"Why am I not losing?" They say. It's not THE BAND, it's your fault!
Posted 10-20-2008 at 02:14 AM by BikiniBeachy
Blog Sorry that title was a little harsh! I wanted to be really bold to myself when I wrote this. Although I am on soft foods, I wanted to post this for myself to read when I move to solids.
Many new people come to the chatroom on this site everyday, where I spend most my time. Many also go to the forums. I hear a very common question,
"I am so depressed, I haven't lost any weight. I can eat ANYTHING."
I honestly was in shock the first time I read this. What did these people mean, they CAN eat anything?! I feel like they have the wrong idea about their band. Thinking it's going to make them physically unable to eat unhealthy foods. I feel like these people got the band and want it to do all the work for them!
So in chat, I nicely say, "What are you TRYING to eat that you don't want to be able to eat? Pizza, donuts, soda, carbs?" and you know what they do, they IGNORE me. They act like I'm not even talking to them and only respond to the people who say, "When is your next fill? It will get better!" I don't really take it personally, it just proves my point even more, they don't want to take any damn personal responsibility for their weight loss or lack thereof.
I am grateful for my band. My band is there to tell me when I am full on smaller portions, therefore making it easier for me to eat less, and forcing myself to make better choices since I get less shots at it!
My band is NOT there to make me physically sick and miserable when I play with slider foods or eat the way I used to.
I know I am not as empathetic as I should be. I have been in self-sabotaging modes before the band, especially while waiting for approval. But maybe I just needed someone to be honest, instead of someone just saying "it will get better". When it really won't, not unless these people realize they aren't losing weight because of their eating habits, and it's not the bands fault. That's just not what it's there for.
Maybe this is a bitter pill for some people to swallow. This is not easy. The people on this site that have amazing before and after pictures, I always ask them what their diet and exercise regimen is, and they always have one!
I came into this knowing I would have to adjust the way I eat to be successful. I hope I come back to this blog when I slip up (I will. I am human, and the initial enthusiasm wears off eventually no matter who you are). And I hope I read this and remember how lucky I am to have this tool, literally, inside of me! This tool wants me to succeed – but it can only help me if I help it.
Many new people come to the chatroom on this site everyday, where I spend most my time. Many also go to the forums. I hear a very common question,
"I am so depressed, I haven't lost any weight. I can eat ANYTHING."
I honestly was in shock the first time I read this. What did these people mean, they CAN eat anything?! I feel like they have the wrong idea about their band. Thinking it's going to make them physically unable to eat unhealthy foods. I feel like these people got the band and want it to do all the work for them!
So in chat, I nicely say, "What are you TRYING to eat that you don't want to be able to eat? Pizza, donuts, soda, carbs?" and you know what they do, they IGNORE me. They act like I'm not even talking to them and only respond to the people who say, "When is your next fill? It will get better!" I don't really take it personally, it just proves my point even more, they don't want to take any damn personal responsibility for their weight loss or lack thereof.
I am grateful for my band. My band is there to tell me when I am full on smaller portions, therefore making it easier for me to eat less, and forcing myself to make better choices since I get less shots at it!
My band is NOT there to make me physically sick and miserable when I play with slider foods or eat the way I used to.
I know I am not as empathetic as I should be. I have been in self-sabotaging modes before the band, especially while waiting for approval. But maybe I just needed someone to be honest, instead of someone just saying "it will get better". When it really won't, not unless these people realize they aren't losing weight because of their eating habits, and it's not the bands fault. That's just not what it's there for.
Maybe this is a bitter pill for some people to swallow. This is not easy. The people on this site that have amazing before and after pictures, I always ask them what their diet and exercise regimen is, and they always have one!
I came into this knowing I would have to adjust the way I eat to be successful. I hope I come back to this blog when I slip up (I will. I am human, and the initial enthusiasm wears off eventually no matter who you are). And I hope I read this and remember how lucky I am to have this tool, literally, inside of me! This tool wants me to succeed – but it can only help me if I help it.
Total Comments 6
Comments
-
That is the wake up i needed!!! Sometimes the truth hurtS. When i went in for my last fill ( 3rd fill) on the 1st of october I thought just that way. "This band was a waste, what am i doing wrong" Losing only 40 lbs in 3 YEARS! It took this fill appt to make me realize that my band is a tool and it is not going to work by its self. No more drinking with my meals, no more fast food. So thank you for your boldness, Sometimes The things we do NOT want to hear are the things we NEED to hear!Posted 10-20-2008 at 03:21 AM by Nicci-IdahoFalls
- Hi, I agree with you. People need to be responsible for their eating and not blame everything on the band.Posted 10-20-2008 at 09:32 AM by Gus'sGirl
-
i totally agree bikinibeach...... it frustrates me sometimes that people blame the band for something they need to control. reading post like those makes me feel sad because we all know in order to change your weight you have to change your lifestyle. i have had two fills already i can still eat anything i want but i know that is not what i am suppose to do i excerise and eat what i am suppose to. and even though i dont feel the restriction on my band i still dont blame the band i work hard everyday and its a struggle but i get through it and im losing weight in the last 6 to 7 weeks i have lost 20lbs and im at 55 lbs loss so far since july and i know that i will have to work just as hard the up coming months to lose the next 55lbs. i cant stress enough how much effective the band is with the combination of eating the right foods and excerising. one thing i hope everyone understands is dont dwell that you are not losing weight it will only get worse instead think about what you CAN do to change it. you cant change the past whats done is done we are fat ok its time to get over it but question is do you want to stay fat or do you want to change it and become the healthy skinny person you are jealous of?Posted 10-20-2008 at 02:16 PM by karen_karen -
I could not agree more!!! It's even got to the point where if someone is complaining about the band not working (and in the next sentence they admit to eating crap food), I just skip over the post entirely. It is not worth my time. I'm here to find support and to stay on track and I know there's a lot of people out there who feel the same way. We are all bound to have set-backs, but the point is to pick yourself back up and you can't do that if you're unable to be honest with yourself. Great post, BikiniBeachy. It needed to be said.Posted 10-26-2008 at 02:37 PM by lapbandgirl4life - Glad you all are on the same page we know what we can eat to get around the band. I had this surgery mainly to get off all the meds I was taking. I had the surgery in May and last month was the first time I did not have a loss. I was discouraged but I knew where the fault lie. It was what I was eating. I have stayed away from fried foods and last month we had some family things going on and I ate too much fried and didn't walk enough. Sooo this month I am determined to get back on track. One of the great things is knowing with the Band I really have control of the weight NOT coming back like all previous attempts to lose weight. I would do the LAP-BAND® again in a minute.Posted 10-26-2008 at 06:19 PM by Patty Owens
-
I love my LAP-BAND®!!!!!!
Hi everyone,
I had LAP-BAND® surgery in May and I am down a total of 50 pounds I feel so much better and off several meds.
I had my first month without a loss. I was so mad at myself. But I know all I need to do is get back on track and with the band I know I have control over my weight. and it will never come back
.
So this month I am determined to get back on track and lose, lose, lose.Posted 10-26-2008 at 06:22 PM by Patty Owens
