OldSchool76

oldschool76....i use Jack3d too but i actually think it tastes better than all the other pre workout mixes i've tried...it does work though

Oh I agree. They all seem to taste like crap. I just have to remind myself that I am not drinking for pleasure. I have used Jack (three flavors), SuperPump and Crave. Jack seems to be the best.

Morning is very tough for me. I usually do a high Protein shake but try to do it no closer than an hour before the workout as I get 'BG" (Bubble gut as my trainer calls it). I also use a workout supplement but that is not for everyone. My workouts are pretty intense. There are a ton of them out there and they seem to work differently for different people. I use Jack3D. Tastes like crap but definitely keeps me up for my training session.

Disclaimer: I am no medical professional and I know those supplements have ardent proponents and detractors. Simply saying what I do.

Hell no! I love my trainer. He has changed my outlook on fitness. It is powerful to have someone to keep you on track, text you in the morning, call you and make sure you are getting your backside to class. This all matters. Great move!

I do an ab circuit 5 times a week but I am two years out. Never had a problem.

Yes. It works

Lost 101 pounds so far

BMI down from 60 to 46

Went from a 58 Waist (ish) to a 48 waist (ish)

Started on 2/17 of this year.

I would like to be. I love cars and used to trade them like underwear. Favorites were newer cars (93 Camaro Z28 and a 96 Impala SS before they ruined it). I have two Lincoln Continentals now that I want to restore, a 66 convertible and a 64 hardtop. At some point I hope to have the time and money to do them!

This is my first time posting but all of you have been a great support. I have my surgery on July 1, I also have some fears! I am always afraid of being put to sleep but I worry will this work? I have been on the Protein shake diet for two weeks and am starving (just wanna eat). I have only lost 4 lbs. so wonder if I will even loose once I have the band on. I think my metabolism has become flat line.

thanks for all the great information I have found on these boards it has been great. Good luck tomorrow to all the surgery patients.

As others have said, the only ting I would change is that I would have done this at least a decade ago. I had a bad experience with an appendectomy that left me thinking elective surgery was for IDIOTS! I got over it and moved forward with this plan in February and have to say, the procedure was a non-issue. I have had rolled ankles and other sports related injuries that were far more impactful.

As for weight loss, the system does work. The band is an effective tool. If you have been diligently following your pre-op diet (mine was 2 shakes and one 'sensible' meal) you should be losing weight. Make sure you journal your food if you have any doubts and stay in contact with your physician.

Good luck!

B: Premier Nutrition Protein Shake (160 Cal and 30 G Protein)

Snack: Protein Bar (140 Cal and 20 G Protein)

L: chicken or tuna salad (5-6 oz) or 4-6 oz of Chilli

D: 4-6 oz lean Protein and 1/2c vege

Sweet: sugar free pudding

I have a 14 CC band. Immediately after surgery I had restriction. It eased as the swelling went down (I assume since there was no fill at that point) and I have had 3 fills subsequently. Each one provided restriction and I certainly have never felt as though I could eat anything since surgery.

The band is a tool but you have to work on it too (obviously and not meant with any disrespect). The pre-op diet and initial weeks were supposed to train me (and you) to think of food differently. "Eat to live, not live to eat," and all that crap. (Read as true but annoying) The band is simply the guard enforcing it.

Your guard seems to be asleep. I hope your Doc can figure out why. Good luck!

I am a Feb 17th bandster. Things are going really well so far but groups seem to be all the rage here.

That link doesn't include the drinking with meals rule.

Right. The original question was about any rules with an example of the drinking issue. Figured an all purpose start was better than nothing. :thumbup:

My doc says no drinking 60 min before and 30 min after. For me, at lower restriction levels, the 'wash through' was the effect. Now, I cannot drink and eat.

Good:

Chilli, tuna and chicken salad, eggs

I agree I can eat almost everything if I am careful but those are staples of mine

Bad:

Any dry Protein

Here is a good link for you to start with. It is a PDF. http://images.obesityhelp.com/magfiles/golden.pdf

I am pretty concerned that nobody reviewed this with you.

Almost 90 pounds but a long way yet to go! I want 100 by July 20th!

From: Read more: Squelching Myths about Weight Loss Surgery - For Dummies

Weight loss surgery will save your marriage

Actually, the opposite is true. The divorce rate among couples in which one has had weight loss surgery is higher than the average. Many couples are not able to weather the drastic change that happens when one spouse loses a tremendous amount of weight. Your spouse may become jealous of the new attention that you're receiving. Or you may find that with improved self-esteem, you're no longer willing to endure treatment that you don't find acceptable. Or, with a whole new appearance, your personality may change — and your spouse may not like that new personality

Everything in moderation including moderation, right? I have had some beer since my surgery but no other carbonated beverages. I opt for, when drinking:

1. Vodka and Cranberry

2. Sweat Tea Vodka and Lemonade

3. Whiskey Sour (Though I suppose Midori would work too)

When mixing at home (on occasion) I use the delicious Vitamin Water Zero as a mixer. Been very pleased thus far.

Totally agree on the "John Daly" Any lemonade works!

I am under the impression that you are correct. Protein from food (like a chicken breast or whatever) also has other constituent parts (like fiber) and takes the digestive system time to break down.

For me, in the morning, my band feels tighter. I also LOVE the regimen and regularity so I have a Protein shake for breakfast and a Protein Bar mid morning. Total calories about 320 and total Protein 50g (combined). That gets my day off to a good start and allows me to find my extra 10-30 g of protein in my other meals.

I imagine folks use it as a way to portion out their intake more than anything else. I have read that certain Proteins are more readily digestible (eggs for example) that others (red meat).

So this is interesting to me. I have a 14 CC band and have been losing weight. I do notice, however, that as time elapses I am able to eat more (normally at dinner). My most recent fill brought me to 7.8 cc (was a .6 cc adjustment) and I will tell you this. It is FAR more restrictive.

Maybe this is what I was supposed to get to, I am not sure. I know that I am having to be VERY careful about everything (I was being a good patient before, but now it is extreme).

Is this the "Sweet Spot" you folks refer to? I am on a business trip (which usually causes at best a stoppage of weight loss due to increased sodium consumption from dining out) but I know that my quantities will be down across the board.

My first fill the Doc had problems finding my port as well. The poking around with her finger was FAR more painful than the insertion. I get no pain med or numbing and consider it less painful than a flu shot.

I am down a good amount now but I still do't "see it" when I look in the mirror. I did, recently, have to buy all new clothes. In that process, I found my last new suit (worn once). Now I just purchased a few new suits amongst other things so I figured I would try it on and man, was I floored. the thing was HUGE on me.

Now I am still a very large man (and working to become less large by the day) but by comparison, it is amazing. Keep on working on it and try and get a little rabid form time to time (I have been adding a lot more exercise and a lot of varied exercise to try and accelerate weight loss or at the least change body composition).

One of my hobbies is broadcasting. I have a YouTube channel for fun and the first folks that really noticed were my viewers on the channel. I can't tell you how touched I was when I posted a video after a significant hiatus and had a page of comments congratulating me on the weight loss (the content was totally unrelated).

Seems like you are doing great. Use the measurements and photos as your guide and happily take the compliments you get. You deserve them!

Everything in moderation including moderation, right? I have had some beer since my surgery but no other carbonated beverages. I opt for, when drinking:

1. Vodka and Cranberry

2. Sweat Tea Vodka and Lemonade

3. Whiskey Sour (Though I suppose Midori would work too)

When mixing at home (on occasion) I use the delicious Vitamin Water Zero as a mixer. Been very pleased thus far.

BCBS/FL with the PPO plan slammed the door on me sending both my wife and I to the self pay lane.

:-(

So much of the initial loss is Fluid and the scale is going to bounce around a bit. Don't worry yourself into a panic when this happens. Once the swelling from surgery dissipates you basically have the equipment but it isn't doing much to tame the hunger until you achieve sufficient restriction from fills. It took me about 4 fills to get to this point - so that's months after surgery... Just do your best in the meantime and try to focus on the fundamentals of living with your new companion. Begin an exercise regimen as soon as your surgeon will allow. Not only will it help increase your metabolism and quell hunger - but it's an essential component of long term success.

Good Luck!

Brad

Just want to echo this great post. I have been fortunate as I have noticed restriction at each fill but the keys for me have been:

Fluid Consumption

Protein Intake (shakes and additives)

Exercise

Walking is great and a terrific way to start, but as I lose more I feel more like doing more. Yard work. Sports. Anything. The more you do the more impact it will have and that will encourage you to continue the efforts.

I have not had a carbonated soda but I must admit, I have has a few beers since surgery. While I drink them much more slowly, i have never had any horrific side effects.

Like others have said, it varies with the tightness of your band but I have found that social settings are not as hard as I had imagined they would be. The trickiest bits for me are:

1. Avoiding alcohol (or drinking at all)

2. Avoiding sodium

Now the above two things are simply because I am trying to lose aggressively. Foodwise, before my last fill, I could eat almost any food in smaller quantities. The last fill has made that more difficult so fish, moist Proteins and Soups are the staple.

Yesterday, I went to lunch with my wife and ordered the healthy chicken breast lunch (Grillsmith). It was a chicken Breast, a scoop of potatoes and grilled asparagus. I ate half the chicken breast, two asparagus spear tips and half the scoop of potatoes. I took the other half of the chicken breast home and made chicken salad out of it for dinner.

Did it feel weird? Yup. But it works and it can be worked through.