ShantelleElaine

Spinal fusion = check
Facet injections= check
pills, pain Patches, ice paks, heating pads= check
Been there, done that. I hope the band helps you as much as it has me! Good luck! Positive energy coming your way,

There are exercises that can be done from a sitting position or a near sitting position. Also there some resistant band training that can be done as well. You may not be able to do all of them but perhaps during your weight loss journey you may be able start a little at a time.
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=982
Exercises that you can do from your desk.
http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/lifebalance/a/deskexercise.htm
There are also some isometrics that you can do as well
http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/lifebalance/a/deskexercise.htm
In any case I do not do that much exercising and have manged to lose a little weight.

Shantelle, the weight loss will help with the aggravating acute pain. Pain will always be apart of our lives, but I think manageable is what us degens look for. Just to be able to participate in normal functions is great. I'm happy to say that I have managed to get myself back into horse back riding. Something that I wouldn't have dared to do just this past January. These are those NSV (non scale victories) they talk about and this one just makes me feel as free as being at a healthy weight

Shantelle, Hello fellow degenerate LOL. (bad joke). I too have DDD and have 3 herniations. One so severe I complete compression on the spinal nerves that cannot be visualized via MRI. I too will require a discectomy in the near future as well as fusion in the (hopefully longterm) future. I was banded in 2009 at 250#. Got pregnant a year later. Ended up in a major car accident that put my back into acute strain (bursitis, sciatica and severe loss of ROM). I couldn't do passive PT nonetheless real cardio/weight lifting. After 8 long months, my neural symptoms finally subsided and I am now on spinal injections to manage the inflammation/pain every 2-3 months. After I was back to 'normal' (which is back pain not all the other bells and whistles) I resumed my diet. I've lost 40-45 lbs since January and am now at goal. I NEVER did a day of exercise during the entire time I had my band. There's just no way. The weight loss has helped tremendously with my back pain and I feel it has helped to resolve my neural symptoms from the accident. I am just at the point where I am considering some core exercises to strengthen accessory back muscles. Dead lifts, ab crunches, leg presses etc are all hard nos for me. It terrifies me to try because my back is so vulnerable and easy to sprain (which means 4 days of bed rest for me). So yes it is possible. I don't find my wl was slow at all, quite the opposite. However, do recognize that your caloric intake for 'sedentary' lifestyle needs to be decreased in order to lose the weight. IM me if you wanna chat.

On your side is typically the hardest way to sleep post op because it pulls on your stomach.
Have you tried a body pillow? I propped myself up on one to sleep on my side and it was great.

As far as the Protein Shakes go, try Unflavored Unjury Protein powder you can add it to any food or drink. I had to get it because i couldnt stand the thought of drinking another shake! Unjury is what my surgeon recommended and alot of others. Unflavored is 90 cal, zero carbs and 25g protein. I gladly add that to my mashed potatoes, yogurt, etc to get the protein in, anything but the shakes!

Gone since feb.. So excited!
1/2 way to my goal!

The best advice I can give pre-surgery, post-surgery, and for the rest of your life is to always make sure you are drinking enough fluids.

I am just under nine months out from surgery, and today I hit the goal that my surgeon set for me at 18 months out! I never in a million years would have thought my daily life would have changed this much! I always thought aches and pains in my early 30's was normal! Now, I know how wrong I was! It is exhilarating waking up and having energy! If anyone has any doubts, please read all of these success stories on here!
Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I am 10 days post op today n my lap band issues are fine. Barely any soreness, I can sleep in any position I want. No problems at all. Able to get up/down with ease. I recommend take your own cooler with your allotted foods/liquids.

30 pounds down in 20 days! Pretty exciting.

30 pounds down in 20 days! Pretty exciting.

30 pounds down in 20 days! Pretty exciting.

30 pounds down in 20 days! Pretty exciting.

Honestly? Not me. I had to be on liquids for 4 weeks post surgery and I never once cheated.
I knew the risks and knew if I cheated I risked not only causing a slip but hurting myself badly.
It sucked to be on liquids for a month, but I figured I had to suck it up and be a smart adult about it. Cheating on the post op diet, in my eyes, seemed totally counter productive and foolish.

Ugh I am so sorry you ladies are going through this.
I just spent 8 days in the ICU for DVT's in both legs, going from my knees all the way to my groin. I had a procedure called TPA to dissolve the clots. It was brutal but it worked.
I'll keep you both in my prayers!

I'm a newbie and I appreciate the heads up very much! I hope things get easier for you and things start to get better so you can start your journey! Best wishes to you, and hope you feel better! xx

The first few days may depend on your tolerance for pain. Naturally, there will be some due to having a procedure. And you may get buyers remorse. But, after a few days, extreme cases a few weeks, you will feel like yourself but better because you've lost weight.
I don't think anyone posted about the gas pains. You may get pains in your back and or shoulders, they hurt, but there are ways to ease them(ice, heat, gas x, moving around a lot).
Somethibg to think about, when you deliver a baby, it hurts but you give life. Then you forget the pain. With wls, you give a new chance on life to yourself, it hurts, but you'll forget the pain. : )

Today marks 1 month post op!!
I feel like its been a year since my surgery but its only been 4 weeks and its went by soooooooo fast lol. I can sit here and say this is by far the best decision that I have ever made and I'm following my doctors guidelines to a T and I'm feeling back to normal now and getting out ever other day and exercising. I have been eating soft foods for the past few weeks and today I can start solid foods! I'm going to wait another week before I start solids again since I have stocked up on a lot of foods!
Since about 2-3 weeks post op I have been gradually working my excersise and I'm currently training for a 5k run in September. It feels so good that I am back walking/jogging again knowing about 3 months ago I would be able to walk but not for long.... I have been portion sizing my meals like its no ones business and sticking to even though I could eat a little more but keeping myself at bay and knowing in the future I would be eating portion sizes 1-2 cups of food and I know doing this would get me prepared
Well since being 4 weeks post op, I have lost 48pounds to date since March 7th 2013 (344 was my highest weight recorded at my consultation weight). Its feels so good to know in 4 months I have lost all that extra weight I had been carrying around for awhile. I have been very motivated since the start of my journey when I started my Pre-Op diet and I'm full of confidence.
I have met a lot of awesome people on this website and I'm very grateful to have everyones support along the way of my journey. I started a video log on Youtube and I have met a lot of good people on there too. It keeps tabs on myself and knowing that I'm documenting my journey will only help me motivate myself even more in the future!
Thanks for all the support everyone
-Amine

3 years since surg and never had a fill lost 140 lbs

8 months and -65 lbs. I still have a ways to go, but I'm so pleased with my progress so far!
before!
current!

Surgery date 9/27/11
after pic taken 4/24/13
170lbs off
I'd love to share my story and journey..

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Honey, I feel for you! Now is the time to really utilize the sugar free Popsicles and sugar free Jello. I brushed my teeth a lot. I found that I didn't want to eat right after I brushed my teeth so I did it all of the time. Keep your mouth busy with liquid sugar free treats. It was in my first post op days that I developed an appreciation for Crystal light. I also would crush Popsicles and eat them with a spoon, just to get the texture of food. You will make it through, I promise you. (((Hug)))

My doctor said 18 months, but I am going to talk to him about that. I will be 35 next year and I am not getting any younger. I wanted to start trying in Sept 2013. That would be 7 months post op. I guess we will see.

try being on your pre op diet while on vacation..... now that was hard.