greyhounder

I had my lap band 7 years ago. I see my surgeon (same one who did my lap band) thus Wednesday to schedule to have my gallbladder removed. I've been a slow loser. Lost about 100 pounds the first year and then spent 5 or so years gaining back a bunch and losing a little. Last fall I started running and exercising in earnest, so this may be the reason. I'm back to that 100 pounds lost mark again. I'm a woman in my 40s. That contributes. Several family members have had their gallbladder out. I guess it was a given. I feel horrible. 8 don't want thevsuegery, but I know it will help.

My blood pressure is still high -- it's likely more a genetic thing for me. I'm a type-A personality. But it is better....maybe someday.... Bec

I don't really even notice the band -- unless I try to eat too much, or eat something I'm not supposed to. And it's not really the band that I feel -- just a really full or uncomfortable feeling from the food. Since the band is internal, I don't think anyone can feel it when they pick up things off the floor. Once in a while, depending on how I bend, I might feel my port against my rib (they're very close) but it's not a big problem. I can feel my port through my skin. It's just a sort of odd bump. I'm really not hungry that often. If I select the right foods, and eat slowly and chew well, I will be full for several hours (around 4 or 5). There isn't really a "diet" per se. I try to eat healthy food -- Proteins first, then fruits and vegetables. There are certain foods that I can no longer eat (breads, Pasta, anything with flour, some dry meats...) but that varies by person. I don't think I burp any more than in the past...not sure about others. I don't vomit too much -- only if I eat too fast or try to eat something I can't. Vomiting too much can cause slipping of the band, so I try to avoid it as much as possible. But it does happen sometimes. Meals a certainly small -- about 3/4 cup, depending on the texture of the food. But not really frequent. I have a Slim Fast shake for Breakfast, Soup or something similar for lunch, and a pretty normal supper (meat and a veggie). For Snacks (usually no more than 2 a day -- if I'm hungry) I usually have applesauce, watermelon, pudding cup -- something like that. Bec

I took Redux for 9 months when it came out. I lost around 60-70 pounds, and got down to about 240. For me, that was great and the med was a godsend. I was taken off of it before it went off the market, although I took Prozac and Fastin combo for a while afterwards (did not do as well on that -- didn't know at the time how bad Prozac was for my mental health!!) Then later, when the whole suit against Phen/Fen and Redux came out, I signed up. Got like $500 in repayment for my meds and a free ECG. Found out that I had damage to 2 of my heart valves. No clue if this was related to the meds, or if I had it my whole life. Also, it is very minor damage and does not impact my life. It was considered compensable though... I have done much better with the band, but it has been much harder work than with Redux. With Redux I sometimes would still eat far more than I should have -- certainly can't do that now. I never exercised beyond a walk now and then -- work out a whole lot more now. I also had that extra serotonin splashing around in my brain from the Redux. I felt on top of the world (of course, that was probably the mania I was feeling). I do miss that part. But I love my band and am so glad I took the plunge! Bec

Well, I've reached a major milestone for me -- 100 pounds lost. It's been a slow process for me. It's been 16 months since I was banded. I guess that's okay, since I continue to lose weight. I still could eat better and exercise more, but I am making good progress. My next milestone is to get under 200 pounds. Then we'll concentrate on my "goal weight". Of course, there's still the whole brain part to get over yet. I still feel 300+ pounds. I'm really hoping that changes. Bec

Attempting to post some before and after photos...... Before: After (so far): This will be a good way for me to see that difference as well, since I don't always feel like I've lost much. Sorry if the pictures are big!! Bec

After I was banded I dragged out my bike. I won it several years ago in a raffle and rode if maybe 3 times. Last summer and fall I rode it several times a week. Now that the weather's nice again the bike has come out once more. So much better than my winter bike (stationary at the gym)! I'm thinking about getting a road bike eventually. This bike is great, but it's a mountain bike and not really made for street riding. Plus when I eventually do my triathalon, I think a road bike would be better (I know there are tri bikes out there but they are out of my budget!) Bec

I just started doing week one of the podcasts today. I've been trying to get into a running mode, but wasn't finding a method that was working for me (was doing 5 minutes warm up, 5 minutes running, er, jogging, then walking for 10 minutes, another 5 minutes running and then a 5 minute cool down). I managed getting all the way through the podcast without dying. Don't know if I can move on to week two after a week though -- we'll see. My goal is to do a triathalon in one year!! Bec

Happy to be banded here. If not for my band, I would continue to gain weight and would become even more unhealthy. I don't mind the restrictions that come with the band -- this helps me be successful. Bec

Hi all, My weight loss goal is 150 pounds. So far -- it's almost been a year -- I've lost almost 90 pounds. I'm maybe not losing as fast as some, but I'm pleased with my loss so far. As long as I keep eating right and exercising regularly, I'm confident I can reach my goal. I've given myself a time line of 2 years to get to my goal weight. Bec

Hi! Saw the word Garmin and had to take a peek at the thread. I have been navigating with GPS units for nearly 4 years now. I bought a big old car unit a few years back, which is sadly out of date now. I need a new one, and have been looking at the Nuvi. Love to hear positives about it. I do use a Garmin GPS for car navigation -- a GPS MAP 60CS. It's a handheld unit, but does auto-routing. It doesn't talk, but beeps when I need to make my turns. I love it. And, while I'm here, GPS units (not really the car units, but the handhelds) are GREAT for geocaching!! It's a fun way to get outside for a walk, get some exercise and find "treasure". Just google GEOCACHING if interested, or drop me a line. It's totally fun! Bec

Hi, Dredging up this old thread as I was searching for BDD threads. I was chatting with Mom today and told her that I really don't see any difference in myself, even with 75 pounds lost. ...A couple weeks ago, my doctor showed me the photo taken when I started this whole process. He was very happy with my progress and wanted me to see the changes. Frankly, I believed that I looked exactly the same... So anyway, Mom goes and gets the digital camera and takes a picture of my face. I still saw the big cheeks and dimples, but when I really distanced myself from the fact that THIS IS ME, I could see that my face is thinner. I have only one chin and it's definitely a different shape. That sort of amazed me. So while I still think my body is large (perhaps larger than it actually even is) I've accepted that my chin is thinner. That's a start, right? Bec

This is very helpful! Thank you! I've actually only done Zumba (you have it right, Latin dance exercise) once. Work and shoveling snow have made getting to classes very difficult. But, I think you are onto something with the snow shoveling. We got 7 more inches today and I noticed that while I shovel, my port area hurts a little. So now I have to get someone to help me shovel -- that's a good thing (although last month, with shoveling as my major form of exercise, I lost 8 pounds!)! Bec