MamaJava

I would never eat below 1000 calories...because only my stomach was banded, NOT my entire body. My body still needs calories to burn, because my body still needs adequate amounts of fuel to burn throughout my entire adult body. It just makes sense. You lower your calorie intake too low, and your body thinks it's starving and holds on to every single fat store you have. Then, after that, it begins to eat away your muscle. Not cool.

Yeah, I know it's okay to skip breakfast cuz it's a free country and stuff (tongue-in-cheek...I'm a kidder), but I just won't do it because I know it's the most important meal of the day. Also, in the past, I've never been successful losing weight unless I ate breakfast...so it's a "knock on wood" sort of thing for me. Even if it gets to the point where I may need to stop eating my regular staples (oatmeal or toast) for breakfast depending on my restriction, I will still have my vitamins and some fruit or yogurt at least. I just won't ignore breakfast. :smile2:

My first fill was 3 cc in a 9 cc Realize band. I go March 19 for my 2nd fill but I don't know yet how much he'll put in.

Um, I think your doctor is rude! How on earth can he say it's not a big deal when you haven't even had your band very long? Most legitimate doctors who know anything about the human body know for a fact that each pound lost is a huge big deal. Whatever. I've only lost 14 pounds and I was banded 01/04/08. My doc would never say such a thing to me. In fact, I have a hard time convincing him that mine are the lowest weight loss stats I've ever seen for the lap band this far out after being banded. My girlfriend got banded just 6 weeks before me and she's lost 35 pounds. Yep. We had the same surgeon and she eats horribly. I just don't get it...but my doc still thinks 14 pounds gone is a big deal and he's proud of me. He DOES agree that I need another fill, which I go in for next Wednesday, March 19. I CAN'T WAIT! Regardless, my advice to you would be to leave your band in. Honestly, I can't even tell it's there, and I definitely couldn't tell it was there before my first fill. Sometimes I even doubt I have anything in there at all! I got a little restriction from my first fill and I was so happy. That restriction is gone already and I'm frustrated, but I would never opt to have this band removed. After all, it causes me no problems, and there are NO foods that I have had to give up. None. Maybe that will change eventually and that won't bother me one bit...because I hopped on this journey with full knowledge that this was gonna be tough. Also, I've heard that band removal is more difficult and a little more rough and harder to heal from. I don't know if that's true, but that's what I've heard. I would never have my band removed just for the peace of mind that it's out...especially when you seriously won't even know it's there as long as you just don't get any fills. Another thing to consider is once you get past this depressive point, you may kick yourself in the booty for ever thinking you wanted to get it out. It may begin to work for you in ways that you could have never imagined. Once you begin eating normally again (and you CAN eat normally as a Bandster...even with fills...you just eat less), you may find yourself loving this tool and thanking ALL of us here in this thread that advised you to just leave it in and don't mess with it. You may be surprised and you may want to "try" a fill at one point and realize that it's not bad AT ALL! In fact, I love getting my fills...it's exciting and fascinating all at the same time. I have a feeling those 3 months will go by and your feelings will have changed a bit by that point. At any rate, best of luck to you!

I'm joining 'Curves' tomorrow! I can't wait! Just wanted to shout it out. I'm really excited. I've been stuck at -13 lbs. since 2 weeks post-op, and even with the little tiny bit of restriction I got after my first fill, I'm still not losing any weight. I know I need to step it up in the exercise department...so here's to hoping that the pounds will begin to come off! I get my 2nd fill March 19th and maybe that will help also. I gotta reset my siggy to reflect my new goals. I'm in a size 22 jeans right now and I need to get into a size 18 jeans before the last weekend in April when my husband and I will be going on another coaster trip with his friends. I do NOT wanna be on the sidelines again for fear of not fitting onto the roller coasters. If I get into those 18's, then I know I won't have any issues. "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..." :rolleyes2:

Yes, I love Curves! I like it because I know exactly what to do and it's done in 30 minutes. When I work out on my own at a gym, I really struggle with staying on task and working at a proper level to burn anything. Plus, it's a great social time as well. At Curves I get resistance training and cardio rolled into 1 workout, and that is perfect for me.

Honestly, I would never have that Protein shake right before bed. I would switch that up to your Breakfast, or mid-morning snack. You may be surprised. Also, my doc said to me at my first fill when I was so concerned about why I'm not losing weight, he said "if you ever eat below 1000 calories while under my care, I'll kick your ass." (yeah, we have that type of relationship). :tongue: I took that to heart. He wants me up to a calorie intake between 1000-1300 per day and no less, and no more. I struggle with that, but I began using FitDay online to keep better track of my food. It's very accurate and it allows me to enter obscure foods that may not be pre-entered by the website in their database. I have a Realize band and I use that website to track my weight and stats, but NOT for my food. Realizemysuccess.com has the ability to track food, but it's a horrible mess and you have to search endlessly for foods (cuz they aren't entered in order), most of their foods are foods that I would NEVER eat (fast food galore) and I can't enter most of my basic staples, like cooked plain oatmeal with skim milk, walnuts, cinnamon & Splenda. I have that everyday...so my food log on the Realize site is not even close to accurate. I called the support line and complained about how terrible it is, but I still haven't heard back from anybody. Sorry I got way off track there. Anyway, cut out that Protein Shake before bed and make sure you get the correct amount of calories in according to your doctor's advice. It also appears like you need another fill. I know I need one (scheduled for next Wednesday) because I can still eat almost 2 cups of food so this is really a struggle for me, too.

I joined Curves Friday and had my first workout the same day. I've been to Curves 2 more times since then...Saturday and again on Monday. I have not been yet today. I was 281 when I weighed in at my registration on Friday. I was so happy, cuz I had finally dropped 4 more after gaining those pesky 4 lbs. from returning to solids, and I held in a plateau until then. Well, I had heard of the scale not budging when beginning Curves, but what about it going UP? I've gained back those stupid 4 lbs. again and I'm up to 285 again. What the heck?!? I've only worked out 3 times @ Curves...could it be building muscle already? My eating habits are still on par and I'm doing really well there, so it can't be that.

I updated my ticker...can't believe it's been 150 minutes already! I really enjoy this. I hope you're all still headed toward that 600 minute mark!

I just joined Curves, so I'll be able to get in 30 minutes (or more) about 4-5 days per week doing that. I really want to swim laps or join water aerobics, but still too embarrassed to get into a bathing suit in public. Anybody else do that? If so, how did you get over your image issues? I'm a big girl and I get anxiety just thinking about people seeing me in my suit.

My bad. The quote above is pulled from a post by Isuzu on page 3 (or maybe it was page 4) of this thread where I thought he/she claims to be a Proctor for both Lap Band and Realize band. Apparently, Isuzu was pulling a quote from Dr. C's post...but he/she did not use the "quote" option so it appears to be Isuzu's words, and I misread this as his or her own personal statement. LOL If you read the post, you can see my mistake. At any rate, it got very confusing. Also, agreeing to disagree is not a problem. It's a good thing. In fact, I think that's how most of the world should behave. Cheers! And you're right...usually someone who wants to pretend to be somebody else would just simply set up a new account...but I strongly feel redstarr/Isuzu was a Troll, and many times trolls aren't very smart about things of that nature.

Awww...I adore Dr. Schram. :rolleyes2: Thanks for asking! Of course, most bandsters really are fantastic cheerleaders for their own personal surgeons. I think he's phenomenal and I love talking about him. Sorry to hear about your fill. You must have had really great restriction before your first fill if you had trouble during your first fill. I healed way too fast (that's usually a good thing) so I was feeling like I never even had the surgery. Zero restriction and it was hell until I got filled. Once I got filled, it got better, but I am really looking forward to fill #2 on March 19th. I think that will make all the difference in the world. I'm close...but no cigar. Sounds like your nausea may have been nerves? Yes, I knew I was getting the Realize band before the surgery. He had told me about it beforehand and brought it in to show me. I got to really check it out and he explained everything about it to me. He switched to Realize bands back in November and he only places Realize bands now. He doesn't use any other brand or style of band. Other dudes over there use other bands...so if anybody didn't want the Realize, they still have the choice to use one of the other surgeons. I'm babbling. I think he's great and I love the facility. The nurses are (mostly) really great, too. I had a great big b**** of a Radiographer the day after my surgery, but nobody else ever upset me at the facility. How about you?

ATTENTION!!! A NEW THREAD HAS BEGUN FOR THIS CHALLENGE. PLEASE RELOCATE ANY POSTS RELATING TO THIS SUBJECT TO THE NEW THREAD. THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK! :biggrin2:

I keep feeling my collar bones, also! I think the 13 lbs. I've lost seriously all came off only in my face, neck & shoulders...but that's okay. I'll take it! I have to say that each and every time I've lost significant weight in my life, I judge everything straight by the collar bones and hip bones. I can't WAIT to feel those hip bones again. I love laying in bed on my back and just gently touching them (yeah, that sounds dirty after I wrote it). I'm so looking forward to doing that again. :biggrin2:

I started a ticker for the 600 Minute March! I also added NSV goals to my siggy. Things are going well, I suppose. Could be better, so I'm joining Curves tomorrow. I'm just not losing the weight so I need more structure in my exercise regimen. I have decent restriction only part of the time after my first fill. My 2nd fill is coming up March 19th and it just cannot come soon enough! How's everybody else doing?

Ang1982: Since you began the thread, I think you are the only one who can change the thread title. Wanna change it to 600 Minute March? You don't have to...but it's cute. :rolleyes2: Or, I'll go ahead and begin a new thread if you'd like me to. That's no problem. Just let me know!

I have trouble (only had 1 fill and I only have very mild restriction) with soft breads and flour tortillas. I can't do hamburger or hot dog buns, dinner rolls, etc. However, if any one of those are toasted or grilled, then I'm okay. I only have a hard time when they are fresh and soft. MAN getting stuff stuck HURTS like a mo-fo!!! :rolleyes2:

The bottom line is that it appeared deceptive. After redstarr's "final" post of saying "My work here is done. Goodbye...", there was a post shortly after responding to another question, this time by someone named Isuzu, and at the time, it definitely appeared deceptive. I wasn't the only person to comment about the ironic name change and it's timing. If you don't see it that way, then please take your own advice and don't read the info I present. Also, you commented to me about there being nothing to support my comments about Isuzu being paid by another company to run around band-bashing the Realize product. Well, Isuzu said that Proctors get paid by companies and they are swayed and paid off to support one product over another. In another of his/her previous posts, Isuzu claimed to BE a proctor for another band company. By his/her own admission and definition of a Proctor, he/she outed his/her self as being paid to run around band-bashing the Realize band. *sigh* I don't know why I had to correct you, but I did. I really didn't wanna rehash, but when you singled me out and reprimanded me, I had to defend myself. It's my own personal nature. Also, just as Isuzu has his/her rights to be passionate about ripping a product apart that is in my body, well then I also have the right to defend that product and I may be a bit passionate about it. I'm not going to make any apologies for that. Now that the Isuzu character seems to have run off, this thread is much more pleasant and I wanna keep it that way. So...enough of all the "he said, she said" junk. Sorry to interject it one last time. I just couldn't help myself. Of course, ya'll can just ignore me if ya want, right? :rolleyes2:

I haven't given up soda. I still enjoy a Coke 1 or 2 times a week. It doesn't affect me negatively in any way whatsoever. My doc recommends giving up soda because it may help with the weight loss...but he doesn't demand that his patients give it up for band reasons at all. It doesn't even give me gas pains like some people complain about. I do notice that I retain more Water when I do drink soda, which is why I limit myself to having them only as a real treat once in awhile. I also did NOT have to do any type of liquid diet in the pre-op days. I only had 2 week full liquids post-op, 1 week purees and then 1 week soft foods. It wasn't that difficult, really.

I had my first fill today! I'm so excited. He gave me a rather aggressive fill and put 3cc's in my 9cc Realize band. I'm thrilled! He usually doesn't give more than 2cc's on a first fill for his patients, but since I'm struggling and I've gained 5 pounds, he was a bit more aggressive with me. I really hope I feel some restriction. I have no idea what restriction feels like. I've not had a bit of any restriction yet since I had my surgery. It's very disappointing. My beef is that if I could have done this on my own without the band, then I wouldn't have needed the band in the first place. So far, I've convinced myself that the band is merely a placebo, and all band patients are just dieting like the pre-band days. Not sure what the big deal is about this band stuff anymore. I'm really nervous that I've fallen victim to some sort of scam by getting this band. I know that's not true, but that's how I feel. I just don't get how this thing is supposed to work. So, I'm hoping I'll get a taste of this band stuff SOON now that I've been filled a pretty good amount for the first time. I'm excited and a bit scared that I'll be one of those who needs like 4 fills before restriction...and then I'll be angry because what in the heck was the point in getting this thing then? Aaarrgh!!! I'm frustrated, but I'm not angry. I'm not band-bashing, so don't get upset with me. I'm just confused and I'm just typing out my thoughts as they enter my head. Give me some reassurance. Will this really work? I finished out my day on purees, and I'll stick to soft foods tomorrow. Wednesday I hope to try regular foods and I'll post back to let you all know how things are going.

VERY well put! I could not have said it better myself. When I read the original post, all these same thoughts were shooting through my head. Thanks for saving me all that time typing. :w00t:

Count me in as well! So...600 minutes for March Challenge? Oh, should we come up with an official name so we can easily find the thread? Here are some ideas with a play on words-type idea: 600 Minute March! (get it?) Marchin' the Minutes The MinuteBand March ...I'm just brainstorming.

Nope. I don't think he had help with surgery at all. Jared was a real dude who had a goal and he reached it. THEN he contacted Subway and told them what he had done. I think it's a pretty great story. Some people can actually lose weight without needing this contraption that we've received. I wish I was one of them, but I'm not. I needed the little extra tool...but that's okay, too. I applaud Jared for what he did, and for keeping the weight off. Sometimes, even the rich & famous can't keep the weight off no matter how many trainers, cooks, nutritionists and diet plans they pay for. Look at Oprah, for example. Even better...look at Carnie Wilson, who is now back up to over 200 pounds. She had gastric bypass and still gained the weight back. She has a trainer and still gained the weight back. She's not as big as she was pre-surgery, but she's slowly getting up there again.

The problem with hitting the ignore button is that I would no longer be humored by certain posters... ...and I can speak for myself when I say that none of this is angering me in the least...it's pure entertainment. It doesn't take much for me to have fun.

We are not arguing that the Realize band is not triangle shaped. But that's how the band is when it is filled with only air in the center...not when it is filled when wrapped around the stomach. When it is wrapped around the stomach, the fluid spreads out and becomes rounded around the stomach muscles. This has been verified by my surgeon as well. Also, it's just simple physics. I don't see the rest of us as attacking Isuzu/redstarr (switched names halfway through the thread so as to appear as a secondary voice to his/her arguments)...I see us as trying to correct some major misconceptions this individual has. Plus the whole "I'm right and you're wrong, period."-type of statements he's putting out are just reiterating our points that this troll is nothing but a pawn for some other company to come around here and band-bash another brand name. *shrug* It's quite obvious, really.