jackal1209

I'm 45,6ft 2 and have always been pretty active. The weight just fell off me in the beginning when I was keeping to around 20 grams a day or less. Now, at goal, I shoot for about 30 or less and have been maintaining nicely for the last 6-8 months. Its pretty much old habit now, and really don't even think about it much anymore.

Absolutely! Two years ago. Without going into any long explination, my tax guy said anything that improves your health so that you can do your job better is absolutely deductible.

Never experienced that. I usually, (when I was being adjusted) called and asked if he was in, told them I was coming by, and may have waited 15-20 min in the office. I know he was busy, but he was very flexible. DFW- Texas.

What works for one person may not work for someone else. I tried Atkins, and about a dozen others. Finally what I found to work for me was educating myself, and watching my fat gram intake daily. I stopped paying attention to calories, and carbs. After being banded and having a slow start, my results speak for themselves. In the two and a half years post op I am now, I have gone from a starting weight of 430, with a BMI of 56 to my three times adjusted goal of 195 with a BMI of 21.

Fort Worth,,, DFW 2 and a half years post op.. 430 to 195 life is good!

Serious stuff sleep apnea! I suffered with it for years. I was banded in 05, and have gone from a starting weight of 430, and a BMI of 56 to my three times adjusted goal of 195, and a BMI of 21. The apnea is gone, dissappeared after about the hundred pound loss mark, and I feel like I am 18 again. Life is good!

Absolutely on the protien, the powder mix always worked best for me. Just dont force yourself. If your full, your full. Wait a while. Its a learning process and lifestyle change, but you can do it. If I, the king of slackers can, so can you. 2 and a half years post op. at my three times adjusted goal. starting weight 430, BMI of 56 now 195 with a BMI of 21 Life is sooo good!

After much, much research, I chose the best in the business, (my opinion) Dr. Robert Sewell in the southlake area. What makes his practice really stand out was not only his experience, but the after care that was included. Great man, changed my life. 2yrs. 6mos post op. Starting weight of 430, BMI of 56 Now at my 3 times adjusted goal of 195, BMI of 22 Life is soooo good!

It adversly affected my marrage. I think it was a jealousy thing. When she noticed other women noticing me, it got uncomfortable for her though there was no reason. Never had a desire for another woman, and never looked twice at another. Everything is better now that the divorce is final, LOL 2 years 4 months post op 225 pounds lost Life is good!

I adjusted my goal three times in the past two years. For me personally, I picked what I considered reasonable goals, (a little high perhaps) then when close, adjusted my goal. I think this kept me from getting discouraged. I have people do both, and what ever works for you, this just worked best for me. 2 years 4 months post op Totally at my 3 times adjusted goal 225 pounds gone! Life is good!

Alcohol drinks don't bother me. The affects are noticed much sooner, but I have a margarita or two once a week or so, wine, and even a beer once in a while. I guess that most likely since I am over two years out, this has a lot to do with it too. I have had no problems maintaining at goal either. 2 years 4 months post op. 225 pounds lost, at my 3 times adjusted goal. Life is good!

I stopped counting several months ago, however in the beginning 800-1000, then the last six to eight months around 1500-1600 a day. Its worked extremely well for me. In my two year, four month journey I have gone from a portly 430, and a BMI of 55 to a butt kicking 200 pounds, with a 22 BMI, (6ft 2). and have had no problems maintaining.

These situations can be very painful and serious. About 6mos. into it for me, I got "clogged, or plugged" as you call it and it lasted for 2 days. I had to visit my doctor and have everything removed from the band. It was quite a setback, and an eye opener for me. No situations since then. 2 years 3 mos post op 220 pounds lost at goal Life is good!

Absolutely! It does not work for some and does for others. 2 years post op. and used to love beer, and sodas but just now can sip them a little. I have another lap band friend who is about a year out and has no issue at all with them. 2 years 3 months post op 220 pounds lost, at goal Life is good!

I wouldnt' worry about it until the problem presents itself. Everyone is diffrerent. I have seen people who have lost 60-80 who would be a candidate for some sort of plastic surg. and the other end of the spectrum, myself who has lost 220 pounds and have had no real issue with loose skin and would not consider it.

"The day is all about food", and "The band, one day it may not be there". I'm sorry, but first of all, "That day is all about food" Thats what got me there to begin with, and ""One day it may not be there", My band is a lifetime program. If I thought it would not be there some day, I would not have done it. If food so rules you life that you would even consider "unfilling" it, "My opinion" is why put yourself through a surgical proceedure just to undo it later to cheat? Yes its a tool to help you learn to eat better, but why buy that tool if your not going to use it properly? I'm not trying to ruffle feathers, but just think it promotes the whole yo-yo effect that I battled for years before the band. Thats just "My level of commitment". 2 years 3 mos. out at goal 220 pounds lost, Works for me....

"The day is all about food", and "The band, one day it may not be there". I'm sorry, but first of all, "That day is all about food" Thats what got me there to begin with, and ""One day it may not be there", My band is a lifetime program. I If food so rules you life that you would even consider "unfilling" it, "My opinion" is why put yourself through a surgical proceedure just to undo it later to cheat?

The band is a commitment that will take work. If there is too much going on in your life right now, maybe its better to wait a while. I would hate to see you just set yourself up for failure. Failure after a "surgical" event can really set you back emotionally too. Good luck, and make a well thought out decission. You are the only one who can make that decission. Personally, my decission would be to wait had I been in a similar position. 2 years 3 months post op totally at goal 220 pounds lost. Life is good!

Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition. About four to five months along on my journey, I noticed a LOT of hair in the sink in the mornings. I talked to my nutritionist who guided me back to the multi vitamin daily, and a protien bar with a higher protien content over the one I was already using, and it stopped within a week. No issues now. 2 years 3 months post op, totally at my three times adjusted goal, 220 pounds lost. Life couldn't be better...

Unfilling would be disasterous. If you would consider this then you probably should not have been banded to begin with.

Ditto here, After 2 yaers and three months and 220 pounds lost, lots of those sensations. The biggest to me is since I work in and around thr criminal justice system, sitting on those damn courthouse wooden benched. My butt is actually bony now. However, its a trade off I am totally willing to make.

Being two years and about three months post op now, and totally at my three times adjusted personal goal, I have lost, and am maintaining at 210 pounds from a starting weight of 430. Having a wide network of friends and business contacts, not to mention the drastic change in appearance over the past two years, everyone notices and comments. The most common comment, and one that bugs the crap out of me is the old, "Did you have surgery, or do it the healthy way?" My response was usually the healthy way followed by an explanation, stating that the surgery was the healthy way, having been under a Doctor, and Dietician's care and supervision. I'm not embarassed or ashamed of having the surgery, however its just getting a little old explaning, and have just started avoiding the question, or answering. How has everyone else dealt with this?:paranoid Life is good! No regrets.

I chose it for four big reasons. The first and most important was the down time, (minimally invasive). I had the surgery on a Thursday, went home Friday, and was back at work Monday. Second, I am a weenie when it comes to pain, (the minimally invasive thing again). Third, was the slower, more predictable weight loss with less chance of skin issues. I have done extremely well there, and would not even consider plastic surgery, having no major lose skin issues. Fourth is the lifetime maintenence issue, and being able to adjust at any time down the road when my body, and or metabolism changes with age, as it will. I may also suggest you do your homework, and see how many people who have had the gastric bypass have faired. I personally work with four people who have had the gastric bypass, and their results were alarming to me. They are all from 2 to 4 years out, and what a rollercoaster ride for them. Life is good, and I thank god each and every day for my transformation!

My moment came when flying as I do in my business about once a month. Having to borrow a seat belt extender for a long time, and being miserable on flights over two hours. One trip, I asked for one, and the flight attendant, (American Airlines) said, "Gee, next time you might just have to buy two seats". At that moment i could have punched her lights out for saying it, however if I could find her now, I would give her a big kiss for pushing me over the line. Life is so good now! 2 years, 3 months post op. At my three times adjusted personal goal! 430 starting weight with a 54 BMI, Now at 210, A BMI of 23, and feeling great!

Pound of lead vs. a pound of feathers......same It all boils down to bulk and mass....