Happy New Year Marchies! I can't believe how quickly the year passed. I keep hearing that the "window of opportunity" for weight loss is the first year. Has anyone else heard this nasty rumor? I am getting panicked wondering if I will be able to lose all the weight that I need to lose and does weight loss become more difficult after our first anniversary?

I believe the "window of opportunity" applies to RNY patients, who tend to grow back absorptive villi in their bypassed intestines and stretch their small stomachs after about 18 months. My understanding is there is no window of opportunity for weight loss with the band, although weight loss does slow down the closer you get to goal. Don't panic! At 5 years post op, lap band patients and gastric bypass patients have the same weight loss. Ours takes longer, but the band is always there to help even if your efforts slack off for a while.
Happy New Year!

Thank you! I appreciate your words of wisdom. After failing so many diets before, I don't want my band to be added to my long list of weight loss failures. I desperately want to reach my goal.

Kuebel J

Change your statement from "I desperately want to reach my goal" to, "I am going to reach my goal" and then do what it takes to reach it.

Bada Bing, Bada Boom--you goal will be reached!

Happy New Year. I'm off to find the January thread, I'm sure it's out there.