B-52

Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. hair and nails are mostly made of protein. Your body uses protein to build and repair tissues. You also use protein to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. Unlike fat and carbohydrates, the body does not store protein, and therefore has no reservoir to draw on when it needs a new supply so it has to be a steady part of your daily diet. Too much protein is not a good thing either. My daughter is a RPN in the ER, and she has told me stories of young kids, wishing to "Bulk Up", taking too much protein and going into kidney failure because of overload. Many times, when you find yourself binge eating, it is because your body is really screaming for protein, (and water) and we eat everything in sight trying to fill that hole.

I guess everyone is a little different. I feel full all of the time. It's not the old way of feeling stuffed, but it is more of having no interest, or urgency, to eat. Most of the time I don't feel like I need, or want to eat. But I do because it is the thing to do. Last summer, I went entire days without eating at all. Not intentionally, but after having a good Protein shake for Breakfast, would then go to a ball game, the beach, etc, where food was simply not on my mind at all, and I did not go crazy without it. 2nd, when I do eat, food will pass through my band slowly, and it does not take long before I just cannot eat anymore or it will come back up, and/or it can really hurt. Lesson to be learned and avoided: I know , when this happens, I can put the fork down, wait 20 minutes, and then continue eating all over again. You have to stop the first time otherwise you are "cheating the band" and overeating for no good reason.

My PCP, Surgeon and cardiologist all know I am a coffee hound and it has never been a topic of discussion. I like good strong fresh quality coffee. Sometimes black! NOT that stuff with all the syrups, whip cream, etc. Also learned long ago to drink it with NO sweeteners at all. Some people can't drink coffee without tons of sugar and cream. That is not always good. I'm 60 years old, and have never heard a good reason to stop. There are people who have certain medical conditions where caffeine would not be a good thing, but they know who they are. I have a friend who is wound so tight that drinking too much coffee would send him over the edge. BTW, I started drinking my coffee the very next morning after surgery. Be it a small amount, but I needed that cup!

I get on the Elliptical everyday, and along with a heart monitor I use the "Cardiac Coach" workouts on my I-pod with headphones. Lots of level 3 and 4 hill climbs and sprints. I cannot jog. When I do, I feel every joint in my body from my knees, pelvis, spine and shoulders slam together with every step. In other words, to high impact for me. After the elliptical, I go through my routine with weights, then crunches and pull ups. The health club I belong to has locker rooms with showers, sauna, steam room and whirlpool so I spend some time there before taking a shower.

Funny you should post this. We just got back from dinner. Started dinner with a Vodka Martini. Then had shrimp, filet and mashed potatoes. After 2-3 shrimp, excused myself to go to the bathroom. Spit it all up! Came back to the table and finished my garlic mashed potatoes. Never touched the fillet. On the way home stopped at Starbucks to bring coffee home. So that was my dinner tonight. Three shrimp I spit back up, a Martini, mashed potatoes, and coffee. Ahhh, the life of a bandster. Tonight's the Yankee Game. I'll have a Protein shake while sitting in front of the TV. For the newcomers, it is not always like this, but there will be days. Nothing to worry about, all part of the learning experience. Oh, I do take small bite and eat slow. But shrimp is one of those crunchy foods that does not break down easily as part of the digestive process. I generally stay away from "Crunchy" foods. Also, I can NEVER eat solid foods for Breakfast since being banded.

One week, cleared me when I went for my one week post-op appointment. said I could do anything, including sitting in the sauna and hot tub. Only thing he said was "don't over do it with the weights"

I chose not to tell anyone. Did not even tell anyone I was going in for surgery. Just took a week off from work, vacation time. People do ask me all the time what am I doing to loose all this weight. I just tell them the secret is to eat less, exercise everyday, and get all the protein I need.

I have heard many times that drinking right after eating will "wash it down". I do not have that experience, but the opposite. I cannot drink right after eating, or I will upchuck!!! People say it will wash it down. To do that means it is still sitting there passing thru the band slowly. Someone once said it is like a slow drain, it will eventually go down. I tend to agree with this. It best describes the way I feel when I eat, with the restriction I have been experiencing. What happens when you add Water to a slow drain?? It fills up even more. If I am done eating, and I know there is food in my pouch, the last thing I need to do is add water. I simply cannot drink following a meal. Early on I did. After dinner coffee, etc. But now I can't, no matter how much I may want to. Many things I have been told soundly like silly "Rules" to try and follow. I will say that now I am in that green zone, all these silly rules happen to me naturally. I don't find them to be rules but guidelines to deal with the band and restriction.

I have been banded since Jan. I have a good amount of restriction, in the green zone. I can feel my band with every swallow, have been stuck more times that I can remember. Having said that, I take 4 Lovaza fish oil caps every morning, along with other rx meds. You would be surprised what you will be able to do. Only take one at a time, and may have to wait a few minutes in-between. And do not have any food before or immediately after. Yes, I have gotten stuck taking them,but like anything else you learn a certain technique.

Until you had a fill or 2 and start feeling some restriction, it probably not concern you right now. It can take me 45-60 minutes to get through a meal, depending on what I am eating and how much. After each bite I need to chew thoroughly, then wait between swallows for the food to pass through the band. I don't measure my food but I am usually finished with the right amount. I am happy with my band and restriction and all those little things they told me comes very naturally.

4 weeks after surgery for first fill. Was told I can go back to the gym at my 1 week post-op follow up appointment. (but don't overdo it with the weights) Whirlpool and sauna was OK after 1 week also.

Depends upon the person. I was banded on a monday, planned on taking entire week off. I was climbing the walls after 3 days. I just had to get out and do something.. Just be mindful of the effects of the pain med's you are taking, and the fact you have not had any decent food for a bit. Could effect your energy levels. I had the usual gas pains, etc, but getting up and doing something helped a great deal.

I'm not a heavy drinker, but since being banded I have had beer on many occasions. Not the end of the world. Example: went to a Yankees game...had 2 draft beers! No problems at all. Did not have any food though, just the beer and a empty stomach. drank it very slow also. I have had a beer or 2 on many other occasions, picnics, fishing, what ever this past summer.

Perfectly Normal. All part of the learning process. If you've never got stuck, you would not know how much restriction you have and that the band is doing it's job. Not only do you learn what foods are not good for you, but that you will need to take very small bites, swallow and wait before the next bite. I've read about putting the fork down and waiting a set time before picking it up again. I have learned to to that naturally or I 'm in for a stuck episode. I have been stuck more times I can count. You could get through a slice of pizza, but it would take you an hour using only the smallest of bites, with adequate time in between. But why bother??? Also if you handle it well, it is not really a "Violent" vomit because the food is above the band. It is more of a deep spit up, or whatever. Today, I was working clinics at a particular hospital so I had time for lunch in the cafeteria. Ordered a pork chop. Three little bites, well spaced out, and I knew I was finished, about to get stuck. reason is the pork chop was way overcooked and tough. Tough foods whether chicken, beef or whatever is on my no list. I should know better getting it in a cafeteria of all places. But, another lesson learned. If you ever get stuck, one way to speed up the process is to sip some Water. Preferably over the toilet because the water has no place to go and will come right back up, bringing the food with it. same thing the body does with sliming, just faster.

Don't know the reason why, but there are days when my band is tighter than other days. Also, my band is always tighter first thing in the morning. it really can't be the band getting tighter and looser, I would assume it is the upper pouch that can restrict if not exercised with various foods. For instance, If I go on a full liquid diet for a day or two, which I do occasionally, it will feel much tighter when I have my first solid food afterward.

Dr. Washington has retired, as of 1/1/2011. Dr. Suen Sowemimo, M.D. has resumed his responsibilities.

The health club I belong to has all the latest equipment, tons of different classes, personal trainers, etc. etc. Also has an indoor Olympic size pool. Also, there are 2 resturants, one a casual eatery that boasts a salad chef or Pasta depending on the days. The other is a upscale restaurant that I have never tried. There is a "spa", physical therapy office, and much much more. But the reason I go there is because of the spacious locker rooms where, after a workout, I can sit in the sauna or steam room for 30 minutes, then the whirlpool for another 20. Then take a shower and put on fresh clothes. It opens at 5am, and many are there before heading to work. Sounds upscale,but it is really not that expensive. check their website: http://www.theatlanticclub.com/

With the exception of one or two, the only people I see complaining (or freaking out) are those who have recently been banded. Most are still in the healing post-op phase. Did not gain all your weight in 30 days, can't expect miracles right away. All weight loss at that time is from the pre-op and post-op diet regime. Sooner or later you will be on regular food. Then you have to learn to live and use the band. It took me 3-4 months before things started to fall in place. Six months till everything started to work the way I had hoped it would. And I am still learning things all the time.

Perfectly normal. I remember telling myself I didn't need surgery to use will power and diet plans. Then, after a few fills and few months lter, it all stated to fall in place. Hang in there, it will get easier as you progress.

Been banded since Jan. I have a Protein shake every morning for Breakfast - 25 gm Protein. Occasionally I will have a 2nd one during the day in place of a meal.

I took a week off from work. Had surgery Monday morning. Was climbing the walls by wednesday. Went into work Thursday but just hung around for a bit.. Ran many errands thursday and Friday since I had time off. Also took my mind off any gas pains I was having.

That's how it is for me now. It's no longer mind over matter, will power, etc. I have learned the hard way that there are foods I will never eat again. Because of that I am learning a new way of looking at foods, and developing new eating habits. I would look at that pizza and simply say "no way. That would be a mistake that will cause a lot of discomfort"

Right now I feel I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I feel the band is working the way I have always heard it should. All the things that I have been told.....small bites, small portions, put fork down between bites, don't drink with meals, etc etc are happening naturally. I need to do those things. I don't measure my food, but if I did I would find the recommended portion size is all I can eat at any one sitting. Last visit with the Dr., he agreed. No fill, come back in 2 months.

Only thing is.........with the band I cannot overeat. So I have begun to learn new habits and have become less and less addictive.

I jumped through hoops for 2 years in preparation of this surgery. Final step was loosing the required weight (pre-op diet). Of course I followed the diet. Nothing was going to get in my way at that point. Having said that, I did have a "last meal" Final meeting and weigh in was a Friday for a Monday surgery. Went out and had my last meal Saturday night.