Jachut

Most of the time, when the band doesnt work, its user error. There's lots of people who plainly expect the band to do it all and dont make changes to their diet or their exercise. They work out how to get the calories in around the band. There are some people who naturally get better restriction easier with the band, but there are plenty that could work the band better to make the most of the way it works for them. And the band doesnt make anyone exercise, plenty of people dont do that. There's also people who are working hard but not losing, or really believe the band isnt working. Again, a lot of those people could sort out their issues, they have a bad fill for example, too much, then too little, have a lot of trouble getting it right and give up in disgust. I think doctors should take a little blame there too. But I can think of quite a few here over the years that have been through that, thrown their hands up in disgust and simply given up, when it CAN be worked out eventually. Then there's probably the miniscule percentage for whom it just truly wont work because their problems lie elsewhere. You have a choice in how you manage your band!

Lol, I went to buy some shoes the other day for a wedding we're going to, Doug held up a sandal with only the thinnest of straps. I would never wear shoes like that becuase I have really broad feet and short fat toes, and they would bulge out between anything strappy. I still dont have the most attractive feet. But I was astounded that I could slip this shoe on and it looked fine on me, no sausage toes sticking out where they shouldnt! I've noticed the most difference in my hands, I get complemented on my hands all the time becuase now they're very thin and elegant! In fact I had to be the model in anatomy the other day - a few weeks back we covered shoulder, elbow and wrist/hand joints and musculature, and you can see all mine - hands particularly, you can pick out every single tendon and bone. It looks OK now, I have nice hands, but give it ten years and I'm going to have those old lady skeletal claws, lol, I will need that fat transfer procedure to the backs of my hands. Yet I never would have said I had "fat" hands.

They look fabulous! I could never actually grow hair like that!

I make it first priority and that sometimes means I feel guilty about the kids. At the moment I'm working full time, working a part time job and studying 4 units at uni, and I'm VERY busy. I have modified my expectations at the moment, its impossible run for an hour every night, but I've still got two weekend days and have dragged myself out once or twice during the week. I'm soooooo tired and stressed at the moment, but to let myself go would only add to the stress and exhaustion, running makes me feel better. I'm not much of a morning person either, but for me it is an option. There's a few things help me: my kids are old enough to be left for an hour while I run, we dont eat dinner till about 7, 7.30 anyway, we've never gotten into that young children rountine of a 5.30 dinner, so I have a good bock of time in that late afternoon, and being a teacher, i can work really close to home. DH on the other hand has long commutes and long hours and really finds it hard to execise. Yet he has a great gym across the road from work that he doesnt use. If I were him, I would be getting up earlier and avoiding the traffic and going to the gym before work, all that takes is a bit of sleep time, its not encroaching on family or relaxation time at all. Or I'd go at lunchtime, he doesnt generally take a lunchtime but he could. To me, to have that and not use it, and then complain you cant exercise is nothing but pure laziness. You have to choose the option that is doable for you. Gym would be for him, running is for me because it takes the least amount oime. I have also made it very hard on myself to back out. I have a treadmill at home in the family room and even if I wimp out at 5.30 and dont head out for a run, there's just NO excuse for not getting on the treadmill in front of the television. Even at 10 or 11 pm. Although I dont consider a treadmill run as "good" as an outside run - treadmill is easier than road running, I never got as far due to the boredom factor etc, at least its something.

Pete I agree with you entirely, you have a great attitude. The new me started right NOW, right when I decided to have the surgery. No last minute, last supper stuffing my face, but right that very day that I saw my surgeon and told him I wanted it. I didnt try to lose weigth, but I started eating better and exercising from that point on. Why on earth would you wait a few months if you dont have to? That's a fat person's mentality, oh, put it off a bit, do it later, stuff my face in the meantime. Since when are holidays only about shoving food into your face? Since banding I've enjoyed my holidays MORE. Go out to eat, eat different things, enjoy a few more drinks but all in control and no extra pounds when you get home! You sound ready to me, you sound like you've already made the switch.

I can pretty much. Every now and then something will get stuck, but there's no certain food in particular, it can be anything. BUT - the trade off for that is being looser and needing more willpower not to overeat.

Same here, I went from an Australian 20 to an Australian 12 - 4 sizes because its 4 increments.

I agree Chickie, wanting to lose weight and not likeing the way you look at a certain weight does not mean you have an unhealthy self image. You can KNOW that you're a good person, that your values are solid, that you're raising good kids, you're talented at x, y and z, and still think you look terrible. Liking the way you look is not the only aspect to self image. Not everyone has to buy into the size zero deal, which is not really healthy either. But seriously, maybe its me and my own self image but I just really dont get how someone can look at themselves at a BMI of 40 or 45 or 50 and really LIKE the way they look. That doesnt equate with thinking "I'm a fat worthless slob who doesnt deserve to be loved by anyone", that's just objective, shit my arse is HUGE, I cant wear anything I like, I look unhealthy and could look SO much better. If you ask me (which probably isnt a good idea, lol), people with healthy self image are the ones that finally take charge and try to DO something about their weight (even if its not easy or particularly successful, they keep trying), and ones with poor self image are often the ones that dont really believe deep down that they deserve any better than to be fat and die young - they make token efforts, give up at the first opportunity or make no effort at all. Gross gross generalisation of course *ducks for cover*.

I'll have a glass of wine maybe four nights out of the week, and maybe if we go out that will be two glasses. That's about it, once in a blue moon on a hot day I might have a beer, but I can only drink one. I never drink spirits or cocktails at all. Very very occasionally we might pour a Drambui or Baileys after dinner, just a tiny one in a liqueur glass. So I'm maybe get 600 calories a week from alcohol on average.

I dont think you're crazy and I agree with wasa, a bmi of 36 is a serious weight problem. I was banded at a BMI of 36 and had no health problems (YET). My decision to be banded was for prevention of future worse obesity for sure but probably 80% cosmetic, I absolutely HATED how I looked. It was only after having lost the weight that I realised how unhealthy and bad I'd been feeling and that its done a lot more for my health than I anticipated it would. So what if its a cosmetic decision? Where do people get off judging you for having WLS surgery for cosmetic reasons whilst at the same time posting on other threads about their impending tummy tucks and boob jobs? That's so hypocritical. Nearly ALL of us are interested in looking better. A WLS that doesnt reroute your insides forever is a very safe way of looking better and unlike cosmetic surgery also results in much better physical health.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'd say there's been NO change to the amount of cellulite I have at all with a 100lb weight loss. If anything, its slightly worse. I was/am pear shaped, and I still carry any weight I have in the backside and upper thighs. My bum is very dimply ugh, and saggy, and I have some on the backs of my thighs, though the worst of it is hidden in a bikini bottom. There's just nothing you can do about cellulite, lipo wont get rid of it and often makes it worse, it would have to be a full lower body lift to stretch it all out and even THAT wont get rid of it all. Its just one of those things, most women have it and some worse than others. Mine was filled out more when I was fatter and not quite as noticeable.

I know, preband portions just look ridiculous to me now, i cant even remember eating that much. We had friends over last night, I did home made pizzas. Everyone had seconds, that was like 4 pieces of pizza (on pitta bread base) each! I had one, and a bit of salad, didnt touch the garlic bread. Everyone had seconds of the cheesecake and chocolate mudcake our friends brought for dessert. It helps to see that and remind me that whilst I constantly feel guilty becuase I think I eat so much, I really dont in comparison to normal people. Since I had an unfill and am very very wide open, I feel like I"m stuffing my face constantly, but I havent gained weight. But today I've packed my lunch as I'm at uni finishing an assignment. Yes, I shoudlnt be here, lol). I've got 3 Ryvita crispreads, half an avocado, small can of tuna and a tomato to slice up, and an apple. I'm eating the apple now as its 11.30 and I'm just having a short break. Iill easily fit the ryvitas in topped with the avocado tuna and tomato, they're about half the size of a slice of bread. I know I'll get peckish this afternoon and have something to eat. I had a bowl of Cereal for Breakfast and dinner will be leftover pizza and I'll make a fresh salad. Seems like SO much, but really isnt I guess. Certainly not calorie wise, its about 1600.

I have just as many fat days now as I ever did, sigh.

I'm rather tight after exercise too, I wouldnt eat anything for at least an hour.

I agree. If I want something sweet, I think about it, and if I can afford to eat it on that particular day, I just do. However, as a general rule, I dont need to find SF alternatives becuase I just plain dont eat that sort of thing. We never ever eat dessert for example, unless we have guests, so I dont need to think about SF pudding or jello or whatever. Those foods just arent a part of my diet, actually they never were so that's been easy for me. The areas where I used to eat a lot of sugar were cookies, muffins, cakes etc. I've given them up for the most part, occasionally I may pig out on them, lol, but they're not part of my daily diet. I dont drink and never have drank soft drinks such as coke, and I like regular coffee, not all those frothy concoctions, have never been a milkshake drinker either. So although I would say I had a sweet tooth, as I love chocolate, cookies, etc I guess I havent had a lot of foods in my diet that have had to be cut out or replaced with SF alternatives. Given that, I dont worry about eating the real thing when I want to.

There's a few things the band helps with. I dont really believe in "food addiction" but I'm sure that's because I probably dont suffer it. What I do suffer is a hyperinterest in food - I'm always willing to eat, hungry or not, and it takes fullness to stop me, pre band I couldnt set out a plate, calorie counted and portion measured and eat it and stop there if it didnt FILL me. I need to eat till I feel not sick full or bursting but well satisfied. With the band that happens on a reasonable portion of food. I will ALWAYS have a problem with certain trigger foods - Cookies, chocolate, sometimes potato chips, cakes and muffins. I can and do sometimes indulge in these foods. I have a real problem when I'm busy during the day and dont eat a lot, or if I eat really low calorie during the day with getting to 4pm and just not being able to stop myself, I want those foods and sometimes I just eat them. But with the band, I can do that, fine, and regret it, but what I cant do is overindulge in them to the point where I used to and I cant eat my dinner if I've done it. So the calories do level out and although its by no means a healthy habit, it doesnt tend to affect my weight like it used to. And some foods that are really terrible, like McDonalds and pizza are just such hard work and so prone to causing me discomfort that even though I might have a passing fancy, its easy dismissed and overall I dont want them anymore. The band just slows me up, makes me less hungry overall and able to make better decisions most of the time, and if I do break down and pig out, its limited and not so damaging. What I have to do is make good decisions, and plan for times when I know I'm likely to fail. Non band related but possibly the biggest and most effective change I have made though is to take up running. Believe me, if you run for an hour a day that cuts you fairly major slack in your dietary choices. I'm maintaining on about 1800 to 2000 calories a day now, which is quite a lot.

They're soft foods for a lot of people, but like anything proceed with caution. I can eat bread and things that a lot of bandsters cant dream of. But crackers of any type even resembling a Saltine are guaranteed PB for me. I cant tolerate them. Same with fish. My mushies list said soft fish. I dont like fish much but when I do eat it, its always with great discomfort! Its something about the texture, it feels awful to eat with a lapband. And pureed fruit. Oh my god, even the thought of it brings back memories of painful retching. I cannot eat cooked fruit of ANY description. So just try it out cautiously and if they're OK for you, then well chewed, they are technically a mushy.

Um, yeah, lol. Dont know what that could be. I have something weird that happens to me, totally unrelated. If i have a bad couple of days - like too much alcohol or bad food, I get sore all over. I notice it towelling myself dry, it hurts. I've NEVER liked massages, that kind of pressure over and over on one spot is utterly exruciating to me, even light, relaxation massages really hurt me. I go for a run and every time a foot hits the ground, of course, your flesh vibrates, that hurts. Its only when I've overdone things (although massages hurt all the time). Nobody has EVER managed to give me an answer. Every naturopath of course thinks they can fix it, that its a wheat or dairy allergy (of course, isnt that the answer to EVERTHING?), but its never proven the case. Just weird. Like your feet. Hope they feel better soon!

I also eat all foods in moderation, carbs included. We dont do "Protein first" in Australia, and Australians by and large lose weight just fine. I eat wholegrain versions where possible and I try to avoid really processed white carbs although I have a weakness for rice cakes with Peanut Butter on them! But yeah, good heavy wholegrain bread, brown Pasta, brown rice, same calories but way more nutritious. A lot of people just cant eat those foods though, they cause them pain and vomiting. But overall, compared to Americans, I eat a very carb focussed, even low protein diet (probably 40 to 50 grams a day) and I do just fine. It makes me feel good, gives me energy to run a lot and has gotten and kept me thin.

Dont know, its totally individual. I lead a similar life, work, study, kids etc. I find a 45 minute run most days enough to have gotten me to goal and keep me there. 45 minutes of hard-ish aerobic work five times a week ought to be enough. I dont have time for the gym and strength training so I just dont do it. I do some pushups, tricep dips and stomach work in front of the telly a couple of times a week. Despite the doomsayers who insist you'll lose all your muscle and not lose weight I havent found it to be true. I not only am fit, I actually LOOK fit with good muscle tone. Its hard. Stationery bike is a good thing, anything at home that you can still do at 11 pm at night if you really have to is a great back up. I really need my treadmill because sometimes i simply cannot get out at 5 or 5.30 for an outside run. And I make sure that I run both days on the weekend because I know I have time then, so at the very minimum if I can get out two days during the week I know I've done enough. I think you sound like you've got a fairly good routine going. The only other thing I could suggest is get up in the early morning, but I know that just makes me really really tired after a few days.

Personally I would run in the opposite direction from anyone offering a "special" on cosmetic surgery of any kind. Any of that pressure - book 2 surgeries get the second half price kind of crap would ring alarm bells for me.

I attend Prof. O'Brien's practice and they give that advice out verbally as well - you go in knowing there is a likelihood of replacement surgery further on down the track.

Yay you! Being so tall, I often get the "you're lucky, you've got a figure like a model, (ah, not quite, lol) you can wear absolutely anything". I have a quiet smile to myself. I dont feel compelled these days to say I used to be obese. But it does irk me slightly that people assume that you're "lucky" and that you dont work for it. So many people out there walking around looking healthy and good work very hard to stay that way. Thin doesnt only happen to the genetically blessed!

I dont think you need to be freaking. People lose at different rates. I was absolutely thrilled by my weight loss compared to my previous efforts, I'd actually NEVER lost more than about 15lb before in my life, and it took me 2 and a bit years to lose 100lb, but it never occurred to me that this was what others would call slow. Honestly, it was steady, lasting and dependable, what more would I want? Youve got less to lose than a lot of bandsters, and that often means you dont get quite the same initial HUGE losses that many do. 10lb since 12 August is actually pretty darn good, it only has to keep up at that rate (which you spur it along with more fills and exercise) and you'll be slender in no time!

Pre ops are often not necessary here in Australia, and I think docs use their judgement with the weight/shape of the patient. Being a BMI of 36 with a huge bum, but relatively less obese midsection, I didnt have to do it. I think it also is relevant what sort of lifestyle you lead - a heavy drinker/junk food eater will nearly always have a big fatty liver. I was lucky thogh - I'd just had a liver ultrasound scheduled by my overzealous GP when I asked for a referral to the surgeon, so I knew for a fact I didnt have an enlarged or fatty liver. DH being male and with a big belly had to do it! But statistically, open surgeries (or no surgery at all) due to a huge liver are very rare, given the difficulty of that stupid Optifast diet, it is not an unreasonable or very risky chance to take not to do a preop. there is a 99% chance you'll be fine for surgery anyway - figure of speech, not actual statistic!