B-52

Depends upon what you are trying to accomplish..... When I was concentrating on loosing weight, burning fat...I ran my 5 miles on an empty stomach, then had a recovery shake afterwards. My goal was to burn stored fat for my energy source, NOT the calories I just ate.... If I was running in a competition, or had no excess weight of fat to burn, then yes, I need to fuel my body with carbs and calories.... Side note...I have very little faith in nutritionists....1200 calories sounds good for someone not going through WLS..... We are a different breed.... BTW...my theory of not eating and burning stored fat was 100% spot on for me....worked splendidly....but that's me.

When was your surgery....how much did he give you for the first fill....and when do you go back to see him? And since it was your first fill, did the Dr. explain why he was doing it? What was his objective? I'm always surprised at how many people were never informed as to the expectations from the fills.... My Dr. was very clear...he referred to the Yellow-Green-Red chart on the wall and said THIS is where I we want to e, and THIS is our goal.....(Green Area)

Music to my ears! Every morning with my first cup of coffee I hear that "Gurgling" sound....like Water cricleing a drain... Question...why do you stop eating and then continue later???/ When the band says stop...I stop! One of the most important lessons I ever learned, was to listen to my band.....Otherwise I would get into the bad habit of grazing...

I hear people talking about it all the time...they do not like a tight band....I also wonder what they mean when they say the band is tight..... I think it varies from each individuals perception and comfort zone... For instance, there are certain foods I will no longer eat because they are too risky with the band, and also I am unable to overeat...my portions are limited by the band/pouch..... Others will say they should be able to eat whatever they want, and that portion sizes are something the individual must determine for themselves.... Some people cannot drink carbonated drinks, and must crush their med's....is that too tight? Some people, after getting stuck and regurgitate their food for the first time will say that to tight? And go get Fluid taken out....or did they not follow the rules? and still hold onto some old habits...? For me, it is a subjective topic....different for everyone....but I read posts everyday where people say they do not want a tight band....and I still wonder what they consider a tight band... We did after all, have this surgery in hopes it would do something....something we were not able to achieve without it....for me it was changing my lifestyle...and that took some kicking and screaming until I finally adapted.

I fought the band...and the band won.... Eventually, I got used to it...a lot has to do with the fact that hunger and cravings, including head hunger, are all under control...so food is not an issue with me.... Only complaint I have is finding foods that are appealing....but that is more mental than anything else... I can walk around a grocery store and not find anything I want....again, it is because I no longer have an interest in food...and I am not interested because the band tells my brain I am satisfied, full, whatever, and I don't need it it.... But that's just the way it is for me...not everyone else...

Wow!!! That is a BIG Deal !!! I went to the gym for 2 years, 5 days a week, before I could even think about running...had to work up to it, plus loose some fat...first...

I'm three years banded and could care less about eating or food in general....I eat because I know I need to...but if I'm busy...then sometimes I forget entirely...

I'll be honest...the first 4-6 months were pure "Hell"...nothing easy about it.... But soon after, I found that "Groove"..that "Sweet Spot"...thoroughly in the Green Zone (banders) and yes...it became VERY EASY...and it got easier everyday as I became more and more adapted to the limitations the band put upon me...until they became so much a part of me, I do not think about what I have to do, or not do anymore.... Before surgery, I could do nothing about loosing weight...started out good, failed every time...now THAT WAS HARD.... So, to do what I was unable to do on my own, I had Weight Loss Surgery...and it has been "Heaven"...could not be happier... I have lost ALL my excess weight, I am NEVER hungry...I could care less about food, or eating for that matter.... But Like I said, I had to work hard to get here...endure many stuck episodes, learn new rules, break old habits...I had to change m y life, to fall in step with what the band was demanding I do.... (I'm a Bander...cannot speak for the other WLS)

Ok, I'm going to say it....I work with NUTs...they are called in to be part of the team on certain cases...1/2 of them have absolutely no common sense...!!!! They go by the book to a "T" even though the patient is blowing up like a balloon right in front of them... I keep my mouth shut, but I read posts here everyday where NUTS tell people the darnedest things.... But then, they work for your Dr. so you have to listen to them.... Three months after surgery I got into it with the NUTS at my Dr.'s office....let's just say we came to an understanding....and yet today they all rave about my success....(in spite of them) Ok, sorry.....just had a moment there....back to normal programming...

The band has changed the way I eat...forever....it prohibits me from doing the bad things like I used to... I no longer diet, no longer count calories.... I am not afraid to eat carbs, or the things that are forbidden while dieting...I just cannot eat too much, so a little here and there does not hurt me at all...and like I said, the band will always hold me in check from the old habits...which is overeating and ceaseless hunger/cravings.... If the band should change, then something is abnormal...but to date it has been very consistent other than small variations which I have gotten used to, and have some maintenance practices I do from time to time to keep everything in top shape, same as it was ever since reaching that "Groove".... Our last vacation was a 12 day cruise....plenty to eat and drink....I said screw it, throw caution to the wind...eat whatever and whenever I want to....well, the band would not let me over indulge..and there will always be foods I cannot eat...so even though the temptations to "Blow it" where there, I could not....just like any other day... And because I continued to workout everyday, plus how active we were all day long, I actually lost a pound or two...and I was trying to overeat!

I CANNOT drink with my meals...the food is passing through my band slowly...adding water increases the volume instantly....with very bad results! It is a technique I used to use when I got stuck..sip water and ovefill my pouch...causing it to all come up and out...

Notice that both groups avoid meat!! I think that has a huge part in it....My Dr.'s have always been after me to stop eating red meat...and thanks to the band, I have for 3 years now...can definitely tell the difference. (BTW, I'm broiling my fish as I type this)

Many foods mentioned above I can eat...beer, cake, etc.......I take it the question is what foods you are not able to eat because you're dieting? Or foods you cannot eat because the band will not allow you to..... On the latter....I cannot eat red meat anymore....the band will not let me....I miss a big juicy steak right off the grill.......also ribs, pork chops, etc...also a big burger on a fresh roll with lots of onions, don't forget the French fries..also not band friendly....... Many times my wife will order a beautiful steak and I am tempted to reach across the table and snatch a bite.....but I know what will happen if I do....learned the hard way what to stay away from.... One hand I miss these foods...on the other I am thankful for what I am today by not eating them....so I get over it....

I had problems during the night as you described, including reflux..., but I learned it was from eating too close to bedtime....I made a rule for myself not to eat past 7pm....since then no more problems....

I have been at my Sweet Spot for a solid 2 years now....NO Hunger, NO Cravings, Consistent Portion sizes, unable to overeat (no matter how hard I may try).....last fill was over 2-1/2 years ago..... I say that because...I am very consistent with my band day in and day out......and can detect any slight changes...I know what I can and cannot do, or I should say what the band will let me do, or not... I can go along day by day as happy as can be...then realize I am eating larger portions than usual....and not only that, but things that are usually difficult are suddenly easier... My Theory is Pouch dilation....which is natural because it is still stomach muscles, designed to expand and contract.... So, when I do notice this, I will go all liquids, including Soups, for 2-3 days, giving the band a chance to rest, and the stomach/pouch size a chance to return it's shape......after which I find everything is back in tip-top shape...(some cal this the 5 day pouch test...why I'll never know)....This is the only maintenance I do after finishing this journey.... I told my Dr. I do this about every 5-7 weeks, and he said it was good practice...he would take Fluid out of people's bands, accomplishing the same thing, because he is under the assumption they will not stop solid foods on their own... Everything you said is very similar to my experience....I have not eaten solid foods for Breakfast since being banded....and things do get easier as the day goes along....(Pouch stretches, relaxes then tightens back up overnight, without food for 12 hours) But like I said, I can tell when things begin to differ from the normal routine.... I have also found that stress, emotions, whether I'm at a party, vacation, etc do not change my band...I may change, but my band does not....

I run the treadmill every morning, and enjoy it when the ladies wearing size "Small" spandex run on either side of me.....(actually motivates me) Never had the pleasure witnessing the show you put on though.....

The health Club I go to...has pictures of all the "trainers" on a wall, along with their bio's....thay all have a BS degree in fitness, phys-ed, athletic training, etc..... Many have coached HS Sports, or have some other experience.... Having said that...my friends wife instructs 2 group classes...not sure which, and she has no degree at all....but she does not do any one on one personal training...that may be the key....liability...

Just my own personal opinion, and understand everyone is different and have different avenues to success.... But I disagree with the whole calories thing, Fitness pal and trainers (and many nuts) know nothing about people who have undergone weight loss surgery... I run 5 miles a day, weights, and at least one fitness class a week....all on a empty stomach, at 5-6am......a low cal recovery shake after my workout....if I deny calories, then my body is forced to burn what I have stored away as fat for an energy source...not what I'm feeding it by eating.....I now have a very low body fat%....in the "Fit - Athletic" range....to loose any more weight would not be fat so it is unhealthy for me to loose any more weight....I'm finished....so now I have to have some Protein before a workout....but no extra calories. But again, not judging, just my philosohy and experience. Hope it works for you....Good Luck...

You're doing absolutely nothing wrong...this is how it is with the lap band.... All you did was have the band installed....you lost weight because of the pre and post op liquid diets...now it is back to reality.... Time to get the band adjusted and working, which took me months and a few fills........until then all you can do is pure will power....and yes, I gained weight also because I have no will power and stink at dieting...

Congratulations on your surgery and successes.... Just be aware, you are still on your "Honeymoon"....everyone looses weight during this period, how can one not with the pre and post op diets we need to follow... Eventually, soon, the Honeymoon will end, and everything will return to the way it was before surgery, eating normal food again... During this time I started to GAIN weight, and became very frustrated to say the least...people refer to this time as "Bandster Hell"...where the band is installed, but it is not doing anything yet....and it is all up to you just as it were if you had not had the surgery at all....... Not trying to rain on your parade, just be aware...you're not alone, everyone has gone through this also..... And know, the band does work...just not overnight, or even in a few weeks....

Going to the Gym...sometimes twice a day.... I should say though, as a bander, I am one of those who never experience hunger or cravings, and always feel as though I just had a large meal...so food no longer has any interest. Surgery has "Cured" me of my food addiction.....so I am not trying to find something to "Fix" a need....an itch I can't scratch...

AMEN! If I miss a day at the gym, I feel like crap all day..... At first it is a chore, until the rewards start to come, eventually....

This was in my local newspaper, as a letter to the editor in the "Opinion" section....thought I would share it.... / / / The Fountain of Youth is a pool of your exercise-induced perspiration. As a 91-year-old retired family physician, I rake leaves from the many trees on my property, and I did some shoveling of snow during this last storm. A few years ago, I painted most of my house. Like the doctors mentioned in the Asbury Park Press article, “Physicians heal themselves,” Jan. 28, I too was in terrible shape a few years after graduating from medical school. Like them, I returned to a sport in which I participated in high school and college — fencing — only to regain improved conditioning, never expecting to compete. However, I did start to enter tournaments on a local level and then nationally. What a great feeling to be in good condition again. I eventually became a volunteer high school coach for 14 years, played softball and ran in the Senior Olympics in my 60s and then became a tennis player and enjoyed the sport into my 80s. While I was practicing medicine, occasionally a young man in his 30s would want medication because he was out of shape. I would ask him if he exercised, and usually he would say no because he didn’t have any time. I would then ask him if he watched any sporting activities on TV, and usually he would say yes, and I would then tell him to suit up for the game in a sweat suit and exercise during the game. If he didn’t think I was crazy and followed through with exercises, he always improved his general conditioning.

First...where in NJ are you? I'm right at the shore also.... I would not begin to assume to know what is going on with your band....but I will say this for myself.... Being successful with the band depends upon a routine, adapting new habits...especially in the food depart...what to buy, what to eat everyday, what to avoid, etc etc.... Going through what you did, would have broken me out of my routine...forcing me to eat all the wrong foods...probably a lot of fast foods.....and that would not agree with my band and act as if my band was too tight, but actually did not change at all.... I have been banded for 3 years....the big learning curve was to find that "Groove" with the perfect balance of band adjustment, and the types of foods I eat...not to mention portion sizes...... Again, I can see how being displaced for 10 months would upset that balance tremendously.... People talk about stress, physical activity, etc, etc affecting their band, tighter? also talk about emotional eating?? ....I have always found my band to be a constant no matter what the external influences may be...(with the exception of little variations, like first thing in the morning)

There are so many variables there it is hard to dissect....not sure where to begin.... I'm not disagreeing with anything you are saying.... However...how do you know you're not getting enough calories to supplement your workouts? BTW...Your Dr...Morris Washington....he was my Surgeon when I first began all the initial seminars, evaluations and testing, etc....up here in Freehold NJ,.....3 weeks before my surgery he sold his practice, moved to SC....he was very good, and well liked by all... The surgeon who took his place did my surgery, he is very good also...