catfish87

Congrats! You're doing very well!

Congrats Megan! "You just learn to live with the with band and almost forget it is there!" I agree! Job well done.

Congrats LeeAnn! You are doing great! Keep up the good job and you will be at your goal before you know it.

Congrats Amine! Keep up the good work and keep on running.

Exactly the same as this for me too.

Congrats on your surgery date! Thats a great birthday present. You're gonna do wonderful.

This is such a big part of the successful journey. Congrats!! Keep up the good work.

Congrats! You are doing great!

It's been four years today since my surgery and I can't imagine where'd I'd be without it. The changes, both physically and mentally, are hard to put into words. I suppose Euphoric would be the best description of how I feel...to know that I am never going back to where I was "back then". As I was going on a short run before work this morning, I thought about so many of the fine folks on here that have helped/encouraged/motivated me. I could not possibly remember to name you all if I tried. But YOU helped me get to where I am today. The advice from this site CAN be incredibly helpful...because of the wide diversity of knowlege/experience covering many topics. And for that, I offer my sincere Thanks. For the newer folks starting out: I often read on here, "I'm not losing fast enough, my weightloss has stalled, what am I doing wrong, etc". I've been through those emotions...many times. I have been frustrated, mad, upset, disappointed, ready to quit, etc... My loss certainly hasn't set any speed records! I just did a quick math check. I've AVERAGED .65 pounds lost per week. Not much when you think about it in a week timeframe. Even less than "average". But then when you look at 1, 2, 3, 4 years...it really adds up! These are some of my OPINIONS....maybe they will help someone. I don't believe in the "starvation mode" for people with significant body fat...when I eat less calories, I lose more weight. I do believe exercise (any type you choose) is critical to not only physical health, but mental well being. I don't believe everyone wants or needs the same restriction level to be successful. I do believe my band PREVENTS me from overeating now, and I like it that way. I don't believe the band is a "set it and forget it" device. I do believe regular, committed followup care, is just as important as the initial surgery. And most importantly, I do believe YOU can be successful...Provided you NEVER, EVER give up!

I love these things! I'm a recovering chip-a-holic.

Donna, My weight changes by more than three pounds almost every day throughout the day ... sometimes like 6-8 pounds, depending on what I'm doing. I'd suggest you not worry so much about the small flucuations in your weight....but look at why, in your opinion, you're constantly hungry. Were you less hungry at your previous adjustment level? Were you eating less to feel satisfied? Maybe that was where you will get back to, when you see your surgeon in a couple of weeks.... but don't get to worked up over a pound or two here or there. Think long term, lifestyle changes....months/years/decades! Best wishes!

Holy Smokes! I can't imagine getting hit by a bird that big while riding. I've had a very small one hit me and they hurt like nobody's business. Nice video!

Hi Donna, As mentioned above, your doctor can EASILY see this, provided he uses fluoro/Upper GI while making an adjustment...or even just a simple barium swallow, if you don't need an adjustment. Good advice from Mis and CG....just ask for it. I do every time I visit my surgeon...I've even posted the videos of it on here. I wish all surgeons did this, from my experience. I don't understand how ANYONE can live with a dilated pouch for over 6 years, as well as a dilated esophagus, claims to have educated the masses, including surgeons, and "has seen it all".... thinks this is tricky....... Nothing "tricky" to it.

http://www.bariatriceating.com/ theres quite a bit of info on that one.

Why is someone giving you advice to "EAT THE CALORIES BACK"? Some starvation idea? I don't understand that....with US having appropriate "reserves". Congrats on having the HRM...best exercise money I ever spent. When I was tracking calories this past spring...heres what I showed. I used LoseIt! to track what I ate/exercised from Jan 14th- July 14th...just out of curiosity. Here was my avg then. Calories eaten 1858 Exercise 779 Net Calories 1079

Yes, and yes. For now, during the very important healing phase... suck it up and stick to your surgeons diet. But it will get easier. At least thats my opinion. Just think how good those mushies will be next week!

Bear with me...as I tend to get longwinded. But this is how I deal with "them", now 4 years postop. I just got done visiting the company nurse...yearly physical routine stuff, and there was a new nurse today, whom I'd never seen before. She, LIKE ME, has "issues" with her weight if you will. And as shes writing stuff down...she goes, " I can't help but ask, how have you lost so much weight? I see you're down like over 130 lbs or so over the last several years". And I thought.....do I go into this as though she really wants to know...or is she just being polite? She seemed interested... (this exact topic came up on here a couple days ago..with varied responses) I told her my "story"....exercise, eating less....and lapband surgery. She proceeds to look astonished.... "I've NEVER known ANYBODY that worked for." She knew this person or that person over the years that "it" didn't work for. Almost as though she didn't believe me.....at first. I told her, FOR ME, it wasn't always easy...learning to live with my band. Me adjusting as much as the band. So on to your question... I've mentioned several times, if someone watched me eat now, they would probably not even know I had surgery....because I eat normally. But I think my definition of normal is different now. Thats why "IT" works. Don't stress the holidays...parties...funerals....vacations....etc. Those are normal, everyday things. Just like living with your band. Enjoy!

Thanks for the info on sportslegs. I have not heard of it, but the reviews are impressive. I agree the caffeine can be SOME of the energy....but a typical cup of coffee has more than 66mg in it, maybe even twice that amount. So IMO, its not just the caffeine. I can drink a pot of coffee and not feel the energy I get from one scoop of this mixed with Water. Maybe its just in my head, but its working....

http://www.gnc.com/p...ductId=17905666 So I've used this for a month now....AND LOVE IT pre workout. Energy through the roof....YMMV. 20 grams/100 calories.

Here's an interesting article that talks about various different types of aerobic exercise.....of course from the authors point of view. A good read. I believe the one you will continue to do is the best.....As always, YMMV. "cycling leads to running"...I'm a believer! http://drsimpson.net..._comparison.htm

Sounds like you're progressing wonderfully. Congrats on the loss! Swelling from surgery as went away and now you are HUNGRY/STARVING. Pretty typical and normal. Soon your surgeon will start adjusting your band to allow it to work. Until then, its just another diet. Do your best...and don't get disappointed if you don't see the scale going down right now. Lots of folks even gain a few pounds after getting back on solid food, prior to getting their band properly adjusted. Best wishes!

Frederic and others are spot on! Here's a quote from an article I read some time back and posted a link to....I've found it helpful and motivating. "You just do it"... One step at a time. "Einstein didn't think he was intelligent, because as his intellect expanded so did his ability to comprehend how much there is to know. Exercise works the same way. As you become fit, you become more aware of higher standards of fitness. Identifying yourself in the scale of being fit can be the cause of depression that will cause you to quit. You must not think about a future state of fitness you want to obtain. You must only think of physical motion in the moment. You must develop sets of physical motion without setting a goal of obtainment. You just do it as a ritual. You don't think about the time involved. You don't become over exhilarated. You just do it."

They call it the same in my surgeons office. I was referring to your statement about your doctor saying "there was no need to do the test". If he/she is using fluoro, my experience would be they can easily see whether you have restriction or not. It did for me, when I had an issue with my band.

My suggestion would be to find a surgeon who IS willing to do an upper GI/Fluoroscopy. That COULD easily show the issue. COULD being the key word. It did for me...easily detected why I had no restriction.

grits with ketchup? is that a tarheel tailgate food?