Band Vs Diet

[Lose to Win 0]

I don't think I could have done it without the band. I still have to exercise and watch what I eat, but I have a lot more control not to overdo it and it helps me get back on track. It might be different for you, but for me I needed the tool to help me be consistent. It also gave me the hope I needed that I could actually get all of the weight off. I still have quite a bit to go but I have come along way. And honestly, it could have been faster if I had kept doing everything that I was doing in the beginning. Good luck no matter what you decide to do.

Can you tell me what you did when you "were getting started" and losing the pounds. Though I have had my band since 2010, I'm just "really" getting started for the first time right now. I had a fill on Friday, so I now have 2.5 cc in my band. I go back in a month. This weekend I have been doing the liquid transitioning to mush. I need some guidance from someone who has had success with the band. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Lose to Win 0]

Same here, I have lost good amounts of weight in the past, but I eventually got tired of the routine before I reached goal and I went back to bad habits. I lost 46 pounds prior to surgery in order to qualify (my BMI was too high for my hospital to perform). It took me only 5 months to do that, but if I had continued on without getting the band, I don't think I would be where I am now. The band is my backup if I ever try to overeat. I physically won't be able to. Sure, sliders can still go down with ease, but that is where my will power comes in.

I also find that if I give in to my cravings and treat myself to a small dessert once or twice a month, it helps keep me focused on my journey. I still get to eat my favorite foods, just in smaller qty's and less often than I was pre-band. I started my insurance required diet in April 2011 (1 year ago today actually) and as of today, I've lost 84 pounds. That's an average of 1.6 pounds loss per week. Very healthy weight loss and I couldn't be happier. I'm hoping to lose another 92 pounds to reach my goal weight of 150. I've never been 150 in my adult life. I'm so excited!!

That excitement keeps me going.....that and my band.

Though I have had my band since 2010, I'm really just getting started for the first time, so I don't really know what I'm doing, but I do desperately need to succeed! I see that you have gone for fills once a month. This is where I'm starting now. I had my last fill on Friday so I'm up to 2.5 cc. I've had liquids to mush this weekend, and was told to transition into solids starting tomorrow. My question for you is this: How do you know what increments that you need each time? How do you know when you have hit the green spot?