Cingulus

Finally…fill number 4 seems to have done the trick. I have been working closely with one PA at my doctors to find restriction. Each week I have been providing them a detailed food and exercise log. We reviewed my food log and how long 8 oz. meals were lasting (2-3 hours) and agreed that another fill was appropriate. However, they took a very different approach this time. Instead of picking a fill amount and then seeing how it went over the next few weeks. They drained the entire band and then refilled the band while I was drinking water until it would not go down anymore them they backed things off to let a little go through. Prior to this I have felt a definitive ceiling on food consumption (10-12 oz) so I can’t complain that it was not helping…but I never felt like I was experiencing restriction. This is the first time after a fill that a protein shake has had to be drunk in stages. I have gotten away without chewing everything to death; I have certainly slowed down and did chew much more than in the past. However, going forward I am definitely going to have chew much more carefully. I am back to liquids for a few days and finally feel confident that I will be finding a long lasting restriction experience this time. It is good to feel that I am finally getting what we paid for…Despite not having had a full restriction experience before this, I am thrilled with the things the LapBand process has done for me to this point. I am down 98 pounds so far, including pre-op, and have 78 more to go. My goals is to get the last 78 done over the next 6 months and then stabilize for a few months, so I can use our annual shutdown in December to get some PS done and have those 2 weeks to recover for the New Year. It is pretty clear I will have to get reductions on the waist and my “moobs.” (sorry…probably under the heading of TMI)

How many 300-400 CEOs have you met? Yes, it does affect you career. I work in network technology where weight is tolerated better than most fields. Size does make you less likely to be promoted. Right or wrong, people view excess size as a sign of a person being out of control, and unable to manage problems in the best cases and lazy or dumb in the worst. One of my step fathers (their have been 6), told me point blank that my weight almost made him not marry my mother because he did not want to have to support a fat kid. Over time he learned that I had the brains to make it in the world, but people do judge initial impressions.

I take them every 30 days

It gets better, I know it is very hard, but be patient with the process.

Hey, I am sorry that your DH, let things slip. However, after 2 years of reading these types of posts, I can only tell you one thing. There will always be haters, critics and unkind people. Unfortunately, they often are our family members and if they could not pick on your weight, they will pick on how you lost it or move on to some other topic. I know it is easy for me and other to say don't worry about it...but I would ask you to consider this...you can't change them, you can only change yourself. So accept the fact they will never understand and forgive them for being ignorant. I can understand you being upset with your DH, but these things always come out eventually. Forgive your DH...in the end, the success you have with the band will be the best revenge.

I think every person who has or contemplates the band has had moments of doubt. One thing I have learned from almost 2 years of reading posts and watching those who make it and don't, you have to take the leap before you can have the opportunity to succeed. Someone once said the definition of insanity...is doing the same things over and over again and excepting new results. If you don't take the chance to change you will never get new results.

I weighted in this morning at 285 pounds, otherwise known as the half way point…88 pounds down and 88 to go. Not to say that the next 88 will be easy, but finally being able to see the downhill side of this is program is an amazing feeling and very motivational. I could not have done this without the help and support of many people, my wife in particular. The funny thing is I have not really even hit restriction. I am at 7CCs in a 14CC band and just beginning to find the edges of restriction. I have another fill planned for April 9th and that should take me to 8CCs and hopefully put me into the green zone. My doctor insists that the green zone means that three 8oz meals will keep you satisfied for the day. I am still not sure about that, but we shall see as the band gets fuller. I had hit my first plateau in early March and was stuck for about 2 weeks at 290. I made a major change to my exercise program PX-90 Boot Camp Classes and higher reps weight lifting, versus heavy weights and elliptical. This change really got things going again. I dropped 5 pounds this week and can really feel my body is charged up again and moving in the right direction. I had been doing the previous work out routine for the better part of 6 months so it was definitely time for a change. I look forward to finishing the second half of the game.

I weighted in this morning at 285 pounds, otherwise known as the half way point…88 pounds down and 88 to go. Not to say that the next 88 will be easy, but finally being able to see the downhill side of this is program is an amazing feeling and very motivational. I could not have done this without the help and support of many people, my wife in particular. The funny thing is I have not really even hit restriction. I am at 7CCs in a 14CC band and just beginning to find the edges of restriction. I have another fill planned for April 9th and that should take me to 8CCs and hopefully put me into the green zone. My doctor insists that the green zone means that three 8oz meals will keep you satisfied for the day. I am still not sure about that, but we shall see as the band gets fuller. I had hit my first plateau in early March and was stuck for about 2 weeks at 290. I made a major change to my exercise program PX-90 Boot Camp Classes and higher reps weight lifting, versus heavy weights and elliptical. This change really got things going again. I dropped 5 pounds this week and can really feel my body is charged up again and moving in the right direction. I had been doing the previous work out routine for the better part of 6 months so it was definitely time for a change. I look forward to finishing the second half of the game.

Hey, General rule seems to be 4-6 weeks. For me: 0-2 Weeks walking only 2-4 Weeks cardio eliptical or bike 4-6 Weeks Weights 6+ Weeks Abs and heavy weights Shaun

I put all my food in 8oz deli cups. It really helps with the portion control.

$16,600 for the entire process plus fill for the first year.

For me, changing exercise programs was the key. Also you might look at adding some band/resistance training.

One thing no one tells you about is bandster hell and yes you do have to diet just like before the band to lose weight during this time. Here is a blog I posted about bandster hell, I hop it helps. It’s Not Bandster Hell…It’s the Waiting Room of Band Opportunity I read few blogs today of folks that are in the proverbial Bandster Hell. Some are eating and frustrated, some are using Weight Watchers to fill the void and others are just hungry. I do think that LapBand medical community needs to be a little more effective in helping people through this phase of the process. My take on things is they do a great job upfront with the sales pitch and the pre-op prep. I think most doctors do a good job with the operation day and the basic post-op recovery. However, there seems to be a decided gap between the operation and the restriction phase of the band process. Which as we all know has been labeled Bandster Hell or BH for this blog. So for those of you in, or approaching BH, here is a check list to think about: 1. Avoid Consumption as Usual – it seems fairly common that once you are basically healed, many people can eat all they want and some like to test the limits of what you can eat. Needless to say this is not what we want to do. Just, assume that you can eat like the old you, but don’t do it.  2. Prepare a BH Menu – Knowing the BH is coming, plan a special menu that is healthy and helps you keep the right habits until you have restriction. I would plan it just like you were at restriction just don’t beat yourself up if the portions are bigger during this time. One person was doing Weight Watcher, some do South Beach, but whatever it is knowledge and planning are power here. 3. Focus on 5-6 Meals a Day – For me the best way to manage BH is to get some 8oz dishes with lids (I got mine at Smart and Final) then plan on eating every 3-4 hours. This keeps me focused on small meals, but allows me to have some extra healthy food. 4. Get Your Protein – Use whey Protein to help you get enough protein. I mix mine with yogurt and blueberries, oatmeal and other foods to load up on it. 5. Focus on Exercise – This is a great time to get your exercise program going and that will help you interim weight management, and make the time when you do have restriction more productive. 6. You Are Not Failing – BH is part of winning in the long term. You are supposed to go through this part of the journey. Don’t beat yourself up. This time is available to you to prepare for the restriction phase of the process 7. You Did Not Do This For Nothing – Reading hundreds of these threads from folks who have walked through the valley of BH, all agree when you get to the other side it will be worth it for you. You did not deal with Pre-Op, spend the money, or go through surgery for nothing. 8. Embrace the Process – This is one of the stages of BH, don’t fight it, make it work for you. Focus on picking good foods, get your body in better shape with exercise and focus on the positive. Like many of you I am trudging my way through BH. I am staying focused getting to the other side and finding the promised land of restriction.

I use it mixed into yogurt and oatmeal, plus I make post work out shakes with it: 1 Cup Non-Fat Milk 1 Scoop Whey 4-5 strawberry 4-5 Ice cubes

Don't confuse having a bad spell for failure. Non-of us is perfect our we would not bee here. You have made progress on your journey. Take deep breath, rally you conviction and make good choices the next day. Then work hard to do it the next day. It is all any of us can do

Both work for me :frown:

For me my provided the following guideline 2 Weeks post op - Cardio (Eliptical, Spin) 4 Weeks post op - Weight (I went fairly hevy with out problems) 6 Weeks post op - Core work outs

Jan 27th 31lbs

My doc said 90 days for steak and make sure it is something like a fillet. He said very lean hamburgers was OK as well. I chop up one with scrambled eggs,and I have had it in chili.

HappyHomeCC, I liked him enough to pick him for the surgery. I asked some tough questions and asked for a bunch of research data which they gave it to me. On a very personal level, I think he seems a bit detached sometimes, but I grilled him quite a bit and he knows his stuff. To me the more important thing is I trusted his skills and expertise. His team, whom you will spend more time with than him are very helpful and personable. I am a very tough patient on doctors, I ask a lot of questions and expect them to be smart...they all passed my tests. I guess as a final endorsement point is, as a "self pay" bander, I could go just about anywhere I wanted and I paid an extra $3K vs. my second choice because I felt he and his team was the most competent. It also included all the the post-op programs and fills for 18 months.

Hello, I am in Wildomar and did have the the band done by Dr. Oliak. I have not been to any support meetings. I really like Allison in his office, she is great. Shaun

Jets coach Rex Ryan has weight-loss surgery - NFL - Yahoo! Sports Rex Ryan get the Band and the Jets get LT. I wish he could have stayed in SD.

Like Cortez who burned his ships upon reaching the new world, today I clean out the closet of my fattest clothes. I had shirts in 3X and 4X, pants in 56, 54, 52, 50 and 48 waist sizes and suit coats in 60, 58 & 56. I did a quick calc and my best guess is that this represents at least $20K in clothing purchases. With the exception of my biggest suit, more on this later, I am sending this all to Goodwill this week. I have read a few threads about people having a tough time letting go of their old clothes for fear that they would need them someday. I am determined not to go back to the old world and ways so the ships must be burned. I also replied to another thread this week about what was the breaking point moment for deciding to get the lapband…for me that was when I bought the suit referenced above. It was February of 2009. My company was holding an investor and industry analyst event in the Board Room of the New York Stock Exchange. Needless to say, I felt that a New York class suit, was required for a Wall Street New York event. I wandered down to Rochester’s Big & Tall to buy a new suit and the old sizes did not fit, I had to get a size 60 coat. This, by the way, is the biggest suit they carry. When you have almost outgrown the fattest suit at the fat store it is time to do something. Hence the lapband, it did take me almost a year to get it done, but that is history for another blog. As we enter a new world, I have burned the clothing ship to my past and it is time to explore the new world. So we stuffed the fat clothes into plastic bags and they are in the garage waiting for a new home.

Short Answer is YES! Is it easy NO!, do you have to work at it YES! Do you have to make real changes YES! However it is the best thing I ever did, I just wish I did it 20 years ago.

Like Cortez who burned his ships upon reaching the new world, today I clean out the closet of my fattest clothes. I had shirts in 3X and 4X, pants in 56, 54, 52, 50 and 48 waist sizes and suit coats in 60, 58 & 56. I did a quick calc and my best guess is that this represents at least $20K in clothing purchases. With the exception of my biggest suit, more on this later, I am sending this all to Goodwill this week. I have read a few threads about people having a tough time letting go of their old clothes for fear that they would need them someday. I am determined not to go back to the old world and ways so the ships must be burned. I also replied to another thread this week about what was the breaking point moment for deciding to get the lapband…for me that was when I bought the suit referenced above. It was February of 2009. My company was holding an investor and industry analyst event in the Board Room of the New York Stock Exchange. Needless to say, I felt that a New York class suit, was required for a Wall Street New York event. I wandered down to Rochester’s Big & Tall to buy a new suit and the old sizes did not fit, I had to get a size 60 coat. This, by the way, is the biggest suit they carry. When you have almost outgrown the fattest suit at the fat store it is time to do something. Hence the lapband, it did take me almost a year to get it done, but that is history for another blog. As we enter a new world, I have burned the clothing ship to my past and it is time to explore the new world. So we stuffed the fat clothes into plastic bags and they are in the garage waiting for a new home.