Worst Case Scenario--or Best???

[danaclark2 0]

Just wondering the amount of weight loss I can expect. Of course, there are so so many variables that would influence weight loss/stall/or gain like my effort, genetics, thyroid, etc. I guess I just want to be prepared for the best and the worst and be content with the in between.

OK--I've heard that the average weight loss/year with the band is 50-60lbs/year. I would be absolutely thrilled with that; however, honestly, right now I think I'd be relatively happy with a 30lbs. weight loss, as long as I continued to lose the next year and the next.

In your experience (personally or from others you know or heard of), what is the most weight lost in a year with the band and the least amount lost with the band?

I've heard of people not trying much and losig 70-80lbs in a year, and I've also heard of people faithfully following the rules, exercising, etc. and losing very little in a year. I just want to be mentally prepared for anything.

Right now, when I cut back on calories, I lose relatively easily--even with a thyroid problem. I'm hoping my weight loss woes are mainly due to overconsumption of calories and not a physical, metabolic problem. I'm hoping the band will help me with calorie control. I'm to be banded on April 18!!!

[Alexandra 55]

Right now, when I cut back on calories, I lose relatively easily--even with a thyroid problem. I'm hoping my weight loss woes are mainly due to overconsumption of calories and not a physical, metabolic problem.

I think the key is here in this statement. You already know that cutting calories results in weight loss, and the good news is this is not going to CHANGE once you are banded. The band helps you cut calories, ergo, you WILL lose weight. I think that's the way it works for most banded people.

[kabeerah 0]

Dana, I started off weighing close to your start off. I have been banded for less than two weeks and have lost about 25lbs. I have no idea what it will be like a year from now but if you are happy and content with a 30lb weight loss in a year, i pretty much think that you can reach that...God Willing.

[DonnaB 3]

Banded for 4 weeks and 4 days and down by over 20 lbs! Good luck Dana.

[Carlene 12]

I was banded 16 1/2 months ago and have lost 90 pounds. I am 20 pounds from goal and expect it will take me another 4 or 5 months.

I really wanted to be able to Celebrate 1 year of banding and 100 pounds lost at the same time. It didn't happen, but it could have if I had worked harder at it. I did manage to lose 75 pounds during that time. I know some who lost more, and some who lost less.

Baked/broiled fish is a bandster's best friend, and I tried really hard to embrace it - without much success. Also, I ate way too many potatoes...and chips.

Calories still count (unfortunately). Don't keep ice cream and chocolate bars in the house. Save them for very occasional treats, away from home, and keep the servings small.

And remember that any loss is a good loss. Over the long haul, it won't matter if it takes 12 months or 12 years to lose it all.

[K@t 38]

Thats very good advice. I'm eating my last bowl of icecream today because tomorrow I start the pre-op diet, and I'm being banded on the 26th. And like you I don't like fish...at all.... even though I know it would be very healthy and easy to eat. I would be VERY happy to lose 75lbs in a year.

[hairagain 0]

I just had my first fill on 4/5 and I have lost 20lbs. Could be more but like all the rest I still fight the food addictions. I have found things a little easier since the fill. I was able to eat anything I wanted in a fairly large quantity but now it is much more restricted. Went to a wedding last night and ate about half the food given me and I was to full for any more. Would never have happened before. I love my band and seems to going as planned. One day at a time.

Daarlene

[Alexandra 55]

And remember that any loss is a good loss. Over the long haul, it won't matter if it takes 12 months or 12 years to lose it all.

This is great advice, indeed. And K@t, I hope you don't really think you're eating your LAST bowl of ice cream! Being banded doesn't mean completely giving up everything delicious or unhealthy. In my experience, trying to rule out anything just makes me miserable for the wanting of it. Small portions and moderations, that's the bandster way!

[bandayed 0]

Just as a guide line, my Doctor looks at good loss to be a pound or two a week, and will use this guide line to help determine if you need a fill or not. Of course, you lose the most weight at first when you are recovering from surgery and on liquids etc and getting used to your new lifestyle. It slows after that but should continue at some rate (even though it can be VERY slow). I think that if your body shows a responsiveness prior to surgery to dieting like you mentioned then having the pound a week expectation should be fair.........Good luck on your journey!

[Elisabethsew 50]

I am 10 days post-op and have my first weigh-in at the post-op appt. on 4/14. I do have a friend (male, 41) who was banded in July of 2005 and has lost just under 100 pounds (start weight 340 pounds). Of course, we all know men lose faster than women... so unfair.

[CCBSTX 0]

You're right that there are many factors in weight loss. I count calories using fitday.com. This helps me keep my calories, Protein, Fiber, etc. in check. I've done this throughout. I am not a perfect bandster. I have pretty much stayed away from diet sodas, breads (don't do well), and treats (on occasion). I also, need to exercise (walk) more, but have been finding excuses.

Look below in my signature. I feel that I've done well. I average 1-2 pounds per week. Some weeks nothing, other weeks 3 pounds.

Good luck. Shawn

[Carlene 12]

Not necessarily so! My husband was banded 2 weeks after me and has only lost about 60 pounds to my 90! And he is over 12 inches taller than I am! (Can you say "Mutt and Jeff"?)

The difference is that he has the big band (harder to achieve good restriction) AND...I am an "A" patient (meaning compliant), while he is about a "C".

I make more of an effort, as far as good food choices, and I keep my band tighter than he likes his. I also walk 3 1/2 miles a day while he channel surfs and checks his e-mail - a lot.

There are many factors that determine how successful we are, and most of them depend on our own proactive selves.

[Wheetsin 714]

You will lose a "chunk" of Water weight in the beginning, two main factors for this (IMO) -- not being able to drink enough & going into slight dehydration and 2) onset of ketosis from SF pre-op, liquid post, etc. and ketosis causes cells to release Water (really long story made short there)

From my experience, all the experiences of friends, of people in the "low-carb" online community, etc. this initial loss genearlly ranges from 2 - 20 lbs.

After that initial loss, the good stuff starts!

By my home scale I've lost 52# (last weighed on Tue last week) and I'm in my 6th week post-op. I lost 32# in my first week, the VAST majority of which was water -- I could see that in my skin.

When I went in for a fill Wed my surgeon told me that loss was very atypical, and they generally see 8 - 15 lb losses after the first five weeks, and that so far the 1 - 2 lb loss seems to be true for longer-term post-op.

[GeezerSue 7]

When I was pre-op, the first banded person I met had lost ten pounds her first year. (She said she changed her diet and lost more the second year.) And I've met people who've lost 100 pounds in a year or so. It is SOOOO individual, even without other medical issues.

I wanted to add that for SOME people, time IS an issue. Not for you kids, maybe, but for oldies and maybe for people who have spent a long time being MO. I have a friend who had RnY surgery a little too late. If she had done it a year or two earlier, she might still have her knees. She has artificial knees because of what years of Morbid Obesity have done. In my case (and I hadn't been MO for very long), I ran to the ortho guy as soon as I felt the first twinge in my knees. He wants my excess weight gone NOW. (He was even excited as I went for a breast reduction, wondering how much weight THOSE puppies were.) Until I lose about another 25 pounds (I've lost 65+ post-DS) I'm to avoid stairs, excess walking, treadmills, and low chairs. The sooner I get the weight off--and the less I do in the interim--the more likely I am to keep my original equipment knees!

Sue

Old person.

[I'llsucceed 1]

I find on average I lose only 1 pound per week. Even if I work out or don't work out. I will say some weeks I can be down a little more but than the next week it will be none. So all in all its about 1 pound per week.

On the flip side my WHOLE body has changed much more dramatically inch wise & frankly I am more impressed with that vs what the scale says.

I LOVE MY BAND!!!!!!!!