B-52

MM Lite for me every morning for Breakfast. 2 scoops in the blender, with some fruit such as mixed berries. MM lite, 2 scoops = 210 calories, 2 gm sugar, and 25gm Protein. plus daily Vitamins and minerals. I've been following this regime ever since I was banded, actually, pre-op also.

There's a Hospital I go to every week, where the Director started calling me "The Incredible Shrinking Man" Then everyone started to call me that. This has been going on for a few weeks now. Today, when I walked in, everyone stopped, and turned, then said it together. I had to stop. and in good jest, took a bow! (no one knows I had surgery)

And t is a self defense mechanism to force you to vomit dislodging whatever the blockage may be.

I got banded at the age of 59. I am now 60, and feel like 40! If I did not get banded, I would never see 65, let alone 70 and beyond. Dr.s words, not mine.

I have found that it is important to me, that I have something as a "Recovery" right after a good workout. Somethin added to a bottle of water with protein, o cal works good. You have just used up some energy, burned calories, etc, and your body will begin to crave replenishment. That is the time to replenish with something good for you. If not, you'll find yourself grabbing wahtever is available, negating that good workout!

Thanks for you story. We need to hear more positives here like that. One would get the impression, especially a newbie, that this website is all about the negatives. I would like to believe there are more success stories out there than people realize.

There is a group made up of December Bandsters, it is closed to outsiders. When were you banded? Post your surgery date. Perhaps they will invite you. They don't want much to do with us anymore.

There are times when I'm going along and I feel my portions are starting to get larger than ususal.....I don't measure/weigh food, I rely on the band to give me feedback. But in cases like that I go to iquids for a day or 2, Protein shakes, Soups, etc, anything but solids. This usually "tightens" things back up for me, We used the term "Tighten up the band" I'm not sure that is what is happeneing, as much as our pouch stretching and contracting. You can try the 5 day pouch test as previously mentioned. It is someones clever way of structuring a liquid only, then mushie schedule, and abbreviation of a post op diet. It does work.

Well, welcome to the club. Everyone goes through those spells, and everyone will have a explanation. But one thing is for sure, you have to be patient and it will eventually pass.

Loaded question. I am 60 years old. For the last 30 years I have tried every diet you can think of, including Medically Supervised Programs. I always do well in the beginning, then fail miserably, gaining all the weight back, and then some . I simply do not have the discipline to see it through for the long run. Surgery was my last resort. I needed surgical intervention. I have been banded for one year now, and for me, it is the easiest, and most successful weight loss program I have ever been on. Right now, I cannot overeat no matter how much I may want to. It's impossible. There is a band wrapped around my upper stomach preventing me from doing so, without experiencing adverse results. Automatic portion control. But, I don't want to overeat because the band also has suppressed my appetite. I can walk into a room full of food at a party, and it simply does not interest me. I'll have a taste here and there, but no more making a pig of myself. So bottom line, standard weight loss (diets) simply do not work for me. I needed surgery to do do what I could not do myself. I see people everyday that are always on a diet. I do not consider this surgery a diet, but a entirely a new lifestyle..

Can't say for sure about your problem, but for me there are some foods, or food combinations, that no matter how well I chew, it's just not going to work out well. Part of my learning experience was also choosing the right foods. And that can change time to time. Something I usually have no problem with, may give me trouble today, then be Ok tommarow. Go figure.

What is it you are doing that you feel you are slipping into your old ways ? I see in your signature you were banded in May, and had one fill 1 month later in June, which was 7 months ago.

It's funny. I have been banded for a year now. Many of the people who were here when I first signed on are now gone. There are a few remaining, but it appears people do not stay around that long. People come here for support, and I guess after a while there not any support available anymore. Mostly people starting out. I keep thinking that eventually I will stop also, probably sooner than later. So, to answer your question, I don't think you're going to get much of a response. But I would be surprised.

Restriction can be fleeting, especially the first fill or 2. I didn't have any after first fill. Second fill was similar to what your experiencing now - came and went. Only after 3rd fill was it consistent. Now, at a year, it still comes and goes, but I'm getting to the point where I can predict it, and even control it and get it back if lost. (don't ask, least not now)

Not a stupid question at all! reason we are all here is to exchange experiences, as you will also. Every time I go, they compare my weight that day to my weight at last visit, divide by # of weeks and determine average loss /week. Anything more than a pound/week is acceptable, in my case, but it is all based upon how much you have to loose. He'll ask a few standard questions, then he will determine if I need a fill or not. If my weight loss has been marginal, then it's open for discussion. I'm close to my goal and I'm trying to squeeze 1 lb/week! Will definitely have a discussion next visit in Feb.

I was banded on 1/31 of last year! Trust Me, it's a good omen!! I plan on giving a full 1 year progress report with pictures.

DITTO! Yes, you loose weight on the pre-surgery diet, then you have surgery and the post op recovery diet. You'll loose some more. THEN you start back on a regular food regime just like before the surgery and things can get a little disorganized here until you get on program being banded.

See, that wasn't so bad. Dr.s are people too! And believe me, they see all types of people with all types of fears and emotions, and nothing should surprise them.

First, that is exactly why I have not told anyone, except for close family, that I even had the surgery. When it all comes down to it, it is all about me, my health, and my well being. Everyone else can just go and ....well everyone and go and do their thing, but I had to take care of mine and my own. Second, I have tried all diets known under the sun. I'm not kidding! Medical supervised programs to cabbage soup! I started out good, lost weight, and it all came back, and then some. I'm one of those people who cannot diet, and stay with it and be succesful. I quess some people can, the celebrities on TV pushing these programs say they did so I guess it's possible, but not me. I needed surgery to alter me physically and force me to eat better and loose the weight, permanently!

Sometimes, experienceing getting stuck, then fearing geeting stuck again is a good detterrent to not overeat anymote.....thus helping you with your weight loss. For instance, I have in the past got stuck trying to eat French Fries. So now, I have this menatal block about eating french fries. I just do not ever consider eating then anymore. It is not something I have to work at or try hard not to do, I simply ignore them and move on. Is that such a bad thing? There are many foods like that for me, and the overwhelming majority of them are things not all that good for me in the first place. Just about anything breaded and fried comes to mind right away. My dr.(s) have been harping on me to lay off the greasy fried foods!! Now I CAN'T eat them.

Did I say STEVE MILLER? I meant GLENN MILLER! Seriously, I have tons of music on my I-Touch, but I keep coming back to Steve Miller. It Has to be the LIVE album. It's more upbeat and it really syncs with what I'm doing on the treadmill. (that and Led Zepplin) I also wear BOSE Quiet Comfort headphones, and I am completely oblivious to anything going on around me.

I go to the Health Club when I can, which is about 5 times a week, 3 of which is at 5:30am when they open I do 1 hour on the elliptical, 30 minutes steady state with Steve Miller Music, then 30 minutes of the Cardio Coach routine. Then a few times a week I go through the weights machines doing 2 reps of 12. I'm starting to gt into kettle weights but I need some instruction for a full routine. Then I spend 30 minutes in the Sauna, then 15 minutes in the Whirlpool. Finally a shower. They have an indoor olympic size pool, and I have everything I need to get started, I just never have. My wife does Water aerobics.

My Dr. Did not care what I ate or how much! I was told to loose 15-20 lbs before surgery, to shrink the liver, or he would not do the Surgeryand would re-schedule. Now, having said that, what is the EASIEST way to loose that much weight In a short amount of time? Liquid Shakes! So if you cheat, who are you going to hurt? It comes down to how bad do you want the surgery. I could have went on a fried chicken diet if it would work.

That's how it is for me also. I keep reading here about "Feeling Full" I never feel full, because I never overeat of stuff myself. Like you, I simply do not have a interest, or obsession with food anymore. I think, it is the signal the brain gets that you are full, without actually having the physical feeling you're full. But the brain is saying you don't need to eat, and there is no easier to do so.

It is confusing, isn't it. For every person who msays they can eat French Fries, there are just as many who say they can't. A lot of it has to do with different things such as how tight are their bands, how long have they been banded, etc, and it is hard for you to know this. Someone who has been banded for a month and has vever had a fill may be able to eat a Subway Sandwich, but someone who has had 3-4 fills wouldn't dream of it! First thing, no one here is a authority on nthe subject. What we do here, is share our pown real life personal experiences. I cannot tell you what you can or cannot do. I can (and will) only Tell you what my own experiences have been, not what I have read or been told. You really need to learn for yourself, then you will have your own experiences to share. Just be aware of 2 types of people that post here. 1st: People who tell you what you MUST or MUST NOT do. We're not your Dr., and if you get into trouble then where will these people be then? 2nd;, (and this is my pet peeve) are people who tell you how it should or will be and they have not even been there themselves yet. They talk about different experiences,and what you MUST do, and when you look deeper, they are just starting out also! This website is nothing more than one big support group, made up of people shaing their own personal experiences living with the surgery. And when you experience something for yourself, and are not sure what it is, you'll remeber "Ok, now I know what that poster meant when he/she said......."