911dispatcher

What is the 5 day pouch test??

Just completed my second triathlon. I never DREAMED I could do one- and now I've done 2!!!!!!

I am 2 year's post lap band but new to this app. I have been seeing posts about "sliming". What is this??

Any weight lose is a good weight lose!!!!!

Please go back to your surgeon for a follow up. I lost 100 lbs over 2 years. I had my surgery the same time as you. I've gained back 20 lbs in the last 4 months. I don't feel any restriction either, so I am going back for.a fill tomorrow. I've got to get back on track. It's def a struggle- food vs exercise. Keep in touch - I need support too

I would suggest having the clear liquids you need after the surgery when you get home, plus the protein drinks, then the liquids after that- like soups. Get what you think you will need for a few weeks so there won't be any thought going into what you should eat and you won't need to go into a food store.

If you listen to your body, you will Know your limitations once you get the OK from the doctor. I hadn't exercised in years, so a walk around the block was all I could manage at first. Eventually, I got a trainer that showed me what I should be doing, and how to do it. After 1 1/2 years, I did a triathlon. I still have more weight to lose, and am far from being in shape, but I try to remember- its a steady, lifelong commitment.

I am 56 years old, lost close to 100 lbs in 2 years, and did a triathlon last September, so it is possible!!!

Ok thanks I have definitely "slimed". Hoping I can reach that "green zone" after 2 years!

Lap band surgery was not an elective surgery for me. I was literally killing myself with every mouthful of food. I was committing slow suicide. Lap band surgery was as necessary as gall bladder or appendix removal. Eventually, I would have died from obesity related diseases. Lap band surgery gave me the opportunity to live a long and healthy life. Any surgery is obviously a risk, but I want to live a full life, and this was the way to do it. Seize this opportunity- you will be so glad you did. It's still hard work, but the results are worth it.

Would love to meet up with you, but I am working Saturday so won't be able to meet up with you. I live in Northern NJ.

I took ear plugs and was so glad I did. My roommate snored the whole night. Also- lip balm like Chapstick. Your lips will be very dry.

I made some great soups for this stage. One of my favorites was butternut squash green apple. I used fat free milk so it was lower calorie but very satisfying. I agree - I didn't feed my children jarred baby food, and wasn't about to eat it myself. The other thing I did was purée onion, celery, carrots, etc in beef broth for a smooth vegetable soup with lots of good for you ingredients. I had so much fun with different recipes that I really didn't mind this stage. Even basil tomato soup with fat free milk tasted good

Any overweight person that really wants to lose weight has to find what works for them. Some people are very successful on Weight Watchers, for others it is Jenny Craig, some can do it own their own, etc. What works for one person won't necessarily work for another person. So for those of us that have had WLS, it's the program that works for us. It's a tool. And even with the lap band, we still have to exercise and eat healthy. One method of weight loss isn't better or worse than any other method if it results in success. So hold your head up high no matter what anyone says. You are accomplishing your goal- weight loss and a healthy lifestyle, which makes you a much happier person. And you don't need negative people in your life.

The band is a tool. You still have to work hard at weight loss even with the band. But there are a lot of people on this site that have been very successful at losing large amounts of weight, including me. You can feel the band through your skin, but it is not obvious, and over time, you don't even realize it is there. The band controls the quantity of food, but you still have to control the quality of food. Along with the band, I made a commitment to a healthy lifestyle- exercising and eating healthy foods. It works.

Congratulations to you for the long road to surgery, all you have accomplished so far, and your determination! You can do this!!!! There are many people on this site that have done it,and you will find a lot of good advice. Take it one day at a time. It will happen!

I am 2 years out, and still trying to hit that "green zone". I just found this app several weeks ago, and didn't even know about a green zone. I've had multiple fills in 2 years, lost 100 lbs, and have recently gained back 20 lbs. I had a fill a year ago, and had a hard time holding anything down after that. They took some out, and have been slowly having fluid added back. I just had a fill this week, and am getting close to the amount of fluid that I had last year when I was so sick. But so far, I am eating anything I want. It's been such a struggle!!! I've lost 75 lbs, so it's been worth it, but I am still dealing with the same issues with eating that I have dealt with all my life. the lap band doesn't take those issues away. Good luck and keep on working on this journey.

I am gong through this right now, also. I had surgery 2 years ago, lost over 100 lbs, and have gained 20 lbs back in the past few months. I was eating anything and everything I wanted, with no restrictions from the band. I went back to my surgeon today, and had a fill, so I am on liquids again. He also sent me to the nutritionist to reinforce what I should be doing. I am determined again to turn this around, and am definitely gong back to the basics, including protein drinks. Good luck!! This is a long, hard journey, but I am gng to do this!

My nutritionist suggested that I go back to the basics when I started heading in the wrong direction. Go back to your protein drinks and basic foods. Also, can you increase your exercise some? If I've exercised, I hate to snack and ruin what I just worked hard to do.

Sometimes, it is better to just give in to those cravings, then move on. I also exercise a lot, and have increased my eating. I've been struggling with the calories in and calories out, but will be struggling with this the rest of my life. Like you said, after a binge or over eating, move on, and celebrate the good days. I always look at it like this- every little change, including any exercise, and healthy eating, is a victory. Those little victories add up, and occur more often than the bad days.

Doing a sprint triathlon in September. That's 1/2 mile swim, 16 mile bike ride, and a 5k run (3.2 miles) . And I wore a triathalon suit- one piece tight and a regular size large!!!

I am 2 years post op. I've lost 100 lbs but recently(during the holidays) gained back 10 lbs. I am very afraid of gaining back the weight. I'm not really feeling the band and can eat almost anything. Once in awhile, if I eat bread too fast, I get that "full" feeling but that's it. After 2 years, is it possible that I need another fill? Does your stomach change over time so that you need the band adjusted again?

Thank you to everyone that sent me suggestions! I am very thankful that I found this app, after receiving a suggestion at a bariatric support group meeting. For 2 years, I felt like I was wading through this experience by myself. The suggestions confirmed what I already knew- time for a visit to the surgeon and an adjustment. I especially liked the comment that at some point determination and control wears down, and that's when it's time to step up the band. it has certainly been a journey I could have never predicted!

I am a dispatcher and work 2 months night shift, 2 months day shift, 12 hr shifts. I am on nights right now, for January and February. Most of the advice that I have found on the Internet, and from the medical profession, for weight loss, is hard to apply when you work shift work. It's on thing to say eat healthy snacks. It's another thing to be awake at 3am when everyone is sleeping, and just want comfort food. So I think we face an extra challenge as night workers, but it is possible to lose weight, especially after WLS.