yellowrose88

C25K (Couch to 5k) is a work out program to do exactly what it states. To get your butt off the couch and prepare you for a 5k. I kept seeing it posted on here to I went to google. I am doing the treadmill version. It is a nine week program with three workouts a week. It starts off slow walking for five minutes, run for 1 minute, walk for a 1 1/2, and so on. Each week the running increases. I did my first workout for week 3 and it was a killer. I thought last week was hard but I have been pushing myself to finish and not give up. I am enjoying it and I can't believe I am actually doing it. LOL My husband walked in on me last week and said "I can't believe you are running..." Well I can't either. Here is the link if you are interested.
http://www.c25k.com/c25k_treadmill.html

The band is only a tool to assist with managing your appetite and to help control portions. The band works by providing restriction to the stomach and creates a small pouch which fills when small meals are eaten. The pouch will eventually empty into the rest of the digestive tract. While full, the hunger is controlled. After being banded, your surgeon usually will periodically adjust the the amount of restriction (amount the band is filled with saline) to increase the restriction, and thereby increase the length of time for your meal to be digested.
Someone with a band does get hungry, but the pouch limits how much you are able to eat, therefore the Portion Control helps to loose weight. The diet consists of lean healthy Proteins and Fiber carbs, and each meal is measured by volume not weight. Patients are encouraged to make healthy food choices, and avoid any added sugars or over processed foods. Patients are also encouraged to exercise, and generally modify their lifestyles to healthier practices.
What helps me control my hunger is to continue to drink necessary fluids between meals to stay properly hydrated.
There are restrictions on the kinds of food you should have, but most people find they can eat most anything, just in greatly reduced amounts. The goal is to make better choices and avoid the type of foods which contributed to your weight issues.
This forum has many members who are informative and knowledgeable. Best way to learn is to ask questions!

To further explain how the band controls your eating-
Imagine the stomach is like a plastic bottle. To get to the top of the bottle, you must fill the entire bottle. With the band, a small pouch is made near the top of the bottle, which allows the top portion to fill without actually consuming enough to fill the entire bottle. The hunger "sensors" are located at the top of the stomach and so the band allows a reduction in the amount you eat, but it makes the sensors believe you're "full." With adjustments of saline, the band is made to satiate real hunger (not head hunger) for 4-5 hours.
Another thing to look into is that I've heard in VSG or gastric that the stomach can regrow the sensors that are cut out. I'm not sure how common that is though.

I saw my surgeon for a follow up and fill tonight. I was the only one in the waiting room when he came out and called me name, then looked around for me. "Oh, I didn't recognise you!" he said, "You look great!"
Needless to say I was pretty pumped by that, but then he mentioned his information seminars and said I would be a model patient to speak at them.
And then when I went out to reception, his receptionist pointed out that he hadn't recognised me!
He also remembered that I had my son's wedding and was pleased that I had brought photos in to show him. (I've tried to attach a pic, so hope that it works.)
Only small negative of the appointment was that my port may have partially flipped. He was able to get the fill in (two jabs, ouch!) but warned that it may flip completely, even though it was both stitched and mechanically attached. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen!

I went for my pre-opt with the surgeon. He does a small group first to discuss the process and then meets individually with all the patients. While in the group meeting, I heard someone call out another patient. I heard the name and it flagged an old memory. I looked down the table and saw my very best friend from middle school. I have not seen her in 15 years. We began to cry and are so excited to share this journey with a friend. It is so crazy we crossed paths again. We each moved long away from out home town and had different paths. We found out we each had two children the same ages. We have supportive hubbies regarding the surgery! We are so excited. We are scheduled the SAME DAY for surgery!
Now I have all of my LBT buddies and a old friend. I think I was meant to cross paths with her again. Some of my foundest childhood memories are with that girl!
Just had to share....
Katy

What a disappointment...not until today did I look at the BMI I will have when I reached my goal weight, which is actually 5 lbs lower than what my doctor advised me should be my goal. At 145 lbs, my BMI would be at the high side of normal weight, leaving no room for fluctuations. Soooo, I decided I need to decrease my goal weight by 5 more pounds. Literally, it is just like someone moving the finish line on you...

But, if I am going to complete this journey, then I need to devote 100% effort to have a better end result. I will remain focused on my goal of better health, and not the numbers to get there.

40 pounds gone! The weight loss has definitely slowed down for me. I am losing around 1-2 pounds a week now. I feel great and am in 14/16 jeans now. 4 pounds away from "Onederland". Woot woot! Good luck to everyone!

I was banded 2/3/12 and I would do it again. I follow the instructions the doc gave me and I am very happy.

Just wanted to share I completed workout 1 of the couch to 5k. All I have to say OMG!

I got the lap band in 2006. I had a hematoma develop over the port site soon after surgery. Once that resolved, I got another hematoma over the port site. My doctor said my port was infected. I had a surgery to remove it, and later, a surgery to replace it. That's three lap band surgeries.
At the same time, I had just started my first real job. I had a lot of responsibility and had to work with some VERY difficult personalities. I had to take Zyprexa to handle my growing anxiety about being at work. Zyprexa causes weight gain and increases risk of early onset of Type 2 Diabetes. I was very discouraged at this point and lost all confidence in the band. I had it completely unfilled.
Six years later, I've tried several interesting diets and lost no weight. Giving up hope again, I remembered I still have a lap band! I've had three fills since mid-January and have lost 36 pounds. I like the amount of restriction I have, but it's been a problem the past two days when it comes to morning pill taking time. I think I need to change from cold lattes to hot lattes. I just don't think I like hot soy milk. I will find out tomorrow.
I thought I would have to give up my vegan lifestyle, and started out with meat to meet that all important Protein requirement, but I've found it's easy to be vegan on the band. Soy milk for Breakfast, chickpeas and tabbouleh for lunch, and homemade bean chili with TVP for dinner, or something from Appetite for Reduction by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. Quinoa is a complete protein and is very filling even in small portions.
I've found I've forgotten all the rules. I read Band Wagon and got a lot of answers. It's been a slow process getting back on board but I think I get better ideas every day. The last two days I had significant trouble with my morning pills. It felt like they just sat in my stomach all day and made me feel vomiting. Two days with headache, too.
Must stop writing. Can't keep my eyes open

They will hook you up to a bunch of wires all over your body and then they will tell you to go to sleep. Not fun and not easy. Good luck!

I only eat three meals a day and my last visit with the doc I told him between lunch and dinner is the worse. I usually eat lunch at 11:30 and by the time I get home I am really hungry. He told me to have a snack to hold me over until dinner. I don't need a snack everyday but there are days where I do so. I eat something healthy.

Where did u get the information that people die from a slipped band ? You Tube really isnt a great place to look for medical accurate information. I understand your concerns but the risks of death from the actual lapband itself from what i have read is less than 1% Any surgery carries risks so the lapband being the fastest and least intrusive of any weight loss surgery is by far the safest option. What i would do is compare what being overwieght in the long term does to your health and the risks one takes remaining obese, my understanding from recent research is that obesity is overtaking cancer as the biggest killer in the western world, to be honest that would be my biggest concern not a small band of plastic that may or may not cause some problems ..
If you maintain a good relationship with your surgeon, look after the band in the way that you should and seek medical advice when something isnt right then there is no reason the band wont last you. Some people are unlucky and some neglect the band or themselves so yes problems do occurr but u can minimise these
So make a list of questions to ask your surgeon and i am sure you will feel more at ease getting the answers from a medical professional and not somewhere like YuTube

I am a newbie. I do not profess to know anything.
But honestly, I don't get it. How does the intake change? I don't doubt that it does, but I don't understand how. I'm newly banded and watch the forum for information. I'm not getting anywhere near as many calories as I should, and I know it. I'm just now on mushies and I expect it to get better soon.
I assume (ass-u-me) that when I can eat the Protein I'm eventually supposed to be able to have, I will responsible for making sure I don't have more that one portion.
But am I supposed to be seeing how much I can eat? Right now, I can tell you it's not much. But I see questions like this all the time where people say they can eat more than they should be able to.
I understood or misunderstood, whichever way you look at it, my nutritionist to say the band was a tool to help me feel full faster, but that I would still have to watch my food, be responsible for my intake, and pay attention to my diet. I understood it wasn't about what I could eat, more about what I should eat.
I'm not passing any judgement, because Lord knows I wouldn't be in this shape if I had any good sense about nutrition. Before I get the hate mail that I'm sure will follow, someone explain to me where my misconception is.

Don't worry your body will adjust and the weight will come off. Just make sure you are choosing the right full liquids that are high in Protein and low in sugar and fat.

Congrats, Andy!
I think it's normal to feel like that in the beginning, especially when you're so soon after surgery and not back eating real food yet. I know I did, too.
The thing is, there is no reason you have to give up what you love entirely or your social life. It just changes a little. For one thing, despite many people reporting the inability to eat Pasta or breads once they have restriction, that's not always the case. I have excellent restriction, but as long as I take really tiny bites and chew like crazy, I can eat anything I want.
You'll also be surprised how much your tastes will change as your eating habits do. I was a HUGE junk food junkie. I really think I was a sugar addict. Now, because my body is used to eating so much healthier, I don't miss it at all. In fact, much to my shock, my cravings have even changed. Do you know how shocking it is to be craving a salad when normally I'd be craving a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup? *laughs*
I also allow myself one freebie day a month. After my fills (once I'm off liquids) or my doctor's appointment if no fill, I have anything I want for dinner and don't count calories. I also allow myself any desert I want. Last night happened to be that night for me, so we went to Chili's where I had a cup of my favorite Soup and Pasta. I really wasn't craving any sweets, so I am saving my monthly desert splurge for another time.
But here's the thing- I was only able to eat my cup of Soup and about six bites of pasta before I felt positively stuffed. For me, that's the beauty of the band, because even when I do have my freebie meal or treat, I don't do any weight damage because I can't gorge on it like I used to before I was banded.
Things will change but for the better
BTW, I lost considerable weight on Phentermine many years ago, too. Problem is, I gained it all back and then some when I stopped taking it.

Hi Andy...
Im just over 2 months banded....and honestly I knew I wanted this surgery 10 yrs ago but had to wait till I had insurance....and since I have started this the 6 month diet and learning how to eat I have never regreated any of it...I also was worryed about ....never eatting as I was eatting but ...my Dr reminded me...eatting like I was ...is why I was morbidly obease !!! and because of that I couldnt enjoy life or my family like I do now...So many non scale victorys I see now...im not always worryed about if my butt hangs off the bleacher at a ball game...my bellie doesnt rub against the stearing wheel of the car....I dont have the kids getting things for me all the time....sounds crazy but I enjoy jumping up off the couch. I know its only going to get better....socially Im more out going and people respond to that...Good Luck...
Dee...

I was banded last year in January. I was 100 lbs overweight, with a BMI of 41.5. That put me in the delightful medical category of "morbidly obese". I live in New York City, and I was referred by a friend to the Weill-Cornell Langone weight-loss center. They have a great staff and they offer lifetime consultation with their nutritionist and their nursing staff. The surgeon was George Fielding, who is well known in the field. He was banded himself about ten years ago, but you would never know it to look at him. He's a poster child for his own specialty!
They require a six-week all liquid diet prior to the surgery to de-fat the liver. I lost about 20 pounds before the surgery just from that. He confided to me that he has had patients who decided to forgo the surgery after the liquid-diet weight loss. My previous experience told me that without the surgery I would certainly gain it back quickly, and add some more.
The surgery involves only a minor incision and the patient usually goes home the same day. (I had to stay overnight because I have sleep apnea)
Since then, I have lost a total of 80 pounds, and I'm a new man. I just had a checkup yesterday, and my doctor took me off my blood pressure medication I have been taking for 20 years. I plan to lose another 20 lbs and then go on maintainence.
I had some minor problems along the way, but they were temporary. I had a long plateau after losing 60 lbs. I had to find the "sweet spot" for band tightness. I went too far, and I couldn't eat much of anything. I was losing quickly, but not getting enough nutrition. Once we worked it out, it has been smooth sailing.
One of the things I really like about the band is that I just don't feel hungry very often. I went to a restaurant recently and I could only finish about half the portion. (Normally, I would be licking the plate before my wife finished her appetizer )
What I found interesting is that most of the issues which had be worried before getting the band turned out to be either non-issues or a minor nuisance, at worst. There are some foods which won't go down the band at all (e.g. soft doughy bread) but I find I don't miss them at all.
It is such a different orientation not to be thinking about food all the time.
If you have already had your band, and seem to be in a rut, just hang in there. It took me over a year to really hit my stride.

Now I'm not perfect but I have noticed that when you scrutinize every thing you eat and drink you no longer want to put that "bad" thing in your body. I think to my self: "Do I really want these few seconds of enjoyment to delay my goals?" I am so grateful to have this current attitude about food, I am not going to take it for granted. I have to remember, I eat to live not live to eat!!!!

Just wanted to share I completed workout 1 of the couch to 5k. All I have to say OMG!

Went for my 2nd fill yesterday. I got .5cc so this puts me at 4.5cc's. I actually have felt that little difference today because I can't seem to eat as much as before. I had lost 11 lbs since my 1st fill, blood pressure is normal so no more meds and doctor says I am doing great. Hope everyone from Feb. is doing good. I have hit the 40 lb mark since surgery and I feel great.

This is so true, is a very skippery slope to go down. I had fallen back into my old carby ways a couple of weeks ago and it was so so hard to pull myself back out, seriously it was harder that id ever have imagined! It's taught me a lesson though, restriction or no restriction i really don't want to be a slave to food like that again, wasn't that the whole point of getting the band!
Last Monday i had a wonderful dietition appointment and have since lost 8lbs and am feeling great!

this is all so true. anyone read '' southbeach diet''??... its all about this and very interesting reading. well worth buying in my estimation.

Ok i havent been on in awhile had alot going on ! First off my band slipped that ive had since dec. 29th 2010 and this is why i think it slipped this is just my thinking but i learned something from ! Let me just say im not a Dr so i dont know 100% if its from this but pretty sure ive lost alot of weight but i fell off the wagon and would either eat to fast and get sick or eat just a little to much or drink to fast and my band ended up slipping Thank God they didnt have to remove it they just let all the Fluid out for about a month ! Let me tell you what ive learned #1 ive come to far to just screw it up like this ive jumped back on the wagon and im getting my fills again i did however put about 3 lbs back on thats ok to me because it pushed me even harder because i dont want to be the person that i was before ive lost a 1 lb off of the 3 ive gained so i know thats a start i will not get down about it i picked myself back up and i learned from it im so thankful i didnt have to have it removed cause i love being banded ! so here i go again i have 40lbs left then i will have plastic surgery to have the excess skin removed so im really looking forward to it ! i had a fill today and im finally starting to get restriction back ! We will all have our up's and down's but if we can learn from them and pick ourselves up we can go far !