B-52

Bandster Hell was the toughest time for me throughout this whole journey...I had no choice but to count calories, etc, as if I was on any other diet...I was so frustrated feeling as if this was a big waste of time....I did not need all this surgery stuff , pre and post op protocols, testing, and not to mention $$....and jump through all those hoops just to repeat another diet I have attempted and failed at dozens of times over the past 25-30 years....I expected more.... It took me three good fills over a span of 4 months before the band finally took over....THEN it took me a good 2 months to adjust to the band...(I'm still learning some things) But once I got through Bandster Hell...it has been the absolute best decision I could have ever made for myself...coming up on 3 years, lost all possible excess weight...and NO MORE DIETS!! IU have been set free from all that!! Finally!! I now live the life my skinny friends do...and they don't worry about calories..they know how to eat healthy, and eat less, and eat less often....top that with a high activity level.... But everyone is different, the band is adjustable and everyone can choose the how much they want between the band and themselves from doing the work....myself, I stink at diets so I rely on the band to set portion sizes, and to take away my hunger and desire for food 24 hrs a day...not just between meals......

My first fill was 4cc's, after which I GAINED WEIGHT before the 2nd fill....It can be frustrating, this was the hardest time for me, aka "Bandster Hell"......the 4 months or so of adjustments before the band actaully started to do what I expected it to....fortunatley, the more frustrated I got, the more my Dr. laughed at me...guess he sees it all day every day.... But once we got to that place, and I learned to adjust myself to the band...where the "Rules" start to make practical sense....it has been all a breeze...best thing I could have ever done for myself...only wish I did it 20 years sooner..... Of course, that's my experience...everyone has a different testimony...

I have no problems with my band when eating chips....I can also eat different types of crackers...and always do with tuna fish, etc........ but no bread and bread related products.

Things like this sound great and nutritious, but it does not fool my band...you lost me at the word "Bread" It's the same as "Turkey or chicken Meatballs"....they go to great lengths to make it just like actual meat...so much so that my band will reject it the same as if it was meat.... I even have problems with Tofu Burgers...they go to great lengths to make it just like real burgers made of meat, my band cannot tell the difference....my band cannot rad labels. For me, it is not the foods themselves, but the texture of the foods....

Not going to say what is right or wrong...but 1/2 of the foods you mentioned I cannot eat, and have not for 2 years... I had to re-educate myself and learn new healthy, band friendly foods..... An example, I can be enjoying a very good meal, and one bite of a biscuit, or a drink of Water can spoil the entire meal..... I could say I can't keep anything down when in reality it is bread, and related bread/flour based foods, or perhaps that little rice, etc, I cannot eat....90% of everything else was fine..... I would not throw the baby out with the bath water.....but that is me...EVERYONE is different and has different stories how they reached 100% success....so it's all good... I eat tuna fish salad all the time....but never a sandwich.....sandwiches, wraps, whatever are all memories.... I no longer eat meat...even sliced luncheon meat.... I'll always choose mashed over baked, and NEVER french fries again.... There are some foods that no matter how well and long I chew, the texture will never change...like a raw carrot for instance. So for me, it was a lifestyle change, a true learning curve....Bandster Hell......I had to change my ways in order to have the band work efficiently, IMO for me.... That was the only time I struggled with the band....that initial 6 months were everything had to change... Since then it has been a care free free ride, easy as can be providing I stay within the parameters the band has set for me.... ....I can also get a slight un-fill and eat everything and anything I want with no fear....then have to get very strict about counting calories, measuring portions, everything I used to do when I was on so many different diets....(and failed) And to show how everyone is different...my first fill was 4cc's, after which I gained weight!! As though it was nothing at all.....the 2nd fill of 2cc's, put me 50-50 where I could control my hunger only a few hours between meals, and was still able to eat large portions....it took the 3rd fill to put me over the top and reach that point of balance....but again, that's me...not everybody..... Getting stuck and vomiting ( not really vomiting) is not the norm....but either is hitting myself on the head with a hammer....Dr., everytime I hit my head with a hammer, it hurts! Please make the pain go away! We do certain things in life, we always pay the consequences, good and bad....

Before surgery I was up to 44-46" waist, and it had to be elastic.....I am now at a 33", some pants a 32" Shirts were 2XL Big, a few 3XL's in sweaters....I am now wearing all mediums, and have even worn a small here there but it makes my port very obvious and it sticks through.... It's great to walk into any clothing store, or order anything online without any restrictions what so ever!!!

Chew better and longer, take more time between swallows...non banded people get hiccups too, for the same reasons...

I've only had the band for 3 years...within that time the weight steadily came off until I reached the point where there is simply no excess weight left to loose, and my body fat % is excellent...any additional weight loss would be unhealthy....protein lost.... I say that because, during that journey the band dictated what I can, and cannot eat.....the band prevented me from eating portions to large....the band took away my hunger and cravings....in other words, it was all because of the band that I was successful.... In the beginning, when I would struggling, etc, I always asked my self why is the band not doing what it was designed to do?? And when the band was finally doing it , I then realized I needed to adjust myself and some personal habits in order for the band to continue to work....or else I would get stuck, sometimes 3-4 times a day...which inflamed the band preventing me from keeping anything down...a vicious cycle.....I did not blame the band, I blamed myself....eventually, withing 6 months from surgery...everything then started to run smooth and effortless as can be...true Green Zone Lifestyle!! I read posts here everyday from people saying they have been banded, and either they had very little weight loss, or lost weight and gained it back, fell off the wagon, need to get back on track..etc, etc..... This is just from my experience, but all those terms and mind sets are diet talk!! I used them, and been there 100's of time over the past 30 years.... So, having failed at dieting...I had SURGERY!!! NO MORE DIET TALK for me....I find it impossible to fathom how I could ever gain any weight back....I cannot see how I could fall off the wagon...or need to get back on track....It's NOT ME!! IT'S the BAND!!! and the only way any of that could happen would be for something to happen to the band.....otherwise. So if I should ever find myself in that group, I would immediately be asking "What happened to the Band?" "What Changed" I focused on getting the band working as me and my Dr felt is should in the beginning. He has a large Yellow-Green-Red Chart on the wall and from day one he stated "THIS" is our goal, "THIS" is where I want you to be..... and today I am focused on the continuing working of he band....the band sets the parameters, everyday, 24 hrs a day....I simply conformed to it... So much for my morning rant....but I will finish with this thought...WHY DID YOU HAVE SURGERY???? For me, it was because it was a last resort, to accomplish something I could never do on my own....and success happened when I learned to let go, and let the Band do it's job.... Now I could get some Fluid taken out, which will let me eat some foods I have not had in 3 years, which would let me eat larger portions more often, which would let me gain the weight back... "WHY DID I HAVE the SURGERY" if ghat's what I'm going to do....then I would be saying I need to get back on track...I need to get back on the wagon.....No, I need to get the band back to working where it is most efficient....

I have been banded almost 3 years now....I have not eaten a traditional breakfast in almost all that time.... I invested in a good blender, make my own high Protein smoothies every morning using 100% whey, fresh (frozen) fruit, berries, just about anything you can imagine.... I get over 35 gms of protein, amino acids, omegas, electrolytes, Vitamins and minerals.... What could I possibly eat, and how much would I have to eat, to match what I get from one smoothie? eggs? Toast? Bacon/sausage? Oat meal? pancakes?......And it goes through the band relatively easy depending on how thick I make it, so I don't get that bogged up feeling...also plenty of energy to get me through the entire day....feel good and lite on my feet.... And now that I have become a health nut, go to the gym 5 days a week, I am always on the look out for healthier ways and things to eat....I am finding people every where who have NOT had WLS follow this practice...it has become a big health craze...that and juicing, which I do not do because I am always looking for protein...

What do you mean when you say you "Feel" like you can never have any of those foods again??? And no longer eat healthy foods.... There are certain foods I no longer eat, it is not because I "Feel" like I can't, it is because they do not work with the band very easily....like walking through a mine field.... But I don't ind, because when I look at that list as a whole, 90% of the foods there are NOT HEALTHY choices....no nutritional value.... I am being forced, which has now become a new habit, to explore and start to eat new food choices and ideas, I have not eaten this healthy my whole life....my friends think I have become some kind of nut by choice...they don't know I was banded and had to learn to eat better.... I have lost all my excess weight and body fat, eat the best healthy food choices one can expect, (and learning new things everyday) get plenty of exercise as if I was 25 years younger....all because of this WLS...

I have not had nor needed a fill in about 2 - 1/2 years now, and I see my Surgeon every 6 months...my appointments usually take 3 minutes...vital signs, weigh in, then asks if I have any questions...No? Ok, see you in 6 months. I do regular maintenance on my own...around every 4-6 weeks I will go all liquids for at least 3 days...some people call this the 5 day pouch test...why a test I will never know.... I will also do this when I notice I am eating larger portions than the band usually allows...a few days rest from solid foods and things return to good as new for me....optimum performance. I have been at my body's goal...normal weight and fat% for a while now, things are day to day with hardly a thought about the band or having the surgery....coming to this forum keeps me from forgetting...have not gained or lost any weight in a very long time...it has all settled out and completed..... The reason I mention this, is because I have been pondering the long term effects - need, for having the band....should it stay? Should I go the sleeve? or should I have it removed completely, now that I have lost all my excess weight and have formed all new habits without even thinking about them anymore.... Although having it removed and replaced with nothing I am afraid my hunger will return and then my portion sizes will gradually increase...along with my weight... Really need to speak with the surgeon next visit, which is in January.

You may have to learn for yourself, as I did...school of hard knocks, got stuck many times untill I LEARNED what I cannot eat.... it will change as you get your band adjusted... I no longer eat rice, breads and flour products, melted cheese, Red meat, fruits with skin, anything breaded and deep fried, french fries, Pasta (flour product) and the list goes on....

I certainly cannot speak for everyone else, but here is an example of what it is like for me.... Today, I went to a football game....the snack bar had nothing good to eat, just the usual dogs, bugers, fries, etc... I bought chicken fingers...THREE chicken fingers....I got half way through one chicken finger and spit the last bite out, threw the rest away...I asked myself "What an I eating these for? I'm not hungry" Nor did I have an interest in eating... This is typical for me...happens everytime I grab a snack, a donut at work, some Cookies my wife baked...whatever...I will grab things out of habit, then realize I did not, and do not , want to eat it....My mind is always teling me I am not hungry, and I do not have any interest in food, in general.... It's been that way for over 2 years now...some people only get it a few hours between meals, some not at all and always hungry.......go figure! Is it because of how many, and much, of fills I've had? Is it my way of being in the Green Zone? I'm not evn going to speculate anymore, other than say it as it is...for me anyway. So when people talk about "Getting Back on the Wagon" or Turning this thing on or off, Myself, I cannot comprehend it...maybe someday but not the way it is for mw now.

It's tough in the beginning, the first few months were the hardest for me and I stayed away from temptation as much as possible....I even gained weight between my first and 2nd fill.... But I can say now, after the band is properly adjusted, it does not matter where you are or what is placed in front of you...the band is totally in control...can't get any better than this!

I have not been able to eat anything for breakfast for over 2 years now...band is too tight first thing in the morning so after my workout I have a home made high Protein smoothie I mix up in the blender.... It is becoming a craze...people I know everywhere are into health drinks for breakfast, and they are not even banded.... It's just that good for you...

Congratulations....but I have to ask...will the band let you go back to your old way of eating??? Without getting some Fluid aken out? For me, this was corrective surgery..I cannot turn it on or off as if it were Jenny Craig or something similar... For myself, I have set many goals, and came to the realization that eating / life with the band IS the new normal way of eating. My old way was way wrong, and made me fat and ill with many diseases such as Coronary Artery Disease, Diabetes, etc....and my body weight will settled where it wants to be all on it's own, and my illneses will reverse.....and that is what happened... I am not trying to do anything where I need to start or stop......other than live the new lifestyle which is now 2nd nature, who I am...

Back on point...next visit to the Surgeon and I am going to have a serious talk about long term effects with the band... I will be 62 before my 3 year mark (very soon) with the band...which means at least 3 good years left with my excellent insurance (unless Obama takes it away)....so if I am going to make any change, it will be soon.... I have also wondered what it would be like to have the band removed completely...I have been at my optimal goal for 2 years now, have a very low boidy fat %, and all my new eating habits are all part of me now, don't think twice about it.... However I do worry about my appetite and hunger returning, and also without the band and the returning hunger, there would be no stoppage to my portion sizes other than my shrunken hard stomach...but that could stretch again as before. Need to have a good sit down with him....

Last time I was at my surgeon's office, I stuck around and had a cup of coffee in the back, and some friendly talk with the staff.... After commenting on my journey with the band, they started to share with me how frustrated they are with many of their other patients.....initially, they come in 100% committed to loosing weight...life and death....tell their story sometimes in tears!! Then 6-12 months later after surgery, these same people are coming in asking for un-fills so they can "Pig Out" on vacation...or one person said she wanted to be able to eat this fudge recipe she is famous for...all kinds of stories, many of them were very funny....but at the same time very sad... ....The staff wants so much to help these people, but they "Self Destruct" They want their patients to be successful, but more often than not it is the patient who gets in the way of that success.... They just don't "get-It" Why would they go through all this in the first place?? You thought they really wanted this but at the same time they want the very things that was hurting them in the first place...everyone just shook their heads and said "Some people....Unbelievable!" Then it was said that, that is why they were moving away from the lap band more and more...it gives people to much freedom and say as to how they want to carry out their treatment plan...adding to a very low success rate reflecting upon the Dr. and staff......why would they want to perform a procedure on people with a low success rate? They need to take away that adjust ability the band has, and go for something that is more constant and consistent.... They are recommending the sleeve more and more...and say "here it is...there is no adjustment"..it is what it is and all have to deal with it the same.....

I gave up and dismissed trying to eat a solid breakfast....I make a home made high protein smoothie in my blender with the fruit and other additives every morning....35gm of protein, plus lots of other good stuff like anti-oxidents, omega acids, etc......good to go all day long...What could I possible eat, and how much, to get the same benefits? I know MANY people who say the same thing...their band is always tightest in the morning...there are many theories why, but that's another discussion...

I have gained or lost weight for over 2 years now....I can tell you that 2 lbs means absolutely nothing...that can change constantly throughout the day.... I way myself twice a day, and have found that 5 lb swings over 2-3 days is perfectly normal....and there is no good explanation..it just is....now if I were to start climbing over 5 lbs, I would be concerned...but like I said, for 2 years now it is always within the same 5 pounds.

Not to change the subject, but it is true, but not the way you think....truth is it has always been the same, and size does not change....it is just less exposed because of body fat.... Loose weight and you gain more of a "outie" as opposed to a "innie"

What can you eat? Do you mean what the band will physically let you eat, or what you are allowed to eat in terms of dieting-calories, etc.... If I am sick, I eat what I need to, and what the band allows me to, in order to get healthy.....difference is the band will let me eat just so much..small portions....calories have never been a concern for me....

My first fill was 5 weeks after surgery....my 2nd fill was 4 weeks after that....between my. 1st and 2nd fill, I gained weight..... After my 2nd fill, things became 50-50, where I was not hungry only fir a few hours between meals... After my 3rd, and final fill, did I hit the green zone and my hunger-appetite was completely diminished... That was over 2 years ago and still going as good as ever....easy as can be. But those first few months, was a very difficult adjustment phase....and everyone reacts differently and comes out on the other end a little differently, IMO from reading posts here.....

My port is right under the skin, it is clearly visible along with 2-3 inches of tubing....he always started fills by completely pulling out all Fluid in the band to check volume and clarity for leaks....the more he pulled back on the syringe, the more you can see the tube kink like a garden hose.... I was able to massage it as he worked the syringe and it straightened out....only happened that once...

I have not lost, nor gained weight in almost 2 years now....but my clothing sizes continue to change...as a matter of fact I noticed the slacks I put on the other day were loose around the waist...next pair will be another size down.... That's not from loosing weight, that's is from continuing to exercise and body toning...