labwalker

Everyone's experience with the band is a bit different. I'm able to eat almost anything, and I haven't had any stuck episodes. The most important thing is to learn how to read what the band is telling you. I can tell that I am feeling fuller sooner, and that is my signal to stop eating, even though I could eat more if I wanted to.

This topic literally brings tears to my eyes... honest... My pride and joy, at least before my first car, was my Dunelt three speed English bike! Nothing special, but I still have the bike carefully stored away. I haven't been able to ride it in over forty years!! One of my goals is to have the bike gone over, and to be able to ride it once again. I know these bikes aren't rare or exotic, but it being to get back on it and to ride it once again would be a major, major step forward for my self esteem.

Good luck to you!!! We are all rooting for you! I wish my journey was a short as yours... your starting weight is my goal. How does that make you feel? Good, I would hope. God speed.

And if you go to the vertical sleeve discussion group you will a raft of horror stories for surgeries that have gone wrong. Anyone who goes into elective, major surgery, wearing rose colored glasses has not done their due diligence. I was fully aware that I could die on the table, or shortly afterwards. I was informed of the possible complications... some of which could be no fault of mine, or unexpected complications regardless of my compliance. At my age carrying this extra weight was not an option. Take a calculated risk today, or face the reality of what would be without surgery. People need to understand the risks, and weight the benefits. Nothing is guaranteed.

I'll eat three flounder fillets (200 calories) and 1/2 can of green or yellow Beans for lunch or supper. Total calories are well under 300, but the Protein is where it is supposed to be. Why are you so limited on portion sizes? I guess all doctors are different, but my APRN told me not worry about portion size, but to keep strict control over my calories and to make sure I ate enough protein. Also, for the first 24 or 48 hours after a fill most doctors advise the patient to follow a soft food or liquid diet to allow swelling to go down.

Most of us who elect for WLS have run the gamut of fad diets, weight loss groups, etc. before deciding on WLS as being a solution. I think many of us are well aware of the risks of any surgery, including all of the WLS options. I don't have much to say about the clinics, like those in LA, that appealed to vanity or pushed procedures on unfit candidates for surgery.... but I know my surgeon has earned his reputation by putting his patients above his profit margins. To insinuate that we have undertaken this journey in ignorant bliss is an insult to those of us who have suffered with weight problems, and despite the risks, underwent surgery with our eyes wide open. I do have some compassion for those who had problems. But, not ALL problems are band related. Did the surgeon properly screen his patients? No surgery comes with a guarantee.

I wouldn't read anything negative into his comments. Regarding the surgery, that will depend on your BMI and whether your insurance covers you or not. Some insurances require a co-morbidity for BMI under 40. The only reason most doctors won't do surgery would be related to your cardio, upper GI or bloodwork results.

Make sure you are following the nutritional guidelines recommended by the nutritionist. What you eat can control hunger between meals.

My doctor told me that any WLS could result in death during my consultation. He doesn't take his surgery lightly, and was careful to inform me of the risks.

http://www.vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=15963 Shop around for the deals. Just because the ad says a WLS discounted cruise doesn't mean it is cheaper.

I never had the desire to strap myself into one of those rides, even back when I was 15 and could fit Color me chicken, ha ha...

Cruises are usually a combined package for meals and rooms. I doubt they will give a discount for WLS passengers. I am a confirmed cruise addict. One reason I had the band was due to some bad experiences on past cruises when seating became an issue in the dining room, and discomfort on planes.

More protein at lunch wouldn't hurt. Maybe move one of the eggs to lunch? Other than that, it sounds like you are doing everything right. Exercise, watching what you eat and monitoring everything. I'd consult with your NUT regarding protein and calorie intake to be on the safe side.

Cardio at your gym? Treadmill, etc. Walking works and everyone can do it.

Name, real or screen~ labwalker Goal weight for June 30th~ 310 lbs Weight on June 1st~ 316 (varies a bit) Age~ 65 Dietary goal for June~ 80 grams protein and under 1100 calories a day Exercise goal for June~ get to the gym at least 4 days a week Personal goal for June~ stay on track and don't lose my focus or goals!!! Date banded~ Dec. 2012 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 50 lbs Favorite Summer Activity~ enjoying the warm wx, working in the yard, and enjoying being retired!!!!

Another reason was my age... at age 65 most doctors are very leery about doing elective surgery. I saw a lot of articles that questioned how long bands would last in the body before the band failed, or caused health problems. At age 65 I figure the track record for the band just about matches my expected lifespan, so that became a non issue. The newer bands have a better track record. Hopefully I will not have to under surgery to correct a slippage or for removal or a revision surgery... but that is the chance we take when opting for any WLS. Yeah, the band is reversible, but do I really want to have an emergency removal 15 years down the road? On the other hand, I have read and seen horror stories for the other WLS surgery options. We all do what gives us the best odds of beating our weight problems.

We found digital scales at our Costco, and bought a pair of them. They seem to be within a pound of each other when comparing them to each other. I like the digital electronic scales over the older mechanical designs. I do notice that how you stand on a scale can affect the weight reading by up to a pound.

Have you thought about joining a gym? Even if you only go three times a week, you will be burning extra calories. Everyone losses weight at different rates. So long as your weight is going down, I wouldn't let it bother me. Also, sugars are carbs, and if you can substitute Protein it would help. I never thought I touch yogurt, but after my surgery I found that it wasn't all that bad

I lost very little, if anything, during the six month supervised visits with a nutritionist. She told me not to worry about calories, or my weight. The purpose of the visits is to insure that you will be able to follow the recommended high Protein diet and to limit your meal portions after surgery. I was a calorie counter, and it took some time for my NUT to get it through my thick skull to also ensure that I was eating enough protein with my meals. But, your question is best answered by the staff in your doctor's office that handles the insurance claims. They should be familiar with the individual policies.

I think the movement is an illusion. The port is usually sutured to the muscle below the skin. I think it is stays fixed to the muscle, but the as our bellies go down the skin position over the port is what shifts. Just a wild guess and assumption on my part. I should as my APRN on my next visit. I'm making a list of questions to bring in.

I'm not sure how it works here, especially on "chat," but I'm a moderator on other boards and we have the ability to block user names, and also individual and ranges of IPs when necessary. A users IP is usually visible to the site's moderators and administrators. If he comes back, just keep Alex informed. I would ignore him. Most jerks crave attention and he may tire of his game if no one is responding.

I was wondering if there was fatty tissue between the band and stomach. Will a band loosen with weight loss, assuming there are fatty layers between the band stomach pouch? This popped into my head the other day, and I'm curious if this does indeed exist or happens.

Thanks for the laugh, that was cute and funny! I'm sure many of us wondered the same thing when we felt the port for the first time.

I was far more self conscious about the weight ... a small bulge for the port would be a minor inconvenience for me. But I guess most of us guys are less concerned about those things. I also noticed my port seems to be moving as the belly fat goes down.

I have low fat Greek yogurt for breakfast; mixed with a cup of blueberries. It seems to hold me until lunch. Try it, and see how your hunger is controlled until the next meal.