Big08

I was banded in January of '09, I've lost roughly 80 pounds but have stalled for the last 4-6 months or so. I took up Triathlon training last year and ran my first sprint on May 2nd. I am seeing some changes, i.e. body fat percentage is slowly coming down, but I'm not making any gains in weight loss for quite a while. I haven't had a fill in quite a while and I can eat most foods without trouble, additionally I'm hungry between meals, so I eat something. I have almost returned to the point of what normal folks eat (certainly not pre-band amounts for me, but more akin to the amount my wife eats, it wouldn't seem reduced to a person off the street). My question is, I haven't gotten filled due to the intense exercise regimen I have been keeping and the idea that I need to be "fueled up", am I deluding myself, should I still be eating less, i.e. go get the fill? I am interested in the opinions of any guys out there who have an intense exercise regimen as well as the band. Pre-Band 297 lbs. - Winded by a flight of stairs Current 214 lbs. - Rode 80 miles last weekend

I don't think the band prevents you from doing the endurance sports and "extreme athletics". I have worked with my doctor, I don't have a nutritionist, but probably should, and have discussed my training plans with him. He sees no issues with the band and my training. I am in the slow process of training for a Half Ironman next year and will need to focus more on nutrition while riding, so your post is timely for me. If you run across something that is particularly effective for you with your band please post as it would probably be valuable for others as well. As for sports drinks, I use either Accelerade or Endurox, both of which have carbs and protein. They can take a little getting used to from a taste perspective but I have found them to be beneficial on my rides. I also have a post-ride shake, 1 cup frozen berries, 1 cup skim milk, 1 scoop of protein powder (20g), 1 Tbsp Fiber, and a muscle supplement Kre-Alkalyn. Tastes great, aids recovery and helps build my legs.

I actually don't take in much nutrition on my rides since at most I'm doing 50 miles a day and we push the pace above 20 Mph. I do hydrate, at least 32oz of Sports Drink (something with carbs and protein in it) during the course of those rides. I have been thinking about adding food to the rides to recharge, and I would agree that you would need to use something easy on the band. I don't have much restriction these days, especially if I'm drinking at the same time, so I am targeting something like shot blocks or perhaps a banana. There are several small, bit sized options from various companies like Cliff Bar, Power Bar etc, and I have been thinking about those as well. Apologize I don't have more experience to offer you on food, I find it difficult to eat on the bike at times as I am working pretty hard since we primarily train for Triathlon's it's always at a fast pace.

I had my first fill almost two weeks ago now, it isn't enough as I can eat essentially what I could eat before my fill, (which, by the way is still drastically less than I could & would eat pre-band). I don't get hungry between meals, i.e. not looking to snack, but come meal time (approximately 4 hours after a meal), the hunger pains are much more evident than ever before in my life, it is actually uncomfortable, not just a gnawing hunger, an actual pain if you will. After eating, no problems, but when I'm hungry boy do I know it. Has anyone else experienced something like this? I know I need another fill to get more restriction, but this one is just uncomfortable when I'm hungry, does that go away? As always, very interested in your experiences. Great Experience with the band Banded 1/19/2009 - Self Pay - Dr. Gonzalez in Dallas Total Weight Loss to Date: 37 pounds since pre-op, 20 since surgery.

Was wondering how much the guys are eating, i.e. calories. I'm week 3 post-op and the weight loss has stalled on Mushies. I'm taking in about 1200 calories per day and trying to walk regularly. I'm not gaining but just hovering at the same point. Was curious about the experiences of the other guys out there.

All, I am approximately two weeks post op, still on the full-liquid diet phase. I'm eating a lot of strained cream soups, very good reasonably filling, however as you can imagine I'm not getting all the protein I should be. My weight loss has been steady and quite frankly encouraging during this difficult period both pre and post op on a liquid diet. However since beginning the full liquid phase, my weight loss has stalled; I haven't gained really, just keep fluctuating around the same mark. I'm only taking in about 1200-1300 calories a day and feel like I should be loosing weight. My question is, would a lack of sufficient protein cause my body to "hold on" to the weight? I know I'm very early in this process and I am working on the patience factor, but more interested in the affect of protein.

I am due to be banded on Monday the 19th. The nurses at the Doc's office report that most people don't want to eat for a couple days after the surgery and have to remember to drink some broth. I'm interested in what you all have experienced. After 11 days on the pre-op liquid diet I could certainly appreciate some relief from the gnawing in my stomach.

All, I was banded this morning at the Prestonwood Surgery Center in Plano, TX by Dr. Victor Gonzalez (Great Facility and great surgical team). I am up, walking around and drinking sips of Water. I have a little pain, like a tightness in my chest, but very manageable. I am not feeling physical hunger, though I have a little bit of "head hunger". I am looking forward to my continuing journey and want to thank all the members on this board for the great advice and support on my pre-op diet (which I did not cheat on!) and look foraward to your support going forward. Hang in there everyone, as somebody once said it is difficult right now, however "This too shall pass."

I'm getting banded on Monday the 19th in Dallas, I've been on a pre-op diet for 10 days now, protein shakes only (less than 500 calories a day). I've been very good and haven't cheated at all, but now that I am getting close I want to have real food before starting the clear liquid phase, I am thinking of a chicken breast with some peas as I am starting to feel weak from lack of food. I have lost over 17 pounds and am loosing roughly a pound a day now. I'm feeling a little guilty about contemplating "fudging" my diet, my Doc says to have between 800 and 1000 calories a day (i.e. multiple protein shakes I guess) however they did mention you could add a little fruit to the shakes or have a few baby carrots or a scrabled egg if you really needed it. One of the nurses commented that most people cheat and that they are looking for a solid 10 days to loose the fat from your liver. The mental struggle is really wearing on me, and calories are calories after all, it doesn't matter where they come from. Am I just rationalizing?

Thanks all for the encouragement, you're correct of course, the right thing to do is power through another day. I have stuck to the diet tonight and will make it through tomorrow.

On day 10 of my pre-op diet, I've lost over 17 pounds. I am being banded on Monday and will be very glad to see the next phase start.

Is anyone else on a pre-op liquid diet composed entirely of Bariatric Advantage shakes? I am on day 4 of this diet and I have never had so much gas, not mention the stuff is foul. The only flavor I can even stomach is the Chocolate Mint, the mint seems to cover up the terrible aftertaste. Nothing, of course helps with the chalkiness. I will be asking my surgeon tomorrow about the Costco brand shakes as they seem to have similar nutrional characteristics. I'm being banded by Dr. Gonzalez in Dallas if anyone has any experience with him and couls share that would be great.

I am doing the Premier Nutrition Protein shakes, 30g of protein low in fat only in Chocolate. I would recommend against Bariatric Advantage because the taste is terrible, but other than that I have no magic.

My doctor has permitted me to switch to the Premier Fitness Protein shakes, which have similar nutritional characteristics to the Bariatric Advantage and from what I hear taste a whole lot better. Additionally, they are going to move my surgery up by 3 days since I've already lost 10 pounds and continue to loose, whoohoo only 11 days on the pre-op diet!!! Doc says 800-1100 calories a day is the key and staying away from solids helps with that and prepares you for the post-op liquids phase. I have included the link to Premier Fitness for your convenience, send it to your doctor and see if you can avoid Bariatric Advantage. Premier Nutrition - Diet, organic, and low carb, Protein Bars, protein powders, protein supplements and health supplements

To be honest, not good, but the chocolate Mint is in my opinion the best, it seems the mint covers up a decent amount of the bad aftertaste.

I am not permitted milk, only water to mix the powder with. Good luck, be strong.

I am the 22nd in Dallas, TX, started the pre-op liquid diet 4 days ago.

I am finishing day 3 of my liquid diet, as my surgeon also requires it of everyone regardless of BMI. The nurses at the office did however indicate that most people cheat and that they are really looking for a solid 10 days. Thus far it has been difficult but not unbearable. I am told the first 3 days are the toughest, I hope that's true. So far I have dropped 8 pounds in 3 days, but I have always lost quickly at the beginning of diets.

I'll bite, what is PB and sliming?

I'm starting my first day of the pre-op diet today. My Doc has me on "Bariatric Advantage" protein shakes for two weeks. Quite frankly I really think it's going to be difficult, but I am self pay so I have more concern about a "fatty liver" and being unable to complete the surgery. I don't have the means to pay for the procedure twice. I will be banded on the 22nd, looking forward to that and trying to be strong in the interim.

I am also a frequent business traveler, upwards of 65% on the road, I have frequent lunches and dinners with clients as well as with colleagues. I am also interested in any tips etc, I am due to be banded on Jan. 22nd and will not travel for probably two weeks or so, but after that I will most likely be back on the road. I'll work on figuring things out of course, and would be happy to share things I learn.

I'm due to be banded Jan 22nd and I have a question for the veterans. How long do you go between meals? For example my wife and I generally eat dinner at 5:00 PM, by 8:30 to 9:00 PM (pre-band) I've starving and have found this to be a time when I'm in danger of "raiding the pantry". I'm hoping that with the band I will still feel full and not interested in getting more to eat. What time do you have breakfast so that you're not tempted to snack before lunch etc. I know everyone is different, however I am interested in some of the experiences out there. Additionally, what I have read about being banded has indicated that you shouldn't snack, i.e. 3 meals a day and that's it.

I went through many of the same things you are discussing, I am due to be banded on the 22nd of January. I don't have any co-morbidity's, my BMI is just under 40 and I am self-pay. I believe it requires that you have a very frank conversation with yourself. I went through all the same things, am I really working out enough, did I make the right commitment to eating right, etc? Eventually, I had to ask myself if it was more than probable that I would be overweight and still making the same promises to myself ten years from now. I decided to act now instead of later when the circumstances could potentially be worse, i.e. one or more co-morbidity's. It's a tough decision, but the stories on this forum helped me make that decision, I'm certain you will gain as much from it as I have.

I am being banded January 22nd in Dallas and I travel quite a bit for my job (>75%). I will be off the road long enough to recover (approximately 4 weeks after surgery) but I will have to start back to travel eventually. I also entertain customers on the road and would be interested in tips and tricks that any of my fellow road warriors might have picked up on how to eat on the road.

Hello, I've finally scheduled my surgery for January 22nd. A large part of my decision to move forward with this has to do with this forum, the comments and discussions have been great in helping me become educated. I am self-pay, my weight hovers just under 40 BMI and fortunately I have no co-morbidity's. I have a family history of Bariatric surgery and want to head off my weight problems before I develop co-morbidity's. I look forward to the good advice and support this forum offers. I'm in the Dallas area by the way and having Dr. Gonzalez perform the procedure. They're offering a great self-pay option right now.