TracieR

It brought tears to my eyes reading your post! It reminds me of so many times people are thoughtless. I wish you much happiness and success for the future!

Congratulations and best wishes for a happy and healthy mommy and baby!!!

My doctor says not to drink with meals at all right from the beginning. Once I recieved restriction it has become a non-issue because I physically can not drink while I eat. Everyone's doctor is different but from what I have read you should not drink while you eat at all.

Congratulations! Good Luck with you first half marathon! That is so great!

The new year is here. I would assume the gym is busier than ever. I wouldn't know because I have been since last year! I will be there tomorrow though. I am such a lazy bones since the holidays. We are going on vacation next Sunday and in my head I'm like "I 'll get back on track after we get back". Why wait? I will go work out tomorrow and Wednesday and Friday! On another note I am so excited for vacation. We are going to Florida. Visiting the in-laws for a few days and Disney with some friends for a few days. I am so excited for Disney. I am so excited that I am 110+ lbs less. I will be able to keep up with everyone. I'll be able to ride the rides with my son. My feet will hurt less. I already scoped out where the gym is in the resort. My goal is to at least make it there twice during the week. I stocked up on my favorite quest protein bars. I figure I can have a shake for breakfast, snack on my bars in the park and then a good dinner. Save money and eat healthy. I also have to come clean about something. I am the worst water drinker in the world. I really have not been getting my 64 oz a day. I do drink crystal light and decaf coffee. Well, lately I've been getting these really bad pains in my back. I think it is my kidneys. When I get them I stop what I'm doing and try to get down a big glass of water. It seems to help the pain subside. I mentioned it to my doctor. She gave me a script for blood work to check kidney function. I think I was scared straight. I also read up on the benefits of drinking water. It could also account for the dry skin problem I have and a while host of other things that are wrong! So I am on the water drining bandwagon and am aiming for 100 oz per day. This is what I found online.... Top 11 Health Benefits of Drinking Water You will be amazed of the benefits of drinking water as follow: Lose weight: Drinking water helps you lose weight because it flushes down the by-products of fat breakdown. Drinking water reduces hunger, it’s an effective appetite suppressant so you’ll eat less. Plus, water has zero calories. Natural Remedy for Headache: Helps to relieve headache and back pains due to dehydration. Although many reasons contribute to headache, dehydration is the common one. Look Younger with Healthier Skin: You’ll look younger when your skin is properly hydrated. Water helps to replenish skin tissues, moisturizes skin and increases skin elasticity. Better Productivity at Work: Your brain is mostly made up of water, thus drinking water helps you think better, be more alert and more concentrated. Better Exercise: Drinking water regulates your body temperature. That means you’ll feel more energetic when doing exercises. Water also helps to fuel your muscle. Helps in Digestion and Constipation: Drinking water raises your metabolism because it helps in digestion. Fiber and water goes hand in hand so that you can have your daily bowel movement. Less Cramps and Sprains: Proper hydration helps keep your joints and muscles lubricated, so you’ll less likely get cramps and sprains. Less Likely to Get Sick and Feel Healthy: Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu and other ailments like kidney stones and heart attack. Water adds with lemon is used for ailments like respiratory disease, intestinal problems, rheumatism and arthritis etc. In another words one of the benefits of drinking water is that it can improve your immune system. Relieves Fatigue: Water is used by the body to help flush out toxins and waste products from the body. If your body lacks water, your heart, for instance, needs to work harder to pump out the oxygenated blood to all cells, so are the rest of the vital organs, your organs will be exhausted and so will you. Good Mood: Your body feels very good and that’s why you feel happy. Reduce the Risk of Cancer: Related to the digestive system, some studies show that drinking a healthy amount of water may reduce the risks of bladder cancer and colon cancer. Water dilutes the concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine and shortens the time in which they are in contact with bladder lining. Can you see the importance of water to your body after understanding the above benefits of drinking water? I will report back how the water drinking is going....Good Luck to all for a lighter month!

I weigh myself everyday. I record it once a week. It keeps me on track. I figure not weighing myself for so long is why i got like this to begin with! You are still healing. Keep following the rules your doctor gave you and get your body moving and the weight will start to come off. Just keep at it....Good Luck to you!

We started at almost the same place. I had surgery on March 8th and was 371lbs! Whenever I fall off track I go back to basics. Liquids for a couple of days and then mushies finally solids. The aftercare is super important as well. I see my doctor monthly but seem to be averaging a fill every other visit! The thing for me that keeps the weight coming off is exercising. As long as I keep that up even if I have bad week of eating the weight still comes off, albeit slower than if I make good choices but still....can't be perfect. I think starting over is a great choice! You should google 5 day pouch test and follow that - it is kind of a reset! I wish you all the best! You can do it!

Go for it! I have no restrictions and can actually do these things now that I lost weight! Good Luck!

I hear what you are saying but I started this journey in March at 372lbs. I couldn't even get down or up off of the floor to play with my son. If you told me 10 months later I would be addicted to exercise I would have laughed at you....but now I am at the gym at least 4 mornings a week. I don't always love getting up but I am addicted to how I feel after. I guess my point is you just never know.....and I am so not crafty!!! Good Luck!!

Hi Erica! Having the lap band was the best thing I have ever done for myself. Good luck to you!

Is it that time of the month? I get super tight right before. Also, I can't eat grilled chicken. Gets stuck everytime. Once I get stuck I have to do mushies for a day or so because I swell from the stuck episode. Hope that helps!

During my preop testing my doctor warned that sometimes you trade addictions, and to be careful with alcohol and things like that. For me, I worked really hard and I can finally say that I have traded my food addiction for working out. YAY!! But I still have to try really hard not to shop too much. Especially since there are so many more cute things in a size 14/16 then in a size 26/28! I knew I would have to substitute the food for something healthy because I tend to have an addictive personality! UGH!!

2011 has been a very up and down year emotionally. I am feeling very blessed for my health and the health of my family. I am so thankful that I finally got over my excuses and had lap band surgery. I am down 120lbs in 10.5 months. I've worked hard and I am enjoying my new life. My son is thriving and so much fun right now - minus the terrible two days! We have our own home and both have jobs. We are very thankful and blessed! We lost my grandmother this year. It was hard but she had a very long and wonderful life! We are thankful for all the years with her. She would have been so happy that I am getting healthy. I miss her! We hope 2012 holds good things for us. We hope to give our son a brother or sister. Everyone keeps saying after losing weight it is easier to get pregnant. So far not true for us, been trying since August, and no luck so far. Trying to give myself a year after surgery before I start freaking out. Hoping my hormones get it together. I will be going to see my obgyn this month to get checked out again. Fingers crossed that this can be an easy road for us. I hope to lose another 60+ lbs to get to the goal I have set for myself. From there I will decide what my final goal will be. Last New Year's Eve I was so miserable and fat. This year I know I will reach my goals. I have to for me and my family! Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year! “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” Oprah

Congratulations! What a great way to start off the New Year with a new you!!

I've gotten stuck a bunch of times. I am definitely in agreement that it helps remind me to slow down. I also follow my doctors rules but that does not mean you are not going to get stuck. There are certain things for me that I have trouble eating. I can not eat chicken breast. It is way too dry and even if I take tiny bites or eat super slowly it gets stuck. This is just me. Eggs are the same way. I have to avoid them. Everyone is different. It also depends on how tight your band is. For me stress and hormones also play a roll in how tight my band is on a certain day. I also can not eat in the morning. I make a protein shake for breakfast everyday. I guess I'm just saying that everyone's experience with the band is so different you never know what might make you stuck.

I love crablegs from Red Lobster! They are high protein low fat and take forever to eat, so you don't feel deprived. Also love scallops. I eat them at least 3 times a week. Quick and easy to make!! Stay away from the cheddar biscuits though! hehe!!

I feel the same way. I've been out of control for the last week or so. The only thing I have done right is keep going to the gym. That is the only thing that has kept me from gaining. Once this week is over I will be back to being super strict with my food choices. I enjoyed my holiday and (hopefully) I haven't gained. That is all I can ask for! Happy New Year to you!

Congratulations! 22lbs gone is great! I had bad gas pains for about 3-4 weeks after surgery. Mine were in my left shoulder. Walking and a heating pad helped tremendously! I was starving after a few days. It really is about willpower the first month or so until you start getting fills. Some people it is longer some shorter. Depending on when you get restriction, for some people it takes a few fills. I was lucky to receive some restriction after one fill. Start walking as soon as possible. Walk around your neighborhood or in the mall. I started with one mile and everyday would add a little more. It helped me. Whenever I really wanted to eat I got up and went for a walk. Make sure you are getting in a lot of Water (fluids). It helps keep you feeling full and helps you lose. Maybe your weightloss will help the endometriosis? I know it has definitely helped me get my hormones back on track. We are trying for a second baby and trying to be hopeful! But it is a very frustrating process. I wish you all the best! Keep up the good work! Happy New Year!

YAY!! I am so happy for you! Enjoy every minute of your pregnancy!

I tell everyone who asks about my weightloss. I feel it helps keep me accountable. I also get the opportunity to educate people about my tool and what it has done for me. I have never had any negative feedback....to my face anyway!!

i'm so sorry you are going through this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! stay strong!

I started this journey at 371lbs, 5'9". I could barely walk around the block. I started everyday just adding an extra 5 minutes before you know it I was able to do more. Look into getting a trainer for a while that was the thing that pushed me to do things that I never thought would be possible. If you can swing it it would be totally worth it. Just get moving everyday and push yourself. Do you have a friend that you can work out with or just take a walk with? In the beginning I hated it but I knew I had to keep at it if i wanted to be successful. Now it is hard to believe but I actually like it and feel guilty if i miss a day! Who would've have thought? Only 9 months ago my exercise was walking to my car... You can do it!! You are young and strong! BTW, I can't stand the sight of Leslie Sansone either. I don't know what it is but I can't take her for one minute!! Good luck to you!!

You are truly an inspiration! I hope to be where you are at my one year also! What an awesome thing to celebrate this holiday season!

Congratulations! It is such a great feeling! When I finally broke down and bought myself some smaller sizes I felt so much better about myself and was really able to see the difference. So much fun!

Sounds like you need a fill! As you lose weight your band will loosen and you will be able to eat more. On average I got fills every other month, everyone is different and you will be able to judge when you need a fill with how often you get hungry and how much you can eat. If in doubt definitely call your doctor! Good luck!