B-52

I am not ashamed, as so many on this forum have said, by "Taking the EASY way out" I don't care if it was easy, matter of fact, I Like easy, why would one not???.....bottom line, it worked and made me a better person....and that's all that matters. It's all about me and my own, not what others may think.

Simple...Mr Dr. used to ask me to point to where I felt I was...(anywhere on a scale from 0, lowest, to the max100....) Zones can overlap.... Green: NOT Hungry - nuff said. GOOD weight loss..consistent Portion Control...also nuff said (cannot overeat) Patient Satisfaction...are YOU Happy??? Pleased???

Hiccups for me is the last sign that if I eat anything more, I will get stuck, vomit, whatever....(it's not really vomiting) And I cannot drink with my meals at all. Your Dr. added a fill? That tells me your band is fine, so it must be the foods you are eating, or the way you're eating....for me it was both. Had to change the way I ate, slowly, chew well, and take small bites.....and had to change the foods I ate. There are some categories of foods I will never eat again.

No, I have the lap band which needs to be adjusted....once that was completed, about 4 months after surgery, all my hunger and cravings vanished...as did my interest in food or eating....it slowly started with a change for my "Tastes" of foods. That was over 4 years ago, still the same.... I have to remind myself to eat. But then it's not for eating sake, but to get my protein.

I would not call myself a True vegetarian....but once I hit the Green Zone with the Band, it became difficult to eat red meat... For years my Dr.'s, especially my cardiologist, were after me to cut back. So I took advantage of the situation and stopped eating meat altogether....that was over 4 years ago. Chicken has to be "Perfect" to go with my band, and unless I prepare it myself, it's hard to find chicken that tender. So I don't eat chicken all that much either. Free range chicken is best.

Just sit and watch the commercials on TV concerning food.....What are people thinking? Every pizza commercial just gets more disgusting than the other one....burgers too.... And the marketeers keep pushing this because surveys show this is what people want? I am one of those, that after surgery, my hunger and appetite, cravings has been halted...along with my "Taste Buds" and desire to eat at all. Food just does not interest me in the slightest anymore. Matter of fact, it turns me off! And watching TV is just unbelievable!!

Surgery was June 2011, lost 100+ Lbs.....it doesn't get any better than this.... Finished with diets and concerns about loosing or gaining weight.... A whole new way of living has opened up....Socially, mentally, excellent health, and yes, financially... Best decision I could have done for myself.

I'm gurgling right now.....very common for me.

My first fill was 4 weeks after surgery...4cc's....2nd fill was 2 cc's 4 weeks after that....during that time I gained weight.... Took 3 good fills, 12 weeks after surgery before I started to tell a difference....and that was not easy...not at first, took a whole year from surgery to get into that "Groove"

I doubt you can feel your band, but I guess some people can? I can't. My port sticks out like a golfball under my skin. 4 weeks post-op has nothing to do with loosing weight.....theoretically, the band is not even "Working" yet. It has not been activated, just installed. It took me at least 12 weeks and 3 good fills before things started to fall into place....in the meantime I had to count calories, measure portions, etc....in other words I gained weight because I cannot diet....that's why I had to have surgery. As a last resort. Give it time, get through this phase then move onto the next phase. The next phase can be very frustrating, AKA as Bandster's Hell.... But that's another story. This is a lifetime change, process ( I loathe the term journey)......not an overnight fix. And remember, this thing DOES WORK!

Bench presses sitting with your back at a 30-45 degree incline.

Within the first few months after Lap Band Surgery, I was EXTREMLEY unhappy, frustrated, disillusioned and downright ANGRY!...you name it....after all the hype and preparation I was convinced I wasted my time and money, and this was just more weight loss hype. 30 days after surgery after coming off the post op diet, I started to gain weight! My hunger was as strong as ever.....When I expressed my displeasure to the people at the Bariatric surgical center, they started to lecture me and give me handouts about counting calories, weighing portions with a food scale, watching out for carbs, etc, etc.... That's all well and fine...but that is EXACTLY what I did with the countless diet programs I tried in the past, and failed at! I DIDN'T need surgery to do all that again! I can't tell you how angry I was!!! It was all Hype just like all the promises everyone else claimed.... Fortunately, my Dr. took to the time, sat me down, and using the "Yellow-Green-Red" chart, explained to me the process....showed me what his goal was for me, getting me into the "Green" zone....explained it took time, a series of adjustments. And with each fill minor changes will happen where I will need to adjust to in ways of what and how I eat... Those so called "Rules" will start to make sense and have practical application, so start learning them now. My Dr. was aggressive with my fills, maybe because I was an unhappy customer, but the first fill was 4cc's, then 2 more after that 4 weeks apart. So, 12 weeks after surgery, I had my final fill...and got into the Green Zone...it was not easy, and from what I have read here many people would have backed done sooner being concerned about stuck episodes ( I had numerous every day) saying they were too tight, when in reality, with me, it was not the band too tight, it was me learning to eat a whole new way and give up the old way. Learning to live within the Green Zone was very hard, and took another 6 months...I'm still learning little tricks here and there. I can now say, THIS is the best thing I could have ever done...once I got through that adjustment phase, both for me and the band, I can say it is a Breeze! EASIEST thing I could do!! I have lost ALL my excess weight and at a normal weight - body fat %....I have no hunger/cravings (that was my biggest problem) and most times don't even think about food or eating.... I go about my business day to day and don't think about my band that much anymore, and don't worry about loosing weight, or ever gaining it back! Granted, that early learning phase was absolutely HELL.....but once I got through that, it has been absolutely HEAVEN! I do not consider it a "Tool", but corrective surgery....change! It was not at first, but now it is the "Magic Bullet", a "Cure all" It has been over 4-1/2 years, and I have not had a single problem....I did have a stage where I could not keep anything down, but like I said above ...it was a learning phase. Not the band's fault. The band is adjustable, and everyone feels for themselves where they should be and how it should be...everyone with the Lap band has complete control of their future, success or not. Many Dr.'s are not doing the Lap band as much as before, because of everything I said above....with other surgeries, there is no adjustments, etc...it just is....now start to learn to live with it!

Amen to that! I have found, it is a lifestyle change, and I will continue the way I am for the rest of my life....getting to my goal was primarily a learning experience....some hard knocks with stuck episodes, etc..... BTW, I did continue to loose until my body was at where it wanted to be.... Congratulations on your success....you obviously "Get it"

People post, especially newbies, looking for "New" information....unfortunately, I skip over or ignore these posts. If they say they have had surgery less than a year, I don't comment. Many times my head explodes due to people who call themselves veterans...maybe 2 years? If I did, I would be labeled a "Bully" or "Insensitive" because my immediate reaction, and my typed response would be: "Are you serious??? You've got to be kidding!" Hasn't your Dr. told you ANYTHING?" So, I let the newbies answer the newbies posts....blind leading the blind I suppose.

Just a question, as a lap bander, when you reach YOUR goal, what will you do differently??/

I have done it on my own numerous times....lost as much as 80 lbs through diets, counseling, classes, etc....each time I gained it back.....I'm talking over a 35 year period....... WLS was a last resort...I did not want to do it, but I had no choice...all the alternatives were tried and failed.....I simply could not do it on my own...when my health began to severely suffer because of obesity, my PCP suggested it.... Glad he did, I am 100 % successful, have no fear of ever gaining any weight back, never have to diet again! It did, and still is doing, what I am incapable of doing on my own. People call this a "Tool" For me, it is quite the contrary....it was "Corrective" surgery. And I cannot be more pleased. with the process and outcome.

Depends upon how much restriction you have......for me, I simply cannot continue, impossible to do so, impossible to over eat........it's as though if I take one more swallow, it will have no where to go but right back up....I will start to get warning signs a little before, and will have to slow my eating down. But soon after, I'm finished....I could start eating again after taking a break, but that is where the 30 minute rule comes in....otherwise I could graze all day....fortunately hunger is no longer an issue so I have no desire to do so. Drinking Water will only make it worse, taking the place of food as far a volume (portion size) goes....it does not wash it down, least not for me. I follow the rules for no other reason other than it is the only way I can eat with the band....I HAVE to chew, I HAVE to eat slowly...putting my fork down between bites helps me slow down.....If I don't follow the rules, it would be impossible to eat at all.....

I probably could, but for what reason? I am prepared to do complete un-fills in an emergency...like being out of the country and getting food poisoning, etc. My port is right at the surface...you can see every nook and cranny....a one armed blind man could do it. The staff at my Dr.'s office loved me at my last fill.

I LOVE oysters, as well as clams....but not with the band.... Did it once, and it was like there was a string tied around it and as soon as it hit the band, someone pulled it right up and out!! It was that quick...! But I quess it depends upon how much restricted your band is...you'll have to try it for yourself. I can still eat steamers with melted butter....(but not many)

BINGO !!!! As the band changes...fills and adjustments....we need to change right along with it or it will not work! The hardest part of this process......change can be difficult. I read posts here every day from people struggling with this or that......thinking they are failures, or the band is not "Working" Then, I also read posts from people who talk about eating different foods, or speaking of certain recipes, etc.... Then, I read posts about calories, measuring portions, etc etc, and if I did not know any better, this could easily be a typical "Diet" website like jenny Craig, weight watchers, etc,....where WLS is not the focus.. All I can do is sit back and wonder if they really "Get it" or not..... Yes,,,I had to learn, sometimes the hard way with stuck episodes, etc, to walk away from certain foods...never to eat them again. It's not that someone told me I should not eat them, it is because the band will not allow me to eat them.... OR, I could get Fluid taken out of my band, then I can eat anything I want, resist change, and be fat again.

You're not alone....been banded 4-1/2 years, and have not had breakfast in all that time. It's just the way it is....cannot eat anything solid in the morning. Even my smoothies and my morning coffees go down slow and "Gurgle" I invested in a good blender, and make smoothies also....it is 40 gm of protein, so it is a good healthy way to start the day....I don't think I could possibly eat anything in any quantity to match the nutritional values. I don't mind.....the traditional breakfast stuff is not for me anyway, I cannot see myself eating omelets, etc...I like being lite on my feet......and I am very happy with my bands performance and the new life it has given me. Would not want to revert back to anywhere near to where I was before WLS, so I simply accept it. I have many friends, who have not been banded, that live by morning smoothies also. The health club (gym) I go to, along with their restaurant, also has a Juice bar that makes fresh smoothies and juices.... It really is very healthy and good for you. Right now, it;s 5 am, and I am having a very simple coffee drink with protein and a little half and half added....plus a little ice. Very good.

What is there not to Love??? It relieves stress, anxiety and mental depression. The endorphins, which trigger the classic runner's high, makes you feel psyched and energized Builds ego and self confidence. Is also a time to focus in on personal issues, problem solving, and a form of meditation blocking out everything else. You become super focused and alert thanks to the increased blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Some say it grows new brain cells....fighting off the effects of old age mentally. Mood-enhancing chemicals, like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, flood your brain......stress? What stress.... Can also add years to your life - quality years. Lowers your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, increasing your sensitivity to insulin. During typical cardio exercise, your body taps mainly stored fat for fuel (providing you did not eat prior) Exercise elevates your level of immunoglobulins, which are Proteins that help bolster your immune system and ward off infection. I like to work out first thing in the morning...usually between 5 and 6 am.....then I am on top of my game all day!! (don't eat either) When I don't work out, I simply feel like crap! The Pits! It's no wonder, no matter where you go, you will see people out running or walking. It's addictive... I'll also say, because I was a diabetic, I went to the gym prior to WLS and it was tough...it was after WLS, when the pounds started to melt away, did it become more and more rewarding....now I can't live without it. As a side note, I'm 63 and will become a grandfather for the first time this early fall...My daughter is expecting twins. (mazal tov) We all went to dinner the other day, and laughingly we had the discussion as to what I would like to be called.....Grandpa? Pop-Pop?, etc, etc.... Everyone agreed this will be a tough one because I don't look and act like a Grandfather...I don't fit the mold....

How long ago were you banded? I had a similar situation....sharp tearing pains, especially when I was working out. It was explained to me this way...... My port is stitched to the abdominal muscle, so it would not move or flip....as I lost weight, and ate less, my stomach shrank and my AB's hardened....thus the stitches pulling on the muscle (tearing) That was in my case, and has not happened in years...only during the weight loss phase along with muscle toning. BTW, I read so many stories about ports flipping, etc, I wonder if all Dr.'s anchor the port? Or perhaps it is difficult to do so if the fat layer is so thick?....just a thought.

Eventually, it becomes old news. People accept you for what you have become, and soon forget you were ever over weight. And life goes on. I had to remind people on occasion, to get in context of certain discussions.

There are different crowds different times of the day...I do not care for the evening crowd....I go at 5am, plenty of professionals who bring their business clothes on a hanger, go straight to work after a workout and shower....