Losing weight with an empty band

 Yes it can be done!! Back story (and it will be long) I had several problems - reflux, stomach pain, problems eating and swallowing food. I saw my PCP who treated the symptoms but not the problem (things that didn't add up - chronic sinus, upper resp infections and etc - a year and a half worth of steroids and other meds. I even saw a doctor about a revision from the band but something didn't feel right. I decided to go back to my band doctor and talk thru all the problems I was having. In the next days my band was emptied, I saw a GI doc who stretched my esophagus, and had my gall bladder tested/removed. During surgery my doctor found that the upper portion of my gall bladder was fusing to the fat around it. After healing from gall bladder surgery my doctor told me to see him in November and we'll talk about fills. He wanted me to stay under 1000 calories and etc.

Two weeks later my mom told me she had breast cancer and was having surgery. I went to be with her and ate horribly (I stayed sane or tried to). Well I arrived back home and got on the scale. Horrible horrible number. I could put excuses out about what happened - the meds caused the weight gain and etc but it came down to one thing. I was the one who put the food in my mouth. 

So I signed up for WW on-line (I'm not trashing WW - I have several friends who have lost over 70+ lbs on the program) and failed horribly. I ate within my points but lost zero nada zilch! After facing that failure I decided it was time for me to change things. I've swapped over to doing the low carb route - I'm not tracking calories or fat - just carbs and protein. I'm not following the new Atkin's diet or a the old but a mix of what works for me. 

So now we come down to how have I done losing weight with nothing in my band? Well... Monday will be the official two week end of the "induction" period. This morning I'm down 19 lbs. Yes I know most was water but after gaining and gaining and gaining every pound lost is a victory! Having the band has changed how I eat  as I've found that I'm just not hungry in the evening but I have a protein shake. I don't crave sugar or carbs and I'm losing the weight. Oh and I'm on steroids at the moment for an sinus/ear infection. 

Will low carb work for you? I can't say but I will admit counting carbs sure is a lot easier than calories, fat and etc. Oh and when I started going low carb my husband (who has MS) joined as well. He's down 10 lbs and doing great! 

So you can lose weight with an empty band - it takes finding what works for you and your body. 

 You go girl!  I am sooooo proud of you!  That is a great amount of weight loss.  I am sorry for all of your struggles, but you are now rocking the band it sounds like.  I hope your life and your experience with the band is nothing but free flying from now on.  Keep up the good work!

 Thanks! I find it ironic that I got back on the low carb band wagon right at my three year bandiversary. 

My goal is to be down to my lowest band weight by Christmas and then work towards my goal. I'm aiming for mid-summer for that!

Way to go Noel! I'm empty too and plan to keep it that way (mine keeps tightening) I've gained 5 lbs since emptying a few months ago but have maintained that for several weeks. I also lean toward the low carb life it's just so much easier. My band still gives me some restriction so it's easier than with no band. I just decided that I HAD to maintain my bandster eating habits and that has helped. As long as we don't go crazy eating everything we couldn't before I think we'll be ok! I "celebrated" my emptying with a small cheese burger but didn't really care for the fries anymore and threw most of them away, so it can be done we just have to not go crazy the minute we are empty. Keep up the good work!

 It's not easy that's for sure. I still find myself facing those mental issues about food and I know those won't go away. For a long time I ate/drank what would go down - if I had a day that I could eat it was a struggle. (feast vs famine thought maybe). After doing that for the year+ and once the problems were resolved I did go overboard. Suddenly I could eat bread again and etc. I had to stop an re-learn what it was like to sit down and eat a meal with my family. 

Wow every problem you have mentioned are exactly what I have been going through except I gained about 15-18 pounds I still have an empty band. I meet with my doc on Monday not sure if I am ready for a fill yet. congrats you are doing fantastic glad to hear some positive come out of these problems. How many carbs do you allow your self daily

Rock on girl. That is soo cool. So how many carbs a day are you eating. I am also trying to get back on track plus my blood sugar is high again. So I have to watch my carbs.

By the way how is you mom doing?

Oh God, I perfected the "induction" portion of the Atkins diet (I must have done it a dozen times then I just could not do it anymore). I  lost big every single time then it was downhill in lightening speed once I allowed the slightest carb to touch my lips.

Sorry for all your troubles!  Glad you found a  diet that works for you.

Best

 Thanks guys. My mom is recovering and will start radiation soon. Thankfully it was caught early and had not spread. 

I'm not really doing the induction thing but keeping carbs low while having veggies and some fruit. I can say that I know now more than what some of the trigger foods are for me. I have to stay away from those otherwise with the band or not I won't be successful. 

The band isn't perfect but neither am I. I'm a blood where you're planted type so I'm making this work for me. 

That is great news...
Honestly I think all of us here CAN lose weight on an empty band.  Its keeping it off thats the battle. .  Thats why most of us had the surgery. 
Personally I had been on so many diets and lost excess of 60-70 lbs only to put it back on within 2 years.  

Weight issues SUCK.  I have a love/hate relationship with my band.  I love it most of the time and days like today where I am staring at my lunch because after 4 bites I am sitting here salivating, I hate it.