[kyethra]

I should know fairly soon if I am approved or not for the lap band procedure. The surgeon said that as fair as weight loss goes for that it tends to follow sort of a bell curve. So I was wondering about what charachteristics people at either end of the bell curve share? He said that for people at the high end who had lost the most weight they tended to be young and/or male as well as highly motivated but that those won't the only factors and it seemed to vary. He said he wasn't sure about the lower end of the curve- he had removed two lapbands, one from someone who had a bad erosion and one from someone who wasn't losing any weight due to what he felt was a psychological issue- a mind/body disconnect.

So I have some ideas about it all, but I thought I would post. Obviously I would want to lose as much excess weight as possible. I was thinking that maybe trying some sort of calorie counting plan, or other nutrition plan, at least at the beginning of eating solids again might be good idea to help me make sure I keep within the right parameters. Also maybe working with a trainer on a somewhat regular basis like a couple of times a month might be good for accountability.

So what has worked for people, or not worked? Anyone who has had the lapband and only lost a little weight?

[Leenie]

Hi Kyethra

Thats interesting....

The band is not a cure for weight loss, its a tool.....you still have to deal with all the head issues your dealing with NOW....these issues don't go away once your cut open...it could take years. If anyone is going into this thinking otherwise they certainly are in for a rude awakening.

For instance if your eating like crap now, and your thinking your gonna be able to eat this way after being banded...the band isn't going to help you...you need to learn to eat healthy and yes calorie counting is the key along with exercise. Junk food goes down way to easy with the band for some reason.

Also, the lapband is not ment for rapid weight loss, its 1 - 2 lbs a week at most. So if some one has the band for a year and loses 40 lbs... IMHO thats wonderful!!!! It might take them 2 - 3 years to lose all their weight but thats how its supposed to be. Its certainly not a quick fix. So who's to say that 40 lbs a year is slow? see what I mean.

I think you have the right mindset for this procedure.... diet and exercise is whats needed to be successful with the band, no matter if you lose 100 lbs or 40 lbs in the first year....its all good !!!

Good luck !!!!

Oh... I've lost 60 in my first year.... I'm struggling now but I'll get back on track