almost 7 years

[bandmeskinny 11]

Hi everyone. I had a band put in 7 years ago this June. I was told that they decided to go with the large band, don't recall why that was. I LOVE my band. I went in at 5'4" weighing 210 pounds. With in about 2 1/2 years I was at 135. I went for my regular visits and my surgeon has you stick to a VERY strict diet. I definitely would have lost the weight faster, but I had a nurse practitioner who insisted that I did not need a fill over a long period of time. I kept going back and was not losing anything. After she said "I absolutely refuse to give you a fill", I refused to see her anymore I made my next appointment with the surgeon and after hearing my symptoms he said " sounds like you need a fill". Almost immediately I knew I was in the "green zone". The weight started melting off again. I did make the mistake of not going back for a very long time because I felt so good, and eventually I came out of the green and I did put some weight back on. But I am getting fills again and feel that I am almost in the " green" again. If you are questioning if you are in the green discuss it with your Dr and get small fills, you will know when you are there. I remember saying, " oh, this is what the green zone feels like". If you feel the person you are seeing is not listening ask to see someone else. good luck everyone!

[catfish87 3,471]

So happy to hear this success story from an experienced bandster! 7 years and going strong for you. Congrats!

[Kime-lou 648]

That's great. Glad to know you found long term success. The band journey is lifelong.

[bandmeskinny 11]

Yes I agree it is a life long commitment. I find that although your goal is to keep the weight off , if you do gain some back you have to forgive yourself and keep on going. When people are deciding which surgery would be best for them I always tell them that I think it is important to go into this acknowledging the band as a tool not a miracle band. For me one of the reasons I failed with diets was because I just could not reach the feeling of being full and satisfied with any diet I tried and believe me I tried them all. With the band, as long as I am in the green the band works before my mind and as a "tool" this works the opposite of any other weight loss I tried were I had to get my head there first in order to control my stomach. In other words as long as I am in the green zone I can control my behavior. I believe that is the magic of the band it helps us keep our motivation. I hope this makes sense!

[catfish87 3,471]

It makes PERFECT sense to me...now that I there.