B-52

I read many posts, and not sure how to respond to many of them...so I decided just to make a statement concerning MY weight loss approach... My problem was I could not control my eating....every diet in the world is not going to do anything for me if I can't stop eating.....I could eat an entire large pizza's all by myself...along with a couple of beers, and then dessert! Every Friday Night! So I had WLS to stop me - prevent me from overeating....simple as that...I have a band wrapped around my stomach that stops me from eating too much.....physically impossible to over eat.... I eat a 1/10th of what I used to on any given day...and the best part is I'm not hungry, I'm always satisfied....period....will be that way for the rest of my life.... It is a new lifestyle...eat less, eat healthy....all things in moderation? I am not on any diet, do not care about calories, carbs, etc....I simply cannot overeat! And since I am eating so little now, I make sure that what I do eat, I eat healthy...make the best food choices I can....sprinkle that with some exercise and there it is! Sure, I still eat ice cream, etc....just not enough to feed an army....I have friends, colleagues, who go out and eat-drink all sorts of things that dieters would have nightmares about....and yet they are thin, and in good shape, and never speak of dieting....they simply do not over do it.... Vacations, parties, holiday dinners have no effect on my eating....so I have no fear of that anymore.... It's not me doing this....It is the band!!! I am unable to do it on my own, as my history has shown.... There is no dieting....there is no maintenance...just a surgical procedure that has me eating the way normal, thin, people do all the time....and eventually I did reach that place.... There are no clever tricks, catchy motivational sayings....you can do it slogans, words of encouragement....it was simply surgical intervention,,,,to do for me what I could not do...and what other people who are not overweight are able to do.... I now live a regular day to day life, a daily routine, without the fear of weight loss or gain....it is finished....I cannot possible imagine living the rest of my life on a constant diet.Torture...yet I believe that is what many people here are setting themselves up for.... I know people don't like to hear it, but there is no hard work involved at all on my part, other than learning about good foods and planning healthy meals....and those first few months learning to live differently with this.... I've been around here long enough to know there are many who will not agree with me....So What...it is what it is....I'm happy, successful, and ready to live the rest of my life this way, at a normal weight, not having to diet all the time... I'm happy for what other people have found to be their success paths...that's all that matters.... So there it is...take it or leave it.....I would guess over 85% of the people here cannot relate to what I am saying...and that is why many veterans choose to move on.....all the banders who were here when I first came, are all long gone....and I can understand why.... So much for my rant....

First, for me, the band had to be working as it should..... Then, I may have cravings, head hunger, etc....but every time I would give in and start ti eat it...the band would be there doing it's thing.....and I would usually throw out what I was craving....eventually when the cravings come, you realize they are futile, and eventually after that I dismiss the craving as soon as I get them.... Call it Behavior Modification.... But again, for me...it's all about the band....

"Let's be clear, my life has changed in ways that I could not have imagined and the fun part about all of it is that I didn't seek it." I read posts here everyday and shake my head....and then keep my mouth shut...and wonder who some of these people are...(sorry) If you want to be successful you have to be willing to accept change....the band demands it...yet I can see people here who complain about this and that, and all they are really doing is fighting it...refusing to let go... Loosing weight is not that complicated...yet I read posts where every theory under the sun is talked to death as to how to loose weight...I ask myself "Where are people getting this trash?" I thing people are convincing themselves of this nonsense while really avoiding the obvious truth right in front of their face..... I also understand that we are/were fat because we had a LIFETIME of bad habits, and it is hard to give it up in a few months....even years....yet that is what I read... Going through Weight Loss Surgery, for me, was an absolute last resort...I did not want to do this! And wish I never had to...! Let's be clear...I'm not proud of this....Yet I could not be more pleased and satisfied with the results.... I was at the end of my rope, and I was ready to do ANYTHING!!! Wire my jaw shut if that is what it takes...(providing I will never be hungry) So when I experienced stuck episodes, had to give up certain foods for life, accept limited portions...etc,...I was ready...and learned, sometime the hard way, to change in order to fall in synch.... Yet I get the feeling that for some people, this is just another "Gimmick"...like any of those "Miracle" weight loss TV commercials....something cosmetic or designer....and do not wish to make any sacrifices.... I remember asking a Psychologist at one of the Hospitals what these Psych evals were all about......and among other things, she also said they want to be sure you are "Mature" and "Understand responsibility and know if you what you're getting into" I also heard on this forum a few time in the past, that this WLS has become too common...to accepted and easy to get...and at the same time Weight Loss Surgery centers business is booming performing surgeries.... Sorry, I'll get off my soap box now....GOOD POST OP!

All depends upon how you and your band are doing it to loose the weight in the first place....

For me, it would be shakes, Soups, etc...as long as it is nothing solid...nothing that needs to be chewed...

I started back around the same time I started back ion solid foods.....like to have a glass of wine everyday....stronger drinks whenever we go out to dinner or parties.... I did wait about 2 years before I started back up with drinking beer...took me that long to fully understand how to listen to my band, and understand the little warning signals with anything carbonated...also did discuss it with my Dr who originally said no carbonation, but now I'm into it long enough to know how to do it safely.... Calories have never been an issue with me since being banded....alcohol can be bad for those who are following certain diet plans because the high calories.....

I've noticed many people's interpretation of what the Green Zone is for them differs quite a bit on this forum....but whatever they do to make themselves 100% successful and happy is their business, and is very good.... My Dr. has this chart hanging on in all his exam rooms, and has referred to it every visit and used it to determine whether or not I needed a fill or not....he made it very clear that the next phase after surgery was to get me into that Green Zone...and that is where I have been for over 2-1/2 years now....last fill was 27 months ago... So, speaking only for myself.......... 1) NO Hunger..period! But it is more than that, with never being hungry I have no interest in foods, eating, and cravings.....have to remind myself to eat...and often times forget and not notice it... 2) Portion Sizes...the band will let me eat just so much, and then that's it...I do not measure portions, just stop when the band says to stop....it is also impossible for me to overeat...and that includes slider foods....so as long as I eat the best foods, I do not worry about calories either.... For this, I have problems understanding how people fall off the wagon and need to get back on track....as long as the band does not change....hope I never do come to understand it... 3) Steady weight loss...that's a given...hit a plateau here and there, but all in all it was very consistent...right up to the point where there is nothing left to loose (fat)....I am finished! Completed.... 4) Patient Satisfaction....DUH....if you have the above, how can you not bee satisfied? Where is the hard work??? Easiest thing that I could have ever done to loose weight....I cannot be more thrilled, and make no excuses for my success...if people don't like it, that's their problem.... Actually, it is a truth that regardless of how much you have lost, hunger, etc, and no matter if you find this easy or hard......as long as you are happy with where you are at, the results, and what the band does for YOU, then that is all that really matters....right? Like I said, I have noticed many people here have different approaches and philosophies as to how they work with the band...and what works for them.... and as long as they are Happy...Patient Satisfaction....then that is all that matters.....That's what it is all about..... \ \ But there are also many people here that are not happy, always struggling, and very frustrated...even after 5 years!!!

I go to the gym every chance I get...at least 5 times a week...aside from my 5 mile run, I attend classes...one of which is "Advanced Training" aka "Bootcamp" on Monday mornings at 5:30am.... Looking to make time for a Yoga class... I am 62 years old...I do not quit either...at my age, I am afraid that if I did quit, I will never get it back...EVER!..."Use it or Loose it" Entirely too much at stake.... Also been going to the batting cages since Jan....softball season practice will start after DST....I play on a team with guys at least 10 years younger than me.....

I have had numerous skin ailments in the past, including infections landing me in the hospital....used to see a Dermatologist on a regular 3 month basis.... Since dropping all my weight, I have very little troubles. simple over the counter cremes is all I need... Have not seen my Dermatologist in over 2 years....

First...I'm a Bander...2nd...I do not count calories, carbs, etc.... But it is interesting, that for almost 3 years, there are certain foods that are not band friendly with me...in other words, highly likely to have stuck episodes.... And these foods happen to be high carb foods....pasta, rice, potatoes, breads and other flour based foods, anything deep fried, and some dairy products....to name but a few.... Just happens that I avoid high carb foods not intentionally, but because they are not compatible with the band...My band that is....so like other things, it comes naturally...

If I had to speculate...and I mean speculate...I would say it was irritation....when that happens with me I go all liquids for a few days....My Dr. recommends the same but will take Fluid out to many people because he feels they will not follow his instructions...so taking fluid out allows them to continue eating and gives the band a rest at the same time... Don't have the slightest idea what your situation, cause may be...but having some fluid taken out will decrease the chance to continue to irritate it, and give it a chance to heal....

Gee...did you cut and paste one of my posts from 3 years ago???? As tough and frustrating as it can be, there is a reason they progress in stages.....in hindsight I can see that now....but in the beginning I could not see the Forrest due to the trees.... Just know...it does (can) get better and easier...and it does (can) work! There are more successful, happy lap banders than you may think...it's just that they choose to move on and not be part of this forum anymore....not needing this type of support anymore (I'm speculating)

Somewhere in what you said, but not those exact words...was my cure for "Head Hunger" and cravings... You may "Think" you want it, but when you do you realize either you can't have it, or have no taste for it anymore, and find you really have no real interest in it anymore, and get tired of throwing it away after one bite, ....sooner or later you stop craving....and when the "Head Hunger" does appear, you just as quickly dismiss it knowing it's pointless........

I have days I don't eat at all....it all averages out in the end...

Amazing what one can do when you start to loose weight.....congratulations...you are also learning the secret to successful exercising ...not that it's easy, but that it brings great rewards and accomplishments, and you only want more and more...wait till the endorphins kick in and you experience a "Runner's High"...trust me, it's coming! I always stuck with a day until I completed it correctly also...sometimes I would go back and start the week over to work back into that difficult day...

I had a real strange one the other day...was out for a few drinks with people from work....sitting in a booth...a friend sitting across from me kept staring and studying my face.... Finally she said, that she never noticed before how "thin and distinctive" my nose has become since becoming skinny???? My Nose? Looked in the mirror and sure enough....not only has my face thinned, but my nose isn't fat anymore!! It is thin!

I put chocolate in my shakes at times....along with peanut butter..or a banana...the options are endless... I also use almond milk...

Sounds familiar....I was at that stage where all those "Rules" that did not make sense previously, suddenly began to have a purpose and take on meaning.... A lot of people try to do it without actually being there, and get frustrated...you are there and have to find your way to do it.... My last fill, I hit that Green Zone....but it took me another 2 months, many stuck episodes, etc., to find that "Groove" and actually understand what was happening, and learn to adapt myself to the band....ever since it has been Heavenly bliss.... That was over 2-1/2 years ago....doesn't get any better than this... Lack of hunger-appetite, limited portion sizes, and inability to overeat....can't ask for anything more.

I cannot eat anything in the morning....so I have a high Protein smoothie for Breakfast...things get better as the day goes along.... Also, with restriction, you have to re-examine what you are eating and how....too many people think they are too tight and in reality they do not want to change their eating habits...(what made us fat in the first place) then come back and complain the band does not work for them....) It is not a Cliche when people say this will CHANGE your life.... It has been this way for me for over 2-1/2 years now....

No Pain...No Gain.....they call it a "Work" Out...if it was easy, then everyone would do it, and there would not be any point to it..... And yes, it is because you have not used those muscles in a while....it will get better...

A lot of my friends are into juicing....and they have a "juice bar" at the health club I go to.... I am always looking at them at certain stores and online...contemplating whether to buy one or not... My biggest obstacle...where's the Protein? Show me how to get my protein and I will buy one....so instead I have a high end blender and make my own high protein smoothies using fresh fruits, berries, Peanut Butter, chocolate...you name it.... I should mention...,I do not count or worry about calories...I am no longer on a diet nor ever will be again....I believe in the Lap band......

Congratulations.....your story is almost identical as mine... I had failed a stress test, found blockages, needed angioplasty with stents....while they were in there they found damaged areas from a previous heart attack....must have been a silent one which is common with diabetics and women.... Diabetic taking oral meds, and daily injections....high BP, cholesterol, tryglycerides....you name it...I was a mess....and a big fat slob on top of it.... Both my Brother and sister died young...and I was going down the same path...shows you my whole family had the same bad habits... Fast forward...had lap band surgery....I am no longer fat....lost all the weight that can be lost safely.....I am no longer on any meds...all my blood work is normal down the middle...I run everyday and go to the gym every day.... I'm 62 years old...play softball and I am the oldest on the team, by 7 years... I have my stress test coming up in early march....can't wait...last time I wow'd them over, and I am in better shape now as I was then..... This surgery does work...people just have to get out of the way and let it do what it was designed to do and quit complaining....

Along with my hunger diminishing, my tastes began to change also...things that used to appeal to me, gradually lost their taste...this also has something to do with my lack of interest in food also... So 3 things happened....: 1)Total lack of hunger....2) No interest in food, no desire to eat..hence no cravings or head hunger, and 3) Changes in taste... And this is from coming from a guy who could not get enough food, could not stop eating, craved everything...Surgery changed all that!

First thing...go to a store that specializes in running shoes, clothing, etc....they will do a free foot analysis and recommend what to look for in proper fitting shoes....Very Important, and often over looked... I was under the impression that the more expensive, the better...right? Wrong!...Almost did permanent damage to my left hip, not to mention my toenails turning black and falling off..."Black Toe" actually common with runners...but not desirable... Socks can be just as important...my socks are labeled left and right...and are very $$ I now run 5 miles a day....in the beginning it was impossible until I lost a considerable amount of weight...and got myself in better shape/health over all....

Today was one of those days.....went to gym ay 6 am....while in the locker room changing my clothes, I decided I just did not have it today.....so I spent a good 45 minutes in the sauna (think I fell asleep)....then 30-40 minutes in the HOT whirlpool...shave and shower...fresh clothes.....ordered a Protein shake from the juice bar before heading home.... No workout....after going at it day after day sometimes you just have to shut down....and that's exactly what I did...and still doing... That was at 6am, now it is 3pm and I feel a little guilty and I'm ready to go back..but perhaps it is better to do nothing today.... It happens....