catfish87

I probably waited a couple of months after surgery, but you say you have been cleared. I also have a glass or two, a couple of times a week. I work rotating shiftwork and quite often will have a nice 6am, "bedtime" drink. I never noticed any difference in how alcohol affected me pre or post banding, but as many people say, it does affect them differently. Go slow until you see how it affects you. Its still the same amount of alcohol as it was pre banding. As you can see from below, calories can add up...and no protein in wine, so have some cheese with it. Calories A typical 3.5-oz. glass of Cabernet Sauvignon wine contains a total of 88 calories, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Alcohol makes up 77 calories within the serving and 11 calories come from carbohydrates. No appreciable amounts of proteins or fats are within the wine. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/312718-calories-in-cabernet-sauvignon-wine/#ixzz2Onla0wd9

I'll start with this. I've never read on here "Oh, I really wish I had told this person or that person about my surgery." There may be instances, but I haven't read them. I was just shy of my 40th birthday when I decided, along with advice from my PCP, that this would be the option I could do to help me gain control of my life/health. I didn't have any "major" health issues, (other than being 324#'s!!) but knew that I soon would at the rate I was going. My life was going to be shortened due to my eating! Drastically shortened by all information available. So I did tell my partner at the time about my decision...she was supportive. I told no one else until all the insurance, tests, etc had all been approved and I started my pre-op diet. I then told my son and parents/siblings about a week or so prior to surgery. And a couple of very close co-workers/friends. All were supportive, but some expressed concern as they would with any surgery. Not one tried to "talk me out of it". But at that point, I was 100% sure I had to do this, so it would have been useless for them to try. And "judge me", I've felt judged most all my life about my weight, let em judge I say. Do it for YOU, if YOU are sure this is what YOU want to do. Fast forward over 3 years, best decision I could have ever made. I wish you much success with your journey. Never, ever give up!

Nervous?!?! They're gonna make you a poster child for success!! Cause you want to! Congrats on your super determination and want power.

Congrats on your loss! You are way ahead of the game, when you consider all the other posts you can read on here about how long it takes some to reach your level of weight loss. So many folks complain of "bandster hell" and the months and months they go through to reach where you are. Not that they are all complainers/whiners. Most are being truthful and real. So whats the difference???Sounds like you probably have a doctor that does fills using fluoro, considering that you are 7.2cc's at your second fill AND your doctor says you are "really restricted now". Its amazing how much difference getting to proper restriction makes in our journey. The number one factor, in my opinion. Continue exactly as you are doing, following up with your surgeon and exercising. You too, will be "so happy I can hardly describe it" before long! Best wishes on your continued success!!

I am not a gym person....never have been, don't imagine I really ever will be. But I have come to love cycling! I am fortunate to live in an area where we have lots of paved bike/walking trails. Hundreds of miles of interconnecting trails/roadways. I'd much rather be outside riding, but as others mentioned, we had a FOOT OF SNOW Sunday in the St Louis area. So today, I turned on the TV, turned the DVR to my AXS TV Concerts I have recorded, and rode in the den. ( and I am trying out my new toy T..POP. Garmin 310xt working nicely! ) Finding something you enjoy is the key to consistent exercise for me. I really do ride for the enjoyment....burning the calories is a bonus!

I'm not sure which of the many pre-op diets your surgeon has you on, but mine was one week of clear liquids, basically no calories. You really can do this. Take it one day at a time, following the guidelines given to you. The reward will be worth it.

I posted this a few days ago...this is what I tracked. Since Jan 14th, I have been using the LoseIT app to give me an idea where I am. These daily avg's from Jan 14th through March 20th. food calories = 1776 Exercise Calories = 512 Net Calories = 1264 LoseIt Target = 2174 Over/under target = Under target by 910 calories per day. During this timeframe, I'm down from 252 to 227, so 25#'s. I don't eat extra calories on purpose because I have exercised that day. I will exercise more if I ate too may calories though. I don't limit carbs. I aim for at least 80grams of Protein. I try and eat only when hungry...although I still have weak moments!

In my opinion, unless your doctor is doing your fills using fluoro, its just a guessing game trying to get you to proper restriction. It may take one, and it may take several fills to get you to that level of restriction to where you feel satisified on a band portion of food for any length of time. Some doctors are more agressive, some more conservative, and some do fills using fluoro. Until you get to that level of restriction, its a diet. You can get to that level. Just don't lose your determination before you do...

Congrats Missy Thats amazing. Hope youre out of the hospital soon.

Thanks everyone for the kind words....I really wish everybody could feel what I'm feeling today. I'm not at goal, but I'm in control of my eating for the first time in my life....thanks to my band..... Chez....too funny.....I'm might just have to give you a call....LOL

Been on LBT a long time. I considered myself a listener on here, and not a talker for the first three years. I've started posting recently, but never started a topic. But today I just had to do this. I started at my Band journey in 2009. I have never had any band issues, as some may know, I did have an installation issue that was corrected. ( And yes, like others I think I have the best doctor/staff in the world. ) So I was 324 miserable, unhealthy, tired all the time pounds when I started. I am so happy to say that today.... on 3/22.. I WEIGH 222 lbs on my scale. I haven't seen those numbers in over 20 years!! Over ONE HUNDRED POUNDS LOST! I will reach my goal of around 185 sometime late this year or early next, I don't care! NOW, after 3 1/2 years, this has become my life. I eat almost anything I want, I do exercise ( consisting 90% of the time of bike riding ) more than ever, and I feel better than I EVER remember feeling in my entire life. So, if I could say a word of advice to the newer folks who will struggle from time to time, its this: NEVER, EVER GIVE UP! If something isn't working, change it. Be honest and firm with your doctor. For me, a properly adjusted band, is the most important thing. I couldn't diet on my own....been there, done that. THIS THING WORKS! Thanks to all who have posted advice/encouragement/suggestions/etc. Just because we don't all agree on everything surrounding the band, we really are all after the same goal....to be healthy!

Eat! Just as the others have said. Possibly consider whether you are at correct restriction, or need to see your surgeon for an adjustment. It's now 4pm where I am, I had some coffee this morning about 9am, went on a nice bike ride in the cold!! , and just now have the urge to have my first meal of the day. For me, the band does this, now that I have gotten to that restriction level. I NEVER HAVE HEARTBURN/REFLUX, EVER. I don't get stuck, as long as I eat correctly. I just don't feel hungry all the time, like I did even two months ago. It took me a loooooooong time to get to this point, but I'm in the green zone, no doubt. And loving it! Best of luck to you, and NEVER, EVER give up on you! YOU can do this.

Just another positive thought, and benefit of doing fills with flouro. You said he was able to give you a fill, so I'm guessing all will be fine. Congrats on the loss!

While I know nothing about fitbit personally, I see this about it from SoJo...Staying motivated, being more active, aware of your activity level.....Sounds Priceless! Thanks for the review.

I just ordered the Garmin 310xt yesterday, so haven't used it yet. But I really like the reviews and functions. We shall see come monday hopefully. Since Jan 14th, I have been using the LoseIT app to give me an idea where I am. I tinkered with it today and came up with this Excel file showing these avg's since Jan 14th. food calories = 1776 Exercise Calories = 512 Net Calories = 1264 LoseIt Target = 2174 Over/under target = Under target by 910 per day. During this timeframe, I'm down from 252 to 227, so 25#'s. daily calorie.xlsx

I am logging using LoseIT since Jan of this year....just to make sure what I'm doing. I eat if I'm hungry. I don't purposely try to eat any extra calories just because I burned some that day. My last fill on Feb 19th has really made a difference. I think I'm where I need to be. Heres an excel file that shows a lot of info..I spent some time tinkering with it from LoseIt today....maybe it's useful. daily calorie.xlsx

I agree with the other posters above...You really can't (within reason) drink too much Water. You should have no problem drinking water. Take it from my experience, you do NOT want to get too dehydrated. I woke up in the ER last year after a 4 hour, hot biking trip. Concussion's are NO FUN. Stupid me! Never again.

I'm gonna try and show my eating/exercise history for the past couple months. Keep in mind, Im not newly banded. Hopefully, it shows up correctly. Its an excel file generated by LoseIt. daily calorie.xlsx

Hydrate to the safe max...lots of loose change in your pockets, etc. 10#'s ...no problem

You're more than fortunate....You are DEDICATED to a healthier life! You're listening to your doc, exercising as you can, and giving it time. Until you get to proper restriction, and that varies by person, it's nothing more than a diet and desire to become healthier. Hopefully, your doctor will progress you to proper restriction before you lose that commitment. Thats where I think a big difference is between successful and non-successful band patients. Especially early on. CONGRATS to you and your continued success!

Missy, My company used to pay 100% of an HDHP plan. A few years back, 4 or 5, they started offering this "incentive" of $50 month/$600 year that they would put into your HSA account if you completed this well being assesment. After they got a majority of folks to voluntarily go to this plan and do this, they started charging.....guess what, exactly $50 per month employee costs for the HDHP. So, if you don't do it, that plan will now cost you out of pocket $50 per month. The same $50 "incentive" you get...go figure. At first I was against doing it...felt the same way as some of the issues stated above. I do it now and have the last two years. For me, its a good incentive to visit my PCP and get a checkup. (No meds/health issues) So in my case, either you do it and receive the incentive, or don't and pay $50 more per month out of pocket for your health coverage.

My company does the same thing...for the last three years. Call it an incentive if you comply, or a fine if you don't want to. The numbers are the same. $50 incentive per month if you complete the "wellness survey" which includes a blood workup by your doc and answering some questions.

I didn't have those symptoms with my pre-op, and it was NO carbs. I was on a clear liquid diet for 7 days pre-op. I've done the induction phase of atkins for about 3 months straight years ago, (I know, dumb me) and felt more energy after the first few days. May be the lack of sleep and being tired. I didn't have to do the sleep study. Hang in there! It'll be over before you know it.

"I am not TOO concerned because I am in no pain and everything seems to be working the same way it has been since surgery...just a little more hunger which comes with no fills and my stomach not being swollen. If I was in pain I would for sure call my doctor, "</p>Sounds like everything should be good to me. I've never heard of the port being flipped causing a slip with the band. Not sure how that could happen. I wouldn't worry about either of those at all. When you get to your doctor, discuss your current situation/concerns, and the two of you should decide if you need a fill. Don't expect magic with the first fill. Continue following his/her instructions and you will do just fine! </p>

TMF is spot on! If we were good at dieting, why did we have surgery to install a band that WILL provide restriction, if your doc and you get to that point. I couldn't agree more with getting that new doc! And BEST OF LUCK!