Will_B_Healthy

You rock girl. That is one sumptuous meal and great pics. too. I am up at 2 AM -- couldn't sleep. Loose stools - yuk. Had my 2nd fill Monday and doing the POW diet for a couple days to adjust (Protein shake, broth, Jell-o, with a SF snack or two to keep from killing a family member or co-worker). The dinner ware looks terrific; I have bookmarked the site for future use. You are looking good. Keep it up.

I am a Christian man living in a primarily secular world and in a nation that ironically espouses Christian ideals but practices and worships otherwise, I appreciate the observation of born agains as pushy and displaying insecurity. I liken this behavior to anyone new to a healthy experience: i.e., the recently converted non-smoker, the newbie bander, someone who has just completed a 5k/10K run. I don't mean to pigeon hole them, but these and new born agains in their joyful enthusiasm are too often extolling the virtues of what they perceive as a newly found panacea -- real or too often otherwise. There are striking differences: Christians are encouraged to be patient and accepting with/of others, even those who bear them malice. Seculars may share this same belief but spurn the communal experience. What seems to be a growing declaration (a position I see as hedging your bet) is "I am spiritual rather than religious." Such a statement is either invested with circular reasoning or absence of any: netting out, as Mr. Spock would observe, illogical. If someone is pushy it may be decidedly because of the individual feeling the pressure. Understandably: your sensibilities and mores are challenged and that makes you uncomfortable, defensive, angry. Yet if the table was turned, that you are the instigator of the "attack" instead of the target, would the level of discord be different? So it is a matter of how secure you are in your belief structure not how "pushy" someone else may be. The eminent psychiatrist Carl Jung was asked if he believed in God. He said, "No. I don't believe I know." Regards to all, WB

Thanks for the other sites you shared. Good luck with your banding. Seems like you are intellectually ready and working on the emotional side, too. Relax. It was a great and life-saving choice. Brace yourself for a great ride ahead of you!

That is great advice and I appreciate you reaching out to me, too.

Thanks for the response. Good luck. I will have to try the tostada test sometime!

Thanks for your reply and helpful suggestions, too. I suppose the only thing worse than being hungry is coping with the anxiety of the scale. Losing weight is so motivating; anything else seems, well, failing although I know it isn't. I have to appreciate where I am rather than where I am not. Sounds easier than it is. Regards in any case. Will

Wow! That is fantastic, girl. As that old song goes, "It's not where you start it's where you finish. . ." Best wishes and God's speed! Keep posting your results. WB

I posted this question on my blog and got absolutely no feedback, so I figured either nobody wanted to step up to the question, or everybody was reading somebody else's horror story, or I was spitting into the wind. After my first fill (three weeks post-op appointment), I asked my surgeon when should I have another fill and he rattled off what sounded like a zen koan: when you are able to eat most anything, keep it down yet still feel hungry shortly after your meal, and you are not losing weight or it has really slowed down, then call for an appointment . . . You know the sound of two hands clapping; what is the sound of one hand clapping . . . So pretend I am your grandchild and explain it so I can understand it, please!:ohmy: When should I ask for another fill? I think I am doing great with this whole thing but how do you really know? What are the metrics for success? Along the way I have hit a few plateaus, the longest was three days and zippo: my scale was frozen. So I thought maybe this is what the doc meant. Sure enough the next time I stepped on the scale I was down 1.8 lbs. So here is what it comes down to: Can anybody offer some sound advice to this newbie bander? With affection and gusto, WB

My shrink whom I had one consult over the phone pre-surgery (my insurance required it) recommended EATING WELL AFTER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY. I found it very useful, informative, plus the recipes are varied and simple and geared to where you are in your journey, too. I was going loopy on the "baby food consistency" phase and this was an oasis.

Although I am a hopeless romantic:redface:, I usually don't put much stock in faux-anniversaries since the root of "anniversary" refers to a year. Two months is just that: two months. A two-month anniversary sounds stupid to me or at the very least oxymoronic. But I digress. Just over two months ago I was anxious, fearful, self-loathing, discouraged, and fat to name a few. I am still fearful but I have learned to like/love myself a lot more now since I showed both courage and fortitude in banding and sticking to a rigid food regime. As that ugly goo slips away and the scale shows a downward plunge, I am encouraged. People are noticing the change in me -- both physically and in my overall attitude, I am fitting in clothes that have hung unworn for months, my energy level is noticeably higher, exercise is not a "have to do" but a "want to do", planning meals is actually fun, reading labels, understanding the difference in a good choice vs. a bad one, becoming nutrition knowledgeable is very cool, and all in all, I'm convinced banding was the smartest choice I have made since marrying my wife. I love visiting this site and enjoy posting, too but I feel like I may be overstating the case. I know I am still very much a newbie -- two months is nothing compared to some of the others here. What I can speak to with authority is how this new adventure is helping me right now. I hope to be encouraging to others in what I say or write but I still have difficulty responding to the negative posts or comments. I suppose that is to be expected given what I know about human nature. Anyhow, if anyone wants to respond or just engage in a dialogue, especially anyone that has some creative breakfast suggestions, please do. Until we meet again, I hope to see less and less of all of you (LOL):thumbup: WB

I had to let you know how much I love that photo of you! My old weak eyes detect two different decks of playing cards in your hand, fanning coyly at the camera. Your post-op log is great, too. I should have done that and regret it now. There were swirls of ideas, thoughts, comments literally spewing through me over the initial hours and days after my banding (03/26). Like most memories, we get selective in our recollections, inflating and deflating, all diffused. It is crazy that anyone believes the testimony of witnesses given what happens to our memories over the span of time. You rekindled a few with your comments though. My initial recollection coming out of surgery was anything but fine; it was downright scarey, nightmarish. The good news was it wasn't that long. The bad news was they hadn't removed the catheter and when they did, whoo-wee did I let out a scream. Big sissy that I am! Anyhow, best of luck. Glad to have you on the blog. Think beautiful thoughts and when Tinkerbell comes by you can fly. WB

I have read a few of your other entries and you are becoming the poster girl for banding. You look great and you must be feeling fantastic. What is it like to walk a mile in a pool? How long does this take you? I have access to a junior olympic size pool about three blocks from my house that is free to HOA members. It is only 25 yards wide in the shallow end, so if my math is correct I would need to do 51 laps (down and back) walking. That must take you a while but it is far easier on your ankles, knees, joints, etc. than regular walking while offering increased resistance -- like pulling a child in a wagon behind you. Great idea! Don't know if it is something I would do or could do without a waterproof iPod. Keep up the great work. WB

Dallen: I found the Muscle Milk products, too. They are great, tasty, and priced fairly. I haven't seen the S&C you mentioned -- where did you find it? GNC? I recently picked up a tub of strawberry flavored whey protein powder at Walmart; label indicated 52 grams of protein so I tossed it into the basket. When I got home and actually read the label, it turned out to be 2 scoops for 52 gms. The Muscle Milk I was using was 26 gms per scoop, so there was no real difference. Hang that Read The Damn Label sign around my neck. I was on the POW diet (that is what I named the all liquid portion: protein drink, broth, Jell-o) for two weeks before and three weeks after; by the time the Baby Food phase kicked in I went nuts fixing my first 2 oz serving of refried beans! It wasn't like chewing a steak, but it was heavenly. Hang tough. It isn't easy (some days are better; some are worse) but it is managable. And you have broken the code: it is a mind thing! Add to this exercising 30 minutes total each day (walking), then do the math. You are taking in about 30% of the calories you are used to and burning calories: you can't help but lose weight. Congrats and best regards, WB

MellBell: I feel your frustration and pain. Most of the fatties I know or have corresponded with empathize, too. But that isn't much comfort. What I can say is keep an open mind and research this. Look for every resource you can to get as much info as possible. Search the Net for everything there is on lap-banding; find people who have been through it or are about to and ask them why they chose lap-band over other choices. Create a list of questions and book a consultation with a weight specialist and a nutritionist. Discriminate. In the best sense of that word, learn to sort the wheat from the chaffe because you are going to hear some BS from some people, some will be sincere, some will be exaggerating, and some will simply not know what they are talking about. But listen to all of them. There is a common thread for you. Take your time. This can be a serious life changing experience. You need to be 100% on board with your decision. Banding was a life saving choice for me. Three reasons for my choice: my wife and my two daughters. As I look back now, I was committing suicide by food. I was at the brink of 400 pounds (actually had reached 408), my type 2 diabetes was in check but only because I was injecting insulin four to six times a day along with heavy doses of oral medication, and I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. My job was toxic. I hated who I was and what I had become: a loser. A big fat loser. In short I was miserable, exhausted, and sickly. I spent SuperBowl weekend in the hospital with acute bronchitis (originally diagnosed as congestive heart failure). I had been pursuing Lap-banding for over six months but not until that hospital weekend did I really commit to living. This is not Pollyanna: when I made that decision, everything fell into place. I had prayed about it and researched it but there comes a time to fish or cut bait: you have to do something. My choice was to band. Now I can't say it has been easy or simple. It hasn't. And I was scared even up to the time they wheeled me into the OR. My immediate post op hour was dreadful. But given the options -- living healthy, feeling good, sleeping regularly, eating smart, exercising regularly -- versus what and where I was -- choosing to band produced positive things. I am about one-third of my way to my goal weight; today is exactly two months since my surgery. My attitude is 180 degrees different than before. There are still mountains to climb and disappointments to face, but if it weren't a challenge the fruit wouldn't taste so sweet. I am committed to living. MellBell, you can become a different person lots of different ways. Ultimately it comes down to personal choices. You still have plenty of those before you. Don't settle for anything but what is the best choice for you. May God give you His grace and courage to find your answer. Keep us all posted. WB

When is it time to get a fill? My surgeon told me something like when you are able to eat without any problem, stop losing weight, and feel hungry a lot, then schedule another fill. Did I hear that right? How about two out of three? I am blessed so far: no puking! I mean I must be part goat because I can eat most anything: bread, eggs, fruit with skin, spicy food . . .:cursing: Stuff I know has caused grief for others. And I am still losing weight -- although not like the pre-op and initial post-op when I was on the POW diet (protein shakes, broth, and Jell-o X 3 meals). I am still losing about 3 to 4 pounds a week. BTW: I hope I am not pissing you off. I know or have heard plenty of horror stories about upchucking, blowing chow, hurling, driving the porcelain princess after sucking down something you thought you could eat only to review the evidence as you spew! I am the exception. The poster old fart. And it isn't because I am chewing every bite fifty times before swallowing. Hell, I would have even fewer teeth than now if that were the case. (Last count I think I have about eight of my own with another 16 or so in various bridges, crowns, etc.) Seriously. When do you know it is time to call for another fill? Help!!:thumbup: WB

Are there any Costco warehouse stores close to you? They have an absolutely delicious vanilla protein shake - Protein+ : 26 grams of protein, 2 gm fat, 130 calories, 3 gms carbs, 135 mg sodium. It is made by the same company that makes Muscle Milk. My daughter -- a certified choc-aholic -- prefers it to the chocolate shake. I am not so discriminating and love both. WB

If you must snack, make good choices. Keep reading the labels and make sure you understand the relationship and effect of what you are reading. Carbs are only one of components: protein, fat and sodium are just as important to regulate and monitor. String cheese is great to boost your protein but it is also pretty high in fat. A single slice of low sodium bacon can also give you a protein boost but like string cheese it is high in fat. I am still searching for a good tasting non-fat cheese. A hard boiled egg is another good choice. My surgeon is big on protein, so he encourages us to have a protein shake between meals. Better to have too much protein and quell the hunger pangs than pushing a (fill in the blank with your most decadent snack food here) into your pie hole. Charting what you are eating including snacks gives you a sense of control, especially if you are logging everything and I do mean everything. Establish some goals like no more than 20 grams of fat a day and see how you can achieve that goal. Find out what is a good calorie range for you and the same is true for protein, fat, sugar, sodium, and carbs. If you have been banded for six months or more, celery and carrot sticks will provide fiber and give you a sense of chewing that also helps to curb your appetite. There are some conflicting opinions but some (like the trainers on The Biggest Loser show) advocate chewing Extra sugarfree gum. A couple of sticks each day will do an amazing job of quelling the hunger monster. More than anything else, eat your meals at the same time each day. Make that a priority and stick to it. The snacks become less important if you can really stick to a tight schedule. Best of luck and if you get some "good" snack suggestions, let all of us know. We are all running down the same path. WB Don't deny yourself. But use moderation. If you want to have a taste of something you know is absolutely terrible for you to eat in quantities, don't deny yourself, just check yourself and savor the bite for all it is worth, and as you are doing that start thinking about a better choice. Here's my confession: I love bread and I love peanut butter. If I am feeling like I haven't been topped off I will toast a slice and then spread a thin layer of pb and take my knife and scrape off almost all of the pb leaving enough so I still get my jones from the taste. I cut the slice in half and share the other half with my dog. I eat my half slowly and really savor it. By the time I finish it I am full. I haven't denied myself and I made a smart choice and a friend, too. And if you haven't a dog to share this with, a small child or spouse or significant other may enjoy the treat and worse case tossing it outside for the birds is a good choice, too.

Congratulations. You are doing great so keep up your positive attitude and keep aware; all those nasty pitfalls haven't gone away because of your banding -- you just need to keep learning to navigate better. It gets easier with time. Every day and every meal is a new adventure so enjoy the ride, all the sounds, and changes as you progress. One thing I noticed in my first three weeks of post-op was how good things smelled -- my meals and whatever else I was taking in. For me the hardest habit to break was drinking while I ate. My nutritionist emphasized the importance of stopping the intake of fluids 15 minutes before a meal and waiting 30 minutes after the meal. She explained why. If you don't have a nutritionist by all means get one and if you aren't comfortable with him/her then find another. Don't settle. Not now. You have invested too much to settle for anything but what you feel is best for you. I am not a seasoned vet -- only 50 days post-op but each day seems to get a little easier and my goals get a little closer so right now I am all about encouraging others to get your head on straight. Think about where you are going rather than where you have been. You invested in you. Make the most of it.

Weekends seem to be the most challenging to stay within the goal specs:cursing:; staying busy seems to be my best cure but no guarantee. One thing I keep putting off is I need to get cleared to return to the gym. I know I need strength training (excluding abs for another six weeks) as I can see the first signs of the flabby wiggles on my triceps. Sure nice to put on clothes that I haven't worn in ages -- well at least a year or more. I got rid of about twenty suits eight months ago knowing someone would get some use out of them; leaving them hanging in my closet was simply selfish of me. I felt good donating them but now I am thinking maybe I should have held on to a few of them.:biggrin: My fatself suits, especially the pants, need tailoring but I am wondering how long that will last before I am taking them in again. Those are the kind of problems I enjoy having:smile:! I am on "real" food now but find myself relying upon some of the transitional choices. My protein food choices now include mostly fish, chicken, and turkey with an occasional piece of pork loin or lamb loin chop. We had steak chunks last Sunday at my SIL's for Mother's Day but it was no big thing: 2 oz translated to two average size chunks. I used a dessert plate so it didn't look so puny! Veggies are better than ever before and planning my meals for the week is a great investment of time. The crazy thing is watching others push the crap I used to shovel down my pie hole into theirs now. I just smile and think: it is always a matter of choice. I don't think I am any better than they are just better informed and motivated differently now. Add to the list of people to avoid: new converts, new non-smokers, and new weight surgery patients! I find myself in discussions with others who want to know more about banding, and I sense I am getting far too detailed. I need to find a simple elevator pitch and let it go. Most don't give a tinker's damn anyhow. Best wishes to all you other banders and pre-banders. This was the best selfish decision in my life. I am too tired to try to write much more tonight.:smile: Anybody have any good breakfast recipes, I would love to try them out. Some variety would help.:drool: WB

Jilly: I was banded just over a week ago and boy can I empathize. I refer to this current food restriction as the POW diet -- actually we are getting more food than most any Prisoner of War but it makes for a good chuckle when I share it with friends. Last night my daughters and wife went to my b-i-l's home for dinner; he is a gourmet cook and loves to please the pallets of his family. I elected to stay home until after dinner. I missed the multi-course gastronomical fest. Because I hadn't eaten, I lugged my MagicBullet mixer, container with milk, my scoop of protein mix, a container with my chicken broth, and a little tub of SF lime Jello. While they were eating one or more of the desserts, I brooded over my meal but took my time and kept saying the mantra: this is a small price to pay now for a big reward in the future. Attitude is 99% of overcoming the hell. Are you getting enough protein? My nutritionist explained, you pee the protein rapidly out of your system, so don't load up on one meal, spread it out as evenly as possible. Add an egg occasionally to the protein shake or treat yourself to the new SF Chocolate Mousse from Jello as a substitute for the wiggly-giggly stuff. You did the right thing by reaching out to your doctor. And fortunately you got someone to encourage you. You are on your way to a happier and healthier Jilly. Don't make food your enemy or your friend. It is just food. Something you need in order to live (the old chestnut: eat to live don't live to eat)! There are plenty of others just like you or those who have trod the same game trail you are on. They are pulling for you, too. Hang in there, girl. W B

Loved reading your post. Not because of the pain these people tried to inflict, but because of your attitude. My in-laws are fantastic, supportive, understanding, and accepting; now my family (mother and both sisters) are more like your in-laws. (How about negotiating a trade?) There are always people that thrive on the failures of others, that in so doing feel they are better than they really are. Most of it comes from a basic ignorance and lack of empathy or interest in anything other than themselves. Fortunately, there are others who will be understanding and encouraging. You will be happier with those who make you happy. W B

Thanks for your messages. I was banded last Friday, March 26th. Subsequently, I have been on the POW (Prisoner of War) diet: Protein shake, beef or chicken broth, and small tub of Jello -- three times a day. Still some residual pain in the abdomen, especially when I lean or turn quickly to the right. A fellow bander told me it will subside with time and be patient. If it gets too bad, I have some good meds. On the up side: I have had five days without the need for any insulin shots. I am slowly weaning myself from my diabetes medications. The oral meds are next on my weaning list. I have cut one of them in half already while still keeping my blood sugar below 190 since the surgery. With all that is going on within my system, this is the best benefit to date. What is it about TV ads in the evening? Most seem to be about foods I can't have or shouldn't even consider! I guess when you are restricted to just under 1000 calories most anything that doesn't resemble the POW diet looks appetizing. If I have the remote, a quick switch helps but otherwise I just grin and bear it, telling myself, that was something the old me would have gobbled down not the new me. I know it will be easier with time and it is anxiety that seems to wear on me in the later evening. I have doubled my Zolloff to try to get me through it -- so far the ads are still penetrating but not winning. I had given up all candy for Lent so ignoring the chocolate eggs and other Easter candy that my kids got was easy. My wife is off this week and she made pancakes for herself and my younger daughter. The smells wafted into my office and the best I can do is try a piece of Extra sugar-free gum. lunch is soon but I think I am going for a walk; it has stopped raining or otherwise it would be a drive to the gym and a half-hour on the treadmill. I have been putting in at least 30 minutes each day walking; some days that is a chore but I have been reminding myself that the goals offset any immediate discomfort. You have to walk before you run and when I get down to a "running" weight, believe me I will be running again. How are you doing on your banding adjustment? Any tips are encouraged. W B

Welcome from the Land of Gracious Living -- that is what it says on the local license plates. I am watching the sun set after a full day of watching the NCAA basketball tournaments, 60 Minutes is on the HD flatscreen, and I am overdue for my delicious dinner: a chocolate Protein shake. I am scheduled for my surgery on Wednesday, March 24th. I won't know for sure until tomorrow afternoon. Last Thursday I went to my surgeon's office to meet with the surgery scheduling person; they weighed me as I had been on the liquid only diet for the previous ten days. To my chagrin I had gained four pounds; the young lady I met with informed me they would need to reschedule me because of this. I was totally bummed and confused. How did that happen? After a few minutes of protestation and dismay, I gathered up my crestfallen ego, took my wife by the arm and made my way back to the parking lot. My option was to lose this weight and a few more by Monday; my surgeon would decide then if it was a go or no-go. If a no-go, the young lady promised to reschedule me the first thing the following week.:laugh: Fast forward to the afternoon when I met with my Family Physician. We chatted about this situation and he asked what exactly was I eating. So I rattled off a litany of things including V8 juice, the broth from chicken Noodle Soup and Beef Noodle Soup, and at least 72 oz of G2 Sports drink/day. He started to chuckle and asked me to lift up my pant leg so he could look at my legs and ankles. He gently squeezed me just above the ankle for about 30 seconds, enough to leave a noticeable indentation. He looked me in the eye and said, "I am surprised at you. You are a college graduate, a pretty smart guy. Yet you didn't realize you were pumping yourself full of Sodium. The weight gain is Water weight." Pointing to the bottle of water I carried in, he said, "And your solution to losing that weight is to cut out the G2 and stick to the water." So for the next three days it was Protein drinks and bottled water -- interrupted by a few dozen visits to the WC. Hopefully, I will have something good to post tomorrow night. And if not, I am cool with that, too. It may mean another week of protein drinks and water, but I will lose the weight to improve my chances for a successful surgery. Enough about me. How are you ex-fatties doing now. I need to read some success stories!