B-52

You're gonna find many people who know how to tolerate carbonation....with their Dr.'s blessing.... I drink beer...soda's I gave up long before being banded for obvious health reasons....but I have a beer or two..or three...at least once a week....

That is the best encouragement you can give anyone...that there IS A LIFE AFTER THIS PROCESS.....beyond many peoples imaginations....

Maintaining is the easiest part....just live the new lifestyle you have learned, from day to day..... And remain active....I found my running covers a multitude of sins... Have not gained or lost anything in over a year.... Congratulations.....NO MORE DIETING AND FEAR OF BEING OVERWEIGHT (providing the band remains a constant) Freedom From Fear!!! It doesn't get any better than this....

You guys make me want to go for a ride also.........with the top down on my Beamer..... Soon, very soon....

Bandstee Hell....that time between surgery and the when your bad finally starts doing what it was designed to do....in between it is business as usual with dieting, etc, as though you never had the surgery at all... a very frustrating period for those seeking moire than a diet..... Green Zone: is where you're at when your band is finanlly adjusted properly,m and working at peak performance - pure HEAVEN......NO HUNGER (not sure where between meals comes from since the band is there 24/7) PORTION CONTROL....with hunger and cravings under control, the pouch size determines amount of food able to eat at one sitting, impossible to over eat!! And STEADY WEIGHT LOSS..effortless lifestyle....and when you have those three, how can you not have PATIENT SATISFACTION.....NO COMPLAINTS or WHINING!!! I have been in the Green Zone since 4 months after my surgery...the bandster hell time....and have not gained or lost any weight in over a year.....and still living day to day without a care about weight issues anymore.... Of course the band is adjustable so everyone has the choice to choose where on the chart they would like to be......some in green, some just below or at the borderline.....

It's 5 am, Sunday...on my 2nd cup of coffee...will be at the gym when they open at 6..... Protein Shot...what I really mean is 30ml...which is roughly the size of a Shot Glass....which I use...so I got used to saying "protein Shot"

Many of these rules they have you follow are not hard and fast....they are more exercises to get you into new habits....one day you will realize why they had you do these little things, and one day you will realize you cannot survive without following these rules...... I'm not sure this will make much sense if you are new to this....but trust me...it's coming....

I'm at the gym between 5-6 am, 5 days a week....on a empty stomach, other than my morning coffee, vitamins, supplements, and a shot of pure liquid protein.....I'll have a high protein recovery shake afterwards for my breakfast...(I have not, and cannot, eat food in the morning...band too tight)

There have many discussions about this and that, and there have been as many different theories and practices...... So I decided to post how I live with the band, day in and day out, and have been for over 18 months now (since hitting Green) This is not what I THINK, or what I have been told, or taught......I am simply stating how it works for me and how I get along day to day..... I should also say it has all become second nature...a new habit, lifestyle....don't really think about it all that much and there is little or no work involved. People use the term "Full"...I have never felt full ever since being banded...I experience something totally different. But for argument sake and since everyone relates to that term. I will use it here.... I feel "FULL" 24/7....I am always Full...and it has nothing to do with what or when I eat...It is because the band is there 24/7 sending the message to my brain that I am full, whether I have eaten or not... Notice I did not say "between meals"...the band is always there...not just between meals....so the sensation is always there....Like it says in the "Green Zone"..I am simply "Not Hungry" Period.... 2nd, in relation to people saying they eat enough to feel full, I do experience something like that...but it has to do with the band setting my portion sizes...I have not measured/weighed portions (or counted calories) since 3-4 months after my surgery....I rely on the band to tell me when to stop.....Again, another characteristic of the Green Zone..Portion Sizes....and it has worked out just fine for me all this time....it was my Dr. who told me not to get hung up over calories, etc, but instead, learn to "Listen" and obey your band..... People say drinking while eating will wash food down....if this is true then it would be bad news for me because it would increase the size of my portions....and I would start to gain weight.... But right now it is impossible to over eat...the band/pouch simply will not allow it.... As far as "Sliders"...cannot do....one thing people here do not talk about is that after eating so little for so long, your normal stomach cannot tolerate what it used to....so if I did attempt to eat say, lots of ice cream, I feel it right away and would get an old fashioned tummy ache.....so I can eat very little slider food...including Soup... I know i is different for everyone here, and it is up to each individual to choose how they want to work with their band...it is adjustable.... But this is how it is for me....every day......

No offense....but I feel too many people get too paranoid about possible problems like slippage, erosion, etc.... It is not as common as one might think....yes people come here stating their problems with the band....but it is only a very, very small percentage of people compared to those who don't have any problems at all.... One thing I have noticed....this website is made up entirely of people either just starting out, looking for advice because they really don't have a clue, or people who are experiencing some sort of problem and also come here looking for advice..... The overwhelmingly majority of people with no problems at all, have been successful and completed the process, have no reason to come here and are all long gone... I know, I belong to a private group of veterans who USED to be here, and tell me all the time they have no desire to return.....and question why I am aa glutton for punishment.....because there is nothing to gain by coming here..... So my advice is to chill, take it easy, listen to your Dr., and don't get caught up into everything you read here......Don't loose sight of the Forrest because of the trees.... That's would be like saying "I don't like summertime activities because people talk about being struck by Lightning...." Yet you will not hear from those who are out there enjoying themselves everyday, and have no reason to complain or talk about it....or look for advice and suggestions....

I have not had any medical complications since being banded....I have spoken with ER people and one Doc in particular and they say they are not that familiar with the band and not always sure what to do....if you call that a complication....so they generally do a complete unfil....whether it is warranted or not...then instruct you to go see your Surgeon.... I have a friend who went to the ER, they were not sure if he was having cardiac issues or a CVA....they immediately did a complete un fill.... When I travel out of the country I carry a syringe with me with a large bore needle.....

I cannot run without spandex type underwear...... and although I have stopped loosing weight, I am still dropping sizes because exercise keeps changing body shape and muscle/skin tone....

First, I am not a believer that liquid go straight thru the band....depending upon how tight you are.... It's 4 am, having my first cup of coffee....have not had any food in 10 hours at least.... I can the coffee sit in my pouch, and pass through the band like Water circling a slow drain...also making the infamous "Gurgling" noises...I'm always tightest in the morning....and the pouch relaxes - stretches as the day goes on (looser also a misnomer) I have even had water come right back up if I "Gulp"..drink too much too fast.... So no,,,water does not pass right thru the band..... I am also a believer that the pouch...same as the stomach...naturally stretches and contracts like a balloon....and being unaware of this will cause dilation...just like the "Beer Belly" I used to have.....Thus the 5-day pouch test I do at least once a month for my only maintenance... I do not believe water washes th food down....I believe water with food adds to the volume of what's already siting in the pouch waiting to pass through the band ...possible causing extreme dilation and maybe slippage? I know this to be true from experience....If I drink water while eating, it will cause EXTREME PAIN.....and more often than not come right back up..... In the early days, I have used this to my advantage when I got stuck....sip warm water...adding to the volume causing it ALL to come out and out....No More Stuck! Although I have not been stuck in over a year now.... Off Topic...I am always amazed how someone will make a statement....and it keeps getting repeated until it becomes fact....my question is...have you ever EXPERIENCED It? Or are you just repeating it....

There are 100's of people here on this forum that will say the same thing....time and patience....let it happen.... And as far as I'm concerned...My Opinion....that talk of weight loss pre-op and a few weeks after does not mean a thing to me....sure it feels good to loose, but it is not the meat and potatoes yet....

This is UN-SCIENTIFIC....but I remember reading an article, that we are "Primitive" hunter / gatherers......and to survive periods of famine/drought, etc, our bodies store what is needed to sustain life as body fat....those times when there is no food to be found..... This always stuck in my mind...and when I exercise or think about weight loss....I think this is a time of famine and this would be that time to use that body fat I have been accumulating.... We exercise to burn calories and excess fat, right? I've done, and do some unconventional things, at least to people on this forum, but I did burn my excess fat, including loose skin (body tone)..and never felt lack of energy in the process.... Just saying....

Just read Jim1967 blog that got me thinking...he was right to say there seems to be a lot of posts from people upset, discouraged and frustrated..... And I am going to assume the majority of these posts are from people recently banded..... I too was EXTREMELY frustrated.....I was convinced, after all the preparation and hoops I had to jump through, this was all a sham and a big waste of my time..... I wanted this WLS so bad......my insurance required me to do the 6 month medical supervised diet...My surgical center did not offer at the time so I had to enroll in a weight loss center, and go once a week for $150 a visit...out of pocket...for 3 months, then down to every 2 weeks for the remainder....but I was willing to pay....ANYTHING to have my life turned around..... After surgery, one month post-op phase, no change....then I had my first fill, 4 cc's...after that I GAINED WEIGHT....cannot tell you how angry I was!! I was told I needed to count my calories....measure my portions...keep a food log......WHAT???? I'm not saying that stuff is bad, but did ZI need surgery to do it??? I just got finished doing that for 6 months... Not to mention every other diet I have ever been on... I cannot describe my frustration and ANGER!! Fortunately, my Dr. calmed me down, and took the time to describe the whole process to me step by step.....explained how the band works, what the fills were for, and that his job was to get me into the Green Zone which might take some time....but PATIENCE was the key...... Is it perhaps Dr.'s are too busy to explain things to new patients that makes them frustrated??? After all that....I am at my "Normal" weight and body fat %....I have not lost any weight in over a year...my Dr. says there is nothing left for me to loose..... In the beginning, I felt, like many here, that this was just not going to work....might as well get the thing taken out..and I told my Dr. that!..... BUT..It DID WORK!...took a little time, and understanding, and above all patience..... I get on the scale twice a day...and NOTHING EVER CHANGES...YES!!!!! No matter what I do! So hang in there...good things come to those that wait....you did not gain all this weight in 20 days, and you're not going to loose it overnight.......but take it from other people here on this forum...this surgery DOES WORK..just be patient and let it happen...... So much for my rant.....

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!

Really? John Fitzgerald Kennedy?? Actually it is also a large hospital in Edison.....

I order BIG at restaurants...because I know Doggy Bags will last me 2 more meals at home!!

Is this your first fill??? Ok, this is just me talking...but I think people have it backwards...or am I misunderstanding something.....you're supposed to get fill(s) in order to loose weight...if you're already loosing, then you do not need an adjustment...and if you're really good at loosing you did not need the band at all.... What is the band supposed to do? And why is it adjustable? Even after my first fill of 4 cc, I GAINED weight...my Dr. assured me it was no big deal because the band was not where it should be yet.....

It's all part of the normal healing process..Post Surgical Inflammation..fluid retention, although not the same most people can usually relate to. You are also pumped with fluids (saline) during surgery for that reason also, knowing your body is going to use fluids to heal....... twist your ankle and watch it swell....well your entire abdominal cavity has just undergone trauma...... Another reason people should not get on the scale for a few weeks after surgery...it's about healing and getting back to normal at this point...THEN you will go back and see your surgeon and THEN the weight loss procedure will begin once you are cleared.......

Maybe yes, maybe no.....many people feel the effects after a fill...due to inflammation, but then it goes away within a month.... Many people I Know get a little "taste" or "Tease" of the good things to come....either way you are right at the doorstep...if it goes away, maybe as little as 1/2 cc will be all you need to get you back.......... Curious...you say you feel full?? Or is it more of a feeling that you just do not want to, or cannot, continue eating....... Also, you are not hungry between meals...understood...but when it comes time for a meal, are you sincerely hungry? or is it just that you know you need to eat...and it's time to eat....

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....

After my first fill, (4cc's) I gained weight within that month before my 2nd fill........felt like a failure and the Dr. would be upset...turns out he laughed at me....asked me what did I expect?? He then took the time to fully explain the reasons for the fills, what the Green Zone is, and until the band is properly adjusted it will be nothing more than my own will power....(bandster hell) Which we both knew I did not have...if I did I wouldn't be in his office in the first place, having failed so many times at so many diets.....I needed WLS to do what I could not do. .. ..

My Dr. has this chart hanging on the wall in each exam room....early on, within the first 4-5 months, he would always refer to it and explained that the "Green Zone" was the goal we were to achieve by adjusting the band a little at a time..... (fills) Not Hungry....24/7 for me, not just between meals as some suggest. The band is always there, so is it's effects.... Portion Control....band lets me eat just so much per sitting...then I'm finished.... Good weight loss.... Patient Satisfaction....when you have the first three, how can you not be satisfied with the surgery.... \ \ It took me 4-5 months to get there, then another month or two to figure out what was going on and adjust myself and behaviors...Been there ever since with no additional fills needed.