Chunk

Butterfly, I think exercise absolutely helps. In fact, it not only helps - it is necessary. Get that heart beating. You ought to check with your doctor before exercising but I think it would be safe to start with something easier. For example, window shopping might provide some time on your feet and help awaken those sleepy muscles. Or, going for a walk may help stimulate your body and get you set up for some jogging. You may consider getting on an eliptical machine. I burned 850 calories on one of those machines today, all without jarring on my body, abusing my joints, or tearing on muscles. Whatever you do, do something. Good luck.

1. Bread --> yes, but I rarely eat it 2. Pasta --> yes, as much as I want 3. Pop ---> yes, I shake it flat and sip. 4. Tortillas ---> ?, never tried 5. salad ---> YES, watch out for topings. There are some vagies I can't eat. 6. Steak ---> No, everytime I have tried I feel like Im about to die. 7. Roast ---> No meat, I went vegitarian b/c my band hates it. 8. Cereal ---> yes, but very little 9. Hamburger ---> No. 10. pizza ---> yes, I can have a slice or two if I eat it slowly. 11. Apples ---> I have braces so I don't eat apples. 12. chips ---> yes, like Water. 13. cheese ---> yes, it is only my favorite! 14. Shrimp ---> I don't know 15. Pop corn ---> yes, by the bag. 16. pretzels ---> yeah I guess. I am in need of a fill and will be in to see my surgeon in a couple of days. What I have learned is that with every band adjustment, the dynamics of what I can and cannot eat changes.

This is really interesting to me. I am able to eat as much pasta as I want. Actually, pasta and refried beans. Whenever I want to go out to eat with someone, and I don't want them to know about the band, I get Mexican or Italian food. For a while, I was suspicious that the band had slipped (and I suppose it is possible that it did), but I still get lots of restriction when it comes to foods like tuna, veggies, sushi etc. The one food I have absolutely had to give up is Green Curry because I PB 1/2 the time.

I have two diets. The first is my "midterm" or "final exam" diet. During this time (now) I eat and drink whatever I need in order to get my studies done. In other words, more coffee, frappucinos, and sugar munchies than I can be imagined. It is a messy paradox. On one hand, Starbucks is liquid death and liquit brain food. I think I am addicted.

I have found that dark beers (which are the best tasting) have less carbonation. I usually order a glass and drink it down slowly. After about 1/4 is gone, I swirl my beer to release the gasses. People don't say anything about it. Quite an improvement from my first post-op beer when I used a fork to whip the gasses out.

I have been fat all of my life. When I look at pictures of me as a kid, I see a chunky little butterball. I can remember being called "lard ass" in elementary school, and "fatty" in junior high. When I got to high school I found athletics and really trimmed down. In fact, it turns out that there was a little athlete hiding between my jiggle little love handles. After high school, I joined the National Guard and went to college. While there, I worked out regularly and maintained a healthy physique.<O:p</O:p Marriage broke that little reality. As soon as the ring went on my belly burst and I gained more than 100 lbs in just a couple of years. It got so bad that I couldn't find clothes to wear besides the most unattractive rags. To say the least, my self-esteem, confidence, and sense of worth plummeted. It took a while for me to accept myself, and ironically, it wasn't until I was comfortable with "being a fat guy" that I began to do something about it.<O:p</O:p At 320, I undertook a rigorous course of exercise and strict dieting. I even took a nutrition class, read books, and literally wrote down everything I ate: the amount, calories, and time. I did this for about eight months. To this day I still now how many calories are in just about anything I can think to eat. By doing this I lost fifty pounds; I weighed 270. But this couldn't last forever.<O:p</O:p<O:p I found that the amount of time and effort required to keep losing weight or even maintain at 270 was unbearable. Now you'd think that maintaining would be easy, but it wasn't. If I so much as let up a little, five pounds would come rushing back with a vengeance. My battle continued for two more years as I yo-yoed between 270 and 285. Finally I decided to go for broke, no holds barred. <O:p</O:p I can't remember when I first considered surgical intervention, but I do remember discussing it with my wife. She was elated to hear that I would consider it. By this time, I was convinced it was my best hope for significant weight loss. Together we investigated our options and leapt.<O:p</O:p Today, the battle continues, but with the help of my little silicone friend I am winning. In fact, I am whoopin' some ass. For the first time in years, I can wear my wedding ring, buy pants at any old store I want, and am not always the fattest guy in the room.<O:p</O:p My goals have changed from lose weight quickly to getting into shape. I am planning to climb Mt. Rainer next year and have begun looking into guided trips up the mountain. In another year, I hope to be a fat guy living in an athletic body standing on top that mountain. Until then, I will be working out, enjoying my food, and loving my wife.<O:p

Carrie, Sorry to hear that you are having difficulties. If I can implore you to make one change it is to stop throwing up. As others have pointed out, we all sometimes eat too much or too fast. Personally, I can't stand vomiting. Even a PB is too much for my spirit to handle, so I tend to be pretty careful. My point is, when you vomit, you subject your band to the kind of pressure that causes slippage. You have done a lot to get this far, don't ruin it by vomiting. Regarding temptation, what can I say. I am a college student, and the alcohol is my little mistress. I have an idea that you may really enjoy. There is no sense in flirting with temptation if you allready have something you desire more. My suggestion is that you learn to love your food. That's right, love it damn it. Why eat all that mediocre S&@# when you can have a delicious meal. Do it up! Make others jealous. Microwave dinners leave much to be desired, so why eat them? Find some healthy meals that you enjoy, that "hit the spot," and kiss that other crap goodbye. Remember, food is like sex. You enjoy it more when you have a good partner.

"Enjoy being fat while you still can." These, or something close, were my last words of advice from my patient advocate. I suppose my interpretation was a bit much, but oh well. Before surgery, I ate like I was never going to eat again. I kid you not, I spent more than $100 on a sushi binge about a week before my surgery and ate cheeseburgers three or four times a day. I gained about 15lbs in the month before my surgery. My advice, enjoy being fat while you still can. I don't have any regrets, but if I could do it over, I wouldn't have eaten so much. Whatever you do, be sure to follow your surgeon's advice regarding your pre-op diet. You need to get some fat off your liver so s/he can access your stomach. Finally, these are not your last meals. You will eat again. Albeit, your meals will be different. Your not saing goodbye to cheesburgers your saying goodbye to a doublestack with bacon, cheese, supersized fries, and 64 oz. of super sugar soda. Might I suggest this... go out to eat at a favorite restraunt. Order the smallest most lap-band friendly meal you can and eat only five small bites. By doing this, you are saying hello to your new eating habits. Now you're not saying good bye so much as you are saying hello. Then finish your meal. Enjoy your food and welcome to bandland.

I pay $200 per fill. I get my fills from my surgeon in Tacoma, WA.

Thomas Eubanks no longer does fills. I found out that OHSU's general surgery department does. Their number is: 1-888-222-6478.

I have taken to whey but mix it with soy milk. This makes for 30g of protien per 8oz drink. With some sugar free syrups this drink can be mighty delicious.

I would like to recommend a sugar free syrup like the ones used for coffees. I have found that a couple of bottles can be made to really mix up some great tastes. By combining different syrups with differen protien powders, I have had some tasty morning shakes. Good luck with this.

I have to be honest and say that I decided to keep my surgery a secret. I did this because I didn't want to live my life as "the guy who had that surgery." Jachut, I think you touched on something very true. I have recently come to realize that no matter how much thinner my body becomes, I am still a 300lb man. This isn't a bad thing, just reognition that I have "fixed" my body (medical) but not my mind (psychological).

I am a family preservation counselor... social services.

Three months ago I sat in a small sandwich shop and ate a huge turkey sub. Turkey, cheese, and a mountain of veggies covered with mayonnaise, that was delicious. It is also just a memory. I can no longer handle meat. My first experience was 45 days post op. My wife and I went to a steak house. I ordered a small steak and planned to take a few small bites to Celebrate liberation from the rigorous post-op diet my surgeon put me on. The steak was so juicy and tender. I chewed slowly in appreciation of solid food and swallowed the small fillet of heaven. I threw up the moment the steak hit my stomach. Not the best start to my new lifestyle. I was in plenty of pain for the next half hour. The next day I reported back to my surgeon for my first fill. He told me that some people just can't handle some things and to say goodbye to my old friend. A few weeks ago, I sat down with a small hump of cottage cheese and spinach with blu cheese. I sprinkled my salad lightly with tiny shreds of bacon. Again, the moment the bacon hit my belly I was in trouble. What a stomachache! I can eat all sorts of things: sticky rice, white bread, and any vegetable, but any type of meat just gives me trouble. The long and short of this story is that I am now a vegetarian. A couple days ago, my wife had some friends over - a gakle of 20 something grad students. As they giggled and gossiped in the living room, I rummaged about the fridge in search of cheese or some other lap band friendly meal. Sadly the fridge contained only party foods: soda, alcohol, juice (did I say food?), and fried chicken. I poked my head around the corner and asked my wife if we had anything other than meat. This caused a little commotion among the ladies in the living room. "What, he doesn't like chicken?" I heard one of them chide. My wife explained that I am a vegetarian. This pronouncement was met with a moment of angst as the room fell silent and all eyes turned to me, a 5' 10'' 25 year-old weighing almost 300 lbs even. I broke the silence with my own awkward chuckle. I guess you had to be there. -Chunk

I returned to school today. I have lost quite a bit of weight since my friends and professors last saw me. It felt good to say hello and sport 70lbs of weight loss. It felt better than sex.

I miss shopping for clothes and being too fat to fit in anything! Okay not really. I used to have a diet soda with every meal. I would happily make this sacrafice again as now I am fitting into a 38 pant and XL shirts. On my way!

I have been a religious calorie counter. In my kitchen, I have a notebook with months (5-6) of every calorie I put in my mouth. I did lose about 30 lbs and found it very helpful. My two-cents is that counting calories is a good and healthy practice. It just makes sense to know what your eating! As for getting enough calories... you will be fine. I have occasionally questioned how much I am eating also. The bottom line is, get the Vitamins, minerals, Protein, and Water you need and your body will shed fat. Above all... Enjoy what you can eat. food is a gift, enjoy it.

I totally hear ya on the buffet thing. Besides my surgeon, my wife is the only person who knows about my surgery and so I neve discuss it with anyone, especially some waitress at a restraunt. I avoid the buffet. I have found that my wife loves to eat my leftovers. Anyway, congrats on having the "self discipline" to stop eating when you have had enough. It will all PAY OFF in the end.

Felow Bandster, I had dreams of eating just an ounce of food for every meal. Mu surgeon told me I would eat out of a shot glass for the rest of my life. What I have come to discover is that my new stomach is very tempermental. Sometimes, I have been able to go out to eat with friends and "fool" them all. Mexican food is especially easy. I can eat an entire mexican dish if it is mostly Beans, rice, and a vegitable servinge (i.e., chile releno). Other times, I can barely eat a few bites. For me there are two factors that go into what I can eat: time and texture. The later in the day it is the more roomy my stomach becomes. The smoother, more moist my food is, the easier it slides on through my stomach. The bottom line, If I strategize well I can fake out anyone who I don't want to know about my surgery. I think you will be just fine.

Bandsters, I too am having mild protrusion of the port. The real problem is that it hurts so much to strain my bdominal muscles. If I sit up from the couch (my favorite place to be) or rise from bed, my port site aches. The best I can figure is that this is the result of vomiting so hard a few days ago. I had some vegitable stuck (chew your veggies) and spent more than two hours at work in the bathroom vomiting. My question is, is this the result of agrivated abdominal muscles and will it pass, or is this a more serious problem that demands my surgeon's attention? I would appreciate hearing from anyone with experiance with this. Thanks.

Thank you for posting this concern. I have noticed my weightloss really slowing down recently. I was thinking this was just because eventually it had to slow down. However, your post caused me to think about what I am snacking on. It would be too much to say that I am angry with myself, but I do feel stupid for forgeting such a basic thing. I have been eating peanuts like an elephant. Almost without ceasing. Of course, it is about all that I eat so maybe that is better. Anyway, your post really helped me. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. As for positive planned Snacks... I have had a lot of success with those prepackaged 1 oz cheese bars. They are about 110 calories and very filling.

I have had sushi a few times in the last week. Based on comments from other, I have stayed away from the green seaweed wrap. However, today I got brave and gave the thin little paper a try. It didn't work out. I spent about 20 minutes PBing in the bathroom. It was terrible. After I left, I sat in the car for another 10 minutes with lots of pain. I think the paper disolved on its own, thank goodness. Still doing the vegitarian thing although I now weigh 255. Yippie!

I tend to order a full meal at cheap restaurants, and a bowl of soup at expensive ones. This works nicely for me. I eat what I want when I go cheap. For example, I will order a meal at the local mexican joint, eat a little and have lunch ready for the next day. It makes for cheap meals overall. When I go to a more expensive place, my wife orders an entree, a side salad, and a bowl of soup. I usually take either the soup or salad, split some bread and sneak a nibble of a side item and viola!

I didn't cheat! However, on the second day of my pre-op diet the surgeon called and asked for me to come in the next day. So when the dust settled, I actually only went 2 days on a liquid diet. I asked the surgeon if things would be still be okay. He assured me things would be fine and said that it was still very unlikely that he would have to revert to an open operation. I went through surgery and was pleased when I awoke to see that I did indeed get it done laproscopically. My advice is that you be honest with your surgeon. The fasting process helps get fat off you liver and allows him/her to access your stomach more easily. If you are consuming large amounts of calories, this may not happen. The consequence is that your operation may have to be open. This would mean that you will have five keyhole scars, 1 port scar (1-2 inches), and a lond scar from your navel to zyphoid process. Call your doctor and see if you can get some appetite suppresants. This might help you. See you on the other side.