labwalker

I like to cruise, and I enjoy the dining room! Even after being banded I've been able to take 18 day cruises, and I've been able to enjoy the dining room despite my limited ability to intake food. Eating slowly, and avoiding the rolls, deserts, and other unneeded carbs had worked in the past... for example, we did an 18 day Panama Canal cruise on Holland America... now, if you cruise, and if you do Holland America, you KNOW what the dining rooms have to offer, LOL! While I did well and survived the 18 days with only a one or two pound gain (which was quickly lost) it soon dawned on me that I could have faced some serious problems if I had become stuck for an extended period.... needing an unfill on the ship, or at a port in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, or even in an obscure port in Mexico would have been scary!!! This is a real scenario that almost any bander might face when traveling! What if that tempting fillet ended up becoming stuck, because I took to large a bite, and didn't chew properly?? Scary stuff. Since I'm going on another 16 day cruise for Alaska land and sea, here is what I did.... I asked the doctor for an emergency kit, and a script for a syringe and needle that could be used for an emergency unfill by the ship's doctor, or by a medical facility in case of an emergency where I became stuck and was at risk of becoming dehydrated. If you are going to be traveling out of country for more than a few days, this is something you might want to consider asking your doctor about. You don't want to risk health problems, and we all can experience episodes where being stuck can result in dehydration. I'd advocate being prepared, and being ready for when problems arise. You have nothing to lose by informing your doctor regarding extended travel plans, especially out of country, and having him provide you with the tools and documentation to ensure a safe and healthy journey.

My last fill was over a year ago, back in April 2013... since then I've been plateauing and I haven't been losing weight until I started pushing myself at the gym.... and there was a lot of grazing for snacks between meals, despite eating a healthy amount of protein and watching the carbs during meals. By pushing myself, I mean showing about 700 calories being burnt on a treadmill, etc. I had one episode where I was "stuck" on a Friday about three months ago--my fault, not the band's--and I had to go in have the band unfilled for a few seconds to let the food pass. The APRN asked about the need for another fill, but I decided against it. Too afraid, and to be honest, I was too comfortable being able to eat as fast I wanted, and being able to eat almost anything that was tempting!! I had a follow up visit scheduled for today, and I was informed that I had lost around sixteen pounds since my last fill... that is about a pound a month loss in the past 18 months. And, there were a lot of plateaus where I'd go for several months with maybe a pound a month losses. I'm hoping this fill will help control my urge to graze between meals!! I've been raiding my wife's Skinny Popcorn between meals; and even at 38 calories a cup it adds up after several "raids!" LOL... Long story short, the APRN gave me a 0.5 cc fill... I hope it works... and if it doesn't I'll push for another .5 cc fill next September! If the weight keeps coming off, I'd consider another fill when the time comes. I should have listened to the band when I noticed I was able to eat too fast without any restriction!

So long as your able to intake a healthy amount of Protein and calories, I would not worry. Are you able to intake at least 60 grams of protein a day??? And, are you staying properly hydrated, and talking Calcium and Vitamin tablets? If you are worried about not being able to eat, I would schedule a visit with your doc or NUT to make sure you are on a healthy diet regime. Congrats on the fantastic loss so far! That is awesome!

Wow!!! Perfect response!!! AMEN!!!! And I will add, that I would never feel like I wasn't doing myself good by going outside and enjoying a good walk. Walking will lose weight, but WLS ensures that the weight will stay off.

When I started walking, I could barely manage going 1/2 mile. After several weeks, I was out walking for a full hour everyday. By the end, I was walking with my lab walking buddy for three hours everyday, going through farm fields and wooded trails. It was a lot of fun, and we both benefited. Whatever you do, start slow, and build up as your endurance strengthens. Listen to your body! Watch out for your feet, when you start walking more than around the block you will need good walking shoes that fit properly. I'd suggest joining a good health club.... I like Planet Fitness because I see heavy folks in there, folks that need crutches, young and old. They are all there to improve their health...I'd avoid the muscle gyms that are for body builders... totally different atmosphere, and not for beginners. The health club pays off if you have winter months, poor roads to walk on, or weather extremes that would make an indoor facility more attractive for year around activity.

Wow, 7.2 miles is awesome! I'm up the 3.5 miles on treadmill at the gym for the 60 minute dally routine.... I used to walk three miles through the woods with my old lab. Too many ticks and the paths aren't maintained these days. Keep it up. I've always felt walking was the best exercise and something that everyone can do. I lost a lot of weight several years by just walking, but it always came back. The band made the difference. Keep it up!

My doctor wouldn't commit to numbers.. but he felt the lap band worked for folks who wanted it to work, and who were willing to change their lifestyles. He did mention that the best losses were with his bypass patients, followed by his gastric sleeve patients. Banders lost a bit less on average, but he also said many were able to meet their goals. He did emphasize that even if I lost 50 pounds that I would feel better and be a lot happier than when I first walked into his office. I'm about 1/2 way to MY goal weight, and I'm slowly but steadily getting there.

People who want something to work, usually work at it until they are successful! It sounds like you've hit the groove!

Fantastic!!! I too wanted the sleeve, but my doc wasn't comfortable doing it in my case... your success gives us slow losers a lot of hope!

I'll be sure to question my doc this fall when I go back for my semi annual visit. The older I get the more I worry about these things.

Terry, I am curious about your "dropping your drawers" comment... my doctor is adamant that a digital exam wouldn't reveal prostrate cancer... but he does an annual PSA screening, which I am thankful for having done. I am curious what revealed your cancer? Digital exam, or PSA numbers creeping higher? I guess I am lucky in that my PSA is holding at 0.8 since I first had it done several years ago.

Great news Terry!!!

Here's an article that claims alcohol calories don't put on weight... I think the doc has tipped a few too many, but it is interesting reading. LOL! http://www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol/AlcoholCaloriesAndWeight.html#.U71pU5RdXLM

I don't need to be insulted to exercise.

First Class can cost a LOT more than two coach seats!

Planet Fitness is more of a health club than a gym... trainers are free, and the staff will usually offer advice when asked. Unless you want to be a body builder, I'd stick with PF and take advantage of their programs, at least for the first year. Membership is cheap, and (at least where I go) the place is immaculate and well maintained, and kept spotlessly clean. I see a lot of heavy folks at my gym, and wide variety of age groups and an even mix of gender. I was afraid to try a gym, by PF has been a perfect so far. I'd suggest talking to the trainers at your facility to see what they have to offer. I use the treadmill and a few machines for a 70 session each morning, and I can easily burn 700 calories.

Walking is a great way to exercise; I call it the universal exercise for anyone... About ten years ago I was grossly overweight, and I took my old lab and started walking the street. Within four months we were hiking the trails through the woods behind my home. By the time winter came, we both had lost weight, and we were doing two hour walks over rough terrain. I was able to lose 70 lbs, just by walking alone. And my lab lost a few inches around her waist and managed to live to almost 15 years old, mostly due to her exercising with dad... gawd, I miss that old lab Unfortunately, over the colder months I managed to put most of the weight back on... if you don't exercise, you will gain pounds. Fast forward: I had the band surgery in 2012. Since then I've lost 60 pounds, but more importantly I kept it off. One secret was joining Planet Fitness (with my doctor's blessing!!!) I started of very slow, maybe doing a mile on the treadmill for thirty minutes everyday. After a year, I am doing up to four miles on the treadmill, everyday, and burning at least 700 calories a day, just by walking on the machine. I feel a lot better, and I know it helps keep the weight off and under control. Ask your doctor's office for some guidance... fresh out of surgery I'd expect they'd tell you to walk slowly on your street, and no to push it. Once you are healed, a good fitness center (not a body builder muscle gym!) might be a good investment. If the exercise doesn't lose a lot of weight for you, I will guarantee you will feel better for the energy expended! Good luck! BTW, my new lab enjoys quiet walks on the street... the wooded trails behind our home are grown over,and full of ticks. If you want to walk your neighborhood, a good dog is the best motivation that you could have!

I agree... water retention... you do not have the calorie intake to gain. It doesn't take much water to add a few pounds.

Is your family on the heavy side? I'm thinking if they are, they may consider having a few extra pounds as being normal. How we see ourselves, and how other's see us is entirely different. I lost sixty pounds, and I can't see it... but people are commenting on my weight loss, which feels good. I'd listen to your doctor and follow his advice. Your BMI is still a tad high (I wish I was there!) so I wouldn't worry about taking off a few more pounds! Good luck, and congrats on what you have done so far!

Planet Fitness has FREE personal trainers available on staff. There is NO charge for their services. Since you have a PF membership, I;d suggest talking to one of the trainers at your PF gym. Most have degrees in phys ed training, and they are happy to offer advice, training and guidance. Take advantage of the free advice. I use the treadmill at PF on a daily basis... for me, it works fine; and I see many members thar are in the same shape I am in, so I don't feel embarassed or intimidated being there.

My last fill was about a year ago. Since then I've been holding, and not using weight. Recently, I started watching my diet more closely, and pushing up my time at the gym. That has resulted in a what is starting to show as a trend for a 1 pount a month weight loss, maybe a tad more. I guess that is far better than gaining! I've lost 50% of what I'd like to use. I feel a lot better, and even at this point I'd consider the band to be a success... only because it would be an effort to put on weight!! Being able to maintain loss is a big plus, but I really want to shed another 50 pounds... my BMI says I need another 100 gone, but with the lapband that would be a hard row to hoe. Besides increasing my time at the gym, I've been watching my diet and trying to sub Protein calories for carb calories, with some success. My band allows me to eat almost anything, providing I eat slowly and chew properly. I have a follow up in July to judge my progress. My band is working to a good degree, but a smaill voice says to add .3 or .5 CC and to see what happens. I think a small fill my curb my need to nibble carbs at night (tablespoon of Peanut Butter, etc.) On the other hand, I like the freedom to be able to eat what I want, even in moderation with some attention to chewing properly, etc. I don't want to end up being stuck drinking coffee in the morning, or being punished for eating the "wrong" food. How do you determine when the best compromise has been reached--too tight vs. too loose?

I've made up my mind. I am going for a .3 to .5 cc fill on my visit on the 12th. I need to cut back on carbs, while holding on the Protein intake. That means controlling my urges to snack between meals. I hope it works.

LOL! I sure gurgle a lot since surgery... And, with a high Protein diet you can end up a bit gassy at times.

Don't keep them in the house. My weakness potato chips.