? for lapbanders who have lost alot with the band

I know the lapband is just a tool..I have heard so many people say they had the band but they did all the work themselves the band didnt restrict them  etc..Do you feel like the band actually  helped you. COULD YOU have lost the weigh without the band?Im just trying to make a decision on what surgery to get.I would just hate to get the band and not feel restriction or lose weight.But I cant see the future.Did anyone get the band and you felt like it didnt work and you just worked hard to lose the weight anyway because you had the band and you didnt want to seem like a failure...Im just doing my research trying to find out from people who actually have the band or have had it...Thanks

 I have had the band since July 21 2010.. I was under no "illusions" that this was a magical way to lose weight.  All weight loss surgeries rely on YOU taking an active part in the loss.  Wether it be exercise, watching your intake, chewing your protien properly.. NOT eating sliders when you DISCOVER (and you will) what they are.  
If you are willing to be accountable to yourself then any band or WLS will have effects.. 
I have had 3 fills and I know now exactly what I should and shouldnt eat, how fast i eat and when that becomes TOO fast and the band reacts.. (vomiting or pbing)  
My band is a GREAT and wonderful tool.. would i have  lost the weight without it. I doubt it.. I have been a quantity eater for years and years and this restriction is something i am LEARNing... 
like anything else, there are good days and bad days and well days i wish i was a small amoeba in the ocean without a stomach to deal with.. 
It took me 3 months to find good restriction and this past month i have been learning JUST HOW CAREFUL you must be with food choices and discipline.  
I love my choice to have this band.. I love the way I look now.. My husband loved me before but he pays alot of attention to me now.. ( I dont think he realizes that he follows me round like a puppy and its a HUGE ego boost.!!!)

I LOVE MY BAND... Her name is Dax... and i hope to have her with me forever!!!

I wish you well in your journey towards what will ultimately make you happy, frustrated, greatful, wonderful, and different.

its a great journey.. Embrace it fully. for you only get this time round to make the most of it.

Whitney

 Here are MY answers to what I think are your two most important questions . . .

Do you feel like the band actually  helped you.
YES! The band helps to control the AMOUNTS that I eat. *I* do have to control WHAT I eat - is it healthy, high-protein, etc.


COULD YOU have lost the weigh without the band?
Could I have lost the AMOUNT of weight I lost without the band. In a word: NO. And I certainly could not have kept if off this long. I could have lost SOME of the weight. God knows I've done it in the past, but I always regained it, usually with more.

The band is just a tool to aid in your loss. There is still lots of work to do on your part. I believe that is true with every WLS. There is no magic pill out there! I was very lucky to have restriction very early on. And by restriction I mean that protein kept me full for 4-5 hours. Not that my band kept me from eating forbidden foods. Only you can keep yourself from doing that!I lost my first 100 lbs in 9 months. That being said, I followed the rules religiously! I was very disciplined and committed. I also did a lot of the head work prior to my surgery. I was in a great place mentally to accept the challenge. I learned why I turned to food in the first place. This helped tremendously when it came to my loss. I did not start working out until I had lost 50lbs. I just wasn't comfortable at that point! That being said, when I started, I jumped in with both feet and love my exercise. It is a natural endorphin high for me and has become better than any anti depressant I could have ever taken. I am now off of all medications and the oxygen I used to use when I slept. I would not change my decision to have the band at all! It was the best decision for ME!

Research everything and take everything into consideration. Only you know what will work best for you at this juncture of your life. Good Luck with your decsion.

I had lapband surgery in August 2009.  I've lost 83 pounds and I might try to lose 10 more.  Otherwise, I am pretty much done.  I am thrilled with my band.  It has provided me with the ability to minimize the volume of food I eat.  I knew that the band would require me to follow a reduced calorie food plan and I might need to exercise too.  Common sense tells you that you can't lose weight without reducing your calories and/or increasing your calorie output (exercise), so that has never been a surprise.  It's a great tool.  I couldn't have done it without it.  My only regret is not getting it sooner.  Dr. Shinn is a wonderful doctor and he doesn't mince words.  I really love him!  As far as surgery choices, I chose the lapband because it was the least invasive of the other surgeries, and honestly I was kind of scared about the others.  Support (like this forum) are important and you are smart to do your research before choosing which surgery to have.  Weight loss with the lapband is slower than bipass, but you don't have the malabsorption issues.  Also, if you are planning on getting pregnant in the future, lapband is the better choice.  I have been told that chemotherapy can be a problem with the bipass.  I know people who would swear by their bipass surgery too.  It is an individual choice, I hope you take the time to learn all you can.  Good luck!

Congratulations to you.I Love Dr.Shin also..I just knew from the minute i met him that I could trust him and he is like you say straight and to the point..I

There is no way in H*ll that I could have lost 116 lbs without the band.  It worked for me and I was blessed from the very beginning that it supressed my appetite and then later helped control portion size.

But...I changed what I eat and I exercise moderately.  I follwed the rules and I see a therapist in order to work on my emotional eating issues.  Bottom line, for me, I had to make choices and change the type of foods that I eat as well as amount. 

I haven't had any major issues with my band but it does require a lot of maintenence, fills and unfills, etc.

For me it was the right choice.

Best~
Lisa O.

I MAY have been able to lose the weight on my own, but keeping it off, no way!! The band is wonderful for me. I actually am full after eating my 4 oz of dense protein and full for around 4-5 hours. I would not feel that without the band. I would be hungry and fighting that hunger. The band makes you full on less. No more, no less. You will have to choose the right foods, fight head hunger, and exercise. You also need a good surgeon and good aftercare. Keep researching and pick what is best for YOU. Good luck!!

edited for typos

Pre-band, I was an excellent loser! Again and again! I could always last about 6 months - then I just blew it. Stopped dieting, started regaining. After doing this for 30 years, I got the message. No, I couldn't do this on my own!

I am very lucky (it must be pointed out that not everyone is, for some people the band does not give as much help as they hoped). My band does just what the ads say! it restricts portion size and it reduces hunger.

It wasn't as easy as that sounds! We can eat round our bands by eating soft foods which just slide down and which are high in calories. We have to live by certain rules about how we eat (dense protein first, no drinking with meals) and we have to make heatlhy food choices most of the time.

All wls has advantages and disadvantages. You will probably get two very negative posters on here and a couple of people who were very disappointed with their band. Listen to everyone! But then take the advice of your own doc!  Decide which new lifestyle you can live with for the rest of your life.

ate

The band has helped..it really does most of the work...you will learn what your limits are....I had lost 64 lbs pre-op..I had to appeal three times with my insurance company..in the process I gained 25 lbs back....I know the band works..i have lost 53 lbs in 4.5 months since surgery.....41 lbs pre-op.....If you will work with Beverly at Dr. Shinnn's offfice you will do great.