lellow

momster, I just wanted to add that I do 95% of my exercise at home, on a spin bike I bought off the net, in the dark, after the kids go to bed and when DH is watching TV. I don't go the gym, but I do walk once a week with a friend. The rest, I do virtually in complete privacy.

In the last 7 months I've been a part of this board, I constantly have read about how new people who are looking into the band worry that getting a lapband will mean that they won't lose weight fast enough or that they'll have to work out all the time to lose, and they're scared off by that. They often talk about RNY instead, thinking that it will mean quicker weight loss and won't require as much 'work' on their part. Today I even read someone say 'if I wanted to work hard to lose weight, I wouldn't need the band, I could just do it on my own' or something to that effect. And I think part of the problem is that the band doesn't get enough credit. And there aren't enough realistic expectations about what WLS can achieve, NOT just in the short term, but in the long term as well. So I'm here to share what I've personally learnt in the last few months, thanks to this forum: Yes, the band is only a tool. But it's very effective tool to control your physcial hunger and control your portions. It's not going to help with you head hunger - no WLS will do that for you. If you can't get control of your head hunger, WLS will not work for you, no matter what you get done. You can eat around any WLS if you want. Yes, you have to exercise, even if it's only moderately to start with. And this is because a sluggish metabolism developed from too much dieting over the years means that you could eat the same as a skinny person and still get fat. If you try to eat less, your metabolism slows even more. To lose, you NOT ONLY need to eat less (less calories), but you also ideally need to get your body to burn it off faster (with exercise which increases your metabolism). Otherwise as you get older, your metabolism gets slower, and you will start to regain. This is true with whatever surgery you decide on. In fact it's true if you want to lose weight and keep it off long term period. WLS is is one part of a bigger picture, and that's something you shouldn't lose sight of. You will probably lose more slowly with the band. But in studies, it shows that total weight loss between band and RNY at the 5 year mark is similar. In fact regain in the band is less than that of RNY. I don't know about everyone else, but I am prepared to trade off slower weight loss for less regain long term. And for that matter, I don't HAVE to accept that the band will means slower weight loss. In fact I haven't and have lost almost 60 lbs in just over 6 months. I don't consider that slow at all, in the whole scheme of things Weight loss isn't simply a physical thing, it's also a mental thing. Because for long term weight loss, you need a two-pronged attack - physiological (the band/RNY/whatever) and psychological (your attitude). If you want a miracle cure to your weight problems without changing how you think about food, WLS will never be the answer for you. There are loads of RNY, lapband etc patients who don't overcome their food addictions, and unfortunately surgery isn't the answer in situations like that. I am proud to give my band credit for helping me. Yes I exercise, yes I make good food choices, but the band makes it EASIER for me to do those things now. I tried and failed for 20 years to lose the weight, and the ONLY difference between then and now is that my band is there to provide portion control all day every day. Yes I slip up, yes I'm not perfect, yes I sometimes still battle head hunger (less and less so though as time passes) but the band is very forgiving. I get back on the wagon the next day and it rewards me with making sure I haven't gained 5 lbs like I used to whenever I fell of the wagon pre-band. Sometimes, despite falling of the wagon, I still lose. So if you're wondering if the band is nothing more than a gimmick that won't help you do anything more than you could have done yourself, perhaps this will be a small reminder that there are literally THOUSANDS of successful banders who have lost the weight and kept it off because of the band. I have NEVER lost this much weight before, or done it quite so easily either. This is no gimmick - the band WORKS. But it's no miracle cure - a lot of it is up to you. If you're not prepared for that, will any WLS be the answer for you?

As of today I've lost 1.5lbs. So another 6.9lbs to go.

I used to weigh myself any chance I got, but the novelty of that did wear off after a while. I only weigh once a day now, first thing in the morning, when I wake up and after I go to the loo.

I see this really often on this board. On or around the 4th week post surgery, many people come on asking why they've stopped losing, or even gaining, despite eating 1000 calories or less per day, and exercising. The fact is, right after your surgery, you were on Clear liquids and were eating very few calories - probably around 600 calories per day. On that sort of calorie intake, your body goes into starvation mode, and while you will shed weight like crazy, your metabolism slows down to try to 'survive' starvation. It also burns not only fat but muscle in an effort to 'fuel' energy for you. Once you start to move from 600 calories to 1000 or so calories, and especially if you start or resume exercise, what you're essentially doing is building muscle again (which makes you put ON weight) and battling a slower metabolism, so even on 1000 calories, your body is hanging on to every kj it can. You will eventually break the starvation cycle by moving to mushies, and then solids, but your metabolism will be slow, and the only real way to kick it up the backside is to exercise. Aerobic exercise is great (and burns heaps of calories) but muscle-building exercises is what will increase your metabolism. So in a couple of weeks, if you're exercising, you will start seeing losses again. But at 4 weeks or so post op, this 'plateau' happens to just about everyone. HTH.

It's not too late to measure yourself. I don't know when you were banded, but I only took measurements after I was banded. I also weigh myself everyday. The first rule of doing that is NOT to beat yourself up over a 1 or 2lb variance in weight from day to day. Just as long as it's not MORE than a 1 or 2 lb variance. And if it is, use it to spur you on to eating better and exercising so you get back on track faster. I couldn't do without my scale, I'm afraid.

I weigh myself everyday too. Every morning after going to the loo, and in the nuddy. And I have learnt to expect a 1/2 kilo (about 1-2lbs) difference here and there, but on average I want to be the same weight at least two days in a row to accept that it's my new 'lowest' weight. And as long as I don't display more than that 0.5kg variance I know I'm on the right track. I actually like weighing myself everyday too. I reckon it's a great reminder to tackle each day's challenges and come out the other end feeling better for it. It spurs me onto exercise too - because after a session on my spin bike, I'm almost guaranteed a loss in the next few days!

I was banded by Steve Watson, who consults out of SJOG Murdoch. I am with HBF so don't know what your fund covers but I paid $1900 for the op, nothing for anaethetist (completely covered) and about $130 for the hospital (mostly pharmacy though).

shaggs, The thing that worked for me with gas pain was peppermint tea (which I loathed but, damn, it did the trick) and walking. Exercise, to this day, helps me get gas out. And as you get more fills and get tighter, burping becomes harder to do without exercise. As for the alcohol - hell, it used to take a LOT to get me tipsy. Now it takes 2 glasses! And try to stick with not giving in the the sugar cravings if you can - you get over them soon enough, believe it or not. Now if I have something too sugary, I feel a little ill. And don't be surprised that things you used to love the taste off suddenly don't taste the same. There was a thread about it recently and I think a lot of banders go through it - and it may well mean the end of your love affair with food (and drink!) and that's not such a bad thing, trust me!

Oh hell and I had a real slack week too! Only lost 0.3kgs (or 0.7lb)! It was my DH's and my anniversary on Monday past and we had a huge, lovely high calorie meal (well huge for me anyway) and I only exercised once this week. So a small loss is excellent (and surprising) news all things considered. I said in another thread that my Dr has said that if I get too much lower than 70kgs, he will unfill me a little so that I'll stop losing and start maintaining. So rather than him do that, I've eased off on the exercise a bit and am not watching what I eat too closely so I don't get down lower than 68kgs (I'm 71.8kgs now) before my PS. Otherwise when he refills me post-PS, he reckons he will keep me more 'loose' than I am now. I actually quite like my restriction level now, so am now just trying to ease back on the rate of weight loss a little. So while I'd like to still keep losing, I am actually hoping NOT to post huge losses from now on, believe it or not.

gingerbug, it's so funny that you're talking about unfilling. My Dr has hinted (okay more than a hint) that if I keep losing at this rate and get down too low that he may unfill me a little so I can stop losing and maintain instead. And I said: can't I just exercise less? But I actually think he doesn't trust me to exercise less! And tbh I don't blame him. The acid test will be when I see him just before I go for my PS - he says if I'm too much under 70kgs by then, he won't refill me as much after my LBL. So I'm so torn between still trying to lose (I'm 4lbs off goal) and trying not to lose so I don't end up with less fill when he refills me! So yeah I'm a basketcase now, and completely get how you're feeling!

Hi slimmy! I'm happy to have a chat with you about it matey. I am going down that route, as you know, but I have to admit I found it incredibly difficult finding any feedback about WA surgeons, costs and aftercare information. I eventually went with the PS my bariatric surgeon recommended, because it was the only real recommendation I managed to get! I'm trying to research the surgery (and my surgeon) as much as possible, but can't find anyone in Perth who's done it that's still around. I did find one lady who posted in a yahoo group who was operated on by my PS and she raved about him, but that was in 2004 and she hasn't posted in a long time, so I can't pick her brains about it. So I do feel like I'm going in a little blind. I like my PS, he certainly inspired confidence when I met him, but I'm a bit of a control freak - I want to know exactly who I'm dealing with. Unfortunately, it's not that easy to do with Perth surgeons.

My BMI was 35 when I went in for surgery and I've lost almost all my excess weight in 6 months. I did put in effort though - I cycle until I'm pouring with sweat 3 times a week minimum. But then I was always quite active, even before surgery, so this was just stepping my exercise up a couple of notches. The band is supposed to work well for low BMIers. But how fast you lose will depend on the effort you put in.

bigpapa, your progress has been inspirational, never mind the amazing post you just wrote. :tt2: I too have not one regret about being banded. My son and I were looking at old photos yesterday and I realised that I am now thinner than I was almost 19 years ago, when I was 20 years of age. Never thought I'd ever see that day! After a lifetime of dieting and failing, this actually WORKS.

fleminld, oh hun you are soooo not a slow loser!!! Even from surgery, you've shed close to 50lbs! And you're down 90lbs altogether! I reckon that's something to celebrate!

I'm 6 weeks out from having a LBL and wanted to ask those who've BTDT: what could you NOT live without in the weeks after surgery? What should I be buying/hiring to ensure the most amount of comfort for myself in those first few weeks? How should I prepare DH? What should I be doing to prepare? Thanks in advance for any advice!!

3 days clear liquids, 3 days full liquids, 1 week mushies, soft foods for another week then normal foods.

Shaggs, you're only healing for a while. Pretty soon you'll be able to have wine and nibblies again. I'm 6 months post op and I still have wine now and again, and nibblies if I feel like it. But instead of potato chips, I get flavoured rice crackers and sunflower seeds. That way, I'm still joining in with the activity without eating too many 'empty' calories. PS plus they're yummy!

emmsie, do you have an 10cc band? It's taken me 5 fills to get to 6.75cc and I'm pretty well restricted now. How are you going though? Are you able to drink liquids without difficulty? If so, you're probably fine.

Hi Diva, there are a few Australian banders on this site. I am one of them. :rose: I hope you won't have to wait much longer to have your surgery - it sounds like you've got the right attitude and now it's only a matter of getting a spot. Congrats too on the weight loss so far! Getting the weight off is a great way to start - the band will help you keep it off. :tongue2:

I had Kentucky Fried chicken. Which was stupid because I can still easily eat the stuff. In fact there isn't much I can't eat. Yes even steak. I can eat steak without any problems, actually.

Hi All! It's already Friday the 13th here, so here's my Friday update: Last week: 72.8kgs This week: 72.1kgs Loss: 0.7kgs Exercise: 3 X 40 minutes spin bike sessions

I have been on these boards for about 7 months, and I have to admit to never really being bothered by the cliques, nor have I felt ignored, or even felt like my opinion was less important than other's. Maybe I just have a thicker skin than most. :thumbup: I also agree that this sort of complaint happens on all sorts of forums - people on forums behave the same as they do IRL, they get make friends and stick with like-minded people, they get tired of answering the same questions, so instead of sugar coating, they start telling it like it is (something I heard you quite like doing yourself, El Diablo). But I don't think it's a reflection on the OP on a personal level. And I'm not saying there aren't people who could learn some tact, but I don't think it's about whether you're pre- or post- band. It's about the individual. So to all those who felt like like they were ignored by post-banders - hey, I'll talk to you! :cursing: I'll always be nice, but I'll always be truthful too, which may mean I won't necessarily say what you want to hear, which is what you'll find happens in most threads most of the time.

Okay I'm a little torn about how to set my challenge for this. In part because I can't aim for the 12th as I have my torso lift on the 2nd of April, and the other is that I'm actually officially only 4.4lbs from goal at the moment. So I'm setting myself a modified challenge if that's okay with everyone? I want to have lost 8.4lbs from now to the 2nd of April - which will take me to 150lbs, 4lbs UNDER goal. Start: 158.4lbs Goal: 150lbs

I'm considered a 'fast' loser and I average about 2lbs a week (often less, only very occasionally more). I know it's easy to get obsessed with numbers - I'm often still obsessed with them - but a lot of things affect those numbers - Water retention, muscle growth etc. Your changes in clothes sizing and your measurements will give you a better indication of the changes to your body that the scales will sometimes. I read somewhere recently about a bander who was exercising 6 times a week who lost NO weight in over a month, but who went down a dress size plus some in that time!