B-52

We've been married 37 years and we don't have these issues because my Wife knows I'm perfect in every way,,,,,,,,Uh-Oh, here she comes...gotta run before before she reads this and I'll be toast!

I have been using the elliptical for over 2 years, using a MP3 program called "Cardio Coach" I just downloaded Couch to 5K from I-tunes onto my I-touch. Logged in 2 workouts, but had to stop. I do not have good running shoes, so I bought good pair of Saucony's online from Zappo's. should get here tomorrow so I can start all over again. I did not stop the Elliptical. I start my workout with 30 minutes of level 3 to 4 on the elliptical instead of 60, as a good warm-up. Then I go through all the weight stations. I will then finish my workout with the 30 minutes of Couch to 5K on the treadmill. I should add I am 60 years old, and although I participated in High School sports, did 2 tours in Vietnam, I have not run in over 35 years! So now that I have put the weight off, I have no excuses. I am really excited to complete this program and be able to run a few miles everyday, wherever I am, like normal people do.

Why are you scared? You're still the same person you were before the surgery. I'm also baffled when people think EVERYTHING has to be liquid. People need to realize you're still you, and not be so uptight. You can still live your life. Only thing that has changed is my eating habits. BTW, you can also breathe now.

I don't know about slips, but given enough restriction and you will not want to chug water. I go to the gym every day, and drink about 32oz of water while I'm there. I do everything I can to take large swallows, but I can't without discomfort. But I can take one fairly large swallow at a time, spaced out a bit.

No, my name is Bob and I was born in 1952. It Works! I did my time I the Navy with 2 tours in Nam. When I saw your first post I thought you were talking about BEER! That would have been a interesting topic.

You can either change your eating habits, techniques, or get a slight until. It really is the users personal preference. I prefer my eating restricted. I do better eating small meals numerous times during the day, rather than 3 a day. Then again, sometimes I just don't feel like eating at all. To me that's ok too. I cannot eat anything first thing in the morning. Too tight. So every morning I have a high Protein smoothie, 40 grams. Then it's not hard to get the rest. I also don't count calories, since my food intake is limited, and I'm focusing on the protein items first. Why waste what limited quanity of food I can eat on something that does me no good, like Pasta, etc. So for me, it all works out. I love chili also. Being only able to eat a small portion of the bowl, to me, is what it s all about!

6 cc's in what size band, and how come you have not had any additional fills? Have you been seeing your Dr. for regular follow up's? For the first 6 months I saw my Dr. every 30 days and monitored my progress every step of he way till my band was properly adjusted. After that it's been a snap.

Take as big of sips as you can tolerate. If you take too big of a swallow, even Water, you're band will let you know. Think of the band as a slow drain. You have to let the water slowly go down the drain before adding more water. Add more water than the drain can let pass and it will overflow, and with the band, probably some pain. But that is after you get some significant restriction. Till then, do what you can tolerate. The band will let you know if you're swallowiNg too much too fast.

I can feel my band with every swallow. It constantly gives me feedback. Tells me if I am taking too large of swallows, tells me to slow down, tells me I have eaten enough, don't force it. And that's whom I am eating. It also takes away my appetite 24/7, not just between meals.

4 days post op drink as much liquids as you can stand. As a matter of fact ALWAYS drink as much liquids as you can. Just don't gulp or chug it down, but then you will learn that the hard way.

Agreed, I have found with a tight band I have to be careful with the type of foods I eat now. Things like Mexican or anything hot and spicy I need to avoid. I think it is because food will sit in the pouch longer that it effect you greater and quicker. Don't eat near bedtime. Give all the food time to move from the pouch. Going to bed, lying down, with food still in the pouch id=s bad for anybody.

I know many people who eat 4-5 meals a day, and they do just fine. I also know people who eat whenever they are hungry, and eat till their satisfied, which is not much at all, (like me) and they do fine also. Have to look at the large picture...how much are you consuming for the total day? I eat many small meals, but because of the restriction I have you can call them healthy Snacks. As long as you are not overeating, eating bad foods, and loosing weight effortlessly without actually dieting, then what else would one want?

2 years out and you have never experienced this before ? Scrambled eggs....is this only happening in the morning? After 2 years, you should know yourself and your band well enough to understand what is going on. If this just popped up out of nowhere, after 2 years of normality, then yes, you have a problem. Also, thinking about myself only......how would I gain 20 lbs if I can't keep anything down? If it was me, I know the answer, and it would not be a slipped band. But that's just me cause I know myself and my habits. In your case, if you don't know what's happening, contact your Dr ASAP.

First fill for me was 4cc...nothing. Second fill was 2cc...felt something, but it would come and go. Third fill was 1 cc, that one did the trick, lasted me abouth 9 months. Just had 1/2 cc about 6 weeks ago, although my Dr and I agreed I did not need it, but we both wanted to see what would happen.....long story.

Thanks, I appreciate that. All anyone can, and SHOULD do is voice their own personal experiences, and let the reader decide what is relevant or not. There is no right or wrong, just people telling how it is for them. The only thing I do take exception to is anyone who responds with answers/advice based upon what they may have been told, or read somewhere. That's nothing more than second or third hand knowledge. Example someone who has been banded less than a month telling me what it is like to be in the Green Zone....Please! There are a few people here who have reached their goals, been through just about everything with this surgery, and has their own story to share. What is interesting, is that although the stories/ outcomes are all basically the same, their methods and experiences differ. And that is a good thing, because you cannot expect everyone to be from the same cookie cutter so to speak.

Me too. having those same problems on PC and my MAC. Hit Post and nothing happens....need to go to "More Reply Options" Canot reply to a persons Blog at all.

7cc's in what size band? If it's a 10cc band, you best take it easy.You may have a delayed reaction but you should have some effects. if the band is larger than 10cc, then I'm not sure. But 7cc's lasted me over 9 months of good restriction and Green Zone living.

For what it's worth, my Dr. was interrogating me once about my exercise routine, and I could not come up with a answer he was satisfied with. Finally he asked me, "Are you sweating when you workout?" I said yes, like a pig, and he said that's perfect! As far as plateauing, it happens and there is no good reason why. best explanation I've heard is that without knowing it, we fall into routines with our eating, and exercising. We need to change things around. 25 minutes of elliptical at a "Steady State" can become routine real fast. Along with steady states, you need to mix in hill climbs and sprints. I would aim for 45 minutes also. A good program I use when on the elliptical or treadmill is called "Cardiac Coach" http://www.cardiocoach.com/ They are programs you can purchase and download for your I-pod. They're great workouts. You do need to wear a heart rate monitor. There are 10 programs, but you only need the first one to get started. I've been using them for 2 years and only own 3.

I cannot stand even the thought of puréed foods. When my mother was in a nursing home, her dinner one day was a pile of pink mush. She took one taste and said "hmmm....pizza....want some?" During that stage for me, I stuck with heavy creamed soups, mashed potatoes with gravy, etc.

I can see how that would make some people feel better.

Good to hear!! I go fishing off the beach right there on the Belmar/spring lake border. We live in wall, off Belmar Blvd, our mailing address is Belmar. I used the group out of Centre-state in Freehold. I did all my pre-testing at Bayshore, and the Dr.s in that area. I think the 2 practices are related, just different locations.

In the beginning it does come and go, and you adjust to it. As you get more fills it becomes more permanent.

YES. it's mental, but don't let your emotions get th best of you, you know when we binge for no reason at all! But then, with restriction that's hard to do also.

Exactly!

7cc in a 10cc band did it for me. Another way of looking at being satisfied is "Lack Of Interest" in food. I may want to eat, and can look all over the kitchen and not find anything that interests me although there is plenty there. I can stand and stare into the fridge for eternity not seeing anything. When I sit down with a meal, I'll begin to eat, maybe 1/3 of it, then put push it aside. Don't feel like continuing. Don't know if that makes sense but it is all mental. A friend of mine says she eats whenever she wants, all day, and stops when she's satisfied. kind of the same thing. Add it all together for the day and it 's not as much as you would think. I also found it helps to keep busy all day, and our kids are grown so we don't have to shop and cook for a family.