GodsTyro

Like others, I think it's a personal choice. Me personally, I haven't lied about it, but on the other hand, I also believe the Lap Band is not a miracle drug, it is a tool that without the work you put into it, you are not going to see the results, and so all my friends, all my co-workers see me constantly kicking my butt at the gym on a regular basis, eating right, watching my calories, making sure I don't drink my calories - and because of that I have been able to drop over 90lbs already since I got the lap band done in November without even being in the green zone that so many are normally in rather quickly. Now don't get me wrong, you can lose the weight without doing the gym thing, as many have, but the band isn't going to do it all for you. Will you lose weight with the band if you don't change your eating habits? Yes, because you are still cutting your calories by a lot just by having the band. But my perspective is, why get the surgery if you aren't willing to be a healthier and better you? Because whether I am skinny or I am fat, if I'm still eating like crap - my body is still crap. I have also seen many folks that only lose a certain amount of weight with the lap band because they don't eat proper lean foods to help them. The gym is really only 10% of your routine, it is food that is the 80% and then genetics tend to be another 10% - so can you lose all your weight you want to without the gym? Yes. But, I've also noticed that weight loss is just as much physical as it is psychological - most folks work thru that psychological within the gym or some sort of active activity. For me that's my #1 pet peeve, is someone that gets the lap band with no interest in changing their eating habits, because then whats the point? I have seen this way too many times, and way too many times those folks complain about that the lap band doesn't work and they regret getting it. It's something that makes me want to smack them for. I don't think it's a issue for someone that lies about having the lap band done though - like I said I think it's a personal choice, and in many cases it's because someone they told was extremely unsupportive about it - causing the fear of "what if everyone is unsupportive?" I have been beyond blessed to have everyones support. The only support I did not have, was because they had 2 friends that had gotten it done with complications, but as I told them, their 2 friends with complications goes against my many friends with amazing results, and since then seeing me kick my butt constantly at the gym they have been very supportive of me getting the lap band done. I honestly have no interest in getting to the green zone as so many get to, but that's a personal preference, simply because I am seeing the results I want to see thru my own butt kicking (not to mention I simply love food) but the lap band still helps me keep on track and I do not regret getting it. I simply can put in more food than a normal lap band person in the green zone can eat, however I still eat less than a normal person with no lap band does.

Okay, so once you are in the green zone you are full for every 5-6 hours, and even then most folks it seems can only handle a Protein shake in the morning (if they eat anything at all), something light in the afternoon, and then a "real" meal in the evening. My question is, health wise, we are suppose to be keeping our metabolism going constantly, which means eating Breakfast (especially since it's the most important meal of the day), and eating every 2-3 hours after that to constantly feed your metabolism and keep your energy up as well as the fat burning molecules that it consists of. So if we are suppose to do this, how is being in the green zone considered "healthy" - honestly, I'm losing weight and have no interest in being in the green zone - the lap band is helping me while I still kick my butt at the gym and still get hungry every 2-3 hours. My normal meal consists of Every 2-3 hours doing the following Breakfast Protein Shake lunch Protein Shake dinner I still eat smaller portions. This isn't be downing the green zone by any means, i'm just generally curious how it can be considered healthy when so many doctors have proven keeping your metabolism going every 2-3 hours by fueling it is healthy. This might just possibly be a question for the doctor but worth a shot asking on here.

I was banded back in November 2012 and have lost almost 90lbs (YAY!) However, I have yet to be in the green zone with my band. The first 50lbs was due in large to the band and healing process after surgery, but I then hit the gym and I have been going to the gym 5-6 days a week and have a personal trainer 3 days a week. The least amount I spend at the gym is an hour but sometimes with training can be there for 2 hours. I find myself still eating large portions (Normal size meals) as well as eating in between meals because I work out so much that my metabolism is kicking in for food every 2-3 hours. I normally will eat Breakfast, then 2-3 hours after have a Protein shake, 2-3 hours after that is lunch then 2-3 hours again is another Protein Shake. In between that I normally hit the gym and will grab another protein shake if necessary and dinner is about 7pm normally. So I am eating anywhere between 5-6 meals a day when the Protein shakes are included. I'm wondering how am I suppose to know I'm in the green zone since my metabolism is constantly going I'm not going to get to a point that I'm eating ONLY 3 meals. Though I've lost a lot of weight in large part to my hard work, I am also getting discouraged that I am now 9 months into my Lap Band surgery and STILL am not even feeling like I'm close to the green zone. I'm also at a plateau which makes the discouragement even more so there then before since I really want to try to lose these next 10 pounds before end of august if I can. Any advise is grateful. I will be chatting with my doctor tomorrow as I have an appointment for another fill.

What I would suggest is two things - If you have something like a Savers out near you (It's like a upscale/better goodwill store) they have all sizes for really cheap and they don't look like granny things. The other option is to wear a belt with your pants to keep them on until you fit into the next size down or however long you want to wear them until you can get new clothes. I'm in the same position as far as having a lot of dress sizes i'm going to be losing (I started at a 26/28 and I am now in 18/20) but I have also been very fortunate to have friends that have given me some clothes. I actually just got a bunch of 16 jean capri's that i'm looking forward to wearing from a friend who lost 70lbs and has no need for them anymore. Yay for donations! lol.

Thanks all for your opinions. I know definitely I need a fill - like I said, I've yet to be in the green zone, I just was more curious what to expect once I'm there - since my metabolism is so fast with all my exercising and because of all my exercising I've constantly been dropping weight fast and the fat around the band disappears so it's never getting restricted. I was concerned that once I was at the green zone, because my metabolism is so fast that I wouldn't be able to judge the same way that the doctors tell you (5-6 hours satiety) Again, thanks for everyones input I know one day I will get to the green zone, until then I will kick my butt at the gym, and just look forward to the pounds falling off once I'm in the green zone even more so.

I am actually signed up for this here in Phoenix for November 2nd. I can't wait for it!!!

First, if you haven't been to the gym for a while, don't even worry about the weights right now - start with cardio (any cardio) for at LEAST 1 - 2 weeks. This is to build up some stamina for when you do weights. As far as the people, don't even worry about them, they aren't watching you - they are there for their own routine, doing their own thing. Once you do get into weights, I would advise checking with the staff about getting a personal trainer - they are going to push you more than you will push yourself, but it's also good to have someone teach you the proper way of using the weight machines if you are unsure of (otherwise you are risking hurting yourself severely). Even if you can't afford a longterm commitment with a trainer, most gyms that you join offer free personal session for new members, and most also offer decent prices if you just want to do a few sessions. Good luck!

Unfortunately with cardio endurance you lose the endurance quickly when you aren't going to the gym. For me, I didn't go back to the gym for months because it's the one thing I HATE to build up, but once I have the endurance I'm good to go. I know for me, I was given the okay for strenuous exercise about 6-7 weeks out, but you need to talk to your doctor as each person will be different. Once you are given the okay, unfortunately no matter what you were doing originally you are going to have lost a lot of endurance and will have to build it back up, but do not worry - because the endurance will come back and you will be just as active as you once were

So, I am down almost 90lbs Woot Woot! I am heading back to Maryland end of August and really want to try to hit the 100lb mark before my family sees me (Just a goal I would like to achieve) and so I have been hitting the gym 5-6 days a week, and then just switched to hour sessions 3x a week with my trainer. Talk about a butt kicker! With that being said though, I've felt very fatigued (more than I should for the amount of stuff I am doing) and learned that clean eating - the removal of processed foods and refined sugars- can give you energy. Along with the pros of losing weight because you are eating whole foods basically the energy portion is what I'm hoping for as well. So - anyone know of any good clean eating websites I can look at for more ideas on food? I have been to He & She Eat Clean as well as Gracious Pantry, but looking for some other ideas that aren't listed on that site possibly. Thanks!

Cardio is very important, however, so is resistance training. Resistance allows you to tone while you lose weight, and depending upon what you do in resistance you can actually get a pretty good cardio workout at the same time. I have been with a trainer off and on many times, and it wasn't until these past 3 months I found one I absolutely love. I have toned a significant amount with her, and I work out 45 minutes to an hour in cardio and workout with my trainer 3 days a week for an hour. The days I have my trainer I am at the gym for 1.5 hours to 2 hours depending upon if I do 30 minutes of cardio or 45 minutes.

Just a FYI it does not necessarily need to be whey protein. Fitpro is actually the best protein that's out right now as your body absorbs all of the nutrients. Whey, Casein etc you tend to pee out a lot of nutrients

I've lost to date since Nov '12 - 77 lbs, has been the result of a lot of hard work as well because I have yet to ever be in the green zone. As I tend to feel I'm getting close to it I end up losing enough fat around the stomach that it becomes super loose again. But hey, as long as I'm losing and it's still helping I have ZERO complaints!

I look at it as this way: whatever weight you are happy at and healthy at with yourself is the ideal weight for you. For me, my original weight goal was 160 but knowing friends at my height and 150 is more about where I want to be. However, never having been a healthy weight if I never meet my goal I set but am the above with my emotional state and healthy I am completely content with it- whether that's 150, 160 or 200.

No worries to be bummed because really, while healing you won't need any fills anyways cause you won't have that "hunger feeling" until closer to the point you get your first fill. Though having to be defilled the nice thing is you probably will get to the green zone pretty quickly once you are getting fills

Try syntha 6 Peanut Butter cookie it's by far the best Protein Powder I have ever tasted. Also GNC 100% whey sugar cookie comes in at a close second for me

Not sure if either of these contain milk but I used up until recently syntha-6 Peanut Butter cookie and GNC 100% whey sugar cookie. Both are delicious but I would always make them as a milkshake. Only reason I stopped is because my body all of a sudden decided to become allergic to whey. (Really bummed about it)

Eating out wont be a problem, its just you won't be able to eat as much.mi would stay away from bread that comes out prior to your meal simply because you won't touch your meal. I do know folks have issues with certain foods, though I don't have issues with the below list, they are more difficult to get down and I cannot eat two difficult things together, otherwise I get stuck Difficult items for me to eat: Lettuce Breads White Pasta Red meat Fried foods pizza

Is there a support group that meets around the Mesa area? Would really like to get to know some new folks and I think this would be the best way to do so.

Hey, I am 27 and live in Mesa as well. I've been banded since Nov. 2012 and am down 70lbs. I would love meeting new folks as well