lthueme

I just got the Force!! I still need to sync with Myfitnesspal. I like the the feel of it and I like that it has a display, that the Flex does not have. you can also shower with it and swim. I also like the fact that I can have it on my wrist, clipping to my shirt or my pants would last about one week before I forget to put it on, or lose it!! Here's to finding out if I am as active as I think I am !!!

Your doctor or clinic should have given you a meal guide for the next few weeks. But generally you should stay on Clear Liquids for the first week post op. The would include popsicles and broth. Any Soup would need to be strained so you only have the broth. I could also have thinned greek yogurt, add milk to make it thin enough to pour.

Glad to hear you are doing better!!! I don't know what your diet requirements are since you have a different surgery than I did. But I'm sure some of the principles are the same, sip lots of water/fluids and soft foods to start. Keep up the good work!!!!

You are doing fantastic! Just think how much harder it would be on your back if you hadn't lost the weight you have. Soon you will be back to your regular routine and will catch up. Go you! Thanks for sharing some pics, you look fantastic!

I've been a bit down because my loss has slowed due to inactivity. Last month I sustained a stress fracture which had me on crutches for three weeks and, just as that was getting better, I slipped a disk in my back. Oh the pain! Even getting from the bed to the living room is more of a shuffle than a walk.
But! These pics make me happy. And I know once my disk slides back into place, I'll be back to pushing my FitBit to the sky.
Keep moving, everyone!
 

I do not talk openly about my surgery, except with my closest friends and family. There have been times when I wanted to say that I had it, but I stop myself. It's not that I care what they think or say. It's that I don't have the energy or desire to educate them.
When I started talking seriously about having the surgery, my oldest sister was cool with it. She said that it's a very personal choice, and was supportive. My middle sister tried to talk me out of it, and kept bringing up her close friend who did well with the band for many years, but has now gained most all of the weight back. To this day, she still goes back to "well, look at so in so". I always say, yeah....look at her. She stopped doing the work. The band isn't a cure, it's a tool. I think my sister goes back & forth in her head to actually considering doing the surgery (she's now over 200 lbs), to being defeated before she even starts. I wish she would do it, because I worry about her health. She's 60 years old, and carries the bulk of her weight in her mid section....which is a recipe for a heart attack.
Anyway.....bottom line.....I think people with strong negative opinions about WLS are uneducated on the subject. Their comments are fueled by fear and ignorance. I would rather avoid being irritated by stupid comments, so I keep my weight loss method to myself. When someone comments on how great I look, and asks how I did it, I say "eat less and exercise more". End of story.

And by the way - welcome to the forum! This is a special place with tons of knowledgeable and supportive folks. We're always glad to have new folks join us!!

When I increased my workouts and the intensity of them, my weight loss stalled. My nutritionist said I wasn't eating enough calories (I was eating 400-600). I increased it to 800-1000 and eventually the lbs started shedding again. I also eat 5-6 smaller meals in order to get the calories in. You're also building muscle and that weighs more than fat. Check your measurements....I bet you're losing inches even though the pounds aren't showing yet. Good luck!

I would talk with your dietician to see what your calorie needs should be. Have you tried MyFitnessPal or a similar program? You can track everything you eat as well as your daily activities. This will help you to see what your calorie intake is compared to your calorie expenditure. To loose weight you have to consume less than you burn but if you are consuming too little then your body may be hanging on to every bit of calories for fear of starvation. You can print out a report that you can take to your dietician so you both can see where you need to make changes. I used MyFitnessPal prior to getting my Fitbit, I know track everything there. It's very helpful. MyFitnessPal is free. Good luck!

I was banded in Dec and had the same information. Looking for that site led me to this one. I am very happy to have found this forum!! Thank you Alex for starting this!!!

Glad to hear you are doing better!!! I don't know what your diet requirements are since you have a different surgery than I did. But I'm sure some of the principles are the same, sip lots of water/fluids and soft foods to start. Keep up the good work!!!!

I would talk with your dietician to see what your calorie needs should be. Have you tried MyFitnessPal or a similar program? You can track everything you eat as well as your daily activities. This will help you to see what your calorie intake is compared to your calorie expenditure. To loose weight you have to consume less than you burn but if you are consuming too little then your body may be hanging on to every bit of calories for fear of starvation. You can print out a report that you can take to your dietician so you both can see where you need to make changes. I used MyFitnessPal prior to getting my Fitbit, I know track everything there. It's very helpful. MyFitnessPal is free. Good luck!

I would talk with your dietician to see what your calorie needs should be. Have you tried MyFitnessPal or a similar program? You can track everything you eat as well as your daily activities. This will help you to see what your calorie intake is compared to your calorie expenditure. To loose weight you have to consume less than you burn but if you are consuming too little then your body may be hanging on to every bit of calories for fear of starvation. You can print out a report that you can take to your dietician so you both can see where you need to make changes. I used MyFitnessPal prior to getting my Fitbit, I know track everything there. It's very helpful. MyFitnessPal is free. Good luck!

It just makes no sense what we have to go through. Good luck to you!

I believe the company discontinued the My Lap-Band Journey service since there are so many web sites and apps that do a much better job. They made an announcement about this late last year.

wow is all i can say here...the visual speaks to me
does it you?

well, i was well over 330 pounds and my dr wanted me to do a bypass due
to my size...i was as wide as i am tall.....and the band/pliacation i have works...the dr told me how to use it for best results and that is exactly what i am doing.....any WLS is a wonderful thing but no one WLS is better than the other...any WLS can and does have complications and sometimes not..you cant spend your life wondering will it slip, will i this or will i that......i was at a point to where i was in serious trouble.......i stopped hem hawing and got on with saving my life.....
larger BMI people can lose weight faster than those who do not have as much to lose (i am now where some are just banded and it took me 19 months to get here)...we all lose weight 1/4 pound at a time (whether its the sleeve, the bypass, the band or nutri system......the same way as we gained it, 1/4 pound at a time..
to me, as long as one loses weight, gets healthy and changes their attitude from i cant and i never have been to yes i will....then whatever WLS one gets, has that chance to get well..as its about getting healthy, not being skinny or thin.......i wish you all the best.

First...i am 110% happy and pleased with the band...last ALL my excess weight, AND in my case, was the EASIEST thing I could have done...the band did all the work! All I needed to do was change my lifestyle to meet the bands demands....
I never counted calories or measured portions other than within the first 2-3 months....
Have not had a single complication, no complaints, and today live a day by day normal life without giving anything much of a second thought, it has all become 2nd nature...
I am not afraid of ever gaining any weight back, and cannot understand how I can ever "Fall off the wagon"...as long as the band is still there, properly adjusted and doing what it is, and has been doing for 3 years now....
Having said all that, I often think that perhaps I should have had the sleeve....I am always careful of the possible complications such as erosion, slippage that many people talk about here...
I'm also concerned about leakage?
I have 0% belly fat...which means my port is right there under a thing layer of skin, pressed tightly against my abb's....you can see every nook and cranny, even the tubing as it snakes 2-3" before going deep....looks like a tumor or something...it's hard, being a man, to walk around topless at the beach, etc...(always have to hold my beer in front of it)
I'm 62 years old, and have considered revision to the sleeve before I'm 65?
I am also well aware that the problems associated with the band are mostly exaggerated, and there is a "Sky is falling" mentality....a few people have a legitimate problem, then suddenly everybody is worried they are having the same thing....
But like I said...I am completely happy, could not be more pleased with the results and the quality of my life right now....

Guess now I get to see how strong I really am... My mom doesn't think I can do it but I had to thank her for saying that because it just makes me that much more determined.

I have fitbit flex and I really like it! Monitors your sleep and steps, I also am on my fitness pal and it syncs well together. I have had it for 2 weeks - I've lost more weight since I've had it. I have a sit-down job and this reminds me that I need to be moving!

well, i must say i am lucky with my hub and my WLS. he totally committed to him and i eating better period...he himself has lost 25 pounds and his BP has dropped since we stopped with the high processed snack foods and every day take out.
a WLS patient to me does not have to turn the entire house hold upside down because someone had WLS...better choices/options can be made....and sometimes we just have to say no and learn to say no or eat just a small amount..
this is a lifestyle...learned slowed, accepted as a life long change...eating better quality foods is a trait that can be (learned) but it also must be done for success and better health...we can say we want to lose weight and be healthy but the hardest part is to do..
hub and his friends/family still come over and eat foods....(the yummies stuff) and i can either eat a bit here and there and not fret so much or just eat something else (which is what i do)....and i also prepare more healthy options for everyone..sometimes they notice and sometimes they don't..
great post alex

I do find some adjustments have an easy fix....
For example, when I cook a meal that I serve over rice, I cook white rice and brown rice. Same as with Pasta, I cook regular pasta and whole wheat pasta. When I bake potatoes, I bake a few sweet potatoes for me and my husband, and baking potatoes for everyone else. As far as "junk" food, I never bought a lot of it before, so I still don't buy it on a regular basis now. For occasions where I serve chips and dip or guacamole, I now serve Beanitos (ground bean chips) and whole wheat crackers along with the regular chips for my guest. If the kids ever want ice cream, we take them out to get a scoup... That way we don't have a half gallon container in the freezer. We gave up carbonated drinks a year ago. The kids now drink tea or lemonade. While on the road and in need of fast food, we only stop at Wendy's, where I can get a great salad or a cup of chili. The kids can get their burger/French fry fix there at the same time. I thank God I don't have a sabottaging spouse or demanding type kids. My husband joined the gym eight months ago with me, eats whatever I prepare for myself, and benefitted from the changes because he took off 40 pounds this year as a bonus !!!!!