gowalking

Three days to recuperate is often not enough. It's still surgery even though it's laproscopic. I would discuss this with the surgeon but my thoughts are that this is not enough time..especially as teaching is not a desk job.

Good to see you back on the forum!

I also have alot of residual issues from all the damage I did to myself. Plus the doctor told me that I was moving differently than before because the body is now so different and it will take time to get used to the 'new' way of walking and moving.

Going to the bathroom has been a challenge for me ever since I was banded. Talk to your doctor and find out what will work best for you. I take stool softener, a prescription med, and I get accupuncture just to help me go regularly. It's a pain in the neck for sure but I'll take it over being morbidly obese and unable to walk without a cane.

Hang in there...all your wants can and will come true. I'm living proof of it. I was morbidly obese and had degeneration so bad in my hips that I nearly wound up in a wheelchair. WLS was my only option if I wanted any quality of life again. It was a long and arduous road that included double hip replacement but I made it and you will too. I am a tiny lady again. Really. Even the waiter at the restaurant I went to last week said it. He was taking care of our large table and doling out hot and sour Soup and describing us as he was doing it. So he called my mom 'pretty lady' and he called my aunts 'blonde lady' and 'smiling lady'. When he handed me my bowl, he said, 'for the tiny lady'. Yes...I am pretty small these days and loving my life. I can do everything you are all dreaming about and it's as good as you imagine. I stare at myself all the time because I can't believe what I look like now. I take part in everything and love it. I haven't watched a Netflix movie or read more than two books this whole summer. I was too busy going and doing and involved in life. I hope many of you stay on this site so all of us vets and newbies alike can share in your success and be inspiration for others still waiting to have surgery or who are struggling. Good luck to all of you.

Can you get someone else to help you? Another family member or a good friend? Don't derail your plans because you husband isn't able to work with your schedule. This is something you need to do for yourself and then hubby and kids will enjoy the benefits of your weight loss down the line a bit as you get healthier, and hopfully happier with your smaller body.

Same here Arlene. Thanks for letting us know about CG's mom.

Hi Friends. Wanted to post a happy holiday wish to you all. Have a great Labor Day...enjoy the beach, or the mountains, or whatever you wind up doing this weekend. Stay healthy and make those good choices we've come to rely on. Liz (gowalking)

I hate when patients are given such ambiguous instructions. It's ridiculous and only sets a person up for failure. Until your band is providing sufficient restriction, you might want to follow a Weight Watchers type of plan as I did along with tracking your calories, Protein, etc. in myfitness pal. I did and this food plan helped me to drop 140+ lbs. without being hungry all the damn time. I still have to be aware of what and how much I eat, but I am praying that I never gain it back again. I love being this size and the freedom it provides and I never want to be fat again. FYI, I eat 3 oz. protein, 1/2 cup veggies, 1/4 cup carbs at most meals. I stay under 1,200 calories daily and try to get in at least 50 grams of protein. You can tailor a plan to your needs and preferences. Good luck and here's wishing you great success.

I fluctuate between 125 and 127 lbs. so I've lost 140+ lbs. That's more than half my initial body weight before surgery. I imagine myself literally cut in half when I think of before and after. I post this picture sometimes to show people what this amount of weight looks like. Yes...those are both pictures of me and I think it says it all.

Welcome. I was banded in January of 2013 and just turned 56 a couple of weeks ago. I feel better and younger than I have in forever. I have enough energy to do almost anything and I was nearly immobile before the lapband and subsequent hip replacement (which I wouldn't have gotten without the weight loss) You will do great and get off you meds and find yourself exercising and embracing life again as I have. Wishing you all the best!

It can take some time for you to adapt to your new eating habits. Plus, you should be trying to get in all your protein and water. If you are not, that could also be the problem. Lastly, you had surgery and it's a trauma to the body so keep that in mind.

..your port is obviously visible because your tummy isn't huge and hiding it anymore. I find myself touching it all the time almost like it's a talisman that I rub it for luck. It didn't even become noticeable till I lost nearly 70 lbs. and now it sticks out like the alien in the movie. No one sees it but me at the moment but I've started to date so we'll see how that goes...lol.

Oh sweetie...I don't like this post...I LOVE this post. It's powerful because I can relate completely. How do you explain it when you've literally gotten your life back? I too have had the best summer in more years than I can count. I'm alive again after being on the sidelines for way too long. I am so very very happy for you and your success. I look forward to more inspiring posts from you and others who have reclaimed what obesity took away. You are now experiencing your forum name as I am also experiencing mine. This post just made my day!!

The article is true enough. The problem however, doesn't lie in BMI numbers, but the fact that the medical profession uses it as an arbitrary, albeit major indicator of what is considered a healthy vs. unhealthy weight. BMI should be only one of many guages that determine a patient's overall health.

I usually don't respond to stall questions because they annoy me. But I realize that there are times when people just don't understand the process so I'm going to respond to your seemingly sincere question. A stall is weeks, not days. You didn't get overweight overnight and you won't lose it that way either. The number of calories consumed is for your information so you know not to overeat. Your body is responding to a sudden drop of likely hundreds if not thousands of calories. That means your body might be wanting to keep the weight on in case you are starving. The body only knows you are feeding it less so it is compensating. Don't go on the scale when you are in a stall. Look for the non scale victories. You will find many of them and they will help you during this frustrating time. Just so you know, I had to lose around 50 lbs. to go down 1 size in my clothing. Then I started to drop sizes sometimes in a matter of weeks and not by losing lots of pounds. The body reshapes and gets smaller at times even when the scale doesn't move. Especially if you are exercising. Just follow the doctor's instructions, stay compliant, and you will find success.

The theory is that the change in cabin pressure can make the band tighter. There are folks who have this issue and folks who don't. I would speak with your surgeon and explain that flying is your job and have him or her tell you what you should do. Good luck and don't let anyone intimidate you in terms of revising to a sleeve. That's a huge step and should be one you decide on your own, not based on second hand info.

I hate the loose skin but you can cover much of it up and with good foundation garments, no one is the wiser. I'm considering cosmetic surgery but it's a couple of years away at least. My life is so much better now...I too am in NYC and was nearly unable to walk because my arthritis was so bad. New York is not a good place when you can't put one foot in front of the other. I can now walk anywhere and can take any type of public transportation, which is vital. I have my life back and that beats the loose skin any day.

I went from an 8 1/2 to a 7 1/2

I'm so sorry the band did not work for you. I don't understand why any of the doctors should be judgemental in any way. That is not their job. Wishing you well in your recovery.

Welcome and congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I too, have had a complete change to my life due to the weight loss and subsequent hip replacement surgery. I can do almost anything again and have gotten my life back. You will find that you can eat alot of the foods you think you won't tolerate anymore and better yet, you will find that not eating alot of these foods will not bother you so much as you become healthier and happier with your decision to be banded.

Love it, love it, love it!!! There are a few really special people I've met through this forum and you my friend are one of them. I congratulate you and want you to know that I am inspired by you every day.

There are a few of us Nana. It's uncommon but not unheard of. Thanks for the kind thoughts.

Rollo, I've been banded more than 18 months and have not had any fills. Sometimes the feeling of satiety does not always kick in right away so I eat Weight Watcher type portions. Typically, 3 oz. Protein, 1/2 cup of veggies and 1/4 cup of carbs. You can see from my ticker that it's worked very well for me.

We're here for you!