B-52

Most people don't remember, or even knew me when I was a Fat Glutton..... But now, the best compliments I get are "You're how old?...You certainly don't look and act like you're 64".....

It's up to your Dr.....I was cleared after one week, but then told to take it easy on weights.... But then every Dr. knows his/Her patients....this was me....I know he told other patients differently.

Because of the Lap Band, one of the first things that became intolerable for me to eat where breads, wraps, or anything similar...

My band is the same today as it was yesterday, as it was years ago....nothing has changed, nothing to change... I have adapted a new lifestyle of what foods to eat, when to eat, and how much, mostly because it was the only way to get along with the band, and not fight it resulting in stuck episodes, etc. The band is the Boss, is in charge...not simply a tool. Holidays, going out to dinner, vacations, party's, are all just another day..band's restriction is not going to let me overeat, I just have to be mindful when I do eat, I eat as healthy as I can choose....same as my non surgical friends...they have a healthy mindset and did not need surgery to put them there. I did, but so what. No one needs to know. Water, Protein and exercise are also part of my daily routine. have become a habit... I weight myself sometimes twice a day, and I have accepted a normal 5 pound negative and positive swing, or 10 lbs total. Just the way it is, no explanation needed. It really has become the "New Normal", that will not change for the rest of my life, providing the band does not change.

I go on day to day....don't think about it all that much anymore.....it's definitely a new lifestyle I've finished losing weight years ago, stopped worrying about diets, etc...what was once lessons that needed to be learned, habits that need to be broken, have now become routine. There are foods I do not eat, and they too are no longer relevant, such as Red meat, etc. Most people have forgotten that I was once Obese, and the new people I have met over the years never knew I was Obese. No one talks about it anymore...it's old news. Sometimes I have to remind people...and new people I meet simply cannot picture me as being fat.... But I am DEFINITELY not complaining!!!!!

I did not want, or have I ever thought about Weight Loss surgery....it was my PCP, who recommended it as a LAST RESORT.....after a life of diets that never worked, I had no other choice...my health was failing. Now I can say it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself....I am at a normal weight, very low body fat %, more active and athletic I have been since high school....(I'm 64 years old) For me, I eat what I want when I want, have no fear of regaining any weight, and will never diet again... For me, the surgery has restricted how much I can eat, and it's up to me to make the best of what I do eat...simple. Some people struggle, old habits are hard to step away from,...but For me, it is the easiest thing I could have ever done I was fat because I ate too much, like a machine with no thoughjt....now I am skinny and healthy because I eat about 1/10th of what I used to per day...sometimes less..

Hello , banding is a slower weight loss then gastric bypass. Some times its 1 pound a week more or less it fluctuates . I agree with the other post best not to compare everyone is different . Im just a month and half in so my exercise hasnt been the best but when you are up and about and able to be more active it will come off. It may have been slow for you and some people, but people need to know, that for others, it is faster than other procedures such as the sleeve.

Lost some the first month after surgery, (who doesn't with liquids and mushies) then started to gain it all back...at 3 months I had my third adjustment (fill) and then things started to come off...took me three good fills before the band started to do it's thing. It was NOT slow for me after that.... But until then all I could do was old fashion dieting with calorie counting and portion measuring....and I stink at that, reason why I had surgery in the first place.

ANYONE who does not get enough daily [Protein and Water will start to look gaunt - sickly, WLS or not. 5 years since surgery, and no one ever knew...never told anyone,\ My weight loss is old news, not many people remember when I was an out of shape fatty. I too had to stop eating certain foods, but I told people I am changing my ways and starting to eat healthy....so nothing white, and that includes rice.

I took a weeks vacation - personal time off.... Surgery was Monday, I was climbing the walls by Thursday and had to get out and do things. Back at the gym after a week.

When was your surgery? Why do you think anything is different now than it was before surgery? All you've had done is have the band installed...nothing else. It is not "Turned On" yet or activated. The band is adjustable and needs to be adjusted....and that takes time. Everyone looses weight post surgery...even if it's not WLS, just from the post surgery diet one must go through. And with WLS it can be weeks long. Then you heal, and begin to eat normally again. Of course you're going to regain that weight back...You're going to return to the place you were prior to surgery. Relying on dieting alone. My first fil - adjustment was 4 weeks after surgery...also the time when I came off the post op surgery diet of liquids and mushies... My second fill was 4 weeks after tat, 8 weeks after surgery...between the first and second fil I started to gain weight After my second fill, things began to take effect, but not substantial. It was not untill my 3rd fill that the band really started to make a difference. And that was 3-4 months after surgery!!! In between all I could do was the old fashion dieting...and I stink at that, which was why I had the surgery in the first place. But once I got my band properly adjusted, and adjusted myself giving up bad habits and foods to correlate with the bands actions, it all became as easy as can be...and the weight just started to melt away. But that was the toughest, most frustrating time o all...between surgery and the "Green Zone"...even after my last fill it was difficult to adjust my new lifestyle after an entire life of doing everything wrong... I read posts everyday from people who are in this phase, complaining how hard and frustrating it is....but you have to get through it...and sadly, some do not, some retreat fighting change I suppose. I can probably say it took an entire year before I was completely comfortable with my band, the amount of restriction I had, and how I needed to change my lifestyle to work with the bands actions. It has been 5 years, the best 5 years I can think of...totally changed my life...and now I live from day to day not even thinking about it anymore... hang in there...it is still too early..you have a rough road ahead but once you get through it by learning and educating yourself, you will not regret it one bit.

Without going into all the boring details, I read an article in a journal concerning the development of High School age males over the past 10-15 years or so..... And the average High school male presents today as being more advanced in age than he actually is...in other words an 18 y/o boy can pass as a 24 year old male in terms of stature, etc... One theory is because of a steady diet of Milk-dairy products, and meat products, resulting in a steady consumption of growth hormones from the animals.

Don't know your situation, but this is what I know.... First, after a fill, you need to stay off foods for a period of time...it can be inflamed mimicking a overfilled band. Also, continuing to eat only prolongs the situation never giving it a chance to rest and heal.... The same is true after an significant stuck episode....continuing to eat can and will cause dilation. Stay with liquids for a day or two then ease back into eat, keeping in mind what you did before that created problems. It took me a few times before I realized Rice was a problem...and that is only one example. There is a fine balance between band adjustments, what types of foods we eat, and how we eat them. With the way my band is adjusted, there are certain foods I no longer eat..just too risky..and when I am eating I have to be very mindful how I am eating...can't rush it, can't take too big of swallows, need to chew adequately, etc. Eventually it all became 2nd nature without giving it much thought. Before surgery I was doing everything wrong..eating WAY too much, too fast, not to mention an insatiable appetite and hunger.... But that is what surgery did for me...it was a major behavior modification....the hard way in the beginning. I understand some people choose to have their bands less adjusted, letting them eat more unrestricted, less behavior changes... But agaion, everyone is different, the band is adjustable and people themselves are different.

I am so glad I had surgery also....Diets are a thing of the past. Over the years I have tried every diet under the sun...from the ridiculous to the medically supervised. And I failed at every one. Simple fact was I could not control my eating...I'd start every diet out well, then start to cheat, then completely backslide and gain everything back. When My health started to seriously fail, it was then my PCP recommended WLS...as a LAST RESORT. I didn't want surgery, but what choice did I have at that point. Fast forward...I have lost ALL my excess weight, body fat % is in the "Athletic" range..... I live a new life never to diet again, don't get crazy with myself worrying about calories, etc. I was fat because I ate too much of the wrong things...WLS I now eat about 1/10 of what I used to eat. When I do eat, I make sure it is as healthy as I can manage. Example: I used to eat, every Friday night, an entire large pizza with all the toppings, all by myself...and wash it all down with beer. NOW I cannot get through one slice, and choose to give it up altogether. I still drink beer, but not as much due to the carbonation, and never with food. And that is only one example. Add to that daily exercise, plenty of Water, and Protein. Presto...easy as that...no more struggles and failures. Here it is the first of the year, and I'm laughing at the onslaught of TV commercials with all the wonder diets. At the same time it is very sad. My Gym is packed with all the new members with their new years resolutions...just like every year, it will return to normal in a month or three.

If you do something you really enjoy, obtain great satisfaction and get paid for it at the same time. I can't wait to leave the house in the morning, knowing everyday is going to be different, challenging, and rewarding. I am often asked what will I do when I retire....first I don't want to retire, I'm enjoying myself too much...but if I did, I would probably continue doing what I'm doing as a volunteer in various Children's Hospitals and clinics.

I am a coffee fanatic, always was and always will be....never curved my addiction since WLS one bit. My primary coffee maker costs well over $300 and worth every penny. Always buy my coffee from specialty stores. But I'm different than most people I read on this forum...I am not (and never will be) on any particular diet. So I still enjoy the things I always have. Difference is that now, since WLS, my overall daily consumption of food is a fraction of what it was before WLS...I eat about 1/10th...and what I eat I eat healthy. And enjoy those little things life offers.

I am at 7cc's, and have been for 4-1/2 years now.... I CANNOT eat anything I want, and have to restrict some foods.. Some people would say that is too tight, that you should be able to eat anything and everything you want. The foods I no longer eat are Red meats, Pasta, rice, things made from flour such as bread, cakes, etc...all of which incidentally are not good for me in the first place so why push it. Along with that I am unable to over eat...can only consume so much at a sitting and I am done...again, why push it..if I did it would create problems. Not to mention my lack of hunger - appetite. So, bottom line for ME, there are foods I will never eat again (all unhealthy) I cannot over eat My hunger - appetite is controlled. To get to this point, I HAD to change a lifetime of bad habits, I HAD to conform to the band and it's demands. That was the hardest part of all this... But now, after 5 years, I can say this is the easy way out for me....it was hard adjusting and getting it right with many ups and downs, but once I did..... I read people's frustrations here everyday...I have no idea what is going on or what may be their problems....how can anyone? All I (or anyone) can do is share what they have gone through and what they have learned....some people can relate, some cannot... I have had the Lap band, and can only speak about that from my experience, and not about other procedures such as the sleeve, bypass, etc.... I hope you find that elusive balance between the right amount of restriction, the right foods, and the right eating techniques....

WOW...I can't belive so many people can be so sensitive...it's a compliment...same as saying you are very attractive. Accept it. On the flipside, what were you before your weight loss? fat and ugly? You could always wear a burka and hide yourself from the world...or maybe become a nun...or stay fat. That would work. Using the term "Hottie" is the vernacular of the day...20 years ago it would have been a different term. I'm 64 years old and have a daughter who is in her mid 30's...so I had to "Lock her away because she was a hottie" or should I say I had to "Beat the boys away with a stick..." Or maybe sit on the front porch with a Shotgun on my lap..... I work with women who when walking put up with cat calls and whistles every time they pass a construction site...yes, it can be called rude, but they know it's harmless...and I hear them talk-laugh about it.... Your husband should be bursting with pride...as superficial as that may sound, it's still reality. That's my morning rant.

Don't forget you were laying flat on your back under full anesthesia....I was stiff and sore in more places than my shoulders.

Is this Dr. overweight???

Believ me, I can tell it's there!!

Finding that "Perfect" balance between the right amount of restriction, the foods we eat, and how we eat them can be very elusive.... I've been doing very well with 7cc in a 10cc band....so well, I decided to ask to have 1/2cc taken out... My Dr. and NP objected, saying "If it's not broke, why fix it" I was doing so well, with no complications or ill effects....but in my head I had a plan to get that 1/2cc taken out, and perhaps continuing 1/2 cc un-fills every few months or so. Well, they took out the first 1/2cc...and it disrupted that perfect balance I had....not only did my hunger and appetite come roaring back, but I was able to eat much larger portions per sitting...and become hungry soon after... All that from 1/2cc !!! I went back 2-3 weeks later and had that 1/2cc put back in...amongst the smiles of my Dr and staff as if to say "I Told you so" So yes, it can be a very delicate balance to achieve...

I have never heard this.... But what I think you are probably thinking about is stretching your pouch...the portion of your stomach above the band. It is common...probably from eating too much, and drinking liquids while eating...ignoring the signals the band sends to slow down or stop altogether...(which is hard to do) The pouch is still part of the stomach, and the stomach is designed to stretch and shrink depending on how much is put in there. I never heard where the band was removed because of a dilated pouch...(although I can see it in the most severe cases) What a Dr. will do is instruct the patient to go all liquids for a period, giving the pouch a time to shrink back to normal. If a Dr. feels a patient will not be able to control themselves and go all liquids on their own, he/she will do a complete un-fil, removing all Fluid from the band, along with it all restriction, which will also give the band a chance to rest and the pouch return to normal. I have been banded for 5 years...I believe I can detect when my pouch is beginning to stretch....and because of this I will do, as the only maintenance I can think of, is go all liquids for 2-3 days...usually 2 days is enough, to give everything a chance to rest and re-set so to speak.. Then everything is as good as new....

This was me, about 8 years ago? Surgery was 5 years ago. Diabetic, one heart attack. (for starters) You can see why. This is me, a few days ago (Christmas Eve) with my new Grandkids (twins) I will be 64 in 2 weeks. 100+ Lbs down, feel 1/2 my age.....little or no health issues. This is my favorite time of year...the parties started a few weeks ago. At least 3-4 that were work related, plus one my Wife gave for her employees and their families. Plus it seemed as though every hospital/clinic I went to for the past 2 weeks has had some sort of in-house luncheons, etc. Then there came Christmas eve, which is a big tradition for my family, then Christmas morning at my Daughters for a large brunch... Back to our house for our Christmas dinner that evening. Today we are off to my Brother-in-laws out of state for a full day... After this, comes New Years with dinners and full days of watching College football... I'm not so concerned about gaining weight, been here before since surgery and I know my Band and how to listen to it.....what I am concerned about is all the unhealthy things I would not normally eat, not to mention the huge spike in alcohol consumption. I do not believe in New Years resolutions, but come Jan. 2, I am going on a 14 day PaleoCleanse to rid my body of all these toxins.... Christmas comes but once a year....and with my new life that surgery has given me, I am enjoying it more now than ever....(I probably would not be here without it)

The only thing I miss is a good deli style sandwich !! ( do not and cannot tolerate breads) And since I don't, (cannot) eat meat, I do miss a sandwich made from pastrami, corned beef, etc. Go to a good delicatessen or diner and have one of these sandwiches with french fries (something else I no longer eat) cole slaw and a pickle. Maybe a triple decker club sandwich! But all in all I do not miss being fat, unhealthy, and a pig! Not to mention what others thought of me. I'll take this healthy, fit life any day! Also, unlike others, I do still enjoy things like soda, beer, alcohol, ice cream, etc, etc....I am NOT on a diet!!! This is different than a diet.