Brewa2000

Tomato soup was one of my staples on liquids.

Probably don't eat corn on the cob or tacos either.

Congrats! Feels great, doesn't it? Bruce

Thank you Chris! You are well on your way! I'm in the seed business and every 50 lbs I lose I say "There's another sack of seed I'm no longer carrying around." I think comparisons like that give us a better appreciation of what we have accomplished. Keep us posted, cause it keeps getting better!

You hit the nail on the head. We need to get to the point where you eat to live and not the other way around! It's really hard to be around people (gluttons) like I used to be.

<p>I think after a while you get tired of reading and/or answering the same questions. I can relate to many of the questions that people ask as they go through the various phases, but some questions are out there daily. </p> <p> </p> <p>I do wish either the docs would do a better job of explaining the guildelines or that patients would do a better job of listening or both.</p>

WOW Chris!! Awesome Baby!!!

Laura- I didn't mean to offend you, sorry if I did. Being a businessman, I make decisions based on the best available information at the time and not look back. You and I both made the decision to get a lapband which I believe was a good choice. I guess my only point would be that some people wait for something better or to wait until a product is "time tested". Well, as you have stated, if you wait until it's time tested there will new technology, then you'll have to wait to see how it fairs. I enjoyed my 8 track tapes for many years until cassettes came along! I wish you good luck on your journey! Bruce

I've been an agricultural small business owner for 18 years.

Welcome Dave! The band will help you lose weight if it is properly adjusted and if you follow the guidelines. I think everyone who has been banded has gone through "buyer's remorse" before and/or after surgery. Just focus on your why you want to be thin... Good luck and keep us posted. Bruce

Greg- With your attitude and determination I will predict you will be successfull! Your doc is correct, restriction is the key. I need to go in again myself as the pounds aren't dropping off very fast and I'm really having to fight for what I get. Keep us posted, us "old guys" gotta stick together! al0792- Welcome and yes it's possible to lose a lot of weight especially to first few months if you stick to the program. Many have trouble losing before the first fill or two, everybody is different. Good luck! Bruce

Would I have lived another 40 years if I hadn't got banded and lost 90 lbs???? For what it's worth, I believe that any worry about what possibly could go wrong in the future is out weighed by the benifits of being healthy now. I believe I have added several years to my life in the past few months. Maybe I'll be wrong down the road, but I'll worry about those bridges if and when I have to cross them. JMHO... Bruce

Greg-First of all, thank you for your kind words. I really do feel a lot better. This is the first time I've been below 200 since the late 70s. I actually fit into a pair of 34" blue jeans last week. I still am shooting for about 170 which would put me on the boardline of "normal" (BMI~25). I congratulate you on getting out of the "morbid" catagory. That's a great start! Have you had your first fill? It will get easier as you feel more restriction. I'm probably not the "model" for exercise. I have a form of Rheumatoid Arthritis and it rears it's ugly head from time to time. That being said, I try to get in 20 minutes on my recumbant bike 3-4 times a week. I usually follow that with about 40 minutes in the 130 degree sauna, then hit the hot tub. By the time I get to the hot tub, I've sweated off a lot of water. I plan to get a light resistance routine going this fall, my joints couldn't handle the heavy stuff. Good luck on your journey! Bruce

Some foods pass through the band very easy. Unfortunately most aren't the type of foods we should eat (ice cream, chips, candies, etc.). If you stick to the proper foods, you shouldn't have any problem eating smaller portions provided you have good restriction. Yes, habitually over eating can cause problems. When dinning out, I'll order a meat and have either a salad or veggie. I'll get my "to go" box when I receive my food and only leave what I'm going to eat on my plate. Leftovers for the next day! When eating out, I'm carefull to eat stuff I know I can handle. I don't want problems there. Bruce

Yup, it sure adds up. I had mine plus my wife's the next month. That's 26 grand from savings that we had earmarked for retirement. Oh well, we get a nice tax deduction this year! And, yes, we'd do it all over again! Bruce

Welcome and good luck Sheila! Enjoy the ride! Bruce

Hope that takes care of the problem. I'm sure it will get better. My DW and I were banded last winter about 3 weeks apart. Good luck to you and your wife with your recovery. Bruce

Hey, this is Great! Got a few more! Then: Can I really do this? Now: Yes I can! Then: What will people think of me taking the "easy" way? Now: Who cares! I'm improving my health. Then: Will the operation cause me to be "laid up" for a while? Now: A couple days, but not long before your back at it! Then: What's the TOTAL cost? Now: What's the cost of doing NOTHING or waiting?

Amen to what Tracy said. I have a brother and SIL who are both morbidly obese. They are in denial and said the operation costs too much (This from people who just bought two new ATVs last year). Until they decide on their own, you are wasting your time and will probably just make them upset. I have several customers in the same boat. Some have asked what I did and why. I explain to them I will tell them everything I know, but it will only work if you are truly committed to doing something about your health. If you get the band and are NOT committed to losing weight, there is an excellant chance will fail, so why waste your time and annoy them? OK, I'm off the soapbox.... Bruce

Chris- Gas was my only problem too. It was complicated by constipation. After a couple days, things were pretty good. It's good to follow your doc's orders on eating at your stage... Greg-I hear ya on the moving from "Morbid" to "Obese". Just the word "Morbid" scares the heck out of me. I never felt like I was "Morbidly Obese" but at a BMI of 43, I definitely was. I'm now at 30 BMI, and that puts me between "Obese" and "Overweight". My goal (like yours) is to be in the "Normal" range. Has your doc OK'd the weightlifting? Mine said a month before lifting anything heavy. I did fudge a bit as I needed to get ready for lifting at work as busy season approached. It took patience, but I didn't want to mess it up. You will get stronger as time pass. Bruce

Dairydawg-Congrats on being banded and your great loss! You are going through a time when hunger kicks in. I tried to stay real busy to avoid eating and was motivated by the great weight loss I was having doing the liquids. It's important to stay away from solid foods at this point. The band is still "getting seated" and tender. Good luck! Bruce

Good for you! Also, I notice you (by your < 30 BMI) that you are no longer "obese". I am close to that myself. I think that will be the best milestone yet! I love posts like yours! Bruce

Thanks, I appreciate the offer, but don't think I could handle the winters any more. I don't think I'd be able to talk my DW into it either, too far from her family. Bruce

Isvadala-The band will work, but you need to do your part. You have to come to grips that Pasta and bread are not your friends in weightloss. Those foods are a part of the reason I weighed almost 300 lbs 8 months ago. That being said, I do nibble on a piece of dry whole grain toast once in a while, never finished over 1/2 a slice. I haven't tried pasta since being banded. Your eating habits will definitely change. If they don't, well, you can read all kinds of threads about people who say the band doesn't work for them. Most of them aren't eating properly. Excercise is also very important, even if it is just walking. I notice you are my age. I have arthritis and some days walking is about all I can handle other days I ride my recumbant bike. Hope this helps. Sorry if I seem blunt, but I believe just getting banded isn't going to be the answer. You need to work at it. It been a wonderful thing for me! Good Luck! Bruce

Good for you!