B-52

I personally do not care that much what the scale says, and BMI's are very unscientific.... Every month or so I pay a Fee to have a complete Body analysis done, primarily concerned about my Body Fat % Index.... It was due to high fat % that was the root cause of my Coronary Artery Disease, Heart attack, and Circulation problems in my extremities and carotid arteries causing dizziness when bending over or looking straight up......high risk of strokes, waiting to happen.... If I were to follow the scale and BMI charts, I am still categorized as "Overweight"....but my Body Fat % is well within normal limits, actually in the "Fit" range.... So the excess weight is not fat, but Muscle. To loose any additional weight would not be healthy, and perhaps dangerous...even though the scale says I should. And all my medical issues have been reversed....

I try to get to the gym everyday, which means I get there 5 times a week.... Just want to say...EVERY TIME I go, there is a voice telling me today is NOT the day, everybody has those days and perhaps today is one of those days for me NOT to go to the gym...it's Ok, you can go tomorrow....you just don't have what it takes today....I'm too tired, my knee was a little sore last night, there's a full moon....whatever. Everyday I get these thoughts...right now, it's 5am, it's 6 degrees outside, my car is a ice cube..... my wife is still asleep in our warm bed...and that voice is telling me I should not go....I am crazy! BUT...everyday when I do go, 5-7 minutes into my run, etc, those thoughts vanish....every time! And I always feel rewarded I did go.... This has not changed in over 3 years.....EVERYONE has doubts......

Absolutely NOT OFF! Being successful in Loosing weight (and it's nobody's business how you do it) changes one self image, self respect, confidence...all of the above... Sure...the band, though surgical intervention did it, not me....but I do not care....it's all about me anyway!

I know exactly what you mean...it is not physical with me, but more mental...I have no interest in food, and most times I do not feel like eating...and when I do, I simply come to a moment when I do not want to continue.... My Dr. described it to me this way...the mere presence of the band, where it is, how it is adjusted, is stimulating the correct nerves telling my brain that I have just eaten, I am satisfied, full even, but Physically I may not have had anything to eat all day... it is with me 25 hours a day, not just between meals as some people experience... Here it is 4:30am, I have not had anything to eat in just about 12 hours, and if I try to think about food, something now and perhaps what am I going to have throughout the day...like you, I find it boring! I am not interested.

Most definitely!!!!! I have lost all that walrus blubber...no more insulation.

It all depends upon your history....you have to be consistent...or the band should be performing consistently for some time before you can recognize any real differences, and what they may be.... I have been consistent for 2-1/2 years now, and have not had, nor needed a fill in all that time...I know I am finished with the adjustment phase and do not need any more fills, thoroughly within the Green Zone.. ....I know the ups and downs of gaining and loosing the same 5 lbs....I recognize and expect the band to be tighter certain times of the day... I also know, from what transpires day after day all that time, how much the band allows to me eat at any one time, again I expect changes throughout the day, and by what kinds of food I'm eating.... As an example...my band is always the tightest in the morning, and I have not eaten a solid Breakfast in over 2 years...if I were to go out for breakfast tomorrow with friends, and ate an omelet with little to no feedback from my band, I would immediately take notice.... Everyone is different, and everyone needs to learn all about their band...and how to listen to it...

I learned just how little food I actually need to remain healthy and fit, and thinking what I used to eat ....I cannot believe I actually ate that much food, and how can ANYONE possibly eat that much...and more importantly, why would anyone want to? But I did..... The band has physically and mentally changed my appetite, hunger and cravings, plus the desires and need for food so much, that much of what I see now simply disgusts me...I'm no longer interested in food.....and watching some people eat.....well.....I admit I used to be one of them...can only imagine what people thought of me all those years..... I now look at everything from an entirely different perspective....

Put me down as a definite....MAYBE...but I am subscribing to this thread to follow it along. I have to check with my daughter, she is planning a "food and Culture" Tour through Central Greenwich Village....it might be that weekend... I'm in NJ, but it's a breeze taking a train in....

I could care less if it was cheating or not....it's all about ME....when I have to "Pay the Piper" where will these critics be then? Besides, I have found this to be a whole lot easier than dieting....and I like the easy way out...let's me get on with my life at a normal weight and worry about other things.

So you're saying he filled your band completely and then slowly took some out until you could swallow? If so, then he is going for maximum restriction with the first fill....and NOT tell you how much.... I know a lot of Dr.'s have their own methods, but this is the first time I have ever heard it done this way... Most Dr.'s start on the bottom and slowly work their up with a few visits and fills....you Dr. started at the top and worked down.... All I can say ids be very careful the next few days, possibly weeks....especially if you have that much Fluid in your band. Cutting out guessing is one thing...whaming you all at once is another...I now I had to ease into it and it took a lot of adjusting, lifestyle changes to get comfortable with it....and I am not a wimp.... My last fill took me 2-3 weeks for everything to settle down, including me mentally.

I had many medical issues due to my obesity also, including cardiac issues (MI w/Stent), type 2 diabetes, High BP, Cholesterol, circulatory issues, chronic skin issues including infections - cellulitis,and others, ...all kinds of issues, too many to list right now...I have a morbid family history with the loss of both of my siblings at an early age with obesity at the root... My Dr. sat me down and said I did not have much longer on this earth, as I was following in my Brother and sisters footsteps...and the chips were already starting to fall... He even asked me, friend to friend if I had made preparations and will y family be Ok with me gone... Unless I loose weight....problem was, with all the diets I have tried over the last 35 years, I have failed at every one of them...I have no self discipline or motivation to stick with any type of program where it is left to me to manage... So as a LAST RESORT...he suggested Surgery...surgery to alter my digestive system making it unable for me to overeat, and taking away my hunger and cravings... And that is exactly what it did...and in return, it has reversed my Diabetes, ALL my lab work has been right down the middle perfect for the last 2 years...with NO MEDICATIONS, other than the Heart meds which I'm stuck with for life.... I feel 20-30 years younger, go to the gym every day....at 62 years old I play on a softball team - shortstop...and I am 6-7 years older than the next guy... THIS SURGERY DOES WORK if you believe it can, and go for it and not back down....least that's my take on it...after all, what was my alternative? I had no choice but to give it 110%, and then some. Sure, I had all the pre-op jitters, etc...but it turned out to be the absolute best thing I could have ever done...only regret is that I did not do it sooner....then I would not have wasted all that time and money on all those diets.

I'm one of those that works out in the morning on an empty stomach....there is much published on the topic..google it...many people swear by it, others say it does not matter....but I know it works for me.... After a workout, you have just burned a lot of calories and fat, and your body is asking for it to be replenished....which you need to do...but be careful...do not replenish it with something that would negate everything you just accomplished.... I always finish with a high Protein shake....satisfies me.... As far as Water...you can never get too much.....and as you are exercising and as you sweat, your body is also expelling toxins...replenish it with fresh fluids...keep the system operating...helps skin tone among other things.... C 2 5K, when I started running I found this app to be extremely helpful....and it was not easy...many times I could not finish a session, and would go back and re-do that entire week and work back into the session I had trouble with.....so it probably took me twice as long to complete...but when I did, I had it down... and I found that running, over all other exercising I have done, was the most efficient for me to burn fay and loose weight.... The C 2 5K program, if I remember correctly, is only 3 sessions per week....if you follow that, you could do something else on the in between days.... As far as how many days...that is really personal...some people believe every day....some say other...it's up to you...

Sounds like you got your head screwed on right for a young-un....(joke) But seriously, I read here all too often posts from various people and I think they look at this surgery as nothing more than something of a fad..purely cosmetic....then they are the first to complain and whine when faced with the band attempting to change their lifestyles, etc...they just "DON"T GET IT" and I ignore their repetitive posts....they already know the answer, but only want to get Their way somehow by crying..... I know from reading plenty of your past posts...( thought you were banded already) YOU already have a grip on this with eyes wide open.... You're gonna do fine......

I'm sure it will pass....I know for me, and much of what I have read, exercising curbs your appetite, as well as handling stress, and improving an overall well being... Be sure you have a Water bottle with you at all times and drink in between sets, etc... I have a vigorous workout, and go through 32 oz.'a of flavored water easy....probably sweat most of it out but that is the point... Also, my routine, I always work out first thing in the morning on a empty stomach...before eating anything that is...I want to burn stored fat rather than burn what I just ate....also, after my workout, my body wants something so I always have a high Protein "Recovery" Shake"...

B52 So glad to read this..... I too had soooo much additional weight that I couldn't even consider jogging. I started off on the bike seven months ago (bc I didn't have to carry my own weight). Eventually moved on to elliptical ...now I'm up to 60 minutes , 6.2-6.3 miles, 6 days/week . But I really want to start jogging...... You can't elliptical a 5K or a 10K...... And I want to experience these things. I think I'm going to have to try starting at our neighborhood walking/running/biking path because I LOOK LIKE A DUCK trying this on the treadmill. Anyway, that's my new fitness goal..... TO RUN!!!! You would be surprised what you can do on the elliptical....I wear a Heart rate strap, and by adjusting the resistance way up on the elliptical I could get just as good cardio as I now get running....and sweat just as much... I used to do, along with periods of a "Steady State" intervals of "Hill Climbs" and "Downhill Sprints" Once I started to loose some considerable weight, it was easy to transition over to the treadmill....I knew I was ready.

Really?? Tonic water? I thought carbonation was a no-no. God...I miss my Beefeater/Stoli and tonics... I drink wine now but would love a mixed drink once in a while. Don't get me started on carbonated drinks...there has been plenty of discussion on this website.....it is one of those topics where you are going to get a 100's of different responses....

I know several people who graze all day, or at the least have 5 tiny meals a day.....I always look at the big picture...how much did I actually eat in a single day? Which adds up to how much in a week? and so on...and realize, as a whole, I eat considerably less that what I did before surgery...adapting a new lifestyle.

ANYTHING is better than nothing..... I could not even attempt to jog, until I got to the point where I lost a lot of weight....just too much stress...high impact...on my body and joints....with every step I could feel all the fat rise up and fall....... So I did the elliptical for a year straight....

In my family...I am the pickiest of eaters....thanks to the band, my tastes vary from day to day.... I realized, when my Wife gets together a shopping list, I do not contribute...I do not ask for, and she does not get me anything but the simplest of things.....like coffee, etc... I do my own food shopping, and can get by with just a carry basket...no shopping cart needed....

50 minutes....I'm impressed...really! I'm on the treadmill every day and 50 minutes is great....

I fly all the time, no issues at all....besides...who gets to eat on a flight anymore??? So even if it did make a difference, what would it matter? All I need are one or two gin and tonics and I'm set!

Congratulations...now just Go with it, let it ride..... If I'm not hungry, I don't force it... Since I',m eating so little, the heck with calories...I just make the best of what I can eat by choosing the best foods... Also, I think you can see why I don't worry about portion sizes...measuring...you just know it's right! Again. congratulations on a new lifestyle....add some body toning exercising and cardio, then WATCH OUT!

Ok, a 14ml band is something I know nothing about, and have read the numbers and equations are totally different than someone with a 10ml band...

You say you have 9ml presently in your band...how large is your band? 9ml does sound like a lot....plus, 6ml on your first fill is a large amount, in my opinion...although my first was 4 and did absolutely nothing.... My fills were 1 month apart also....most Dr.'s in the states do not do them any closer, least from what I have heard and read. I'm not sure what you mean by "Choking" but since this is about lap band I will assume you mean through your digestion, possibly unable to get food down. Going from 6 to 9 sounds like a big jump...does not surprise me you are "Choking"..... Generally, from what I know, the first fill can be large, and may not have any effect other than the swelling as you described...after that the fills get much smaller because then the Dr. is "Fine Tuning"...trying to find that perfect balance point...many people only get 1, maybe 2 on their 2nd, and after that it can be as low as .5 increments.... Just my opinion, but after the first fill they should have been more cautious...patience being the key.... The fact you are choking is proof that the band is doing something...but you should have eased into it...not jump head first...going from 6 to 9.... I have also heard, and NOT experienced it, that after getting a band completely un -filled, or removed as in your case, the 2nd time around is never quite the same as the first time.... My OPINION...is get some Fluid taken out, even back to 6ml if needed...then work your way back up gradually from there...and 1 month apart is not too long.... I had 3 fills 1 month apart...4, then 2, then finally 1.....that was all I needed...and the last fill I too was "Choking" for about 2 weeks, until the swelling went down...and the swelling would not go down if I continued to eat solid foods...had to be easier softer foods...even more shakes than usual. This thing DOES work, but it does take a little fitness to get it there between the band adjustments, the foods we eat, and our own behavior modification.......not always an easy thing to do, and takes some understanding as to what is actually happening...and alas, not everyone "Gets it" BTW...I like your attitude in reference to the "Tool"...frankly I get tired of hearing the term, and feel some people use it as an excuse or way out....but that's just me....

Not change my career...but definitely made me more successful....therefore more $$..... I am face to face with patients, (as young as 18 months) and their families everyday, and have to deal with some very tough catastrophic circumstances that can rip the hearts out of some people........ In my position, NEED to be supportive, show confidence in what I'm doing, and a little more optimistic than they are, many of whom feel their lives have been pulled out from under them....in order to have a healthy relationship. Having lost all my excess weight, exercising everyday, etc...my self image, my self confidence, etc, has multiplied! I KNOW it spills over to other people...people are more friendly to me...and in the case of the patients and families i see daily, I can tell by the way they open up to me and talk freely about some very personal stuff.... Eventually it has affected my reputation, much of it by word of mouth....