Maurice

My insurance co. has finally approved the procedure, after 8 mos. I'm doing the Atkins in preparation, but it's a struggle. I'm starting to wonder if I can change all of these old habits...

Let's see; the issues are many. I was very active as a professional athlete, and burned off everything I ate and drank. When I retired, I continued to eat as always, but couldn't burn it off. Then my knees turned arthritic, so I really had no excercise. But I kept eating. My eating habits were also horrid, including large bites, insufficient chewing, eating too fast and leaving nothing on my plate. I worked in Vegas hotels Food & Beverage Depts. where the food was fantastic, free and plenty. So, after yo-yoing for years and years, I finally put up the white flag (which in retrospect was a bit late and not as embarrassing as I thought it would be). The banding was the best thing to happen to me in ages. I've had both knees replaced, lost 90 lbs. (maintaining for the past eight months), and am playing hockey with guys half my age. The bestest part is keeping up with my 3 1/2 year old son! Never would've happened without the band. My best recommendation to anyone pondering this issue; I'd do it again in a heartbeat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You guys are a wonderful support system! I can't add much since I was really blessed to have encountered zero health issues. However, I did have remorseful periods through the first six months,until I was able to accept a serious lifestyle change. Of course, see some dramatic results certainly helps. Listen to those that have walked where you're walking. Maurice

:bandit I'm the G.M. of a Community Center in a small Minnesota town. It has a fitness center that I never used for five years, until the banding. I've been able to use my 90 lb. loss to encourage others. I know I should've been a better "poster boy" for fitness over the bigger years, but at the end of the day it's still performance that matters in the work-place. Get out and go get em!

All I can add is that in this day in age, your coworkers will react with the same outrage as we have. I would be surprised if you aren't greatly supported more than ever.

This is a rather courious heading.... If it's a question; yes and even moreso with the increased energy of not having hauled the extra weight around all day. Also moreso because the visual has also improved. If this isn't a question; 'sorry about letting out more than you probably wanted to know....

I think it's been pretty well put on this thread. I could only add that maybe you could hold it all up in prayer for the wisdom and strength to follow through with whatever you decide that the Lord has in mind for you. You have plenty of time as no date has been set. I suspect after your banding and subsequent weight loss he may expedite his marital plans in order to lock you in.

We receive one card from the Medical Center that includes this statement: "We are requesting that if you have a senior and/or childrens menu, that you would allow our patient to order from one of those since they are unable to consume large portions of food". We also receive the I.D. card from INAMED that has a graphicictire of an installed band on it. I choose to use the card from the medical center, and have only had to pull it out once.

I was waking 72 times per hour according to my sleep study. I'm now down 85 lbs., and have gotten off of the CPAP

My port protrudes quite noticably. I've been told that my fat does not lie in the skin, but deeper. They are now using a lower profile port, and again, I'm told that it would be simple to replace it. I think I'll wait. 'down 85 lbs.: 15 to go!

I've also been away for awhile. I'm looking forward to reading up on the "family" news. Thanks for keeping this great site alive

I love this thread (misery enjoys company...). It's great to see what others are eating in our quest for wellness. Please keep the menus coming!

Beakfast: 2 cups black coffee 8 oz.of egg-bake w/sausage and salsa Mid-morning: 1 Atkins Protein Shake Lunch: 1 cup of chicken-salad w/ mayo and a tsp of roasted pepers Supper will be a low carb T-V Dinner, and cottage cheese. Evening snack will be BBQ pork rinds w/ranch and dressing low carb ice cream. Crystal Light through the day.

I use cheese, BBQ Pork Rinds with veggie cream cheese, some peanuts, or chicken or tuna salad. Low carb ice cream and popcycles help. Crystal Light (Walmart's version) or Atkin's Shakes. Much else triggers a real feeding frenzie of naughty stuff.....

Hey Tony; I can't add much to the usual great wisdom submitted on this site. I think to an extent you have already answered your dilema. I was a pro athlete at one time and in wonderful shape. I used to wonder why big people ate such huge portions or went to buffets. Surely they had to realize how big they were, and that they[/B] couldn't be happy in such condition. They had to understand that they could never lose that hideous weight if they ate that way.... Well, over the course of almost 30 years, I grew from 195 to 285 ponds! Even at my morbidly obese tops, I didn't think I looked like them. Well at 5'9", you tell me that I didn't look like them hauling around 285 lbs. I began to get self conscious at any public or family feeding. Wondering if people were wondering about me, what I had wondered about others years ago. I got banded at the end of August, because I finally had to admit my health was going south, and I could not maintain any diets on a consistant basis. I am now down to 220 lbs. (target weight is 185), and when I see big people, I feel both compassion for their struggle, and appreciation for the blessing of my banding. I now realize that most people would not be large if they had a reasonable and possible choice. I also realize how fortunate I have been to be able to have had the procedure. Michelle; I also watch my wife eat with huge bites, and am at a loss at how to approach this without being critical or hurting her feelings. Any tips? It can't be healthy.

Hey Lisa; All is well; I'm keeping up with my two year old finally, and feeling great. I'm getting my other knee replaced in April, then I'll hit the ice again. I still miss alot of the eating that got me to where I was, but all in all have gotten used to the new lifestyle better than i thought I would. I truly feel blessed with my outcome as I've followed the horrors that you've been through. I think I can speak for all of on the site in wishing you better results as you move forward. And again to everybody, please continue to share your experiences, because there are many of us who check in to see that many of the challenges and rewards that we face are shared by the group. And also to see the differences in our own lives, bodies, fills and bands (mine is 11 cm). Thanks.

I love the information that you girls share. Thanks for being so generous with your experiences. Our M.D. suggests Atkins for one month prior to banding, but at the end of the day, the only requirement was to have not gained any weight over that month. I was bad as usual and only dropped 10 lbs. (some final food "send-offs"). I truly agree that it becomes a behavioral issue when we get banded. I have a friend who was banded and never filled and lost 110 lbs over the past year. It seems as though for her it was a behavioral kick-off to discipline. I, of course did not have near that discipline and have had three fills to get to my "Sweet Spot". I've chosen to continue counting carbs rather than calories, and I chose to replace daytime meals with Atkins shakes. When I do sit down to eat, the band has allowed me to fill up after about a cup of food or so. The new years resolution has also gotten me to exercise about 40 minutes per day 4-6 times a week. Without the physical restrictions of the band, I could never have gotten to this point. For me, the limitations has bred the behavioral changes.

I agree, we're not like a baseball bat that has a place that meets the ball better. As I understand the term from our M.D.; is that the banding "Sweet Pot" is when you feel that your band is adjusted well enough to be the proper tool for weight reduction (and wellness). This Sweet Spot can be evolving, and will probably relate to your discipline as well. I believe I'm at my Sweet Spot, but after two months and more fat loss, I believe I may some day need an adjustment to achieve a new sweet spot. I was banded August 29th and am down 65 lbs, with 35 to go.

Well, the holidays are now in the rear-view mirror, and I did have my fill at the end of November. I am so pleased that I went through with it. I was able to continue losing weight through the holidays, suffered no guilt by over-eating, and the fill provided the help that it is supposed to. We are all different, but I am one example of it being a good thing.

I've gone through the same scenarios since my 8/31 banding. I've had three fills in an 11 cc band and each fill brought me to another level of restriction. With each fill came another week of liquid-to-mush dieting, which really helped me get to the next mental level and commitment as well. It's taken me this long to really appreciate the teamwork required of me with the band. I'm down 55 lbs from the beginning and 45 since the procedure. I also had a panic about the ability to handle large portions before the last fill. Good luck and enjoy the holidays before you sinch it up!

The best of luck. Keep it in prayer, and follow the directions that you receive. I look forward to hearing of your progress.

Count me in with the group of high appetites post-healing. I was scared that I was a lost cause; but was thankfully corected on this site. Those ten rules are wonderful, and will serve you well as you are able to commit to them. 'Best of luck!

I think I'm a glutten for punishment, but I'm going for a fill this afternoon (my third). I truly believe that the holidays shouldn't make a difference. Knowledge is power, and there are several very effective tips to help with my discipline (not my strong suit). I'm still able to easily polish off two cups of food at most sittings, and my weight loss has remained at 30 lbs. since the procedure. I wish you all strngth and enjoyment over the holidays!

I share your new "southern" route since my banding. It's strange, and somewhat challenging, as I fight to find open spaces (like the State of Wyoming). I've resigned myself to this new ventalation, unless somebody has noticed that this (gas) will pass. :guess

I'm looking for some experienced information; I have an 11 band, and the staff here hasn't much experience with them yet. My first fill was 4 cc, and when I went in yesterday, she (P.A.) went to remove the saline in order to refill; she was only able to remove 1 cc, and wasn't sure where the other three went. She then filled with a total of 3.4 cc. If the remaining 3 cc's leaked, I would have less than I had after the original fill (which wasn't enough). But I feel like the band has tightened, so I'm guessing that the 3.4 cc is in addition to the 3 that she couldn't find. Could the 3 ccs still been in? Thanks for any light that anubody could shine on this. :ermm