Dream4tc

@@wagyu I have a bad habit of weighing daily. My husband has accused me in the past of being obsessed with the scale. Lol. I want to let you know that weight can fluctuate up to 10 pounds in one day based on water retention, sodium rich foods, and stool which we all have very long intestines. Once a week is probably optimal, but I don't do that. I weigh daily because it keeps me on track better. The most accurate time of day for me is in the morning , a few hours after I get up and after a BM. I find my weight is more accurate. The rest of the day, I don't really pay attention because I know so many things affect weight retention.

Hi all! I initially posted this topic in another forum, but found this forum and am hoping for a bigger audience, because I am anxious to hear from all of you! I wanted to start this thread because I am curious as to how many of you use activity trackers with your exercise and any fitness apps that have helped you in your weight loss journeys. What are your reviews and how do you like them? How have they helped you? I started out many years ago with my first activity tracker before I had been banded. I had bought a FitBit One. It worked remarkably well with the features of tracking miles, sleep, steps, calories burned, time and date, and a growing flower which would grow the more activity you did. I clipped it on my sports bra or my waist of my pants and it was discreet. It was about $100 back then when they first came out and it was an investment I was willing to make to boost my activity and help with my weight loss efforts. Loved it! I paired it with Fitness Pal app and it really helped!!! However, I found out that it does not do well in the washing machine haha. I forgot to remove it from my sports bra and that was money down the drain. I never replaced it and just used the Fitness Pal app, but I didn't have that added reminder to move. When I realized I was having all of these problems with my band, I was in the market for a new activity tracker and researched ALOT for something that would do everything I had before but less risky for me to toss in the washing machine! Activity trackers are NOT cheap and I wanted to make a sound investment that would last. I had researched the Fitbit Flex, and Fitbit Flex HR, Jawbone UP24, and the Garmin Vivofit and Vivosmart among others but found that the Fitbit Flex had problems with the band breaking or tearing after about 6 months, not to mention the band was wider than I would have wanted. My co-worker had a jawbone which was considerably cheaper, but again it was something to clip on. My Zumba instructor had the Jawbone Up24 which was pretty cool looking, the band was lightweight, looked durable, and easy to put on, but you would always have to look at the phone app to see what was going on with your info. A friend of mine had the Garmin Vivofit, and I liked the number display but the band was too wide and thick for me......yeah I know picky picky....so I finally noticed the Garmin Vivofit and I really liked it. It had all of the features that I wanted, plus a slim band. In addition, it has a move bar that reminds you to get your booty moving, by vibrating your wrist if you have been sitting too long which was exactly what I needed. I also can receive Facebook notifications and phone calls, and even can control my Pandora music! My husband actually surprised me with it. It is waterproof, but I don't want to chance it so I remove it for showers. It has an excellent battery life. I have gone over a week without having to charge it. I absolutely love mine. I pair it with my Fitness Pal and I am so glad I have it. It was a bit more than I wanted my husband to spend, but he knew it was something I really wanted. Normally its about 150.00, but he was able to pricematch it at Bestbuy for 129.00 yay! He liked my tracker so much, that he bought one for himself a few weeks later! It has already helped me keep moving. I keep increasing my goals every week when I continue to meet them. It's a great motivator and I know for sure that it will help me be more successful to stay on track when I have my revision surgery! Tell me what your activity tracker is, and what fitness apps that you use and your reviews and how it has helped you!

Well, your surgeon is right about 1 thing....Bypass is usually recommended surgery for banded patients. Banded pts tend to have bad reflux issues and if revised by sleeve, it would make that worse due to the high pressure it causes. But for her to leave the band in is ridiculous, plus puts you at risk for future surgery for removal. I would suggest you have it removed at the time of your surgery. I don't know about you, but if I can avoid multiple surgeries, I will. I am sure you will decide on what is right for you. Get a second opinion or 3rd until you feel you have the information that you need to proceed with whichever you choose. Best of luck to you

I agree with all above. The premier protein are good and you can purchase it at Walmart. I like the ability to close them with the cap. If you want another option.... Optisource made by Nestle is another great option. They come in small boxes. They have 24 grams of protein in 8 ounces. They are shelf stable and taste the best when cold or over ice or even blended. They have different flavors strawberry,& Caramel (both are delicious) I have tried both. I really like the Caramel flavor, it tastes like a caramel shake. https://www.nestlehealthscience.us/brands/optisource/optisource-vhp-drink-hcp

I hear that from many people. I wonder if it is such a drastic change with the malabsorption so quickly? We're you taking it before your WLS?

Dreadmill and Elliptikill! That's awesome haha! I will be glad that I am not on those when I am doing my "Zumba"zilla

@@armywife79 - I hope you are having a better day today

@ - how accurate is the heart monitor on the charge HR?

@OutsideMatchInside- that instagram and Lose it is pretty cool. Is the premium charge per month or year? Those Tory Burch bands are nice but kinda pricey, but I like the flexibility and versatility of the Flex.

@carolm1965- that's great that you sought help and benefited from it. Like any addiction, people need on going treatment the rest of their lives, because anything that is stressful can be a trigger. Unfortunately food is something that we all need to survive and I think food is the hardest addiction there is. I agree with you, they only see us for an hour and have no clue, but we all need to be honest with ourselves and our weaknesses. We need to learn our triggers and remove those temptations, or remove ourselves from those triggers so we have a better chance of just saying no. It's easier said than done, that's for sure. But, we just have to try every day to make the right choices.

@@Dub - I have worn the Fitbit One clipped to my shirt and sports bra. They stay on pretty tight. If not, you can clip to the inside of your pants

@@christinex0 so glad you are home and things went well for you!!! Did they prescribe pain meds that are helping? Do you have help at home for a few days? I am good, still taking a pain pill every so often for that stupid port incision discomfort but otherwise, I am on the mend. Don't do too much too soon! I did that and now it set me back a few days. Get plenty of rest and drink drink drink so you can get those bowels softened enough to go in a few days. Thanks for r he update, I was surprised they let you go home so soon with the amount of pain you were in. Take it easy and get plenty of rest!!!! Update when you feel up to it. You will start feeling better, I promise!!! I am 11 days post op and the appetite has come back and I don't like it. I feel hungry now yikes!!!!

You made me laugh haha! I knew what you meant. It's called an Incentive Spirometer. I would have been worried for PE (pulmonary embolism), usually SOB (Shortness of Breath), and chest pain are common symptoms of a PE. Pneumonia would also be a concern if presenting with cough, sputum production, fever, SOB, and weakness. Glad she was checked out and she is ok.

@@armywife79 - I completely understand. Has there been anything that has recently caused change in your life? Maybe you are dealing with stressors and using carbs as that "go to comfort"? Stress sucks and I think as mom's, spouses, working, finances, school, family...whatever it may be can wreak havoc and drive us to carbs for that emotional comfort, but that comfort is short-lived and doesn't last and then we are back to square one. Have you tried drinking Water?, chewing a piece of sugar free gum? (if your surgeon allows), finding a health accountability partner to help each other stay on track? If you lived close to me, I would grab you up and take you exercising with me! You will have days like this, some will be harder and others easier. The easiest thing is just not do anything, and ignore it, but we all know what results that will bring...usually negative and not in the direction that we want to go. I have eaten things before, and knowing that I shouldn't eat them and I ate them anyways because the drive was so strong. Once I ate that forbidden food, I had this overwhelming feeling of regret and guilt and asked myself "why did I do that?" You don't want to lose what you have already accomplished right? Realize that we all are human and make mistakes, but we reflect on what we did wrong and move on and try not to make that same mistake. Tomorrow will be a better day, and a fresh start, and you always have a choice. So, make tomorrow your "Do over" day and get back into the groove. Do you have a good support system? Have you considered talking to a psychologist? It might be hormonal, give your primary care Dr a call too, could be increase in cortisol levels? Tomorrow is a new day, make a deal with yourself that you will make better choices tomorrow and reduce those carb temptations by removing them from your house. "Out of sight, out of mind" You can do this!!!

Have you tried anything homeopathic? I used to get really bad cramps and occasionally I still do. I use heating pad, and extra strength Tylenol. I also use sublingual Homeopathic Belladonna 6x that I get from my health food store. It really helps me with acute pain and works fast within 15 minutes. However, I would probably talk with your physician before taking anything, as medications either Over the counter (OTC), homeopathic, or prescription because they may interact with each other or be contraindicated. Sometimes gentle stretching can help as well, hot tub baths, massage, reflexology (accu-pressure), relaxation and deep breathing. Also check with your pharmacist and see what they recommend OTC. I hope you can get them under control and feel better, cramps suck!

@@geronimo -Thankyou for the insight. I had no idea that after 2 years that our body readapts, so the dumping syndrome effect goes away too? Your explanation was very helpful! @Djmohr- I currently have been really focused on my nutrition and which foods that I am eating more of. Fitness pal has shown me that I tend to go over my fat intake more than I like to. I am trying to balance that but it has been difficult. I tend to eat low carb, high protein most of the time. Nuts for snacks and cheese is one of my weaknesses. I agree head hunger is terrible. I have a pack of sugar free gum and mints on hand at all times for that in addition to a 52 ounce jug that I take with me everywhere I go to fill it with ice water. I usually fill it twice in the same day, but more when I do Zumba. Congrats to being close to your goal!!!! @pmanley- if the bottom of the stomach is where the hunger hormones are. ...and it is still technically attached since it stays inside the body creating digestive enzymes, do they go dormant? I may be asking questions that are too hard to answer, but am wanting to know how it works before I do this. I have a follow up appt next friday I may have to toss these questions at him too.

@Pinkgirl1234. My removal was scheduled at 0730, so I had all day to recover, however I was having pain control issues. I had asked my surgeon before surgery if I didn't feel good if I could stay for observation overnight since I lived 4.5 hours away and he said no problem. I woke up in recovery and they had a hard time keeping my pain under control, so they asked me if I wanted to stay and of course my answer was yes. I am really glad I stayed, because it took them almost until the next day to get my pain under control. The surgeon again seen me the following day. As far as your Upper GI goes, isn't that a trip? I had reflux all the way up my thoracic inlet just from a sip of water!!! Crazy, so glad you are making the right choice!

My husband initially didn't like the idea of me having bypass, until he got to speak with my surgeon. I think he was afraid at one point that I would lose all of the weight and leave him for someone else. I think he was silly for thinking that but I would not do that and I have reassured him. I love him and he has been supportive through every diet I have been on no matter how silly it was including me wanting the band and including the removal. He even cooked for me just to make it easier for me to be compliant. He loves me for me, and loves me being at the weight I am, but he understands that the struggle I have is real and will be there for me no matter what. He understands that my health and longevity is at stake so he is now more accepting of me wanting the bypass and he is on board. I would talk with your husband to try and see what his reservations are. Best of luck to you! Let us all know how it turns out!

Hello, actually they can reverse a bypass. A sleeve...no. Once they remove the stomach, its gone. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22810420

@@VSGAnn2014 oh my goodness! That's crazy! Is this a requirement from your insurance or the bariatric program you were in? Congrats on meeting your goal! Amazing job!

I actually giggled reading your post because I really don't think he was paying attention to you lol. I wouldn't worry. The NUT is required to see if you have body dysmorphic disorder, BDD, or any form of eating disorders. I think sometimes, they make people feel intimidated because they are watching your body language and your responses to their questions. I am surprised that they were having you fill out questionnaires, usually its just a Q&A. How many appointments do you have to go to? I have seen quite a few people on many of the forums that have to go to 3! I only had to go to 1 appt with my band and passed with flying colors and I will only have to go to 1 appt with my revision to bypass in October. Just remember to express why you want the surgery in the first place, and what your coping mechanisms will be, and who will be your support system, and what you will do to change your behaviors. That's usually all they want to know. Best of luck to you!

@@armywife79 oh my goodness! How horrible to have to go through that. You poor girl!!! Oh I know c-dif, once you smell it once, you never forget. Lol. I hear that bowel obstructions are common also due to dehydration. I will try very hard to hydrate and sip every 2 minutes and use a timer set to go off to remind me while awake lol. My surgeon removed quite a bit of scar tissue when I had my band removed last week so I am hoping it doesn't grow back too fast before my bypass. For every surgery, we grow scar tissue and if it's removed, more will grow back sadly. Adhesions suck! Haha and I bet you had quite a few of those from your c-section. How many incisions did you have with your bypass? I am still sore at my port site. It's still healing, I wish it would heal faster. I hope it will be healed by the time I have my surgery. I tend to heal a bit slower over the past 10 years. I think it is because I was on the brink of diabetes before the band.

@@christinex0 keep us posted on how your surgery goes tomorrow! Best of luck!