Eat2Live

And I'm so glad I have the band. I'm a male that started my pre-op diet on March 28, at 319lbs and now I'm down 243lbs yeilding a 76lb weight-loss in 3.5 months. I still haven't had a fill at my doctor's request. I think part of it is due to a smaller band installed by my doctor and my change in eating habits. I've become so enamored with exercise, healthly eating habits, and maintaining a mentally-strong mindset that I haven't stumbled yet. My doctor doesn't want my results to suffer from a change in habit caused by a fill. As conceded as it sounds, everyday that goes by I become stronger (mentally and physically) and the stumbling blocks become easier to traverse. I'm winning and the margin of victory is increasing!:thumbs_down: I hope those of you considering the band take into account all the advantages and disadvantages. I also hope you realize the high success rate of the band if its used as a tool in your fight against weight problems. You have to chose which team you want to be on, the band or your weight problem. You're the swing vote. Team up and work with the band and the weight-problem will lose. Team up with the weight-porblem and work against the band and the band will lose...it's really that simple. Good Luck to Everyone!

Much like anything in life, some people's road is less bumpy than others. I was banded on 4/11 at a weight of 320lbs, began my pre-diet on 3/28 and in less than 3 months, I've lost 75lbs and weigh 245. I haven't been hungry and my doctor recommended I not get a fill during my only fill visit because I'm losing almost a pound a day. It's fat loss because my I consistly lifting more weight during my workouts and building muscle. I haven't PBed or been stuck or found any foods that I have trouble eating. For me, all of side effects and downside pales in comparsion to dying at an early age. Being morbidly obese and living to be 45 isn't near as appealing as PBing ever other day while being relatively healthy and living till your 70. This really rang true with me when I discussed the downside of lap-band with friend of mine confined to wheelchair...he said he would take all the side effects of lap-band while not lossing a single pound if it would make him walk again...kinda made my worries somewhat trival.

When I went to have my first fill, my doctor looked at my file and read his notes...he basically had several sizes of bands to choose from based on the size of the stomach. My stomach was "in-between" two band sizes. I'm not sure if weight coorelates to stomach size but i was 319lbs with a realtively small (as he put it) stomach. He chose the smaller band for me because it meant less fills down road (seemed odd since thats money out of his pocket but thats make me trust that he has my best interest at heart). He put in the smaller band with hopes that I would only need maybe 1 or 2 fills. He said it was unlikely that I would need more than one fill. Even with a small band and no fill, I don't get stuck and having PBed yet. He then looked at my weightloss which was roughly a pound a day since surgery and asked me if I felt full when I ate and gauged my hunger. I felt full from small amounts and the proof was in the weight loss...so no fill on the first fill visit and I haven't been to my second fill visit yet but I'm still losing roughly a pound a day. I'm glad I have the smaller band and may only need one fill.

I had my first gout attack in college 10 years ago...too much meat and beer coupled with rigorous football work-outs. I've taken colchicine and allupurinol ever since. Some of my thoughts: Rapid weight loss which usually means the body is feeding on its own muscle puts strain on the kidneys and causes gout flare up. The breakdown of human muscle tissue (strength training) can cause flares so take your time starting a work-out regimen. Atkins Diet is an absolute no-no. As soon as you notice (and will once you have more than one attack you'll notice the first signs) the gout coming on, start your Water gorging and reduction in animal Protein asap. Beer is gas on the gout fire. It gets worse at night. Sorry for the lack of a better phrase but keep your pee clear...lots of water. Keep your salt down. Aleve or ibuprohen during flare-ups with your regular precriptions. In summary, drastic changes in your health tend to cause flare ups so offset these with lots water and ease into all your weight-loss tasks.

I think its also important to realize that improved health is an important aspect. There are times when I step on the scale and my weight hasn't budged and I immediately remind myself of hoe well I've treated my body (as opposed to pre-band) even though I didn't lose weight...eating and living right and not losing lbs for couple of days or week is better than the alternative...

I made up my mind that I needed help following my 10 year class reunion and my dad having stents(sp) put in the arteries around his heart. I feel so much better everyday and "stable" is another word that comes to mind. I hit a point about two weeks ago where I realized I was no longer climbing the "weight-loss" mountain...I just feel like I've conquered it. My diet Mon-Fri gives me between 900 and 1200 calories a day and appr. 100g of protein: Breakfast I have 1/2 cup of steel cut oats with a tsp of vallina and 8oz of reduced cal and sugar oj...280cal. I eat 12-14 Reduced fat Triscuits throughout a day...240 cals. 3oz of albacore tuna or chicken breast (smallest can) and 8.5oz can of peas/green beans/baby lima Beans for lunch...120-200cal with 20-30 grams of Protein. Cardio workout after work I have a Myoplex lite packet (choc., van., or strawberry), 1 scoop of whey protein (choc.), 1 tbls of phyllium seed husk (excellent natural fiber) blending with 12oz of skim milk...380cal with 60g of protein Cardio plus strength training days I switch the Myoplex lite with Myoplex orginal and it gives the shake 440cal and 80g of protein. I do cardio 5 days a week and strentgh train every other day. On the weekend I change it up and stay under 1300 calories and little hicups (like BBQ but keep it reasonable) once every ten days keep your body guessing. Ex: Two weeks ago, I did my Mon-Fri regimen exactly and lost 3lbs. I went to an out of town wedding for the weekend with no work-out and BBQ twice and lost 5lbs...wierd. But I haven't drank alcohol or had white carbs since the surgery and that is key for me! Good Luck!

I'm still amazed at how much the band has changed me. Since surgery, I feel "normalized", for lack of a better word, throughout the day. My feelings were very volitale in that I felt good in the mornings, tiring throughout the day, better in the afternoons, and crashing around 8 or so at night. I get better sleep in less amount of time and I feel just as strong at 9pm as a I do at 9am. I had about 130lbs to lose when i started the pre-op diet and the first 65 came off in 2.5 months...I'm really looking forward to the rest being gone ASAP! Good Luck to everyone and it can definitely be worth the journey if you do your part...the band will succeed if you hold up your end of the bargain!

I found the premade shake to be disgusting to say the least. I'm not sure how the same brand in powder can taste so much better than the premade version. I guess to have adequate shelf life in a liquid form they have to add something. I tasted three brands before realizing the powder was the way to go. I love the Myoplex powders that come in individual serving packets. I bought a $15 blender from wal-mart in which the blended shake can be removed, container and all, and used like a normal drinking glass. I do a Myoplex lite, scoop of Whey Protein, and one tbls psyllium seed husk with 12oz skim milk (~60g of protein) on days that I only do cardio. Days I strength train and cardio, I do a Myoplex Orginal, scoop of Whey Protien, and one tbls psyllium seed husk with 12oz of skim milk (~85g of protien). My daily protein requirements are ~125g and these shakes get me there following Breakfast and lunch. I've lost 65lbs (52% of my total goal) so far so I'm really happy with my combo. Good luck finding what works for you!

Thanks for the replies. I've been doing quite a bit of strength training since I was cleared to do so by the surgeon and thats how been justifying the 85-95 grams I get a day. A lot of it comes Protein shakes as I'm just not hungry enough to sit down and eat meals in the afternoon. I eat steel cut oatmeal at Breakfast and something small with chicken or fish for lunch but the protein shakes I drink following my work-out in the afternoon give me about 60 grams of protein for muscle repair throughout the night. My calorie intake stays below 1200/day with 50lbs lost in 56 days so I guess I'll keep on the same track. Good luck to everyone.

With all the research I've done, nothing seems more confusing than daily Protein requirements. The concensus formula is .75-.8 grams per kilogram (2.2lbs) but I'm not able to determine if this formula is strictly for someone with a low body fat. If the body composition (lean mass versus non-lean mass) doesn't effect the formula then so be it but if it does, whats the formula for someone with a large amount of fat as opposed to lean mass. I was banded in April so obviously I don't fall in the "low body fat" catagory but I don't want to consume 98 grams based on the formula if the formula assumes that my weight is primarily comprised of muscle. I've seen various other statistics that say I need as little as 40 grams. Any insight would be helpful.

I went yesterday for my first fill visit and it went differently than I expected. I have approximately 120lbs to lose and I lost 45lbs in the first 42 days (beginning with pre-op diet). The surgeon asked about my appetitie and I told him that over the last 42 days I could count one hand the times I was hungry. Basically, I have to remind myself to eat. I've realized that my pre-band life was full of cravings and not hunger. After looking at my file, he realized that right after surgery, he removed saline from the band and after a couple of days of feeling tight following surgery, he removed the rest of the saline. He then told me that during surgery he felt my stomach was in between a large band and a small band (I didn't know there were sizes). The large band would have required numerous fills once fat started melting. He trimmed the fat around my stomach and installed the smaller band which has actually created restriction while empty. He said doing a fill in hopes of gaining more weight loss when I was losing 7lbs a week wasn't in my best interest. He wants me back in 4 weeks to see if a fill is necessary at that time but he doubts I'll ever need more than 2 or 3ccs in my band. I'm very happy with my loss so far and feel better than I have since college. I'm extremely glad he decided on the smaller band too! Good Luck to Everyone!!!

I feel almost 100%. First, thanks to everyone who posts as you provide valuable insight pre and post-op. Second, I was always curious as to specific play-by-play so to speak of right before surgery and right after so I'll give my details for those that may be curious. On Friday, March 28, I visited my PCP to let him know that I'd started my pre-op diet that morning. I'm a 30 year old male at 5'10 that tipped the scales that day at 319. After recieving his blessings, I began the daily diet of 2 8oz shakes, 2 meals of 5oz chicken or fish, and small amounts of veggies. The two weeks were surprising easy compared to my previous dieting attempts. On Thursday, April 10, I went to my pre-op appointment to recieve instructions for surgery the following day. I was somewhat shocked when I weighed in at 296 yielding a 23lb loss during the two week pre-op diet. I was even more shocked when I was told I could have regular meal the night before the surgery (I have no idea if this is the norm but it's true and I went to macaroni Grill). I wasn't quite sure about eating a big meal the night before surgery but my body had become accustom to the pre-op diet and at 3:00am that night, I had no more worries that the dinner would be there during surgery (most pc way to put it). On Friday, April 11, I went into surgery at approximately 10:30am and was awakened to very little pain (obviously I was under the influence of surgery meds). After surgery, I had a x-ray to determine if Fluid should be removed from my band and is was (a very small amount). After an hour drive, I was home by 2:00pm. I felt better than I thought i would after surgery and began my breathing and walking regime. I walked down the street (approximately 5 or 6 house) and back about every two hours till about 9pm. Around 7pm, the gas pains started. the gas pains have been vast majority of pain through out the process. They were very uncomfortable and seemed to worsen with walking but that apparently is the cure for them. I felt very good in a recliner and slept there (very well) Friday night (and every subsequent night) with the help of pain meds. Saturday, April 12, was much of the same, walk a little farther, drink Water and gatorade if I could, breathing exercise, rest, and sleep. Still no pain from the incisions or internally...just gas. Sunday, April 13, I was profoundly better. Gas has been cut by what seemed like 70% by lunch and was completely gone by dark. Drank two shakes and had some applesauce (maybe 3 or 4 bites) but wasn't very hungry....quite a bit of water. Monday, April 14, I was intending on going back to work but I had what felt like heartburn. I called my surgeon and after a brief discussion I chose to come in and for him to take a look. He determined that I still had too much restriction and took most of my fluid out of the band (which I was hoping to keep). Same eating and drinking as Sunday. Today, I still have a little heartburn but I think it may be due to some internal swelling. My stomach muscles are sore for the first time but its not bad at all as I've returned to work. Still no incision pains. Still the same eating a drinking regime as the previous two days. Sorry for the long post but I know I was interested in seeing peoples journey and maybe mine will answer a question someone has or provide another perspective. I have no idea if my process is indicative of the normal process and obviously, no one can operate under the premise that it is. Just to be clear. So far, it has definitely been worth the cash and the pain and I'm only 4 days banded. Good luck to everyone!

My surgery is scheduled for Friday and the only aspect that has caused me stress is telling my friends and family that I do not want them at the surgery. If I was able to complete the process by myself, I would do it, no questions asked. I have a roommate, childhood friend, who is going to handle everything I can't over the next week and be at the surgery. Over the last week, its been a huge discussion point in my circle of friends and some took exception (I think). Most have asked why I feel this way and my answer is simple. I've never has surgery but I've been involved in 3 big surgeries involving 3 of the closest people in my life. We shared "Goodbyes" on their way into surgery and 2 of them didn't make it. Their surgeries were much more severe but I don't want any goodbyes and its inevitable if they attend the surgery. Just curious as to anyones thought? Thanks

I think I finally have everything calmed down but involved me giving in. So now 2 of my friends along with the orginal friend who is taking me will be in attendence. I guess I ended up feeling that I was somehow being selfish. The stress of dealing with people being there right before the surgery has to be less than the last couple of days of what has felt like "party planning". At any rate, I'm less than 24 hours from surgery and I'm ready and excited! Thanks for everyones replies!

Again, thanks for everyones insight. As of a few moments ago, I now have one of my closest friends who's so upset at my perspective that he won't even talk to me and we're less than 48 hours from my surgery. One would think I would be stressed about all the other aspects of the process but I'm extremely stressed out about managing this aspect. Its extremely frustrating and I don't need it right now!

Thanks for the insight. My parents were actually more understanding than my friends since they were involved the 3 surgeries I referenced in my first post. I have very large circle of friends and I've been single pretty much my whole 30 years of life so I'm extemely close to most of my friends. I think they developed a certain level/feeling of obligation since I don't have a wife/girlfriend in my life to share these moments with.

Hello Everyone- I've never been one to get too involved with virtual groups on the internet but after several months of reading this site, I can see its advantages. I'm scheduled for surgery this Friday in Dallas and I'm very excited. Much like some of you, I've struggled with my weight my entire life. I played sports in high school which kept my weight managable but that quickly went away with the rigors of college (good and bad). I'm a single guy that hasn't changed his lifestyle much from college other than the suit and tie I wear to the office everyday. I don't look to post much but I thank those of you that do for the insight and inspiration you'll provide me. Good Luck to Everyone!

I'm technically in Fort Worth but Dr. Felts is doing the procedure.

Good Luck with your surgery. Ironically enough, I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr. Felts on the same day as you!:thumbs_up: