GuyMontag

Ha. I just noticed the switch too. What the heck. Guess they are still working on the forums

In was curious why some people are listed as Lap Band Guru, Member, Advanced Member, etc. I know that it normally is based on number of posts but I have more than many of the people that have Advanced Member and I'm just listed as a Registered User. Thanks. Okay...now I appear as an LBT Addict. Strange that it switched from Registered User.

I drank a ton of Boost with Protein and it was my favorite. Of course, I only used it for the healing stages and moved on to solid foods as soon as I could.

I told everyone. It's better than them thinking that you're bulimic later on

The bypass takes a lot less work though. I still think the band or sleeve is a better option overall but for people that aren't going to put much work into weight loss bypass is a better option IMO. Bypass is a set it and forget it surgery. Hopefully they set it right the first time. The band takes more work. You have to constantly get fills, there are constant hurdles such as heartburn, being too tight, being too loose, etc., along with adjusting diet to lose weight. The band is a good tool. However, if you give me the raw material to build a deck I'll do it. Some people are never going to build a deck no matter how many tools and materials you put in front of them. Some people are just better off buying something premade from the internet and hoping it ends up working for them. I talk to people all day in chat that honestly should not have gotten the band. The pre-op diet is tough...but if you're questioning the band before you even get it and think it's going to be too hard then it probably is.

Chat is supposed to be back up by 6/15/12.

The band isn't a magic cure. It does take work. It's a tool but you have to be willing to do some work yourself. If it's this bad for you and you don't even have the band you may want to opt for the bypass instead.

It's just bandster hell. You need more restriction then you'll start losing more.

I had my first fill at 3 1/2 weeks. If you've healed up well then it's probably not a big deal.

Fills can take at least a week to really kick in. Also, you can get tighter from stress, exercise, too much salt in your diet, etc. Try going on liquids for a few days and reintroducing mushy foods into your diet again. If you are still too tight you may want to consider getting some fluid out.

I'm three years out and I drink soda over ice just fine.

This is basically so we can come and see if chat is down for more than just us...which it obviously is. I sent an email to Alex and will send one to Ken as well.

I gained a little during the holidays but not much and now it's back down again. Thanks to the band! Lol.

I'm just over 14.5cc in my 14cc band.

I'm learning the joys of resistance bands. Also, make sure to keep measurements and you may want to track you body fat percentage instead of your weight and BMI to gauge how well your workout routine is benefiting your body. Gaither

For me the general rule of thumb is, if the muscle is sore don't work it out again. That doesn't mean that if my biceps are sore that I can't run a few miles. Just remember that working out a muscle that is already sore doesn't do any good and could in fact cause damage. Also, I think taking one day off for your body to recuperate is a good idea but it's different for each person. I usually do one of two workout routines, either I do cardio and weights every other day ad nauseam, or I do cardio one day and then weights the next for six days and rest on the seventh just like the big man upstairs Gaither

The elliptical can be tough initially because you are using different muscles. However, in my experience the elliptical is a machine of diminishing returns. The more you use it the more acclimated your body gets and the less effective it becomes. The best way to avoid this is to keep an eye on your heart rate to make sure it stays elevated at optimum levels while you are on it. Also, the elliptical is fantastic for knee rehab and a great low-impact cardio workout. Just remember, sweating is not an indicator of fat burning or muscle building. For me, the general rule is, if my heart rate stays up then I'm burning calories and if I'm sore the next day then I'm building muscle. Good luck! Gaither

After I first got the lap band I did the gym thing for about a year so I had the basic movements down using free weights and machines. Once I got the resistance bands I kind of just started playing around with them trying to replicate the exercises I already knew. The particular bands that I purchased also came with a small brochure that gave some sample exercises. I'm sure there are also plenty of YouTube videos and other sources to find exercises as well. So far I am VERY pleased with my $30 purchase and the great thing is they all fit in one small bag that I can just pop in a drawer or the corner of my room!

For me personally, I am happiest when I am just tight enough not to be able to eat a sandwich or a piece of pizza. Anything over that is asking for trouble. Also, I generally only drink coffee in the morning and lunch is generally my first meal of the day. Don't worry if you are able to 'eat too much' one day because you never know and the very next day you may hardly be able to get down a protein shake. If I'm going to err on one side or the other it's going to be on the too loose side. I can live when I'm loose but when I'm too tight I am completely miserable. Remember, the band is a tool and should do maybe 80-90% of the work. Trying to make it do 100% of the work is like revving and engine into the red and keeping it there. Unfortunately, doing that usually makes something go KABOOM! and you don't want it to be your band.

Just want to let everyone know that if you are looking for a cheap and easy alternative to the gym resistance bands are great! I just picked some up off of Amazon for $30 and boy am I sore. So far they are just as good as freeweights for me and much more convenient than driving to a gym. Here are the ones that I bought and thoroughly enjoy: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Mountain-Products-Resistance-Exercise/dp/7245456313/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1312767004&sr=1-3 Just thought I'd pass along the tip! Gaither

Everything sounds okay. You may just be experiencing 'first bite' syndrome and then your band is loosening up. Try taking a small first bite, put your fork down, chew a ton, and wait a minute before you take your next bite.

I can only drink carbonated drinks over lots of ice. I also agree with what others say...drink slowly. I usually burp and know it's okay to drink again.

Is it just me or has chat been down since last Friday?