completely confused!!

okay. so i have gone to my surgeon and i am starting on my six month diet before i can get approved for the band. i have read a bit and people are saying different things about the band..some good, some bad. does anyone have any tips to help?

Poeple who succeed with the band love it.

People who succeed but not as well as they hoped like it well enough.

People for whom it didn't work hate it and advise against it!

All weight loss surgery has good and bad points; nothing is perfect; what suits one does not suit another.

Generally speaking, if you accept the band for what it is ( a tool which helps you eat less but does not stop you doing so, which dulls physical hunger but not head hunger), then you should lose weight. But it is not easy, it is not usually fast.

In case the above sounds negative, I love my band. it has changed my life. I didn't need drastic surgery and malabsorption; I just needed a bit of a helping hand. If for some reason my band had to be removed, I would get a new one.

Kate

My advice is....research...research...research!  There is a ton of info on the web.  Every single person's story is going to be different.  The bad stories are completely in the minority...but are usually the loudest voices.  I would also say that many of the bad stories....ring of the individual either having unrealistic expectations or thinking the band was going to do all the work or not doing the plan exactly as it is designed to be done.  Before anyone gets their panties in a wad here....I said MANY....not all!

At the end of the day no one can tell you how it is going to be for you, including your doctor.  At some point you are having to roll the dice and take a chance....it just depends on what you put on the pro side and what you put on the con side when you are done doing your...research...research...research.

I wish you much success whatever you decide!

thank you both for the tips! I am definitely aware that i will have to WORK at it. Some of the risks scare me, but then again, there's risks of being overweight. the whole thing is frustrating and of course, all of my friends are thin and in good shape so no one truly understands how i feel and WHY i want to make a change.

what is the worst part of the whole thing?

~what is the worst part of the whole thing?~

To me the worst part of the whole thing has been never getting restriction! After 16 fills in 17 mos.!!!

Some ppl NEVER reach restriction! Unfortunately that is something most Drs. will not tell you BEFORE you get the band! Kind of an important detail, don't you think?!

For me personally it was a blessing. I lost 100 lbs in exactly one year with few problems. Having said that I have regained 40 lbs from my lowest weight so there is always room for "bad" things to happen. I stopped watching what I was eating, began drinking with meals, and drinking alcohol where I hadn't in the first year. I also met the man of my dreams who loves me for me so that didn't help me with being "good".

But overall, for me, it's been the answer. I went from being 270 lbs to now being a fitness instructor who teaches classes 3 times a week, who is getting married this summer, who can shop in normal stores.

The band is a lot of work after the first year -- or it was for me anyway. I just joined Weigh****chers this week as I am not good on my own anymore. I had my band adjusted 3-4 times over the past year and was too tight so now I am just right. And just right means for Krista that I have to watch what I eat, up the exercise, and stop with the crap eating.

You have to do the work but the band absolutely can help you get there. My best tips would be

1) get filled / adjusted as often as you need to. It's a tool - use it.

2) exercise your GUTS out :)

3) eat enough calories - I would never ever ever eat less than 1200 calories a day and to be honest, I got to my goal weight eating about 1600 calories. I refuse to starve

4) come here and post post post and read read read. I am not here as much mainly because I am engaged and head over heels in love .. but this board and these people helped me through every step of the journey and I am eternally grateful.

Good luck with your decision!

My advice is don't just ask this question on the band forum. Also ask it on the RNY, VSG and DS forum as well since so many bandsters have revised to more effective WLS's.

I would also suggest you look at this from the ASMBS:

http://www.formerlyfluffy.com/asmbs-gastric-banding-gets-low-marks/

As far as me........I would not recommend the band to my worst enemy!

I would agree on one thing that has been said dont always look to advice on these forums. Join local support groups talk to people face to face. I have known what i have wanted for the past 9 years but due to lack of insurance or finances have yet to get what i want until now. I am also begining the 6 mo pre op diet and I can not wait to hve the band. I have known MANY sucessful bandsters and known those not sucessful for numerous  reasons.  Research things for yourself best of luck to ya.....

 

 

Tamie

thank you for the encouragement! the whole six month diet confuses me (insurance wise) do they want to see if you can lose weight on your own and if you do, they deny you?? or what? so confusing!!!

in my opinion i think that they are wanting to see if your serious about making this change. and it they put you through  this  diet and you do actually make a change than they see that you will work at the band.  I may be wrong with that but thats what i think.  Mine is also so that i can lose some to lower my bmi so that i wont have a bmi over 70 at time of surgery.  the dr asked me to lose 20-25 so it will be safer  for me.