Jim1967

Does it look sideways on your computer? If so you will need to use a program such as paint to rotate it and then save it. Open again to make sure it looks right then go into your profile and upload it again.

Which can lead to repeated infections

May be both would be good. Seriously the amount of posts daily from new banders dealing with frustration of the scale not moving right away is unreal. Short term and long term expectations would be a great addition.

Alex, Expectations is a huge one. I know I am not alone when I said the day after surgery "OK I had weight loss surgery so when the weight going to fall off?" I have seen many people including myself get discouraged when at month 1or 2 they're still not losing much weight. I have seen some who wished they never had the surgery and even one who wanted the band out after a month. I wish I was more prepared in that aspect of things.

You're right B and I guess I was just a bit shocked by the difference in attitude toward the band but the more I think about it they were always more in favor of the gastric then the band long before the Sleeve came into the picture. I guess it's because is the same weight center I was started my journey off with I was put off a bit with what they were saying at the seminar. Again, I sometimes feel the band is the black sheep of the family and at times I've been annoyed by my Surgeons lack of involvement when I go for follow ups. Usually when I go in I only see his PA. Talking with my Wife last night she was quick to remind me that I am not high maintenance and if anything I'm a model band patient. My Surgeon's hands off approach with me is not personal. I have had zero complications and the weight is coming off so I assume his time is spent with more needy and new patients.

I am no where near 200 but I am close to breaking the under 300 mark and slowly creeping up on 200 total pound loss. I am chasing you Missy 302 this morning..

Only you walk in your shoes and we only get one walk down the road of life. If will make you feel better then why not?

Absolutely Sharpie. Band keeps me honest and holds me accountable. I have 0 regrets with my band. I just found the differences in attitude with the seminar 17 months later a little disturbing. I felt as though they were purposely skewing facts to sway people from choosing the band without directly coming out saying 'no, you shouldn't do that.'

Yes, My Doctor was the same way. We discussed everything and he told me it had to be my decision on which option to go. Even at 488lbs he said he thought I would do well with the band. I do wonder if that seminar would've been different if he was leading it or if his opinion has changed as well.

I agree it is a very personal decision but I feel they definitely presented it in a negative light that can easily scare the uninformed away from it. My Wife is trying to decide between the Sleeve and Band and she has asked my opinion many times on it. I agree the Sleeve definitely sounds like it is less maintenance as far not having to struggle with bandster hell and the possible frequent adjustments but in the end your still being cut which is what swayed me away from those surgeries to begin with.

I became the proud owner of a Realize band on April 16, 2012. My band and I have had (like most) a love/hate relationship at times but even at the rockiest of times I've had no regrets. As time has gone on the 'novelty' of having the band has worn off. Worn off in a sense that we have become one. I have lost a ton of weight so far but honestly as happy as I am about that it is not what amazes me the most. What amazes me is the way I look at food now. I am 46 years old and have been overweight since I was a little boy. I use to plan my binges. I was never one for eating huge portioned meals but I was a severe junk food junky. I would eat my dinner with anticipation that I had Cheez-its, ice cream and soda waiting for me as part of my nightly ritual. I wouldn't be satisfied until the 1 pound box of Cheez-its was gone and the half gallon of ice cream heavily dented if not empty. Next day or every other day I would be going to the store to replenish. For the first time in my life I felt I wasn't controlled by food. I have had some strange moments in this journey where I felt like something was missing....There was times when I would be sitting there while watching t.v or whatever it was I might be doing and thinking 'I am bored and I don't recall every being this bored before' and I would get up and go do something. This was my AH HA moment..that moment when you feel liberated, that moment when you think my god what happened? My band had released me from years of food imprisonment. As time has gone on my appetite is almost non existent. I am amazed that I have not battled head hunger at all. I hope this is not a fluke. I still battle with my laziness but at least food is not a factor. Most of my weight loss has been with minimal exercise and it is something I am working on. Now that the nice weather is here I have been going out for 1 mile walks during my lunch hour. I remember a time when I couldn't walk the grocery store for 10 minutes and now I easily do a mile in 20 minutes. I am going to work on increasing the distance. I am doing a 5K Walk for Cancer in September. So was the band worth it? (in my best Adam Sandler voice) Hell yeah!!

Thank you very much!!

Mine was pretty much the same as above. Pretty much just a general conversation and making sure I understood the commitment for a life change. Don't worry they're not probing to see if you're crazy or anything. I agree honestly is the best and you will only benefit from it.

Sounds like you're doing great!! Congrats..

Maybe this is the philosophy I should adopt. At least if I could fine tune my thinking this way it may curb some occasional frustration

What's really cool about my fitness pal is if you have an android or iphone you can install the app on it and use the camera as a bar code scanner. You simply scan the products barcode and it pulls the data and inserts into your food tracking.

Yep and that is where my screenshot comes from. Love MFP!!

I find string cheese a perfect way to add a little calories and Protein if I am coming in a little low on a particular day.

I drive myself crazy with the scale at times. If you're not in the habit of doing it daily I would recommend not starting if you feel it is going to dictate your mood like Kim states. Scale frustrations are not uncommon in my house. On the other hand other people feel that weighing themselves daily keeps them on track or accountable. I've come close to throwing mine out the window. I am finally back to weighing once a week and even then at times I want to throw out the window.

I figure even in the worst case scenario I am not gaining at all and I am not restricting myself either. I am just living life now without the focus on food and when my next meal is.

Feed yourself just the same way you would feed a baby for the first time. Little bit at a time, chew it really really fine and you'll be OK. You do that you and will get a feel for things rather quickly from there.

We sound so similar as far as the instant gratification. I am also wondering if the honeymoon phase is over. I am now 1 year out and yes I have lost a substantial amount of weight but I still am no where near close to goal. My goal I feel is realistic and if I were to hit I would still be considered obese. A little frustrated these last few days. Only positive thing is I have not gained ever since Surgery aside from the water weight fluctuation.