sleepyone405

OMG, tooooo funny! My husband has been warned, he cannot bring a pizza or even a picture of a pizza into this house, and popcorn is no longer allowed either (which is weird cuz i never liked popcorn before. I dont care if he eats his overflowing plate (the same dinner I used to eat), but there are just some things he has to give on. Luckily, he supports me and submits to most of my requests.... Thanks for the chuckle!

if you have problems walking, try walking in a pool. Many people with mobility issues find that in the water they don't have the pain. Actually while walking in a pool is easier on your body, the resistance from the water that you don't even really notice makes it a good work out and no sweating is a big plus too.

I have depression and anxiety, along with MAJOR panic attacks. I find when I do exercise it actually helps all three conditions. Exercise is a good stress reliever and although anxiety and panic attacks don't have to be related to stress, exercising did seem to reduce them. Not to mention the extra energy exercise gives me. I sleep less, I'm less tired and I participate in life more. I too have been to the hospital with the panic attacks, I too have had the heart workup, and now I take medicine that controls my depression and anxiety. I haven't had a panic attack in three months. (They changed my meds three months ago). Talk to your doctor about it, and if you get no where, find another doctor who will work with you. Like has already been stated, its caused by a chemical imbalance and you need a medicine to correct that. When you do work out, your heart will beat faster though, just because you are working out. Don't get worried! If you go to a gym (or check with your doctor) for the optimum heart rate for you when you exercise and check it when you do. By keeping it in the right zone, you maximum your exercise routine and burn the most calories. Good Luck and know you are not alone.

when did you have your surgery?

a heating pad on your tummy will help, and laying in bed on your left side.

Focus on your eating healthy. Don't weigh yourself every day. You won't really get restrictions until you get fills. The first weight loss which is usually a combination of the preop diet, post op diet Water weight which makes it seems so easy. Let yourself heal. Get a few fills, keep exercising and you'll see that things will progress. While its fun to lose 12 lbs in 10 days, be realistic and realize that the average is only 1-2 pounds a week IF you eat right and exercise. Its also the healthiest way to lose weight and the most effective. Quick weight loss usually means quick weight regain. Hang in there.

BCBS of IL approved and paid for my surgery. However, your policy may be different. I would call their customer service line, since they have your policy and can tell you if it would be. I would think they would be covered, just as if something went wrong and they had to do surgery to remove or correct a problem, even if they wouldn't pay for the lapband originally, because it would then be a medical necessity. Of course, I'm an optimist. Call them though to be sure.

We all go through this I think, especially during our post op healing. Focus again on the reasons you chose to have the surgery. I look at the "little" I now eat, and am so proud and happy that if fills me up, even without the weight loss. The freedom I have found from food is amazing. Sure there are days I struggle and want that comfort food, I wont kid you. However, when I eat healthy I find its a victory, because healthy food is our new best friend. Sadness and anger are all a part of the grieving process. You will get through it! Every day I exercise, even though its only walking one mile, I have a victory. Each and every meal I have that is normal portions (even though it seems small to us overeaters) that is a victory too. The weight loss is another victory. The inches I've already lost off my tummy is a victory. The clothing sizes I've already gone down is another victory. You can choose to be sad and angry, or you can choose to stay focused on your plan. Focus on your reasons and the small victories, and before you know it, food will be your friend again in a new way. It won't hold you back! It will help you be healthy! The victories are yours too, if you reach out and take them. This is coming from the woman, who two days post op was crying in bed and I knew I made the wrong decision! The support I have gotten here helped immensely and focusing on my victories empowers me to continue to work with the band to improve my life. Pretty soon, your band and new eating habits will become your best friend too!

Natalie, success hinges on our exercise program. The band controls the amount we can eat, and we can choose what foods we eat, but the key to success is burning them calories (and getting enough protein so we burn fat and not muscle)! Besides, exercise gives you more energy and less stress! no matter how much it wears you out! if you need a class to be accountable, find one. If you need us to yell, errr support you.. we are here. Even though I haven't posted when I walk (which is my exercise at this point), I think of you ladies every time I walk, especially when I am not sure I want to. I can almost hear you all cheering me on or yelling, errr encouraging me to get off my butt. Hear us cheering you Natalie!!! still hoping for a treadmill to find its way home to me... esp before the bad weather hits. but I have been having fun watching the sunrise as I walk the mile track around the lake. such a peaceful way to start my day. I never dreamed I would enjoy walking at 430 in the morning, before work! My goal is eventually to be able to jog, even if its not far, but to jog for more than five feet, which is probably all I could do now! and to jog, without my flabby stomach flapping against my body making those disgusting noises. I've never been able to run my entire life, because I've always been heavy. I may never run a marathon, but I sure would like to jog the length of the street in front of our house. Anyone have any specific exercise/activity goals for as they lose weight???

In the morning the band is tighter and is probably what is causing you to get stuck. Try Protein shake or eating a little later so the band has time to loosen a bit. lunch should then be easier, but watch dinner time so you keep to the healthier smaller portion sizes and don't overdo it. If waiting doesn't help and you can't do liquids either, I'd say you need a tad taken out.

Are you getting enough protein? Someone mentioned on another thread that Biotin is good for hair, nails and skin. I am going to try that, with my doctor's permission of course, because I've noticed I'm shedding more than usual.

2 miles in 30 minutes?? you sure you are walking! Now I feel slow cuz it takes me 20 minutes to do one mile... My port area is still sore, but not sore enough to stop me. I'm still not lifting much weight because of it, but I am becoming a walkalholic. Also, my skin on my belly feels like it has rug burn, but when I touch it, it doesn't increase the sensation. I'm guessing its the nerves sending weird signals to my brain from the trauma of the surgery. It doesn't hurt, just there constantly and feels funny.

find some protein shakes you enjoy so you are enjoying those at least.

I doubt your port flipped. Around my three week mark, i started having sensations/discomfort in ways I hadn't had before. I figure its just that more of the swelling went down and I'm sure it will go away soon (as other people have told me). If you are really concerned, call your doctor, but I think its just normal healing.

I finally walked the one mile track around the lake today.. it was a beautiful way to start the day. the sunrise was awesome and I am so proud that i finally made that mile. Look out now world, i'll be walking all over you

my mouth is watering manda.. thanks for the recipe. ingredients going on my next shopping list!

The depression is more likely grieving for the foods you are craving, especially comfort foods. Try to focus on the reasons you got the band. Sooner than you realize, you will be able to eat most foods again, just in a healthier portion size. Even now, I look at my husband's plate when he is eating and I think "gosh, how can he eat so much". I look at my plate and I think "I'm proud that I only need to eat this much". I really see now how unhealthy I was eating. Even if I ate healthy, I ate way too much so in essence it was not a healthy dinner. I save so much money now too! My weight continues to drop each week and that has been my motivation to keep with it. Once you heal more and are able to get your fills in your band and see the weight loss, its a big motivator! We've all been through the doubts. You are not alone. You will get past it! You WILL be healthy!

Bamabander.. did you have a problem?

Does anyone have experience with flying? Just wondering if the air pressure affects the band? Or even if higher elevations would affect it in anyway...

Working out is the key!

soon as i dare try bread, i will try that pizza

air bubbles in your chest? bubbles you can't burp out? I'm having trouble cuz I never feel hungry and never feel full. I try to eat three times a day, so I get my Protein in. I know I should be thankful about not being hungry, but I sure would like to know when I'm full. What does hunger and full feel to you?

Welcome newcomers, nice to have you aboard!

I am doing much better. I finally turned the corner yesterday, about 10 days post op. It was a long ten days though! My band is empty, as my surgeon won't add fluid till July 5, which works fine for me. Right now I don't know what hungry feels like (other than head hunger), so I'm not eating much. For that matter, I'm not sure what full feels like either! I just keep meals around 1/2 cup and most time don't finish that. I'm pushing protein though and still drinking the shakes. That is helping me regain my strength. I go back to work Monday, so I have two more days to get some stamina back! In the meantime, I'm just going to enjoy not being hungry and not even worrying about food. Something VERY new to me! Figure each day with little to no appetite means more weight sliding off

lalaj: exercise is the key, do something even if its only for 15-20 minutes. would your children participate in a walk or bike ride? If the Kinect is too sensitive for your children to participate, what about a regular DVD workout? The best way to start an exercise program is just to start