Brewa2000

Hello Penny, I'm not from ND, but spent the first 20 years of my life in Minn near Fargo. Been a few years ago.... Good luck on your journey! Bruce

Oh, we do care! Good to hear from you! I'm a big believer in staying busy. I think it has helped me a lot. But never too busy to mess with my dogs. I know you're the same... Take care! Bruce

As of this morning I'm sitting at 200 lbs. My loss has slowed (I need another fill) but I'm working on portion size and watching what I put in my mouth. I actually went below 200 (196) Sunday after working at a food booth all Saturday. I knew, however that I was dehydrated, so I didn't count it. Hard believe I lost weight while cooking and serving brisket (one of my favorites). I guess staying busy gave me a little time to nibble even though it was soo good. I was also carefull not to cause a scene. Not good to see the cook throwing up! Anyway, soon I'll be officially below 200. Can't wait! Bruce

My popsicle sticks are usually so chewed up that they are useless. Guess I was a beaver in a former life.

Good job! I hope the second half goes as fast!

Teachlady-Thank you for the kind words. Yes, I feel awesome. Sometimes I can hardly believe that it's happening. My wife is also doing well. She's lost about 60 lbs. and is happy we went through with it. She could have been a retired teacher too, but she wanted an indoor swimming pool. Sooo, she has to teach a little longer. Bruce

I was banded on 1/31/07 and my wife on 2/22/07. I was first because in my business I need to be able to handle 50# bags (lots of them) starting in March. I wouldn't recommend both at the same time. A week or two between would be good. We were both self pay, so we'll be able to get a tax deduction. BTW Teachlady, my wife is a teacher also! Good luck! Bruce

Wasa- try going to their website and order a video and/or brochure that shows you the exercises you can do. I have a "Cross bow". It's a cheaper version, but works basically the same. Great way to get some resistance training.

I just had my fourth episode last night. I wanted a quick piece of meat (I know better) before I went outside to change Water (we have a few irrigated acres). If a neighbor was watching they must have thought I'd taken up chewing tobacco, cause man I was doing some "spitting". Finally cleared it. Next time I'll wait til I'm done and take my time.... Bruce

I picked mine. My goal weight puts me at a BMI of 25, which is the cutoff for being in the "overweight" catagorie.

Welcome to the group. Jay- do what your Dr says. It'll pass quickly and lose some weight to boot. I lost 19 lbs in the 2 weeks preop on liquids. Watcher- Rate of loss varies. But guys your age, if they follow the guildelines and exercise, are usually have the best results. I was a self pay and it took about 1 month from the consultation to surgery. If you have to get the insurance ok, it will probably take longer. Good luck Bruce

The bottom line is that having the band itself does not guarantee that you will lose weight. You still need to avoid crappy foods, exercise, and follow the other guidelines. The band will help dim your appetite, the rest is up to you. Successful banded people accept this fact and try their best to do their part. Bruce

I agree 100% with the learn when to stop. I have learned to use a salad plate, put my meal on the plate, eat slow and when it's gone, I'm done. When eating out, get a take home box as soon as your meal arrives and put all but what your going to eat in the box and quit when your done. I did real well doing Atkins a few years back (5 years ago). The only problem, looking back, was I ate way too big of portions. I am doing kind of a "Mini Atkins" now, but I allow myself to eat a couple apricots or a nectorine when I pass our "orchard". Peaches and Italian prunes are next to ripen. Bruce

MMS- sorry to be the one to tell you this but you will have to learn to be patient. It's a long ongoing process. I consider myself fairly patient, but have had my moments... That being said, the band has been great for myself and thousands of others. You will be rewarded for jumping through all those hoops. There are inspiring stories all over this site. They helped me through the tough times. Good luck! Bruce

I have had problems with dry (overcooked) meats since I've been on solids. I puked three times in 6 months of banding, twice on dry salmon, once on chicken white meat. If I eat meat that might be dry, I find or make a low fat/low sugar sauce to dip in. Just a little, maybe a table spoon for my meal does the trick. salad dressing, mustard, Heintz 1 carb carb ketchup are the base. Mix in some spices (chili powder, garlic powder, chopped onion or onion powder, etc) to give them some flavor. Good luck getting through the rest of your liquid stage. It's important to follow your doctor's instructions. Bruce

My Dr and nurse (nutritionist) made it pretty clear before surgery, to not eat bread, pasta, rice, and flour torts. Beside the fact that they will probably get stuck, they are loaded with bad carbs. We can only eat so much. Eat protein first, then veggies. That being said, I can eat a "hard shell" taco now and then. But I realize a consistant diet of them will not be good for weightloss. Bruce

Yes sir. South central Washington. Bruce

I slept in my recliner for almost a week. Also, getting up and walking is very important. That will help get rid of the gas. It will pass... Bruce

I thought I'd start a thread to share the special times of our journey. I invite everyone to participate. I think it helps to "feed" on others success. You might help make a difference in someone else's life. I've received a lot of my motivation from guys like ousooner and Jack. I'll start it off by saying that today is my 6 month mark of being banded and I haven't regretted one minute of it. After a fast start, my weight loss has slowed down, but I'm very happy to be 2/3 of the way to my goal. I go in for a fill on Thursday. I have always had a nice weight loss following fills, so maybe I'll be under 200 in the next couple weeks. I tend to lose in bunches and I am due. I'd like to be at my goal (170# or a 25 BMI) by year's end. I've been able to up my exercise lately because my RA has been much better, so that helps. Anyway, enough of my rambling; let's hear from others who are at a special point or passing a benchmark. Stand strong brothers! Bruce

I put a couple teaspoons of Benefiber (the powder) in my morning shake. I've done this since the start. It's pretty much tasteless and seems to do the trick. Don't use too much or you'll go to the other extreme... Bruce

I agree with Jack. I had surgery on Wednesday and went in Saturday to catch up. Within a couple weeks I was lifting some 50# bags, but was careful. You will know if you over do it. Within a month, we were starting our busy season and I was doing better than I had in years. You are going to see some great changes in your body in the next few weeks... Bruce

I thought the same thing... Bruce

They definitely will get smaller. I'm hoping they will continue to deflate (along with my spare tire and thighs) as I continue my journey. Good luck. Bruce

My VG band is doing it's job when I do mine. There are a lot of others that have done just fine also. I'd go for it. Good luck! Bruce

Good luck to Bud and Bill! I hope all went well. Keep us posted...