GoingforGoal

Woah, sorry for the small font..I reposted in larger font: Hello. All of us struggled with the what ifs prior to getting banded. It's all very new and it's hard to grasp it all until you are finally banded. B52 is correct. You will go through transitions after being banded. Fastforward past the postop healing phase and to your first fill, you will begin to understand how the band helps with portion control. Initially you will eat super healthy, emphasis on Protein, low fat etc. You will maintain this until fill 2, 3, 4? until you reach green because you don't want to sabotage your wl you already achieved. When you get to green, you will have to experiment with your foods and relearn your band (as you do after each fill) and figure which foods are problematic and which are not. From there, you get creative. You experiment with new foods, new meals. You become much better at estimating cals, portions etc. You are forming solid healthy habits. Now is when you understand that having an icecream today is ok... or maybe today I will eat out and enjoy something I use to love (but don't be surprised if you leave 80% of it on your plate lol). If you are motivated by your wl and protective of that success you'll balance those occasional 'cheats' with your healthy habits and 1) not sabotage yourself and 2) feel satisfied. I am near 4 years out. The only things I don't eat is Pasta, rice and bread because those are no-nos for me, but I don't miss them. Everything else like high cals meals, treats etc I have on occasion (once a week?) and I feel completely satiated because I don't feel like I'm craving or restricting myself. The band is such a tremendous tool if used properly.

Hello. All of us struggled with the what ifs prior to getting banded. It's all very new and it's hard to grasp it all until you are finally banded. B52 is correct. You will go through transitions after being banded. Fastforward past the postop healing phase and to your first fill, you will begin to understand how the band helps with portion control. Initially you will eat super healthy, emphasis on protein, low fat etc. You will maintain this until fill 2, 3, 4? until you reach green because you don't want to sabotage your wl you already achieved. When you get to green, you will have to experiment with your foods and relearn your band (as you do after each fill) and figure which foods are problematic and which are not. From there, you get creative. You experiment with new foods, new meals. You become much better at estimating cals, portions etc. You are forming solid healthy habits. Now is when you understand that having an icecream today is ok... or maybe today I will eat out and enjoy something I use to love (but don't be surprised if you leave 80% of it on your plate lol). If you are motivated by your wl and protective of that success you'll balance those occasional 'cheats' with your healthy habits and 1) not sabotage yourself and 2) feel satisfied. I am near 4 years out. The only things I don't eat is pasta, rice and bread because those are no-nos for me, but I don't miss them. Everything else like high cals meals, treats etc I have on occasion (once a week?) and I feel completely satiated because I don't feel like I'm craving or restricting myself. The band is such a tremendous tool if used properly.

I guess I'd have to ask if you told your best friend to keep it private? However, I agree with Mis73 that we always share things w/ out S.Os. Not out of spite, but because it's new information and sometimes we share to sort out our own feelings/opinions on the matter and you do that by bouncing it off the S.O. He seems positive and supportive so don't see this as a negative experience. Rather it is a learning experience that word travels. If you are not prepared to be open to anyone than it's time to stop sharing. This is more about you and your comfort with revealing your plans. If you do share, be adamant with them that you wish for this to be private and not shared with others, discussed openly (like on fb or in a group setting) etc.

A 20 pound difference? That's way too much. Typically scales deviate from home/doctors because at home we weight first thing in the morning before eating, are naked etc and at the docs we probably had a meal or two, are fully clothed etc. But the difference it usually within 6 pounds not 20..thats way too much unless you have a winter coat, sweater, jeans and some boots on while weighing (lol). What I would do (if you have access to one) is take something like a 10, 20 + pound dumbbell (or anything that you know the exact weight of) and place it on your home scale. Ensure it's reading that weight. If not, simply add or deduct the difference. As for zeroing your scale, you can search online for the made/model of your scale and most user guides are now online.

Here's the possibilities: 1) You hit a plateau. Rapid weight loss or drastic reduction of calories shocks the system. The body does not want to starve, so it will go into a plateau (ie holds onto your fat as backup energy supply). There are ways to cycle out of a plateau, ie having a cheat day or two. This extra calorie input tricks the body into believing you are indeed not starving and will be inclined to let go of the fat. But you must exercise control and go back into your diet afterwards. 2) Calorie Input vs Energy output. Can't tell through your post if you made any mods to your calories when you started working out. You sound like you have a pretty consistent and intense workout plan. This requires additional calories. Again, burn too many calories and the body will do the opposite you desire (plateau). Log your foods and approzimate caloric burn from working out. Ensure you are getting adequate cals post workouts to not sabotage all your efforts. 3) And than yes, there is indeed the muscle vs fat issue. As you workout you build lean muscle. So you could indeed lose fat weight but the added muscle weights nulls that and cannot be appreciated on the scale. Best way to check that is..measurements. You need to look for other ways of measuring yoru success (ie clothes size, measurement changes and just overall appearance/improvements). Otherwise you feel defeated and that has a negative impact on your desire tocontinue your efforts. Hope this helps.

Happy Banniversary and great job

Yeah, congrats. Here's to a speedy recovery. Welcome to bandland!

Once labs/studies are done it's all a matter of your doctor's availability to do the surgery. Some docs are a few weeks out some maybe a month or so. But not too long, so hurry up and get those tests!

Your story holds commonalities with all us bandsters. Whether we struggled with weight since childhood, or had life beat us into emotional eating, or we simply didn't pay attention as they pounds poured on..we've all been there. The desire to change and lead a healthier life is also something else we all have in common. We are here to support you. Success is achieved through one pound at a time. Revel in each pound lost and you will reach goal!

Step 1: Take Orea out of box, Step 2: Take meat cleaver out of drawer, Step 3: Pound said orea w/ meat cleaver and scream "damn you orea, damn you" repeatedly

Looking fab, keep smiling

Ivy and Jackie are both correct but you wont know for sure until you go in for an assessment. Mis is also right that we cannot assume all our symptoms are band related. You will still get colds, flus, viruses or you can develop new conditions...again, none related to the band.

Well there's plenty of us who have fallen off the wagon. Pregnancy, medical issues, injuries and yes laziness too. I'm one of those due to pregnancy and an accident and was off my diet for 18months. Fortunately I maintained because I kept my band in green despite my poor food choices (I do NOT do stress and diet at the same time..this is hard wired in me lol). Sooooo..January I had recovered enough and was ready to start my diet efforts again. I thought it was going to be super hard but I think when the mental switch and determination clicks on it's go time and it's easier. I was 195 in Jan, I am now 152 at goal. So here's my tricks and a reality check. 1) I took pics and measurements prior to surgery. First thing I did was take new pics and measurements and compared them. This was the first time in 3 years I did this while on the band and it shocked the heck out of me. All of a sudden I felt thin and empowered..hey if it works, right?! Point is, remember your progress and start fresh as if you never stopped. 2) Go easy on yourself. I don't know if this is an age thing or not, but when I was younger I use to put so much pressure on myself. I HAD to lose 8lb/week because that was the average right? I HAD to eat perfectly because that one cupcake meant I wasn't eating perfectly and thus failed myself etc etc. I have changed that attitude around 100%. First, I set stupid easy goals. Like 20 lbs in 6 months. Crazy I know, but guess what?!?!?! I meet that goal every time PLUS SOME. Here's what happens when you do that. One, you allow yourself to be more lax with your diet. Not crazy eating, but rather, a cheat meal a week or a bite of something you crave and you already know it's not going to ruin your 20 lb in 6 month goal. I soon learned that the less stress I put on myself the more compliant I was and 'cheats' occurred less and less. Perhaps because I also allotted a transitional time where I didn't just go cold turkey nor did I deprive myself completely so I felt completely satisfied. Now reality check time 1) codependence will get you nowhere. My husband was banded same time as me. I am going strong and he fell off his wagon. Super long story involved here, but the moral of the story is that only I can be accountable for my happiness and wl. His cheating etc cannot dictate my behavior-period. When you don't allow someone elses behaviors to dictate yours it no longer holds you back. That is a mentality shift. Sure it's easier, but it's NOT necessary. I too am married, with 3 kids, when I work as a nurse there's food temptations every shift etc. But it's self control that gets you through it. 2) You also need to journal your foods/calories etc. The reality is you need to find your 'green' spot here too. Some people can eat 1200 cals and lose others are reduced to 1000 etc. You need to find out what your ideal caloric intake is for your exercise output. That is a hard # (+- 100 cals) that you needs to adhere to. If you want to eat more, you need to work out more etc If you don't want to work out, you eat less. Period. But most importantly, you need to keep the band in green. Don't abuse it and try to eat around it. Get back on here, get support. I m on here daily just as a physical and mental reminder that I am doing this thing!!! lol

Go on girl! I love progress pics I'm gonna do one this weekend. You look great

No I would not say calories last. Otherwise you could eat chicken wings, peanut butter sandwiches and fried fish to get your protein in as long as it's 1/2-1 cup. Calorie intake needs is directly correlated to how active you are or are not. You need to determine how active you are, log your foods/cals/protein and play with the numbers until you find your 'green' zone. Every person has their own zone so what is good for me will not work for you.

I'm fortunate that my husband and I were banded at the same time and are undergoing this journey together. However, if he were not banded here are the top things I would be concerned about: 1) someone going on a diet in the household is always a stressor as it often leads to the whole house dieting or cutting back on things like snacks in the house, dining out or having lots of high carb/fat meals. In order for the 'dieter' to be successful, the spouse needs to be supportive and not resist some obvious changes that will occur. 2) spouse needs to be educated on the band both + and -. They need to understand how small your portions will be and not freak out when you eat 1/4 of a chicken and are full. Or that you may take longer to eat your tiny portion than the house uses to eat their second plate. It means no rushing when it comes to dining! Also, understanding that some foods will become no/no foods because they are too difficult to pass which may mean less of that food in meal preparation. Lastly, knowing what complications (like slips, erosion etc) and what causes it will put the seriousness of the band rules into context so your spouse does not only not sabotage you but keeps you accountable. 3) The ick factor. There is no way around it but as you go through your journey to finding green, you are going to get stuck at some point. This is such a gross experience. Resulting in regurgitation, sliming etc. You may end up leaving for the bathroom after a meal because you got stuck, and sometimes you just make it the nearest sink. Yes, gross. But please prepare your wife so she doesn't join you with her own regurg episode. Unfortunately this can happen at unopportune times, think in the car or whilst talking to someone at a party etc. Always have a backup plan (from having a spare cup in the car, to sitting near bathrooms or just knowing where the nearest bathroom is for that matter). 4) Postop is always fun. You will be nothing more than a baby. You'll be nauseaus, in pain ,hungry, irritable all of it. The worse lasts for about a week but hunger etc can stay until you are on full solids (week 4ish). Prepare her for a less than fun side of you 5) Than there's other issues like jealousy. Some couples have real issues with this and it just comes down to how secure your marriage and your wife is. As you get slimmer you may radiate more confidence, you may get more lady attention etc. Be certain to balance this. As great as it feels, it may not make her feel so great. Make it all about her, buy her some naughty man lingerie lol to reward her for your 10 lbs lost etc. Just remind her you are doing this for her and that you hope she likes what she sees. Umm...that should wrap it up for now

This is a great example of how we abuse our bands. Who cares if you are green if you sabotage your band and it needs to be removed. Vomitting, especially excessive vomiting requires an unfill. Your increased heartburn is indeed one of the symptoms of a slip. Get to the doctor

Hi 5 Great work

800-900 calories. Of course that is what works for me. I cannot workout due to physical restrictions. This was also done through months of logging and finding my sweet spot. At 1100 cals I gained. I would not dare to go below my 800 cals but my body had adjusted to this new intake and it's what works best. I do ensure adequate protein intake 60-80g daily

hahah but doctor I only had one forkful I promise ahhaha

Go GREEN

Congrats and welcome to bandland

Sorry to say hon but this is a wait-it-out situation. The top things to help is to be as active (walking) as much as possible, mobility centralizes the co2 and allows for quicker absorption. Some use heating pads to bring some comfort. Stay on top of your pain meds, it make help dull the sensation but there's nothing worse than a double dose of pain also. Some will recommend Gas-X but this is only for abdominal/intestinal gas not intraperitoneal "trapped" gas. You have to wait for the CO2 to be reabsorbed and released by the body..and that takes time

Ok I don't know what profession you are in. But I'm a nurse. Goody day seems to be everyday. Although cookies, cake etc seems appealing, it can get quite old after awhile. So we always love the person who goes against the grain and brings in breakfast bagels, yogurts, cheese sticks, veg/fruit trays etc. No problem redefining "goodies"

Jackie085, quite the following ey? lol I'm not familiar w/ your previous posts that the responders posted about. So I'm just going to respond off of this one. I'd like to thank you. Not because I believe your approach is correct (why all the drama?) but that the information is always valid. I agree, there are too many people undergoing this procedure who are completely ignorant of potential complications, how to identify when you are having a complication and what to do when when you are having a possible complication. The reality is, ignore it and death may very well be the inevitable end to your complication. There is a severe lack of education when patients cannot describe simple symptoms of a slip, erosion, getting stuck etc. How in the hell are you going to react properly and get proper intervention if you can't even identify the problem. Rather, too many people come on LBT for advice. Well, I read posts daily and the advice varies and not all of it is reliable. LBT should not be a supplement for true medical advice by your bariatric surgeon. Every procedure has it's risks and we weighed them prior to having the procedure. Complications and risk lie in the small percentiles. However, that is no excuse to not educate yourself on those complications. This article is just a little reminder of what can happen if you think you can outsmart your band, period.