Jenn1214

I've always had a big problem sticking to an exercise program. I don't want to spend the money on a gym since I was laid off a few months ago, plus I hate being trapped inside and feeling like a gerbil on a wheel, so I've begun walking for 30 minutes 5 times a week. I also try to be as active as possible when I'm not working out, i.e parking far away from the store and always returning my shopping cart, taking the stairs, etc. I will never be a gym rat but as long as I'm doing something to get my butt moving every day, that's a huge accomplishment for me. After I've lost some more weight I plan on doing the couch to 5k program since I know I'll need to step up my exercise as my weight gets lower. I also think once I'm a healthier weight I will find physical activity more enjoyable so I'll be able to do things like running, biking, ice skating, etc. The key is to find things that are fun to do if you really struggle with exercise. Good luck!

I don't burp as often as I did when I first got the band, but what I lack in quantity I make up in VOLUME! I do sometimes get that feeling that I have to burp, but can't...so annoying!

It took me a while to get back to feeling like myself. I attributed it to no solid food, anesthesia, and stress from surgery. Rest as much as you can and keep hydrated and you should start feeling better soon.

This is a recipe that I found on the Lapband.com website. I made these for a BBQ I had yesterday and my guests couldn't stop raving about them (banded and non banded alike)! Pepperoni pizza Bites Serving size: 1 bite recipes makes 24 Ingredients 1/2 cup shredded pizza blend cheese 1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese 1/4 cup fat-free cream cheese, softened 1 tablespoon olive oil mayonnaise 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 2 scallions, chopped 2 ounces pepperoni, finely diced 24 round won ton wrappers 1/2 cup pizza sauce Directions 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a mini muffin tin with cooking spray. 2. Combine pizza cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, oregano, and scallions in a food processor until smooth. Stir in pepperoni. 3. Gently press won ton wrappers into prepared muffin cups, allowing won ton edges to extend above sides of the cups. Spoon 1 teaspoon pizza sauce into each cup, then add 1 rounded teaspoon pepperoni mixture into each cup. 4. Bake about 15 minutes or until won ton edges are golden brown and pepperoni mixture is heated through. Serve hot. Per serving: Calories: 54 Sat. Fat: 1g Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 5 mg Sodium: 165 mg Carbs: 6g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 1g Protein: 3g

I've never been good at taking compliments about anything, much less my weight. Nowadays I just say a simple "thank you" and that's it. Then I try to change the subject because I get embarrassed by multiple compliments from many people. Hopefully this will change in the future...we'll see.

Don't worry, I couldn't feel mine at first either. Your biggest incision is where the port is. Mine is below my belly button, and I can only feel it if I lay on my back and press into my abdomen. The area is still numb for me too, but I don't think it's anything to be concerned about. As for the heparin, I got an injection right before surgery and two injections after (it was actually Lovenox, but they're similar drugs). When in doubt, don't be scared to ask!

I wish I could say mine was better, but I'm one of those unlucky ones who suffers from low libido due to hormonal changes from weight loss. My fiance doesn't complain since the frequency hasn't changed but I find I'm not initiating as much as I used to and I have a really hard time "getting there". I always had that problem before but now it seems worse. I hope this will get better :-(

It's perfectly normal not to lose weight at this stage. Your body is directing all its energy towards healing from surgery, so you may even notice weight gain. Concentrate on your recovery right now, and don't worry about the scale. The weight loss will come!

I didn't even fill my prescription for pain meds because of the lecture I got from the nurse when I was being discharged about how people get addicted to them (I'm aware of that but I was was just cut open and pumped full of gas, give me a break here!) and people sell them on the street (do I look like a drug dealer?). I just toughed it out and endured the misery. Looking back I wish I hadn't, but I got through it all the same.

My first challenge! Name, real or screen~ Jenn Age~ 27 Weight on July1st~ 209 lbs Goal Weight for July 29th~ 200 Exercise Goal for July~ Exercise 5 days a week Dietary Goal for July~ Drink more water Personal Goal for July~ Clean out the garage (ugh) Date Banded~ 3/14/11 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 42 lbs (including pre op diet)

It wouldn't fall off, but it could possibly slip due to excessive vomiting. If you ever get a stomach virus, I would always follow up with your surgeon.

Take it easy on yourself! You are in no way a failure. So you had some ice cream...were you ever planning on never eating ice cream again? You have to allow yourself a treat once in a while otherwise it leads to binging (in my experience anyway). It's not like you're eating a pint of ice cream a night or anything, so give yourself a break. You're doing great! Secondly, don't beat yourself up because you haven't lost any weight in three days. Don't weigh yourself more than once a week or you will drive yourself insane (believe me, I've been there). You're going to hit plateaus, you're going to be bloated from that TOM, etc. Just keep plugging along and the weight will come off. Get a fill if you think you need one...it's really not so bad, but it certainly isn't my favorite way to spend the afternoon. It will help. Good luck and keep up the good work!

The other day I was eating dinner with my fiance and I'm looking down at my plate thinking "Wow this is way too much food! Should I be eating so much?" Meanwhile it was about 3-4 ounces of chicken and 2 tablespoons of macaroni. To my post banded brain, it looked like a thanksgiving feast. Then of course I look over at my fiance's plate and actually felt slightly nauseous...I used to be able to eat that much, and it's hard for me to believe. I actually asked him if it looked like I was eating a lot and he gave me a look like I'd lost my mind. It's interesting to me how having the band has kind of "reset" my idea of what a portion is. I think that's an important battle to win in my weight loss journey. I hated all the diets I was on because I felt deprived, that I wasn't getting enough food and I felt the loss. I wanted to eat until I couldn't possibly fit one more bite in my stomach...now that would cause me unbearable pain and damage to the band. It's kind of like learning to eat all over again, and although it was a struggle physically and emotionally at first, it's really been a wonderful thing for me. Soon my fiance will have a band too and we'll both think "Ugh, I can't believe I used to eat so much!"

I feel like my hair and nails are growing faster than they did before the surgery. Perhaps I've lost my mind, but does anyone else feel like this?

I have a few "full" signals. Sometimes I will hiccup, other times I get shoulder pain, and still other times I feel a slight pressure under the left side of my rib cage. I try not to rely on them too much, instead deciding what portions I will eat ahead of time and not eating after that unless I'm absolutely starving (though that rarely happens). If I get one of these signals before I'm done with my predetermined meal, I will stop.

I think this is a lesson that I have needed to learn for a long time, and will probably always struggle with. I have such a fear of being hungry that as soon as my stomach growls even a little bit, I'm ready to run to the kitchen. Not to mention I get very hangry if my blood sugar drops too low. This has been a constant problem and a huge source of my past failures. My weight loss had stalled for a couple weeks because I was grazing almost constantly. I decided to try an experiment where I would force myself to ignore my growling stomach for a hour or two and see what happened. Lo and behold, I didn't die of starvation, the world didn't end, and I made it to my next meal unscathed. It's OK to be hungry! My band helps somewhat in this department but I realized all over again the necessity for some form of willpower. I was sick of being stuck at the same weight for weeks and starting to feel my old feelings of failure and the "Screw it, I'm going to eat a box of cookies since I'm not losing weight anyway" mentality. Then I went to the mirror, lifted my shirt, and looked at my surgical scar. I didn't go through all this pain, the post op diet from hell, and weeks of recovery to fail now. I knew I was in this for life when I had this surgery and there are going to be ups and downs in this journey, but so far I've been heading in the right direction. Happily, I broke my plateau this morning and I'm down three pounds! My new mantra: It's OK to be hungry!

I was banded around the same time as you (March 14th) and I just broke a frustrating plateau. I upped my water intake, focused even more on protein, and tried to switch up the types of foods I was eating. You'll start losing again; don't lose hope.

I was very camera-phobic before surgery. If someone did manage to get a shot of me you could tell I was very unhappy about it. It's getting better now, but I can't wait to get to the point where when someone takes my picture I'm not thinking "Ugh, I hope my face doesn't look fat" or "This picture is going to show off my enormous gut."

I still get shoulder pain and I'm three and a half months out. Since I was adjusted on Wednesday, it's become a signal that I am getting full and should stop eating.

I ordered my copy on Amazon.

How is your water intake? I notice that if I don't drink enough I feel exhausted. Also make sure you are getting the required amounts of protein or you will feel like crap too.

When I saw the PA and told her what was going on she asked me about my food choices. I told her what my typical Breakfast, lunch and dinner was like and she didn't see any problem with it. I also just had a whole battery of blood tests last month and everything checks out. I really think I just needed a fill and the PA agreed. Let's hope the third time's the charm!

I'm going to see my surgeon tomorrow for my 3rd postop visit and I definitely need a fill. I'm lucky if I can make it two hours without being hungry (not head hungry, I mean tummy growling, lightheaded hungry) and I can eat almost as much as I did before the surgery (well ok maybe not that much but more than I have since being banded). I'm hoping this one will put me in the green for a good long while *crosses fingers*

Wasn't it enough for the guy to say "I noticed your wife is looking great these days. She must feel awesome." Done. End of compliment. The guy sounds like a total weirdo...sorry your husband got upset :-( If someone was talking about my wife like that I would have knocked them out!

I just ordered some SF drink mixes from Baja Bob's. I made margaritas with the Margarita mix and they're not too bad, plus they're way lower in calories than regular mix. The Sweet and Sour mix isn't too bad either (I do like my whisky sours!). Just a way to keep the calorie count down while still enjoying the occasional drink.