catfish87

looks like a nice vacation!

I'll post my rides.....time in the saddle is my goal, more than miles. http://connect.garmi...ivity/321309818 Significant storm damage in our area Friday night....Lots of trees down. Distance: 31.87 mi Time: 2:07:51 Avg Pace: 4:01 min/mi Avg Speed: 15.0 mph Elevation Gain: 342 ft Calories: 1,784 C

Wine is good...

Nothing wrong with doing what you "like". No matter If its cycling/walking/running/swimming/etc...any and all is good. The best one is the one you will do! I started out cycling LESS than 30 minutes at a time, only 10-15 minutes at first, then needed a break...I was winded after a couple of miles! Then gradually building up my tolerance ENJOYMENT of it. After finding what works for you, just continue to do it. I've read from runners they feel the same as I do now, its addicting!

I was banded Sept 09

I just try and eat FRESH foods as much as possible. I don't physically measure out 1/2, 1cup anymore. Years ago, yes. I do occasionally weigh things (solid protein) to remind myself how much or little of something I'm eating.

Yep! makes sense to me. I was wondering if that was the reason for the dilation. So, it sounds like you think you were eating too much volume? If you feel you can break that habit, maybe by eating slower/less, then a fill could help. I suppose your surgeon does fills using fluoro, not sure how they would detect a dilated pouch without it.??

Did your team/surgeon know or say why they thought your "pouch was dilated" each time they increased your restriction level? Yes, I think its possible to "start over"....with the correct adjustments to the band and ourselves.

Thats so awesome!! You can do it.....who cares if you have to walk some or all of it the first time. The important thing is you are doing it! One step, one minute at a time. Congrats on your decision.

The reason I'm so passionate about them is from very a personal experience. I had the lapband surgery in Sept 2009. Initally, for the first 4-5 months, I did well following my "diet" given to me. Followed it exactly as prescribed. Went to my follow up appt's as per plan. Back then, my Dr's practice didn't use fluoro for fills. They blindly adjusted my band...Guessed how much I needed to provide proper restriction for me. After that first 4-5 months, I noticed I had absolutely no help (restriction) from my band.....NONE. I discussed this with my surgeon, who I admire and have the highest regards for to this day. He said "You're just losing faster than we're adjusting, etc." Well as almost anyone who has chosen WLS knows, we lose determination/willpower after a certain amount of time and revert back to our old habits....eating too much! I got so discouraged...."this wasn't going to work for me, I was a failure, at least I lost 50#'s dieting, etc, etc." all the things you can see and read on here. I quit going to my doc, embarrassed because I was that failure...just like every other diet I'd done. I gave up!......almost. This was SURGERY, how could I give up on surgery?? I finally go back after about a year...had gained back weight, half of what I had lost. My doc had this new and wonderful device, called a fluoroscopy machine IN HIS OFFICE! He didn't belittle me, berate me, etc for gaining weight. Was happy I had came back...what a relief to me. Then we discussed my progress...backwards progress. He said it sounds like you need an adjustment. So I get to the "fill room" they stick the needle in, he comes in and asked me to drink the barium swallow.....IMMEDIATELY, he knew the issue!! My band had come undone....YES, UNSNAPPED! He said in the over 1000 he'd performed, I was the first he'd seen. (lucky me) He said absolutely nothing I did to cause it....an installation issue he said. He corrected it asap. Now all fills at his practice are done using fluoro. Imagine this, you hear all the time about people saying "oh my bands fine. They pulled out the saline and it was all there. but I don't feel that green zone." HA! If your band isn't connected, it doesn't matter how much you have in it. you'll never get there. There is also the issue of being able to see correct placement, "pouch" size, "slips", many other issues that I'm not qualified to speak about. It's so simple, like a live xray. Its somewhat expensive compared to blind adjustments, but you can be at that green zone so much quicker. (Much shorter bandster hell) Because your surgeon can SEE what they are doing. Sorry for the long ramble, but it is that important to me. I tell people all the time, support groups, friend who have a band, etc. I would never have been successful without Fluoro. I owe my weightloss success with this band, to the fluoro machine. NEVER, EVER GIVE UP! You can click on the link below, for more infomation about it. http://www.hoab.org/...louis-missouri/

Congrats on your loss! It could be that you do need one. For me, motivation and willpower could only last so long....thats why every time I dieted in the past, I'd eventually gain more than I lost. I lost that willpower/motivation. Now...I have an adjustable band. And its working just as I had hoped for it to now. Best wishes for your continued success!

Being able to "ride around Paris"! Actually, being able to do anything I want now without feeling like I was gonna die from exhaustion.

I don't drink soda as I have no desire to. I do drink beer occasionally, no problems. I posted the following a week or so ago....this question comes up almost every day. Lots of different OPINIONS about this..and its evolving, just like it should as more information is gathered/studied. I'll post links from doctors and let you decide if you trust them.... Diet soda = "As much as you want", per Dr. O'Brien. He's considered a lapband "pioneer" surgeon... FROM Dr. SIMPSONS website....You see his name on here touted a LOT. http://drsimpson.net...olden-rules.htm From His website: "Any calorie containing liquids will tend to flow past the restriction of the band and not give you any feeling of satiety. You are then more likely to take too much. You are only allowed to drink: Water mineral water tea or coffee (with low fat milk if you wish but no sugar) low calorie soft drinks (but be careful with the gas) An exception to the “no liquid calorie” rule is a glass of wine with meals which we have shown is good for your health and good for your weight loss when taken in a modest amount."

Well you asked for any advice....Here's my #1 Don't even consider a surgeon who won't use Fluoroscopy for fills. It's that important. My opinion only, but thats my advice. I'm loving my properly adjusted band almost 4 years post op.

So true T.Pops! A little bit at a time.... Just about 18 months ago, I started cycling for the first time in my life....it's not an "exercise" to me. It's an enjoyment!

Congrats! You are doing awesome. You should be extremely proud.

If you went to St Alexius, theres a support meeting at the DoubleTree tomorrow evening at 6pm. Every 2nd and 4th thursday. Even if you went elsewhere for your surgery, I think it's open to all WLS patients.

You're off to a great start! Congrats! As you can tolerate, start moving....walking, etc. You just have to find something you enjoy. Now that the weather is nice here, it's much easier to get outside and move. Maybe we'll cross paths (literally). I'm on the MCT trails quite often, usually starting at the CARD office. Cycling is my exercise of choice. The follow ups with your doc are such an important part of this. Not sure who your surgeon is? Hopefully, you have a good one who will do your followup fills/adjustments using fluoro, like mine.

I don't know about the one you're describing, but I really like mine..a Garmin 310xt. Very informative and motivating for me. BEST investment I've EVER made regarding exercise....without a doubt. Here's an example of what it showed from my cycling (my exercise of choice) yesterday : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/315742832