was your surgeon's response when you explained why you didn't want bypass? Was he on board with it? Did he say bypass would be better for you because.....?

ANY WLS has its failures. Any WLS has its successes. What I lost at 3 and 6 months is inconsequential. The fact is, I lost 70 lbs and have maintained the loss with ease. It took my just under two years to do it, but I also didn't work very hard at it.

I lost an average of 3/4 pound per week, but I did it with ease and without weighing and measuring my food or journalling it. Your experience may be different.

Below is an outcome expectancy chart from my surgeon. I LOST 100% within 2 years and have kept it off since then.

Typical percentage of excess weight loss at 5 years

LAGB 50% Limited long term data available.

VSG 50-60%Limited long term data available.

GBP 55-70%

He was fine with it. He was suppostive of anything. He said he just needed to go over every surgery with me before I made my final decision. He suggested the sleeve for me, but my insurance won't cover it. He said he is very confident I will be successful, but I am my worst critic!

[Cocoabean 430]

He was fine with it. He was suppostive of anything. He said he just needed to go over every surgery with me before I made my final decision. He suggested the sleeve for me, but my insurance won't cover it. He said he is very confident I will be successful, but I am my worst critic!

Sounds like you have a good surgeon! Mine discussed RNY and Band with me, and had the same response for me. Sleeve was not available when I was banded.

Remember, weight loss is slower with banding than bypass. I was ok with that.

Best wishes in your decision.

[horsegirl315 114]

If I have learned one thing during this process, it is ASK QUESTIONS. Not saying you haven't, but I can't tell you how many appts I have been to where I have wanted to ask certain questions and didn't...only to be kicking myself later. On the other hand, I am a very quiet, laid back person and sometimes don't want to ask the "wrong" question...but I am also the type to obsess about stuff too, so in order to keep myself sane, I have learned real quick to speak up.

On the note of starting to feel nervous, I agree. My surgery is Jan 30. It can be very discouraging to get so excited, and think you have a pretty good idea of what to expect, and have someone be a downer. But it have to say I can count the downers I have seen on this forum on one hand..one or two fingers, in fact. I try to focus on the positive. In the end, we will be banded. We will do our part, and we will do GREAT.

[Amanda61082 28]

If I have learned one thing during this process, it is ASK QUESTIONS. Not saying you haven't, but I can't tell you how many appts I have been to where I have wanted to ask certain questions and didn't...only to be kicking myself later. On the other hand, I am a very quiet, laid back person and sometimes don't want to ask the "wrong" question...but I am also the type to obsess about stuff too, so in order to keep myself sane, I have learned real quick to speak up.

On the note of starting to feel nervous, I agree. My surgery is Jan 30. It can be very discouraging to get so excited, and think you have a pretty good idea of what to expect, and have someone be a downer. But it have to say I can count the downers I have seen on this forum on one hand..one or two fingers, in fact. I try to focus on the positive. In the end, we will be banded. We will do our part, and we will do GREAT.

Love this! Thank you! We seem to be pretty close with our dates! Keep me posted with things!