waitingpatiently

I have only been obese for about 5 years.... I could still do everything I wanted to....hike, ski etc. It wasn't until 2 years ago when we headed out to hike and I was so winded and all my joints were hurting that I thought "what the heck!! "....So I gave myself until my 40th birthday to get it under control...to say the least it didn't happen. I would loose it all only to return to eating 1200 calories and slowly start gainnning it all back..I finally decided that even though I could get the weight off I could never stick to a 1000 calor a day diet without help....enter the lapband!! Im down 42 pounds with about 29 left to go.Hopefully I will have restriction by then and will be able to maintain the 1000 calories a day for maintaince

I have pcos as well............Diagnosised 22 years ago when I actually was an athelete and skinny (something like 140 pounds). I was too young back then to realize what all it effected....I thought it was just a fertility issue. It wasn't until my 17 year old daughter gained 60 pounds in year and I took her to a endocrinologist and she was diagnosised with it that I had this "ah-ha" moment and realized thats why I have had such a problem keeping the weight off after my 3rd child inspite of only eating 1200 calories a day. I finally just gave up. As for dairy.yes I do eat it. Probably about an ounce of cheese every other day. A low carb yogurt every day and really no milk because it wasn't something i "loved" anyway so i switched to almond milk for my Protein shakes. I have eliminated dairy from my diet for a time to see if I noticed any difference in weight loss or the way i feel....but I didn't...so I added it back.--you may be different. I think if you haven't already embraced the low carb lifestyle, then when you do...you should really notice a big difference in the way you feel.

I use the under lined principles of low carb/ high Protein and have had what I consider a good result. I try to keep carbs at around 35-40. I eat mostly lean Proteins ( at least 70g), followed by low cab veggies with the ocassional fruit. I keep calories to about 900. And while I do try to keep moving, I realy don't push it. about a 30 min walk or eliptical daily at a leisurely pace. (If I exercise too much more, I have found my appeite increases substanially and I want to eat more....probably more than I burn.---I do allow myself a few days each month to increase my carbs and calories. One, this lets my eat those carbs that I might be missing like fruit, english muffin, oatmeal..., but I also think it confuses my body and keeps it from getting to comfortable. I have lost 42 pounds in 17 weeks,,,thats about an average of2.5 pounds a week. But the biggest difference is the way I feel!! Wow what a difference!! My energy level is 3 times what it used to be. Now that I am under 195 pounds....I have noticed a slight decline in the weight loss department. Maybe more like a 1-1.5 pound loss weekly, so its my plan (starting next week) to shake things up. Start adding a few more calories and bumoing up the exercise a little....I might also lower my carbs to nothing for a couple of days in hopes of entering ketosis. Hopefully this will get the scale back up there to the 2 pound a week mark again. If this is something you decide to try, I love exchanging low carb food ideas and recipes.---just let me know.

I use 1.25 scoops of Jillian Micheals and that gives me 22 plus 3 for milk (only use a little) so about 130 cal/25 protein/7 carbs

Mine got better. I was never a burper before the surgery, but for about a month after I did. But now I only have the sensation as if I had to burp, but don't..like I have a bubble trapped. I hear others describe it this way as well after they eat......mine is the opposite. I tend to have the feeling when I'm starting to get hungry then it subsides after I eat. Stangest things with being banded.

In the sense that it is a protein I think it would be fine....Not sure if its the perfect choice only because I would think it would be high in fat with the skin on it. I was told to keep my dinner to something the size/calories of a lean cusein. But every doctor is different ...some don't have you even do a pre-op. So I would just try to get clarification on what calorie count you are expected to maintain.

Congrats!!! I wish you the best of luck!!

Yep....I went to put on some high heals the other day and sure enough the didn't fit. I never even thought about my feet getting smaller. Oh well...I will just add that to the shopping list. Looks like I went from a size 9.5 to an 8.5

Never a good sign....If you aren't short of breath normally then it needs to be brought to your doctors attention.

No problem here either....just need to chew and chew. That was the one thing I told my doctor that I didn't want to do without. They are a vital component to me being sucessful. I think if I went in for a fill and couldn't eat them any more....they would have to take the fill back out. I eat them so often and they make keeping my calories low easier. Just take it slow the first time...and make sure to chew. Maybe start with a small one first.

go to tickerfactory.com and create your design (make sure to add password) when you get the the last page copy the bbd code in the box go back to your LBT site and under settings select signature scroll down and past your ticker in the edit box.....you then can type under it if you want to add additional info. in the future just click on your own ticker and enter your password...update any changes....the new info will automatically update on your LBT profile.-- hope that helps

I know its very dissapointing, but its better to be safe than sorry. If there is a underlinning heart condition, it doesn't mean you won't be able to have the surgery, but that they will need to take special precautions. But from the surgeons point of view, they need to know what they are dealing with...I think your doctor made a good call. When after my surgery the first thing the surgeon told me was " don't take any more blood pressure meds"...I had had a few very low reads during surgery and he said they weren't needed any more. I had lost weight before my surgery and probably didn't need to be taking them anymore. Had you lost weight before surgery? It might have been enough that you need to have the dosage adjusted.

You are young, so my biggest concern would be going the next 60 years of my life with only half of my stomach. There is no going back. With the band you have time. Most likely you will be a sucess and won't have any set backs, but if you do.the band is removable. Since you are in your child bearing years you will be able to have the Fluid removed while pregnant and then filled again when ready. I would worry about the malabsorption issues there may be when pregnant and having a bypass or sleeve. lastly, since you don't have hundreds of pounds to lose, I think the band would be a better choice....Slow and steady is a munch better plan. My 2 cents worth.

the low carb thing worked wonderful for me. Let me know if you need info on how to get started....inbox me. I would join myfitnesspall as well...great site to track food and exercise plus you can add your LBT buddies Feel free to add me same username:waitingpatiently

My hubby stayed with me....I think they figured if he was there it was less work for them. You will sleep a lot the first 24 hours. Let me correct that...You will try to sleep a lot the first 24 hours....But a nurse will make sure that dosen't happen. haha Expect to have some pain..but nothing unreasonable. You will be given a liquid diet..I had a couple blood draws...but for the most part it was uneventful.

I gave up trying to find a Protein power I love and went to doing stuff to cover up the taste. I have fell in love with the SF syrups. A good generic recipe I use is 1 container of carbmaster vanilla yogurt 2 oz Almond milk 2 oz SF Syrup 1 scoop protein power I change out the Syrups to make different concoctions example: 1oz pineapple, 1 oz coconut you have a pine a coloda 1oz french vanilla, 1 oz orange-tastes like a dreamsicle Sub the yogurt for 3 oz of your favorite coffee + 1oz carmel+ 1oz vanilla blenderize with lots of ice and its a starbucks iceed coffee If you want it thicker (like a milk shake) put the yogurt in the freezer for a little while

I would definately stick to the liquid diet. Try having a Protein Shake. You probably need to get some Protein in to ward off the hunger. My doctor actually wants his patients on a liquid diet for a whole week after a fill!! Occupy yourself with something else. Go for a walk or go clean something. Try to get your mind off of it. I went window shopping the other day....left all forms of money at home. Drove 30 mins to get to the mall and another 30 min back plus made myself stay for an hour and a half.-with no way to purchase food, by the time I got home half the day was over. (i did take a large protein shake with me)

Try to find a Protein shake you like now...it may take you a few before you find the one that you like. I like jililian Micheals from walmart. Also enjoy the New whey...they are like kool-aid...i mix them with crystal lights. I also found that I enjoy mixing the protein powers with SF syrups...I never even know its in there. Heres my favorite to get you started. 1oz Carmel SF syrup 1oz vanilla SF syrup 3oz Favorite coffee (mine is keurig's butter toffee) 3oz Almond Milk 1 scoop vanilla protein power Blenderize with lots of ice 130calories/16protein/6carbs I have a Stock My Pantry list. If you would like for me to email it to you just inbox me your email address. Oh I also liked unjurys chicken broth. It was pretty good and helped get the protein in those first few weeks.

Are you tracking your foods? Getting enough Protein? Not too many calories? Maybe you need to shake things up a little. if you are doing a traditional diet...try a low carb one for a few weeks...see how your body responds. If you are keeping a very low calorie count...try adding a few and exercise a little more. Try substituting one meal with a healthy high protein/low carb Protein Drink. I can understand being tired at the end of the day and not wanting to exercise....so how about getting up 30-45 mins early and doing it before work.You can also use your 2 days off (assuming thats how it works for you) exercise those two days and add in 1-2 morning exercises.

First off , It sounds like you are on the right track. Not eveyone has it all figured out before surgery, and I'm glad that you are educating yourself. I would definately track your calories. I would recomend Myfitnesspal.com it is a great site with a large data base. You can also add friends to encourage you along the way. Feel free to add me...same username:waitingpatiently. If understanding good food choices are an issue, I would recommend making your diary public to your friends...they will be able to offer suggestions to help. Plus its great for you to access other peoples diaries for healthy food ideas. Secondly, Everyone is different...some may say the weight fell off in the begining.....but as you loose, the weight loss will get slower, since you are starting at less than 200 lbs...I'm sorry to say you probably won't every feel like "Wow...I lost 10 pounds this week"....it will be more like that 1-2 pound range...which is where I'm at. Thirdly, These beginning months will take some time to figure out what your body wants from you. Some people feel we are pretty much all built the same and that a calorie is a calorie....I dissagree. Some will maintain 1200-1500 calorie diet and exercise 5-7 hours a week and do wonderful....This is not me. I choose to keep my calories down to about 900 and I only exercise about 2-3 hours a week. This works for me. I also try to eat a low carb diet my goal is about 35g daily....but theres a couple of days a week it will be higher..maybe 50 This is my magic combination...yours will be different. The goal is to just keep trying things untill one works better than others. I will tell you that although I am strict on myself, It isn't as hard as it used to be. Some days it will be 2pm before I get the urge to eat.---so although it is a strict diet....it doesn't feel like it is. I am satisfied at the end of the day and I only have 3cc in a 10cc band. Exercise!! you are young and your metabolism is strong....even it is only for 30 mins a day. Its good to esablish a routine early. Fourth, Not sure way your doctor didn't give you guidlines, I have heard others say that as well. Did you use an actual bariatric doctor or a general surgeon...sometimes general surgeons don't give a lot of rules. For the most part most doctors want 3 oz Protein first (at least 60-70g daily), followed by 1/2cup healthy veggie, then 1/2 cup starch (if needed)........or something similar. At almost 4 weeks out (close to where you are) I was in the mushy stage...not sure where you are at. Hope this helps....feel free to inbox me if I can help you any. Good Luck!!

I have 3 in a 10cc band...and I'm definately NOT in the "green zone".......now where did those cookies go? --jk

I don't think I have ever felt the actual band...but like others have said....ican sometimes feel my food slow down as I eat and swallow. As for the port...I am able to feel it when I touch it. It is about the size of a half an egg. The only time it causes any discomfort is when I where certain pants (jeans) that cross over top of it...I will sometimes get a little sore by the end of the day. But other than that i wouldn't know I even had a band.

Hi ladies. Congrats to you both!! Everyone is a little different when it comes to the healing process. A lot of bandsters feel great just 3-4 days out. Some even have went back to work the next day!! (crazy)...This was NOT me!!--haha It took me a good 10 days not to be in pain. and about 3 weeks to feel some what normal. However, I did have other stuff done (2 hernias and some adhesions removed) so that definately added to my discomfort. But just keep asking yourself if you feel better today than you did yesterday...usually the answer is yes. Stay on top of your pain meds that way it doesn't get out of control.Walk, walk, walk...it really does help with the gas pain. Julie-don't be stepping on that scale right now!! I know how tempting it is! this is your bodies time to be healing. They pump you up on a lot of IV fluids while in the hospital to help you keep from dehydrating the first few days...thats why you probably have gained weight...it will go away over the next few days. Save stepping on the scale for at least 2 weeks..then you will be pleasantly surprised!!

I was on liquids for the first 2 weeks post-op. You shouldn't have to worry about being sick (as long as you follow YOUR doctors rules). If you are talking about a reunion where everyone is sitting around talking and relaxing, then I think 9 or 10 days out you will be fine for that...if you are talking about a reunion where you are constantly on the go and swimming and hiking.......then I would not have been up to that. I felt very weak the first 3 weeks after surgery. I guess a month of liquids will do that. I would not have had the energy to be very active. I was still sore and would take a short nap during the day. However, I did have a couple of hernias repaired and some adhesions removed at the same time, so I might have been a little more tired and sore than the average bandster. If you will constantly be around other people, you may want to decide if you are going to tell people....if not they may ask what is with the liquid or mushie diet....So you may want to be ready for their questions

Cazzy did I read your ticker correctly? Have you really lost 237pounds!!! That is absolutely amazing!!! You must have really worked your butt off!! great job!!