Happy Bandsters?

LOL a big fat juicy cheeseburger.. a REAL cheeseburger, not McDonalds style...  I havent had one in over 2 years.  I had one the week before I started my liquid pre-op diet.  :)   

Granted.. I've had a bite here and there of my husbands... and had to chew chew chew... but that was okay because I savored that damn  bite. LOL

I still eat french fries though. I LOVE french fries.  I can only have about 5-6, but I still eat them.

I am a happy bandster!! You really have to realize that the band is just a tool in your weight loss, it will ONLY make you fuller on less, that is it, It won't stop the head hunger, or make you choose the right foods or make you  exercise. That will be all on you. I still love my band and am so gladt I had it done. Good luck on your decision!!

 I love my band. We are in control, without it, I was out of control. Do I miss bingeing? Of course. Am I frustrated at the moment when I cannot kill myself with food? Yes, and when the moment passes, I love my band twice as much, ten times as much. I worship my band for helping me with the worst problem in my life, obesity and self loathing. Nothing else worked, ever, for 50 years. I hope to die with this plastic ring in my body, and I am in no hurry to leave this earth. 

I love my band !!!! I am very happy with it :)

I do!! While I don't feel like I make "full use" of the tool I have in my band (due to an unrelated surgery last November I have no fluid in my band, my choice) I would do it over again tomorrow if I had to. It has made me realize that weigh loss is not rocket science nor is it magic...calories in must equal less than calories out through daily exercise/activity= weight loss! Who knew, lol...only wish I would have done it ssoner! Best wishes and prayers for you...I wish you much success!

Sorry I did not see your post sooner and respond.  I've not been on the sight as much basically cuz I AM A HAPPY BANDSTER and I've been busy living a life that feels more like I'm actually a part of it than ever before. 

There are ups & downs.  The downs are mostly when I was facing the eating disorder/obsession that got me to where I needed surgery in the first place.  But when the weight starts coming off?  It's all worth while.  The initial period, "Bandster Hell", when you have had the surgery and are working through your initial fill(s) till you start getting some restriction is frustrating, but once you start getting restriction, it makes it all worth while.  Like Jaclyn said above, when I've slimed or gotten stuck - it was usually my fault  - ignoring the soft stop signs my body had taught me, or trying something I know just won't go down anymore. 

But seriously?  There's a lot of folks not on OH anymore cuz they're surgeries were a success and they have just moved on to other parts of their lives.  Isn't it amazing to think of how when we're heavy we focus on this every day - multiple times a day?  And to think!  There will come a time when you weight is no longer your every waking thought?

It's normal to be nervous.  But if you have done your research, realize WLS is only a tool, there are things you'll need to be prepared to give up (at least for the first year or so)?  Then you are ready and it'll be great!

 No regrets! 

Grateful for my BAND!

I remember how scared I was to have weight loss surgery. It was such a big step! I had the Lap band "installed" in August 2009 and overall I am very happy with my decision.

I think a lot of folks think you get then band and then boom! You are magically reduced and have no issues or things to work through on your weight loss journey. A lady I know recently got the band and she called me up wanting to know why it hurt when she ate too much and why she wasn't losing weight. Clearly, she thought the band magically caused her to lose weight just by it's presence in her body. A lot of people are not well informed about this surgery before getting it.

I state that OVERALL I am very happy with the band.

This does NOT mean there haven't been times I've wanted it to go away so I could eat 1/2 a pizza or so that I could grab a quick bite to eat for lunch in 10 minutes

I HAVE to eat slowly and chew well for ALL meals. Sometimes that is really inconvenient and I do not like that. If I try to eat too fast I will get stuck and be in pain or give back the food.

I HAVE to eat plenty of protein or my weight loss stalls. Don' t like that much either.


Sure there are some things I do not like, but I chose this surgery knowing this and am fully prepared to put up with these things so that I will weigh less and have better health.  I am VERY happy to have the band and all that goes with it.  The alternative is for me to not have the band, gain a bunch of weight and then not be able to comfortably walk wherever I want to go, and likely develop all sorts of other obesity related medical problems. Of course, I could've had another surgery but then I would have other sets of issues to deal with. The band issues were the ones I was most willing to live with.

I am very happy.. is it perfect.. am I perfect.. did I expect perfect results .. Nope..

But am I happy.. HELL yes Im happy to weigh 100 pounds less.. to fit into seats and booths again and not taking up others peoples space :)