MeredithMcFee

So happy to read this. I too was banded the same day you were. I very rarely wear my robe but I put it on the other day, and noticed the same thing as you Littlerlou. I wake up in the morning and the swelling in my stomach area has gone down as well as some inches, I presume. I know I have a ways to go, but so far, the little changes, as you say, add up to bigger ones if we stay on track and do what we're supposed to do. Getting on this site during preop, reading posts from people who were nearing their 6 week PO, I couldn't wait. Well, I'm here now and it'll only get better if I continue to do what I'm doing. I love the feeling and seeing a change in the new me.

Great topic here. I'm 5 weeks out PO and although I'm close to losing 20lbs, I can see it in my clothes big time since I'm working out at home. I don't like going to gyms either. I have a library of VHS tapes, yes, I said VHS tapes, as I've used them over the years and got lots of great workouts with them. Now I'm into the DVD's and love Leslie Sansone's Walk away the Pounds. I'm stuck at the 3 mile mark of her 5 mile DVD and hoping to move onto the 4th mile one of these days. I try to do it 3-4 times a week, alternating with the treadmill. I like the treadmill as I have a good playlist of music on my Ipod to keep me going but for some reason, Leslie seems to be winning hands down these past 2 weeks as she gets all aspects of your body in motion where the treadmill is limited. Thanks again Violet for reminding me that I had this particular tape, I mean DVD, as the original 4 mile one I was using wasn't cutting it.

Thank you all for your input and advice on this subject. When asking the question I was asking with my former mind, prior to lapband surgery. A snack, with all those calories, carbs? You all helped to bring me back to reality here. A protein bar would replace a meal, not a snack. :-) Thank your "readytogoforit" for reminding me about the amount of carbs we can eat. I'm 5 weeks out and still re-programming my mind to the outside world of WLS. When going out on errands and such, I make sure I have a protein drink in the car with me but now that I am a week away from being filled, I am looking for something more then just liquid to drink. Although the drink is my first choice, I don't want to be stuck out there in fastfood land without one or the other. Since the pre-op diet, I've noticed I've driven by many a fastfood eatery and never once felt a need to get into the drive-in line an I don't want to start now.

I'm now starting to look for protein bars to have on hand when I'm out and about. My DH brought home Pure Protein bars from Costco today. Calories are 180, total fat 4.5g, Carbs 17g, Protein 20g Is this ok?

I have 11 more pounds to go to make my 1st goal of losing 30 lbs. I am cutting up my Lane Bryant charge card and calling them to please take me off their mailing list! haha

It may be short, but it is oh so sweet. Congratulations!

If you have a Trader Joe's near you, that's a good place to start. Like cocoabean mentioned refried beans. I add TJ's guacamole/hummus to it and some of their salsa. Just had it for dinner.

I just had a major scare re: my Fitbit. I thought I lost it this morning. Clipped it to my bra strap as usual and ran to the pharmacy and came home. Went to sync up info and realized it was gone! Back tracked my steps and even called the pharmacy to notify them if someone found it. In the big scheme of things in life, it's not the end of the world, however, "she" has become my new BFF and lifeline on this journey. I looked around again, and lo and behold it had fallen into my bra!!! Thank God. That'll teach me not to rush & be so careless when putting it on.

I've always found this to be true anytime I've lost weight over the years. The good thing I'm finding is since the surgery, I've yet to have one hot flash and I'm on hormone replacement!!! I'm happy about that. Also hoping this summer I'll see an improvement in my handling the hot weather. It's all good.

I'm on a roll. After getting the Fit Bit that became a hot topic here this past week, I decided to treat myself to a good pr of sneakers. Someone here mentioned due to the fact of being overweight, alot of us are over pronated when walking. I am one of those people. Not sure if and how much will change as I lose the weight, however, I went to a running store yesterday that evaluates your feet, jogging, etc. They fit me with my personal insoles to assist in alleviating my problem, as well as getting the right fit of sneaker for the exercises I'm doing. and also suggested what sneaker would be best for me. After all, when your feet ache, the rest of your body does too. I ended up leaving with two prs of sneakers. Afterall, I've saved so much money in a month's time doing "drive bys' at fast food {not drive in windows} places and not buying junk food for home I could justify the second pair, and, they were on sale. Like I said, I can justify.....

Kim, I'm short waisted so my port is right under my breast and right above my waist. What you're feeling is normal. It will be sore and or tender for a few weeks. I like sleeping on my sides too but couldn't for the first few day. I ended up plopping up a pillow on my left side to be able to sleep on that side but if I turned on the right, I felt the weight of the port pulling, or perhaps it was all the swelling from the surgical site. I didn't wear my bra the first few days either since I wasn't going anywhere which actually felt good not to wear one. Again, the swelling and tenderness, for me anyway, just took some time.

Thank you so much for sharing this info with me. I'm hoping in a few weeks, I will start this. Working on doing 3 miles of powerwalking and running on treadmill and working up to 5 or 6 miles a day at some point.

Violet, you got me thinking this morning after reading your post here. I decided to work with the 5 mile DVD instead of the 4 mile one. The 5 mile one is a little more advanced and I got to finish 3 miles. Was hoping to do the 4 mile but decided, I'm older, I'm wiser and listen to my body. Give me some time, I'll do that and then onto the 5 mile finish. It was a great workout. Thanks for mentioning it.

Since this hot discussion started a few days back on this site, there is not a FitBit to be found. LOL

Nice to see someone else here does Walk Away the Pounds. I alternate days from the 4 mile video to treadmill and elliptical 3-4 times a week. It's a nice mix and change as well as incorporating different muscles doing her video. So far, I'm up to 3 miles but will probably finish 4 miles today. I also have her 5 mile video. For those who wonder how you can get a good workout from a walking video/DVD, like you said here, she does kick your butt! Time to get into my gym clothes and get walking!

What a great subject! Our love life had been suffering for some time due to me not feeling sexy. My husband came home at lunch as he has a half day today and suggested we have an "afternoon delight". I was shocked but said yes, and like Monique put it, "I too feel sexy losing close to 20lbs although I have a good 60lbs to go, my husband thinks so too! What a nice feeling it is. So if I feel like cheating on food down the road, I 'll have to remember today and how I feel.

Deb, it doesn't sound silly that you would like to look better, choose nicer clothes {costumes} etc. Aside from the benefits of being more healthy, enjoying life to its fullest, to look and feel good is just as much a great feeling. I think we're all doing great on here and I already have my Boston Proper catalog on my nightstand with the outfits I'm hoping to wear again.

Congratulations Crystal. That has to feel so good. Although I haven't done any PO measurements, {waiting for official 4th week next Tuesday to measure} I have definitely noticed inches lost in my clothes. My big problem is from my hips down and around, to my mid thighs. I am losing weight from my face to my waist, then from my mid thighs down so the big problem stands out even more! And of course, I know that will be the last to go or diminish anyway and I'm good with that. I would love to wear one of my smaller size tops but it just accentuates the bottom area too much and I'm just not comfortable with that at this time. Speaking of that, time to get on the treadmill and walk it off. :-)

Yeah back, Elizabeth! Glad you got it and it's all working for you. Give me time to figure out how to sign you up as a friend on there too! I'm a child of the 60's and still learning all this modern technology. No kids in the house to teach me. Other then google, texting, emailing, etc. I take a little longer figuring things out. I did download "myfitnesspal" to my droid as well as lapbandtalk as well. I'm having fun playing with this new "toy" and watching the progress even if its the first day! :-)

Sharilo, thank you so much. After reading your reply, I recalled that you answered this previously on here but didn't realize it until now. My mind is go crazy between the two accounts and also setting them up on my Droid. With perseverance, and support from you and others on here I will get it! Besides, it keeps my mind off of food. LOL

How do you link the account {myfitnesspal & FitBit}? I just got mine yesterday and trying to figure it all out. Unfortunately there's no manual in the box although I can pull it up online, however, that takes time. Also no customer service # on the website to call. I submitted a request online but that can take a few days. I'm veklempt! :-)

You are an inspiration to all here. I am 3 weeks out PO and started working out the week after surgery. I started slow in the treadmill and did a slow mile but now I'm up to 3 miles of walking and jogging on the treadmill 3-4 times a week and 5 min on the elliptical and trying to work up the time on that as well. I also enjoy Leslie Sansone's "Walk away the Pounds" video's that I alternate with the treadmill, etc. I feel I have lost more in inches but haven't measured myself yet PO. I'm waiting for 1 month PO and then measure myself.

Thanks to everyone here saying they liked the FitBit better I researched the two and felt the same way and ran out today and bought it. Went to our nearby Bestbuy but they only had the blue ultra. I rather have the pink one so had to drive a good 25 miles to the closet BestBuy and got the pink one. :-) Charging it up as we speak. Getting familiar with the website. Can't wait to start to use it tomorrow morning. Thank you all for sharing. This is a great support group I must say since recently having my lapband surgery 3 weeks ago. I'm learning so much information for all.

oops, meant to say 2nd PO. Had my surgery 1/27.

I just saw my Dr for 1st PO a few days ago and she said exactly what Love the NewMe said. Not to worry as long as it's not red or or the suture line is not closed.