TheProfessor

@@More than this I am in London, Ontario. I opted for the lap-band and went with Smartshape - Dr. Coburn - and it has been a FANTASTIC experience. The best choice I have ever made for myself. They are so professional and the follow-up is amazing! I cannot recommend SWLC more enthusiastically. I was banded December 18th, 2014 (7 months ago) and received financing through Crelogix. Crelogix offer financing for elective surgeries. It was easy and deeply respectful - a very positive experience. YES indeed, WLS was expensive ($16K for the band), but the investment in my health was absolutely worth it. Did you know you can claim your surgery and get money back at tax time? My accountant informed me of that. Sure enough this year I got $3000 back from the CRA on my taxes, so to me it took three grand off the price tag. Like you, I was torn up about waiting. And what if it the surgery didn't work?? I'm since down 53 pounds, my hot flashes are gone, my eye twitch is gone, my knees are better, my herniated L4 disc has resolved. I have started exercise, and I am the lightest I've been in a decade. I've gone from a size 22 to a size 16. I feel gorgeous, even though I have another 68 pounds to go to my goal weight! Whatever WLS method you choose, it will be a TOOL only. You will need to learn how to work with your band/sleeve/other and do so diligently. I found investing all that money was a great motivator. No way I'm spending $16K on something i'm not going to use! The cost is considerable. However I am eating so little now (one Protein shake a two small meals a day) that the savings on groceries will pay for my surgery within a couple of years. Also I've given up a $50 a week wine habit. Bottom line - the investment I made through Crelogix for my weight loss surgery has financed a longer, more beautiful life, and more time spent with my gorgeous daughter and husband. Totally worth it.

I wondered that, too when I as first banded! The band is not about restriction. It's about SATIETY. To a lot of surgeons 'restriction' is a four-letter word. :-) What you want, what the goal of WLS surgery is, is a sense of satisfaction and satiation after a small amount of food. A lot of people when they are first banded will find to their disappointment (and panic!) that they can still eat quite freely - that they are not 'restricted' in the amount they can pack away. I was like that, until I had my 5th band adjustment (fill). Only then did I find I was incapable of eating large portions. This is what is commonly referred to as 'restriction'. I just finished writing a lengthy post on another thread about this (if you search my contributions you'll find it). I realize now, 7-months post-op and 6 fills later, that it is not the restriction that makes you lose weight. It's the length of time you can comfortably go between meals without hunger. @@mmartin3 where are you in your process? Your profile says you had WLS in November 1999?

@Tootyoyo: The green zone feels like heaven! Hmm... its tough to describe it, and of course, I can only speak for myself. Here I go: Being in the green zone feels like an absence of hunger. It doesn't feel like being "full", as in when someone scarfs down a turkey dinner at Thanksgiving. It feels simply like satiation - not thinking about food, not dreaming about food, not being anywhere near tempted to snack... Like walking by a vending machine or driving by a McDonald's and being utterly disinterested. I also know I'm 'green' because of my portions. I don't get a hard stop, so much as a 'soft' stop. I can have about 10 or 15 bites of whatever it is - a chopped salad, omelette, lamb chops, etc. and I find myself taking in a deep breath and sighing - a happy sigh of having had enough. That's the signal! For me it's waiting for the sigh. As soon as the sigh happens, I stop. A green zone example: Yesterday I woke up early and had a Protein shake with a drop of skim milk (170 calories) at 8:15 am. I spent the morning running errands and at 1pm found myself at the mall shopping for a new bra (I've dropped a cup size in the past two weeks!) So there it was, 1pm, and I had had nothing but a wee Protein Shake all day. Even though I had no hunger, it was high time to eat something or risk hypoglycaemia. So I took myself to the food court in the mall - Mama Vinelli's (first time) - a place that has salads. All orders are made fresh, so the place is a good choice (compared to A&W, KFC, Chinese Express, etc). I ordered a large chicken caesar salad... until I saw the person in front of me get hers - hold CRAP it was massive. My green zone band instantly said, "No way you're going to be able to get through even HALF of that, sister!" so I changed my order to a small with a request for just one Tbsp of dressing, no croutons, no fake bacon bits. Glad I changed my order. I took 20 minutes to leisurely enjoy my salad, and sure enough, after 15 or 20 bites, there was the "satisfaction sigh". I had salad left over. Yay! SO the green zone for me means feeling full on smaller portions. I'm still in the process of making this adjustment. My "eyes" are only now getting used to NOT being bigger than my belly. For the first few months after getting banded, I would still take big helpings: three chicken thighs, rice, multiple big florets of broccoli... now I know one thigh, no rice and a single floret will see me through for hours. After my 1pm chicken caesar salad, I went home and started cooking madly as I had company coming for a special Indian dinner. I love to cook and put on a huge spread - butter chicken, shrimp vindaloo, aaloo matter (peas & Potatoes), naan bread, basmati rice, lamb korma kebabs, lentils...we ate at 6:00pm, and I had no appetite. I took a side plate of shrimp and butter chicken, (about 6 Tbsps) and that was me done. See the pattern here? Small portions, long satiety (4-6 hours) between meals, feeling satisfied after just a few bites. Beautiful green zone!

My surgeon believes in "creeping towards the green". Tiny fills, nicely spaced apart (4-6 weeks)... Now that I'm in the green zone I cannot help but agree. I had surgery on December 18th, 2014 (7 months ago), and started out with 4.1 ccs of Fluid in my 10 cc band. Here's my fill history: 5 weeks later: Fill #1 was .5ccs 2 months later: Fill #2 was .3ccs 1 month later: Fill #3 was .3ccs 1 month later: Fill #4 was .2ccs 1 month later: Fill #5 was .1ccs 2 months later: Fill #6 was .2ccs I am now in the green zone with 5.7 ccs of fluid in my band. Hooray! I was reminded by very experienced, professional and compassionate nurses at each fill to be PATIENT, and trust in the process. At the time, it made no sense to me why the fills had to be so small. I was like, "Fill me up! Let's get this show on the road!" I was told that I needed to go slow and approach the green zone, as an overfill would result in vomiting, food sticking, etc., and would require a de-fill that would be GREATER than what I had been overfilled. In other words, one large mistake forward, 2 enormous steps backwards. In my experience fills can take up to two weeks to 'settle' in. (This delay is, apparently, a mystery to bariatric surgeons). This has been true of 4 of my fills. My last 2 fills took effect almost immediately, and this one in particular I have struggled to eat even 1000 calories each day since being filled as the feeling of satiety was so strong. (Yay!) Not one fill has resulted in heartburn, night cough, vomiting or discomfort. It's been a 7-month test of my patience to get here. Now I'm here it feels SO GOOD. I am immensely grateful to my surgeon and his team for their wisdom around fills. Had it been up to me, I would have way overdone it. Every BODY is different. I'm in the green zone at 5.7ccs. Some people finally get that elusive sense of satiety after 1 fill, some after 8 or 9. All I know is my surgeons were right. "Creeping towards the green" has been a terrific way to get there.

Normal food the day of. I've had 6 fills ranging from .1cc (teeny!) to 1.0cc and have never had any problem. My first fill I was nervous and stuck to liquids that day... there was no need. I had a fill 2 days ago (.2ccs) and had chicken and green Beans that night. (VERY WELL CHEWED!)

@@medicsgirl19 - Yeah... being so close to your surgery date you don't want to mess around when something unusual starts going on with your body. Hey, at least there's no fever, which is a good thing. Wishing the best for you. Keep us posted, okay?

Yes my wine consumption led to me eating after dinner as well, and those calories ADD UP big-time! Since stopping drinking wine (the only type of alcohol I consumed on a regular basis) I've noticed no desire or temptation to snack in the evenings. ADDED BONUS: I've also lost an annoying and persistent eye twitch that started back in October 2014. 9 months its been driving me crazy. One week after stopping wine? GONE. Coincidence? I do't think so!

I recommend erring on the side of caution and contacting your Doctor. Good luck!

UPDATE: Another pound gone. I'm 206. (Down from 256). This giving up wine thing is easier than I thought it would be. Feeling this good is BETTER than the little euphoric high I get from that first glass of wine. And.... I'm sleeping better. I have more energy during the day. Had a wee little adjustment today (.2ccs) and am pretty sure I am firmly and completely in the green zone. Exercise + no wine + band adjustments = happy me.

HUGE TRIUMPHANT update! Since giving up my 4000-5000 calorie per week red wine passion last week (yes, just last week!) I am down another 2 pounds bringing me to an all-time record low of 207 pounds. (Start weight: 259 pounds). A mere 5 days ago, I stopped my over-consumption (and consumption completely) cold. My 500-calorie per night wine-guzzling habit ended on July 17th. I have been alcohol free since then, and, consequently, I am down 6 pounds. This cannot be a coincidence, especially after the scale had not moved in weeks and weeks. I feel terrific. I am triumphant. I feel like I've won the lottery. To think - the ONE hundreds are just 8 little pounds away. I cannot believe how easy this 'sacrifice' has been, and how quickly I have seen results. Should have given up the grape months ago...!

I'm with Smye - no guilt other than the cringe-worthy cost of the surgery. Being Canadian, the lap-band was not covered by our universal health care program (which, by the way, is spectacular and I feel so lucky to be Canadian because of it!). Once I decided I was going to have the surgery, I booked it, and waited for TWO MONTHS to tell my husband and daughter. I have the most supportive and loving husband on this planet. He and I have been married 16 years and respect and adore each other. Why couldn't I tell him?? I felt ashamed that I had let my weight balloon from 145 pounds (when we were first married) to 259 pounds. The only reason? Lack of self-control and a deep love of food and wine. Plain and simple. So the shame associated with this 'weakness', and my decision to invest $16K of our family's savings into WLS to regain power over it was an enormous source of stress. I knew he would be supportive, but the waiting on the right moment to tell him was pure hell. When I finally did tell him and our 15 year old, with tears running down my face at the dinner table one night, he was quiet and respectful and interested. He listened. He hugged me. He said, "I'm proud of you, sweetheart. What a great decision". Shame? INSTANTLY GONE. Now, 7 months later, he is enjoying the fruits of my weight loss adventure. I am more "flirty" (let's leave it at that!), more confident, eating healthier (which has a positive trickle down effect for our entire family), more energized. No shame in that!

Since I started this thread on May 31st, I am watching the scale needle go down... I was stuck for a long, long time (more than 8 weeks). Being in the Green Zone is great, as there is that constant background of satiety, and even when hunger does come on for me, it does so in a "hmm.. I should eat now" kind of way, rather than the voracious gut twisting way it used to pre-WLS. That said, I am rigidly sticking to low/no simple carbs, high Protein, and steamed veggies. Haven't touched junk or fast food for months and have just a few days ago given up my #1 vice - red wine. Being "in the green" has also brought about a change in my desire to MOVE - I have started walking on the treadmill, and burning a delicious 300 calories in 50 minute, 6.5 km sessions 3-4 times a week. Yay green zone!

We just might be on to something here, Ladies... I've had another wine-free day and I feel terrific. Let's keep each other posted...!

megmom757 - What's a Boca burger? Do tell!

I love this thread because it reminds me that in my cravings and occasional 'cheats' I am human and not alone. My vice is not food, funnily enough. It's wine. I love red wine. I've had a love affair with all things grape since I worked in the Vintages division of the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario). I attended wine tastings and became knowlegeable and educated in the amazing world of fine wines! The fuller and headier the better. A rich gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon, a Pinot or a Shiraz - I can easily drink a bottle at a time (hello, AA?!) if given the opportunity! (Hangs head in shame). OKAY so the calories: The calorie count in wine changes from grape varietal to varietal, but on average there are 625 calories in a bottle. And usually (here comes the big confession) when I've had that much wine, I get munchy and inevitably visit the fridge for a small plate of cheese (havarti or sharp cheddar, usually...) or salsa and baked chips. Would I do the recommended 1oz (a pair of dice) for the cheese? Hell no. Bring on the deck of cards! Now we're adding an additional 500 calories on to that 625 just consumed in delicious liquid. And the chips? Don't get me started. Ooooh boy. Man do those calories add up. I'm realizing that this love of wine (and it really is a deep and cuddly love!) has got to stop. It stops today, actually. Just writing this has hardened my resolve. So it's not fast FOOD, or restaurant FOOD that is my enemy. Its red wine. Tomorrow is my 46th birthday. I will be gifting myself with an alcohol-free life and getting back on track with my weight loss!

gowalking - congratulations. Wow the smile on your face in your bicycle photo says it all! What joy shining out of your eyes! You look terrific! :-) You've met your weight loss goal, and therefore you have wisdom to share (if you're willing!) Did you hit any slow periods of weight loss along the way? Any tips for those bandsters (like myself) who are 'stuck' at a certain weight even though we're following the rules? Kudos to you!

Crystal - you wrote: 'My husband said I'm not losing weight because I am not walking. It's hard. It's hard to get out of the old habit of being lazy, and unmotivated. I am on depression medication. I've been for a few years so this hits me harder mentally. Friends tell me it's a pity party and I have to just go and do it'. Oh girl I hear you! You feel stuck in your old habits of laziness (me, too!) and feeling depressed (me, too!) I was the SAME AS YOU in terms of not losing much weight and not walking in the early weeks/months. Let me tell you - it gets BETTER. :-) I am now 7 months banded, down almost 50 pounds and I have started walking and moving just ONE month ago because my knees FINALLY don't scream anymore, my lower back FINALLY doesn't ache constantly, I no longer have the nasty sensation of rolls of fat touching each other (eeew, I know!) on my back... and because of my overall diminished size, I have more energy, and actually feel MOTIVATED to move my body for the first time in a decade. As the weather warmed up I started off with short walks in the neighbourhood. That's the way to get started. Do a 1km walk - take it slow... enjoy the scenery. Then build from there. You will feel happier with yourself as you lay down at night, knowing you did something active, however small. Just a week ago I re-discovered our treadmill, which has, up to now, made me feel resentful and guilty every time I look at the thing. Completely out of the blue with no one else home, I found myself putting runners on and getting my iPod ready... then I walked at a relatively brisk pace - 4.2 kms (!) OKAY WHAT THE HELL was that?! I was SO PROUD of myself! I even posted a nasty, sweaty picture of myself on Facebook! Yesterday it was 6.4 kms. Today.... who knows? I feel motivated and energized at the idea of walking and working up a good sweat. This is BRAND NEW for me. All I know is this - as you eat less, the weight will start solidly coming off and you will want to move more. It's true what they say about exercise - its a mood booster. Yesterday I felt like I could conquer the PLANET after an hour and 6.4kms later! I flew through the rest of my day and was bouncy and cheerful. Who knew? I was banded in December 2014 and it's only been the last month I have felt like moving and walking. I have been gentle and forgiving with myself and realize that these past months have been a time of adjustment and change. Exercising needed to wait until mu body was ready. That's just me, Maybe it's you, too!

$16,000 CDN - Lap-band - Toronto

'Atta girl. (I jest, of course). I was never a junk or fast-food addict, but I have to say I have a soft spot for a McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder with cheese. Ooooooo. Haven't had any food like that since being banded 7 months ago, and curiously (and most delightedly!) I haven't missed it, either - my bod has turned off bread completely (hooray) because it STICKS and HURTS. Hey, B.F. Skinner would be happy - negative operant conditioning at its finest. Like you, if there were a gun to my head, and I was given an hour, I could *somehow* murder a double quarter. I'd get 'er done. lol!

Finding your photos and progress an inspiration. I've been stalled for almost 3 months now (staying positive!) but just today the scale moved down a pound, so I am feeling buoyant about that! Your post with pictures (BOTH very sweet, by the way...) have given me a lift! Did you experience stalls anywhere along the way? I'd like to hear about it if you did...!

Hi Nikki D - great to hear your success story - it is quite a journey! I am like you - I read al the negative about the band, and it scares the crap out of me. A lot of people complain about things that are within their power to control, however... I notice that some folks really like to bash the band if they haven't actually adjusted their diets or continue to eat too quickly, etc. I've been very cautious and careful and have had nothing but success so far! Knock wood I will continue to have nothing but praise and happy things to report! Congratulations Nikki - and happy (early) bandiversary!

Hi ggrrm, Yup, it's hard work, but it's WORTH IT! Within no time you will be on mushy food, then soft foods, then solids again. Don't rush it - you've come this far. I loved my Protein shakes, although they did indeed get a little "tired" after 2 staright weeks pre-op. Your full fluids phase is anything that can run off a spoon. So you can eat cream Soups, runny purees, etc. Hang in there. As you begin to add foods back in from the regular world, this will get easier! Don't give up, and YES it's worth every Protein shake you have to stuff down. The results will delight you....!

I am banded and I love it. No problems at all, weight is being lost steadily, I feel terrific. I made an error in my first choice of surgeon. Decided to go wtih a commercial/private lap-band company who cannot be mentioned as they enjoy the threat of suing - they have commercials all over the place in Canada - very cute, very misleading. I was in a high-pressure sales situation and signed on as I had reached the point of desperation. Long story short, within a month of my surgery date I came across an horrific article outlining how their chief bariatric surgeon had been removed from his post to be desciplined and re-trained. (!) I quickly pulled the plug and did some HARD research. Used the good folks in this forum for recommendations. Came across my FANTASTIC surgeon - Dr. Colbourn - by word of mouth through this forum. Looked him up, stalked him, learned he had performed over 5000 lap band surgeries. VERY experienced, great team (nutritionists, nurses, etc), great follow up, great consult... and boom, I was banded. Down almost 50 pounds 5 months later. I LOVE MY BAND. I feel simply terrific, I have had no complications, and the weight is coming off. I am so happy with my results thus far, and delighted with my surgeon. Bottom line: DO YOUR RESEARCH. Ask your surgeon all the questions you want and for GOd's sake don't rush in to a decision as I did with the first company (who I then dumped, thank goodness).

B-52 - May I ask what it was for you that "tipped the scale" (no pun intended, I swear) for you at around that 3 month mark when the weight started slipping off? Was it the new habits you settled into? Mind sharing what they were with the kind folks out here?

Hearin' ya, sister. Went out to dinner the other night, ordered Pasta. (2nd time since surgery). Forgot to ask for a to-go box along with my meal, and this gorgeous pasta came to the table... and I ate the whole thing. Slowly but it was a LOT. AT least a cup and a half of deliciousness. BLECH. I was squeamish all night. Not fully nauseated but unsettled. I like what you said about the 'old habits' - too true! I am 5 months post-op and I still make portions that the old me would have devoured. Now I get 1/4 way through and I'm done. When will I learn? Eesh. The lessons our bands teach us!