Am I being overly optimistic?

[Sarah A 6]

Hi everyone,

Got banded about nine weeks ago. I developed PCOS about four years ago and steadily gained seven pounds a year despite all frantic efforts - and finally lost my temper with my doctors and booked myself in for the band.

Since then, everything's gone well. I've lost 15 pounds, my periods have gone back to normal, and it's coming off at a rate of a pound a week. I've had no fills and never vomited (I have a strong emetophobia so chew everything to sludge). I don't feel hungry or deprived, I just eat less than I used to because I physically can't eat anymore. This seems to be enough.

I've been watching the weight just melt away with some pleasure. Reading about people's experiences though, this seems to be almost unusual. So I guess I just wanted to ask some of the more experienced banders - am I being overly optimistic that I'm going to make it to 160 pounds? Is this steady loss rate going to just stop at some point? What is the likelihood that I will continue this process until I hit a healthy BMI?

I've been looking up success rates in medical journals but everyone talks about average rate loss which includes people who have compulsive eating habits which I don't (I'm sitting writing this with a half cooked meal in the microwave that I've ignored for an hour now) - do people make it down to a regular healthy weight?

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[Soon2B2LittleE 21]

Hi everyone,

Got banded about nine weeks ago. I developed PCOS about four years ago and steadily gained seven pounds a year despite all frantic efforts - and finally lost my temper with my doctors and booked myself in for the band.

Since then, everything's gone well. I've lost 15 pounds, my periods have gone back to normal, and it's coming off at a rate of a pound a week. I've had no fills and never vomited (I have a strong emetophobia so chew everything to sludge). I don't feel hungry or deprived, I just eat less than I used to because I physically can't eat anymore. This seems to be enough.

I've been watching the weight just melt away with some pleasure. Reading about people's experiences though, this seems to be almost unusual. So I guess I just wanted to ask some of the more experienced banders - am I being overly optimistic that I'm going to make it to 160 pounds? Is this steady loss rate going to just stop at some point? What is the likelihood that I will continue this process until I hit a healthy BMI?

I've been looking up success rates in medical journals but everyone talks about average rate loss which includes people who have compulsive eating habits which I don't (I'm sitting writing this with a half cooked meal in the microwave that I've ignored for an hour now) - do people make it down to a regular healthy weight?

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Hi Sarah A,

Although I've converted to a sleeve due to band complications, I did loose 150lbs. So it is possible. Mind you I am 6'0 tall and weighed 375 when I started. Keep up the great work!

[grammy4 17]

I got my band 2 years and one month ago. I've had a steady weight loss--some months better than others, but I've lost 93 lbs. I've had a few bumps along the way--I mean there have been times that I've thrown up--and I've had a struggle with reflux the past month or so, but I'm happy with my loss. I have a friend who got the gastric sleeve about 8 years ago and lost some weight, but she's put almost all of it back on. The band is a tool....not a miracle weight loss machine. It sounds like you're doing great. Losing slowly is the best way!

[gowalking 10,790]

Hi Sarah. It's more than possible as I too lost all my excess weight on a steady basis. It still took more than a year as I had an awful lot to lose. I never lost more than 3 lbs. in a week, but it was a fairly steady loss of 1-2 lbs. per week. and I also did not get any fills for a long time. Even now..almost four years after being banded, I have less than 5 ccs in the band.

Just know however, that this is NOT typical. Most banded folk...and most WLS folk, regardless of what surgery they got, do not lose weight in a steady fashion. It tends to be in fits and starts...and sometimes you can gain, or get off track. Just as a heads up, I used the myfitnesspal app to track my food. it was a great help to me so consider it as well.

good luck and glad t hear of your success!

[LouLou22 15]

I lost about 126lb. If you treat it as a tool rather than a cure, then there's no reason you won't hit your 160 mark good luck!

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[grammy4 17]

I agree!!!

[kbarnett61 18]

Just a tool. You must do the work. Banded July 2011. Lost 310 pounds. My doctors said I had lost too much and needed to gain a little weight.

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[BayougirlMrsS 3,934]

@@Sarah A I don't think your being overly optimistic at all.... I lost 100lbs and have kept it off. Nov 10 was my 7 year anniversary with the band. You are doing great....

I was a slow loser.... i lost a lot like you. I think it was to my benefit. I worked out 5 days a week... i started with zumba and then worked my way to body pump, combat, weights... I also did some thread mill and the elliptical. But if you really want to drop some weight.... start doing spin class... it is brutal... but omg it works. This, i think, was a huge part of my skin going back into it place... I needed no work on anything except my stomach. But i had also had 2 c-sections, gallbladder, hysterectomy, Lapband surgeries... so my stomach was shot. So Feb 2012 i had a Tummy Tuck.< /p>

I'm blessed that i have had zero complication and thank the Lord everyday that i still have my band.

@@kbarnett61 Holy smokes.... you look amazing...

[grammy4 17]

@bayougirlmrsc You are an inspiration! I have had my band for a little over 2 years and have lost almost 100 lbs.

[AmyR 38]

I have PCOS as well. I had tried everything to lose weight and keep it off. Finally, I found something to help me lose weight at a normal rate and keep it off. I was banded in March and have lost 65 pounds. I am in a strange position right now. My daughter is getting married on New Year's Eve. I have my dress and I'd like to stay at my current weight, so I don't have to get alterations to my dress. But I keep losing. Never had that problem before!!!

[Sarah A 6]

Hi everyone, it's ok, I stalled for the last month. Everything is normal.

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[OttawaMommy 6]

Good job!

I've been banded since 2012 and at my goal weight. Like all who have posted before me, the band is a tool and should be treated as such. You have to change your eating habits to make weight loss a permanent thing.

Keep it up

Heather