mediummike

Dave - never had any real rough patches so to speak. Things have stalled out in the weight loss category now and then but I guess that is to be expected. In reality, during those non-loss stretches, I never gained and in fact did notice other NSV's - most notably in clothes - I wear a suit every day and have steadily been "retiring" older suits and shirts and having to buy new ones. Although I was losing a lot of weight, I never had any restriction until my 3rd fill and then screwed up and went for a fourth. That was the worse thing i did as I had a very hard time holding down anything and had to get an unfill. That was in September and have not been adjusted since. Like I mentioned earlier, I don't really even think about eating anymore. I focus on eating healthy when i do (go for lean proteins) and continue exercising regularly. I look more forward to exercising than eating these days. I'm in a bit of a funk the last couple of days because I have a bad cold and have missed the gym (have not been since Thursday and will not be able to tomorrow either as I am going skiing this weekend and need to shake this thing). Sounds like you're doing great - and many others posting on this site !!!! keep it up...

Copied over from my post in the "Men's Room" One year Can't believe it but it has been one year today since I got banded. Why didn't I do this sooner ? I am down 93 pounds, and pardon my confidence, but look and feel great. I am, at 41 years old, arguably in the best shape of my life. I will never be "thin" but I could care less - as long as I am healthy and feel as good as I do. The band is amazing. I continue to lose weight without really thinking about it. I do my part with the exercise and am highly motivated in doing so. Ok enough gloating. Down 2 more pounds this week....

One year Can't believe it but it has been one year today since I got banded. Why didn't I do this sooner ? I am down 93 pounds, and pardon my confidence, but look and feel great. I am, at 41 years old, arguably in the best shape of my life. I will never be "thin" but I could care less - as long as I am healthy and feel as good as I do. The band is amazing. I continue to lose weight without really thinking about it. I do my part with the exercise and am highly motivated in doing so. Ok enough gloating. Down 2 more pounds this week....

Normal. It took 3 fills before I felt any restriction. Think of this as the practice period - small bites, chew, etc...it will be helpfull once once restriction kicks in, which it will. This is the period known as "bandster hell" (a lot of strings on this site will offer more), although I didn't find it too bad and lost o a lot of weight during this phase. Keep at it and also start an exercise routine.

70's ? Very jealous Harold. It was 11 in my car this am. By the way, you may be 4" shorter, but you are also 29 years older - so that makes us even. Great job. Yes Dave, a week from tomorrow will be one year. Hard to believe. I am now 247lbs down from 338lbs (I lost 1lb this week). I met with my dr. this past Monday and they seem happy. I have a fluroscopy on Tuesday to make sure innards are well. I still have over a week to go to drop a few more. Next weigh in will be the 1 year mark.

Doctor wanted me out of the weight room for a month I believe. Probably could have handled some light lifting after two weeks, but certainly be carefull and check (and listen to) with your surgeon...

Nice work Dave !

I see Fenton lurking in the monthly support areas but he is definitely missed in the mens room !!

love the diet mountain dew - treat myself 2-3 times a week.

Allan - surgery and recovery are, for the most part, a breeze. Get used to eating small portions, chewing like mad and focusing on the right foods (e.g., proteins first!). Make sure you have a "plan" for post-op (your surgeon or nutritionist should give you eating "instructions" for at least the first couple of months). Listen to all the experts (dr's, nutritionist's) advice. And by all means - get moving. Walk walk walk at first and build it up as your body tolerates. Congratulations on your surgery.

Yay. Had a nice drop this week ! Down 4 lbs to 248 - finally in the 240's and 10 lbs from first goal. I have rescheduled my one yaer post surgery doctors appointment for Feb 4 so hope to drop a few more pounds before then. Honestly have not changed much of anything - I think I was just in the dreaded weight loss holding pattern a/k/a a plateau. Ok maybe a few Christmas cookies here and there and a bit more holiday "cheer" than usual. At least I never gained. Whatever - seem to be back on the losing track and now looking forward to the 230's !!

Nice work Dave and Harold. I'm hoping to see the 240's this week...

Agree with Jacqui - cant imagine the band adding any additional risk to injury. Always good to run it by your doc..

Down a pound this week. Looks like I'm picking up some momentum and will keep on keeping on...

Can eat mostly anything - burgers are not that difficult for me - I just eat much less than before. For instance, the once a month I find myself at a fast food place with my kids, i will get a burger and eat about half to 3/4 of the burger and that is it - no bun, no fries and I'm fully satisfied. I make a much better burger at home (leaner meat, onions, spices) so I don't crave the fast food joints at all though...

Harold - I will be sure to send candies - sugar free of course !!! David - thanks - I'll take any and all inspiration. Honestly, I'm not upset, actually quite happy where I am. I see other NSV's all along (especially clothes) that keep me happy away from the scale. I bust my butt at least 5 days at the gym, eat like a "normal" human being and when I don't, the band is there to remind me. I feel better now than I have in years. I know its just a number, but would like to see myself at overweight, not obese sooner than later....

Well I weighed in at 253 again - no change. I guess I'm happy as I managed not to gain anything over the holidays, although I'm starting to think that my scale is busted because I have been in this range for over a month now ! I want to get into the 240's before my one year anniversary, so I will continue on. Maybe get a little fill next week when I see my doctor..

Ezma - some ideas for walking - try a local mall (bigger the better). When my DW drags me to the mall, I will usually just walk all over the place. Its great exercising with plenty of distractions. Many malls open early (before the stores) just so people can walk around. Also, I was on vacation last week upstate and we needed to do a lot of shopping (we had several families styaing in a ski house). I was bummed we were away from the gym (but I did ski), however, I found super Wal-Mart to be as good as any mall for walking...

Harold - you're knocking on my door (I'm at 253 lbs) - great job so far ! I passed weighing in last week (New Years Day) but will report back on Thursday. I'm just hoping I did not gain over the Holiday stretch. I see my doctor next week and am torn over wether I should get a fill or not. I have restriction, although it has been tighter. I'll discuss with them and decide then. More importantly, I'm approaching my one year (Feb 13) and want to get the chest xray and fluroscopy done to make sure the innards are still ok....

At least 5 days a week. I find it critical to my weight loss. At the gym 5am M-F, except Thursday - I play tennis Wednesday nights until 11pm so I take Thursday am off. At least one weekend day when I get to it. 60 minutes of treadmill and 20+ minutes of weights. In the office by 8am and I find this a great way to start my day.

I can still do beer - just much less. Agree with the Guiness comment - it does go down easier. I will have a few beers, then if I want to continue, I will switch to wine, scotch or my favorite - bourbon.

i crushed my pills for the first couple of months but now I can manage small pills. incidently, there is a bit of controversy around taking advil in that it may cause stomach damage to people that have been banded. my doc reccomends tylenol. i certainly do not know for sure if advil positively causes any damage...

Couple of things - first, are you exercising ? Can not under estimate what regular exercise can do for you. Second - track what you eat - write it down ! Very important little trick. You may be surprised as to what you are eating (calories wise). It sounds like you do not need a fill if you are getting food stuck. Make sure you are front loading proteins and chewing well. You may want to go see a nutritionist for some guidance as well.

good going goat. hopefully with the fills the hunger will subside. have a merry one yourself !

think it would be safe to say many of us (if not most of us) have, as jack said, "been there...done that"