WEESIE

I did the HCG injections before the band. I gained it all back when I went off of it. I am sorry that you are stalled. Maybe you can talk with your doctor/aftercare team about this. They might suggest tweaking your fill or adding some exercise or intensity to the exercise. You wll get beyone this and when you follow the lap band rules the weight will stay off.

It sounds like it could be gas. Gas pains sometimes come and go quickly and sometimes they last for a while. I found that the best way for me to move the gas out was to walk...walk....walk. It is good to see that you are doing well. Welcome to the boards.

Congrats! I don't know what we would do without thrift stores and Goodwill. We'd all just have to ask for raises to support our constantly changing wardrobes. You are awesome!

Today I have been reading and watching youtube videos in order to get my mind around exercise and fitness. I hear people talk about liking and being addicted to fitness and exercise. It is like they are talking a foreign language to me. I have never enjoyed exercising for the sake of exercising. I used to love to walk to a destination and there were no limits on distance. But, to walk for the sake of fitness? Never! That might be my ADD, but it has never worked for me. As far as athletic exercise, I am the most uncoordinated person that ever existed. I was the last one chosen for the team and then I was only chosen if the teacher or coach forced them to choose me. So, needless to say I'm not the best example of fitness and exercise. The few times that I have tried to embark on a fitness exercise endeavor I have ended up overdoing and getting hurt or sick. So, this is something I have to do and I will figure it out. Last week I went to the gym and rode the stationary bike for 16 minutes. Believe it or not, that was too much. I was mostly in bed or resting for two or three days. I haven't been back. You might think that 16 minutes isn't much and so did I, but it was. I remember getting really tired around 10 minutes but I thought I could finish the trail I was on (the video) and I was enjoying it. But now, I know I should have done a quick cool down at that point and stopped. Things will be different this time. I know that my cut off point is 10 minutes so I will go back tomorrow and go for the 10 minutes. I found a video on youtube today that told me I should do my limit and keep at that for one week. I will not increase until I have done that for 1 week and then I increase that by 10% for the next week. I can do this. I will do this. This time I will not overdo and quit because I can't gauge my energy and abilities. 10 minutes and then 11 minutes six or seven times a week is better than 16 minutes and then a week off. I can do this. For future reference, the video link is http://www.youtube.c...t=FLFNut9fnDIMQ

Thanks for accepting my friendship. I too am thinking about exercise. I can't say I'm at the total excited point yet, but I admire your commitment.

I have always had a problem with overdoing when I exercise. I try to start small and work up gradually but I end up getting worn out and can't do anything for a week or more. This lady tells you how to build up after WLS. She said to increase the time by 10% per week. I hope this works for me. This is an excellent lecture for those new to the band or exercise. It is called "Lecture on Importance of Exercise Immediately After Weight Loss Surgery Weight Loss Surgery http://www.dynamic-progress.com/exercise-video-lecture/ http://www.youtube.c...t=FLFNut9fnDIMQ

Welcome to the community. You will find a lot of information and support here. I am one month post op and don't have much restriction yet. I am still learning about it all also.

You look so good already! I am impressed with the changes in your face so soon. Thanks for sharing.

I was banded May 25th. I lost all my weight in the first two weeks after surgery. I went for a fill today and I have lost a total of 6.6 pounds since the morning of surgery (4 weeks ?). I have to work to not be dissapointed with this small loss. But, I know with previous diets I have lost to about this point and then started regaining. So I am going to count it as 6.6 pounds permanently gone this month. This band world is different for me. I want to see the weight fall off while I sleep. I am glad to see that we have support from those with more experience at this. Hang in there and keep learning. You have a huge community of support here on the forums. You are already succeeding at this and you will only get better as time goes on.

So today I had my first fill. I was weighed and vitals taken. I have lost 6.6 pounds in the month since surgery. My blood pressure before surgery was 170/100. Today it was 110/78. My blood pressure meds are already 1/2 what they were a month ago. It was painful when she felt around for the port so she gave me a shot of lidocaine to help the fill be less painful. Next time I won't need that. I didn't feel the fill at all. She pulled back on the needle to measure the fluid in the band from surgery. She got 1 cc back and added an additional 2 cc's for a total of 3 cc's. They gave me a "lapband kit" which was a measuring scoop for protein/vegies per meal, a food journal, a lunch bag and a DVD of the rules of lapband. Oh yes, and an hourglass (well minute glass) to time my bites. She explained where the band is located. It is higher than I thought it is. It is about even with where the underwires on the bra start in the middle. So, I now know I have never felt anything in that area. Everything is going well for me. I am excited and ready to get this show on the road. A day of liquids and a day of mushies then on to learning portion control and slow eating.

Ashlie, since you have the glue and no stitches, you cannot put anything on it or wash it with water. It is smaller than the glue so that is probably good.

I'm starting late, but I used my records for the prior weigh ins. I'm new to this since I was banded May 25th and have my first fill tomorrow. I'm trying for 13 pounds since June 1st. Thank you for the challenge.

Congratulations on finding a good fit for a surgery center. This shows the importance of doing our research. It might be a longer drive, but you will be with a caring team during your pre-op and aftercare visits. We'll be looking forward to you getting your approval soon.

So sorry to hear that you and your sweet kitty are in pain. Praying for comfort for both of you.

I started the process at about a BMI of 36 and by the time I had surgery I was probably a little below the 35 required by my insurance with my health issues. I don't show my weight (or I assume that because people say "You're not that big..."). I don't care if I show it or not, I am doing this for the health benefits. Like you, I have lost the same 10 or 20 or 30 pounds over and over again. Good luck on losing the pounds for the last time.

My blood pressure has dropped considerably since surgery. I have not lost enough weight to have such a large change in BP. I know that my BP has been uncontrollable when I weighed 30 pounds less than I do now. I have a theory about what it might be. Before surgery I ate a lot of fast foods and canned or frozen foods/meals. I am thinking that my sodium intake has gone way down and that might explain it. I intend to keep the sodium down so I don't have to find out what happens if I add it back in.

I wanted a biopsy, but my doctor didn't want to touch my liver. I have fibrosis and I just wanted a progress report. I guess they all have their preferences.

Sometimes this happens after surgery and it doesn't last forever. My SIL has had it after two surgeries and they called it a seroma. The first time they ended putting a drain in for a while and it eventually stopped draining. You will do fine. Just remember that when all this healing is done it will be worth it all! Keep us informed of how you are doing.

I am at the lowest weight I have been in a long time. I am down from four blood pressure pills to three a day. So I went to Walmart to shop. Before I was half way finished I felt so weak and tired I wasn't sure I could finish. When I went near the pharmacy to get my Gas X, I saw the blood pressure machine and used it as an excuse to sit down. While there I might as well check my blood pressure again. It was 170/110 after surgery. Today it was 110/58. I suspect the weakness is related to not being used to such a low number. I hope I see two pills today in my near future. So, weight loss=lowered blood pressure =weakness=less medicine.

Okay, I joined the rec center in town so I can use the gym. Wednesday I rode this stationary bike that has a program that takes me on a trail that I can see on the tv screen in front of me. It was really fun and helped me pass the time. I did the 0.9 mile trail in 16 minutes. followed by walking 1/5 mile on the walking trail. I thought, this is no problem...I can go every day. Then I woke up yesterday exhausted. I'm not very strong yet. So I laid around most of the day. Today is a new day and I feel mostly rested. I am going to go buy groceries, make and freeze some low call Quiche and then try the workout routine again. BTW, I have fibromyalgia and my progress is always slow, but I am determined to learn to exercise. Baby Steps are better than No Steps.

I was just reading about Dr. Kim and he comes with very high recomendations. I had my surgery done at True Results in Richardson. They have several surgeons to choose from. They can quote you an all inclusive price. They quoted me a price based on the surgery and didn't charge me extra eventhough I had the hernia repair which took a few extra minutes in the operating room. Then I had blood pressure problems and spent two extra hours in recovery and they didn't charge extra for that either. It is worth checking into.

I was excited to eat and went to Le Madelines to have quiche. I had the spinach one. I ate half of it, but left the crust. I also had a little tomato basil soup with it. I never felt full. I ate slowly and chewed well. About 1/2 to 1 hour later I had pain that feels like my waistband is too tight, but up high around my ribs. My stomach seems to be gurgling or growling on the left side near the ribs. Have you had this before? Any ideas? I took a gas X in case it is gas pains, which were gone.

Yes, I would appreciate the recipes. Thank you. Not feeling well now. I ate half a personal size quiche (minus the crust) and a few ounces of lowfat tomato basil soup. I got them at Le Madeline. I now am hurting bad. Maybe gas pains.

I have had dizziness and weakness after a bath when I use hot water . It doesn't hit me until I get out. I have to go back to bed and rest before I can get dressed when this happens. I have always taken extremely hot baths or showers. Since surgery I have had to keep the temp a little cooler. You might try that if you take a very hot shower.

So, I have been anxious to have solid foods. I didn't realize until a few minutes that today starts the phase my doctor says is a transition to solid foods. She says begin slowly as tolerated. I thought maybe soft sweet potatoes. Do you think meat loaf would be okay? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you for your input.