If you had to do it all again - would you

OK folks - sorry if this has been asked before....but.....

If you have the Band and could hop in a time machine and go back to the day before your surgery knowing what you know now - would you have the surgery - would you have a different surgery? Would you not go through with it at all.....

I am tentaively scheduled for 12/10 - 80% leaning toward Realize Band

As of right now, I would do it again.  I have only been banded since July but so far so good.  I've lost about 43 since mid July and a total of 85 since starting the program in January.  Its not always easy but in the end I think it is worth it.

I too have the realize band and I think they are all the same. Once you hit the sweet spot and are willing to do the work, you will succeed. I have to tell you there are times I still go to bed hungry. Head or real I still am in that bed wishing I could eat something. You head has to be in the game too. Congratulations on a date Keep me posted. Hope to talk soon.

Gina

Honestly..at this current place and time.No I wouldn't..not saying you can't have success with it, YOU CAN..but for the results I have obtained and speaking ONLY for myself, it's been incredibly disappointing,frustrating and not what expected for the effort and expense I have been out.  Ever notice on the different wt loss ads where they say it wasn't the typical result ?  I'm the percentage that isn't mentioned because it simply doesn't work effectively for me and not only me but others like me.  I thought it was just me but I have thankfully came across others with the same issues with it. It could be that I'm failing for any number of reasons,  Maybe because of my age (I'm 45), maybe my BMI wasn't all that bad to begin with,maybe because I'm diabetic, maybe because I'm pre-menopause,maybe because I lost 51 lbs on my own before surgery, who knows..all I DO know..is that I have been eating less than half of what I used to, following the diet plan as close as possible..exercising regularly which I didn't do before, drinking water until I feel like I could float a ship,and I have only lost about 32 lbs in almost 6 months and none in the last month and half.  Maybe my mind will change later on,but for now, I'm not too happy.

I just read other post to other messages and I feel bad about writing what I did earlier because I don't want it to come across as if you shouldn't do it..I was saying..I am doing something wrong and failing because right now for me, it isn't working fast enough to suit me...that's my fault..it's still wt loss and I'm healthier I was just saying it is frusrating for me especially when others are passing me like mad.  I know it will eventually come off and yours will too so don't let my sour grapes make you unsure.  Best of luck to you and to a quick recovery.

Tina,

First of all, know I am here for you. If there is anything I can do to help - please reach out.  

Now, do me a favor and DROP THE WORD ONLY !! I get very upset to read, or hear, “I’ve lost only X pounds". Why use the word ONLY !?!?!?! Be proud of those pounds you lost!!! This is a major accomplishment!!   How many times were you NOT able to lose that amount of weight???? Or when you did, you gained it back?? If you lost weight, and haven’t gained it back, then aren’t you really winning?!?!?  

Remember, this isn’t a race. “Slow and steady wins the race".  We are a generation of instantaneous results, however remember we didn’t put all the weight on at once, it took years. So don’t you think losing it would take just as long? This isn't one of those miracle instantaneous weight loss programs. We all know types of programs always fail. This is a way of life   Nowhere does any of the literate state you will lose x amount of weight in x days.

Think LONG TERM. If it takes you 2 – 3 -5 years to lose all the weight, WHO CARES!!! How long did it take you to put all those pounds on? Try to remind yourself that even if I lost only 1 pound per week, in year’s time I’d be 52 pounds lighter. Many doctors believe the slower you lose weight, the better chance you have of keeping it off.   

Many folks are hung up on the number. It’s not the number of pounds that someone loses in a specified period of time that is important. It’s how you feel. Don’t forget, if you are toning up muscle – your weight loss may seem to have slowed (or stopped), when in fact you are replacing fat with muscle. Muscle is heavier then fat. Someone weighting 200 pounds with a body fat percentage of 25 is carrying around 50 pounds of extra fat. That same person weighting 200 pounds with 10 percent body fat would be carrying 20 pounds of fat. So it’s not the number that is important.  

The amount of weight lost is affected by many factors. Everyone loses weight at different rates. It has to do with age, gender, one’s weight, exercise, etc.. A 10 pound lost to one person could be as affected as a 40 pound lost to another. Think of it this way: If a 400-pound person loses 40 pounds; a 300-pound person loses 30 pounds, a 200-pound person loses 20 pounds, and a 100-pound person loses 10 pounds – the 400-pound person didn’t necessarily lose more weight than the others. All three lost 10% of their body weight.    

Also there are other “scales" you can use to monitor your success: your constant hunger reduction (eliminated); reduced clothing size; increase energy; re-familiarizing yourself to body-parts unseen for years (errr… toes) ; “common" activity becoming easier (walking, climbing steps), just feeling good about yourself; sleeping better (reduced snoring); the mirror; better medical exam results (lower cholesterol and/or blood pressure); etc.                       

Be proud of your lost. No matter how small it may seem. Remember, it’s better to lose not a pound than to GAIN a pound.   So starting today – let’s officially start a movement to ban the word ONLY, and take pride in your lost.

Always a good pep talk from you Tom.  Thanks.

I love ya Tom! You're awesome!!! Wish I could carry you on my shoulder all day as a constant reminder of everything I need to remember in this journey! 

If I was on your shoulders you probably would be paralyzed by now  , but thanks for the compliment. Remember, I am only a key stroke away

Let's see ... lost 187 pounds in 21 months .. no longer borderline agoraphobic .. off all my meds .. have a longer life expediency .. rekindled old friendships .. gotten new friends .. became a chick magnet (ok .. maybe not that) .. really need me to say ?!?!!?

Of course the final decision is yours .. but remember .. no matter WHICH operation you have, you will need to work at it in order to be successful.

Kiddo remember I am here if you need. And no matter what operation you choice, know I will have a seat for you on the loser's bench in the winner's circle !!