catfish87

You'll likely hear differing OPINIONS about restriction, as should be expected. So here's my experience, after I got to the GREEN ZONE, very similar to what you will find on this site ( http://www.lapband.c...-about-lapband/ )...from the maker of the LAPBAND..... 1. The LAP-BAND® System reduces your stomach's capacity, restricting the amount of food you are able to eat at one time. "Restricting the amount of food you are ABLE to eat at one time." BUT, it was not that way until I had adequate restriction...for me. Once I got close, it was a VERY small tweak in adjustment that made a BIG difference. So my suggestion, if you're not satisfied....continue to discuss with your surgeon, and maybe tweak it a small amount. After all, its adjustable for a reason....

So its the end of another month. Thanks to everyone who posted and to TPops for starting this. Cycling this month: Count: 25 Activities Distance: 505.94 mi Time: 33:46:07 h:m:s Calories: 17,669 C And got in a couple of "runs"! Never, ever thought I'd hear myself saying that....I was actually surprized....

Awesome! This is the key....MAKE it part of your routine! Congrats

Great Job!! I just noticed your hometown! I'm gonna be there next week. My son's with the Denver Blue Knights Drum Corps and they are playing at Centerville HS Monday night. Its a small world.

Bless this Blog/Post! I am so glad to see YOU are making YOUR own decision...YEA for you! I'm pretty sure i might know the "crazy" post you're referring to...I just read all the drama and shake my head. What a waste of time!!!! Some people must think prospective banders won't think or do the homework for themselves!!! If someone comes on here and spouts info they don't agree with, they must be a "troll" or a liar! Its their way or else....In reality, I think thats what "those" people are looking for......attention. .You've heard misery loves company....HAHA! I aint gonna be their company. Anyways, GOOD for YOU! Do what's right in your mind after getting all the info you can and then discussing with the professionals. Best wishes on your decision. Never, Ever give up!

Oh that was me Sunday night....I had 2 "low fat"..(thats what they call em )custard concretes at my fav local custard stand listening to an awesome band...BUT....that was only the second time I've been there this year. Thats a big change for me! Everything in moderation

Ok Stephanie....two months post banding and at a TEMPORARY standstill....so you're having second thoughts and discouraged....it happens A LOT! Do not get discouraged! Only a couple of months ago, you mentioned how you couldn't exercise at all...now you're walking twice a day. Thats a good start! You are not too old...look at some of the VERY successful folks on here in their 50's, 60's and even some in their 70's now who've turned their life completely around. We are in our 40's....We have a LOT of life left to enjoy! If concentrating on staying at some magic calorie number is causing you grief, STOP doing it! Concentrate on healthy foods, follow your surgical team's recommended "types" of foods, and eventually your band will help with the portions After all, THAT is why we had surgery....because we ate too much. Just hang tough until you get to that point. You don't have to be perfect. Just NEVER, ever give up! I know you can do this...one day at a time.

Congrats to you! I think you'll be happy with the results

Having the energy to ride my first 100 mile bike ride. Starting to run for the first time in 20 years. My surgeon wanting my before and after pics on his wall with other successful patients. Smiles and kuddos from my PCP when he sees my lab results. Healthy!

64oz ( 2 quarts ) of Water = 4lbs, but that doesn't mean you gained 4 pounds of fat...try not to get hung up on the day to day fluctuations....I can vary a lot more than 4lbs through the course of a day when exercising hard. Think long term...weeks, months, years. Just don't get dehydrated! And its certainly not unheard of to have a stall after you reintroduce "real" foods. Hang tough, and it will happen. Best wishes!

I'm gonna take a GUESS here, so take it for what it is or isn't worth. (just my opinion) A fill of 4.8 cc's is somewhat more aggressive than what you will find on here to be the norm, so I'm assuming your doctor used fluoroscopy to do the adjustment? That being said, he/she may have a different idea about the need to get you to the green zone faster than other surgeons. Maybe in their experience, patients do better if they reach it sooner rather than later....and don't have a chance to lose motivation/determination because they don't feel restriction or that their band is "working". You can read on here every day about people losing hope, motivation, etc because "I'm eating too much", "I don't feel any different", "my band isn't working", "I'm starving" etc, etc..... I'm not saying true PAIN should ever be considered normal, but feeling SOMETHING (discomfort occasionally after eating or drinking too fast) may actually end up being a benefit for you...you may HAVE to slow down, chew well, eat slow and take small bites/drinks. All those things you were probably advised to do to be successful with the band. For me, I know when I "feel" the restriction of my band working, it makes me smile and be HAPPY now....because I know its there and helping me. I never was good at dieting for long periods of time...I always gave up and went right back to poor choices, eating multiple plates of food, way too fast..... As long as you can get in adequate clear fluids, and can follow the recommendations of your surgeon as far as "eating" enough, I think you're gonna be happy in the long run! But it may take some serious effort on your part for the first couple of weeks to adjust your eating habits. Best wishes!

Good job Anna!

I looked at your workouts/rides on your Endomondo site yesterday evening....GREAT job! You are keeping at it on a consistent basis. Motivation, dedication...keep rollin'!

This evenings ride http://connect.garmin.com/activity/349922224 Distance: 18.06 mi Time: 1:17:09 Avg Speed: 14.0 mph Elevation Gain: 25 ft Calories: 366 C

Sue, I'm sorry to hear you will be losing your band, but wanted to say THANK YOU for posting this. I too, have concerns for the longevity of my band and try and learn from longer banded patients. Not that I have any symptoms or problems now, but it's always possible. Would you mind sharing what your doctors seen on the fluoroscopy/barium swallow to indicate the need for the endoscopy? Does the contrast liquid actually go around the outside of the band? Were you gradually able to eat more, or was it sudden? Again, thanks for posting and educating me about this concern. I wish you a speedy recovery and much success moving forward.

I don't have any specific calorie target...except less is usually better. I just try and eat fresh foods as often as possible...I guess it's called eating "green"? Little to no pre-packaged/processed food. Heres a link to a webiste discussing various meal plans, depending on what stage of food progression you're on. Hope it helps. http://www.bariatriceating.com/2013/04/16/transitioning-from-early-soft-stages-to-real-food/

Congrats! You've earned it!

Happy Birthday T! Enjoy the trip to the winery!

Heres a copy of a recent one. It's an 80-20 plan. Fluoro Fill bill.pdf

I'll keep you in my prayers Donna....stay as strong as is possible. Hugs

Todays ride: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/349018188 29.59 miles 1:47:58 time 16.4 Avg 949 cal

Hi TxSonicguy...sorry for not providing a more detailed answer earlier. Fluoroscopy is similar to a live XRay that some doctors use while doing a band adjustment. I am an advocate of it....from personal experience. Using fluoroscopy allows the doctor to actually SEE your band placement, restriction level and much more... Not all surgeons have this device/machine readily available at the locations where they perform fills It's a bit more expensive....BUT, read on here from folks who've had 4,5,10,20 etc fills and/or UNFILLS....then compare the costs. I've never had an unfill due to being "too tight"..... But, I was able to get to correct restriction, for me....ONLY because of the fluoroscopy. More details are in "my story". I'll provide you with a copy of the short video of what my last trip to the doctor SHOWED....perfect restriction....for me. Here's a link to my surgeons page describing fluoro. http://www.hoab.org/fluoroscopy-machine-st-louis-missouri/

And just to add to the conversation, unless they can SEE (fluoroscopy) what they are doing......it's just an "educated" guess.

Congrats on a job well done!

Congrats on a job well done!