B-52

Good for you...congratulations! I am 63 years old, and have experienced what you are experiencing dozens of times...only to gain it all back, and then some. It was frustrating to say the least. I simply do not have the self discipline or will power to make it stick. Lets face it...that's why I was obese in the first place.... So, I had Weight Loss surgery...to do what I was incapable off doing myself...and this is permanent! I have no fear of ever gaining it back, nor do I have to work hard at maintaining it. I don't have to count calories nor follow any specific diets. No more "White Knuckling" it. I have many friends who eat right, go to the gym, and live healthy, fit, and skinny lives, and they did not have WLS....so it can be done. But for me, this is exactly what I needed!! And this is what worked for me. Just like my skinny friends, I eat right, go to the gym,,and I am healthy, fit, and skinny....BUT in the background, the Lap band is there quietly doing it's job for me. Again..,congratulations.... BTW, I had to do a medically Supervised 6 month pre-op diet....I did very well for about 4 months, then started to slide back, then failed... Just Like every diet I have been on, and also proving to my Insurance, for the record, Diets do not work for me.

They had me following the rules weeks before surgery. I finally asked why....it really did not make any sense to me, and I could not understand the significance. It was explained to me that the earlier I start to put them into practice, the better...because, there will come a day, as I get adjustments, that I will need to know these rules in order to survive... And they were right... I HAVE to take small bites. I HAVE to put the fork down between bites and wait before the next. I HAVE to chew thoroughly. I CANNOT drink while eating, or soon after. In order for me and the band to work together, I have to adhere to these rules else I experience unpleasant things. I will say, they are no longer rules, but have become new habits. All part of the new lifestyle. BTW...Chipotle is one of my go-to places, but very light on the rice and lettuce. As far as liquids....it depends upon how much restriction you have. If food is passing more slower, then introducing Water will only add to what is already there....and yes, I will throw up. If you don't have much restriction, and food passes easily, then I can see how it would wash food through. When I get stuck, (or used to) slowly sipping warm water was a sure fire way to get un stuck. Just be sure to do it standing near a toilet!

I'm 63 years old....I feel lucky to have any

With the Lap band, I find it difficult to eat anything deep fried...so I am forced to stay away whether I want to or not.

It really strikes a nerve with me when people feel guilty because it may be cheating or the easy way out.....and they're going to jeopardize their health and life because of that??? SO WHAT!!! What difference does it make??? The only difference is that it DOES WORK!!! And will CHANGE YOUR LIFE IN WAYS YOU CAN"T EVEN IMAGINE... Dieting is hard....very hard...so hard I could not do it and succeed for very long. And with every failure I was just digging myself deeper and deeper... The only regret you're gonna have, 3-5 years from now, is what you could have been instead of what you've became. Trust me...IT WORKS!!!! And I'm DAMN GLAD I cheated and took the easy way.....it doesn't get any better than that...

I had it so bad I could not sleep...would soak in the tub at 3am trying to get some relief....it was nerve damage associated with my Diabetes...... Once I lost weight, the diabetes is gone, along with ANY symptoms of RLS.....it's been a few years now, and it's only a bad memory.

Most things you read do not pertain to the obese looking to loose weight.We are in a different class. My feelings were I had enough carbs stored away as fat that I could burn off during workouts....if I ate before a workout, then that is what I would be burning off, an not what I have stored away. After, I would have a high Protein recovery shake....one reason was so I would not eat anything and spoil what I just worked hard for. And for me it worked...I managed not only loose all my excess weight, but burn off all my excess fat...I have a very low body fat %...in the fit-athletic range. Now that has been accomplished, I find I do need a little something to work on before. Most nutritionists, trainers, etc, are schooled for normal, average weight people.

When I got to the Green Zone, a few things started to happen... First, my hunger, cravings, tastes, and interest in food altogether changed... Second, I discovered that there are certain foods that did not go easy with my band..so I started to avoid them until I now stay away from them altogether,,,just so happens, most of them are high in carbs anyway. Third, my portions became very small...very small!....Some people call it getting full faster, or satiety...whatever, I simply could not and still cannot over eat. So saying all that, since the above was taking place, I concentrated on what I could eat. Concentrated on High Protein, high nutritious foods ...since I eat so little at a given meal, I'll not blow it on junk...like the rule says, do the protein first. Then go for the extras, if you're able. Call it a diet if you like, but I call it a new lifestyle. I eat wholesome, nutritious foods...nothing processed, etc. I compare notes with friends who are into it also and did not have WLS.... I should add, when I reached the Green Zone, say 4 months after surgery....things really turned upside down! It was not easy, and I was tempted to get Fluid taken out of my band thinking I went too far. It took a full 12 months until things began to smooth out and get easy, as I continued to learn new things about eating. And today, (I still study new foods) it is 2nd nature, no calorie counting, etc..... I just eat less (a lot less) and eat good....protein, Water and exercise. And with all that, I am not afraid to have Desserts, etc from time to time....enjoy myself and life's little pleasures.... But all this did take time....I read posts here every day from people banded a few weeks to a few months wanting results! This is a lifetime change...have to think about the big picture. Remember...The band is adjustable ...Get It Adjusted!!! I read posts where people are struggling, and I want to shout..."What about The Band" Is the band doing anything???? Because they sure talk like it is not even there.

Beer, and any carbonated drinks are tricky with the band,,,,and the more restriction you get, the more trickier, and harmful they can be.... It took me over 2 years before I started to Drink beer again, but even then,,,it was only after I understood and learned how to listen to my band...all the little signals it sends me.....there is a technique to doing it, and it's like tip-toeing through a mine field. From experience, I would not suggest it to people who are just starting out...there are so many other things one must learn first if you want to be 100% successful......do that first, then you can go back and learn how to do those little pleasurable things that Dieters would never dream of.... I pretty much eat and drink anything I want, my weight has been "Optimal" for years, and I have absolutely no fear of gaining any weight back and dieting is a thing of the past....but it did not happen over night, I had other things to concentrate on.

New Jersey....has he applied for NJ medicaid yet? IN NJ, Medicaid has gotten out of the Heath Insurance business and now contracts with 4 Private ***'s...all NJ does is pay the premiums and manage the system. You need to check with Dr.'s who do Bariatric surgery and find out who accepts what ***...not all of them are good, and not all Dr.'s accept all of them. There are a few people left who are enrolled on Straight Medicaid anymore.

Be careful of overdosing on protein....you can get too much and overload the kidneys..... Many a High School football player would up in the ER going into renal Failure....also the elderly in Nursing Homes. People think the more the better and only do harm.

You're only 3 weeks out from surgery...you are still healing....all you have had done is to have the band installed, but without any fills-adjustments, everything is the way it was prior to surgery...same hunger, cravings, etc. Your Dr. has a treatment plan, I'm sure. As you progress and have regular Dr. visits and band adjustments, things will slowly change. It has to go slow, as the band changes so do you have to learn and change along with the band...that is the hardest phase of all and can take months....that is bandster hell. Unfortunately, some people never "Find It"...change can be hard. We have lived our entire lives eating the wrong foods the wrong away. It takes many people out of their comfort zone and choose not to progress forward. There is a large learning curve, and it does not happen 3 weeks or even 3 months after surgery. I had 3 major fills after surgery, each one spaced 1 month apart....and even then, it took a full year of hard knocks (stuck episodes, etc) before I finally started to "Get It" I am now over 4-1/2 years out, and can say things have become normal, a "New Normal" Hang in there, this thing does work...but it takes some learning and adjusting to get it right. Untill then, all you can do is pay attention to calorie intake and portion sizes, just as you did with any traditional diet prior to surgery. BTW, I once asked my Dr, why it took a series of fills-adjustments. He asked me to imagine what it would have been like if he "Fully Adjusted" the band during surgery.....No, I cannot imagine! It would have been a disaster! I can understand why he had to take it slow. This is also why many Dr.'s are going to the sleeve as opposed to the band....with the sleeve, you have it done and that's it....unlike the band.... It's also why many say the band has a low success rate....at any point you can stop the fills, or even go backwards..... People do not like change.

I go to the gym at 5:30 am, and aside form my morning coffee and water I drink while working out, I have always worked out on an empty stomach....the theory is to use the energy stored away as excess fat that I have been carrying for all these years in case of famine for this hunter-gatherer... I also believe in burning excess calories...not burn calories for something I just ate. Afterward I would have a high protein "Recovery" smoothie, low calorie. It worked for me, I was able to burn away ALL my excess fat.... It may not be for everyone, but you can Google it...it is a popular practice.

There was once a time...that I needed to see not only my PCP, but my Endocrinologist, Cardiologist, Dermatologist. PCP was every 3 months with repeated lab work.... Everything was out of control. All my blood work was helter skelter. Get one thing under control, another thing would go through the roof. Not to mention high BP, etc. Taking more medications than I can remember, and different combinations and dosages were having no effect. Dermatologist was a regular routine due to chronic skin rashes, infections. Some landed me in the Hospital in an isolation room....mask and gown for the nurses to enter..... Diabetes totally out of control, kept raising the medications with no results. Where would it end? Today I had my annual visit with my PCP...yes, I said annual. Only see him once a year now. And today, as with last year and the year before that, my Lab results were PERFECT!!! My weight unchanging!!! Leaving, I made my appointment for July 2016 !! Same with my cardiologist...once a year. Routine visit. Don't see an endocrinologist anymore. That's all behind me. And I don't have skin issues anymore so no more dermatologist needed. I only visit the weight loss center and surgeon once a year. All because I had Weight Loss Surgery !!!!! My PCP asked if I had any regrets with WLS....are you kidding me??? I would probably not be here if I didn't...I'd be dead!! He nodded and agreed.....I would not be here today if not for Weight Loss Surgery. A surgical intervention to accomplish what I am not ashamed to say I could not do on my own with diets.

Will be 5 years soon and still going great.....most days don't even think about it anymore, just live every day like any other day. It all becomes second nature and routine.... I prefer my band tight enough to restrict me from overeating....that was my problem before surgery. Could not control my appetite with no self control or discipline.....in other words I could not follow any prescribed diets..... Sure there are foods I will never eat again, but in return I am NEVER hungry, and when I do eat my portions are controlled....IMPOSSIBLE to overeat or indulge......It just doesn't get any better! Very Easy! To me it is about restriction... Diets are the thing of the past, so is the fear of ever being over weight again..... (BTW, the foods I will never eat again, were food groups that are good to eat anyway and should be avoided.....pastas, breads, meat, etc....so it's all for the good...) And I agree...the people who I followed when I first came here, are all gone. There is not much reason to stay, and I often wonder why I still log on.....maybe because it reminds me from where I came and where I am now....my daily NSV I suppose. Every-time I do log on, I click "New Content" under Lap Band forums, and all the posts in the Lap Band section are comprised of people with the sleeve or types other than Lap Band!!!

Can't speak for pregnancy.....but I will say, after 4-1/2 years, I have yet to feel full.....Never hungry, yes...no interest in food or eating? All the time......but FEELING full?...that's a different thing altogether. But that's me...and I am certainly not, nor ever have, experienced pregnancy.

Did they not give you pain killers? I had a 3 day supply, and stayed in my lazy boy chair with a comforter, the TV remote, all the Water and broth I could handle, for 2 days....Pure Bliss! I wasn't feeling any pain or discomfort. (day 3, I was climbing the walls, had to get out of the house)

I read this from people on this forum all the time....and I don't understand why it bothers them so much.... Who cares if it is the easy way out??? It works, and that's all that matters !!! In due time you will be be skinny, healthy and fit.....isn't that more important??? The end justifies the means..... Everything in our society is aimed at the "Easy".....people take their car rather than walk...use a remote to change channels...microwave ovens...smart phones....garage door openers, EVERYTHING designed nowadays is focused upon how easy it is to make someones life easier.....so why should someone, who is doing something to better themselves, their families, not be a burden with all the associated health issues, etc, etc,...be ridiculed for doing something easy? makes no sense, and should be dismissed as such. I have finished this process years ago....lost all excess weight and have a healthy body fat %...work hard at the gym, wear normal size clothes off the rack, health issues have all been reversed.....and my self esteem and social life could not be better. Do I feel guilty I did it the "Easy Way" and not struggle and fail with yo-yo weight loss/gains and constant dieting? That's what the rest of the world is constantly doing....that's all you hear. need to loose another 10 lbs, summer is coming, have you tried this new diet? I for one am glad I have been set free from all THAT nonsense...... NO THANK YOU....I Like EASY! I'll take it any day of the week. (BTW, this is exactly why I never told anyone...it is about me and mine, not theirs)

I want to be under 30 again,.......

I'm pretty much the same as you....I have not eaten meat since surgery over 4 years ago....and I am eating less and less chicken.....only because it it hard to get a quality meal anywhere unless it's free grazing chicken. I do start the day with a home made smoothie with whatever fresh fruit, Peanut Butter, etc I'm in the mood for...40gms of Protein. I will say, due to my ill health before surgery, my Dr,'s were all trying to get me to either cut back on red meat to once a week, or give it up entirely...purely for health reasons...

Funny you should say that......my Cardiologist does refer to me as his success...HIS poster boy... And he was the one who was reluctant to sign off on the clearance for this surgery....

The ones I had to use for my surgery where no help at all.....it was the same old thing I have heard time and time again, right from the book......and they were asking me about Bariatric Surgery. I see a lot of patients in my job, and more common than not we get stumped as to why a patient is gaining so much weight...going through the patients file, we see a NUT/Dietician has put the patient on an appropriate diet...a diet for a normal healthy person should follow, right from the book, very standard.......however there are people who have various disorders and/or are on certain medications.....you can't follow the book with everyone. I feel the same way about people who have undergone WLS....a standard plan right from the book is NOT for everyone...people are different. And lets face it, if you qualify for WLS, you are not normal/healthy....

For me, it's not so much about calories...it is the foods that do not go well together with the band I sometimes forget and order without thinking.... I have gone to restaurants, and see something on the menu and order it.... When it arrive, I take one bite/swallow and immediately realize it will not go down easily....wind up wasting the entire entree.. Worse? hard to say...the most recent was lasagne....I CAN'T eat lasagne (pasta)....same goes with meats...I've ordered steak by mistake out of old habits.

I hate to say it, but the same is true for people on this forum....everybody thinks they are an expert telling others what they should or should not do. Giving advice even though they them selves are relatively new to all this and are only repeating what they have been told. People have their own Dr.'s and that should be the source for answers. All people here should do, is share their own personal experiences....if there is a topic, and I have no experience in that area, I keep my mouth shut....if there is a topic I have experienced, then I will respond, first by saying this is how it is/was FOR ME.......and recognize different people have different experiences..... Ok, so much for my rant.

One more thing..... My Dr. asked me what was my heaviest weight...I said "You're asking me?"...what does it say in my file" He held up my file and said "See how thin this file is? And it's 2 years old....you're old file was way to thick and heavy, too cumbersome to handle, so it has been archived..." I thought that sounded pretty cool....Archived...so goes my old life...archived. Working now with only the new, thinner.