jfc193

Before I used to eat a great deal of food and drink lots of diet cokes with my meals and normally eat the entire meal in less then 7 minutes as a matter of fact, the quicker the better. In a few hours then I was hungry and started snaking on anything that was available. As a result of the band I cannot eat a huge amount of food, I take smaller bites and chew my food usually a minimum of 25 times and Not drink with my meals the entire process taking 25 to 35 minutes. With the exception of evening I usually do not snack and if i do then it is generally 1/3 of what I would eat before the band. For exercise I do a minimum of 2 hours of walking 6 days a week. My own personally quiet time. Before the Lapband I used to be successful on a diet for 4 to 6 months and lose anywhere from 30 to 45 pounds but then I would gain it back plus 10 more in 3 to 4 months. While I have had extended plateaus with the band where I did not lose weight at times I have even have gain some of the weight back which later I have lost again. The important fact is I have not gone back to binge eating or lost my focus for an extended period of time. You could of course eat 10 tiny meals and gain not lose weight but like others have already mention food is no longer my main focus. One of the interesting thing that happens to me is when I start to get full then I either get the hick ups or my nose start to run so this is my signal to stop eating regardless if my food is finished or not. Best of luck on your upgoing life changing journey.

My port is located on the left side about two inches below the rib. I can feel it but cannot see it.

I usually tell anyone that ask what I have had the Lap Band and that it is one of the tools that assist me in my weight loss along with exercise. I love the fact tat I have to take small bites and take a long time to eat and I am certainly enjoy meal times a lot more then when I use to stuff as much food as I could get in my mouth in the shortest amount of time.

I tell anyone who ask why I am eating so slowly that I have had a lap band and have usually does not meet with a negative reaction. Pretty hard to hide the fact that I have lost over a hundred pounds

I have found that if I can chew the meat to a liquid in about 25 bites then I usually do not have a problem. If I can not chew it to a liquid in 25 bites then I stay away from it. I have eaten duck, elk, deer, caribou, Buffalo, squid, chicken, pork, cornish game hen, calamari and all kinds of fish.

Congratulations on your weight loss and being able to see your belly button. I find it a lot easier to hit the toilet now then a hundred pounds ago.

I always seemed to do well for at least 4 to 6 months on a diet and then I would not lose any more weight and I go on an impressive eating spree that would last 4 to six month and I would gain all the weight back and more. With the lap band even when I reach plateau's I still can not go back to my old eating patterns. I did go of the eating plan for a while do to a change in job, and city and my oldest move in with his family of 5. Even with all that I only gain back 20 lbs instead of 70 lbs. I need the lap band because it helps me to stay focus. It is still not easy especially during the holidays when there so much good stuff around.

I have to fly allot and it used to be a shore. Some of my NSV are being able to walk straight down the isle without fear of hitting everyone with my hips or having to walk sideways. Another is not having to have a seatbelt extender. I also have a great big smile when I actually have to tighten it to fit. I also enjoy using the tray table since it does not hit my stomach any more and actually have to extend it.

I am 53 male and it is indeed possible to lose 100 lbs with the band. It will just take a few years but definitely can be done

I been back for a couple of weeks so it makes a great deal of difference to have a place that will help with the accountability as well as motivation. I travel three weeks a month and usually gain one to two lbs while I am gone but last week I did not gain which is like a minor victory. Take car.

First congratulations on the weight you did lose. I to have been away from the forums. I went through a job transfer to a new position. Moved from Northern California to Southern California. Hat gotten a fill but had it taken out. Plus slacked off on my exercise and started eating allot empty calories. I rather did enjoy my time off but have gone back to my Dr and gotten a fill and am stating to lose weight again. Soon I will be back to the weight that I was before I went on my eating spree. So needless to say you are not alone.

My experience has been that you will have many times along your journey when you will loose weight and there will be weeks that you will not lose weight. In either case you may be doing the same program of eating and exercising. It is also natural to get discourage so you began to look for NSV (non scale victories). In my case I have gone from a 54 inch waist to a 38 inch waist. I used to take diabetes medicine now I don't. So it is not always about the weight loss Take care.

Congratulations on your anniversary. I am glad I had the surgery and am looking forward to this next year.

I cut my pills in half and took them with hot coffee. The great thing know is a after 6 months I no longer had to take diabetes medicine. Good Luck on your journey.

I am one of the fortunate ones who did not have to use a cpap machine once I lost about 60 pounds,

Welcome to the forum. I no longer need to take any medicine for diabetes and I no longer have to use a cpap machine. The best thing is that I can keep up with the grandchildren.

I use straws all of the time and no problems <!-- / message -->

You know you are a bandster when the one size fits most robe at the hotel actualy includes you :-)

Still have mine.

Congratulations on your dramatic changes in looks are simple astounding. :thumbup::biggrin:

Remember you are in this for the long run. In my case it was not unusual to lose weight and then gain weight. I walk quite a bit which I find relaxing. When I do gain a little weight for a while I tend to concentrate on the NSV(Non Scale Victory). In my particular case I no longer use a cpap machine or take medicine for diabetes.

I have never had a problem with reflux until I got a fill that was a little tight. After a week I went and had an unfill and the reflux was gone.

My wife and I both had the lap band surgery on the same day September 12, 2007. Having both of us on the lap band has been very helpful. I have gone from a 56 waist to a 38. But the best NSV is being able to keep up with the grandkids. :thumbup: :thumbup:

The problem happens when I close the browser without logging out and then go back to the site later and click on a topic it will go back to the home page then i click on the arrow to go back and the topic opens up.

Congratulations on your weight loss. Hopefully I will soon no longer be obese. Take care