B-52

I've noticed many people's interpretation of what the Green Zone is for them differs quite a bit on this forum....but whatever they do to make themselves 100% successful and happy is their business, and is very good.... My Dr. has this chart hanging on in all his exam rooms, and has referred to it every visit and used it to determine whether or not I needed a fill or not....he made it very clear that the next phase after surgery was to get me into that Green Zone...and that is where I have been for over 2-1/2 years now....last fill was 27 months ago... So, speaking only for myself.......... 1) NO Hunger..period! But it is more than that, with never being hungry I have no interest in foods, eating, and cravings.....have to remind myself to eat...and often times forget and not notice it... 2) Portion Sizes...the band will let me eat just so much, and then that's it...I do not measure portions, just stop when the band says to stop....it is also impossible for me to overeat...and that includes slider foods....so as long as I eat the best foods, I do not worry about calories either.... For this, I have problems understanding how people fall off the wagon and need to get back on track....as long as the band does not change....hope I never do come to understand it... 3) Steady weight loss...that's a given...hit a plateau here and there, but all in all it was very consistent...right up to the point where there is nothing left to loose (fat)....I am finished! Completed.... 4) Patient Satisfaction....DUH....if you have the above, how can you not bee satisfied? Where is the hard work??? Easiest thing that I could have ever done to loose weight....I cannot be more thrilled, and make no excuses for my success...if people don't like it, that's their problem.... Actually, it is a truth that regardless of how much you have lost, hunger, etc, and no matter if you find this easy or hard......as long as you are happy with where you are at, the results, and what the band does for YOU, then that is all that really matters....right? Like I said, I have noticed many people here have different approaches and philosophies as to how they work with the band...and what works for them.... and as long as they are Happy...Patient Satisfaction....then that is all that matters.....That's what it is all about..... \ \ But there are also many people here that are not happy, always struggling, and very frustrated...even after 5 years!!!

I go to the gym every chance I get...at least 5 times a week...aside from my 5 mile run, I attend classes...one of which is "Advanced Training" aka "Bootcamp" on Monday mornings at 5:30am.... Looking to make time for a Yoga class... I am 62 years old...I do not quit either...at my age, I am afraid that if I did quit, I will never get it back...EVER!..."Use it or Loose it" Entirely too much at stake.... Also been going to the batting cages since Jan....softball season practice will start after DST....I play on a team with guys at least 10 years younger than me.....

I have had numerous skin ailments in the past, including infections landing me in the hospital....used to see a Dermatologist on a regular 3 month basis.... Since dropping all my weight, I have very little troubles. simple over the counter cremes is all I need... Have not seen my Dermatologist in over 2 years....

First...I'm a Bander...2nd...I do not count calories, carbs, etc.... But it is interesting, that for almost 3 years, there are certain foods that are not band friendly with me...in other words, highly likely to have stuck episodes.... And these foods happen to be high carb foods....pasta, rice, potatoes, breads and other flour based foods, anything deep fried, and some dairy products....to name but a few.... Just happens that I avoid high carb foods not intentionally, but because they are not compatible with the band...My band that is....so like other things, it comes naturally...

If I had to speculate...and I mean speculate...I would say it was irritation....when that happens with me I go all liquids for a few days....My Dr. recommends the same but will take Fluid out to many people because he feels they will not follow his instructions...so taking fluid out allows them to continue eating and gives the band a rest at the same time... Don't have the slightest idea what your situation, cause may be...but having some fluid taken out will decrease the chance to continue to irritate it, and give it a chance to heal....

Gee...did you cut and paste one of my posts from 3 years ago???? As tough and frustrating as it can be, there is a reason they progress in stages.....in hindsight I can see that now....but in the beginning I could not see the Forrest due to the trees.... Just know...it does (can) get better and easier...and it does (can) work! There are more successful, happy lap banders than you may think...it's just that they choose to move on and not be part of this forum anymore....not needing this type of support anymore (I'm speculating)

Somewhere in what you said, but not those exact words...was my cure for "Head Hunger" and cravings... You may "Think" you want it, but when you do you realize either you can't have it, or have no taste for it anymore, and find you really have no real interest in it anymore, and get tired of throwing it away after one bite, ....sooner or later you stop craving....and when the "Head Hunger" does appear, you just as quickly dismiss it knowing it's pointless........

I have days I don't eat at all....it all averages out in the end...

Amazing what one can do when you start to loose weight.....congratulations...you are also learning the secret to successful exercising ...not that it's easy, but that it brings great rewards and accomplishments, and you only want more and more...wait till the endorphins kick in and you experience a "Runner's High"...trust me, it's coming! I always stuck with a day until I completed it correctly also...sometimes I would go back and start the week over to work back into that difficult day...

I had a real strange one the other day...was out for a few drinks with people from work....sitting in a booth...a friend sitting across from me kept staring and studying my face.... Finally she said, that she never noticed before how "thin and distinctive" my nose has become since becoming skinny???? My Nose? Looked in the mirror and sure enough....not only has my face thinned, but my nose isn't fat anymore!! It is thin!

I put chocolate in my shakes at times....along with peanut butter..or a banana...the options are endless... I also use almond milk...

Sounds familiar....I was at that stage where all those "Rules" that did not make sense previously, suddenly began to have a purpose and take on meaning.... A lot of people try to do it without actually being there, and get frustrated...you are there and have to find your way to do it.... My last fill, I hit that Green Zone....but it took me another 2 months, many stuck episodes, etc., to find that "Groove" and actually understand what was happening, and learn to adapt myself to the band....ever since it has been Heavenly bliss.... That was over 2-1/2 years ago....doesn't get any better than this... Lack of hunger-appetite, limited portion sizes, and inability to overeat....can't ask for anything more.

I cannot eat anything in the morning....so I have a high Protein smoothie for Breakfast...things get better as the day goes along.... Also, with restriction, you have to re-examine what you are eating and how....too many people think they are too tight and in reality they do not want to change their eating habits...(what made us fat in the first place) then come back and complain the band does not work for them....) It is not a Cliche when people say this will CHANGE your life.... It has been this way for me for over 2-1/2 years now....

No Pain...No Gain.....they call it a "Work" Out...if it was easy, then everyone would do it, and there would not be any point to it..... And yes, it is because you have not used those muscles in a while....it will get better...

A lot of my friends are into juicing....and they have a "juice bar" at the health club I go to.... I am always looking at them at certain stores and online...contemplating whether to buy one or not... My biggest obstacle...where's the Protein? Show me how to get my protein and I will buy one....so instead I have a high end blender and make my own high protein smoothies using fresh fruits, berries, Peanut Butter, chocolate...you name it.... I should mention...,I do not count or worry about calories...I am no longer on a diet nor ever will be again....I believe in the Lap band......

Congratulations.....your story is almost identical as mine... I had failed a stress test, found blockages, needed angioplasty with stents....while they were in there they found damaged areas from a previous heart attack....must have been a silent one which is common with diabetics and women.... Diabetic taking oral meds, and daily injections....high BP, cholesterol, tryglycerides....you name it...I was a mess....and a big fat slob on top of it.... Both my Brother and sister died young...and I was going down the same path...shows you my whole family had the same bad habits... Fast forward...had lap band surgery....I am no longer fat....lost all the weight that can be lost safely.....I am no longer on any meds...all my blood work is normal down the middle...I run everyday and go to the gym every day.... I'm 62 years old...play softball and I am the oldest on the team, by 7 years... I have my stress test coming up in early march....can't wait...last time I wow'd them over, and I am in better shape now as I was then..... This surgery does work...people just have to get out of the way and let it do what it was designed to do and quit complaining....

Along with my hunger diminishing, my tastes began to change also...things that used to appeal to me, gradually lost their taste...this also has something to do with my lack of interest in food also... So 3 things happened....: 1)Total lack of hunger....2) No interest in food, no desire to eat..hence no cravings or head hunger, and 3) Changes in taste... And this is from coming from a guy who could not get enough food, could not stop eating, craved everything...Surgery changed all that!

First thing...go to a store that specializes in running shoes, clothing, etc....they will do a free foot analysis and recommend what to look for in proper fitting shoes....Very Important, and often over looked... I was under the impression that the more expensive, the better...right? Wrong!...Almost did permanent damage to my left hip, not to mention my toenails turning black and falling off..."Black Toe" actually common with runners...but not desirable... Socks can be just as important...my socks are labeled left and right...and are very $$ I now run 5 miles a day....in the beginning it was impossible until I lost a considerable amount of weight...and got myself in better shape/health over all....

Today was one of those days.....went to gym ay 6 am....while in the locker room changing my clothes, I decided I just did not have it today.....so I spent a good 45 minutes in the sauna (think I fell asleep)....then 30-40 minutes in the HOT whirlpool...shave and shower...fresh clothes.....ordered a Protein shake from the juice bar before heading home.... No workout....after going at it day after day sometimes you just have to shut down....and that's exactly what I did...and still doing... That was at 6am, now it is 3pm and I feel a little guilty and I'm ready to go back..but perhaps it is better to do nothing today.... It happens....

NO WAY for me...I absolutely love oysters and clams on the 1/2 shell....last time I had one I felt it slide right down and PLOP! Sat right there! I threw up instantly! Right in front of everybody at the raw bar.... Of course, everyone has there band adjusted differently, no 2 bands are the same, and have different restriction and reactions to eating.... so I cannot speak for others.....and I drink beer regularly with no problems...go figure. Like anything, it is something you have to find out for yourself....and only you know your band...no one else...

"I gave up. I ate with reckless abandon" I read these stories all the time....I'm sorry, but for me this is one thing I am still trying to understand...after 3 years. I had surgery because I could not control my eating...the Lap Band now does that for me... Did the band not do that for you? Even if I wanted to, I do not see how it would be possible...I have been on all inclusive vacations where food was always available...I threw caution to the wind and put the band to the test...and it prevented me from overeating... Stress, grief, party celebrations, family dinners...does not matter to me...the band is the band, is the band...it does not change unless I should have Fluid taken out, which I do hear here from time to time....that I can understand. I'm not being accusatory, and single you or anybody else out....just something I still do not understand, although I read it here every day....people falling off the wagon...needing to get back on track.... It sounds like things I would have said when I was attempting to loose weight and failing with so many diets....I would give up...but surgery prevents me from doing so, no matter what I may want to do... That is why I have been successful with WLS as opposed to other attempts at loosing weight....

I'm old school...and agree with your Dr...if you want to loose weight, then eat less.... If you had to eat more to loose weight, then everyone would be skinny... I was once told by a Dr...I was fat because I ate too much...don't eat so much and you'll loos the eight...it's that simple...calories in versus calories burned... For me, one of the most liberating things was when I finally stopped worrying about counting calories, carbs, etc...only thing I pay attention to is daily Protein... I have no idea what my daily calories count is...but it has to be very low.... And on a average day, what I eat is so much less than what I used to eat before I was banded...some days I don't eat at all and have to remind myself to.... I go to the gym everyday...before 6am, on a empty stomach...never had issues with energy....sometimes I will take a shot of protein, but that's it.... I have body analysis done every now and then just to check...and my body fat % is low, in the athletic range, and my muscle mass is holding steady...in other words I have lost all the weight that is possible....it is finished. Anything more and it would not be fat...and be unhealthy. I read posts here all the time how complicated and scientific people make this....it makes my head spin...and yet they are not loosing successfully and without a struggle.... For me..it has always been simple...eat less to loose more...cannot control your eating? Then surgery will take care of that...simple....at least that is for me.... And sprinkle it with some exercise and you're home free.... But everyone has to find they're own "Groove"...what makes them successful is all that matters.

No, nothing weird at all....you're learning the band...I have to stop and pause all the time, then resume with smaller bites, chew better...take it slower if I am to continue.... I recall some things I was told early on...bites should not be larger than a pencil eraser? I should put the fork down between bites....and of course the chewing... All of which is still extremely hard to do all the time...so yes, I need to stop and wait... There is also a signal as to when to stop altogether....for me, hiccups come later and usually means I'm finished...but after 15 minutes I may still have dessert... Everyone has to learn their own band, as to the signals, what they can and what they cannot do...

Throughout the journey I adopted a new lifestyle of healthy eating, nutritious foods, high Protein, Water, etc.....and above all a steady consistent (average) food intake..no overeating... My body continued to loose weight and settled out on it's own...reached an equilibrium.... I asked my Dr. What Now? and he asked if I was happy, I'm obviously healthy so the foods I'm eating the amounts are good....what else is there to do? If I'm not happy I could get some Fluid taken out, but that's not needed...I am happy and I am eating good...and I am healthy.... Incidentally, I set my own goals and went right past them... I would not mind being about 5 lbs lighter, but where would it come from? Not body fat.... I do not rely on BMI's..they are only good to a point...then you have to look at your Body Fat% to determine what's left to loose...and too low is unhealthy...

Little by little can be best for many people....I remember the tough times I had adjusting to the band, and my Dr. joking with me saying "Imagine if it was not adjustable, and everyone simply got a pre-adjusted band at surgery" Same tightness, Fluid volume...What a disaster that would be...! You have to start slow, and increase little by little, learning noticing the slight changes needed in order to continue...realizing when those "Rules" they always preach actually start to come into play, one by one...and you have that AHA! moment.....so that's what they meant... I am at a point today where I can say I do not even have to think about it anymore...and yet the way I eat, what I eat, and how much I eat cannot come close to what I was like 3 years ago...I am a different person. It took me 3 years to here today...and everyday it does continue to get even easier... Simply being in the Green Zone does not make it easy either...so many people wish for it...once you get there, you have to be able to live there....! And that can take practice...LIke learning to swim for the first time..Ok, now that you jumped in the deep end. what are you going to do now? Hmmmm? Ready to swim the English Channel? I can sit here and say that this is all very simple after all, and easy...no big deal...BUT THEN, I have to remind myself that was not always the case....I had to evolve, learn, adjust myself as the band got adjusted.....took a little time, it was not a "in one day out the next"...all finished! No Way!