To those banded for more than 2 years

Thread Starter  

We go next week for our pre-op stuff and then meet with the surgeon on the 16th to schedule the surgery. I would like to hear from the ones that have been banded for a longer period of time on how they are doing. Is the weight staying off and how do you feel. I guess I have gone from excited for my husband to nervous and hoping this all works since we are paying out of pocket. Thanks!

I'm 2.5 yrs out. I stalled for awhile but am back on track dropping 2lbs per week again. I don't regret my band at all! And it's definitely helped keep my weight off. Even during my stall, when I started eating junk food and not exercising, I couldn't eat large quantities of junk like I could pre-banding. That saved me from gaining all my weight back.

I think you will have a harder time finding successful old-timers on here just because once settled into a thinner life and maintaining, many don't come here for support anymore. They are out living their happy, skinny lives. There are a few kind souls who have stuck around to help newer bandsters, and a few of us who are on here who haven't reached goal yet.

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-109 lbs
top 299/ surg 275 / now 190 / goal btwn 120-140
5"6'

I've not yet gained any weight back. I've stalled, and weight loss has slowed down, but I've never gone back up. I'm still going down, just much more slowly than I did at first.

I feel fine, love my band.

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-175 pounds
Banded March 1, 2006

i've been banded 7 yrs. Lost 45kgs and have not put any back on, the band is a tool that teaches you to listen to your body. If you learn to tell when your REALLY hungry and when your content NOT full early on your will not put the weight back on.
The people who think the band is going to do it all and who use it ot starve themselves will put it back on because they haven't lost any of their old habits.
I haven't regretted getting the band, i had days where it pissed me off because i got it too tight thinking that if i didnt eat i would lose weight, then i'd throw up but once i learn't that you NEED to eat and listen to your body i realised what a gift this was.
It saved my life and i cant say enough how wonderful it is for me!
I now am at my sweet spot and can maintain easily with exercise and correct eating habbits but i can also eat a lot more then i could at the beginning so thats where the learning about when your content comes in, if i eat too much i put on weight.
Bel

I've been banded 3.5 years. I may go up and down a few lbs (like 5) but NEVER the wild 100+ then lose it all swings I used to do! During those "down times" the others describe, I would basically stay the same. I might eat crap but do not gain like I did in the past. It's a life saver! I LOVE MY BAND! It will be the best investment you ever make.

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I have had mine 2.5 years, love it. Reached my goal weight I will flex about 5 lbs either way, when I gain it is because I am eating junk, once I get off the junk I go back to my goal. I would do again in a heart beat.

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Banded 11/11/05

I'm 2 years out, have lost 160 lbs. I am still 30-40 lbs from where I'd like to be, but if I never lose another pound I am happy. The band is always there to help keep you in control. After getting my body detoxed from the carbs, I have had no problems with cravings. It's a wonderful freedom from the hold that food had over me.

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There is no use saying, 'I am doing my best.'
You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.

Banded a wee bit over 3 years ago, feel fantastic, and have kept the weight off for just on 22 months now with very little effort.

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Banded 22 Feb '05 / Got to goal June '06
Imperial 297/107 lbs - Metric 135/49kg
Tummy tuck 15 Aug '06
0cc in a 4cc band (unfilled December '06)
Tube shortened 14th July '08
Before & after pics
Blog

Been banded 2 years 5 months, reached my ultimate goal (adjusted it down once or twice) about nine months ago now, am maintaining absolutely effortlessly, in fact still losing at about 1 or 2 lb per month.

I worked very hard to change my eating habits, I dont eat crap for the most part (although I enjoy a treat like anyone else) and I exercise long and hard about five times a week.

I am so happy I did this. Not only did I get thinner, but I actually have that "fit" look, without being too skinny or overly muscular.

Its a tool, you hear that all the time, but if you work it properly and actually change your lifestyle (because you can get away with not doing that and still lose a fair bit of weight) then the rewards come with your ability to maintain your weight for life. Without feeling like you're always depriving yourself.

I have no trouble with my band because I dont need to be tight to control myself. So I can eat anything, bread included, and can enjoy special occasions. I eat like a normal person, nobody would ever know I was banded. Apart from the fact that I hate McDonalds!

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Jacqui

I've been banded for 3 years and 3 months now. Still didn't reach my ultimate goal. I've been loosing very slowly, even though I've been doing my share. I know that if I didn't have the band, it would have been impossible to loose any weight at all (I would have probably keep on gaining weight...).
The band has been a tremendous help in changing my life style. I now pay attention to correct food choices (every now and then I still eat some «wrong» stuff, but I'm pretty aware of it and try to compensate afterwards), I exercise a lot, I have a goal and I keep saying to myself I'll get there someday. It takes effort and we can't rely on the band to do it by itself, it's not a miracle worker, but even so I still believe it's the best thing I ever did for myself.
best of luck,
niki

So you did away with carb, does that mean potatoes, crispbreads, and beans as well? tell me what you have done away with, thanx for your advice

I try replacing carbs for veggies (lots of it!) but i still have carbs (complex ones, not hollow) I eat dark bread, wholegrain pasta/rice, oatmeal. Beans are good (all sorts, garbanzo beans, peas, lentils, etc) they're good source for healthy protein.

Thank you for telling me what you doing, worked for you, will try and get on the right track as you are,thanx

Thread Starter  

Thanks for all the feedback. This is a great board and we will be here often