MaggieB

My hardest habit to break & I'm going on 2 years post op.

I hate exercising - Zumba makes exercise fun for me. I actually enjoy it.

I've learned a lot the last 6 months and today being my 6-month bandiversary, I thought I'd share.

To those who say it doesn't work, you're right. It doesn't work for everyone. It's designed to work if the patient learns to work with it and have a complete lifestyle change.

I don't diet. I changed what I eat, how much I eat, how fast I eat (now I actually get TIRED of eating!), and how often I eat (or as the case is now) how often I think I need to eat. I do use myfitnesspal to track my calories and exercise. I've started exercising but am in no way the poster child for how to exercise. I can get better at it, and I'm working on that aspect.

It's been hard work on my part. Retraining my body and eyes with food. Telling myself I don't need to eat or drink that. I no longer WANT to. I can go down the candy aisle/cookie aisle at the store and say, wow that looks good but I don't want it. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I DO want the crap! Some days, I'd kill for a piece of Mrs Bairds large white bread. But in the end, it's k

Thank you for your post! I am 1.5 years out down 80lbs & no with no regrets.

I also hate exercising! I do enjoy Zumba and other "dance" style of classes offered thru the gym. The dance studio my daughter attends just recently added a mom dance class - so much fun. I am not into running but also like the competitive part of 5k's - I don't "train" for them but will participate whenever there is one locally. This past year we also got into the more adventure type of races - Warrior Dash, Jailbreak run, Spartan Race - they are challenging but so much fun.

another vote for Unjury. I tried lots of different brands out there and the only one I actually like is the Unjury brand. I still drink a shake every morning and i was banded June 2010. It is pricey - I order online - about $19 a container. chocolate is my favorite of all the flavors. Vitamins - I just used kids chewables and would take 2/day. I used them during my postop phase - on a 6 week full liquid diet, I no longer use them since I get plenty of nutrients from veggies & such.

I agree with one of the other posters - I don't think it would be a true assessment. If I had tried this I would've been hungry and unsatisfied - really if I had the control to eat this amount before banding I would not have needed the lap band.

100% happy and I consider myself successful - I have 20lbs to go but if I didn't lose anymore and stayed at my weight I would be satisfied. I do not have any regrets. I have not had any problems, the few times that I "vomited" were of my own doing - meaning I overate, ate too fast or ate something that just didn't go down well. I will admit that I do miss being able to eat anything/huge amounts/anytime of the day but that is all the mental part of my food addiction that is getting better.

No problem here either....I consider it one of my slider foods. I do not buy it or keep in the house - I would eat it all the time.

I have done a few and have done some of the mud/obstacle races (Warrior Dash, Jailbreak Run & will do Hell Run next month). Running is not my favorite thing - do not like doing it but like the competitive part of 5k's. I really enjoy the mud/obstacle race - they are alot of fun. Don't worry about being last - go and have some fun.

My diet was similiar. 3 days of clear liquids, then 6 weeks of modified full liquid - I guess you would call it mushie diet. I was allowed strained or well-blended Soups, yogurt, cottage cheese, thin oatmeal/grits, jellos, pudding, applesauce, Protein Shakes. I can tell you now I will never eat Jello, pudding or applesauce again. It was a long 6 weeks but I got thru it. Just hang in there - you can do this.

I don't have a cheat day either. I eat what I want within moderation - I try to stay away/limit the foods I consider dangerous for me - Cookies, cheesecake, chips n dip etc - meaning I don't purchase these items but if I am out at a party or there are treats at work - I usually don't deny myself.

I use them all the time - every morning with my Protein Shake and when we go out to eat. I have never had any problems with gas from them. My doctor advised me to stay away from them during my post op phase but is now ok with the use.

Kohl's - jeans around $20.

Absolutely! My husband is scheduled for tomorrow morning - I am hoping it all goes well for him. I have tried to prepare him for all of the "bad" things with the lapband. I had to prepare myself to "take care" of him - he is the biggest baby when he is ill - so my next week is going to be really fun

"Room charges" are usually done on a 24 hour clock - shouldn't matter if you are discharged at 11am or 8pm - it is the same fee. I would call the hospital and talk to someone in the billing department.

Yep, I have kinda gone alittle nutty with the Victoria Sercret shopping. Just got a coupon in the mail for a free pair of undies, ended up coming home with 6 pairs . It feels so good to be able to shop there again.

I did a 7 day cruise 8 weeks post op last year with out having a fill. My doctor and I chose not to do the first fill until after I returned - just in case of complications. I did not have any issues with food on the ship. I did bring my Protein Shake mix just in case I had food issues. I ate in the main dining room 3 times the rest of my meals were in the buffet line. The only thing that I was disappointed in was that I wanted to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail at night with my husband but I always felt "full", like I just didn't have room for the drink. I did gain 6lbs on the cruise but I think it was mostly Water retention - When I got home those 6lbs were gone in a week. Just listen to your body, try not to overeat, try to make good choices in your food, drink lots of water. Have fun - enjoy your vacation. I can't wait till our next cruise - we have booked a family Christmas cruise for December 2012 - I know crazy, I am already counting down the days

I still eat pizza and Pasta and at times I am fine other times my band tells me no way. You just need to figure out what works for you.

I had one too. Loved it. I didn't need extra pain meds till after I removed it. It was easy to remove-didn't feel a thing but it totally grossed my husband and daughter out

Warrior Dash is 3 miles. The one I did had about 15 obstacles. It is timed but it really doesn't matter. I did it in an hour with my 14 year old daughter. So much fun. We are participating in Run the Jailbreak in September.

It is important to stay hydrated - so drink, drink, drink. It is no unusual to not feel like drinking or have that "full" feeling. I was on Clear Liquids for 3 days - had to drink 2oz every hour plus Water throughout the day. My clears included - decaff coffe, tea, no sugar added juices, crystal lite, sugar free koolaid, sugar free Jello, broth. gatorade, sugar free popsicles - loved the italian ice.

Dr. Stephen Hamn in Plano, TX.

I have been saving money for the last 6 months for surgery. My goal is lose these last 25lbs, maintain for 1 year then have TT and breasts done.

I have traveled a couple of times this last year and never had any issues with flying. Your 1 cup at each meal will be your "full meal"

Thanks everyone for the great info. Does anyone regret having the lapband? What are the biggest obstacles to overcome once you have it.

No regrets. The head hunger part has been difficult - just old bad habits are hard to break but as this last year has progressed it is becoming easier for me.