Help! How do you use your tool? Feedback needed, please

[atgoalgal 0]

I recently started a thread on this board about the rules of the band. It turned into a passionate debate, and a huge source of inspiration for me. The manufacturers of the bands have "rules" or "tips" posted on their sites.What I learned from my fellow members of the banded living community is that: 1) a lot of us don’t like "rules" because we’ve tried them before and frankly they didn’t work as a way of life, and -- 2) we are all different, and we need to work hard to find what works "for me."

So here I am, in my fourth year, and maintaining a normal healthy weight and in the best shape of my life. I devote a lot of time and energy to paying it forward. I mentor lots of folks, some of who are frustrated or struggling and trying to figure out how to get the most out of their tool.

My doctor, reminds me over and over again, that it’s a tool, and I need to work it. I shouldn’t expect "it" to do anything. (A screwdriver can’t remove a screw unless you turn it.) I have to work it to get the results I want – and for me that was more than the average 50% Excess Weight Loss. My band helps me with Portion Control, controls my hunger and leaves me with a feeling of satiety when I work it.

I would really appreciate, if everyone reading this thread would follow this link to the 10 things I learned about how to use my tool: http://www.gloriasbandedliving.com/transforming-003-maintaining-004-getting-the-most-from-my-lap-band%c2%ae-how-i-learned-to-use-my-tool/, and answer 3 questions:

1) Which of the things I've learned about how to use my tool work for you?

2) Which don't work for you?

3) Is there anything on this list that your surgeon would object to?

Thanks for taking the time to help me pay it forward.

Edited March 1, 2010 by atgoalgal
fixed link

[BetsyB 9]

Gloria, the link doesn't work.

[atgoalgal 0]

Gloria, the link doesn't work.

Thanks for letting my know Betsy. It should work now. I'd really appreciate your feedback as always. You bring so much to this community!

[atgoalgal 0]

Only been banded about 7wks--planning is crucial for me and very different for me. I have to look days ahead, plan for meals, schedule thrown off, fitting in exercise, if I have special events or eating out, plan ahead and decide what is healthiest thing on the menu and track and log what I eat. I guess part of my problem, though, I was not a snacker and ate alot of healthy food, was that I never planned or paid attention to what went in my body and how much and why.

I would really appreciate if you could follow the link on the thread started, and answer the 3 questions. Thanks and congratulations!

[shadst8 8]

I recently started a thread on this board about the rules of the band. It turned into a passionate debate, and a huge source of inspiration for me. The manufacturers of the bands have "rules" or "tips" posted on their sites.What I learned from my fellow members of the banded living community is that: 1) a lot of us don’t like "rules" because we’ve tried them before and frankly they didn’t work as a way of life, and -- 2) we are all different, and we need to work hard to find what works "for me."

So here I am, in my fourth year, and maintaining a normal healthy weight and in the best shape of my life. I devote a lot of time and energy to paying it forward. I mentor lots of folks, some of who are frustrated or struggling and trying to figure out how to get the most out of their tool.

My doctor, reminds me over and over again, that it’s a tool, and I need to work it. I shouldn’t expect "it" to do anything. (A screwdriver can’t remove a screw unless you turn it.) I have to work it to get the results I want – and for me that was more than the average 50% Excess Weight Loss. My band helps me with Portion Control, controls my hunger and leaves me with a feeling of satiety when I work it.

I would really appreciate, if everyone reading this thread would follow this link to the 10 things I learned about how to use my tool: http://www.gloriasbandedliving.com/transforming-003-maintaining-004-getting-the-most-from-my-lap-band®%c2%ae-how-i-learned-to-use-my-tool/, and answer 3 questions:

1) Which of the things I've learned about how to use my tool work for you?

2) Which don't work for you?

3) Is there anything on this list that your surgeon would object to?

Thanks for taking the time to help me pay it forward.

1) Which of the things I've learned about how to use my tool work for you? having a plan

2) Which don't work for you? staying close to the surgeon--he has a lapband as well, but I actually rely more on his nurse for support who has had lap-band surgery but has gained weight back. I need to communicate with him more I suppose

3) Is there anything on this list that your surgeon would object to? There is nothing I think that my surgeon would object o

[panfisher 0]

I'm early in this journey. So I don't know if my answers carry a lot value.

1) Which of the things I've learned about how to use my tool work for you? I have a plan. I also started journaling when I started this journey.

2) Which don't work for you? I stay close to my lapband Nurse and my Dietiatican. I only see my surgeon if I'm having a healh issue.

3) Is there anything on this list that your surgeon would object to?No

[atgoalgal 0]

1) Which of the things I've learned about how to use my tool work for you? having a plan

2) Which don't work for you? staying close to the surgeon--he has a LAP-BAND® as well, but I actually rely more on his nurse for support who has had lap-band® surgery but has gained weight back. I need to communicate with him more I suppose

3) Is there anything on this list that your surgeon would object to? There is nothing I think that my surgeon would object o

Thanks for the feedback. I should probably think about what I mean when I say "I stay close to my surgeon", what I really mean is is stay close to my surgeon and his practice - aftercare is critically important.

[atgoalgal 0]

I'm early in this journey. So I don't know if my answers carry a lot value.

1) Which of the things I've learned about how to use my tool work for you? I have a plan. I also started journaling when I started this journey.

2) Which don't work for you? I stay close to my LAP-BAND® Nurse and my Dietiatican. I only see my surgeon if I'm having a healh issue.

3) Is there anything on this list that your surgeon would object to?No

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment. I'm really interested in feedback from people wherever you are in your journey. I also help you found some ideas that can be useful in helping you reach your goals, the way you need to. Please stay in touch.