B-52

This morning at 5:30am, went to the gym as I do just about every day for the last few years.....normally, it is the same crowd, every morning doing their routine...and we have all known and recognize each other.... TODAY...THE PARKING LOT WAS PACKED!!!!! At 5:30 am !!!! What the heck is going on??? Then I remembered...it is the first Saturday of 2014....Riggghhhhttt! All the people with their New Year's resolutions to loose weight...get fit.. perhaps got a gym membership as a gift.... Repeat after me.....Diet & Exercise....Diet & Exercise....I hope there are some that will be more successful as I was...been there done that, and I always failed miserably, eventually......I could not stop eating...so I needed WLS to do what I could not do on my own. There were more Gym Staff there as normal also....big smiles on their faces as they were doing "Private" training....making the big $$...also probably a gift from someone.... Oh well, had to look for an open treadmill to run my 5 miles....not my favorite location....the weight machines were busy also.... Happens every year at this time....I'll give it a month and it will start to dwindle....give it to spring and warmer weather and it will be all back to normal....

Speaking for myself...an no one else...the band controls my hunger.....it also limits the amount of food I can consume.... For me...that is what the Green Zone is.... If a person has had their band adjusted to a certain degree, it MUST do something...it cannot do nothing....why else would we get the surgery??? I don't see the logic to go through all this surgery, and $$, and not expect the band to do anything.... I will also say...as for myself...as long as the band remains as it is...I will not gain weight ever again...it is physically impossible, without doing some major harm.... Other pay may make their declaration...that is mine...and I cannot be happier with it...I'm not saying everyone NEEDS to be where I am...I'm simply saying to every testimony out there...mine is yet another one...

It seems there are always whose amount of saline in theory band is different from what they believed it to be.... I know a person who has had over 10 fills...but her Dr. only does .5cc per fill...so it is only 5cc's...something I had after 2 fills.... She is always complaining about how the band does not work and wants it out! Also, you say 75% full? How much is that, in what size band? This band DOES WORK....it CAN be a Magic Bullet for some, it sure has been, and still is for me....BUT it took some adjusting and getting used to...co-operation between me and the band, to get to that place.... When someone says there band is tight, and they can still eat and gain weight, then I disagree...if your band is tight, it would be IMPOSSIBLE to eat....THEN the Dr. would have to back it off a bit to find your comfort zone... My Dr., on every visit, pulls out all of the saline into a syringe, where he can measure it and check it's clarity, etc...and compare it to what his notes say is supposed to be there from last visit....then there is no quessing...he then replaces the same amount with fresh saline.

If I told my Dr. what you have said...it would be what he would want to hear in order to justify a fill.....especially about the hunger part...that was usually his first question, and compare it to my weigh in weight. I know it is not proper to compare fill amounts, but I am at 7cc in a 10cc band...prior to that I had 6cc's, and it was 50-50 for me...could get by fir a short while between meals, then the hunger would return in vengeance.... And I could not get by after dinner without having to snack before bedtime.... So he gave me 1cc, for a total of 7....that put me over the top... Again, everyone is different and should not compare the amount of saline to another's...it's whether or not the band is working for you that is the most important.... I always eat Protein first, because I may not be able to get to the other stuff....

I actually have to take 2 bites with a little time in between, to eat one grape!! Then after eating 6-8 of them, I cannot eat anything more.... 3-4 bites to eat one shrimp....and so on...

2.6 lbs is absolutely nothing! I weight myself everyday, sometime twice...once at home and also at the gym.... I have been at my "Optimal" weight, with very low body fat% for about 2 years now, and have nor lost, nor gained any weight since, reaching that point of "equilibrium" and balance... Having said that, my body weight fluctuates within the same 5 lbs everyday since then....I can be up 3 lbs today, down 2 lbs. tomorrow, up 1 the next, down 4 after that...and so on and so on.... People who are worried about a lb here or a lb there are splitting hairs and should be more focused on the big picture...the band is the band is the band...it does not change unless you have some Fluid taken out....one day is no different than the next whether it is a holiday, on vacation at a resort...whatever...the band is a constant. If I was dieting, as the old days, and not having undergone WLS, then it would be another story....but that's why I had to have surgery...

Shrimp and Lobster were a problem for me also....it's one of those foods that no matter how well you chew, it is just not good enough.... I did finally figure out a way to eat it though....

In my case...I am rarely hungry...and have little to no interest in food...I Have to remind myself to eat most days....and when I do eat, there is a limit as to how much I can eat...my portions are limited. But it does not bother me because I'm not hungry in the first place.... I no longer count calories, nor worry about portion sizes.... Sounds weird, the only way I can explain it is..... Imagine you have been eating everything in sight, say at Thanksgiving...all day long to the point it hurts.....some one offers you another piece of pie and you say "No Way...I don't even want to look at food ever again I am so stuffed" Well, for me, the mere presence of the band (adjusted) sends signals to my brain, telling it I am full, satisfied, whatever....to the point I cannot eat anymore, no desire or interest in food, and no hunger either....but I do not have the physical feeling of feeling full...and never have since being banded... Many people say they look for the feeling of being full with the band...I'm still not sure what the means exactly... It is all mental, because I feel that way even if I have not eaten in 24 hours...which I have done occasionally since being banded..(but that's another story). And because of that, I have no real cravings...I can look at something and take it or leave it....although I may take a bite because I am interested in the taste...someone may have put a lot of effort in preparing it.... It took me about 4 months to get to that point, and then another 6 months to figure out what was going on, and develop a new lifestyle with it... I should add that the first 6 months after surgery were extremely hard for me, and very frustrating to say the least....thought I made a BIG mistake and even wished I never had the surgery. But that has all changed now....it's absolutely a miracle! \ \

Last night went out to dinner with my Wife.....sat down, ordered drinks, then ordered our food.... They brought out the fresh bread.....it looked very soft, warm....but I should know better...I do not eat bread.... But it happens, you just don't think sometimes. Cut a small slice, took a small bite, chewed and swallowed....BAM...it just sat there! I could feel it. Not quite stuck, but I knew if I took one more swallow of ANYTHING it would be a disaster..... Now I'm in trouble...they have not even started to bring out our food yet, and I am unable to eat or drink another thing..... I excused myself to go to the men's room.....I guess just from getting up and walking, the lump of bread finally passed....when I returned, I took a few sips of my drink to be sure all was clear.....it was! This has happened to me a few times when I was still learning..the hard way...I may have had to bring my entire dinner home and not eat anything there....very embarrassing to say the least. Once you learn your lessons, I should not think things will change over time.....I cannot go backwards with this surgery.... Close call !

Question.....if you found your sweet spot, how was it you were able to overeat....did you ignore the pain and vomiting? To the point where your perhaps stretched your pouch way out allowing you to eat large, uncontrolled portions? Example...there was a poster the other day who said how she took one bite too large, too hard, and it HURT for days!!! I certainly understand that if I take one bite, one swallow too many....the band yells STOP! I ask this to learn...I am at a point where I find it IMPOSSIBLE to overeat, unless I like all the bad things that will happen if I attempt to do it... I have been on cruises, for example, where I put my band to the test...EVERYTHING GOES!!!! and I found it was still impossible to eat anything more than the band will allow, again, unless I don't mind being sick and carry the pain, and I think l even lost weight that cruise... People are always referring to their "Sweet Spot" or being in the "Green Zone" Curious how different people interpret that for themselves... Congratulations on re-committing yourself....Hope you find that adjustment and perfect balance with the band. Also, there is NEVER anything people should feel ashamed for....this forum has 1000's of members and everyone has something to share that is important and informative to some one else...

I don't think about my band at all...it was a process, that has been completed more or less....were now I can now take it for granted, never having to worry about my weight or over eating again.... But it was a process to get there...and it was because of the band that I was able to do it and be at the place I am today... ...and in the beginning, going through all the adjustments, the stuck episodes, slimming, food choices...etc, etc...yes...the band was all I though about... So yes, that is all behind me now...as Veterans we don't need to remind ourselves everyday...but there are less Veterans than New People.... .....and for the new people, like the OP, they are just getting into it and have a lot to learn before they get to that finish line.

See...isn't that simple? I wish every newly banded person reads this...there is way too much "Sky Is Falling" hysteria around here sometimes..... Another thing, some people experience what you did, but they keep on eating, continuing to irritate the band, then pretty soon they say they "Can't keep ANYTHING down"..... If you twist your ankle, you need to stay off it to heal and rest....

You just had surgery...theoretically, this time has nothing to do with loosing weight....and very little to do with the band other than you just had it installed, and need to heal...to get back to that place...JUST AS YOU WERE BEFORE the surgery.... THEN...the adjustments start...to get the band operating.....THIS phase is Bandster Hell....the band is there, but it takes a few months of "White Knuckling" until your Dr. gets it where it should be, suited for you.... This phase is also a time for YOU to get adjusted to the Band....start putting the "Rules" into practical use.... Don't worry, everyone has gone through it, unless you have a lot of will power and are good at dieting...but then if you were, then you would not have needed this surgery.... Even as I was getting my fills on a regular 4 week interval basis...I GAINED WEIGHT.....fortunately, my Dr. only laughed at me, and gave me another fill.....

I have not been able to eat a solid breakfast in almost 3 years now....I start the day with a Home Made smoothie, high in Protein with fresh fruit, etc.... My Dr. also said this is not uncommon and warned me of it early on.......have thoughts on why this is, but not get into it now.... Besides....when you look at all the benefits combined in one of my smoothies....how much, and what kinds of foods could could I possibly eat to match it???

Don't give up on the band!! Just my 2 cents, but I read post after post about all kinds of things people encourage each other to do and stay motivated, but the majority do not contribute anything to the Band.... Sometimes it is hard to tell this is is a forum dedicated to those who have undergone Lap Band Surgery.... There is a reason we had this surgery....and I have always focused on that, and never expected anything less.... Again, just my 2 cents.... Good Luck in 2014, and beyond....this thing DOES WORK !!

My Dr.',s, including my cardiologist, have been preaching to me for years about the need for me to give up meat...the compromise was if I was to enjoy a T-Bone, etc, at least try to keep it down to once a week.... After being banded, and the 2nd fill, it began to become problematic to eat meat...my Surgeon said this was not uncommon.... So, seeing how I have always been pushed in that direction, I gave it up entirely..... I did not do it for "Bambi", but for health reasons..... I got my health back...100% and then some...was there a direct correlation to not eating meat? can't put a finger on it and there it is, but I am certain there is....all my blood work is perfect, and a lot of that was from no longer eating animal fat, I'm sure. If you are ever around geriatrics, or visit someone in a nursing home, long term care facility, you will see there is hardly meat offered on the menu....it just does not go easy on the digestive process.... NOW that I no longer eat meat, I start to be more aware of the other issues....there was a big article in the news lately about the FDA, and pumping copious amounts of antibiotics into cattle so they would be disease free for humans to consume safley (?) There is a reason Frank Purdue makes his chickens extra "Plump and Juicy"...when their feet never touch the ground their entire short lived lives.... But all that only started for me to notice recently....it was all about the band initially.... The other thing about being banded....because I eat so little nowadays....grocery shopping is not what it used to be...so it is easier to select organic foods, non processed, and also look for "free range" chicken when available... Yes, it is more expensive, but I purchase so little...it all evens out.

After browsing through "New Content" posts this morning, I noticed a common theme, and one that is not new by no means with the Lap Band Surgery. Instead of saying the same thing in each thread, i figured I would put my thoughts here in a new topic... The following is just what I have experienced and learned with the band, what it True for ME..... NOT saying everyone MUST do the same. I'M NOT PREACHING!!!! Having this surgery, there is a large learning phase that HAD to happen....the Dr. and staff cannot be all that specific because everyone is different and reacts differently.... All they can do is give us a set of "Rules", tell us to start practicing them, even BEFORE surgery, until they become a habit, without giving them a second thought, because after a few fills, these rules will be the only way you will be able to live and have the band function properly......and then I learned as time went on, that some of the rules applied more so than others, and a few rules fell by the wayside....but it was only after practicing and learning this new lifestyle. I read everyday, where a poster , especially someone new to this, will say "My Dr. said I shall NOT do this, or that" and they would be correct in following and not second guessing that rule....get it in your head now, not when you realize you need it.... I was told, there will come a time eventually, if I followed My Dr.'s band adjustment protocol, treatment plan, I will come to a crossroads where I will begin to get stuck, slime, spit up food, experience pain...etc... This can certainly have this happen if your band is too tight, and needs attention from your Dr....OR.....you can also have this happen because you are not following the rules you were warned you would need to have as a new habit someday.... That day has come...how was I supposed to chew? How big of bites? Should I drink with my meals? How much time between swallows of food? What can be interpreted as a tight band, can also be interpreted as improper eating habits, improper foods, etc... No one out here in cyber space can know for sure how another person behaves when it comes to food..... I was told, pre-surgery, that this will change my life.....IT DID.....but when people think about this changing our life, we immediately think about being skinny....but it is a lot more than just loosing weight....it changed my life in respect to HOW I eat.....WHAT I eat...and WHEN I eat (how often) and also my overall feelings about food and the need/desire to eat...all of THAT was the biggest change of all.....the weight loss and good health naturally and effortlessly followed. Finding that "Groove" that "Sweet Spot", "Green Zone"...whatever you want to call it...now that was the where the hard work, frustration, etc, all took place.....and I needed to start getting ready for it from day one..... Ok, so much for my early morning thoughts...Happy New Year !!! (I'm pissed because the gym is closed today)

You mentioned something interesting...your insurance will not cover a sleeve because your BMI is now low.... I have been at a normal weight for 2 years now...no complications at all....I have wondered where do I go from here....do I keep the band? Go over to something with less maintenance such as the sleeve? But I never considered the insurance not wanting to do anything, because I am not Obese, or even overweight for that matter.... have no co mormidities, and have now have a history of being so for a few years.... Something to ponder...they may not want to do anything unless there is a medical problem that needs to be taken care of...

Hi...I was in my 20's once also..... Good luck on your weight loss....

2 things jumped out at me....You are trying to eat what you are being told to eat? You also mentioned what you NEED to eat? I make my own food choices (Smart choices) based upon what the band will allow me to eat....I am also surprised as to how little I need to eat..and yet I am 100% healthy and have more energy I know what to do with... 2nd thing, all the food you listed..it would appear my list is very similar....with some variations, give or take....but you would be surprised what other foods you can eat. You keep mentioning the foods you NEED to eat...that can be a wide interpretation...also you say to eat "Normally"...what is Normal? as it was before we had surgery? I have friends that eat less than me...and they did not have surgery, nor were they ever fat a single day in their lives...they eat like "Birds" The way I eat now, I could never have imagined before surgery...if anyone told me that THIS was going to be my NEW NORMAL, I would say they were nuts...no one can survive like that....yet my portions are no bigger than my fist, and then I am done! Everyone is different, have different comfort levels, tolerances, and different adjustments to the band....I feel everyone has to learn their band, how to "listen" to it, learn their own rights and wrongs....all with the Blessings of your Dr....NOT what the next person is doing or not doing. Things that I can, and cannot do...I do not expect the next person to be the same or follow my lead...but to be aware that every individual has to find their "Groove" where everything clicks....and they find success, not never ending, ongoing struggles...

The bigger question, and one that has many concerned, is will they PAY for it? Currently, Medicare approves many procedures, but will reimburse next to nothing... The number of Dr.'s refusing to accept Medicare is increasing everyday....and that is a federal program they have been trying to perfect for years and can't get it right......so how are they going to have something like Obama care be better??? If they did know the answer to that, then all they needed to do is perfect Medicare...and no need to start another federal program. My Wife is a Director for a large Rehab facility, and they cannot get a straight answer as to what Obama Care will cover for Therapies, room and board, and most of all how many days, say for a post op total hip replacement patient, is eligible for....5 days? a week? 2 weeks?...no one knows....so they cannot accept any Obama Care Patients for admissions at the moment.....yet people are signing up for the coverage everyday... We have hardly scratched the surface on this...it is going to get a lot more interesting as time goes on, and find out what they were never told....

I sometimes spit up liquids...even straight Water without eating before or during. Generally, I forget myself and take large gulps of water....especially if I am working out... Think of the band as a funnel...wider at the top, then a narrow passage...you can pour water through the funnel at a slow to moderate rate...pour it fast and the rate will be greater than can pass through the band... Also, the presence of food would compound the issue...that's why I CANNOT drink while eating. I also believe we are not as aware of consuming water, as we are consuming something solid....so we are more careful with solids as to chewing, bite and swallow size, etc.....water we forget and take too large swallows... First thing in the morning I am the tightest...I have to drink my coffee very slowly, and always get that gurgling sound..... And I have not eaten anything solid for Breakfast in well over 2 years now. Just my thoughts....

I should also add.....my friends all think I'm "Mental" Not to mention some of the other posts entitled "Feeling Normal?" Or how about "Out of Body Experience" These posts get my attention....remember I grew up in the 60's.....

The above sounds great!!! There are as many recipe's and variations limited to only one's imagination and taste.... There is only one difference between those above and the one's I make every morning......I make sure to start with a scoop of `100% whey, which insures I am getting my Protein...35gm at least to start the day.... The additives mask the whey and you do not even know it's there....(excluding chocolate whey) I've been on this smoothie kick since being banded 3 years ago....I have many friends who do it who are not banded....and the health club I go to has a "Juice Bar"

I take it you are still in the early stages of this weight loss experience??? Don't worry...the first phase after surgery is the absolute hardest...at least it was terrible and frustrating for me... But as I continued with the Dr. follow ups and adjustments, as well as me adjusting and learning, things did get better and better... That's one of the things about lap band...it is adjustable and takes time/tweaking...not "Plug N' Play"