B-52

I have the Lap Band....I CANNOT drink while eating...here's why. While eating, the food passes slowly through my band....drinking any Water and I instantly increased the volume of what was already there.... Can stretch my pouch (pain) but most frequently, having nowhere to go, it will come right back up...and out! Was also taught to wait 20 minutes after eating, just in case there should be any food still there. But that's me with the band...don't know what the experiences are with other surgeries.

I waited almost a year before I attempted running...stayed on the elliptical which has less impact. I did attempt it once or twice, and with every stride I could feel all that fat rise then come crashing down on my body. The impact and possible damage to my hips and knees was something I did not want to chance. So I stuck with the elliptical which is a low impact aerobic exercise...slowly stepping up the resistance and tempo over the months. There is also good audio downloads called "Cardio Coach" which I highly recommend to get into shape. After about a year, and 100 lbs lighter, I moved to the treadmill....started with the Couch to 5k program. Then eventually the couch to 10K program. Now running is a normal routine to my daily workouts. But Like I said, IMO, I do not recommend it to the Obese or highly over weight, not at first. Ruin a knee or something and you will never get to run....

For years my Dr.'s have been telling me to cut back on my meat consumption for better health.Especially my Cardiologist. After lap band surgery, it became more and more difficult eating meat. So I decided that was as good as time as any to stop. I have not eaten red meat, processed meat, or any meat in over 5 years, and healthwise I can definitely tell the difference. I am now eating less and less chicken, also for health reasons.

My first fill was 4cc's...between my first fill and the next one, I gained weight.!!! I felt guilty going back to the Dr for my second fill....fortunately he just laughed at me, reminding me how the band works and it's a process of fills to get it properly adjusted.

Personally, I never heard of anyone having to fill their band to the max....(some people think they are) I have pretty good restriction. There are times - cycles even, where I begin to lose that restriction. I don't go looking for another fill, I have 7 cc's already. I do certain things to get me back to that place. After 5 years, that is the only maintenance I can think of with the band. I also read here all the time from people saying they have fallen off the wagon with the band...again, personally from my own experience, I 'm not sure how that can happen...with diets sure. Done it 1000's of times. But with surgery? A properly adjusted band?

I chose a few goals, and went right past them with my new lifestyle.... I have found from personal experience, that after surgery I learned to eat all over again, healthier foods, small portions, and overall just not as much as I used to on a daily basis. Add to that plenty of exercise, Water and Protein. Just as my body gained weight and fat content because I ate poorly and too much, (did not set a goal to get fat) My body adjusted and began to go in the opposite direction, until it decided it is where it should be, an equilibrium. Besides, what was I going to do when I reached any goals I set? Start to eat like a pig again? Healthy eating, exercise = normal healthy body fat % (weight) That's my rambling on goal weight. BTW, BMI's to me, mean absolutely nothing....there are professional athletes with high BMI's in the Obese range, but are 100% healthy because they have a very low body fat %.... And just the opposite, there are peope with normal BMI's but have a high body fat %, (less muscle,) that are just as unhealthy as someone severely obese.

I have the Lap band so experiences differ....,I have a Protein shake every morning for my Breakfast... I have a hard time finishing it and have to force myself. As far as what I put in it,...I start with a scoop of Protein powder for 35gms, 6-8 ozs. of either Water or almond milk, then I add whatever fresh ingredients I'm in the mood fdor....strawberries, banana, pineapple, Peanut Butter, etc, etc....mix and match...sometimes coffee goes good as well.... Throw it all in a blender with some ice....

When one starts to get restriction after a few fills, then one must learn to eat differently all over again.... That's why fills are done in stages, so you can gradually adjust to it.... Imagine, if there were n o adjustments, fills, and from the operating table your band was adjusted to the max....it would be a disaster. You would not last a week. I have experienced pain when swallowing something too large, and too hard....so I have learned not to take large swallows, and not to eat harsh foods. One of many lessons learned along the way. I have also been stuck more times than I can remember, and have my ways of getting un-stuck. But the best remedy is to learn why you got stuck, and avoid doing so in the future. WLS will change your life....that's not a cliche...you will change the way you eat, what you eat, and how much you eat...just the opposite from what made us obese.... I read here all the time from people complaining about this and that, and although I will not call them out on it, I can tell they are fighting change...they are unwilling to give up that old lifestyle...

Everybody leaves this life at some point, it's only temporary and the spirit lives on....happens every minute of every day for 1000's and 1000's of years....if you're afraid to go somewhere where someone has died, well you have bigger issues. BTW, better stay away from the hospital, and the OR for that matter...lots of people die there everyday....

My hunger - cravings are almost non existant, really don't think about eating all that much. And when I do eat the band restricts how much I can eat before I get into trouble...so my portions are under control making it next to impossible to over eat. The band also prohibits (difficult) to eat certain types of foods. Turns out those foods are not good to eat anyway so I'm ahead of the game. Green Zone: 1) Not hungry (period) 2) Good weight loss 3) Portion Control 4) Patient Satisfaction Yellow Zone: 1) Hungry Between Meals 2) Eating Large Portions 3) Not Loosing weight Red Zone: 1) Poor food Choices 2) Regurgitaton 3) Discomfort while eating 4) Poor Weight Loss 5) Night Coughs

I'm over 5 years since surgery, and have never been told not to drink through straws....not that I do it all the time, but if I get a drink with lots of crushed ice it makes it easier to drink. Never had any side effects, not sure what to expect??? I drink carbonated drinks also. Not just too fast.

I do a version of it every 6-8 weeks or so...it's the only maintenance I can think of with the band... Whenever I feel my portions are getting larger than usual, then I know it's time. For me, I believe it has to do with my pouch stretching a bit (which can be normal)...so going all liquids will give it a rest, returning to where it once was, and getting back the restriction. But I have the Lap band, so my experiences are different from others.

Need to be a little more specific.... Funny thing about pain and the body, is that pain can radiate to different locations from where it is generated...also we sometmes think in one dimension.... For instance, I can get heartburn and feel it through my back of my ribcage...and it can radiate upwards towards my scapula... But we can only describe what we experience...not try to identify what others are experiencing...especially over the internet. One way to zero in on your pain, is to see what alleviates it? As strange as it seems, try eating more mild foods...see if that makes a difference...or when you get this pain, take a anti-acid medication. See what helps.

I don't count calories either...I eat when I am hungry, and that is not very often. When I do eat, Protein is always on my mind. I have not had a full Breakfast in 5 years...I have a high protein smoothie with fresh fruit, etc, I make in the blender every morning. I stopped eating red meat, all meats for that matter, and try avoid things that are processed which includes most dairy products... I stay away from fast food, pizza, etc...don't see any redeeming value there nutritional wise......however I am not afraid to enjoy things in life that traditional dieters would flip out over. I also stay as active as I can, in spite of working 12 hr. days.

For me there is no such thing as a Maintenance Phase to this. Since surgery, I have learned how to eat all over again, good foods, small portions, etc etc. It is NOT a diet as was before surgery. I've been on numerous, countless diets and know all about the different phases including Maintence....THIS is something different. Because of that, my weight slowly and consistently came off....untill my body decided it has reached what it considers normal. Not my goal as if I can turn this on and off....I can't...it's surgery. And because of a New Normal lifestyle, my body weight, etc, has adjusted to that new normal..... And I will continue living this new way for the rest of my life. I eat and exercise a certain way now, and my body adapted to that way and there it will stay...so No Maintenance.... I live and eat the same way people who have never been fat live and eat....

The port is supposed to be anchored to the abdominal muscle wall, to prevent it from flipping - migrating. Although I have read here that is not always the case and people report all the time about their port flipping. But if the port is attached to the abdominal muscle, then it could be deep depending upon the layer of fat between the muscle and the skin. I have no belly fat, and mine is an exposed bump clearly seen by all.....

Never told anyone, but the closest family. 5 years ago, most people don't remember me when I was obese, and the new people I meet never knew. It's all good and I cannot be more pleased.

I have to ask, during all this time . did your band change at all? Did you get any Fluid taken out during that stressful period? I ask only because, in my case, whatever the situation....vacation, parties, high periods and low periods, my band does not change. It is what it is. Now if I was dieting, as I have done countless times over the years...it would not take much to throw me off the tracks...just give me a reason to backslide. That's why I needed surgery... Perhaps you are relying upon yourself to loose weight as opposed to the surgery...seeing you Dr. and getting the band adjusted is key IMO. 5 day pouch test...people do it for different reasons...I do a variation of it every 6 weeks or so, whenever I feel I am losing restriction (a misnomer) staying off solid foods returns things to where they were....it can't give me something I never had.

I workout between 5-6am in the morning, on an empty stomach...(other than water) This way I burn off excess stored fat as my energy source, rather than what I just ate.... After, I have a high Protein recovery shake. Now that I have lost all excess stored fat...I think of it as burning off any excess I may have picked up the day before.

I have no issues going out to dinner....My wife and I do it frequently since we both work. Plus there is always events with people at work. I don't hold back on alcohol...and as far as eating, everyone knows I have become very self-conscious about not eating junk, not making a pig of myself, and that I have become a big health nut, always looking for natural, wholesome foods. Thay have also seen the benefits and respect me very much for being a unique individual, and being so fit and healthy for someon my age. if I don't feel like eating, I simply say there is nothing on the menu that interests me....or, while everyone is having a 3-course meal, I may be happy with a cup of soup and an appetizer.... I should add, from the beginning I have told no one I had WLS...a lot easier that way. But again, people respect and perhaps admire my choices...and secretly I believe some are envious. \ I know I always used to be when being around such people. I have read posts like this before...where is it written that one must be a gluttonous pig to be socially acceptable? I think that all falls into the bad ways of advertising-marketing, or how society has gone askew, whatever. I watch TV ads for pizza and such and have to ask "Who eat's this crap?" Same is true when I go out....if someone at the table is eating a sloppy, greasy burger all I can think is "Really??" Probably what people used to think about me, I'm sure...

I could comment but it would only be speculative...medical conditions are between the patient and their Dr and lay people should not try to diagnose, even with their own experiences. Good Luck with the sleeve...

105 lbs in one year...you can't ask for anything more than that... So what is the problem? All you can do is keep on keeping on and see what the next year brings.

I don't have a problem with snacking, or eating in general. I have developed a new lifestyle, where I am not on any particular diet. Difference now than before surgery, is that where I could not stop eating in excess, I now eat very little over a 24 hr. period. so when I do eat, I try to choose the healthiest choices I can make. That includes snacks out of the vending machine. There is usually something I can eat..if not, then I move on.

I waited about a year, until I got a good handle on my weight loss and new lifestyle, and got to know my band and how to "Listen" to it. Then once I understood and was comfortable with everything, I began to reintroduce many things, including alcohol.... I also drink beer. and other carbonated drinks...but i understand how to do it now. There were more important things to deal with than alcohol within the first year.

My first fill was 4 weeks after surgery, and was 4cc's....between my first fill and my second fill I began to gain weight. Everything I had lost from the pre-surgery and the post surgery diet regime... It took me a few months and a few good fills before I could tell the band was doing anything. (and that brought on another set of challenges - lessons to learn) So it is a process, not an instant thing as it is with other weight loss surgeries.