Terry Poperszky

Well, one year ago today I was introduced to Mistress Band, 60 pounds lighter, down from a 46" waist to a 36". Shopping in the "normal" section and having to buy slim cuts shirts. Not getting winded when I walk a couple of miles, riding farther, faster and longer are just a few of the changes. First time I have made it through the holiday season without a substantial gain, let alone a loss. Funny thing is, I just feel like I am starting to understand my band after a year, I have another 40 pounds to loose, but I'm in no hurry. I am enjoying my life, and while WLS has not solved all my problems, it has made a substantial difference in the quality of my life.

http://io9.com/how-many-of-your-health-supplements-are-actually-snake-1492960177/@whitsongordon

there are at least a couple on here who have passed their 9 year mark.

After the first 5 weeks I got a fill every two weeks, never more than a 1 cc, and less toward the end. Final fill of .25 cc put me too close to the red zone and I had it taken out a month later. I think I am 5 or 6 cc in a 10 cc band.

I think this is the key B-52, she was not unhappy with all the benefits of weight loss, she was unhappy with the work that it took to lose it and maintain it afterwards, as well as the anxiety of the failure that she knew would eventually come. For me that is the difference now, versus pre-WLS, I don't have the anxiety about it.

When I was in online WW, there was a Bariatirc specialist who was there also, he weighed over 400 pounds if I remember correctly and was very defensive about it. Said "people came to him for what he knows, not what he does"

Skinny as a rail and the only person in his office that doesn't have the band.

Bander here. My surgeon actually gave me liquid NSAIDS after my surgery. His only concern was the possibility of the pill sitting in the stoma and ulcerating the lining. I occasionally take them now, but use a pill crusher just to be on the safe side.

As the rest have said, "Been there, done that".

I am a bander, but had those same feelings. After all, we have all failed at a life time of trying to loose the fat, the hope that we will succeed now is sooooo scary. But, listen to your Doc, follow the rules, and realize that what you are going to go through is going to give you a tool to help you be successful. You will still have to work your ass off, but the difference is that now you truly can be successful.

Thanks guys, I was mainly venting because I was so frustrated. Head hunger was probably a misnomer, I wasn't hungry at all, but I had a bad day and I was battling a very strong desire to eat to experience the pleasure that eating brings. By the time I wrote that post, I had already had two cups of coffee and a couple of pieces of dark chocolate to try and curb the desire, but the monster wasn't going to be satisfied with anything less than mass quantities of food. Thankfully Mistress Band helped keep me from doing it by the very knowledge that she had her stiletto heels on and ready if I ate anything.

Ditto, it is one of the reasons I can actually tell that the water is going through my band is because I can feel the temp change.

Shrimp and Lobster were a problem for me also....it's one of those foods that no matter how well you chew, it is just not good enough.... I did finally figure out a way to eat it though.... Funny, how we are all different. I can no longer eat steak, but I have absolutely no problem with shrimp.

My 1 yr bandiversry will be in 5 days. Down 60 pounds, went from 46" waist to a 36". More active than ever and feel great. I wish I had the surgery years ago, but to tell you the truth I wasn't ready for it mentally. According to the charts I have 40 more pounds to lose, my goal for 2014 is 20 of it. No longer in a hurry, simply enjoying life.

Made this tonight Cheryl, wife requested that I make it again. Would have made last night, but I started out with dry beans and it took a little longer than expected. Need to make some adjustments though, a bit bland for my taste.

So, what you are saying is that it is the State's decision as to whether or not they will cover bariatric procedures and is not a function of the ACA itself?

B-52 you are a lot farther down the LB road than I am, and I appreciate your candor on the things that you still have to watch for. For me, I am still learning to not take that second bite.

Admitting an addiction doesn't absolve you of responsibility, it simply means that you have greater self awareness. I personally don't have a problem with "Certain Foods", I have a problem with ALL foods. Did it occur to you that those "7 Habits" were simply the tools they used to battle their addiction, much as an alcoholic will use a 12 step program to battle their addiction? Besides, if having to have WLS and and your GE system altered (band, sleeve, GB) to finally gain some control over my excess weight doesn't classify me as a "food addict" then I don't know what does.

•1/2 cup chopped peppers Cheryl, I am assuming these are bell peppers? While I could hand 1/2 cup of Jalepenos or Habeneros, I don't think my girls could

My surgeon warned me that once I was at proper fill I should plan on starting the day with a Protein shake the rest of my banded life because for what ever reason, the band is tighter in the mornings. 80% of his office staff are banded and they echoed his advise. I rarely have anything but coffee the first hour I am awake, then I have a fruit/vegetable/protein smoothie. Trying to get anything solid down before I have been out of bed for a couple of hours is a very iffy proposition. BTW, I have noticed being tighter even if I am grabbing a 30 minute mid day nap, may have something to do prone position.

My family loves beans, made frijoles refritos last weekend and navy bean Soup is scheduled for this weekend. I have both Cous Cous and Quinoa in the pantry, although I haven't tried the quinoa yet. I'm not in any danger of becoming a vegetarian, but meat consumption has definitely been reduced.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/30/quinoa-facts-didnt-know_n_4494695.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

Breakfast smoothies This morning we are all drinking a smoothie made from: pineapple w/core Carrot w/peel Baby Kale Orange Frozen strawberries Chobani Greek 0% fat yogurt Agave Syrup The kale flavor definitely shines through, but it has 170 % of the daily Vitamin c, not to mention amazing amounts of A and K as well. Add in the Fiber and probiotic benefits and it is a great way to start the day. Besides that, it tastes great.

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/12/exercise_to_prevent_cure_or_treat_disease_cancer_heart_disease_inflammation.html