SandyM

To me, the goal isn't just once I've reached my destination, but the journey I'm making and watching how the NSVs stack up. I'm enjoying it as I go. Sounds dumb, but not sure I'll be any happier once I get there. Kinda like working a puzzle. Once you finish........then what?

I think people like to ask that as they find someone who weighed about what they weighed when they started and kind of compare their journeys. It actually isn't a really good idea as we all do this differently from each other and therefore we have different results. For instance, I'm very close to goal and am not stressing it. I saw somebody posting the other day like the world would end if they didn't reach goal by a certain time period. Guess it'll just have to end lol. I'll get there, just any pushing it.

My first few times of fish were like this too. Slow down and give yourself time between bites. Don't drink water. This defeats the purpose of the band if you wash the food through too fast

It helps the bowels. I take a mag tab each morning with my vitanmins

hang in there, maybe your next fill will get you closer or in the zone

Some docs are more aggressive than others. Min started with 2cc and went to 0.5cc thereafter. I did get a 1 cc somewhere. I couldn't tell you how much I have total and doesn't matter anyway as we're all different. As for wt loss, 5lbs a month is a good amt if you hope to keep it off. I read in recent studies that losing to fast is thought to be related to band complications. You will get there, sit back and enjoy the ride

How much of a fill did you get?

Lol, Guess if I did one for my fridge it would have to be "just walk on by" or "You're the devil in disguise"

Green zone is when you have adequate fill.. Not so tight you can't eat...not so loose so you experience hunger sooner than every 3 to four hours. Yellow zone too loose, red zone too tight.

You should be one day out by now and I hope you are doing well. I have no regrets. I'm 11 months out 75 lbs down and my whole life is brighter. It is what you make it. If you're willing to do your part, you will do great. I don't keep a real tight band, so I can eat nearly all the foods, I am training myself to make good choices. I find if I exercise regularly that comes easier too. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress

I love reading about long term success. With all the band bashing I try to avoid reading, I occasionally need a little reassurance. I'm almost a year out and don't regret my decision.

Well said everybody!!

I'm grateful that my surgeon didn't put any food restrictions on me. He told me to eat plenty of protein, a few complex carbs and try to stay away from simple carbs. The band is a tool and the rest is up to me. I still love my band.

Sometimes mine is very noticeable. Do you have a lot of excess skin...was just wondering if it's the weight from excess body tissue pulling

I hate when I let myself do that.

Just be sure to follow your docs instructions

Yeah, last night I stopped at a gym that has a smoothie bar and had a large Protein shake for dinner. Just kind of sipped on it through a ball game. It was delicious, but it gave me a tummy ache. Just didn't feel great. I'm sure it was just too much protein for me at one time. I think your protein needs (after the weight based requirements) depends on your activities. My shake had 52 gms of protein. Won't do that again. I had heard that abouthow much we could process in a meal and so I did ask my surgeon and he said he'd read the studies too but, he doesn't buy that at all. He and his wife are protein fanatics and so I guess thier perspective is different. I just know, last night after my shake, I didn't feel so good. I will say that I've heard that you won't get the soft-stop feelings with a shake as it is a slider, but I got em all. I got the runny nose, the watering eye (I get that) and the hiccups.

They just want to make sure you're not bulimic or something. You'll do fine.

I would stop running. There is no benefit you can get from that you can't get from walking. There are more injuries you can suffer. I have blown ACLs in both knees and running is out of the question, I'll lose my balance and fall and injure something else. Find something within your physical limitations. Don't injure yourself. My daughter in law is the nurse of an orthopedic surgeon and she says running is definitely harder on the knees than people realize. I've had to call her twice after duty hours and get worked in for miniscus tears. No running for me.

You must be a child of the 70's? Here in Denver this song was one of the highlights of the laser light show at the planetarium!! I sort of remember going many times but for some reason my memory is a little foggy from those days I have a mansion forget the price Ain't never been there they tell me it's nice I live in hotels tear out the walls I have accountants pay for it all Yep, I'm a child of the 70's. Just don't remember much about those years. Kind of like Jim on Taxi LOL.

"Lifes been good to me so far"

Well said. Its really all one big diet, either a bad one or a good one. When working in the hospital, Id ask people what kind of diet they were on and mostly they would say "whatever I want". then they would follow up with "I try to cut out salt and cholesterol filled foods and try not to eat many fats". LOL, then I'd say "so you're on a Low Na, Low Chol, Low fat diet?" They would counter with something like "No, I really just don't want that stuff anymore" Won't it be lovely when we just don't want it anymore?

Good luck with your journey. Keep us updated.

Those are going to be the best scrambled eggs you've ever eaten

Yes, takes time for the brain to catch up with the body