catfish87

It'll be 4 years in September. I had an issue early on, that was corrected by my surgeon. Never had any "band" issues. Today, I'm loving my band....its doing exactly what I was told it would do...NOW with proper adjustment/restriction. But for me, it took a good deal of time to get to this point. Partly my fault...partly not.

Hi! I live in Collinsville....been banded almost 4 years. Welcome!

http://www.hoab.org/...rotein-sources/ Theres a link from my Nut she just posted Monday...maybe it'll help. "Can you still get enough Protein in while choosing meatless options? Yes, you absolutely can! There are lots of meat-free protein sources that can help you get the nutrition that you need without meat. Some of the best meat-free protein sources include eggs, low-fat or fat-free dairy products such as milk, yogurt, Greek yogurt, cheese and cottage cheese, Beans, nuts, nut butters and soy products, such as tofu, edamame, soy nuts, and soy milk."

http://kimbensen.com/tips/physical-hunger-vs-head-hunger I looked at this the other day from another post...seemed pretty true for me.

Oh Donna...hey, theres a song like that! You're doing just fine! 68 lbs in 11 months...CONGRATS! My opinion is be mindful, but don't stess over carbs/calories/etc. Protein, yes...to some extent. My doc didn't give me a calorie/carb limit....said the band will eventually take care of that, so long as I make good food choices and don't drink calories. He was right! I have tracked what I'm eating recently, just because I want to, not as any limit. It's interesting to see how my choices in food/exercise add up. The app also tracks carbs/fat, although I rarely even look at that. I tracked carbs when I did atkins years ago....only to gain back all I lost when I quit doing it. A diet I couldn't live forever with. Although it certainly worked while I did it. I probably average 4-6 oz of solid protein most of the time for at least two meals per day..not so much for "breakfast". I wouldn't get the 80 grams per day recommended by my doc by only eating a total of 4oz.....UNLESS, I drank it. I think theres a disconnect with your NUT somewhere there... PS....just got back Saturday from visiting the Bluegrass state (Madisonville/Greenville) on a nice vacation. Sure miss that place sometimes...

I'm like Tom...although not quite as experienced. I have the gurgling sound often. And I'm not too tight...for me. It's kind of funny now actually, happens almost every day.

I've read your post for a while now, and realize you are still on the fence about this. If I could redo today, I'd do the same surgery....But, I'd find a doctor/COE that was approved for plication if possible. Not because the band can't work by itself, but because after reading about it for the last couple of years, I think it will one day be the standard. I think it'll replace the sleeve. I had those same "should I or shouldn't I" questions you are going thru right now. Everything I read about this surgery 4 years ago, as far as serious complications go, holds true today. I'm friends with a person on LoseIT who has been banded over 10 ( TEN ) years...and has had no complications.

It is very common to read posts just like yours on here. Some folks take many fills over several MONTHS (unless your doctor uses fluoro to adjust your band) to get to a point where the band is doing what its supposed to do. Until then, its all on you....just like before banding. You don't mention one important thing: Are you hungry often? Constantly? Hang in there....It can get much better when you do get to that Green zone.... Best wishes.

Lots of different OPINIONS about this...I drink beer occasionally. I'll post links from doctors and let you decide if you trust them.... Ask your doctor. Some allow it, "As much as you want", per Dr. O'Brien. He's considered a lapband "pioneer" surgeon... FROM Dr. SIMPSONS website....You see his name on here touted a LOT. http://drsimpson.net...olden-rules.htm From His website: "Any calorie containing liquids will tend to flow past the restriction of the band and not give you any feeling of satiety. You are then more likely to take too much. You are only allowed to drink: Water mineral water tea or coffee (with low fat milk if you wish but no sugar) low calorie soft drinks (but be careful with the gas) An exception to the “no liquid calorie” rule is a glass of wine with meals which we have shown is good for your health and good for your weight loss when taken in a modest amount."

You don't mention if you are hungry? You state you've changed your eating habits. How much are you eating? (calories/protein)? Great job on hitting that gym 6 days a week! Thats gonna pay off big time. As far as Protein, if I tried to have a 54G Protein Drink all at once, I'd be sick to my stomach...about 35g is MAX for me at once. I'd suggest IF you are gonna use liquid Protein, to start at a small amount, maybe 20g max and work up as tolerated. Best of luck!

Sounds GREAT to me! You have a doctor that fills with FLUORO. CONGRATS! You are losing weight, eating the right amount of protein....AND, you didn't mention HUNGER once in your post...YEA for you! The # of cc's really doesn't matter....it's what they do and how you feel that matters. What could possibly be wrong....look at your ticker! AMAZING. Best of luck for your continued success.

It IS tough! But just think, if it was easy WE wouldn't have gotten to that point where we needed surgery... How to get through it? For me, mine was a one week CLEAR LIQUIDS ONLY....no full nothing, no shakes, no one small meal, etc. Basically, ZERO calories for a week. I started out by thinking this is today...get through today. Worry about tomorrow later. I kept myself away from anyone who was "eating" for that ONE WEEK. When they would eat, I'd go for a walk. Drink lots! I kept a little paper, some may call it a diary/journal, etc. It helped me....not sure why, but it did. It wrote down how I felt, what I drank, etc. About day three, I felt better....knew I could do it. And I didn't cheat....ever during that week. You can do it....but it is hard. One day at a time...Best of luck!

[ATTACH]26805[/ATTACH] Always nice to make new friends!

Bypass was never a consideration for me. Too radical, I felt. Sleeve wasn't offered, as far as I knew when I had mine done. I'm extremely happy I chose the band, but today, I'd want to consider adding plication. Consider, being the key word. Theres another thread on here today from a longer term bandster, whos considering surgery revision, to add plication, with his surgeons advice. Maybe check out that thread for additional info/suggestions. Best of luck in your decision.

One word that would sum up my food goals.....FRESH. I listened to a speech from a well touted Dr on this site. (Simpson) He preached fresh foods....and I think he's right, so many choices. I rarely eat out anymore, unless I'm traveling like this week. I like to try everything, vegetables I'd never heard of or had. Lots of fish. Very little red meat. And an adult beverage or two WITH my meal. As per another VERY prominent surgeon touted on here, his patients do better with it. Of course, in moderation. Re: Dr Obrien

That one is only 4g per bottle, but some of them go all the way up to about 30 grams of protein per bottle. there are some with about 200 calories, going up to almost 400 calories per bottle so you probably have to use them as a meal replacement. I really like the flavor of some of them. but the ones with higher protein tend to taste like liquid chalk to me. they are not where I get my protein from

This would be a great idea! I'm in!

Breakfast on the road

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You do need the heart rate strap for accurate calories burned. Mine came with it. Just make sure the one you are buying says hrm strap included....or you'll have to buy it seperately. You could wear it all day. It has a twenty hour battery....at least thats what they say. I don't wear mine unless I'm "exercising". riding/walking/xbox'ing/etc. It's on my wrist in my profile pic....it's not a tiny device.... similar to this package.... http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=200919162372