Fenton

Awww... We seem to have a lot of blue shamrocks! I'm sorry you guys aren't nailing the progress at the rate you were hoping, but give it time! We're still only a couple of months out; the band is a tool, not a magic cure. We have to understand it, and listen to it, and eventually it will give us what we all need. We didn't get this fat overnight, and we're not going to get skinny overnight. I think all of us who've thought long and hard about the band understand that it's a tool that will help us make adjustments that we'll be managing for the rest of our lives. And it's simple: weight loss = calories eaten minus the calories we burn. The band WILL eventually help us control our intake, but in the meantime, willpower is still key - reliance on one's self, one's desire to be all that we can be, that's what has to come first in our minds when we're thinking of what we're going to eat next. And if you're having difficulty controlling your intake, then think about ways to increase how much you're burning. Actually START to exercise - hard if you can, or gently and gradually if you're just starting out. Another thing worth doing is to consult your food diary, and see how you're doing in terms of your nutrition. Are you getting enough Protein? What's your calorie intake like - is it REALLY as low as you're letting yourself believe? At the end of the day, it's a simple impossibility to have a band with restriction, to obey the guidelines for eating with a band, to do a moderate amount of exercise, and then to NOT lose weight. Hang in there, you'll get there in the end... You'll get restriction, you'll control your intake, you'll lose weight. Just hang in there!

Yikes, Diva! That sounds terrible! And gross, too!

The New York Times had two fitness professionals (a yoga teacher and a personal trainer), a working mother and a schlubby video game journalist try out the Wii Fit: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/15/fashion/15fitness.html Reviews were generally positive. There's also a video segment of the testers using it.

I began this process at 473 pounds - way too high for the 375 pound limit of most gym machines. I know of a number of people who've dropped dead while/after exercising, and as a result I've been very careful in my approach. I'm trying to be graduated, to build up my exercise tolerance and stamina over time. I've started simply, by walking as much as I can; I have a pedometer, and now a Bodybugg. Whereas before I could get winded if I walked a few city blocks, now I walk for thirty or forty blocks at a time without problem. I've begun to add yoga back into the mix. I love Rodney Yee's 20 minute yoga session in AM/PM YOGA FOR BEGINNERS, which I used to do a lot before losing control of my size. Obviously, at 20 minutes, it's not demanding, and will contribute little to my overall fitness, but it's a key start: when I'm comfortable doing these particular poses, I'll move on to longer, more demanding programs. I am gaining in cardiovascular health, and my joints are grateful for the gentle stretch. I bought a set of dumbells; I tried using them last month, but was a bit wary of the pulling sensation and subsequent burning I felt around my port, and shelved them for a bit after I learned that some doctors recommend no heavy lifting for 3 months post-banding. Next month, though, I'll phase them back in. And I have a balance ball and a few DVDs, although I'm a bit wary of that thing! When I hit the 100 lb lost mark (I'm down about 70 now), I'll hit the gym. I'll start off doing cardio very gently, then add in strength training with a personal trainer, and gradually ramp up both. And I'll go from there.

MDix, who has had his band for much of a year, mentioned that he's drinking hardly any calories - what's the significance of that? I'm 2 months post-op, with an unfilled band, and a diminished appetite. Most days, both for taste and for convenience, I have a Protein shake made with a can of low carb SlimFast Optima with a banana, Protein powder and some peanut butter; the calorie hit is about 350, and I'm getting about 20 g Protein from it. Should I be avoiding getting protein via liquids as much as possible? I also top off my protein intake with Isopure premade Protein drinks, just to make sure I'm hitting the numbers. How are you guys estimating your protein needs? At the place I was banded, everyone seems to be told they have a protein requirement of about 60 or 70 gm, but I wonder about that. Did that 5 foot 170 pound lady in the bed across from mine need as much protein as yours truly, a hulking 6' 2", 450 pound (at surgery) feller?

Suzy - my Protein intake recommendation from the independent site was lower too! By 1 gram... It does seem to be a better system though, since it takes into account frame size, activity level and age. Mike, you're a great example. You'll make me feel guilty tomorrow morning when I wake up at 7:30AM in my cozy bed. But not TOO guilty...

Amanda! Congratulations on your loss! I'm glad that that bumpy period seems to have ended... You'll be pleased to hear that I went to the cobbler's, and he added another 6" of holes - the belt continues on, the pants are held aloft! See how they billow and snap in the breeze! Nice to see you, Lattedah, and your kind of odd-lookin' cat (I think he thinks he knows something I don't). I"m happy to hear that some of us are actually hitting their stride, restriction-wise. I've been lucky, as I have decent restriction, and am still unfilled. But I think many people's doctors seem to be just about getting them to their sweet spot. May we continue to lose with increasing effortlessness!

I went to Suzy's Protein calculator, and it tells me I need 110 gm per day. Of course, it's from a company that SELLS protein supplements, but, still!

Mike - up at 5AM to go to the gym? You're a better man than I! I think that's a good point about the empty calories in liquids like juices and sodas. I also remember from lap band boot camp that thing Karri mentioned about how they like you to avoid liquids because solid foods stay in your stomach longer, helping to maintain satiety.

OK, Diva! Let's see how you do this week - check in a week today! We demand to see at least 2 lbs weight loss... OR ELSE!

Christine, that MD is a (f-word idiot)! If he doesn't understand the lap band, what else doesn't he understand? Is he up to date on blood pressure management? Does he understand how to care for a diabetic? You don't want him for a doctor. Get out ASAP. Do you know any bandsters in your area? Why not post in the NY State local bandster forum? Maybe someone near you would know a bariatric-friendly GP. But seriously, drop the zero, and get with uh ANYONE ELSE!

Yeah, you're a cutie! This isn't about your looks, it's about learning how to be out there, how to feel comfortable around other people while still being yourself. Many of us fat people - as Jack notes above, essentially - have been kind of hiding away while we cope with our issues. You're free now, and that's exciting, but it's also going to come with a bit of a learning curve. You can do anything you want now. Decide what you want to do, do it, and see who you meet while doing it. You're too cute to be on the shelf for very long! Have fun...

Thanks, Karri - that's really helpful. Even if you ARE a girl! Yeah, my band does feel tight in the mornings, and I'm pretty happy going without Breakfast. But sometimes it's nice to start out with a Protein blast - and I LOVE that protein shake! And in terms of how I'll eat the rest of my life, I have to say that I don't have much time to cook or prepare food, and that I'd rather have my banana Peanut Butter protein shake than, say, a bowl of high Fiber Cereal with skim milk. I know my doc (who has a band himself) doesn't usually have anything but coffee for breakfast... I'm still in the early stages, and I have adequate restriction; hunger hasn't been an issue for me since surgery, really.

God, PapaBear - thank God you had the lap band workup! That must have been pretty scary. I think you're right about people; I've been surprised by the support I've had from people from whom I'd not expected it.

Whoa! Another guy! Don't be a stranger, Trinitydad! We need some guys in here to interrupt the incessant talk about who makes the prettiest bras and just exactly how hot George Clooney is!

My doctors were very specific about this. When you overeat, fat gets stored not just under the skin and around the organs, but also in the liver. This is a problem because the liver sits on top of the stomach, and they need to be able to move it to get access to the stomach. For this reason, doctors advise diets to defat the liver - where I went, it's a two week pre-op liquid diet. It's a great weight loss opportunity, as well as making the surgery easier and safer. I did six cans a day of the low carb SlimFast Optima. But I think it's also good because it forces you to break off your old eating habits completely - it's what they call a Pattern Interrupt. I was fine on the liquid diet, my liver shrunk well, surgery was fine, liquid diet post-op was fine. It was all fine! One thing I should add: I've heard of instances of patients being put to sleep to be banded only to be woken up to be told that the surgeon couldn't proceed because the liver was too fatty. That thought helped me stick to the straight and narrow! Congrats on the approval!

Ah, the sarge posts wise! I've been really open about my band. I told people at work because it was far more efficient to tell them up front about what I was going through. I told my family after I'd had the surgery, because I didn't want them to worry about it. If you've reached a size where you need banding, your weight certainly isn't a secret - I used to joke about what would happen if my girlfriend found out I was fat. The thing is, the people who care for you want what's best for you, and the band isn't just good for you, it's a life saver. Everyone I've told has been really really supportive. I don't wear a "Look at me - I'm a fat guy who had weight loss surgery!" T-shirt, but I don't keep it a secret. And I don't care who gets the credit. My friends see me eating little and exercising more, and they see me losing weight, and they're happy. The important thing is that I'm losing, and they support me in that. I know some people have had negative reactions when they've told friends/family. The reactions obviously depend on the person, but I think there's a few factors, the key ones being how well they understand what you're doing and your reasons for doing it, and their own screwed-up attitudes. Often, it seems, the most negative remarks come from other fat people who've tried and failed many times to lose weight. But I've not regretted telling any one; indeed, their love and help and support has been critical to my success.

Yeah, bux, they're all telling you the truth. I had a two week pre-op liquid diet, to shrink the liver before surgery, and was pretty accustomed to it by the time of surgery. In the post-op period, I was a little knocked down, but as Wendy says, that was more of a medication thing than an intake issue. But DO pay attention to your Protein intake! Try to get in about 80 g of protein a day - you're a big guy (not as big as me, starting weight 473 lbs, he said proudly), and you need your protein. In the early stages, this is going to mean Protein drinks - you'll find it hard to take in your full liquid allotment each day. Go slow with your drinking, make sure you constantly have Water. I think it's worth investing in a dozen or so Isopure clear protein drinks, the Zero Carb kind which are available from health stores (I get mine from GNC, which is national, I think). They're not cheap - I pay $3.50, but you get 40 g protein in 20 oz Fluid, which is a good deal. But you'll be fine. And Michael's right - you just feel better and better. The other cool thing about the liquid diet period? You lose a HECK of a lot really quickly. Finally, you didn't mention any nerves or whatever, but all of us felt a bit nervous going into it. It really DOES happen in the blink of an eye - one minute you're awake and talking to the anesthetist, the next minute you're awake and banded. Most of us lads have had minimal discomfort - I think we've all been surprised by how Not Bad At All it was. Afterwards, come back here and ask questions, vent, chat, tell us how you're doing...

Ach, it's horrible, the extender! When I finally achieved Seat Belt Extender Status, I swiped an extender from one of the airlines (rationalizing it by the amount of money the airlines would save from flight staff not having to run around looking for an extender: multiplied by about 20 flights a year, I'm actually SAVING the airlines money!). I'm looking forward to not having to buy an extra seat, or to travel Business Class.

Hey, mscathy - it sounds like it's been a rough ride, but he's going in the right direction. As are you! He needs time and patience, as do we all. Congratulations on the sustained weight loss, Lynn! I'm sure you're the envy of all...

Yay, NewHope! Being hit on is FUNdamental!

Yay, Amanda! Every pound is one more step in the right direction! I hope that's the beginning of an AVALANCHE of weight loss... Yeah, Penny, I'm still here. People are telling me to get new clothes because these look too big on me, but what can I say? I'm a guy.

Yay, Busy! Hv a grt trp!

AMANDA!!! I'm so sorry this is being hard on you! It WILL get better - eventually you'll hit restriction, and you won't just be dieting, you'll be BANDED. I know "eventually" doesn't seem good enough right now, but you're in the same boat as a lot of foks here; you have no option but to just hang in there, keep on doing what you're doing, and hassle your doctors until they get your fill right. It'll happen in the end. In the meantime, have a look at the really interesting stuff that Bratz and Penny just posted; I think there's info there that will be really helpful for all of us. AND look at the Before and After pix to prove to yourself that the band really does work! But you know that: it's a simple mechanical thing, eventually you'll be banded tightly enough that your body can't help but lose weight. Just keep your head in the game - keep on journaling, keep on exercising, keep on weighing in, and keep on venting! We all know you can make this work!

I love that story! I tend to avoid people I know who haven't seen me in a while - I hate the look of surprise and concern on people's faces when they see how much weight I've gained. I love the idea of remaking yourself - physically, at least - to surprise someone. And it sounds like you've gone all the way for it! Your husband is a lucky guy to have a partner who's so serious about this process!