bambam31

I'm 194 days post op and I guess it's about time for another blog entry... My main thought these days is that had I known 20 years ago what I know now I would have enjoyed that period of time much more. But I guess it's still better than learning 20 years from now... I find I have to keep reminding myself that, as of this point, I've lost 81 pounds. I'm wearing clothes that I really didn't think I'd ever wear again (still surprised I kept many of them). Yet I tend to focus on the road yet traveled. There is still so much work to do. It's kind of like driving without being able to follow a map. I know my body fat percentage is headed south so I guess that's the road I'll stay on - while the end destination and route of travel remains a mystery. It seems everywhere I go these days I get compliments on my weight loss. It feels really good! Many people ask how I've managed to accomplish this feat. It's really a question I try avoid. Am I embarrassed that I had WLS? No. But it's not an easy question for me to answer. I don't credit all of my success to the band. Why? Does the band make me workout almost every day of the week? No! Does the band make the decision to choose healthy foods most of the time? No! Then it sounds to me like the band gets about 33.3% of the credit - the rest is distributed elsewhere. But If I start out by telling people that I have a band, they seem to immediately draw the conclusion that surgery is why I've had success - But that's not the whole truth! So this normally leads into a many-minute long explanation on my part. There are many people who've been banded but aren't enjoying success - or at least not to their satisfaction. The answer why is multi-faceted. Many people wrongly assume at the outset that the band itself will make them lose weight. Of course this isn't true. People need to do more research. I did a fair amount, but not as much as I should have. Secondly, many doctors are not telling patients the whole story. The plain fact is that if you plan to get anywhere near goal, you'd better plan on intense exercise - and lots of it. My experience has been that a lot of medical professionals dance around this issue. I believe they are scared that they'll chase patients away. After all, many patients see the band as a way to lose weight without exercise. What morbidly obese patient want to hear, "oh yah, and by the way, even though you have the surgery, you'll still have to exercise intensely most days of the week to achieve satisfactory results." We as a society want what we want right now - and don't want to work particularly hard to get it. Exercise is one area in which I've become more fluent, but nutrition is another. I believe everyone has a different combination. It takes trial and error to find a method of operation that illicits the results you desire. I've found my combination in a big way. I now know how to keep my metabolism fire burning so hot that even a wet log thrown in the flames barely slows it down. My average calorie intake for the past month is over 2000 a day. Fall off the wagon days barely have any impact on the weeks' results. Now I am just focused on keeping the burn going. I've set an arbitrary goal of 154 pounds. My main focus, however, is fat loss. My body fat percentage is right around 19% to 20%. My goal is 10%-12%. Basically, I'll be happy with whatever weight I end up at, so long as my body fat percentage is at goal. Keep fighting the good fight! Brad

Definitely would keep mine just to avert the binge temptations. I could eat box after box of girlscout Cookies. Damn I love those thin mints! I might end up getting a partial unfill when I get to goal just so I can have some foods that I can't right now. Brad

Happy Valentines Day people! Made it to my V-Day goal and even beat it by a couple of pounds. V-Day Goal: 187 Actual: 185 So I wonder what goal is next? St. Patricks day? Memorial Day? Hmmm... Hope everyone has a great weekend - and stay away from the chocolate! Brad

Had my son's first birthday party this week and that made things a bit tough with all the leftover cake and ice cream. I was also sick with the crud for a few days which caused me to miss a few gym classes. All in all, I was still able to post a decent loss, beat my Valentines Day challenge, and get back on track! Last Week: 188 This Week: 185 Change: Minus 3 Have a good week everyone! Brad

Well I certainly can't provide any solid medical advice, but I too experience the same thing - and I think most all of us have or will at some point in the journey. The logic I apply is that your pouch is tissue. Tissues seem to be their most firm after a restful period of sleep. That would make your pouch firmer in the morning than in the evening. You've already hit on most of the other variables that effect perceived restriction. Of them I think stress and anxiety are some of the worst offenders. As long as your able to ingest sufficient nutrition I wouldn't be too concerned about it. My calorie intake varies anywhere between 1,000 to 3,000. I prefer to cycle my calories anyway so if it's a really tight day I just use it as one of my light calorie days. Good luck! Brad

If you're post op, not yet achieved enough fills for sufficient restriction, and able to eat like the band isn't there - then welcome to bandster hell! Hang tough - it gets easier! Brad

Continuing the downward travel - although still pushing my calorie deficits a bit too much. Valentine challenge is now easily achievable. Last Week: 192 This Week: 188 Down: 4 pounds Have a good week everyone! Brad

As RM pointed out, water has LESS nutritional value than coffee but I certainly hope you drink water. I would avoid coffee for two reasons only. 1) Your doctor doesn't approve for whatever reason. 2) You're having trouble intaking enough fluids - then reserve that space for pure water. Beyond that, as far as I'm concerned, drink your coffee at will - just remember - any additives will raise the caloric value. Brad

Everyone's experience will definitely be different depending on their body structure and port placement. My doc, however, said that it would be virtually impossible for me to injure the port or it's placement by any form of exercise. Brad

Here's my take on this... My focus for fat loss is cardio - but weight training has it's necessary benefits too. I try to do 5-7 intense cardio sessions a week, at 45-60 minutes each. I also try to get in 2 strength training sessions. I spend my best energy on the days' focus. So if it's a weight training day, I would do that before cardio and vice versa. You will find, though, that you'll develop your preference. Most people either love weight training and despise cardio or vice versa. Personally, I'm a cardio junkie... Any exercise is better than none. But let the results you see dictate your personal routine - because everybody is different. As far as cardio goes though, I have found it's best to have cardio sessions between 40-60 minutes. I'm not a big fan of the 20 minute workout - a half-hour is still too light IMO. But again, any exercise is better than none. That's my 0.02 Brad

Just remember that the period between surgery and your first fill is for healing - not weight loss. Most doctors consider any weight loss at this point to just be a bonus. Once the fills start you can focus more on weight loss. But remember, most people do not get much restriction from their first fill - some do - most don't. It can take 2, 3, 4 or even more fills to achieve satisfactory restriction. Most surgeons fail to tell this to their patients - who normally end up believing there is something wrong with their band because it isn't "working." The period before getting fills is also coined, "bandster hell." That's because the band is in place, but is empty - and the patient's hunger comes screaming back once the surgery swelling subsides. To lose weight during this period takes extreme self control. Even then, some people actually gain. Focus on the long term goal, let the pouch heal, learn to make better food choices, get exercising when your doctor allows, and drink plenty of Water. It's gets easier as time goes on. Brad

You might want to have some coffee with your additives next time! :tongue2: According to the daily plate, 8oz of regular coffee has 2 calories.... Brad

I cycle my calorie intake - anywhere from 1100 to near 3000. But that's also including moderate to intense exercise sessions 5-7 days a week. IMO, one of the worst things you can do is eat a set number of calories day after day after day. Your body will adjust your metabolism accordingly. I keep it guessing and well-fed. I try to eat something nutritious every few waking hours, that is balanced fats/carbs/protein. This keeps your metabolism cranking! If you aren't getting the results you desire - journal everything you do - and then calculate to see what's amiss. Brad

Congrats on your progress Lellow! Are you enjoying this summer more than last? I can't wait until our summer comes rolling around! Brad

I mix all of my protein powders in skim milk. It adds to the protein (and is a complete source of protein in that it contains all of the essential amino acids) and is relatively low calorie, but boy it sure makes the taste so much better! Brad

I got mine at the ticker factory website. Just copy and past the html language into your signature. Then to update, click on the ticker on one of your posts and a pop up window will appear. Enter your pin and click the update button to change your details. Brad

This is my take on the issue: IMO... I repeat... IMO... The formula to avoid is: Low Calorie Diet + Low Exercise/No Exercise/Low Heart Rate Exercise = No Long Term Success! / Flabby Skin Results / Excessive Loss of Lean Muscle Tissue... I recommend: REASONABLE Band Restriction + Moderate Calorie Deficit created by a combination of exercise and diet (rich in lean Proteins, moderate in complex carbs, light on simple carbs), low to moderate in fats (especially saturated/trans ) + Copious amounts of 60%-85% cardio workouts + light to moderate strength training = Gradual Persistant Progress with Long Term Success! If you're already dealing with a depressed metabolism due in part from eating so few calories - then increase your calorie intake slowly. A rapid swing in calories going up will almost certainly result in a weight gain. Add maybe 100 - 200 every third day. Protein shakes??? IMO these are for supplemental purposes long term. Once you're able to eat solid foods - you should be getting most of your protein from lean solid sources. Solid foods and liquid foods will have different impacts on your metabolism as well. When you can't get a meal in or you aren't getting enough protein, supplement with a shake. Your body can store fats, your body can store carbs, but it cannot store proteins. A highly excessive protein intake can be coverted to stored fat - but it is a costly conversion compared to the other macronutrients. I have found it's best for me to eat small amounts very frequently. I'm not even certain I'd call them all meals - but every few hours I'm eating a food source that is a reasonable mix of carbs/fats/protein. It helps keep blood sugars stable, energy stable, and metabolism cranking. Good Luck! Brad

Kinda sounds like a leak of some nature. I am curios though why, if indeed there is a leak, your doc wouldn't do a procedure to fix the leak and allow you to continue progressing with the band? Are you having other complications that would warrant going to the sleeve? Brad

Tigger... two things jump out at me. 1) You havn't mentioned anything about your exercise habits. IMO - the band without exercise will produce very short term results - and long term disasters... 2) I would take a very close look at what your ingesting nutritionally. I suspect that most of your weight loss occurred early on and then quickly fizzled to not much of anything - or up and down with the same pounds for a long period of time. IMO... I repeat... IMO... The formula to avoid is: Low Calorie Diet + Low Exercise/No Exercise/Low Heart Rate Exercise = No Long Term Success! / Flabby Skin Results / Excessive Loss of Lean Muscle Tissue... I recommend: REASONABLE Band Restriction + Moderate Calorie Deficit created by a combination of exercise and diet (rich in lean Proteins, moderate in complex carbs, light on simple carbs) + Copious amounts of 60%-85% cardio workouts + light to moderate strength training = Gradual Persistant Progress with Long Term Success! Good Luck! Brad

Like RM said, coffee is one of those highly variable "surgeon's rules" items... Mine let me have black regular coffee in the recovery room! Others have been forbidden from ever drinking coffee. It's best to call your doctor, but avoid a simple "can I have coffee?" type of question. Educate yourself from the doctor's point of view - ask what/when/how/why... I think it's always better to have your surgeon explain what caused him/her to form their opinions - regardless of the topic. Good luck! Brad

The only thing that matters if he's guilty of the alleged crime is that he's given the most prompt opportunity to meet God face to face! He should never ever be given an opportunity, even the slightest one, to re-offend. Brad

:thumbup: WTH happened to Texas Justice? I thought Texans took care of these problems so they didn't recur? The only justice is for that man to meet his maker ASAP! If we can't do our BEST to protect our children and assure them justice, then we have failed. This offender - once convicted -and having exhausted his appeals of course (grrrrr) - should be breathing our air no longer! Brad

My God! My fitday program would probably pop up a window saying "who cares - like the numbers matter at this point!" Brad

Congrats to LJM and family on the new long-awaited arrival! :redface: Brad

Good morning all! Another good week for me.... Last Friday: 195 Today: 192 Down 3 pounds... Brad