Lindsay

I have both of these books, too!

I get my fills done at a lapband facility here in Toronto, but they stopped accepting 'outside' patients almost 2 years ago now.

There are no other places who do it, as far as I know in Canada.

No one will touch me with a ten-foot-pole, knowing I had my lapband done in Tijuana.

Something to keep in mind, of course!

Specifically, your diet:

without wanting to sound like a total douche bag, diet is 80% of weight loss ........ you can exercise all you want, but if you're taking in more calories than your body is able to burn, weight or fat loss is unachievable. You have to dial in your diet.

Start logging every. single. thing. you. eat. weigh & measure your food, and log.

You can do this using many fre online services: http://www.fitday.com/, http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/, http://www.sparkpeople.com

also, it doesn't sound like your band may not be functioning properly, if you only feel restriction when something is getting stuck.

have you been getting blind fills? I'd get a fluoroscopy fill, so they can see exactly how quickly liquid is moving down ...

but then again, i've found 'hunger' is mainly mental for me, which was a huge obstacle to overcome.

Do you ever feel FULL?

It's probably time to look at the psychological aspect.

With the amount of exercise you're doing, I would question your diet and/or have you had your thyroid checked.

Not sure why you'd want 'diet pills'. An increase of blood pressure won't produce weight loss.

And if you're not motivated to change your eating habits, Weight Watcher/Jenny Craig/etc etc is another resource you'll just through money away on.

I hope this helps, a bit ... and puts things in perspective.

I remember the OCC telling me 3 months. So that's what I did - waited 3 months, between EACH fill.

My fill place here in Toronto, also highly recommended the 3 month wait ... its definitely not a quick process.

You have the lapband?

It's empty when you first get it ... you'll need to get a fill in about 3 months, post op.

what are you doing differently, that would cause weight loss?

Not a surprise, based on their poor reputation.

Received this email a few days ago:

Due to the current economic downturn, Fill Centers USA will no longer be available to assist with scheduling appointments or processing payments for gastric band aftercare. However, most of the Providers that were working within our Aftercare Network will still be available to assist with your needs. Please refer to our website, www.fillcentersusa.com for local contact information about your Provider and others in your area. We are very sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause and hope that you continue to have success with your band. The Providers would like to thank you, in advance, for your continued patronage!

Warm Regards,

The Fill Centers USA Team

www.fillcentersusa.com

hm. you will need to workout and eat clean to lose weight, even with the band.

Is it standard to get an epidural for surgery such as this?

I wouldn't go below that .. esp if you're working out regularly.

Just need to schedule much smaller meals throughout the day. I'm always snacking, to ensure I'm getting enough in me.

I think Optifast is super expensive for what it is.

Not sure why a good whey protein wouldn't do the same thing, with a lot less (artificial) ingredients

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I had really terrible acid reflex for the first 6-ish months after i got banded.

I remember taking an OTC antacid every morning, just to keep it under control.

It only lasted about 6 months, and I haven't had a major problem since.

I do avoid high acid foods/drinks (I dilute orange juice), don't drink carbonated pop & pineapple seems to irritate it.

But those are my experiences with the band.

Just wondering if anyone has talked to any of his past patients? (besides the one's the OCC might refer you to)

I couldn't find ANY info on him .....

I'm trying to plan a last minute trip down there, to get a fill (actually, a slight unfill) ...

Just depends if I can make it fit into my busy schedule!

wowwowowowwww!!

you look AMAZING!

!!!!!!!

I'm very disappointed in my surgery 6 months later I have lost nothing more than 7% of my body weight. I showed up at the clinic weighing 217 on Jan 7, 2011 and now July 23, 2011 I weigh 200. I eat about two thirds less of what I used to and while having lost 17 pounds feels good it isn't near enough or worth the 7k it cost. I'm still 50 to 60 pounds away from my goal weight six months after surgery. I was able to lose the 17 pounds by taking the drug phen-ter-mine and reducing my calories to less than 600 a day. The problem has been that without the phen-ter-mine I eat about 1000 calories a day but still don't lose weight. I've had all the tests done, thyroid is functioning well, no issues with blood work no nothing to account for the lack of weight loss. My husband jokes that maybe they thought I was an organ donor instead of a plication patient (not funny).

Are you exercising?

Your metabolism won't move unless ........... less calories does NOT mean automatic weight loss for the majority of the population.

Are you keeping a food journal?

What do you eat on a typical day?

A calorie isn't a calorie.

ie. 220cal chocolate isn't equal to 220cal of protein.

I would have to say, I've seen A LOT of people come and go throughout this forum, and the ones that are successful are the ones that make drastic lifestyle changes from exercising at least 3x's week, and completely revamping our relationship with food.

Lindsay,

Thank you so much for your post.

My weight today was 185 and I am 5-6. I am able to eat protein still but if I drink cold drinks fast that gives me more problems. Especially if I am not relaxing when I drink , like when I am working out hard.

I am a bit tired and I think I do need more fats .. I will get the flax seed oil and maybe try to add some avocados. I think you are right about needing more calories on the days I work out.. My cardio monitor says I burn about 500 calories from my work out.

I am working out with a trainer twice a week at the gym 1/2 hour weights and 1/2 hour cardio. I also do cardio on the third day myself. Today I am going to start a beginning running class that will end in a 5K in September. They meet once a week and then give us a plan for two more days to run a week at home. It looks like today we will walk for five minutes and and run for one minute during the group. Hope my knees hold out.

I have the 12 cc Johnson and Johnson band from the OCC and it has about 10cc's. I don't think they use this band in the USA. My doctor here was not used to adding so much fluid. I had to assure him the OCC said it was OK.

I am not too fond of eating protein. I do like the Greek Yogurt , string cheese, and cottage cheese. The chicken and fish are getting old. I am not too creative on ways to prepare them.

Do you have any suggestions on other proteins?

Thanks again for the info..

Do you know what your bodyfat percentage is?

This is a much clearer indication of your body composition.

If you haven't had your bodyfat tested, I would recommend you get it done .. not with a scale (they're terribly inacurate) but with calipers, or even better, if you're near a facility that offers the BodPod, you should go and get it done. It's amazing ... esp as you really watch your progress kick start from here on in.!

A trick: Have you tried drinking with a straw? I find this really helps me with gas, and keeping liquids down, esp first thing in the morning.

It's one of those things I always use now - a straw!

Are you using a HRM (heart rate monitor) during your workouts?

If so, what kind is it?

As you're losing fat, you're building muscle, which is something you want to maintain.

As for Protein ... I don't really eat for pleasure anymore. Protein is protein. It gets boring after awhile .. Join the club, sista'!

I don't go for dairy as a protein source -- I take a calcium supplement, and I don't like the the way dairy makes me feel (bloated).

I wouldn't pick dairy as a protein source --- not a great one, as a whole ... so don't reply on it as your protein source for a meal.

Chicken. Beef (lean), Turkey, Salmon, Talapia.. what kind of fish are you eating?

Fresh? Wild? Farmed?

(Stay way from canned.)

You could also do a post-workout protein shake .. I believe I had a post on here, on my protein shake recipes.

Try doing a search for it, and let me know if you can't find it .. I'll repost.

You can make up to 2 meals a day, a shake. They're kind of what I tend to go to, when I don't feel like eating (like when it's really hot outside, and i'm not hungry AT. ALL.

Mine was tender, too ... I believe I had off and on pain like you're describing for a few months post op.

I've only had my fills done without it -- the only clinic around me that would do my fill doesn't offer it.

They have you lay down on your back, so usually, the port can be felt, even if it's through a thick layer of fat.

Don't worry - they're professionals, and they know what they're feeling for. It's not a big deal if they have to go int a couple times to find the spot.

It happened to me a first .. again, not a big deal, as the need is thin and it's worth the extra pinch.

If anything, it's the amount of fill you should be concerned about.

You don't want your fills to be done aggressively, causing a serious overfill.

I went back 3 times, with 3 month time spans (the recommended time between fills) before I felt any real restriction.

This is on the side of caution, but the way you want your fills to be done, if they're done blind (without flouro)

Lindsay,

Thanks so much for the reply. Yikes........ I had no idea about the one ounce of protein per body weight. My doctor who did my fill said if I could eat 3 oz of protein each meal that was enough. He even said I did not have to eat anything except for protein , water and vitamins until I reach 75 percent of my weight loss. Also that it should be about 600 -800 calories a day. My trainer who is a dietitian is having a fit when I tell her about only eating protein. Today I was able to have a protein shake for breakfast , 3 oz chicken for lunch and 3 oz fish for dinner. I was able to drink today without having any problems at work. I still am debating driving four hours tomorrow for an unfill. I wonder if I can increase the protein like you said and not have any problems. What is your typical diet that you eat each day? You look wonderful...

Thanks so much for the reply

Hey Sherri!

I'd be curious as to why your (registered?!) dieition/trainer is having a fit you're only taking in protein?

She needs to reminded you're going goal is fat loss. I would guess she's not under the full understand of what the lapband is.

Most (i'm going to generalize) doctors & professionals in the diet/nutrition field don't understand the entire 'i can only eat 1/2c of food PER MEAL', which is what us lapbanders are dealing with. To them, it's completely barbaric, and unhealthy.

We can not eat nearly as much as they'd like to see us eat ... therefore, we have to really be cautious of what we do put in our system, to ensure we're being smart about the calories we do take in.

High protein diets are extremely common for weight/fat loss, as it causes the least amount of muscle mass.

If you feel your energy is low, increase your fats (ie. add a Tbsp of flax oil on your chicken, then eat) -- this will really make a huge difference.

You will be adjusting your diet, based on your results and the way you feel.

Carbohydrates are completely unnecessary, if you feel your energy levels are manageable.

Because we have restricted amount of room in our stomach, we really need to ensure we're taking in VALUABLE food sources.

I would NOT suggest going below 1200cal a day .. I don't know what professional would suggest 600-800 cal a day if you're working out regularly.

This will not only deplete any muscle gains, it can also do a lot of damage in terms of bone density, and blood sugar levels.

It can also do serious long-term damage to your metabolism, which is a bitch to get back into gear ... once it slows down ...

While you have great weight loss at first, on an extremely low caloric intake, it will come to complete halt --- at which time, you'll need to reset your body by taking in even MORE calories, usually in the form of protein.

What is your height & current weight and bodyfat %?

Also, what is your current workout routine like?

How many cc's do you currently have in your band?

And now many does it hold?

...

I experienced the same thing. I did not lose ONE pound for over a month... But just last week I finally started losing again and by this week there is an 8 pound change. I did decide to order the HCG or HGC drops - a one month supply. Anything to keep the scale moving. My hope is that I can trigger some weight loss that I wont gain back (hope my surgery will prevent regaining). I'm tired of being frustrated - want results! I too go to the gym and drink lots of water, but I just don't want to be fat anymore lol!!!

I suggest you do a search in this forum for HCG before spending another cent on it.

That is not 'normal'.

If you're gagging on liquid (water at the gym) you are definitely too tight.

If you're only taking in an average of 3 oz of chicken (breast, specifically) a day, that's about 30g of protein.

You should be taking in about 1g of protein per POUND OF BODY WEIGHT per day.

Ie. I weigh 145lbs, and take in a minimum of 140g of protein A DAY.

I didn't spend the night at the clinic. They let me go back to the hotel ... but they said i could stay if i wanted to!

It's to decrease the size of your liver, and is emphasized as it will/can decrease your risk of complications.

"Reducing body fat in the abdomen and liver increases patient safety."

Losing weight before surgery will lower the risk of complications and make weight loss surgery safer. For the super obese patients, losing sufficient weight before surgery will allow the surgery to be performed laparoscopically, rather than as open surgery. The main purpose of losing weight before weight loss surgery is to reduce body fat in the abdomen region, especially in and around the liver. By reducing the size of the liver, the operating time for laparoscopic surgery is shortened and the procedure is safer. In some instances, a bariatric surgeon may postpone surgery if the patient's liver is too large.

The average weeks prior the bariatric surgery is normally eight to twelve weeks and this does not mean that the patient can eating he or she wants. The patient should this waiting time to start eating healthy.

Some surgeons even require their patients to lose at least ten percent of their current weight before the bariatric surgery is performed. Accordingly, those who have lost ten to fifteen pounds prior the surgery had fewer complications.

The ideal pre bariatric surgery diet is high protein and calorie restricted diet as this type of diet can reduce the liver size, which may mean less operating time. This type of diet may also decrease the presence of fat found in the upper abdomen. Lesser fat in the upper abdomen may mean fewer complications to the patient.

Calorie restricted diet will also be the diet that you have to observed after the procedure, for the rest of your life, so it is recommended that as early as now you get used to it.

Protein is also needed by the body before the surgery. The roles of the protein after the bariatric surgery are:

Help in healing process

Increase level of energy

Makes the transition from pre-surgery diet to post op diet much faster

and more info:

A pre-surgery bariatric diet is designed to:

Reduce Bodyfat - especially the depot fat around the abdominal mid-section. Since this is the specific surgical area, this is beneficial to the safety of the patient.

Preserve Lean Body Mass - intake of sufficient amounts of protein is "anti-catabolic" or "protein sparing". This means that getting adequate protein prevents the body from utilizing lean muscle tissue as an energy source while losing body fat on a calorie restricted diet.

Prepare the Body for Post-Surgery Recovery - eating healthy, increasing protein intake and avoiding refined carbohydrates, sugars and saturated fats provides the body with beneficial nutrients, vitamins and minerals that will help prepare it for the nutritionally demanding post-bariatric surgery recovery.

Prepare the Patient for the Post-Surgery Diet - following a reduced calorie, higher protein, lower carbohyrdate diet is essentially the way a bariatric surgery patient will be eating for the rest of their life. Therefore, before the surgery is the best time to get used to making healthy food choices and using protein diet supplements that will be needed after surgery.