Eat2Live

I'm a little over a year since surgery (and 120lbs gone ; ) )and I'm embarking on one of my weigh-loss goals which is scuba diving. My girlfriend and I are headed to Hawaii in June and have our first scuba certification class in a week or so. Has anyone been scuba diving with a lapband, know anyone who has, or knows of any side-effects considering pressure changes under Water. My band is empty as I never needed a fill so I'm not anticipating any problems. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Steel Cut Oats...processed less than any other form of oats makes them a power food! Wild Salmon and a good Foodsavor vacuum sealing machine! Psyllium Seed Husk for Fiber.

I know it sounds odd but I tried numerous protien powders and typically, the cheaper you go, the worse they taste. They also save money by using low-quality proteins. I use Myoplex myslef. Musclemilk taste great but too much sugar.

At the end of the day, the fact remains, proteins are the building blocks of the human body. It comes in many different forms which is good for bandsters. But judge for yourself based on that fact how important overall protein intake is...

I've drank a protein drink almost everyday since my surgery 5 months ago. Calories are high but eating meat or cheese to attain the same amount protein and you'll intake more calories than the protein drink. I take in less 1300 calories a day and get over 110g of protein with 60g and 400cal. coming from my protein drink. I've lost 103lbs since my surgery 5 months ago.

This is one of the medical issues which I don't buy into. I'm not convinced that the negatives of caffeine outweigh the benefits. Maybe its a person by person basis but neither my PCP or my lapband surgeon had much issue with my caffeine intake.

Congrats...keep up the good fight!

Its not conventional but I took a post-it note, wrote down 5 things I will love about my new life when I've lost the weight and keep it in my wallet. When I'm experiencing head hunger I read them...and I think to myself "Will eating now get me closer to these 5 goals..." Don't be scared to play mind games with your mind...

I post it when I get home from work as I don't remember the name. I buy it at wal-mart and its actually for woman to use after pregnacy. My doctor recommended it and Vitamin E lotion for my surgery scars...they've almost disappeared!

Just to answer some of the questions: My doctor is Dr. Frank Felts in Dallas. My daily regime M-F consists of 2 or 3 options at each meal so I don't get burnt out on one thing: Morning: Steel Cut Oats, ground cinnamon, frozen blueberrries and vanilla extract (appr. 255cals) or Atkins protien bar (200cals) Lunch: 3oz can of albacore tuna, chicken breast, pink salmon with a small canned (8oz) vegtables (lima Beans, green beans, mixed veg), almonds or walnuts. (200-400cal) Dinner: 12oz fat-free milk, Myoplex Lite powder shake on cardio only days/Myoplex Orginal powder shake on cardio and weight lifting days, one scoop whey protien (390-450 cal.). Psyllium seed husk mixed with Water for Fiber. I eat 10-15 fat free triscuits throughout the day for Snacks I keep an excel file by day and meal to ensure I consume at least 110 grams of Protein on days I work-out and 100 grams on days I just do cardio. Fiber intake always above 25 grams (pysillium seed husk helps). Total calories stay below 1300 during the week and 1500 on weekends. You have to enjoy life for any of this work so I still go out to eat and drink wine occasionally. When I do, I eat as healthy as I can and I'll withhold calories and protien from one day to another to even things out. I've learned with my own body that I can cheat for a couple of days as long as i hit it my regime hard for 4 or 5 days following. You body loves the shock for weight-loss purposes. As for saggy skin, I use stretch-mark reducing lotion twice a day but I haven't really seen any dramatic effects of saggy skin so to speak.

Ironically, I reached the 100lb mark just yesterday in about 5.5 months. Feeling good will become as addictive as gorging on food...trust me! There will little things that your weight as allowed you to become extremely accustom to that you don't realize will be affected. Example: chairs fit better, you'll move your driver's seat closer to the steering wheel, you'll look and feel taller! If you'll allow yourself to be truely open to the concept that you're not meant to be overweight, you'll suddenly realize that your body wants to be healthy. Be open to the thought that certain days or weeks you won't lose weight but don't let it deter you from your goal of being healthier. Ask yourself this question: I ate a healthy Breakfast, lunch and dinner while spending 30 minutes walking but I didn't lose a pound...is this a better day than if I overate badly, never left the couch and didn't gain a pound. If you can truely see how much better the first scenerio is than the second scenerio then you'll have great success.

My band is completely empty...I've never had a fill! Stay the course and you'll be rewarded!

Yes, I'm a male so I guess that plays into my weight loss rate. Thanks everyone...I'm extremely proud today! Also, I realize that everyones situation is different but I want to stress MY OPINION that if one does what is intended with the band, not only will you lose weight but you'll lose large amounts. Its not rocket science...when you consume less calories than you burn, you lose weight and exercise accelerates the process. Those of you reading this board to determine whether or not the surgery is right for you need to realize the simplicity of the band and the concept. If you do your part, the band will have your back...if you don't do your part, it will be your enemy...you decide! Take the posts where someone says they're doing everything right and not losing weight with a grain of salt.

I should probably know the answers to these two questions but I don't. All I know is I eat healthy, allow myself a small (amount wise) cheat item (usually red wine) twice a week, do cardio 4 times a weeks, and lift weights 3 times a week...doing that and following the rules of the band make weight loss very doable for me!

On March 28, I began my pre-op diet at 319lb, 474-triglycrides, 230-chol. level, high blood pressure, severe gout. I had surgery on April 11... Its now September 11 and I weigh 219lbs, 77-triglycrides, 130-chol. level, normal blood pressure and my gout meds have been reduced by 75%! Those of you considering lapband AS A TOOL TO ASSIST YOU in weight loss should give it serious consideration. It has been the greatest experience in my life. I have 50lbs to go but I'm snowballing downhill towards that goal. Something you guys might find interesting, my "sweet spot" was simply the band...I haven't had a fill! Good luck to everyone and keep working toward your goals!