labwalker

It is not a matter of him not operating on you, but it will be a matter of him cutting and closing and doing nothing if he can't maneuver around a fatty liver My surgeon almost gave up on the band, but gave it one more last try and was successful. Then came the fight with the insurance to cover the additional operating room and anesthesiologist time. Follow the diet and you should do fine. I knew I had a fatty liver long before surgery, and I feared it might have been an issue.

14cc band, but I never asked how much fill it had. I think they err on the conservative side when doing fills.

Don't dwell on the post diet weight loss! You can only loss so many real pounds in a week, even on a starvation diet. Most of the loss is fluids. Once you have your final fill, and get into the green zone, you will start to see real weight loss. It takes time, the body needs to heal, and the fills won't happen over night.

It didn't happen... my APRN looked over what I was eating (brought a few printouts of my daily food intake) and he suggested that my Protein intake was excellent, and that I could even add a few more calories. At present I am staying under 1000 calories a day. He was ecstatic that I had joined a gym and was going on a regular basis. I asked about a fourth fill, and while he was willing to do, he advised that since I am losing two or three pounds a week that a fill wouldn't yield any benefit. My concerns to him... I can eat whatever I want, as fast as I want... the dietitian told me to eat 1 cup meals... His response was that yes, if you are eating some foods that are moist and properly chewed, they will easily pass through the band, and that I shouldn't be obsessed with measuring one cup portions. So I decided to "save" this fill for when I hit a major plateau after a substantial weight loss. He is sending me for fluoroscope as part of six month surgical follow up, and he felt that the fluoroscope would show how much restriction the band was providing. In the beginning I think I expected the band to do the work. Now I know while it helps with a feeling of being satiated, it is I who control how much, and the quality of the food that passes through it. I'd rather be at this stage, than risk being sick whenever I exceeded a limit by a small amount, that isn't living.

I was always heavy. I am sure everyone here is in the same boat. When I was a young pup I was tipping the scales at 250. After following a strict diet and thanks to a job that was physically demanding I slimmed down to my ideal weight at 200 pounds. Alas, over the decades I soon gained those fifty pounds back; and eventually hit 360 pounds. My goal is to get back to 250 pounds. My doctor's staff tells me that realistically I shouldn't expect to lose more than 1/2 of the weight that would have put me at the recommended weight for my ideal BMI. That would be 280 pounds. But, I will keep trying... all I know is that even after losing 40 pounds since surgery I feel so much better and have more energy. My medical BMI says 200; but I suspect the best I can hope for is 250, but I will settle for 280. All I know is that the band has renewed my hope for a better future and quality of life.

If you have enough Protein intake you should be satisfied between meals. I could eat well beyond what I eat normally, and I wouldn't get sick or stuck, but by following the diet recommended by my nutritionist I find I am satisfied and living on under 1000 calories a day, with 90 grams of protein. Another key is to exercise, if you can. Even something as simple as walking can do miracles over time. If you're not keeping a food diary, I'd suggest starting one to get some idea of your calorie and protein intake. The band will only do so much... it is one tool out of several that is needed for success.

300 will be a major milestone for me... so far left to go... and there is ways to travel after 300 too.

Congratulations!!! You went through a lot to be what you wanted to be!!! Enjoy what you have earned!

Shin splints. I was in the same boot back in 2003, when I first decided to start walking. I began by walking a few hundred feet, but within six months I was walking for two or three hours a day through the farm fields and trails in the nearby woods. I never thought I could do it when I started... and I remember the sore shins! That will clear up with time, and you will find your stamina will increase with each passing day. It is good to have a walking partner. My last lab loved to walk, and she would throw a fit until I got her leash for her daily jaunt.

How is the ketchup? Taste okay? I'm like ketchup on my omelets.

Ouch! I would have demanded another nurse after the second jab.

80 cal. low fat Greek yogurt, with one cup of mashed blueberries mixed in. Add the blueberries to get some other nutrients.

"Whether or not you need to weigh yourself daily will depend on how much your brain relies on feedback to maintain motivation for behavioral changes. How it makes you "feel" is a secondary effect influenced by your own emotional outlook." Well stated; and on the mark.

A satiated feeling shouldn't be uncomfortable, unless the band is too tight, or if you are over eating beyond where you should stop. Another question that arises is if you are getting enough protein intake? Too many carbs will only make you hungry for more. I go along with visiting your doctor and the nutritionist.

Sometimes I have the opposite urge... "I am losing weight faster than I expected, so I can cheat a bit...." I guess we all react differently, but we all have the food demons to deal with.

Congrats!!! Making those new milestones is a natural high!

I also weigh myself twice a day... first thing in the morning, and when I hit the sack. There are days when my weight goes up a few pounds; but sooner or later it drops off and I hit a new low. My food logging programming provides graphs, and the graphs show that any short term plateaus or gains are mere blips when viewed on a graph that spans several months. I'd suggest not weighing yourself so often. I've quite a few posts from folks who get depressed from weighing themselves too often. My APRN told me so long as as his patients were losing, even a pound a month, he was satisfied. Realistically, if you can lose 8 pounds a month you are doing extremely well; especially after being out surgery for a few months when the rapid weight loss period slows.

You lost a fantastic amount of weight in record time... don't let four pound gain discourage you!

My port is stitched in place, and it is also very pronounced. I can feel a bump where the port is located, and even the tube attachment point. Never had a problem with APRN finding the port in three fills.

I had that experience right after my second fill Once the stomach swelling went down I was able to eat more normally. I probably need another fill, but I don't want to go through that experience again! So I just eat high Protein meals, and count my calories. BTW, love your fuzzy friend in the photo!

Do you gals have a Curves in your town? They are geared for ladies and may be less intimidating than a coed gym. Also, many clubs have heated pools and offer water exercise classes--which my wife uses because of her arthritis.

My doctor told me unless I exercise, I wouldn't lose weight. It was only after joining a gym and doing the treadmill and a few other workouts that I began to lose weight. Are you tracking calories and Protein? Cereals are usually high carbs; and my nutritionist warned me to have adequate protein intake for all meals. I had to drop the oatmeal and switch to yogurt for breakfast. I'm doing under 1000 calories as well, and losing the pounds is still a challenge that I have to work at.

Lee I joined a Planet Fitness. There are folks of all ages and sizes, and it is co-ed. It was far less intimidating than I had imagined. They have "free" trainers that will show you how to use the machines (scheduled classes.) I mostly use the treadmills for a cardio workout, and I play with a few of the machines that I am comfortable with. My son wanted me to join since he wanted someone to go with. He gave up after a week, but I am hanging in there.

I had a spell after one fill when I couldn't stand coffee! I am having one cup in the morning now. Being a creature of habit my breakfast is one low fat Greek yogurt (80 calories) with a cup of blueberries mixed in. Not much calories, but I do not feel hungry for more in the morning.

HI! I use FitDay.com, but only because I have been using it to track calories for the past 11 years. I am comfortable with it, but I am sure there are better program that have come out since. My diet is basically the same; I try for under 1000 calories and at least 70 grams of Protein. A typical day will be 1 cup of blueberries mixed with yogurt for Breakfast, and maybe 3 to 4 fish fillets spread over lunch and dinner. I'll add an asian pear every other day, and either yellow or green Beans (low cal veggies) for fillers after the protein if I still have room. I love fish and have lost interest in red meats since the surgery.