B-52

My Dr released me after one week also, but then caught himself and said "go easy on the weight lifting"

I am wondering how many people believe they should get a "minimum" amount of calories per day, and why. Also, if you are concerned about getting you calorie intake, why are weight losers so concerned about burning calories to loose weight? If your Dr. says you should get 1000 calories a day, and you burn 500 a day at the gym, does that mean you should get 1500 a day to make up the difference? Would that negate the workout and calorie burning you did that day? Or perhaps if your Dr. says you need 1000, and you know you'll burn 500 at the gym, then maybe you can just get 500 daily intake and say screw the gym. I'm just wondering.

I can be social and not eat much. Did it today at a BD party at work. Had a very small amount on my plate, which I picked at and never finished. Yet talked and laughed up a storm with everyone just the same. I did not watch them eat, and I doubt they were watching me.

I want so much to get a Harley as in my younger days....but my wife will either leave me or have me committed for sure. I'm gonna do some surfing this summer, I have 2 boards the kids left behind.

I do cardio everyday...running on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Then I alternate upper and lower body weight training every other day. I finish my workouts with a additional 30 minutes on the elliptical.

Whatever you add covers the tase...or adds to it...fruit, blueberries, strawberries, Peanut Butter....

I am 60 yeatrs old...have met my goal weight after 1 year...feel like I am 25 years younger. My current weight is now the same as it was before I was married...37 years ago. Was thinking the other day..at one point I was seeing the following Dr.s: Some every 30 days, others every 3 months PCP - Internal medicine Endocrinologist Cardiologist Dermatologist Bariatric Surgeon Podiatrist. Not to mention Dentist every 3 months, and optometrist every 12 months. Since loosing all This weight, that list has become less frequent. I don't see my Endocrinologist anymore, and I only see my bariatric Surgeon every 6 months. dermatologist was as frequent as every month, now once a year. All my medical conditions, Rx meds, have been drasticly reduced if not reversed.

Get a good blender...I use 2 scoops of 100% whey, then add a pure liquid Protein supplement,. 10 oz's of Water. After that you can add anything you like for flavoring....frsh berries, 1/2 bananna, fresh fruit, Peanut Butter....anything. I'm going to experiment with a shot of expresso one of these days. I have been doing this for over a year now for breakfast...45 grams of protein, less than 300 calories. It gives me energy and curbs my appetite for the entire day. I spoke with my Dr. about this, and he agrees there is nothing I could possibly eat (eggs, etc) that would come close to this. Not to mention, you pouch is very small and anything you try to eat is very limited in volume. And, I have already mey 1/2 of my daily protein requirment so getting the balance in for the rest of th day is easy...seeing how I don't eat that much food in any one day anymore. So I don't have to worry about over eating either.

Break in down into phases....you are now in phase #2, adjustment phase. This phase can take months to get through, provided you follow your Dr.'s plan. The first phase being surgery, pre and post op. After the 2nd phase you will enter a 3rd phase where things will change dramatically, and all the lessons you are learning now will truly come into play for real. That is when the real weight loss journey begins, bringing with it new lessons to be learned, and not just dieting as before.

I am "Old School" In other words I like to keep it simple and not over think it. "The less you eat, the more you loose" I hear people say all the time...I'm not loosing..I need another fill. Why? Is it because a tighter band will make you eat less? Of course it does...then why worry about not eating enough at the same time you want another fill to eat less??? Of course, you need your Protein, Vitamins and Water.

I agree 100%...you have to listen to your band if you want to be succssful. When the band says "Stop Eating", you have to stop. It is easy, at that point to just put it aside for 15 minutes then continue continue eating. When you think about it, you could do this all day long...thus deeating one of the basic premises of having the band in the first place...portion control! This is one way to "Cheat the Band" and eat your way around it. Ignoring one of the other aspects of the band which is being "Satisfied" (full), and not hungry between meals, all because you want to continue eating something that you enjoy, not because you need to.

I hear many different views. And what I always ask people is this.... Before you got the band...what did you think it was going to do, how do you think it will work, once you have it installed?? In other words, what are your expectataions?

I am one that does not count calories, or worry about portion sizes. If the band restricts what and how much I can eat at any one sitiing, then it is not rocket science to be able to pick the proper foods to eat. IMO. I asked the staff at my Surgeons office once why did they make me go through all that "Dieting" protocol in the beginning if they knew the band would take control, and they said I would be surprised just how many people do not have even the basic understanding of food groups, nutritional values, and the difference between good and bad food choices. So they have to put everybody through the regime to ensure everyone gets a good education right from the get go, for total success later on. It's all part of the total paackage.

I had my first fill at 4 weeks, also when I was starting solid foods. After that I began to gain weight.....unless you are good at dieting you will gain untill your band can take over which may take a little time. I stink at dieting.....that's why I needed surgery. Oh, and all these rules they want you to follow....you need to start them now to learn new eating habits. Because there will come a time, in the near future, when that will be the only way you will be able to eat.

That is Severe heartburn. I have had it a few times untill I figured out what it was. With the band, given a good amount of restriction, goodwill accumulate in your pouch longer, smaller amounts but more concentrated in a smaller area. There fore things we used to eat with ease, spicy foods, will have a greater impact. No more hot sauce for me, mild salsa, and no more hot peppers! Since then, I no longer have heartburn or reflux issues.

Today, I got tired of pick and choosing....EVERYTHING I own that is a XL or bigger got tossed...no mas! I used to be as high as 2XB at one time, but worked my way down one month at a time. Everything left that is a Large, their days are numbered also. Long sleeve shirts have about 2 weeks left before I toss all of them. I have been buying new summer clothes for work and upcoming vacation - MEDIUMS! And they are fitting fine, with the exception of some tighter fitting t-shirts. Down to a 36" waist, 34" with some of my jeans and shorts!! This is a dream come true...but it is NOT about me or what I may or may not have done, I cannot take any credit....God knows I have tried on my own many times in the past with no lasting results at all.... It is ALL about the Band!!! Plain and simple....All you have to do is let the Band do what it is designed to do!

I gave up soda years and years ago....but I still enjoy a beer now and then. Must drink very slowly, and NEVER with anything in your stomach. If I'm at a ballgame, I may have more than one, but I will not eat anything for the entire day.

Ok, here's one I NEVER heard before. I have to go to a Podiatrist every 3 months...have/had problems with my feet from being overweight, Diabetes, etc. One thing I had is SEVERE ingrown toe nails on my big toes, that would grow down the sides and go deep. VERY painful, hard to walk, and has gotten infected a few times. Aside from seeing him every 3 months, surgery is also a option. Well today, he said he was impressed, there was very little problems, especially with the toenail issue. Hardly anything at all! I said thanks, but there is nothing I did to control my toe nail growth. He said your toenails are growing normally...it's your feet that are Skinny! A lot less flesh for the nails to bury into. So there you go...another positive for the band!

Have no Idea what that may mean...I sleep wherever, however I want. As a mattter of fact, I sleep better now than I have in a long tome...must have soomething to do with my air passages and breathing...not to mention my body as a whole is significantly smaller. Only negative is you get cold easier and need an extra blanket...not much of the fat insulation as before. Maybe I'll save on air conditioning bills this summer!!!

Thank You...that's just about what my Dr said also....it just continues, don't expect much in the way of losses. He did not want to give me a unfil, he did not want to see any non gains also.

Thanks...it's a very unsettling feeling....ther must be SOMETING I need to do, some type of goal. Just can't say that's it. It's over. All I can do is stay wih the program which has become a habit now, and continue to exercise to be it and healthy.

Everything remains the same.....your weight slows down to almost a stop. There is nothing else you can or need to do but continue with your new lifestyle. I considered getting a slight unfill, maybe .3 cc but my Dr advised against it. His only concern is that I loose any significant weight because that would not be fat but muscle and other essential tissue at that point. I don't go back to see him untill September.

Went to surgeon yesterday. Aside from complimenting me, he shrugged his shoulders and basically said there is nothing else we need to do. Don't expect much more weight loss,anything more will be a bonus. If anything, he said he would be concerned if I loose anything more significant because that would mean loss of vital tissue and muscle. Body fat % well below 15. So that's it, confirmed by the man himself...definitely on maintence mode now. Only advice given was to continue the high Protein shakes for Breakfast, other meals portions should not be larger than a deck of cards, protein based, Water, Fiber, exercise....see you in September.. 16 months total time.....

Go easy on yourself...you have to look at the BIG Picture! It's the old everyday habits and the old lifestyle that will change eventually. People say they "Slipped Up" as though we were on a diet like weight watchers or something, well it's not. It's all about the band.

Agreed....function of the band is portion control. Thre is just so much the pouch can hold. No restriction food will pass quickly. I have grazed all day...snacking...difference is when I do I don't have any meals that day. It all evens out in the end, as long as I am snacking on good foods, not junk.