New and need input

I had my 2nd appt of 6 that I need for my insurance and I got to meet one of the Drs. The PA said this was the time to ask questions and I tried but obviously he wasn't interested in answering questions.

He told me that most patients have a 10% - 20% weight loss from the band, so I would be looking at about 20lbs lost.

I've lost 7lbs last month on diet alone and now I feel like surgery may not even be worth it. I could just diet a couple month and get 20lbs lost.

I understand the band is only a tool and only will help me as far as I take it.  I am getting frustrated with dieting because I'm getting to the point of hungry all the time. I was hoping that I could use the band as a tool to curb this constant hunger and keep continuing with my diet loss.

Was he just low balling the numbers so I don't get high expectations?

I'm 248 and 5'3" and I was hoping to get to 160 is this goal too high for the lapband?

the 10 - 20 % weight loss is really a very low quote.  My doctor quotes AVERAGE loss as 40 to 50% with the band.  This means that some will lose a lot less, some a lot more. 

I've lost 200 with my band, but I work it almost daily.  I eat lean, green, and (most of the time) clean.  I also exercise quite a bit.

The band does dim the appetite when there's enough fluid added.  A very few get good appetite suppression with no fills.  Some doctors install the band with a "starter" fill like mine did,  some doctors don't.  And depending on the doctor's philosophy of doing fills after surgery, it can take anywhere from one to 3 or 4 fills to get appetite restriction.

Your goal is not unreasonable.  Your doctor may not be a big band supporter, I don't know.  I've had more than one doctor tell me I would only lose 50 with the band.  They are shocked to see me now.  :)  I love it.

OMG I don't think anyone would of had the band if they were only expecting to lose 20 lbs. I am almost 2 years out any have lost approx 120-130 lbs. I need to lose about 10-20 more to be at my ultimate goal, but if I never make it there I am still totally happy. I have read many post with people about your size losing really well, I'm sure they will chime in shortly. If I could diet and keep the weight off I would have, but I can't stick with it. With the band I feel full and/or content with only a small amount of food. Hope this helps, but like I said someone your size will chime in.

I heard the same thing last week at my WLS seminar..I'm not going to let numbers get in my way of what I want..I want this so bad I can taste it...Its so many people on here that give me hope, I'm determine to make it and I hope you do the same weather have the band or not..

Just check everything out, be prepared for a rocky beginning.  I am 1 week post op and haven't had solid food for over 2 weeks.  I know in the end the surgery will be worth it but I have some down days right now and question my decision.  Look at the surgery realistically and not just think it is a piece of cake.  Good luck on your decision.

I think that is low as well ! Who would go thru all that for 20 lbs. I would look for another Dr if you are going to stick with the band because aftercare and Dr support is extremely important after surgery. I
have lost almost 60 lbs in a year and that number could be higher were it not for me ! I have not really  moved as much or ate as well as I could have but I am happy with my wt loss and look forward to more in the future.However if I do not lose another lb I am at about 55% of my desired wt loss . I am half way there . Band loss is slow and steady for most not all though some lose faster and more others slower and less . More than 20 lbs is most definitely possible as you can see by all the other posts .:D  Good luck on your journey !

 Thanks everyone this really is helping to hear. I'm really motivated and the PA is really supportive maybe I will talk to her next time I go in. 

Luckily this is not the dr doing my surgery, this is their partner, hoping the other dr is a little more personable. I really love the staff at the dr office so I'm pretty happy with my support. But I've always been that way hate drs love PAs and NPs.

I would really love to hear more from others!

 i am a slow loser but i have lost 68 so far in 14 mo. 
I know you lose less then other surgery but still the numbers you quoted seem very low.
wendy

I had my surgery mid January, and was about your same weight with your same goal.  If you are a volume eater, this band really helps with that.  I've lost about 30 lbs., but I'm more about moderation instead of deprivation on some days, or I would have lost more.  I do work it as I walk and do Curves Zumba.  The band will not make you choose foods wisely or follow the protein rules, that's all on you.  I'm lucky in that I like fish, chicken, tuna and veggies.  But on Easter and Mothers Day I ate modest amounts of what was served.  I also ate out several times this month.  I only lost 5 pounds this month, but I'm OK with that.  At this point, I love my band and my doctor's office and I hope that never changes.

I had my surgery at the beginnig of March and I have already lost 30 lbs.  I know weightloss is different for everybody, though.  I hope that the others are more supportive.  If not, I agree that maybe you should look elsewhere if possible.  Good luck with your decision and congrats on the loss so far!