bellaloco

It really depends on how active you were before your surgery. I was walking on the treadmill within a couple days, and back on the elliptical machine for an hour after a week. The only exception would be swimming...you absolutely MUST wait until you form scabs over your incisions. If you get in the pool too early, you put yourself at risk for a major infection...public pools are disgusting!! The other exception would be ab/core work...even two years post-op, I only do that stuff once or twice a week!

It's been less than a week, and it's hard to tell what I've really lost because it's my TOM right now, and I always get super bloaty and retain a lot of water! I noticed a considerable difference right away. It no longer felt like someone was constantly sitting on my chest. I have had no acid reflux or sliming. I haven't gotten anything stuck, and I am back to eating 3 small meals a day + a protein shake in the afternoon. The scale says I'm down about a pound in 4 days, but I will be able to get a more accurate picture after my TOM is done!

My insurance doesn't cover the fill, but it still will pay for the rest of the office visit. My last appointment was $200, but my insurance covered all but the $50 for the fill. As someone who works for an insurance company, I suggest giving the office your new insurance card, having them bill all the procedure codes and see what gets paid!

I went to my doctor yesterday for a band adjustment. My last fill was in Feburary, and I lost about 10 pounds after, but I have since gained most of it back. I had been experiencing lots of acid reflux, vomiting incidents, food getting stuck, etc in the last few weeks. All the symptoms of a too-tight band. My doctor took out about .5 cc and I felt immediate relief! I guess I just didn't realize how bad it had been, or maybe I was trying to justify that I was ok...I don't know? I feel back on track now and ready to take on the world!! Moral of the story...too-tight band, definitely NOT a good thing!

The band is more or less "forced portion control," so I don't feel like a fraud when I tell someone that all I am doing is focusing on diet and exercise...because it is 100% the truth. It may not be the WHOLE truth, but it is all the truth they need to know!

I absolutely LOVE myfitnesspal. To me, it is different than the "regular" calorie counter. I saved a shortcut to the home screen of my phone, so I am always reminded to log in. I love that it has a barcode scanner and a multi-add function. I also love that it has a recipe calculator...you can enter ANY recipe and it will calculate the number of calories per serving.

I have an honest question, so don't get offended...but from what I understand about Herbalife, doesn't it go against all the Band Rules we have been taught. Isn't it mostly based on liquid meal replacements?

something similar happened to me last weekend. I got my first fill in over 18 months last Tuesday (2/7). I did liquids/soft solids for the first two days, but my husband and I went to dinner on Saturday for Valentines day...Mexican food. I ordered enchiladas, took way too big of a bite and had to run for the bathroom...not fun! I think subconsciously, I was trying to "test" my band to make sure it was still working...well it is! Haven't had any episodes since then, and I am down 8 pounds since my fill last week!

I was never a huge soda drinker, but I miss being able to just chug an ice cold coke! I miss being able to bite into a full sandwich and/or burger. Having them wrapped in lettuce and eating them with a knife and fork just isn't the same! There is this place in Utah called Crown Burger and they make these AMAZING Pastrami burgers. I have already told my husband that if/when I get pregnant and need to have my band loosened, it is the first place I'm going!

I have found meat substitutes are a lot easier to get down than actual meat products...especially right after a fill. Here are some of my favorites: Morningstar Farms Chipotle Black Bean Burgers, Maple Sausage patties, Spicy Sausage Patties, Spicy Chik'n Wings. Boca Chik'n Nuggets-they totally satisfy my nugget craving! Also by Boca-sausage links, Tomato-basil Bruschetta Burgers. Also, this sounds a lot more disgusting than it tastes, but I love adding cottage or ricotta cheese to my oatmeal...if you like cottage cheese, try it!

I went full-on Vegan for about 6 months after I watched Food Inc. I have slowly incorporated some animal products back into my diet. The thought of milk absolutely grosses me out, so I haven't had anything other than soy or almond milk for the last 5 years. I don't eat a ton of meat now, but when I do, I make sure it is high quality. It usually only comes from Whole Foods, or our local Farmers Market

I just add to taste...there are not very many calories in straight-up cocoa powder, and zero in both stevia and splenda, so it doesn't add too many extra calories

Almost every morning during the work week, I have plain greek yogurt (which I get in two large tubs at costco for $4) with some frozen berries and about a tsp of agave drizzled on top. By the time I get to work, the berries have defrosted, but kept the yogurt cold at the same time. It is the perfect breakfast! Also, if you're in need of a chocolate fix...it is really good mixed with some cocoa powder and either stevia, splenda, or agave...to cut out the bitterness.

chocolate with chilies is delicious...if you get a good brand! My brother brough be back some Lindt from Germany that was 75% dark chocolate with a cherry-chili filling. It was one of the best chocolate bars I have ever eaten! I haven't been able to find it in America though!

Hi Everyone, Just went in for my first fill in over 18 months! I went to a new surgeon and he gave me this article. I haven't read all of it yet, but it's pretty interesting so I thought I would share! http://bariatrictimes.com/2011/09/22/gastric-banding-and-the-fine-art-of-eating/

I don't deprive myself of anything...if you do, it's just like any other diet! If I want to eat a little bit of something sweet, I will do it, knowing damn well that I will either be in the gym for an extra 20 minutes, or exchanging it with something else I would have eaten that day. I've lost 5 pounds this week, and I've eaten a chocolate chip cookie, fudge covered pretzels, and a fun-size kit kat! I have also been at the gym every night burning around 800-1000 calories each night. It's an exchange program you have to learn to control...It does put things into perspective and makes you analyze how much you really want to eat something, and how hard you are willing to work so that you can eat it! If you can understand that control, I don't see any reason why you should feel you need to deprive yourself of something you love.

at my 50 pound loss I went Gwen Stefani platinum blonde and I LOVED it! I'm not considering new clothes as a reward until I get to my goal weight and can buy some designer stuff. For now, I just try to stay as cheap as possible with clothes-I only buy clearance rack stuff, and only when I absolutely NEED something-like when my jeans literally fall off me when I walk! I started a running program in November, with the goal that I would get me some kick-a$$ running shoes if I was able to stick with the program for 3 months...I just got my awesome brand new Nikes today! Here are the other rewards I have planned: onederland=a new purse-either a Dooney Bourke or Coach 100 lbs=some expensive new shoes Goal weight=True Religion Jeans

This is a great post! After a year of struggling with the band "rules" and not losing a SINGLE pound, I joined MFP last week, and I have already lost two pounds. I could go on forever about MFP and how wonderful it is. I though I was doing great, but I was still eating way too many calories and not realizing it. MFP has been a lifesaver for me...and it's only been a week. There are certain foods that I don't eat-not really because I choose not to, but more because I physically CAN'T eat them! I still enjoy the things I love-burgers I eat wrapped in lettuce, or with a fork and knife. Pizza-I have to eat thin crust and also eat with a fork and knife. Overall, I have changed my habits, but no one is perfect 100% of the time...I wouldn't want to live like that. A calorie is a calorie-if I want to splurge and eat something a little more on the unhealthy side, I know that I need to either skip on eating something else, or work extra hard at the gym! Thank you for such a wonderfuly post!

I have seen progress, especially since I started tracking my calories. I was never a fan of "counting" calories, but it has really helped me put things into perspective. Even though I was eating smaller portions, I still wasn't making the best food choices. I also have my first first fill in over a year scheduled for next Tuesday. I'm pretty certain that will help a lot!

I experienced the EXACT same thing...I lost about 50 pounds in the first 6 months, but then lost nothing for the next 8 or 9. For me, I think my body was just in shock and it had to do some major adjusting, but here are some things I tried that helped. 1-try the 5 day pouch test-http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ It will help you determine if your band is adjusted properly and kind of "re-teach" you all those rules you were following as a newbie. I lost 7 pounds after the 5 days and didn't gain any of it back 2-I joined myfitnesspal.com to track my calories and exercise. I found somedays that even though I thought I was doing well, I was consuming way too many calories. 3-you said you had a lot of free time. I suggest trying all different types of fitness classes to mix up your routine. If you have netflix, there are a lot of workouts you can stream...there are a couple Pilates ones I love. My current routine consists is-Monday: Pilates, Tues, Thurs: Sat-30 min Running, 30 min Elliptical, Sun: Either arm strength training and 30 min elliptical or 1 hr of swimming. Friday is my Free day-ya gotta have one or you'll go crazy! 4-On days I am down, I pull out a pair of my "fat" pants to remember how far I have come! Hope this helps, good luck!!

I had my surgery in the summer, so I pretty much lived off 7-11 Sugar Free slurpees for a week! SF Jello, crystal light. Try adding different flavors to your broth-lemon pepper, lime juice, cajun season, etc. I only had to do clear liquids for a week, and that first week just really sucks, but it is so worth it! Stay strong!

I haven't been able to do crunches or any other kind of core workouts since my surgery (June 2010). If I go slow, I can manage to get through Pilates, but that's about it. Even after a good, hard run I have a little pain. I have heard it is pretty normal, but I suggest talking to your doctor if it becomes unbearable.

I'm a big wine fan, was before surgery. I got some smaller glasses and limit myself to 1-2 a week. I found some sugar-free margarita mix made with Splenda that isn't too terrible. I also love Diet Cranberry with Crown Royal and lime juice. Just make sure you exercise more on the days you want to drink so you don't have to worry so much about the extra calories!

All of these food suggestions are great, but I have some non-food suggestions for you as well... Make sure you have some good "loungy" pants-like track pants or sweats. Something with a draw-string waist that will be non-irritating on your incisions. I also suggest a sports bra and slip-on shoes. That was my big mistake...I wore tennis shoes, thinking I would want something comfortable for when I was discharged...my hubby had to put them back on for me!

Costco has MM Lite in the ready made. They are great to grab in the morning during the work week. I think they are on special right now (until the end of January) $4 or $5 off. As for powder, I prefer the brand Pure Protein. I got mine at Target, but I know it is available at Walmart as well.