I was banded in 2002 by Dr. Rumbaut and reached my goal after a year. Just joined OH a few days ago. I tried to get into the Band Grads group because of referred left shoulder pain I'm having, and am looking for common experiences among band veterans. I'm not going to maintain an open profile though, and will probably not post much. I'm here for information and support. Have not been successful at messaging anyone in the group.

Did I exercise "at all"? Oh hell, yeah. Still do. Went to the gym 4 days this week!

I come from a long line of obesity. I am not convinced it is all genetic, but at the same time, I do blame my genetics for my weight to an extent. I am pretty good at saying no to sugars. Like most others, I get sweet tooths and want all sweets I can get my hands on, but I quickly become sick and stop. Quickly as in, I can eat no more than 2 Oreos or literally 1 piece of Sees candy before getting the pains in my jaw from it being too much. I can eat a whole bag of Skittles though in a heartbeat. Luckly I have the will power to pass them up at the store or I really would be in trouble. When I go to the gym and watch what I eat, nothing happens. I did Zumba for almost 6 months 3 times a week and lost 5 lbs. I had my best success doing HCG. I was single and living alone at the time. I lost 25 lbs. I gained about 5 back in the 12 week period between the drops. I had just started round 2 and 5 days into it found out I was pregnant. I am generally around 255 lbs, I got down to 208 doing HCG and was 213 starting round 2. I gained 65 lbs in my pregnancy and have only lost 20 of them. I did manage to get down from 255 to 245 right before the Holidays. I went back to 256 after the New Year and we decided to go pescatarian on December 28th. Ive done great at sticking with the diet, but Im gaining weight out of control on it. I have no idea why! I am eating so much healthier and have gained 5 lbs in the last two weeks. I am beyond frustrated at this point. Now I really feel defeted and that with everything I do, nothing works.

My Aunt had Gastric in 2002, another Aunt had it in 2001, my Mom had it in 2007. All lost a lot of weight and gained a lot back. My cousin has the band going on 7 years now. She has many issues swallowing. This is my biggest concern. Being there when my Mom had gastric done, I have really learned to eat slow, take small bites and chew chew chew. It seems that my cousin does the same thing, yet her food sticks. Like many other stories I have read, this is common. So is the problem of not being able to eat or drink anything in the morning hours. She cant eat or drink before Noon any day. She isnt hungry either.

I am now between trying Weigh****chers 360 & getting banded (Lap or Realize). I feel like Weigh****chers will just delay getting banded for me. I could give it a 3 month shot, but its money and time. I know that sounds Debbie Downer-ish, but its hard to be optimistic when nothing has worked in the past. I am HORRIBLE about logging my food and water. I do it for a few days and then quit. I am horrible at sticking with "diets" but if I can eat what I want (of course limits on bad stuff) then thats so much easier for me. I have no problem going out to eat and eating something good for me, but I will never remember to log it anywhere. I am going to try to go to my first seminar Saturday. I am between two locations, but havent had the nerve yet to make the call. I am excited for my journey ahead whether it be banded or on Weigh****chers.

If anyone has any advice, I am open to hear it all!

I have been on a carb binge for the past several days and now am at the point ofr not wanting to eat protein. This has to stop. I still don't feel like eating what I should but feelings don't have to run my life anymore, nor do cravvings.

B. Cottage cheese with small amount of vanilla yogurt, s.f. pudding mix, and walnuts

S. Shake

L. Protein of some sort,  have to take our granddaughter to the funeral of her friends younger brother over lunchtime.

S. Shake, almonds

D. Salmon loaf. veggies

S. Peanut butter on wasa crackers

I was banded in May of 2010 and lost 64 pounds from the time of my first consult to 5 months post surgery when I met goal. I gained about 15 pounds back due to being careless but found that if I got back on track I could lose it. 

Getting my band was the best thing I have ever done, it changed my life. My health is better, I am more active in spite of chronic pain, I am more outgoing, and I actually join groups and go out in public without someone along to hide behind. I would never have given up my band if my own stupid body had cooperated. I still count it as the reason for my success. I will be 63 next month and for the first time in many years I really enjoy my life. I wish I had done it sooner.

As we used to chant when I was a kid, "Rain, rain, go away. Come again some other day."

So much for the northwest TN weather report. On to the food report.

Today's food plan:
B: protein latte
S: ricotta cheesecake fluff w/ blueberry fiber crisps
S: banana w/ peanut butter
L: veggie spring rolls
S: apple & gouda cheese
S: popcorn
D: lemon mustard lamb chop, eggplant & tomato salad
S: peanut butter banana chips

If you've been reading this thread and wondering what the point of it is, I'll tell you the 4 main reasons:
1. eating accountability (reporting your food intake to someone else) helps keep me honest & on track
2. planning my food in advance helps keep me on track and prevents risky eating because if I'm too hungry, I tend to 
    make poor food choices and suffer side effects from eating too fast
3. this thread is a good place to get food/meal/snack ideas, and that's helpful because when I get bored with my
    food, I tend to make poor food choices
4. it's a place where we can talk about our eating (and just about anything else) without drama

Have a super day!

Jean

I've been banded since 2001 and revised again in 2011.  
I had initial weight loss with the first band then have gained weight,

My diet in the past 12 years has been incredibly unhealthy unless my band was unfilled.  I have had problems with the band since day one.

I am not trying to have a revision to a sleeve.

I had band issues that made removal necessary....BUT, my husband was banded in Aug 2007, lost 200+ pounds and maintains a very healthy lifestyle!  He is a true success story and I'm so proud of him!