TracieR

Thanks for the tip! I am going to look into FA. I had done OA years ago and hadn't even thought about it for now. Thanks!

Thanks for the support! It is greatly appreciated!

Sounds like you're doing great! Working out for me has been a huge help - Good Luck to you!

I haven't been a perfect bandster. I'm a night eater. I wait until my husband and son are asleep and I eat bad things. I am such an addict. I tell myself go to bed! At least now it is not the quantity but the quality of what I eat. Chocolate milk, ice cream, peanut butter crackers, any crap I can find. It really is an addiction. I've been doing better and like I said I can't eat too much but I can't stop myself. What can you do but work on it. I am working through it. I try to keep myself busy, clean my house, go online, maybe go for a walk. I definitely have been doing better but it is my nemesis. The good thing I can say is that since getting my band I start over everyday being a good bandster. That has always been my downfall in the past, falling off the wagon and giving up. This tool has helped me not give up. I can't believe it has been 5 months. The first month I wasn't sure I did the right thing. Everyone kept telling me I would feel better once the weight started coming off. Now I'm down about 80lbs and I'm happy with that. Honestly while I know it is good I wish it was more. I'm addicted to losing! I'm trying to switch my night eating habit to a working out habit. I have had a trainer for about 3 months and that has been my saving grace. He pushes me and gets me to do things that I NEVER thought possible! Well for the last two weeks he has been on vacation and I have been on my own. The lazy has creeped back in. He gave me a routine to follow while he is gone and I have only done 2 nights of it. So I guess I learned that I definitely still need the trainer. We'll keep budgeting it until I feel like I can keep it up myself. I did work out last night. Every excuse I can think of ran through my head all day not to go. I went and I am so glad I did. It was hard work but I have no guilt and I didn't eat last night! My goals for this week is to do my routine 3 times (at least). I can do it, I will do it!

My doctor only does fills on Thursdays the same night as my personal trainer appts and I have been fine afterward! Good Luck!

I get the shoulder pain too! I notice it when I overeat and when I drink to soon after eating. It is definitely my sign that I have overdone it. I definitely stop because like you said it gets sharper if I don't! Have a great week!

Do you have a staircase or are you close to a track that has stadium seating? I'm up to 70 times (up&down is 1) on the stairs at least 3 times a week! It will get you heart rate up and you can't cheat the stairs! Then I do some arms with weights and leg lifts for my stomach! I feel it the next day! Good luck to you!

I'm sorry I don't have an answer to your question but have a question of my own. I have BCBS - what form of it is changing? Thanks for the info! Good Luck!

I am at almost 80 pounds lost and still have a hard time seeing it! Like a lot of the other posts - I've been big so long I'm not sure what I will look like! I've been working out like crazy too! Just this weekend I had to go and get some new pants - mine are constantly falling down . I went from a size 26/28 to a size 18/20. And I thought - Hmmm maybe this is working! You are doing awesome! Keep at it and you will have an aha moment before you know it!

WOW! Congratulations to you! What a blessing for your family....hope you have a safe and healthy pregnancy!

Congratulations! You should be so proud!

Thanks so much! I just worried because after my first fill I went 2 months feeling ok so I didn't expect for it to change so quickly this time. Just when I think I'm getting used to this band I feel something different or new and start worrying that something is wrong! Thanks again for your help!

I know nothing with these bands are normal. But this seems weird... I had my second fill on 7/7. Since then I have been pretty tight. I've had to really watch what I eat and take it super slow! Fast forward to yesterday (about 3 weeks later) and I've noticed that I can eat a lot more and everything just goes right down. Even drank right after eating and no issue today. I'm getting nervous that something is wrong. Anyone else have this happen? Thanks!

Mine said 8 weeks for abs! Definitely check with your Dr. Good Luck to you!

I still have a long way to go but today I weighed under 300 for the first time in almost 10 years! WOOT-WOOT!!!! I had surgery 4 1/2 months ago and can't believe it! It has been a lot of work and definitely not easy but worth all the effort! My next goal is to be in onederland. I know I can do it! Thanks to all of you on these boards whose posts I read whenever I need encouragement- which most of the time is daily! You all have helped me more than you will ever know!

So I just returned from a 10 day vacation in Disney and visiting family in Florida. I was worried how I would do with eating out and all that! While I didn't always make the best food choices, I am proud of myself!! I came back and lost 2 lbs. I really tried hard and didn't feel like I missed out on anything! Even at the buffets in Disney there are healthy choices, I sat at the table and drank water and coffee while everyone got there first dish. When I finished drinking and waited some time I went and got my food - while most everyone was on their second plate! I scheduled things for us to do everyday that were healthy! Had a wonderful time and my feet didn't hurt after walking around all day. I enjoyed every minute of have less weight on me! 4 more pounds until I am under 300lbs for the first time in years. I am so happy I started this Lap Band journey. It really is a wonderful tool to help you on the right track to losing weight and getting healthy! Have a wonderful 4th of July everyone!

I am about 10 weeks out from surgery. Started working out with a personal trainer 3 times a week 3 weeks ago. Feeling good but my weight has been the same for 3 weeks now. I am starting to get frustrated. I am eating well, 3 meals (high Protein, low card), no snacking, not drinking with meals, etc. Any one else having similar issue or can shed some light on maybe why I'm not losing?

I get it in my left shoulder. That is my sign that I ate too much!

Happy Moday! I am Tracie, 35 years old and live in NEW YORK (had to do it in caps too!). I am married to my best friend for almost 2 years and we have an almost 2 year old boy. I am the director of a Boys & Girls Club and I love my job. I decided tohave lapband surgery because I have struggled with my weight my whole life and want to be healthy and have another child. We got pregnant easily with my son but I have gained over 50lbs since he was born and been having issues. I had my surgery on 3/8. I am about a month out and have lost 30lbs so far. I am so happy with the numbers going down! I have been starving the last week or so. I am trying really hard to make good choices but everyday is a struggle. I go back to my Dr. on 4/21 and I hope I can get a fill to see if that helps. I 've bene using this site to get support or just ot keep busy when I want to eat. I've been trying to get out and walk a few times a week. I also just got a personal trainer that i will start with on 4/25. Can't wait! Good luck to everyone! I hope your weight loss journey is all that you dreamed it to be!

My surgeon will be on the show today! Dr. Shawn Garber. His website says he will be featured on the Dr. Oz Show as an expert, discussing the LAP-BAND® procedure. We'll see how it goes!!!

Hi Everyone! I was banded 3/8 - coming up on 4 weeks! It has definitely been a challenge, but I've been working it and I think my mind is coming around. I am still on mushies until 4/18. Go to see my Dr. on 4/21 - probably will get a fill. I have some restriction now but still feel hungry most of the time. I get bad left shoulder pain when I eat or drink too fast or too much, so I'm learning. I have become obsessed with this website and been using it for my support daily. It took a couple of weeks but I am happy that I started this journey! I'm down 28 pounds! Have a great day!

I've been walking everyday, just feel ready to do more. I am planning to follow my doctors orders but I was just curious what others say. Thanks!

I'm wondering when I can start picking up my 2 year old again? It would make things move much faster, especially in the morning! Also, when did your Dr. say you can start exercising? I don't mean walking, I mean getting a persoal trainer kind of working out. I am so motivated and ready to go but my doctor says 4-6 weeks. I'm only 3 weeks out! (Who would have thought I'd be wanting to exercise! Yay me!) Thanks!

I have the same problem. My doctor says its referred pain from either gas in your diaphragm or your band hitting a nerve. It's my signal that I ate too much or too fast!

Thanks for the replies! You guys make me feel much better. I'm just taking it one day at a time and trying to get out of the house as much as possible. Thanks again!