labwalker

This could a revolutionary treatment that will obsolete the band and other WL surgeries.... unfortunately, I expect it will take several years to ascertain its effectiveness, safety and to get US FDA approval. I always wondered if science would come up with less drastic solutions to chronic obesity.

1721 + 71 = 1792

I know a few folks who were on Medicare when they had their surgery... age is a consideration, but almost all doctors require extensive lab work, especially for elective major surgery. You can be as healthy at 75 as an unfit, inactive 50 year old adult who never exercises or watches what they eat. It is relative to one's lifestyle, IMHO. I was banded a few years after I retired at 61 yrs old and just before I went under Medicare.

I sometimes feel our bodies try to make up or minds before we are ready to. I think the reality is going to be determined by your BMI, and whether you are in a healthy range or not. I've stalled for months, but I realized that I wasn't at a healthy weight, and that I needed to work harder to lose more. Good luck, and you asked a question that many of us need answers to.

I've have had family members comment about WLS. It generally goes something like this 'I'd never go that route..." or some other negative connotation concerning the use of surgery to correct an obesity problem. When I decided on WLS, and it was a hard and personal decision, I decided that I didn't want all of my "inlaw" side of the family to know that I was undergoing surgery. There were several reasons..... first, if I failed, they would be the first to say "I told you so..." or that I could have had better results by dieting and watching what I eat. To be honest, for the past ten years I have been very careful about what I eat. My bi-yearly lab results show that I have lowered my cholesterol from a 260 total to under 130 total, for the twenty lab tests over the past ten years. My doctor said I must be eating like a rabbit.... but none-the-less, I could NOT lose weight based on a cholesterol free diet plan. Those pesky carbs kept creeping into my diet, no matter how good the lab numbers looked. On the other hand, if you succeed with WLS, there will always be a few who will comment, or think, that you could have done this "on your own" by keeping you mouth shut and eating intelligently. Only folks who have dieted and failed, and folks who have undergone WLS, really understand what motivated us to undertake elective surgery, with all of the risks that we face, in order to enjoy a happier, comfortable, and more productive lifestyle. I am sure it was a not easy out for any of us, and my doctor warned that any elective surgery carried the risks of dangerous complications or risks. Sure, I feel comfortable sharing my story on here, because most of you are "family," and have undergone the same emotion roller coaster ride of dieting, losing and gaining, and then finally deciding that risking you lives for WLS was worth the chance of success, and for a better life... anyone who hasn't been faced with those life changing changing decisions, or those who never faced weight problems, will really never understand what we have gone through. This is something that many family members, or close friends, will never appreciate. And, many will be judgmental, which will only lead to a loss of our self esteem and value. If you have friends or relatives who are supportive, appreciate them... they are the ones who are there for YOU and who will help you through the bad times. Avoid the naysayers and so called friends who exude negative vibes and who don't support you. You did this for yourself, and no one else. You only answer to yourself, and no one else. I consider posters on these forums to be my band family. Many have had health issues with the band or other surgeries, but we are all still brothers under the skin--which is hopefully loose and need of tightening by now--LOL!

I agree he didn't write it, but he is responsible for the accuracy of the material on his website. The fact is he is medical doctor pretty much indicates that he is the one responsible for whatever is passed off as medical advice on those pages. Especially when so many people rely on him for medical advice instead of entertainment value. I would have expected to see some peer review before allowing material like that to be published. I never heard of a band causing fecal matter to be released into the body, nor have I ever heard that bands deteriorate and will only last for ten years.

One or two pounds a week is quite respectable. I've gone for months where I have lost only a 1/2 pound. I think you're doing darn good! After losing 50 pounds it can become harder to shed more as quickly as in the beginning.

I won't be happy when mine starts deteriorating

I finally managed to lose 70 pounds!!!!!! This is a milestone for me, since I haven't been at this weight for almost ten years. After being in a rut and at a plateau for several months, I decided to get back to the gym on a regular basis. That helped, but once I decided to push myself for an hour on the treadmill and watching my heat rate, I was able to burn 800 calories in an hour and resulted in some fantastic weight losses that showed on the scale. NSV, and like many bandsters, we've fought for and earned every damn pound that we've managed to sweat off and keep off. Ideally, I need to lose another 80 pounds according to the BMI calculators, but the day I reach 250 pounds (46 to go) will get me back to where I was 35 years ago. I just hope there aren't too many plateaus between where I am, and where I want to go...I really get angry at folks who think that WLS is a cop out, and an "easy way" to lose weight. I'd like to slap them across the head several times whenever I hear those comments. Every pound lost is a victory over fat, and it is a hard fight, regardless of how you do it.

I remember needing to wear TWO gowns in the hospital right after surgery, front and back.... now that is em-bare-ass-ing.... LOL.

If it doesn't mention calories, does it mention portion sizes, and guidelines for protein intake?

If you have the band, it takes time to find the correct fill. I didn't start to lose weight until my third fill, four months after the surgery took place. Many doctors are very conservative about doing fills in the first month or two, the body needs time to heal and the stomach does have sutures holding the band in position. Don't feel alone! It is a slow, but steady process to get started.

As B52 noted, the scars heal and I only have two that show after two years. If anyone asks about the two small ones that remain, I'd tell them the other guy looks worse... LOL! I told very few people about my surgery. Besides gossip, I didn't want to be judged as a failure if the surgery failed, or if I had lost weight having folks think that I should have "done it on my own." If you don't feel comfortable sharing your story, you shouldn't feel obligated to do so. Just as a comparison, my surgery ran close to $37,000 when all of the dust settled. That was for the presurgery visits, evaluations, hospital charges, and the first three fills. Connecticut is a very expensive state for WLS. Fortunately, my insurance covered 95% of the charges.

You should fill satiated, or full, after having a meal. And that feeling should hold you for at least four hours. My instructions were 1200 calories a day, Proteins first, and carbs second. And, I was told to try for at least 80 grams of Protein, or more.... no less than 60. I think you are doing great so far, 30 pounds is a bit of weight.

I think all of us Banders go through this phase... it can take time to find a happy medium. I was banded in December, and it wasn't until April of the next year until I was able to start losing weight (third fill.) I agree with being impatient, but it is worth it in the end.

Here is a typical day for my meal plans... this is tracked on FitDay.com. Most of you folks use a more modern application program on your handheld devices. What is not showing is misc. items, such as low calorie salad dressings, and my Vitamin and Calcium pills, which do have some carbs and sugar content. food Name Amount Unit Cals Fat (g) Carbs (g) Prot (g) Delete Total 1,053 47.7 79.7 80.0 Cream, half and half cupfl ozindividual container (.5 fl oz)Guideline amount per fl oz of beveragegramskglboz 79 6.9 2.6 1.8 Sugar cupteaspoonindividual packetlump, 2 cubesGuideline amount per fl oz of beveragegramskglboz 33 0.0 8.4 0.0 Blueberries, frozen cupgramskglboz 79 1.0 18.9 0.7 Yogurt serving 100 calorie servinggramskglboz 91 0.0 14.0 11.0 chicken, breast cup, cooked, dicedoz, boneless, cookedoz, boneless, raw (yield after cooking)oz, raw (yield after cooking, bone removed)oz, with bone, cooked (yield after bone removed)cubic inch, boneless, cookedbreast quarter (yield after cooking, bone removed)medium slice (approx 2" x 1-1/2" x 1/4")thick slice (approx 2" x 1-1/2" x 3/8")thin slice (approx 2" x 1-1/2" x 1/8")large breast (yield after cooking, bone removed)medium breast (yield after cooking, bone removed)small breast (yield after cooking, bone removed)gramskglboz 277 10.9 0.0 41.9 Spinach, raw cupbunchleafbaby leafgramskglboz 14 0.2 2.2 1.7 Barbecue sauce cupcontainer (from fast food restaurant)packetgramskglboz 48 0.1 11.6 0.0 Kielbasa, Polish, turkey and beef, smoked serving 2 ozgramskglboz 316 24.6 5.5 18.3 Boston baked Beans cupgramskglboz 117 3.8 16.6 4.6 Total 1,053 47.7 79.7 80.0

BrandyV, I think one of the reasons folks are required by the insurance companies and most doctors to have at least one visit with a psychologist is to ensure that the candidate is ready to accept life changing decisions before committing to surgery. To be honest, as a lap band patient, the change in life style wasn't that dramatic. Either the band or sleeve will help to curb your appetite, and you shouldn't be hungry or craving for bad foods. You can still make bad decisions for food choices, but staying within your diet shouldn't be a problem. With WLS, you will need a lot less food to feel satisfied, and a meal should hold you for four or five hours. I can still enjoy most foods, but in moderation.... and I try to avoid fatty foods like ice cream, etc... foods that are sliders and that can be cheats for the band or sleeve surgery. If you follow a healthy diet and watch what you eat, you will be satisfied and happy.

I just checked my meal plan for today... so far it is at 1053 calories... 47 grams fat, 79 grams carbs, and 80 grams Protein. I may snack on part of a Protein Bar late at night. But, I had Breakfast, and the other two meals are in the fridge and ready to heat up for lunch and supper. If you're really curious, I could post what I am eating for today.

I would call my surgeon's office and explain what is happening ask them what needs to be done. It could be serious, and you don't want to risk your health!!! Please call them.

There are quite a few online sites that allow you track nutrition, exercise and weight goals. It takes a bit of effort and time, but after a bit it becomes routine. I'm the type that needs to track things and keep records. If I don't watch what I am doing I become careless.... it is easy to lose track of how many Snacks between meals... or if a tablespoon is turning into half a cup. I think a lot of folks here use MyFitnessPal; I am still using FitDay.com, which is rather old and dated... but I'm old and dated to!

80 Protein, 100 carbs--for my 1200 calorie diet. I avoid fatty foods, so I never really took much note of the fat intake.

I've gone for months with no weight loss. Sometimes it seems like the scale is stuck. I've also found that not watching my Protein and carbs, and not measuring food, is often ta factor when I've been on a plateau for too long. i

I wouldn't be embarrassed to go back to my surgeon... they've seen this hundreds of times before and they are there to help you get back on track. If the band isn't filled to the green zone, you will gain weight. I suspect your doctor knew it would be a problem when he removed a bit of Fluid. The important thing is take control, and to go back and get back into the routine of living with a band. Good luck!

I agree with B-52.... and, I could always "chug" Water... it took almost four months and three fills before I felt the band was doing anything. The follow up visits are extremely important. Getting the band just right takes a bit of time; and you have to wait for the body to heal before even having the first fill. I just had a small fill the other day, since my weight loss wasn't progressing as rapidly as it should have been. The band will need tweaking as the weight falls off, and over time.

I should have been more clear, I wouldn't attempt this myself... but they use a special needle and I wouldn't want risk having imy port damaged. I figure the ship's doctor wouldn't have one on hand, so having one available makes me feel a bit more comfortable.