MonHass

I was banded Monday and came home yesterday. Woke up scared that I had done the right thing for a few short minutes. Then I realized to take It a day at a time. I am sore today, not able to sleep in my bed yet, but feeling more like myself today. Trying to understand what my stomach is telling me. What I think is a little discomfort is my stomach growling. Keeping down the liquids and some applesauce. Limited Protein, but you got to work up to that. Starting on shakes tomorrow and I am ready. thanks for all the great recipes. keep them coming. Ready to see some real results in the coming weeks. Good luck everyone.

I did the Optifast and loved the chocolate shake. I threw fresh strawberries into the vanilla shake and blended it with a few ice cubes and it was like a strawberry shake. I had no problems with Optifast.

Hi all!
I havent been on here in a while. I was banded almost 2 years ago. I was on here every day in the months before my surgery, and the months following.
Just a quick re cap for all that dont feel like searching my old posts, My story began at the age of 29. I was right at 360 ish pounds give or a take a cheeseburger or two;) and going up. Miserable, High blood pressure. It was taking a toll on my marriage, However my wife was always supportive and loving. I can see now how much it affected our marriage though in the size 32 pants I wear today. It was also effecting the life I wanted to live with my two little girls. I could not be the daddy I needed to be for them. So with that being said, I took the leap, lost the 30 pounds needed for my surgery and went for it.
I made a solid, silent commitment to myself before my surgery. I took what my doctors had said to heart. This was not a fix all cure all. I would need to change my thinking process. The band was there to help and that is it. So Oct 25th 2011 I had my surgery.
The next week was hell as all you bandsters know. All kinds of crazy pains to get through. Then came all the steps up to moving back into regular foods, and very small amounts as you all know. As soon as I could I was back i the gym 6 days a week. I walked 2 miles a day, until i was fit enough to run. Weightlifting 2 hours a day. In the month of december following my surgery I dropped 33 pounds alone. I have never been so focused toward a goal in my life. My doctors were and still are today at what I did in the amount of time I did it.
By June 7th 2011 I had hit my goal mark of weighing 180 pounds.And I did it in less than 9 months. The band is the real deal, IF YOU make up your mind to use it properly.
Today I stand at a healthy 200-205 pounds pending a piece of chicken Breast:) I have been able to maintain my current weight for a good year without any issues whatsoever. The single best attribute of the band is not the fact that it creates a little pouch so you get full faster, but it TRAINS you on how to eat properly which is the best gift of all. My high blood pressure is gone, I can run with my daughters at the park, I am still in the gym 5 days a week and I absolutely love being healthy and fit. I am so addicted to fitness and weight training, my wife has threatened to commit me to an asylum.
180 pounds lost. Exactly 1/2 of me in under 9 months
To all the nay sayers that come on here and bash the band, and I have seen plenty of them. It is what YOU and a band make of it. Nothing more. Nothing less.
For all the people on here that are struggling with staying with it and miss the food. Press on;) The gift of health, the gift of wearing normal clothes, the gift of a longer life. Is is far more valuable than that value meal:)
And to all the doctors out there that are slowly moving away from the band, saying "you can only lose 40% or so of the excess weight" Ha!!. Dont let that move you from your choice of the band. Because again. Its you, Not the band.
I am here for any and all guidance, questions and or concerns any time. I have a few pictures before and afters as well on my gallery for you guys to see.
God bless
Joel

I am scheduled for August 12th. All cleared and approved. Nervous and excited. Good luck to all!

I am waiting for my date in May. DR clearance on May 8th- then just insurance clearance. i am nervous about the 2 weeks preop. Is it 100% liquids? 100lbs to lose. Good luck to all going before me.