LoseIt!

Best of luck on your surgery! I was banded by Dr. Smith on 1/27 and I have lost 75 pounds so far. In my opinion, he has excellent after care.

Yeah, I've always wondered why the girls have to wear a sports bra at the beginning, but when they lose enough weight they graduate to a much more flattering work out top. You are probably right as sad as that is.

From what I can tell, Allie has something more akin to "stomach stapling" than the Band. Jessica and Burgandy are still Bandsters remaining!

That's how I hope to be Leigha!

Although I tried NOT to approach it as a diet, but instead as a lifestyle change, it didn't really work out that way for me at first. To me diet=hunger and disatisfaction. After I started to get restriction (i.e. more satisfaction and less hunger), it stopped feeling so much like a diet.

However, I'm trying to lose another 80 pounds or so...so I AM on a diet (of sorts). I'm currently aiming for at least a 500-1500 calorie deficit per day. When I get to my goal weight, I will no longer be aiming for a deficit, just no surplus. So, in my opinion, until I'm no longer looking to lose weight, I AM on a diet. But it doesn't feel like the diets that I have done all my life. AND once I get to my goal, I won't go back to my OLD habits and will incorporate much of the healthy lifestyle I have learned along the way. I guess that is what the difference is for me.

My favorite "breakfast" is to fry up a small amount of diced onions, green peppers and mushrooms with Pam. Then scramble an egg, add the veggies and some havarti (jalepeno havarti or garlic havarti, even better!) at the end. Absolutely delicious! I say "breakfast" because I usually have it for dinner. And now that I bring it up, it sounds great for TONIGHT'S dinner!

I'm one of those people who doesn't really like exercise, so I'm a HUGE advocate of finding whatever works for you. I went to one Zumba class and I liked it a lot! I am a Jazzercise class manager (I became one because it keeps me committed) and I get plenty of cardio there, so I don't end up doing other classes often. If I can only pick one, I prefer Jazzercise because they have weight & flexibility training added, plus they (at least in my classes) seem to focus more on technique. I like/need that.

In Zumba, you can let loose and dance, dance, dance! If you are into dancing, I think you would like it. Have fun!

Since they only mentioned it once during the show (is that right?) hopefully it isn't even going to be discussed much.

I have to admit that prior to my research, I had NO IDEA how difficult it would be. I realized that it would be different, but I didn't realize how much I would still need to focus on making good decisions. That's why I've been so open about it. I think I have really opened the eyes of my friends and acquaintances to the pros and cons of WLS. I think more people having exposure to that is a good thing.

It will be intersting to see if and how it comes up.

Burgandy also had Lap Band surgery, right? I noticed Jessica's scars last night and went on the website. There were 3 Bandsters, 1 bypass and 1 VBG (?) which I think is like stapling. I only noticed the scars on Jessica.

It is interesting to have several people that have undergone WLS participate. I have no idea if that is the norm or not. I honestly didn't think about it until this season.

I can't wait to get to know the contestants. I love this show! I know it isn't the healthiest approach to weightloss and isn't the most reasonable either since most people don't have the resources to work out 8 hours a day. But I still get inspired by it!

I believe Sharon's was Lap Band, but she was talking a couple years ago about getting it removed.

Rex Ryan of the Jets was banded (in March, I think?). I was watching the game on Sunday and noticed how great he looked so I googled it. I pulled up some pictures of him last year and the difference is crazy! Also, he had to keep pulling up his pants when he was running out onto the field after the game. HA! Go Rex!

scale whore right here! :rolleyes2: I weigh in the morning first thing post-potty. I typically weigh when I get home from work before I eat dinner, but I'm trying to get myself not to do that one. And I weigh right before I go to bed. I log my weight daily, but only "count" it on Mondays and I only change my ticker monthly.

I need statistics! Plus, I like to know how things affect me. After today, I know that Chinese food makes me retain Water and weigh higher. I wouldn't have known that if I didn't monitor it. I don't think I will change behavior because of it, but now I know.

I get that feeling when I have a lot of restriction and the Water is "funnelling" through the Band.

Hmmm...I wouldn't worry too much unless they just never ever stop. That would just be annoying!! Good luck!

I too get the hiccups when I eat. Most of the time it is my body telling my I'm full. Occassionally it is just a signal to slow down. But, either way, it is important to listen to what it is trying to say to you.

I thought the initial episode was okay. I did find myself chuckling a few times thinking I SO know what that is like. I think the lead actors are good and I have empathy for the characters. I will keep recording it and see how it goes.

I'm a 36 year old female and was banded on 1/27. I have lost 65 pounds since then and am just over halfway to my goal. Due to chronic tonsilitis, I am going to have to have a tonsillectomy in December.

I was wondering if anyone has had to undergo this procedure after being banded. If so, can you tell me how it went for you? I hear that it is incredibly painful for adults, so that is something to look forward to.

My surgeon has said that I will need to get a complete unfill which makes sense. I know that I won't be able to eat after the procedure, so I'm not overly concerned about gaining weight during this time. I think my biggest concerned is "starting over" with the fill process. I have (possibly unnecessary?) concerns that it will somehow be different.

Just curious to hear any applicable stories. Thanks!!

This was one of the most fascinating threads I've ever read! I'm from the US and my doc/nut mentioned that I should get around 70g of Protein per day. The only thing they said never to drink again was carbonation (which is a whole other debate for me.)

I think what it comes down to for me is Portion Control and "righting" my diet to a better balance. I cringe when I think about the high calorie meals I ate being banded. I feel sure that I regularly ate around 3-4 THOUSAND calories per day when I was being "good". Plus, I was very focused on carbs and fat. I LOVED eating Pasta in heavy creams with fried whatever and cheese on it. I'm kind of embarrassed to think that if my doctor wouldn't have given me the "eat Protein first, then veggies, then carbs" line, I probably would've continued focusing on things that aren't very nutritional or high in calorie.

I'm not REALLY eating a HIGH protein diet, but I find that if I focus more on getting my protein and limiting fat, that I have a more BALANCED diet. I still eat carbs, but they are more like a 1/3 of my diet as opposed to 2/3.

I find that my challenge is relying on processed foods. I would like to get better about eating naturally as I move forward.

I've made a committment to exercise and track it daily. I average 30 minutes per day which includes weekends. I don't work out everyday, but keeping track helps me see that I'm keeping up with it. I always said that I worked out about 30 minutes a day, but when I started tracking it, I found that wasn't true. A day off here because of a hair cut scheduled during class or a day off there because of dinner with girls... I was average closer to 15-20 minutes per day. Since 4/7/10, I am averaging 34 minutes per day.

I'm a Jazzercise class manager and my classes are scheduled on Mondays and Thursdays after work. I love Jazzercise and typically go at least one other time during the week. Right now, I also work out with a personal trainer 1-2 times per week. I only have a few more sessions though so when that runs out, I will probably add another Jazzercise class.

I also work out during my lunch hour two days a week. I either bike, elliptical or jog. I would like to get to the point where I can jog a 5k, but I have to work out some feet issues first. I have found that jogging takes the pounds off the fastest! But I also like the strength training I'm doing.

My friends call me an exercise fanatic which always makes me laugh. I do love it though and can't express enough how great it makes me feel.

I say do as much as you are able! You are doing just great!

Thank you so much for that post! I'm about 5 months post-op and a foodie. I'm learning that I can enjoy DELICIOUS meals out and still be on track. Like you, my issues were day-to-day...day-after-day bad choices.

Glad to hear you had such a good time!

Would these people say the same thing to someone who gets Lasik eye surgery? Maybe they should just schlep around with coke-bottle eyeglasses and stay legally blind their entire lives, because fixing the problem would be "the easy way out." Sheesh.

This is a GREAT comparison. I've had both and honestly, they were both excellent decisions in my opinion. I have never thought twice and I have never had anyone flinch about my Lasik. But WLS certainly does get a different reaction from some people, huh?

Interesting thread!

Betsy, have you taken one of those metabolism breathing tests? I was just curious if you did and if it matched up with what you found.

I took one and it gave me very high numbers (i.e. I should be able to eat 2200 and not gain weight while in a coma.) However, in reality, it doesn't seem to work that way. Some of it was me unintentionally fudging my numbers or "forgetting" to write down something I ate. I'm getting better at that, but that doesn't seem to be the complete answer.

I guess I would like to know how other folks tests matched up with reality.

Hiya! Congrats on your near 30lb loss!! How's it going, being with the band?? Any tips or tricks to share with those of us just starting on this path???

Nice to meet youm btw!! :ohmy:

I went for my 3rd fill today and I have lost 34 pounds. YAY!! I have a friend that was banded one month before me and she has lost 70 pounds! I think that everyone has to follow whatever path works well for them. For me, I have a Protein shake every morning, then a sensible lunch & dinner. I really don't snack a lot. I do exercise almost every day, even if it is just 10 minutes...but I shoot for 40-60 minutes daily.

My biggest tip (since I'm not a veteren yet) is to not get discouraged at first. It takes a while to get going.

Best of luck to you!!

Also, for any of you True Results folks, the Ft. Worth support group meeting is on the 2nd Monday at 6:30 PM at their Hurst office. It is a FABULOUS group!!

Hi!! I am from the Mid-Cities area and was banded in January. Good luck to you!!

Good luck!! I was banded by Dr. Smith on 1/27. He did a great job and I'm recovering nicely. I would recommend him easily!

No kidding! I got banded on 1/27 and tried to walk a lot. When she said she walked 13 miles the day after surgery, my mom looked at me and we cracked up. Holy cow!

I like the purple girl too. I love how she really seems to encourage people even though they are her competitors.