B-52

Is this a new thing you're experiencing.? I go weeks and everything is fine, then I go through periods just like you described. Just came off a week like that where anything I eat was difficult, and sometimes painful, not tomentionthe reflux. I give my band a complete rest, nothing but Soups and very soft, gentle I tell myself if this keeps up I will call the Dr. This week everything is back to the way I am used to. It did pass. I'm my case, I feel I sometimes "abuse" my band, possibly causing irritation, inflammation, etc. Like injuring a ankle, I stay off it for a while. But that's just me. And I can only tell things about me personally. You need to do what YOU feel is best for YOU. There are too many people here telling other people what they should and should not do. In my profession that's considered unethical and would go before a medical review board. But here, anyone can call themselves a expert.

Just be aware, it does not happen over night.....takes months to get there. Your bands needs to be properly adjusted, and you need to learn new rules and habits untill they become automatic.

I agree...it has to be something you want. I wanted, and needed this more than anything.... If they told me all I could ever eat again was bread and Water for the rest of my life, AND promised me I would never be hungry, I would still ask "Where do I sign up" food is my enemy....it has done more harm than good. I am thrilled that the band has taken away my hunger and cravings...I don't miss it. But back to your question, is your band properly adjusted? Have you, or did you have adequate restriction? Comfortably in the Green Zone? Many people complain about this and that, and they have not even gotten out of the adjustment phase yet! Took me 7 months to find my "Groove" If you were at the point once, then I would recommend at least 1 full week of liquids to shrink your pouch, and get your head straight. Then re-introduce food slowly and correctly, same as you did for the post surgery routine. In other words, start over as if it was the day after surgery.

Definitely takes away my hunger.....most times, when it comes to food, I am simply not interested. I have gone full 24 hr days without eating anything substantial. Just little Snacks here and there. But I am sure to get my Protein, even if it means liquid supplements. And speaking for myself, I have NEVER felt full. There is never enough food in my stomach to get those feelings as I used to.

Our last cruise, I lost weight also... I decided to go for it and be a complete hedonist for 9 days........didn't care what I would eat, drink, etc....was going to put the band to the test!!!!! Know what? The band was right there doing it's job....no matter what I put on my plate, or how much, the portion size I could eat was no different than any other day. And the types of food I cannot tolerate didn't change just because I was on ship. Sure I snacked all day....but it all worked out. (skinny people snack too....it's part of the new life) That's the thing about the band....there is nothing you can do to make it less effective than what it is adjusted to do.... Now if you don't have adequate restriction, and you're always fighting the over eating and cravings....that's another story. Plus I was doing my daily 5K's at 5:30 every morning, always took the stairs, had bottled Water in my hands at all times, and took my Protein supplements. I LOVE my band....best (and easiest) thing I have ever done for weight loss.

Isn't it amazing, that people who tell you that you have lost enough or you are loosing too much weight, are over weight themselves?? A normal or skinny person will compliment you on how you look every time. just realized this little tidbit....

I was told everyone has a "Set Point" also, that your body will tell you when you're good. You really can't eat more unless you get a un fill...which is a option if need be, All my surgeon and PCP have to say is they are very pleased with my progress. Not much else. BMI's are only good to a point, there are different body compositions. Example;, last year's super bowl, there is a running back for the NE patriots who I noticed he is the same height as me, although he weighs 20lbs more than me. I'm classified as overweight, he would be classified as "obese".....I Don't think so....look at a picture of him and you can't see a ounce of fat. It comes down to "Body Fat %"...which can be more accurate regardless of one's weight. Getting access to one of those scales can be difficult. There is one at a hospital I go to now and then. last time I checked I was in the "Fit" class. Below that would be "Athletic", then "Unhealthy". I really need to stop listening to other people.

It's the program I used to start running.....downloaded it on my I-Pod so I can listen to my favorite music. It is a 9 week proggram, which took me 12 weeks (at least) to complete. Whenever I hit a wall and could not complete a given week, I would go back and repeat the previous week then move back into the week that gave me a problem. I now run 5K every morning. I have no desire to move up, just to keep getting better at this level. Many people jump right into the 25K program...I do not advise that for starters. Also, I did not start the 5K program form the geginning. I was getting my cardio (and breathig technique) on the elliptical for years and after the weight came off, I was ready to take it to the next level. Everday after I run, I immediatley get back on the elliptical to extend my workout without lowering my BPM.

I'm still struggling with the question....when do you know you have lost enough weight? For you new people who don't know me, I work in the Medical Field, primarily pediatrics, and travel to different Hospitals and facilities throughout the week for clinics/evals, so I am with a different Medical team every day. I get daily feedback, everything from how good and healthy you look, to you'e looking emaciated and you need to stop loosing. I have been told the body will naturally level out and stop loosing when it has reached a normal state. I have never felt better, I run 5K everyday at 6am, 7 days a week, plus gym time with weights and other cardio. I am definitley burning more calories than I am consuming (required 500/day above) Bottom line, I really have no control over this. If it was a "Tool" I could control it. Only thing I could do is to remove some Fluid from the band allowing me to eat more. But is that the answer? Or should I just let it play itself out naturally. What has other people done when they came to that point?? It's not easy dealing with being skinny

Well I guess I'm the exception. A tool, like a hammer, is something I choose to use or not. The band on the other hand, I have little or no control over, like a hammer. I cannot over eat, no matter how hard I try, and I have tried. My portion sizes ate automatic. I do not need to measure or weigh my food as if I was on a diet.uy hunger and cravings are completely under control, I sometimes have to forceyaeld to sit down and have something to eat. The only thing I need to do is make wise food choices which is not rocket science. True, I'm the beginning I has to learn all the rules, learn a new way of eating, etc. But once I got past all that, and found my groove, it has been the easiest thing I could have ever done. It is a life changing experience. I don't even think about the band on most days. I now love a normal life, the same way skinny people do. I tell my Dr. Everything, and he wishes all his patients were as happy and satisfied with their new life as I am. I guess it's different for everyone, and I will not tell people how to run their life, especially if they are 100% successful. I can only be a witness to my own experience, as everyone else does, and let readers decide.

I never understood what the big problem is. What's wrong with looking them directly in the eye and simply say you are trying to eat right and take care of yourself? Plenty of people are doing that. Do people feel bad because they can't be gluttons?

I always find it interesting how anyone can even eat any pizza at all. Low carb, fake crust, whatever. Just goes to show how different people's journey to success can be.

Your goal creeps up on you....it's not like you open a present on Christmas Morning, and then celebrate. You celebrate along the way with buying new clothes, doing new things, etc, etc. By the time you reach your goal, it is just another day, other than the mental aspect of reaching a goal. Along the way, I rewarded myself dozens of times.

I welcome those days...makes up for the days there is less restriction. I have gone complete 24hr periods with no eating at all. Most of the time is because I'm simply not interested in eating. That simple. I just go with it. I never worry about counting calories. just listening to my band. Get your Water, Protein (Sometime liquid) Vitamins, etc....daily requirements.

My Dr. let me return to the gym after 1 week, but told me to go easy with the weights. But it was not long after that I was doing anything and everything....never had any problems. I start with 30 minutes running, 30-45 minutes with weights, and finish with 20-40 minutes on the elliptical. After 2 months I would say you should be fine. BTW, I recently finished the "Couch to 5K" It did take me more than 9 weeks. I had problems getting through certain weeks. When that happened I would go back and repeat the previous week, then re-enter the week that was giving me problems. The program does work well, because when I reached the last 2 weeks, I was able to get through them with no problem. It became repititious. It's all about confidence. Everytime you get on the treadmill, and ater 5 minutes that voice says you can't do this, just keep telling yourself you already have the previous sessions and there is no reason you can't complete this session. You've done it before, of course you can do it again. The program is set up that way to give you confidence in each new session.

Not unless there is an underlying cause.

No doubt about that...my energy levels keep risinfg all the time (heck with starvation therories and lack of metabolism) I've been going to the gym for a few years now. I have completed the "Couch to 5K" program, and now, every day at the gym, run for 30 minutes on the treamill along with my other routine activities. There are days I can't get enough.

That's why I stopped eating lunch. I just snack here and there during the day. Who says you HAVE to sit down and have a meal.

Eat less and exercise more!! Works for me. I also stopped counting calories.

If you look at my Profile Pic, I am cleverly holding a bottle of beer in front of it!

I don't advocate it for people starting out or still dieting..... I am at he point, where the band is "Simply There" and I now live, and eat, and do everything else, the same way thin people do. And thin people eat ice cream! Some people may not understand that, but you will. It is the "New Normal" which in fact is not new at all. just to us!

Love Ice Cream....have it a few times a week.

Ever since I was baned this has been an ongoing question. I have always said mine looks like a golf ball under my skin. Well going through our vacation photos, I found one that shows it. It is attached to the abdomen muscles, right under the skin because there is no longer a fat layer as a barrier. I can feel every nook and cranny. Also, if you look close you can see the tube come out the side towards the center before it goes deep. I once had a kink in my tubing preventing a fill. It was easy for the Dr. to palpate the tube and straighten it out. I never worry about the port flipping. A one armed blind man can give me a fill. Heck, I could do them myself. (I've considered carrying a syringe on vacations in case I need to do a emergency un fill 1000's of miles from home.) So, say hello to my little friend "Lumpy"

Thank You all.....yes, I feel like a new person. The band definitley changed my life.

Well, your body is a temple......