Fatboy_Slim

You are all an inspiration! I have 39 more for my trip to onederland and can't wait to join you!

Whey makes my stomach a roller coaster for some reason, and I am not lactose intolerant. So I switched to egg white protein with no prob.

I was banded nov 9 and just hit the -100 mark and feel great. The loss has slowed so much that i am forced to do extreme high intensity workouts to get these last 40-50 off. I had one fill and can eat anything now due to no restriction. Thinking of getting a fill soon to speed up this process. Been on a 55 day challenge that ends aug 22nd hope to drop 20 by then. By the way for those who think they have failed, don't compare your loss to anyone else, we are all unique yet share a common goal. Fbs

Jay Robb is one of the absolute best protein powders on the market, highly recommend it!! However, it is also very $$

Hello... I am getting close to my goal, I can see it in my sights. I want to know, especially guys that have made it...how did you break through your final plateaus and hit the goal. What was your exercise regimen like during this time? I have been changing mine constantly to put the body in a constant state of shock, and more recently started intense short cardio rather than long easy. Diet wise I am cleaning it up a bit and focusing on the Protein, limiting carbs to vegetables and some black Beans. Any tips would be great at this point. I think I got lazy the last two weeks because I did reach a point where I can finally buy normal sized clothing (2X shirt, 38" jeans), however I should be losing another 40-50lbs because this is why I got the band in the first place--to achieve optimal health. Thanks !! FBS

Hi, You may have strained some muscle it sounds, however the abs get surprisingly weak if you haven't used them much in 7.5 months! I do my abs at least 3x a week and notice how quickly they re-build and strengthen. So, I would just take it really slow but increase your reps in small increments next time and I bet you will start to feel a difference. FBS

Great luck, you are on your way!

Good question, I am still trying to figure that one out but I agree with most of the comments that see it as a portion controller. For me that is the best part because I can now only eat so much and I rarely get hungry in between meals. My personal reason for getting the band is to make it my safety net after I lose all my weight.. I have only had one fill (I am about 3.5 months out from surgery)and plan to keep it that way until I lose all my weight. Once I do, will get another fill just to make sure I can't put it back on. I've always been great at losing weight but then for some reason as we ALL can relate to, it changes and something mentally/physically allows us to put it back on. That is when I will use this tool to the fullest, to keep off the weight, permanently. The band is obviously just one component of the whole process, you gotta exercise and eat right...no matter what. Peace.

I have been banded since Nov 9th, 2010 and pretty much started drinking red wine regularly (with exception, none last night) and have absolutely no problems continuing my weight loss faster than I expected. I also like scotch on the rocks or other liquors with no mixer at all. It's really a personal choice, the band should not control your life--if you want to party one night here and there I say go for it! It's not like you are going to be eating a large pizza or something Best long term for the band is live your life and enjoy it, if it becomes something that you associate with taking enjoyment away it may not work. Be consistent, Eat well but small, and do your damn exercise! FBS

One a day gummies are so good and they sell them at Walmart. I take 2 in am and 2 before bed as well as biotin and chewable calcium.

The only thing I really look at is weight of my Protein, try for 3-4oz each meal. I definitely am conscious of calories and fat, eating quality foods, and..have not cheated. Rather, allowed myself small amounts of the good stuff. For example, breakfast this morning was two eggs with reduced fat cheddar cheese and bits of real bacon, avacado on the side. Now, I can live with that!!! I have a great tool on my mobile phone (android) called the calorie counter, it is really great and I highly recommend it. I use it mostly to look at calories in things I USED to eat, like a double bacon cheeseburger......IT IS QUITE DISTURBING THE AMOUNT OF FAT AND CRAP I USED TO EAT!!!! Good luck, FBS

I also had to drink mine, but since I was an overnighter in the hospital it was the following day. It was the first thing i was allowed to have by mouth and wonderful haha! And contrary to the pre-op chugging of barium, this was just a sip so not bad really...you will be fine! FBS

I am gonna surf, mountain bike, snowboard, play tennis, and skydive!

I wouldn't sweat it. You better at least have your birth certificat though. As far as violence, just get in and get out and you will be fine. If you wonder about at night, don't. I have friends that go to Tijuana all the time, myself included and we have never had a problem. ...we do have passports though! good luck!

The articles are interesting, but quite old. It really comes down to your surgeon and his experience, along with your mental commitment to stick with the prescribed eating plan, and the support of the staff/follow up. There are dangers involved in any surgery, and those with lap-band are much less then others. It is the least invasive of all bariatric choices and very effective. The weight loss statistics are very much swayed by people who get banded and do not eat properly or don't exercise as directed. My surgeon's office made a huge effort to educate me on the risks, and everything I can and should do to minimize them. Becoming fit when you are obese is no easy task, and this is a wonderful invention to help people lose co-morbidities and regain quality of life. Your opinion to try other methods to lose weight is certainly YOUR opinion, but if you are like most of us, this was a long and well-thought decision that will change our lives for the better. Anyway, take a look at all the positives that are here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/99593-simple-poll-if-you-had-it-to-do-over/page__mode__show FBS

I would really like to see where you got your facts on the 1/3 need re-operations...now THAT is absurd.

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No worries, Ape! I struggled a bit today too, this was my second day on mushified food. Yesterday I enjoyed some cottage cheese/hard boiled egg salad and today I admit fully, had mashed taters with my gravy I made from the turkey drippings at a friends house. Also, had some green bean salad, and crustless pumpkin pie filling. And, since I've been home, some great wine and tuna puree with light mayo, mustard, and curry...great! Tomorrow back to 24 hr fitness to hit it hard. I like going to the gym, make it short and sweet, hard and hard. Get in, and hit it, don't talk, don't socialize, do it, hit it hard, hard.

Hi, sorry to hear and I also had similar issues a couple weeks ago. It was tough getting down liquids the first two days, but eventually got much easier as the internal swelling went down and was able to eat pudding, yogurt, etc. When I first started eating I felt a lot of pressure, which was gas and it finally came out eventually. Don't hesitate if you need to belch , it really helps. My stomach also snarled at me like I was torturing it haha, but that went away too. Hang in there and if you really feel pain or your diahrhea becomes uncontrollable I wouldn't hesitate calling your surgeon. Try to sip Water as often as you can, you may also be a bit dehydrated. Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi! Well I can say from a comparison (i was banded Nov 9 and go for fill Dec 9),.that I have lost about the same-12lbs. I feel pretty good about it, especially now being on the mushies stage! I really look forward to a bit more restriction and eating real food Most of my loss so far was pre-op diet related where I ditched 34lbs. Good job so far and Happy Thankgiving!!!!

Congrats on your banding! I think (or at least hope) what your doctor meant was that you can have low carb/low fat Protein shakes and sugar free pudding? Otherwise you will be consuming a tremendous amount of calories on milk shakes, why would you even want that right after being banded?

Umm I can totally relate. I gained 7lbs in hospital from all the fluids pumped in but am back down plus some a week out. I was on Vicodin almost nonstop the first five days as the incisions were all painful. But to put it in perspective, I am back to the gym doing 45min elliptical trainer after about ten days. To be honest I thought it would be less pain overall too, but have faith it really gets better...fast. I can now lay on my side and getting in and out of bed, sneezing, and most important...LAUGHING no longer hurt! take care, Fbs

Hi! Congrats and best of luck to you! I am exactly one week post-op and as excited as you are I am sure . Take it easy and follow the rules! FBS

Hit 296 today, yahooooooo!