JustDoIt130

The right choice is the one that you think is best. Everything has risks. For me, I really didn't want my insides re-routed or taken out, ala bypass and gastric sleeve. The band is not easy, it takes WORK- you have to commit, follow the rules (eating small bites slowly, not drinking with meals or after, eating solid Protein, not "eating around the band" with unhealthy junk). You have to exercise (most people do). You have to watch what you put in your mouth.
Good luck in your decision. I am so happy I did it, I've lost over 70 lbs in 6 months.
Nicki

Mine's named Magic...........

Mine's named Magic...........

I love them too. Try the vanilla. I do 1 scoop, 1 Tbsp sugar free pistachio pudding mix (dry) and 1 c skim milk. Yummm! Or 1 scoop vanilla, 1 c trop 50 orange juice and about 6 frozen strawberries. I use am immersion blender (also called a stick blender) to blend all my shakes. Easy to clean. When I do my chocolate splendor with 1 c skim milk I also add a couple ice cubes- makes it really cold. Also try the chicken broth. It is similar to lipton, imho. You just can't have it too hot - only 130 degrees, I think, or the protein clumps.

I love them too. Try the vanilla. I do 1 scoop, 1 Tbsp sugar free pistachio pudding mix (dry) and 1 c skim milk. Yummm! Or 1 scoop vanilla, 1 c trop 50 orange juice and about 6 frozen strawberries. I use am immersion blender (also called a stick blender) to blend all my shakes. Easy to clean. When I do my chocolate splendor with 1 c skim milk I also add a couple ice cubes- makes it really cold. Also try the chicken broth. It is similar to lipton, imho. You just can't have it too hot - only 130 degrees, I think, or the protein clumps.

The right choice is the one that you think is best. Everything has risks. For me, I really didn't want my insides re-routed or taken out, ala bypass and gastric sleeve. The band is not easy, it takes WORK- you have to commit, follow the rules (eating small bites slowly, not drinking with meals or after, eating solid Protein, not "eating around the band" with unhealthy junk). You have to exercise (most people do). You have to watch what you put in your mouth.
Good luck in your decision. I am so happy I did it, I've lost over 70 lbs in 6 months.
Nicki

The right choice is the one that you think is best. Everything has risks. For me, I really didn't want my insides re-routed or taken out, ala bypass and gastric sleeve. The band is not easy, it takes WORK- you have to commit, follow the rules (eating small bites slowly, not drinking with meals or after, eating solid Protein, not "eating around the band" with unhealthy junk). You have to exercise (most people do). You have to watch what you put in your mouth.
Good luck in your decision. I am so happy I did it, I've lost over 70 lbs in 6 months.
Nicki

I know I'm not a man, but.....as DH said, that's not stopped me yet!
I am just 42. Boy do I wish I had done this earlier. Started at 284 lbs, lapband surgery on 1/26/12, and down just over 70 lbs in just over 6 months, now.
It is a tool, not a magic pill or button. It is WORK and you have to COMMIT to it. I decided I was worth it, finally. I make time for my workouts. I eat right, follow the rules (solid Protein, eat at least 80 g protein daily- it would probably be more for you since you're a man- lower carbs, I log everything into my fitness pal). I workout at least 30 minutes a day- and usually closer to an hour- at least 5 days a week. It's not easy. I am close to- or possibly at- restriction, I just had my 5th (?, lost track) fill. I have a little over 10 cc's in a 14 cc band (the doc decides the size of the band, I have the large. The standard is 10 cc's. Depends on your anatomy). I eat slowly (so hard for me), don't drink with my meals or for at least 30 minutes after (I thought this would be impossible, but it's not).
To make a long story even longer- you have to be prepared. You have to be committed. It's not easy! It IS worth it. I am worth it. I feel so much better, I look better, I have a better outlook on life- and I can wear cuter clothes!!! It's a process, it's not instant.
Good luck!!! I too wish I had done it sooner, but better now than not at all!!!
Nicki

Yep, the pain med will be liquid. Also get some children's Tylenol just in case you need it- I was off all pain meds pretty quick.
I second KRussell- I wish I had taken measurements, but I do have full body pictures- in tight exercise shorts and a sports bra- yes, even at 284 lbs. At first I did them about once a week, now it's about once a month. It's fun to go back and look, I can't tell much of a difference until I look at the pictures (other can really tell, it's harder for me!!)
As for the pill thing- I do the chewable Vitamins too, but do have a bigger L-Lysine that's not chewable, but I can break it in half (it's scored) and even with about 10.5 cc's in my 14 cc band I can swallow the half no issue. Just make sure from the pharmacist that any pills you take (I know none now, but in the future or for antibiotics, etc) that you can cut them or get them in a liquid form.
Nicki

Really good ideas, ones ITA!!! For me, the not drinking with meals and the eating small small bites, chewing thoroughly and eating SLOWLY were so hard! I had thought to try it before being banded, but didn't do it, and it was an adjustment. I still get "first bite syndrome" where I don't chew that first bite quite enough and feel tight/mini stuck. I'm working on it, though.
I really second the walking - especially right after surgery after you get home, and for the next days. It REALLY helps with the gas (they pump you full of gas for ease of moving around your guts). Also, start an exercise program- even if it's just walking, or carving out the 30 minutes or whatever, just to start making it a habit.
Good luck, I am a very happy bandster, lost over 70 lbs in 6 months- I was banded on 1/26/12. I do follow the rules, and exercise and eat solid Protein and avoid slider foods. I'm in it to win it!!!!
Nicki

I use unjury. Love chocolate splendor. Also vanilla mixes with skim mill and 1 Tbsp pistachio pudding mix. Or a scoop of vanilla, 1 c trop 50 oj and some frozen strawberries and ice. Super good!!

I use unjury. Love chocolate splendor. Also vanilla mixes with skim mill and 1 Tbsp pistachio pudding mix. Or a scoop of vanilla, 1 c trop 50 oj and some frozen strawberries and ice. Super good!!

I have lost 67 lbs in 6 months (my 6 month bandiversary was yesterday). I love my band!!!!

I hate to tell you this, but you do have to "diet" in the beginning to get any results. Just because you CAN eat something, does not mean you should be. They banded your stomach, not your head, so it can be hard. After being filled more you will have more restriction and not be able to eat as much, etc. You're in what is known as bandster hell- the period after surgery before you're filled enough for complete restriction. You have to put some effort into it, only eat the amount of food you SHOULD eat, not CAN eat. Good luck- it is worth it, for sure!!!!

I hate to tell you this, but you do have to "diet" in the beginning to get any results. Just because you CAN eat something, does not mean you should be. They banded your stomach, not your head, so it can be hard. After being filled more you will have more restriction and not be able to eat as much, etc. You're in what is known as bandster hell- the period after surgery before you're filled enough for complete restriction. You have to put some effort into it, only eat the amount of food you SHOULD eat, not CAN eat. Good luck- it is worth it, for sure!!!!

I'm struggling with this too- doing everything right and showed a gain- but IT"S OKAY!!! WE'LL SUCCEED!!! It's a marathon, not a sprint!!!! It is super frustrating, though. We'll power through it and it will NOT derail us like it did on so many other diets- at least, it would derail me! But this is a lifestyle, forever change, so I might as well be in it for the long haul and be successful!!!
Good luck, hang in there, it will happen!
Nicki

I know what you mean, that was a big factor to me- getting older but have little kids that need me for the long haul. It's good motivation, keep up the good work!!!!
Nicki

I'm struggling with this too- doing everything right and showed a gain- but IT"S OKAY!!! WE'LL SUCCEED!!! It's a marathon, not a sprint!!!! It is super frustrating, though. We'll power through it and it will NOT derail us like it did on so many other diets- at least, it would derail me! But this is a lifestyle, forever change, so I might as well be in it for the long haul and be successful!!!
Good luck, hang in there, it will happen!
Nicki

I hate to tell you this, but you do have to "diet" in the beginning to get any results. Just because you CAN eat something, does not mean you should be. They banded your stomach, not your head, so it can be hard. After being filled more you will have more restriction and not be able to eat as much, etc. You're in what is known as bandster hell- the period after surgery before you're filled enough for complete restriction. You have to put some effort into it, only eat the amount of food you SHOULD eat, not CAN eat. Good luck- it is worth it, for sure!!!!

I hate to tell you this, but you do have to "diet" in the beginning to get any results. Just because you CAN eat something, does not mean you should be. They banded your stomach, not your head, so it can be hard. After being filled more you will have more restriction and not be able to eat as much, etc. You're in what is known as bandster hell- the period after surgery before you're filled enough for complete restriction. You have to put some effort into it, only eat the amount of food you SHOULD eat, not CAN eat. Good luck- it is worth it, for sure!!!!

I hate to tell you this, but you do have to "diet" in the beginning to get any results. Just because you CAN eat something, does not mean you should be. They banded your stomach, not your head, so it can be hard. After being filled more you will have more restriction and not be able to eat as much, etc. You're in what is known as bandster hell- the period after surgery before you're filled enough for complete restriction. You have to put some effort into it, only eat the amount of food you SHOULD eat, not CAN eat. Good luck- it is worth it, for sure!!!!

I hate to tell you this, but you do have to "diet" in the beginning to get any results. Just because you CAN eat something, does not mean you should be. They banded your stomach, not your head, so it can be hard. After being filled more you will have more restriction and not be able to eat as much, etc. You're in what is known as bandster hell- the period after surgery before you're filled enough for complete restriction. You have to put some effort into it, only eat the amount of food you SHOULD eat, not CAN eat. Good luck- it is worth it, for sure!!!!

I hate to tell you this, but you do have to "diet" in the beginning to get any results. Just because you CAN eat something, does not mean you should be. They banded your stomach, not your head, so it can be hard. After being filled more you will have more restriction and not be able to eat as much, etc. You're in what is known as bandster hell- the period after surgery before you're filled enough for complete restriction. You have to put some effort into it, only eat the amount of food you SHOULD eat, not CAN eat. Good luck- it is worth it, for sure!!!!

Yes, you feel that way because you don't have any fills in your band. It will change- until then, welcome to bandster hell! The period of time between surgery/after healing and getting to proper restriction with fills. You will have to diet a little, push yourself away from the table, use your willpower to get results. Or you can still eat what you want and go for your fills, get to restriction, then start losing weight- whichever way. Obviously you'll have quicker results if you watch what you eat from the beginning. You should also start some sort of exercise when the doc clears you. Really the goal of the lap band is to eat what you eat now, just much smaller amounts, so you're doing great!!
Nicki

I hate to tell you this, but you do have to "diet" in the beginning to get any results. Just because you CAN eat something, does not mean you should be. They banded your stomach, not your head, so it can be hard. After being filled more you will have more restriction and not be able to eat as much, etc. You're in what is known as bandster hell- the period after surgery before you're filled enough for complete restriction. You have to put some effort into it, only eat the amount of food you SHOULD eat, not CAN eat. Good luck- it is worth it, for sure!!!!