Has the Lap Band Really Worked for Anyone?

Still working for me too!! I LUV my band...

Still love my band...rarely post here for the reasons already mentioned.

 Miss you and many others.  The board is so quiet!

Aw thank you! I wish the board could be more positive again! I just didn't want to be involved with the bickering when I needed a boost of positivity! Your looking great!

 Thanks!  I'm losing with an empty band that I think is going to have to come out...makes me sad, but I have 6 good weeks and having a bad one this week. IBS is flaring and unable to eat properly...

how are things going with you?

As posted on a previous post I will be 7 years out in January and yes I believe the band has worked for me. I may not be at the weight I want to be but I am healthy and happy and that is all I signed up for....

From this...


to this...."priceless"

I totally get how you're feeling. I'm almost 2 months out and I remember after surgery surfing the boards and feeling totally worried. I haven't had my band for nearly as long as the others here, but I've already lost 26lbs and I have not once regretted my decision. It's my understanding that most cases of complications are due to user error. Trust your surgeon and follow what they say! There's a reason they have doctorates and the people claiming they know "all the dangers" don't!

Also, don't worry if you can't get ALL your protein in for the first week or two. Your stomach is still adjusting. Get as much as you can, but make sure you aren't going to throw up! Throwing up will cause slippage.

I am about 3 weeks out and feel discouraged too, I don't feel full or feel sick ever, I am afraid I will just eat too much, though I am blending and pureeing things now still, I don't really feel a difference from before the band and after band. Except still have port incision pain and what appears to be swelling, despite pain meds and ice packs 

I was told my surgeon doesn't adjust band until at least 3 months out... 

 I am 3 1/2 weeks out and handling solids well.  I moved to solids because my NP at the Bariatric center instructed me to do so because I had bottomed out.  I still choose to eat soft foods because it is easier to get down.  I eat around 700-900 calories a day and about 65-75 grams of protein a day.  I also do not eat more than 65 grams of carbs a day but it seems that carbs are in everything, so you really have to watch that.  I use myfitnesspal if anyone is interested.  I too am a bit discouraged but am not that hungry.  I stick to my set meals which is about 3-4 only and I am full.  The morning is the hardest for me because I am not that hungry.  At night is the worst.  It is when my head hunger creeps up on me.  Starts telling me I am hungry when I am not...If I am really hungry then I will eat a healthy snack that fits in with my daily budget.  Another thing that is very difficult is the water.  Fitting enough in.  I think once I go on I will be getting the hang of this..  I am almost 4 weeks out and have lost almost 25 POUNDS!  which is amazing!  I walk and do Zumba for now until my 5th or 6th week when I am ready to bump it up.  I do get discouraged though and it is your mind playing tricks on you, I swear.  I am still dealing with the discouragement.  You will be hungry...it is life.  If you are not hungry ever, there is something wrong.  I go for my first fill on October 17th at around 5 1/2 weeks out.  I am nervous because I just want a little bit of restriction because I feel as though I have hit a plateau but don't want too much in my band because I actually want to be able to eat like a normal human being.  

3 Months for a fill?  Are you sure?  That seems like a long time to me.  My doctor is 5-6 weeks or at your discretion after that.  They are the experts so I want to make sure I follow what they tell me too.  Also, if at 6 weeks, you feel no restriction what so ever, call them and tell them that you would like a bit of a fill.  You need to be measuring food at all times.  I invested in a scale and never eat more than 4-5 oz at a meal which is 3x a day and then for a 'snack' mean which is a cheese wedge and 15 nuts.  Always measure, count your protein and drink tha****er.  You will succeed!  I have faith in you and myself.  People have succeeded and we will too!  I will not listen to anyones negativety!  We can do it!  Hang in there!