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, my head coach on this Banded Living journey 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 5o% 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.
Here are the 10 things I learned about how to use my tool:
- I stay close to my surgeon and have a whole team of people to help me on my journey. It starts with my surgeon who is my head coach. I also surround myself with other successful members of the Banded Living community.
- I don’t drink with meals. It defeats the band.
- I make sure I get enough protein everyday.
- I eat good quality meals and I don’t graze. I do best when I eat for 20 -30 minutes and leave the table.
- I don’t drink my calories – my properly adjusted band helps with portion control but only if I am eating solid foods. (It doesn’t restrict ice cream or a high calorie frappuccino, or Long Island Iced Tea).
- I’ve learned to take small bites and chew, chew, chew. I also use small plates.
- I’ve learned what foods are difficult for me, and I stay away from those choices. I have lots of great choices. I’ve learned to dine and enjoy food again.
- I always have a plan or a least a plan B, each and every day for how I am going to use my tool. NO EXCUSES. I’m not afraid to carry food with me (Ziploc bags are my friends), or ask a hotel to open the gym at 5:00 am because I’m traveling and have an early meeting.
- I journal when I need to. I journaled consistently during my first year of Banded Living. When I wander off track, or gain a few pounds, I go back to basics and journal for a while. It helps me stay in my target weight range by keeping me accountable to myself.
- I make myself a priority. I take care of my health, I eat right, I exercise, I take my vitamins…and live my life to the fullest!
Now I’m not saying that I use my tool perfectly all of the time. What I am saying is that I’ve learned how to use my Lap-Band to get great results and keep myself in the same (small) pair of jeans for over 2 years. When I don’t use my tool correctly, I gain a few pounds, but I know how to go back to basics, and keep my weight within a normal, healthy range. This has worked for me, and if you are frustrated or trying to learn how to get the most out of your tool, I hope you find something useful from what I’ve learned.
Update: Click her for more information about how I am transforming with the lap band tool!
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Gloria!! Thank you for all you do to pay it forward!! As I’ve mentioned before, I am hoping to be approved (by insurance) to get my band sometime in late April or early May when I finish up my supervised diet. Can you tell me about how many calories you eat per day? I have heard from several folks that it is around 1,000 – 1,200. To me, that seems sooooo low and unhealthy…even if you’re not hungry. I always thought a person’t metabolism would slow down if they were not eating enough calories.
Again…thanks so much!!!
Angie
Hi, Gloria–
Let me answer the questions you posted on LBT:
1) Which of the things I’ve learned about how to use my tool work for you?
I apply all of the rules you’ve listed. (For three, I modify a bit–see below.)
Eating rules aside, I think that staying close to our doctors is maybe the most critical factor—and one that, from what I can tell, often falls by the wayside. Doing things my way has never been tremendously effective for me, at least not for the long term. Having my doctor’s expertise to guide me is a gift. I plan to use this resource for life.
Aside from benefiting from his expertise, regular contact with my doctor also helps keep me on the straight and narrow. While I’m doing my best to succeed as a bandster for myself, rather than to please others, I have to admit that there really is a part of me that believes that when a person puts his reputation and license on the line for me, I owe him my best in return. He’s done a terrific job; now I try to do my job as well as he’s done his. I’m not seeking his approval—I just view it as holding up my end of the bargain.
2) Which don’t work for you?
Really, I agree with and apply all of your rules. I do modify three:
* I’m not a *concrete* planner. At any time, I have several ready-to-prepare (or already-prepared) meal choices, but I don’t necessarily plan in advance which I will use at a given time. I am never without options, and I am more than happy to carry food with me. But I don’t necessarily know, in the morning, what I will choose for dinner.
* I do drink calories—well, at least *certain* calories. I find I feel far better (and lose better) if I supplement my protein intake. I plan for 1-2 servings a day, depending on how much I get from food. Otherwise, I’m a strict no-calorie liquid kind of girl. I like to eat my calories.
* I don’t graze, but if I am genuinely hungry, I will eat a protein snack. In most cases, this is one of the planned protein shakes. I suspect that as my gastric restriction increases and my eating restrictions ease, my need for this will decrease; at this point, my intake is very low, and it’s really needed.
3) Is there anything on this list that your surgeon would object to? He might take exception to MY use of protein supplements. But given that I’m losing at a nice rate, even without restriction, I don’t think he’d object strenuously. I’ll ask him when I see him on Wednesday!
I agree with all of the ‘tips of the tool’ you listed.
My support team includes my surgeon and his staff, an on-line OA sponsor, a local Band support group, my gym and my family.
I don’t do as good a job at planning as I could — and am working to do this better.
I do carry a snack that I know ‘agrees’ with my band in my purse at all times.
I honor your success — and thank you for sharing your journey with all of us.
I do pretty much the same as everyone else. There are very few foods that I can’t eat (clams, of all things, go figure!, and eggs give me a hard time!). But I keep in touch with the doctor’s office a lot. They are very supportive and even kind. My doctor would like to see me drink more protein shakes, but I can’t get down that much liquid in a day. I feel great, am very happy I chose the band, and very happy with my success. It’s all still pretty hard to believe!