Jann

Thanks very much! It's all good. I just wanted Vix to know she wasn't alone. My program will be there waiting for me when the cast comes off. Hope you are well, theuse!!

I'm sorry you went through that Julie but your experience highlights that we need to clarify what service levels we should expect and secondly good bandster guidelines. I'm going back to read through all my books to refresh. It's been awhile. I hope you are feeling better! Hopefully, this issue will be resolved at the OCC level. It seems reasonable that if they did the fill they would do the follow-up in this case. Take good care. Jann

Vix, I know it's tough and hurting sure doesn't help but we have to just make lemonade as corny as that sounds. I spent most of August in the hospital, a week in critical care, came out of the hospital and made myself gain weight to compensate for my frailty. My fill doc said it was absolutely the right thing for me to do. I got back into band-life when my strength returned and was just feeling good about things when I fell down my stairs and landed on my ankle promptly breaking it. No exercise for me even though I was totally stoked about getting into my program and can't drive my car because it's my right ankle leaving me housebound and frustrated. Trust me when I tell you I feel some of your pain. The best we can do is be good with band-life for now and the rest will follow. Warm Hugs, Jann

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail July 29, 2008 at 9:36 AM EDT To drop 10 per cent of their body weight and keep it off for two years, obese and overweight women must exercise at least 55 minutes a day, five days a week, according to a new study. Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine this week said that in addition to limiting calories, overweight and obese women must exercise substantially more than was previously recommended. "The less they exercised the less weight they lost and the less they kept off," said John Jakicic of the University of Pittsburgh, who led the study. "It seemed like this magic number of 275 [minutes a week] is what really made a difference." Dr. Jakicic and his team spent two years studying 191 women between the ages of 21 and 45 with a body mass index of 27 to 40, which is above the threshold of healthy weight. Before taking part in the research, all of the women exercised less than 20 minutes a day, fewer than three days a week. The women were prescribed diets of between 1,200 and 1,500 calories a day, and were divided into groups with different exercise goals. While women in various groups lost weight, only those who exercised more than 55 minutes a day, five days a week, managed to keep the weight off two years later. "We really wanted to delve into the issues around how much you might really need to do to keep this weight off long term," Dr. Jakicic said. "This study sheds some clear light on what those numbers need to be." Before this study, health professionals often recommended that people exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes, five days a week. But that level is helpful only for those trying to maintain their health, Dr. Jakicic said, and is not effective for those who have managed to lose a large amount of weight and are trying to keep that weight off. Obesity is a major issue in Canada, where 59 per cent of adults are overweight, including 23 per cent who are obese, according to Statistics Canada. Overweight is defined as having a BMI - an approximation of body fat based on height and weight - of more than 25, while a BMI of more than 30 indicates obesity. But much of the focus on obesity has centred on issues of diet and ignored the impact of regular physical activity. "There's been so much about the Atkins diet and the Zone diet and surgery," Dr. Jakicic said. "But even people who have the surgery gain weight again without a major lifestyle change." Dr. Jakicic does not believe people should be discouraged by the exercise level required by his findings, even though working out 55 minutes a day, five days a week, may sound like too punishing a regimen. Most of the women who were successful in the study were working mothers, he said, and got their exercise by walking. They were only required to reach a moderate level of intensity with their workouts, and few women put in serious hours at the gym. "This shouldn't be discouraging. It can be done," he said. "They were able to find ways to make it work with their lifestyle." Keeping up the intense workout schedule was sometimes difficult, Dr. Jakicic admitted, but because the women were focusing on both diet and exercise, they were able to make up for any momentary lapses of will. "Not that over two years these women didn't flounder," he said. "But when they floundered with their diet, they were a little more diligent with their exercise." The women exercised in periods that would previously have been designated as "sitting time," spent in front of a TV, a computer or a book. "Most women say, 'I can't fit this into my lifestyle because it's going to negatively impact my family and children,' " he said. "When in fact what's negatively impacting the family is that they're not taking care of themselves."

That pretty much says it all! My hubby was against it as well but I simply said, "It's not a negotiation", then it was the cost which I negated because I used my own money, every argument he put up I calmly gave back a well researched response. I read every piece of material and viewed every video I could find on the subject. He sulked for a bit, I went to OCC alone, had it done and now hubby is incredibly supportive even reminding me if I go to take a sip of water during a meal or if a piece of food is too large. He actively participates in taking measurements and is forever with the camera to journal the differences. Every morning when I get up my vitamins are lined up by my coffee, he reminds me to drink a protein shake as I don't eat in the morning, and when I'm working if I forget to drink my water he'll place a bottle on my desk. Anyway, you get the point. He was adamantly against it and very vocal but now he gets it. He just had to get to that place in his head in his own time and in his own way. I think it was the fear of the unknown and that's what he reacted to. He now realizes that sometimes you just have to do something for yourself which leads to the greater good. I wish you luck in your journey and I hope your husband will come around. Take good care!

I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am for you! WOOT!

It's like looking at two totally different men. You should be so proud of this accomplishment!

Exactly right!

WAY TO GO!!! > =D>

WAY TO GO!! Nice one and not an easy one either! You should be so proud!

Absolutely awesome! Congratulations to you!

Welcome back, Paula. You were missed. I hope you can now relax for a bit and regroup!

OMG! Look at you go! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ah, but just think a couple months after banding when you look back and compare! Take this time to educate yourself on what you are entering into so there are no surprises for you post band. Can't wait to see your next pic!

Hun, just relax you are gonna be just fine! Read up, know what to expect and a new world will unfold. Truly, the band is the best gift I could have given myself. I wish I'd known about it years ago as Will T said but it just wasn't available back the day. I'd give up my diamonds before I'd give up my band. hehe

I didn't have any of that. I slept well the night after surgery including sleeping on the port side and continuing on to this day. I pretty much walked normally from day one. Had gas for a long bit but it finally went away. I was crazy bloated for three weeks and my belly was distended and hard to the touch. That's gone too. I haven't had any port pain but my largest incision was very unhappy for a long time and still hasn't healed. I'm going to have the doctor here look at it as that's a trifle long. (banded June 9th) It's still red and sore to the touch. All the rest are completely healed and fine. I can honestly say I don't have any complaints and I'm very happy with the results! Hope that helps!

You utterly totally rock! You are the rarest of human beings!

Oh congratulations! I'm so happy for you!

I had to start taking the bombs because I wasn't getting enough intake. I went through a phase where I knew I could eat anything in any amount and I forced myself into bandster rules. Then it turned completely around where I just didn't feel the need to eat at all. That's been happening for three weeks now. I'm not complaining, I just don't understand it. I was actually wondering if the fat shifted around my stoma giving me natural restriction again but I don't know if that's scientifically right. That's what I want to ask the doctor next week when I go in for my fill or non-fill whichever the case may be. The bulk of my weight has come off of my torso, particularly my belly and butt and in today's pictures I see my back has changed significantly as well. Actually, I didn't see that hubby pointed it out on his larger monitor. My real concern is if I don't meet the 1200 cals per day rule my body will go into starvation mode and hold the last 40 or 50 pounds. Yikes!

I got mine at GNC. It came in a box with like 30 of them. It's just a liquid container packed with proteins, 27 g, that you swig back. This set is peach flavoured. I find them very sweet but it is what it is. As long as it does the job, I'm good with that! I like the convenience of them over the process of making homemade shakes. I also keep one in my purse in case I forget to have one before I leave the house in the morning.

I love Wii Fit. Because I can't work my core 'til August 9th I've just been using it for weighing, bmi, and early balance. It's a fun way to get some exercise in for sure!

Absolutely! If you can get back some hard earned dough why not, eh?! My folder is ready to go. Just remember if you e-file they don't have the actual receipts and they will question your expenses and gum up the works. It might be a good year to send it in direct and avoid the hassle, Kitty.

Yay Tadpole! Good for you!!!! Welcome to Bandland!

Haha! Now, that's funny! I mean a foot or fist. (chuckling)

I'm not there yet, Mama, but I like the way you think and clearly it's working for you! I'm struggling to even get 800 to 1200 calories a day. I haven't had a fill yet (surg was June 9th) but I'm just NOT hungry. I have an appointment with the fill doctor at the hospital next week and I'm going to talk to him about it. I probably will not need a fill and I don't want an unnecessary one. I just don't know why I have no compulsion to eat. I eat because I have to at this point not because I want to. When I do prepare a meal I ensure that I'm getting my proteins first and foremost. To bring my calorie count up I have a Breyer's LF Fudgie (70 cals/serving) every single night. I also do a protein bomb in the mornings, 27 grams.