Weight watchers and the Band I cannot believe this!!!!

[ppastore 1]

I had my lap band surgery in May 2010. It's been a very slow go for me, partially because of my own unwillingness to do what I'm supposed to do. I have always been a late night person and it's difficult for me to stop eating at 6 or 7 or even 8. Because of that I have suffered a lot of reflux, night coughing, etc and my weight loss has been suffering because of it. I re-joined WW online about 2 months ago and lost 10 lbs immediately. I stopped eating after 8:00 pm and I'm no longer coughing, etc. I've had micro-fills with the band because I can't seem to tolerate the regular fills. I think I'm still under 50% full. I find now that I am tracking points I can eat a wide variety of foods but because of the band I am unable to process the fibery vegetables, etc. I've added a green supplement to my diet, a good multi, Vitamin D and bee pollen for the B Vitamins...It seems to be going ok. I find now that I'm hungry so it's time to go for another fill but with the help of WW I feel that I am in control again.

I know that the WW forums don't take kindly to the banders but we all have to do what we have to do. I personally find that the combination of the 2 is going to work very well for me. I can eat my points and not feel hungry or tempted because I am full. I will take the slow losses as long as down is the direction I'm going.

I really need and appreciate this forum. I hope there will be a lot of interaction here.

Thanks all.

[val144 0]

OMG I cannot believe how horrible the WW boards are to Lap banders!!!!

I recently started using WW along with the band and have been seeing amazing results! WW has always been my favorite lifestyle plan so I wanted to combine the two together. I talked it over with my doctor and we adjusted my points to fit my band.

I posted a message on the boards saying that I have the band it is the only thing that has helped me to this extent and the combination of the two is amazing.

The responses I got where hurtful and uninformed. First they kept comparing me to a Gastric Bypass patient, which I would never want to be due to the complications. That's why I picked the lap band. Second, the called it the Lazy man's diet, also stating that I shouldn't be promoting WLS on their boards. Some of the other things that they where saying: They couldn't believe that i've only lost 35lbs in 4 months compaired to their 45lbs wl in the same amount of time, how could I spend that much money just to be cut up and still have to be doing the same thing as them, Did I mention they called me lazy, said I had underlying mental issues. and so forth.

And I all I said was that they combination of the two for me is a great one! And it's not for everyone but it works for me.

I just can't believe it!

I mean look at this one post!!

" honestly don't care you have taken that route, I call it the lazy route, all I'm saying is please don't be coming to WW and touting surgery as an alternative to diet and exercise.

So, take your story elsewhere. Last thing I want ppl to do is read ur rant and give up on a healthier way to lose weight and opt for the lazy option like you did! your 10lb gain is not "magic" on cruises, its called you can't stop eating. "

[val144 0]

i guess everyone is different, but ww has its own agenda, if everyone starts going for surgery and gives up on ever losing any real weight with ww, then they lose millions of dollars, dont get me wrong, ww is good for some people, but lets face it, ww is just as much a tool as the lap band, and maybe you should remind people of this, you dont lose weight with ww, you lose weight by dieting and exercising and using ww as a tool. you can cheat on ww just as much as anything else.

there are some great success stories with ww, a handful of ppl have lost really large amounts of weight with them, but there are just as many who have struggled to lose a few pounds and i was one of them, i spent hundreds of dollars over several years trying with ww and i lost maybe 10 lbs total, gained, lost, gained, and i learned that i starved for 2 days before weigh in, used diurectics and laxatives to lose at least 1 lb and as soon as i left the meeting on weigh in day, i went straight to the fast food place and ate so much junk i would get sick

not saying everyone does this, but i did and i had to quit going cause not only was i making myself sick physically, i was sick emotionally as well.

[Dave_NW 92]

People who are the most uninformed sometimes have the strongest opinions. Their ignorance and opinionated attitudes are classic. Don't take it personally, but do remember that this mistreatment is very typical. Step back, take a breath, and move on.

And good luck on your journey! You have better friends here.

Dave

[Marsela 3]

I agree with most if what restless monkey said. I too was on WW for yrs and yo yoing was a prob. I asked my dr about this dual method &i he says the band is sposed to get u out of the diet trap! He says i wont b eating the WW portions with my band and doin both keeps u on the mental rollercoaster the band teaches against.

[brlgirl 112]

OMG I cannot believe how horrible the WW boards are to Lap banders!!!!

I recently started using WW along with the band and have been seeing amazing results! WW has always been my favorite lifestyle plan so I wanted to combine the two together. I talked it over with my doctor and we adjusted my points to fit my band.

I posted a message on the boards saying that I have the band it is the only thing that has helped me to this extent and the combination of the two is amazing.

The responses I got where hurtful and uninformed. First they kept comparing me to a Gastric Bypass patient, which I would never want to be due to the complications. That's why I picked the lap band. Second, the called it the Lazy man's diet, also stating that I shouldn't be promoting WLS on their boards. Some of the other things that they where saying: They couldn't believe that i've only lost 35lbs in 4 months compaired to their 45lbs wl in the same amount of time, how could I spend that much money just to be cut up and still have to be doing the same thing as them, Did I mention they called me lazy, said I had underlying mental issues. and so forth.

And I all I said was that they combination of the two for me is a great one! And it's not for everyone but it works for me.

I just can't believe it!

I mean look at this one post!!

" honestly don't care you have taken that route, I call it the lazy route, all I'm saying is please don't be coming to WW and touting surgery as an alternative to diet and exercise.

So, take your story elsewhere. Last thing I want ppl to do is read ur rant and give up on a healthier way to lose weight and opt for the lazy option like you did! your 10lb gain is not "magic" on cruises, its called you can't stop eating. "

That is just plain mean...but then again I have gotten a couple snide comments/remarks here as well. Has anyone had the same problem when they went to an actal meeting and talked with the leader/staff? I'm wondering if it would be different in person

[Lollicatt 36]

Bubbly, you ought to ask whoever is saying these things how many times they've been on WW. That oughtta shut them up. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/default/modern/001_cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':purplebananna:' />

Yup, they could also calculate the years and months of membership plus the cost of their products.

[Lollicatt 36]

Bubbly, you ought to ask whoever is saying these things how many times they've been on WW. That oughtta shut them up. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/default/modern/001_cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':purplebananna:' />

Yup, they could also calculate the years and months of membership plus the cost of their products.

[Bjc1227 64]

Hi! I am a lifetime member of WW. I've been a member for the past 35 years. I was always good at losing weight--the problem--keeping it off. I've been a yo-yo dieter for most of my adult life which isn't good' date=' so I'm going to get the LAP-BAND surgery and begin anew. My WW leader in my hometown is also a member of my church, and she is not too happy that I am having the surgery. But, we all have to do what is best for us! WW is always going to find fault of us, but just push it aside and do what's right for you.

Note to 'BethfromVA'--Where in Virginia do you live? I live in Victoria, work at Longwood University, and am being banded in Richmond hopefully in September. Would love to talk with you. Peg[/quote']

Hi Peg,

I've wondered how Jean felt about the LapBand surgery. Of course, it's only natural that she would think WW is the best. Some years back I was able to stay on it and lose but as you know, it's not easy to stick with, and the weight came back and then some. I've known women who have been going to WW for years and they never lose. It's become more of a social thing. I don't have the patience or time for it and I got so tired of the constant push to buy the WW products.

I've heard your surgery was a success. Take care of yourself. Bonnie

[lovex5 25]

I didnt read all the posts and i realize this thread is old. However i wanted to add that i'm not surprised. Any time i've tried ww and looked to their boards for support i've been disappointed. I try not to let one person spoil the entire group but they are nearly all that way! Once i asked a question and they attacked me. I replied how their attitudes needed adjusting and someone went back through everything i had posted and ragged on every little thing i had said. Dang, really? Lol! Anyway i don't find ww'ers to be supportive in the least. This environment is far more caring/supportive. Maybe make a group for lapband weight watchers only?

[brlgirl 112]

Well...since I didn't hear anything from anyone, I decided to join WW on Friday. I have also decided not to say anything about being banded...I honestly don't think it is any of their business. If I want to use the program to help me to control my eating and to loose weight I can...with or without the band. I was banded in April and have had one fill and have been starving. I know that I am not making the best choices and thought that this proven system will help me to find that limit and still loose weight. I don't know...maybe when I get to that "green zone" I won't need this program and support anymore, but the support I get from the WW community is great...I get to meet people from the community where I live and together we can battle our weight. Sometimes I just don't feel the support here. Y'all can say what you want, but I am going to use this program to my advantage...and will be successful...for the first time ever in my life.

[Bjc1227 64]

You do what works best for you. Your banding is between you and your doctor. Best of luck.

[brlgirl 112]

You do what works best for you. Your banding is between you and your doctor. Best of luck.

thanks!!! I appreciate that.

[KarenElaine 44]

BubblyBandit I'm so sorry they treated you so badly. I have been a WW 3 times. While going to weekly meetings more than once I heard people, usually women speak as you said--so mis-informed on people that go with WLS.

We all have our own journey and have no idea what another person has gone through in their shoes.

I learned a lot of tools that I know will be of great use once I have a real handle on things after my surgery. I hope you can put that negativity behind you and stay positive. You've done what's right for you. Best Wishes.

[ppastore 1]

I gave up reading the WW boards a long while ago. Weight loss is such a personal thing. Like you, I am finding that they key for me is a nice balance between WW and the band. WW helps me get more variety into my meals and monitor the portion size. With the band I am not hungry, though I have had my issues with both. Don't let the negativity bring you down. Just don't go the boards. I love the WW tools, the weight tracker, recipe builder, etc but never go to the boards. Best of luck to you!