B-52

Too much common sense around here!

My Neice and her friends are really into this...they travel to event all over...she has been trying to get me to do it....MAYBE...we'll see.

True...unfortunately there are people who will argue with the "Life Experiences which are more fact based"....it happens here on this forum all the time.....maybe people just refuse something could possibly be true....or they don't like their views being challenged by other peoples even if it is fact based upon personal experiences with successful outcomes....

I can say firsthand, in healthcare, the more responsibility you give a patient the higher the chances of non-compliance.....

I'm not speaking about WLS, but in my field we attempt to make things as "Idiot Proof" as possible.....tamper proof, permanent, etc.

After seeing patients all day, having ONE who comes in and clearly is involved and plays their part makes your day...the entire staff feels good...because the others just make you roll your eyes.....

I work primarily in pediatrics, so it is the Parents who we are dealing with when it comes to the child's care.....there are parents who are very involved, listen intently to everything you say, ask questions, and when they come for a follow up appointment you can plainly see your instructions were carried out....and then there are parents who can't take responsibility for themselves let alone making sure their child.....they act as though they are too busy, not enough time...and they feel it is YOUR job to do it...that's what they're paying you for, right? Maybe the word I'm looking for is "Lazy"

I can understand, as it is a known fact, that when you give a patient control over their prescribed plan, you can only hope.....

I'll be honest, I've done this long enough that I can size someone up at the first meeting and know our work is cut out for us.....the term used is someone is "High Maintenance"

Lap band surgery success relies entirely on patient compliance.....and if a particular Dr. has had many non-compliant patients, it is enough to pull your hair out.

You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.....this is one of the main reasons for the pre-op Physc eval....

All one has to do is read this forum enough to see there are as many different approaches, philosophies, theories as to how to be successful with the band as there are stars.....I read things all the time and scratch my head "where on earth did they learn that"?....as I'm sure people say about my success story.

But I keep my mouth shut and yet read everyday about people's failures, frustrations, and sadly totall regret to ever having this surgery. Sad....but there are many "High Maintenance" people here.....

Sometimes, it is easier to keep it cut and dried, black and white, it is what it is, take away the adjustability with as little patient control as possible.....

I quess everyone is different....aside from the first 6 months to maybe a year, it was tough...downright hell....

But now it is easy breezy....I may have desires and cravings, but the band is there to prevent me from doing something stupid....but then I'm very rarely hungry..

Green Zone says "Not Hungry", "Portion Control", "Steady Weight loss" resulting in "Patient Satisfaction"......for me, it does not get any easier than that....what more do I need to do?

Granted, not everyone gets there...I have my opinions why, but that is all they are...Opinions so I'll not say.....

All one has to do is scan through the posts on this website and you can see how many people are frustrated everyday....

So yes, telling people it is "easy breezy" is not sincere or accurate because many people will not experience it.....

When I first started this journey, my Surgeon showed me the "Yellow-Green-Red" chart, and he said THIS is where our goal is....this is what I want for you....and I never doubted him and that was always my goal......

I am also glad I did not find this website till AFTER I had my surgery...otherwise I'm not sure where I would be today....too many mixed signals, too easy to get confused as opposed to a single source and goal....

But then, that's just me and my experience with the band.

A tree that size runs around $500, but we did a total clean up, including sweeping, raking and blowing. When we are done, you'd never know we were there. We didn't grind the stump (that would be extra), just cut it flush to the ground as it wasn't in the lawn. It's hard work and I really want to be in better health so it's easier.

You look great! Congrats!

Thanks, just wondering...so safely under a $1000(east coast prices)....I have a tree that will have to come down eventually in the future...

What is the approximate cost to remove a tree that size?

General info for future reference.

Thanks

"Right now, I want to succeed, but the fear is that the greater the success the more terrible will be the tragedy of my eventual failure. Yes, I know this is not a productive thought process, but as we all know the band only works on your stomach, not your head."

Every diet I have ever been on, I was extremely successful, some of them for 6 months or more!!! Only to fail, have everything revert back to as it was before....if not worse. not to mention what it did for my self esteem and self confidence.

Now, with the band, as good as my progress was, I was scared as all heck tha eventually the bubble was going to burst, as before so many times, and I would be as depressed as can be...surgery being my last resort.

But slowly and surley my confidence rose, realizing that this is different. That this is real!

I put it to the test...we were on a cruise, 9 nights, surrounded by all the food and drink one can ever want any time of day....I decided to let it hang out there and see what the band would do...not even think about it, just be as natural as can be....

I did exercise every morning, had a case of water deliverd to our stateroom, and brought protein shots with me to have one per day first thing in the morning...other than that I was just a guy on vacation out to enjoy himself.....and get his moneys worth.

Bottom line...I did not gain a single pound....my little experiment showed the band is the same no matter where I am or what may be put before me....

I now now know this is for real! This is different indeed......I told my Dr. this once and he said "You Had Surgery..what did you expect?" (DUH)

Asisde from some medical issue that may arise, (which aslo scares me and I analyze every post) this is not going to change.....(knock on wood)

See if they have any "Turkish Delight"

I'm not a big narnia fan as much as I am a big CS Lewis fan....

I know a successful bandster, been banded and at goal for over 5 years now....and all she does is Graze all day, or another eway is to say she has 5-6 small snack meals a day...

you have to look at the TOTAL food eaten within a day...not always the traditional 3 meals a day....

I tend to graze now and then...especially weekends stuck in the house on cold days.....but when I do, I do not have any meals either...so it all evens out, if not coming out ahead...

I get on the scale twice a day...first thing in the morning at home, and later at the gym.....

I have not lost weight in over a year..Dr. says there is nothing left to loose....getting on the scale just makes me feel good to see my weight is good and holding steady....makes my day!

If I have any fears, it would be a steady increase in weight.......but other than the day to day 2-3 lbs up then 2-3 lbs down, all is Status Quo....

But to the point....PATIENCE is the key...let the band do it's job, and above all don't get in it's way....PATIENCE and you'll ALL get there.....Promise!

Very nice post...it is very hard for people who overeat and are obese, to comprehend just how much we actually ate, and how little we actually need to eat normally....

I never could have imagined or accept how little I eat in a day now.... nor could I have done it on my own with some diet system....but as the band progressed, I also changed gradually until a new lifestyle developed.....

Like you, no matter what I may have on my plate, taco's or whatever...there is just so much I am able to eat....and as long as I'm not fighting hunger and climbing the walls, it's all Ok with me....I have never felt better....

Well said....there is a life after lap band...

I am Now NORMAL...I no longer diet, count calories or measure/weigh food portions (not that I needed to with the band)

I go to parties, drink beer, enjoy life's little culinary pleasures, EVERYTHING a normal person does....don't run away from cookies, ice cream, chips and dip......I just don't make a pig of myself...ANYMORE

A normal person ALSO, as you have pointed out, EATS LESS...they may do it out of habit, I do it because of corrective surgery....(bu they don't need to know that)

A normal person ALSO stays very active....whether in the gym, cycling, kyacking, hiking, sports, WHATEVER..ALL of the above....

We call it diet and exercise...they don't even think about it...just enjoy it....and call it NORMAL

There IS LIFE AFTER all of this....there is an end....

I am a cardiac patient....one heart attack, coronary artery disiease, surgery......

I take "LOVAZA" every morning....and it has definitley made a difference in my cholesterol......to say the least....

LOVAZA is Rx only, and last refill cost $250...Inurance paid...it is not gummies.....

You won't get me to stop....

Wearing a heart monitor and staying within zone 3-4 is the only workouts I will do....all cardio, 85% of max. heart rate..based upon your age....

I have found that running is the most efficient way to get there, but cycling and elliptical worked well also....but you have to increase the resistance to get your heart rate up....

I work with special needs kids everyday...all of them if you know what I mean......it's what I specialize in....and I know, as does the rest of the staff, all about "Special Needs Moms"....and the extrordinary gifts they have....can put me to shame with no problem any day of the week....

I also deal with some other Moms, well, lets just say it's a shame...

Nicely said.....

This site is for education and encouragement to all who have undergone WLS.....there are many newbies, and many veterans....

The best advice anyone can give is to tell their own story and experiences...both Good and BAD....

I have learned more from reading people's hardships believe it or not....

I stayed away for a while....many people were being very closed minded, self proclaimed experts...telling people what they should and should not do....telling people

"This is the way it it is....there is no variation, regardless what others may say"

And yet you look at their profile and see their just starting out themselves....

When someone asks a question, for advice, and I an relate, I will ONLY respond with what I have found to be true, from my own experience, period.

If life were only that cut and dried....

What is true for one person, may not be true for the next person....why would someone get angry because someone else has a different approach?

And has the success to back it up?

For instance...the classic question is "How much CC's should I have in my band to make it work?"

And people would actually say what is acceptable and what is not!! How dare they!! What one person has and works for them can and will be totally different from the next....what is important is that the reader sees there are variations and sees what is, and what is not, working for everyone.

YES!!!!! Just keep that blood flowing to the furthest parts of your body!!! Use it or loose it!

Very well written, and I respect your "opinion"

And people need to hear everyone's opinion.

In my case, this has not been hard at all! After the first 6 months were out of the way, it became very simple and easy , for me.

I too have lost all my weight, and I wake every morning thanking God I can face he day the same way any other skinny person can, not afraid of eating wrong, and not afraid of gaining weight.....

I can't wait to face the day, with no fear....what can possibly happen?

Like I said, everyone has their opinion, and that is mine....and that is what these boards are all about....people being banded and sharing their personal experiences....and people need to hear it all.

You are correct to say people should not be so judgemental. People should only respond by sharing what their experiences have been.....period.

Thank You

Keep in mind, you have to burn more calories than you take in...so if you consume 1000 calories per day, you would need to burn app. 1500 calories the same day. And that formula is for a weight loss of 1 lb per week....multiply the calories burned per day for more.....

If you have trouble burning calories (lack of exercise, etc) then consume less.....

I NEVER counted calories, let the band dictate portion sizes and I made wise food choices.......and paid very close attention to my protein and water intake to sustain my metabolism and vital organ functions............

I have studied the "Starvation" mode very closely when I was first banded, and from a Physiology standpoint it makes perfect sense...for a NORMAL WEIGHT person....

It does not take into effect overweight people have a lot of fat stored to get through many famines.....as a matter of fact I WANT my body to rely on that stored energy source........just get your protein so your body does not turn on other important things you don't want to loose.

That's always been my philosopy, and my body fat % is now very, very low.....as far as metabolism, I have more than enough energy with some to spare...

I read somewhere....If you need to eat to loose weight...then none of us would be fat...

It's all about burning calories versus calories consumed...always has, always will be. And the band is there to stop us from consuming to many calories...

Yes, I'm hooked also....it also kick started another weight loss for me which I did not think I had left in me.

You should try the audio version. Plays your own music, and has audio prompts telling you when to jog and walk. If you use it on your I-pod, it has a video timer also.

$1.99 for the app.

Read your blog quickly, and the one thing that jumped out at me is your statement "I have done nothing but fight with this band"

One thing I learned, is that the band takes control of me. I cannot fight it. people call it a tool, which I do not like the term. A tool is something I use, I have control over.

The band has control over me. The sooner I learned that lesson, that I needed to change to the way the band works, the sooner things began to work for me.

people underestimate how important foot care is. I have had many skin problems, I go to a podiatrist every 3 months, and have seen a dermatologist on a regular basis.

having lost the weight, my feet, for the most part are normal.

I still go to the podiatrist......hey, if the insurance will pay for a pedicure performed by a expert....who am I to argue??

First, I don't understand how this is possible. Does the band suddenly stop doing it's function? The band gives me restriction to the point it is impossible to over eat! Does that change in 5 years? I don't know, I have only been banded for a year.

Second...if I loose weight, to get to to a normal BMI which I have never had since High School....40 years ago.....THERE IS NO WAY I WILL LET MYSELF GET FAT EVER AGAIN!!!!

Once I'm there, I'm not going to let it go. SIMPLE!

I as banded last Jan. Dead of winter, short days, is the best time to loose weight IMO, eh?