silvers320

It's true that taking it off slowly helps BUT the longer you were over weight the less like things are going to look good after you drop 100+ pounds. after dropping the weight it's as much a mental as it is working out and eating right. Plastics have helped greatly with the mental part of the loss.

Wear elastic waist pants! I went back to work at 2 weeks to a desk job - nothing really fit but I dont see anyone so it was ok. You will need someone the 1st 2 days at least. This is much worse than the lap band surgery but so worth it. Good Luck!

Should have written healing not feeling. I hear you - I battled my weight for 20+ years before the band. But take it slow, it works - just: 1. When it doubt - talk to your surgeron thats what you pay him for - adjustments are part of the process. 2. However dont rely solely on adjustments to drop the weight - the band is a tool put without a committment from you - you can work around it. 3. You dont need to be 100% perfect 100% of the time ( once you are fully recouped) - strive for 95% and accept 90%! Good luck

You're still on the mushies phase - which is about your body feeling and learning to eat - SLOWLY. Focus on that and not on the weigh loss - this is a long term lifestyle change not a diet where you should be worried about fast results.

Well - congrats to the both of you for considering making this huge life change! To answer your questions - 1. I think after my lapband, I was out of my desk job for a few days but bending was really rough - so I would think you should plan on being out (or on the desk for 3- 4 weeks for full healing) 2. Hydration - in the 4 years or so that I have been banded - I was de-hydrated twice. Once I didnt know what it was - and passed out. And once I saw the warning signs - but since these days I have not had any issues. Last week - I met with my health specialist, who told me that when he met me 10 years ago- I was dieing very quickly. Now I have turned my life around - it really hit me! So good luck and feel free to ask any questions.

Guys, I am looking for a weight training book (or app) to get me started. I have worked out with a trainer but feel its more of a “follow me – then teach me” so without their knowledge, I feel like a deer in the headlights. Much like I did for nutrition and cardio – I really want to reeducation myself so I am comfortable in my workout. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

In the hopes of getting some "action" going in the room - Anyone have any interesting travel plans for the summer?

I had a circumferential tummy tuck in September of 2011. At the time the doctor had suggested a fluer de lis tummy tuck but I was opposed to it give the potential scarring. Five months latter I am considering have the circumferential revised to a fluer de lis to deal with the sagging middle stomach, as I am still unhappy with the results. Anyone have one? What are your scars like? Are you happy with the results? Thanks

Hi Billy - I am going to try and be helpful, but some of it might be a little painful to hear - BUT please bear with me... Can the band work- sure. Can it work the way you are currently working it - doubtful. I am not going to jump on the "your doctor should be increasing your restriction" band wagon, I don't think he should be at this point. Why??? You haven't shown him that you are following the "rules" to be long term successful with the band. A full band can be cheated on just like one that is only 1/2 full. Is restriction important - without a doubt. BUT just as important is what we eat, portion size, Water intake, exercise. We don't like to focus on these things. Remember you shouldn't be viewing the band as a DIET - it is a long term lifestyle change. Just because you can drink while you eat doesn't mean you should be doing it - but you already know that. Now that the tough love portion is complete I would go back to square one - do your liquid diet for a few days - even a week. I found this really helped me lose my CARB cravings. Then measure your food for a week or so - I had no idea what a serving of anything was suppose to look like - so this really helped. Also during this period, I learned HOW to eat. What I mean by that was - I was an animal - i shoved food in as fast as possible. I took this time to really slow down, taste what I was eating - enjoy the actual taste not just the act of eating. There was a thread on here "What did you eat today" (or something like that" - I dont know if its still around but I found that really helpful all. It taught me some great food ideas. I am a realist - you can't be perfect 100% of the time - but 90% of the time make the right food choices - there is a time and a place for a good burger. Well these days I can only really eat 80% of a good burger but still! You don't say anything about exercise - but find something you enjoy doing and stick with it. Lastly - the mental part of this VERY hard and mostly over looked (just my 2cents) - you might think about seeing someone to discuss why you continue to self sabotage. Change is hard - but you can do this!!! And the rewards an amazing!!

Andy - before you hit the SamS club - check your local cvs and gas stations - many sell them as single serve so you taste test before you end up with a case of something that tastes nasty!

Andy - before you hit the SamS club - check your local cvs and gas stations - many sell them as single serve so you taste test before you end up with a case of something that tastes nasty!

I spent about a year planning and interviewing plastic surgeons. The cheapest I found was about 9,000 for a base tummy tuck to several that charged 22,000 for an extended tummy tuck. I ended picking a surgeon who charges 12,500 based on his skills, approach and the recommendation of another lap band talk guy. Scheduled for September 22!

Frank Foodie here banded almost 3 years ago same height and weight as you at the start of this. Here is the thing with me - my relationship with food has only improvhed with the band, if that makes sense. I eat what I want - just not in huge volumes. With the added benefit of actually eating slow enough to taste what I am eating. Any therefore enjoy it And without any remorse It's a mindset change buut you can be a band foodie! Dennis

I call BS on the nurse. If you are having real pain and it hurts - demand to see the doctor. I didnt - figured I was being a baby. It turns out my pain was an infection that resulted in me having to have to port replaced. Not trying to scare you - but you paid for a service, now get it! If you took your car into the shop and it made a strange noise on the way home - wouldn't you ask the mechanic to look at it again? Why are we afraid to hold Doctors to the same standard.