B-52

Drop the weight, join a gym, and you'll have your pick of guys...
Spandex works good also.

Coming up on 6 years...best decision I ever made!!
The first few months to a year can be difficult, getting the band adjusted and adjusting oneself to get in sync with what the band is trying to accomplish.
Many people get frustrated, perhaps they resist change because changing ones lifestyle is what you have to do...otherwise the band does nothing!
Many people, during this phase, back down and will get Fluid taken out to meet THIER comfort....Me, I worked through the unpleasant consequences until I found a whole new comfort zone.
And I have been there ever since.
As my band got adjusted, I was FORCED to change not only what I ate, but how I ate...I was FORCED to eat smaller portions, and give up certain foods altogether.
But once that did happen, the weight just fell off...and continued to do so until my body decided it was where it should be, passing any goals I may have set for myself.
Of course, I could have gotten Fluid taken out and eat whatever and whenever I wanted.
Then call it a "Tool" to use in conjunction with traditional dieting..something I simply cannot do...diet.
If you get sick, stuck, and the food comes back up, don't be so quick to blame the band for being too tight...ask yourself first, what did I do to cause this? Was it something I ate? Did I take too big a swallow? Not chew well enough?
This is where the lessons are learned. And it can be very difficult.
I can walk into a large room full of food choices, at a buffet, or a party, etc....for me now, it's a no brainer. I simply pass over food I know I don't eat anymore.
People here will start complaining and worrying about Thanksgiving coming up...what's to worry about?
There are foods I can't and do not eat anymore, so they're off my radar. And what I do eat, my portions are small. So overeating is not a worry either.
It was, and is, the easiest thing I could have ever done to lose weight. For me, dieting was difficult and impossible always ending in failure.
But with the band, as long as I accepted the changes, it all became a way of life.
Today I go about my day to day business and don't even think about the band, don't think about dieting or calories...I have been set free from all that.
It has all become very normal, a new lifestyle.
With the band, I have no hunger, no cravings, and when I do eat my portion sizes are limited.
Sure, if I try to eat too much, or eat the wrong foods, it will result in unpleasant consequences...but that was the lessons I've learned, and I cannot be more pleased with myself.
So, when one is considering the band, I have to ask...How bad do you want it? How willing are you to turn away from certain foods??
You have to be willing to accept change...in a big way. many people want to hold onto the old habits. I read posts here every day about what people think they can or will eat. It just does not work.
I have no fear of ever gaining any weight back, as long as the band is there.

Coming up on 6 years...best decision I ever made!!
The first few months to a year can be difficult, getting the band adjusted and adjusting oneself to get in sync with what the band is trying to accomplish.
Many people get frustrated, perhaps they resist change because changing ones lifestyle is what you have to do...otherwise the band does nothing!
Many people, during this phase, back down and will get Fluid taken out to meet THIER comfort....Me, I worked through the unpleasant consequences until I found a whole new comfort zone.
And I have been there ever since.
As my band got adjusted, I was FORCED to change not only what I ate, but how I ate...I was FORCED to eat smaller portions, and give up certain foods altogether.
But once that did happen, the weight just fell off...and continued to do so until my body decided it was where it should be, passing any goals I may have set for myself.
Of course, I could have gotten Fluid taken out and eat whatever and whenever I wanted.
Then call it a "Tool" to use in conjunction with traditional dieting..something I simply cannot do...diet.
If you get sick, stuck, and the food comes back up, don't be so quick to blame the band for being too tight...ask yourself first, what did I do to cause this? Was it something I ate? Did I take too big a swallow? Not chew well enough?
This is where the lessons are learned. And it can be very difficult.
I can walk into a large room full of food choices, at a buffet, or a party, etc....for me now, it's a no brainer. I simply pass over food I know I don't eat anymore.
People here will start complaining and worrying about Thanksgiving coming up...what's to worry about?
There are foods I can't and do not eat anymore, so they're off my radar. And what I do eat, my portions are small. So overeating is not a worry either.
It was, and is, the easiest thing I could have ever done to lose weight. For me, dieting was difficult and impossible always ending in failure.
But with the band, as long as I accepted the changes, it all became a way of life.
Today I go about my day to day business and don't even think about the band, don't think about dieting or calories...I have been set free from all that.
It has all become very normal, a new lifestyle.
With the band, I have no hunger, no cravings, and when I do eat my portion sizes are limited.
Sure, if I try to eat too much, or eat the wrong foods, it will result in unpleasant consequences...but that was the lessons I've learned, and I cannot be more pleased with myself.
So, when one is considering the band, I have to ask...How bad do you want it? How willing are you to turn away from certain foods??
You have to be willing to accept change...in a big way. many people want to hold onto the old habits. I read posts here every day about what people think they can or will eat. It just does not work.
I have no fear of ever gaining any weight back, as long as the band is there.

I find most TV food advertising DISGUSTING!
Look at those pizza commercials...I mean who can eat that stuff? Where is the nutritional Value? They compete with one another and just keep getting thicker and cheesier, even stuffing the crust..YUK!
And the Burger commercials are just as bad...perhaps worse.
The more gross they make their products, the more they feel they will sell....and maybe they do which is very sad indeed.

Coffee....can't live without it. The stronger the better.
I go out of my way to get the best blends, and I won't say how much I paid for my coffee maker.

Coffee....can't live without it. The stronger the better.
I go out of my way to get the best blends, and I won't say how much I paid for my coffee maker.

I find most TV food advertising DISGUSTING!
Look at those pizza commercials...I mean who can eat that stuff? Where is the nutritional Value? They compete with one another and just keep getting thicker and cheesier, even stuffing the crust..YUK!
And the Burger commercials are just as bad...perhaps worse.
The more gross they make their products, the more they feel they will sell....and maybe they do which is very sad indeed.

Fat people are masters at "Self Denial" and "rationalization"
I can say this from personal experience....I could suppress the truth and reality so far down in my mind it didn't exist.
The fact I am only 5'8" and had to buy my clothes from a "Big and Tall" clothing store. The only pants I could buy had to have the elastic waistband.
I wouldn't look in the mirror, and it got to the point I would not step on the scale...ever!
The examples go on...
I currently have friends today, that if I suggest they join the gym I better duck!
As far as Rationalization, I have been on more diets anyone can imagine, including medical supervised diets...I failed miserably at everyone...why? I would rationalize...
I can have this little piece of cake, a little won't hurt, right?
I know I'm on a strict diet, but if I have this one good meal, I can fast tommarow...but then tomorrow I'm rationalizing something else, again. And before you know it, the whole thing goes down the tubes and I'm back to my old self.
I smoked 2 pack of cigarettes a day for over 35 years...same thing....can't tell you how many times I quit. I would buy a pack, smoke one cigarette and throw the pack out the car widow...crazy, right? Pretty soon I would realize how stupid (and expensive) that was and would just start smoking full force again.
I believe what you are seeing on this forum, are new people who even though they have had surgery, they still have that old mentality that they can do things and rationalize it away, and then be in denial about it.
They post these questions hoping someone will tell them it's fine, everything is going to be Ok.
But when confronted with the truth....well, I remember when someone would call me out...
It can be just as bad as confronting a high functioning alcoholic...can get nasty
The fact is, to loose weight or change oneself in any way, you have to be confronted with the truth.
Weight loss surgery is not a game...it's not a gimmick, a fad diet....it is major surgery designed to change and alter your life.
You're right, I don't know how some get past the psych eval... but they need to be confronted

First off, I'm 64 years old, and had Lap band procedure coming up on 6 years.
Prior to that, I was morbidly obese, diabetes, high BP, triglycerides, cholesterol, etc, etc, you name it, all out of control.
Was seeing as many as 4 different Dr.'s all on a 4-month schedule.
I was so out of shape I would become short of breath and need to rest doing the littlest things like carry groceries into the house.
My PCP simply and straight forwardly stated that if I did not do something, specifically lose 50-80 lbs, I will not be around much longer. I should think about my family, etc, when I am gone.
I told him, yet again, that I have tried every diet under the sun and was never able to keep it off. All diets started out good, but then I back slid and ultimately complete failure.
I went for a stress test, and they found blockages in my arteries, which resulted in angioplasty with stents. It was then they discovered an area of my heart muscle was damaged which was a result of a Myocardial Infarction. They asked me when did I have a heart attack? I said never.
They said Oh yes you did, a quite serious one...However it was silent which is very common for diabetics.
Back to my PCP...suggested as a "Last Resort", I go for WLS. Which I did.
WLS was 100% successful for me, once I got past the initial stages it became the easiest thing I could have ever done.
Lost all my excess body fat, became a gym rat. I don't count calories or anything similar to traditional dieting. With the band I am forced to eat less so when I do eat I just make sure it is something as healthy as I can put together. Always focusing on the Protein.< br />I indulge in things that are usually a hot topic here...point is, I'm not a glutton so a little here and then works just fine with me.
Fast forward to a few days ago....went in for my scheduled Nuclear Stress test. Other people in the waiting room had O2 with them, were using walkers, etc...I came looking like I just came back from the gym knowing I would be running on their treadmill.
Through every phase people would comment how good I looked and I surley worked out.
One TECH wanted to know what my workout routine was.
On the treadmill, where they take it to a high BPM (stress), they had me running at a good clip...I was also carrying on a normal conversation the whole time. Then they inject the isotobe and take pictures of your cardiac arteries
First time I had one of these it didn't take more than a brisk walk, and I was so out of breath I could not speak.
My cardiologist called me later and said I passed with flying colors..everything could not look any better...Perfect...
This is what WLS did for me...literally saved my life. Turned around my Coronary Artery Disease, not to mention reversing my diabetes and everything else I was plagued with.
I'm 64 years old and am the weight I was when I played football and ran track back in HS 45 years ago.
I am at an optimal body fat %, (don't care about BMI's) cannot lose anymore because there is nothing left to lose.
Wear normal clothes right off the rack, or order online without any worries, never short of breath, and I feel like I'm 30 years younger and can do anything.
Last summer I climbed a volcano where the next oldest in the group was 1/2 my age, the rest younger...I led the pack most of the way up.
I read posts on this forum all the time about people complaining about this and that, or having fears of failure only a year or less into it...
People, PLEASE get over it....stop the whining!!! This thing DOES WORK...don't sweat the small stuff, focus on the big picture..like the rest of your life!!!
Ok, off my soapbox.
Thank You

Fat people are masters at "Self Denial" and "rationalization"
I can say this from personal experience....I could suppress the truth and reality so far down in my mind it didn't exist.
The fact I am only 5'8" and had to buy my clothes from a "Big and Tall" clothing store. The only pants I could buy had to have the elastic waistband.
I wouldn't look in the mirror, and it got to the point I would not step on the scale...ever!
The examples go on...
I currently have friends today, that if I suggest they join the gym I better duck!
As far as Rationalization, I have been on more diets anyone can imagine, including medical supervised diets...I failed miserably at everyone...why? I would rationalize...
I can have this little piece of cake, a little won't hurt, right?
I know I'm on a strict diet, but if I have this one good meal, I can fast tommarow...but then tomorrow I'm rationalizing something else, again. And before you know it, the whole thing goes down the tubes and I'm back to my old self.
I smoked 2 pack of cigarettes a day for over 35 years...same thing....can't tell you how many times I quit. I would buy a pack, smoke one cigarette and throw the pack out the car widow...crazy, right? Pretty soon I would realize how stupid (and expensive) that was and would just start smoking full force again.
I believe what you are seeing on this forum, are new people who even though they have had surgery, they still have that old mentality that they can do things and rationalize it away, and then be in denial about it.
They post these questions hoping someone will tell them it's fine, everything is going to be Ok.
But when confronted with the truth....well, I remember when someone would call me out...
It can be just as bad as confronting a high functioning alcoholic...can get nasty
The fact is, to loose weight or change oneself in any way, you have to be confronted with the truth.
Weight loss surgery is not a game...it's not a gimmick, a fad diet....it is major surgery designed to change and alter your life.
You're right, I don't know how some get past the psych eval... but they need to be confronted

Fat people are masters at "Self Denial" and "rationalization"
I can say this from personal experience....I could suppress the truth and reality so far down in my mind it didn't exist.
The fact I am only 5'8" and had to buy my clothes from a "Big and Tall" clothing store. The only pants I could buy had to have the elastic waistband.
I wouldn't look in the mirror, and it got to the point I would not step on the scale...ever!
The examples go on...
I currently have friends today, that if I suggest they join the gym I better duck!
As far as Rationalization, I have been on more diets anyone can imagine, including medical supervised diets...I failed miserably at everyone...why? I would rationalize...
I can have this little piece of cake, a little won't hurt, right?
I know I'm on a strict diet, but if I have this one good meal, I can fast tommarow...but then tomorrow I'm rationalizing something else, again. And before you know it, the whole thing goes down the tubes and I'm back to my old self.
I smoked 2 pack of cigarettes a day for over 35 years...same thing....can't tell you how many times I quit. I would buy a pack, smoke one cigarette and throw the pack out the car widow...crazy, right? Pretty soon I would realize how stupid (and expensive) that was and would just start smoking full force again.
I believe what you are seeing on this forum, are new people who even though they have had surgery, they still have that old mentality that they can do things and rationalize it away, and then be in denial about it.
They post these questions hoping someone will tell them it's fine, everything is going to be Ok.
But when confronted with the truth....well, I remember when someone would call me out...
It can be just as bad as confronting a high functioning alcoholic...can get nasty
The fact is, to loose weight or change oneself in any way, you have to be confronted with the truth.
Weight loss surgery is not a game...it's not a gimmick, a fad diet....it is major surgery designed to change and alter your life.
You're right, I don't know how some get past the psych eval... but they need to be confronted

Fat people are masters at "Self Denial" and "rationalization"
I can say this from personal experience....I could suppress the truth and reality so far down in my mind it didn't exist.
The fact I am only 5'8" and had to buy my clothes from a "Big and Tall" clothing store. The only pants I could buy had to have the elastic waistband.
I wouldn't look in the mirror, and it got to the point I would not step on the scale...ever!
The examples go on...
I currently have friends today, that if I suggest they join the gym I better duck!
As far as Rationalization, I have been on more diets anyone can imagine, including medical supervised diets...I failed miserably at everyone...why? I would rationalize...
I can have this little piece of cake, a little won't hurt, right?
I know I'm on a strict diet, but if I have this one good meal, I can fast tommarow...but then tomorrow I'm rationalizing something else, again. And before you know it, the whole thing goes down the tubes and I'm back to my old self.
I smoked 2 pack of cigarettes a day for over 35 years...same thing....can't tell you how many times I quit. I would buy a pack, smoke one cigarette and throw the pack out the car widow...crazy, right? Pretty soon I would realize how stupid (and expensive) that was and would just start smoking full force again.
I believe what you are seeing on this forum, are new people who even though they have had surgery, they still have that old mentality that they can do things and rationalize it away, and then be in denial about it.
They post these questions hoping someone will tell them it's fine, everything is going to be Ok.
But when confronted with the truth....well, I remember when someone would call me out...
It can be just as bad as confronting a high functioning alcoholic...can get nasty
The fact is, to loose weight or change oneself in any way, you have to be confronted with the truth.
Weight loss surgery is not a game...it's not a gimmick, a fad diet....it is major surgery designed to change and alter your life.
You're right, I don't know how some get past the psych eval... but they need to be confronted

Here is my Latest "After" picture....living the NEW LIFE...3 years now.
62 years old and going stronger than ever...EASIEST and BEST thing I could have ever done for myself!!!
\

Fat people are masters at "Self Denial" and "rationalization"
I can say this from personal experience....I could suppress the truth and reality so far down in my mind it didn't exist.
The fact I am only 5'8" and had to buy my clothes from a "Big and Tall" clothing store. The only pants I could buy had to have the elastic waistband.
I wouldn't look in the mirror, and it got to the point I would not step on the scale...ever!
The examples go on...
I currently have friends today, that if I suggest they join the gym I better duck!
As far as Rationalization, I have been on more diets anyone can imagine, including medical supervised diets...I failed miserably at everyone...why? I would rationalize...
I can have this little piece of cake, a little won't hurt, right?
I know I'm on a strict diet, but if I have this one good meal, I can fast tommarow...but then tomorrow I'm rationalizing something else, again. And before you know it, the whole thing goes down the tubes and I'm back to my old self.
I smoked 2 pack of cigarettes a day for over 35 years...same thing....can't tell you how many times I quit. I would buy a pack, smoke one cigarette and throw the pack out the car widow...crazy, right? Pretty soon I would realize how stupid (and expensive) that was and would just start smoking full force again.
I believe what you are seeing on this forum, are new people who even though they have had surgery, they still have that old mentality that they can do things and rationalize it away, and then be in denial about it.
They post these questions hoping someone will tell them it's fine, everything is going to be Ok.
But when confronted with the truth....well, I remember when someone would call me out...
It can be just as bad as confronting a high functioning alcoholic...can get nasty
The fact is, to loose weight or change oneself in any way, you have to be confronted with the truth.
Weight loss surgery is not a game...it's not a gimmick, a fad diet....it is major surgery designed to change and alter your life.
You're right, I don't know how some get past the psych eval... but they need to be confronted

Fat people are masters at "Self Denial" and "rationalization"
I can say this from personal experience....I could suppress the truth and reality so far down in my mind it didn't exist.
The fact I am only 5'8" and had to buy my clothes from a "Big and Tall" clothing store. The only pants I could buy had to have the elastic waistband.
I wouldn't look in the mirror, and it got to the point I would not step on the scale...ever!
The examples go on...
I currently have friends today, that if I suggest they join the gym I better duck!
As far as Rationalization, I have been on more diets anyone can imagine, including medical supervised diets...I failed miserably at everyone...why? I would rationalize...
I can have this little piece of cake, a little won't hurt, right?
I know I'm on a strict diet, but if I have this one good meal, I can fast tommarow...but then tomorrow I'm rationalizing something else, again. And before you know it, the whole thing goes down the tubes and I'm back to my old self.
I smoked 2 pack of cigarettes a day for over 35 years...same thing....can't tell you how many times I quit. I would buy a pack, smoke one cigarette and throw the pack out the car widow...crazy, right? Pretty soon I would realize how stupid (and expensive) that was and would just start smoking full force again.
I believe what you are seeing on this forum, are new people who even though they have had surgery, they still have that old mentality that they can do things and rationalize it away, and then be in denial about it.
They post these questions hoping someone will tell them it's fine, everything is going to be Ok.
But when confronted with the truth....well, I remember when someone would call me out...
It can be just as bad as confronting a high functioning alcoholic...can get nasty
The fact is, to loose weight or change oneself in any way, you have to be confronted with the truth.
Weight loss surgery is not a game...it's not a gimmick, a fad diet....it is major surgery designed to change and alter your life.
You're right, I don't know how some get past the psych eval... but they need to be confronted

Fat people are masters at "Self Denial" and "rationalization"
I can say this from personal experience....I could suppress the truth and reality so far down in my mind it didn't exist.
The fact I am only 5'8" and had to buy my clothes from a "Big and Tall" clothing store. The only pants I could buy had to have the elastic waistband.
I wouldn't look in the mirror, and it got to the point I would not step on the scale...ever!
The examples go on...
I currently have friends today, that if I suggest they join the gym I better duck!
As far as Rationalization, I have been on more diets anyone can imagine, including medical supervised diets...I failed miserably at everyone...why? I would rationalize...
I can have this little piece of cake, a little won't hurt, right?
I know I'm on a strict diet, but if I have this one good meal, I can fast tommarow...but then tomorrow I'm rationalizing something else, again. And before you know it, the whole thing goes down the tubes and I'm back to my old self.
I smoked 2 pack of cigarettes a day for over 35 years...same thing....can't tell you how many times I quit. I would buy a pack, smoke one cigarette and throw the pack out the car widow...crazy, right? Pretty soon I would realize how stupid (and expensive) that was and would just start smoking full force again.
I believe what you are seeing on this forum, are new people who even though they have had surgery, they still have that old mentality that they can do things and rationalize it away, and then be in denial about it.
They post these questions hoping someone will tell them it's fine, everything is going to be Ok.
But when confronted with the truth....well, I remember when someone would call me out...
It can be just as bad as confronting a high functioning alcoholic...can get nasty
The fact is, to loose weight or change oneself in any way, you have to be confronted with the truth.
Weight loss surgery is not a game...it's not a gimmick, a fad diet....it is major surgery designed to change and alter your life.
You're right, I don't know how some get past the psych eval... but they need to be confronted

Fat people are masters at "Self Denial" and "rationalization"
I can say this from personal experience....I could suppress the truth and reality so far down in my mind it didn't exist.
The fact I am only 5'8" and had to buy my clothes from a "Big and Tall" clothing store. The only pants I could buy had to have the elastic waistband.
I wouldn't look in the mirror, and it got to the point I would not step on the scale...ever!
The examples go on...
I currently have friends today, that if I suggest they join the gym I better duck!
As far as Rationalization, I have been on more diets anyone can imagine, including medical supervised diets...I failed miserably at everyone...why? I would rationalize...
I can have this little piece of cake, a little won't hurt, right?
I know I'm on a strict diet, but if I have this one good meal, I can fast tommarow...but then tomorrow I'm rationalizing something else, again. And before you know it, the whole thing goes down the tubes and I'm back to my old self.
I smoked 2 pack of cigarettes a day for over 35 years...same thing....can't tell you how many times I quit. I would buy a pack, smoke one cigarette and throw the pack out the car widow...crazy, right? Pretty soon I would realize how stupid (and expensive) that was and would just start smoking full force again.
I believe what you are seeing on this forum, are new people who even though they have had surgery, they still have that old mentality that they can do things and rationalize it away, and then be in denial about it.
They post these questions hoping someone will tell them it's fine, everything is going to be Ok.
But when confronted with the truth....well, I remember when someone would call me out...
It can be just as bad as confronting a high functioning alcoholic...can get nasty
The fact is, to loose weight or change oneself in any way, you have to be confronted with the truth.
Weight loss surgery is not a game...it's not a gimmick, a fad diet....it is major surgery designed to change and alter your life.
You're right, I don't know how some get past the psych eval... but they need to be confronted

Fat people are masters at "Self Denial" and "rationalization"
I can say this from personal experience....I could suppress the truth and reality so far down in my mind it didn't exist.
The fact I am only 5'8" and had to buy my clothes from a "Big and Tall" clothing store. The only pants I could buy had to have the elastic waistband.
I wouldn't look in the mirror, and it got to the point I would not step on the scale...ever!
The examples go on...
I currently have friends today, that if I suggest they join the gym I better duck!
As far as Rationalization, I have been on more diets anyone can imagine, including medical supervised diets...I failed miserably at everyone...why? I would rationalize...
I can have this little piece of cake, a little won't hurt, right?
I know I'm on a strict diet, but if I have this one good meal, I can fast tommarow...but then tomorrow I'm rationalizing something else, again. And before you know it, the whole thing goes down the tubes and I'm back to my old self.
I smoked 2 pack of cigarettes a day for over 35 years...same thing....can't tell you how many times I quit. I would buy a pack, smoke one cigarette and throw the pack out the car widow...crazy, right? Pretty soon I would realize how stupid (and expensive) that was and would just start smoking full force again.
I believe what you are seeing on this forum, are new people who even though they have had surgery, they still have that old mentality that they can do things and rationalize it away, and then be in denial about it.
They post these questions hoping someone will tell them it's fine, everything is going to be Ok.
But when confronted with the truth....well, I remember when someone would call me out...
It can be just as bad as confronting a high functioning alcoholic...can get nasty
The fact is, to loose weight or change oneself in any way, you have to be confronted with the truth.
Weight loss surgery is not a game...it's not a gimmick, a fad diet....it is major surgery designed to change and alter your life.
You're right, I don't know how some get past the psych eval... but they need to be confronted

First off, I'm 64 years old, and had Lap band procedure coming up on 6 years.
Prior to that, I was morbidly obese, diabetes, high BP, triglycerides, cholesterol, etc, etc, you name it, all out of control.
Was seeing as many as 4 different Dr.'s all on a 4-month schedule.
I was so out of shape I would become short of breath and need to rest doing the littlest things like carry groceries into the house.
My PCP simply and straight forwardly stated that if I did not do something, specifically lose 50-80 lbs, I will not be around much longer. I should think about my family, etc, when I am gone.
I told him, yet again, that I have tried every diet under the sun and was never able to keep it off. All diets started out good, but then I back slid and ultimately complete failure.
I went for a stress test, and they found blockages in my arteries, which resulted in angioplasty with stents. It was then they discovered an area of my heart muscle was damaged which was a result of a Myocardial Infarction. They asked me when did I have a heart attack? I said never.
They said Oh yes you did, a quite serious one...However it was silent which is very common for diabetics.
Back to my PCP...suggested as a "Last Resort", I go for WLS. Which I did.
WLS was 100% successful for me, once I got past the initial stages it became the easiest thing I could have ever done.
Lost all my excess body fat, became a gym rat. I don't count calories or anything similar to traditional dieting. With the band I am forced to eat less so when I do eat I just make sure it is something as healthy as I can put together. Always focusing on the Protein.< br />I indulge in things that are usually a hot topic here...point is, I'm not a glutton so a little here and then works just fine with me.
Fast forward to a few days ago....went in for my scheduled Nuclear Stress test. Other people in the waiting room had O2 with them, were using walkers, etc...I came looking like I just came back from the gym knowing I would be running on their treadmill.
Through every phase people would comment how good I looked and I surley worked out.
One TECH wanted to know what my workout routine was.
On the treadmill, where they take it to a high BPM (stress), they had me running at a good clip...I was also carrying on a normal conversation the whole time. Then they inject the isotobe and take pictures of your cardiac arteries
First time I had one of these it didn't take more than a brisk walk, and I was so out of breath I could not speak.
My cardiologist called me later and said I passed with flying colors..everything could not look any better...Perfect...
This is what WLS did for me...literally saved my life. Turned around my Coronary Artery Disease, not to mention reversing my diabetes and everything else I was plagued with.
I'm 64 years old and am the weight I was when I played football and ran track back in HS 45 years ago.
I am at an optimal body fat %, (don't care about BMI's) cannot lose anymore because there is nothing left to lose.
Wear normal clothes right off the rack, or order online without any worries, never short of breath, and I feel like I'm 30 years younger and can do anything.
Last summer I climbed a volcano where the next oldest in the group was 1/2 my age, the rest younger...I led the pack most of the way up.
I read posts on this forum all the time about people complaining about this and that, or having fears of failure only a year or less into it...
People, PLEASE get over it....stop the whining!!! This thing DOES WORK...don't sweat the small stuff, focus on the big picture..like the rest of your life!!!
Ok, off my soapbox.
Thank You

I am a veteran and very reluctant to post because the majority of people here are newbies, and what they may hear me say can sometimes be things they should NOT be hearing.
You have to learn to stand, then take baby steps, before you can run.
Life at 6 years out is entirely different than those first year or two, just starting out, developing that new lifestyle, and learning how to "Listen" to my band.
With the exception of 2-3 people perhaps, everyone (and there many) who were here when I first came, are now all gone...I still remember some of their screen names, and many of them were people I paid close attention to.
In my opinion, there is not much here for veterans and it can be tough.

First off, I'm 64 years old, and had Lap band procedure coming up on 6 years.
Prior to that, I was morbidly obese, diabetes, high BP, triglycerides, cholesterol, etc, etc, you name it, all out of control.
Was seeing as many as 4 different Dr.'s all on a 4-month schedule.
I was so out of shape I would become short of breath and need to rest doing the littlest things like carry groceries into the house.
My PCP simply and straight forwardly stated that if I did not do something, specifically lose 50-80 lbs, I will not be around much longer. I should think about my family, etc, when I am gone.
I told him, yet again, that I have tried every diet under the sun and was never able to keep it off. All diets started out good, but then I back slid and ultimately complete failure.
I went for a stress test, and they found blockages in my arteries, which resulted in angioplasty with stents. It was then they discovered an area of my heart muscle was damaged which was a result of a Myocardial Infarction. They asked me when did I have a heart attack? I said never.
They said Oh yes you did, a quite serious one...However it was silent which is very common for diabetics.
Back to my PCP...suggested as a "Last Resort", I go for WLS. Which I did.
WLS was 100% successful for me, once I got past the initial stages it became the easiest thing I could have ever done.
Lost all my excess body fat, became a gym rat. I don't count calories or anything similar to traditional dieting. With the band I am forced to eat less so when I do eat I just make sure it is something as healthy as I can put together. Always focusing on the Protein.< br />I indulge in things that are usually a hot topic here...point is, I'm not a glutton so a little here and then works just fine with me.
Fast forward to a few days ago....went in for my scheduled Nuclear Stress test. Other people in the waiting room had O2 with them, were using walkers, etc...I came looking like I just came back from the gym knowing I would be running on their treadmill.
Through every phase people would comment how good I looked and I surley worked out.
One TECH wanted to know what my workout routine was.
On the treadmill, where they take it to a high BPM (stress), they had me running at a good clip...I was also carrying on a normal conversation the whole time. Then they inject the isotobe and take pictures of your cardiac arteries
First time I had one of these it didn't take more than a brisk walk, and I was so out of breath I could not speak.
My cardiologist called me later and said I passed with flying colors..everything could not look any better...Perfect...
This is what WLS did for me...literally saved my life. Turned around my Coronary Artery Disease, not to mention reversing my diabetes and everything else I was plagued with.
I'm 64 years old and am the weight I was when I played football and ran track back in HS 45 years ago.
I am at an optimal body fat %, (don't care about BMI's) cannot lose anymore because there is nothing left to lose.
Wear normal clothes right off the rack, or order online without any worries, never short of breath, and I feel like I'm 30 years younger and can do anything.
Last summer I climbed a volcano where the next oldest in the group was 1/2 my age, the rest younger...I led the pack most of the way up.
I read posts on this forum all the time about people complaining about this and that, or having fears of failure only a year or less into it...
People, PLEASE get over it....stop the whining!!! This thing DOES WORK...don't sweat the small stuff, focus on the big picture..like the rest of your life!!!
Ok, off my soapbox.
Thank You

WELL, I was going to post my NSV's too. Your post was so inspiring. I am 60 years old and had my RNY on July 2, 2013. I lost 132#'s in 6 months. I am 5.4 and I got down to 117#'s, but I felt like HELL my Surgeon and my PCP got worried because they thought I was losing muscle. So I did end up gaining 8#'s. You would be amazed at how much better I felt after just those 8#'s. So now I weigh 125 and have maintained this weight for 2 and 1/2 years. So now amoung many NSV's let me say I was on insulin with pills to try to correct my Diabetes. I was so insulin resistant that my PCP wanted to throw up his arms and give up. I took 12 different meds, now I take 4 no Diabetes meds at all and 1/2 of my blood pressure medications. I just can't get around stress. ( BTW if someone knows how please let me know) I am now able to exercise. I do have health issues still FIBROMYALGIA and ARTHRITIS. But I NOW can walk 4 to 5 times a week and 4 to 5 miles each time. AWESOME STUFF!! But one of my favorite NSV's was when my 9 and 11 year old grandkids came and set with me in my recliner and FIT with ROOM TO SPARE!!! So Precious!! There are so many others but I will stop now. LIFE is so much sweeter now!!

I am a veteran and very reluctant to post because the majority of people here are newbies, and what they may hear me say can sometimes be things they should NOT be hearing.
You have to learn to stand, then take baby steps, before you can run.
Life at 6 years out is entirely different than those first year or two, just starting out, developing that new lifestyle, and learning how to "Listen" to my band.
With the exception of 2-3 people perhaps, everyone (and there many) who were here when I first came, are now all gone...I still remember some of their screen names, and many of them were people I paid close attention to.
In my opinion, there is not much here for veterans and it can be tough.

First off, I'm 64 years old, and had Lap band procedure coming up on 6 years.
Prior to that, I was morbidly obese, diabetes, high BP, triglycerides, cholesterol, etc, etc, you name it, all out of control.
Was seeing as many as 4 different Dr.'s all on a 4-month schedule.
I was so out of shape I would become short of breath and need to rest doing the littlest things like carry groceries into the house.
My PCP simply and straight forwardly stated that if I did not do something, specifically lose 50-80 lbs, I will not be around much longer. I should think about my family, etc, when I am gone.
I told him, yet again, that I have tried every diet under the sun and was never able to keep it off. All diets started out good, but then I back slid and ultimately complete failure.
I went for a stress test, and they found blockages in my arteries, which resulted in angioplasty with stents. It was then they discovered an area of my heart muscle was damaged which was a result of a Myocardial Infarction. They asked me when did I have a heart attack? I said never.
They said Oh yes you did, a quite serious one...However it was silent which is very common for diabetics.
Back to my PCP...suggested as a "Last Resort", I go for WLS. Which I did.
WLS was 100% successful for me, once I got past the initial stages it became the easiest thing I could have ever done.
Lost all my excess body fat, became a gym rat. I don't count calories or anything similar to traditional dieting. With the band I am forced to eat less so when I do eat I just make sure it is something as healthy as I can put together. Always focusing on the Protein.< br />I indulge in things that are usually a hot topic here...point is, I'm not a glutton so a little here and then works just fine with me.
Fast forward to a few days ago....went in for my scheduled Nuclear Stress test. Other people in the waiting room had O2 with them, were using walkers, etc...I came looking like I just came back from the gym knowing I would be running on their treadmill.
Through every phase people would comment how good I looked and I surley worked out.
One TECH wanted to know what my workout routine was.
On the treadmill, where they take it to a high BPM (stress), they had me running at a good clip...I was also carrying on a normal conversation the whole time. Then they inject the isotobe and take pictures of your cardiac arteries
First time I had one of these it didn't take more than a brisk walk, and I was so out of breath I could not speak.
My cardiologist called me later and said I passed with flying colors..everything could not look any better...Perfect...
This is what WLS did for me...literally saved my life. Turned around my Coronary Artery Disease, not to mention reversing my diabetes and everything else I was plagued with.
I'm 64 years old and am the weight I was when I played football and ran track back in HS 45 years ago.
I am at an optimal body fat %, (don't care about BMI's) cannot lose anymore because there is nothing left to lose.
Wear normal clothes right off the rack, or order online without any worries, never short of breath, and I feel like I'm 30 years younger and can do anything.
Last summer I climbed a volcano where the next oldest in the group was 1/2 my age, the rest younger...I led the pack most of the way up.
I read posts on this forum all the time about people complaining about this and that, or having fears of failure only a year or less into it...
People, PLEASE get over it....stop the whining!!! This thing DOES WORK...don't sweat the small stuff, focus on the big picture..like the rest of your life!!!
Ok, off my soapbox.
Thank You

First off, I'm 64 years old, and had Lap band procedure coming up on 6 years.
Prior to that, I was morbidly obese, diabetes, high BP, triglycerides, cholesterol, etc, etc, you name it, all out of control.
Was seeing as many as 4 different Dr.'s all on a 4-month schedule.
I was so out of shape I would become short of breath and need to rest doing the littlest things like carry groceries into the house.
My PCP simply and straight forwardly stated that if I did not do something, specifically lose 50-80 lbs, I will not be around much longer. I should think about my family, etc, when I am gone.
I told him, yet again, that I have tried every diet under the sun and was never able to keep it off. All diets started out good, but then I back slid and ultimately complete failure.
I went for a stress test, and they found blockages in my arteries, which resulted in angioplasty with stents. It was then they discovered an area of my heart muscle was damaged which was a result of a Myocardial Infarction. They asked me when did I have a heart attack? I said never.
They said Oh yes you did, a quite serious one...However it was silent which is very common for diabetics.
Back to my PCP...suggested as a "Last Resort", I go for WLS. Which I did.
WLS was 100% successful for me, once I got past the initial stages it became the easiest thing I could have ever done.
Lost all my excess body fat, became a gym rat. I don't count calories or anything similar to traditional dieting. With the band I am forced to eat less so when I do eat I just make sure it is something as healthy as I can put together. Always focusing on the Protein.< br />I indulge in things that are usually a hot topic here...point is, I'm not a glutton so a little here and then works just fine with me.
Fast forward to a few days ago....went in for my scheduled Nuclear Stress test. Other people in the waiting room had O2 with them, were using walkers, etc...I came looking like I just came back from the gym knowing I would be running on their treadmill.
Through every phase people would comment how good I looked and I surley worked out.
One TECH wanted to know what my workout routine was.
On the treadmill, where they take it to a high BPM (stress), they had me running at a good clip...I was also carrying on a normal conversation the whole time. Then they inject the isotobe and take pictures of your cardiac arteries
First time I had one of these it didn't take more than a brisk walk, and I was so out of breath I could not speak.
My cardiologist called me later and said I passed with flying colors..everything could not look any better...Perfect...
This is what WLS did for me...literally saved my life. Turned around my Coronary Artery Disease, not to mention reversing my diabetes and everything else I was plagued with.
I'm 64 years old and am the weight I was when I played football and ran track back in HS 45 years ago.
I am at an optimal body fat %, (don't care about BMI's) cannot lose anymore because there is nothing left to lose.
Wear normal clothes right off the rack, or order online without any worries, never short of breath, and I feel like I'm 30 years younger and can do anything.
Last summer I climbed a volcano where the next oldest in the group was 1/2 my age, the rest younger...I led the pack most of the way up.
I read posts on this forum all the time about people complaining about this and that, or having fears of failure only a year or less into it...
People, PLEASE get over it....stop the whining!!! This thing DOES WORK...don't sweat the small stuff, focus on the big picture..like the rest of your life!!!
Ok, off my soapbox.
Thank You