new pre-bander

[SiobhanMT]

Hi everyone
I've been a lurker about a week or so but thought I'd introduce myself. I've been trying to lose weight for as long as I can remember. Same old story - very slow weight loss and then a very fast gain. I go to the gym and watch what I eat but it doesn't seem fast enough and it's really got me down recently. Its affected my relationship and my friendships. I constantly question why my boyfriend is with me and whenever anyone says anything nice about me I disregard it and assume they feel sorry for me. Enough is enough and I've arranged counselling appointments and on Friday I went with my boyfriend to a local private hospital to talk to a nurse. I'm going to have the band - it's scary because it's still obviously hard work but I think it will be worth it. I've just got my dream job in London and I already need to take time off for holiday in July so I'm going to wait until August and clipping chipping away at this weight with diet and exercise for now!

My stats are 5ft4 17st 11

Nice to meet you all x

 

[sharon2014]

Hi!!!
Great to hear from you!!!

I had the band August last year and haven't looked back!!! There have been times that are hard but it lets you live a somewhat normal life, in moderation and lose weight!

I know the band can sometimes get a bad name but for me it has been great, I think it allows people to get on with their lives! The beats advice I can give u is follow all the rules and you should have success!!!

I started in the July cutting out things I knew I wouldn't really en able to have post band and I think it really helped me get in the zone!!

Looking forward to hearing how u get on xxx

 

[kurstywursty]

I'm banded a couple of days before Sharon. I am struggling a bit. Lost almost 4 stone and gained back 7lb. I am 5ft 4 and weigh 12 stone at present

I didn't realise that this is the fight of my life.....for life!!!! The band is a great tool but the bander has to do all of the work. Although my surgeon did tell me that I didn't really listen or more that I didn't appreciate what that actually meant. It's been tougher than I ever imagined. I am still a binge ester and have come to accept I always will be. The band certainly limits the amount you can eat and I now have mini binges lol

I don't regret getting the band and still believe it's one of the best things I ever did. But I am disappointed in my results. I still have 2 stone to get off...the statistics predict band patients will loss 50% of their excess weight. I have achieved that but do intend to achieve more. Just need to get back on track

Good luck on your journey xxxxx

 

[SiobhanMT]

Thank you for the lovely replies. Part of me thinks it's still a good option as I work hard to lose weight now and I know I have willpower and discipline but I've failed so far so how do I know this time is going to be different?

Kurstywursty the excess weight thing confuses me. My excess weight is 7.5 stone so should I only expect to lose around 3 stone? Some people have list way more. I didn't bring it up at my appointment as I didn't want the nurse to think this is the easy way to lose weight as I know it's not.

 

[Willow4]

Hi, just want to wish you luck on your journey.

 

[SiobhanMT]

Thank you for the advice
the excess weight confuses me. I have 7.5 st excess weight so I should only expect to lose 3 stone? I didn't want to ask the nurse in case she thought I might think it was just a quick fix. I chose the band partly for money and partly because I've been quite disciplined with my diet and trying to be healthy so far but it's a lot of money if it doesn't work :-(

 

[weegie]

Hi Siobhan

I was banded 8 years ago, also self funded and actually went abroad for my op. The first year was hard as I had little or no restriction but I worked at it. I lost about 4 stone in the first six months plus a stone on the 4 weeks pre op diet. i went to the gym etc and got much fitter. Overall I lost 9 stone over about 2 years. The 50% figure is an average, some people lose a lot and others find the band isn't for them. You can always eat around a band if you choose to. A lot of high calorie, high fat foods are slider foods and go down easily. A lot of healthy foods are harder, I could not eat salad or fruit even with little restriction. If you are a sweet eater, and turn to chocolate and ice cream etc the band is not for you. But a good provider will have explained all this too you.
The band can and does work if you are willing to put the hard graft in.

No matter which op you choose however there can be complications.

Unfortunately my band became more of a problem as time went on. I was unlucky in that I was careful how I treated my band but eventually it became a problem. I am now about to have a revision to a mini bypass.

All you can do is make the best decision based on current evidence at the time and work with whichever WLS tool you decide on.

I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose to do.

Xx

 

[SiobhanMT]

Sorry for the double post I thought I was imagining writing it!

Thanks for the advice weenie it's good to know more is possible if I work at it. I actually enjoy going to the gym and I'm good 70% but when the scales don't reflect my hard work its hard to stay motivated. I can be a bit of a sweet eater but I think I can stop myself. My main worry is one of my fave ways to relax after a hard week is a take away and bottle of wine so I need to find something equally as good.


Thank NYC I'll take a look. I've just started a blog but not just about my weight loss. Good luck for the op x x

 

[Oopseydaisy]

X x

 

[siana58]

I had my band in February 2015, weight is coming off slow and steady, but shrinking in inches on a weekly basis. I love exercise, I can tell you it's a lot easier with a few stone off and its more effective. I have a busy work and social life and was petrified how I would manage, but I can still go out for a curry, have takeaway, or navigate a corporate buffet by using common sense. Wine, well I'm a cheap date now as alcohol absorbed straight from stomach and all I need is one glass....and if I have more I feel like crap for ages, just not worth it.

I find the weight loss really motivates me into making wiser choices about food, I feel a difference on a weekly basis, I sleep better, less aches and pains , I have more energy and my BP is nearly normal. Had the odd problem with food, but I have managed all my weight loss with no fills so I know that if need be I can get additional assistance from the band

 

[JJJ]

I've not been on here long. Looks like there's lots of good support.
Best of luck