Mandi1441

I can chose all the above, but the most amazing thing right now is the energy!!!!! I don't feel old. I want to get out and do things again. I feel like I am now able to live my life instead of being too tired to do anything. Before the band I was going to work in the morning and home right after. I did not want to do anything but go straight home. Then on the weekends I would be like i worked all week I want to stay home and rest. (cop-out) I am only 35 and I was living my life like I was older than old. I feel like I am on a natural high right now. It is soooo exciting!!!

I was also told at least 60 grams of Protein. She told me I could not take in enough protein the more protein the better the results. I do not have a problem with too much protein and I consume an average of 90 grams daily. It really helps with the hunger and cravings. I was told no more than 1200 cals, no more than 60 carbs, and at least 60 grams of protein daily. Good luck. I hope you find your balance. :-)

I was also told at least 60 grams of Protein. She told me I could not take in enough protein the more protein the better the results. I do not have a problem with too much protein and I consume an average of 90 grams daily. It really helps with the hunger and cravings. I was told no more than 1200 cals, no more than 60 carbs, and at least 60 grams of protein daily. Good luck. I hope you find your balance. :-)

I picked this up at my band surgeon's office yesterday. Thought I'd share:
Plastic Surgery - Surgery performed by a Plastic Surgeon to modify and change the appearance of an individual. The emphasis is on the change of one's appearance and no actual plastic is used for most of the operations.
Brachioplasty - This operation is performed to improve the appearance of one's upper arms. Excess arm skin is removed after weight loss. This operation is usually performed after all the weight loss has been obtained and is done under general anesthesia on an out-patient basis. This procedure is considered cosmetic in nature and is not covered by insurance plans.
Mastopexy - This operation is performed to improve the appearance of the breasts. This is an operation that lifts the breasts, changes the size and location of the nipple and aureola, and gives a firmer and more youthful breast. This operation is performed after weight loss has been obtained and is done under general anesthesia on an out-patient basis. This procedure is considered cosmetic in nature and is not covered by insurance plans.
Breast Reduction - This operation is performed to reduce the size and weight of one's breasts and to improve the shape of the breasts as well. In this operation there is a reduction both of breast tissue and skin of the breasts. This operation is performed under general anesthesia on an out-patient basis. This procedure is covered by many insurance plans but does have a minimum amount of breast tissue that must be removed. For this reason, one may have this operation performed before all of the weight loss to assure qualification for insurance coverage. Consult a plastic surgeon about this operation if needed soon after weight loss surgery.
Abdominoplasty - This operation, also referred to as a tummy tuck, is performed to remove excess skin and fat from one's abdomen. This operation is performed under general anesthesia on an out-patient basis. This operation is considered cosmetic in nature and is not covered by insurance companies. This operation would be considered after your weight loss is complete.
Panniculectomy - This operation is performed to remove the excess skin one has on their abdomen that hangs over one's pubis after significant weight loss. This is a medically indicated operation to improve the health of the skin on the abdomen that is frequently infected under the skin. This operation is performed under general anesthesia on an out-patient basis in most circumstances. This is a medically indicated operation and is covered by most insurance plans. This operation would be considered after your weight loss is complete.

I just finished Focus T25 with Shaun T. It's intense but a great 25 minute workout. I like to workout first thing in the morning and can't be out of the house because of the kids so these workout programs are great for me. I like knowing exactly what workout to do and not have to think something up. I have also done INSANITY with Shaun T. I used my Xbox kinect to do ea sports active and UFC trainer and dance central. You can do Zumba videos if you like to dance. Find a workout program that is structured but seems fun.

try to think of reasons you can instead of why you cant
i couldnt hardly walk when i had surgery...i marched in place
and gradually worked myself up
low impact step aerobic dvd
or walk away the pounds dvd
dont spend a penny...find it on you tube as the others said
even if you do a min, its better than nothing

Congrats to you all!!! It sounds like we are all moving in the right direction. I was told not to lose too fast also. It is disappointing sometimes, but I am trying to follow the doctors instructions. After all, if my way was working I wouldn't be this big.
I have a lap band consultant at my doctors office. When his patients visit him they also visit her. She helps with the lifestyle changes that go along with the lap band. She gives us tips on eating and cooking. She recommends no more than 1200 calories, 60 carbs, and 60 grams of Protein or more. The more Protein you eat the better.
With every meal I try for 20+ protein and as little carbs as I can. I do not eat anything unless their is protein included. If I eat a sugar free pudding I eat a piece of cheese also. I eat a lot of plain Greek yogurt. (I add Protein powder or vanilla splenda flavors to it) I eat a lot of fat free cottage cheese with no sugar added peaches that come in a snack size cup. Being on the go all the time is the hard part of dieting and eating right. I found the Atkins frozen meals that are delicious and low carb high in protein. After a long day and not wanting to cook pop one of those in the microwave. Easy breezy!! I also take one to work now and then for lunch when I forget to make my lunch the night before. I might eat out once a week. Usually when my husband comes home on the weekend and we go out to dinner. I used to eat out for lunch with the girls at the office and a lot of times at night on my way home I would grab something to take home. This is the biggest change that is helping me lose.
I want us to give each other new ideas and tips. I by no means claim my ways are right or the best, and I am open for more suggestions. After all we will be doing this for a long time and you get burned out on the same things very fast.
Keep up the great work ladies!!!

I can chose all the above, but the most amazing thing right now is the energy!!!!! I don't feel old. I want to get out and do things again. I feel like I am now able to live my life instead of being too tired to do anything. Before the band I was going to work in the morning and home right after. I did not want to do anything but go straight home. Then on the weekends I would be like i worked all week I want to stay home and rest. (cop-out) I am only 35 and I was living my life like I was older than old. I feel like I am on a natural high right now. It is soooo exciting!!!

Congrats to you all!!! It sounds like we are all moving in the right direction. I was told not to lose too fast also. It is disappointing sometimes, but I am trying to follow the doctors instructions. After all, if my way was working I wouldn't be this big.
I have a lap band consultant at my doctors office. When his patients visit him they also visit her. She helps with the lifestyle changes that go along with the lap band. She gives us tips on eating and cooking. She recommends no more than 1200 calories, 60 carbs, and 60 grams of Protein or more. The more Protein you eat the better.
With every meal I try for 20+ protein and as little carbs as I can. I do not eat anything unless their is protein included. If I eat a sugar free pudding I eat a piece of cheese also. I eat a lot of plain Greek yogurt. (I add Protein powder or vanilla splenda flavors to it) I eat a lot of fat free cottage cheese with no sugar added peaches that come in a snack size cup. Being on the go all the time is the hard part of dieting and eating right. I found the Atkins frozen meals that are delicious and low carb high in protein. After a long day and not wanting to cook pop one of those in the microwave. Easy breezy!! I also take one to work now and then for lunch when I forget to make my lunch the night before. I might eat out once a week. Usually when my husband comes home on the weekend and we go out to dinner. I used to eat out for lunch with the girls at the office and a lot of times at night on my way home I would grab something to take home. This is the biggest change that is helping me lose.
I want us to give each other new ideas and tips. I by no means claim my ways are right or the best, and I am open for more suggestions. After all we will be doing this for a long time and you get burned out on the same things very fast.
Keep up the great work ladies!!!

Well....I don't know if I would say this is the Biggest benefit of the surgery, but certainly a nice one. The money we save when dinging out. My wife had gastric bypass in 2002, so for the last 11 years when we ate out I would finish my plate and whatever she had left.
A couple of weeks ago, we went out to eat for the first time since my lap band procedure. We ordered one entree to share and still brought food home, and had lunch for both of us the next day and still had a little left.

I had my band on May 10. I had plication with band. I lost quite a bit preop diet and some post op diet. I've really slowed down and at my last md appt had only lost 3.4 lbs. I was pretty disappointed especially since my surgeon wont fill me. I haven't had a fill yet. On the upside I've lost 35 lbs total and it doesn't look like it wants to come back. My surgeon says after you get so far down, its better to lose it pretty slow. He recommends 3 to 5 lbs a month for me and though I don't like it, time is all I have anyway. So what it it takes a year to lost 40 lbs or so. At least it'll be gone and if I werent doing this, I'd probably be gaining. I'm trying to take a different attitude than I've had with the 100's of diets I've tried and thinking this time I might be on the right track. Good luck to you guys and lets keep track of each other and see how it goes.

Mandi, what kind of nutritional plan are you following?
I had mine done on 05/30/13, and I've lost a total of 18 lbs so far. I exercise a minimum of 3-4 times a week, and I wish I were losing the weight a little bit faster. I lost about 13 lbs the first month, and about 5 the following. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

I.m not a May buddy. I was a Dec 2012 bander but congratulations on your weight loss thus far! That's amazing and an even better accomplishment is that you're off your diabetic meds! Amazing! Keep up the good work! Even though I'm not a May buddy keep us all posted! I've lost a little over 50 lbs since 12/28. It's slow but it's coming off and I'm also off my diabetic meds!

I just wanted to check in with my fellow May band buddies. It has been 2 months today for me. How are you guys doing? Any issues? Are things going how you expected? How in LOVE are you with your band?
I am doing great. Some days it seems slower than others. I lost 10 lbs this last month. It wasn't as much as the first month so I got a little aggravated. Then I realized 10 lbs is great! 10 lbs a month would be amazing if it continued that way. By December that would be 50 more lbs!!! I know the more you lose the slower it starts coming off. I am all up for the challenge because I know it is not going to just bounce back on like all the other diets.
Health wise I have stopped both my diabetic meds. I sugar is staying in the normal range. I still check it occasionally just to make sure. Also with the diet and exercise I have been able to stop my blood pressure meds. My immune system has improved tremendously. I have not been sick since January. This is a big deal for me. I swear my doctor and I were becoming best friends I was there so often.
I hope you guys are having as much success as I am. The energy and feeling good just make me more of a positive person. I am happy and excited to be in the world of the living again.
Best wishes to you all,
Mandi

Alex, I can't count one thing. However, health was my key issue for getting the Lapband. I am considered legally disabled but as I lose my weight, I have been taken off my diabetic meds, my blood pressure is normal. I had two strokes in my early 30's and was diagnosed with hydrocephalus (water on the brain) as a possible cause. I had brain surgery to have a shunt inserted and then after 3 months had to have a second brain surgery, then when I was 36 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and when I went to have a radical hysterectomy this team of neurologists did several tests and came in my room before surgery and informed me I also had MS. Then on top of all that my weight was spiraling out of control because of not being able to get enough exercise. On top of all my other problems I was suffering from cellulitis to the point of having to be hospitalized many times. I knew if I lost weight I'd be able to overcome some of my obstacles. On top of everything else my doctor had said I was suffering from CHF (congestive heart failure). So, with a heavy heart and a lot of faith I was determined to live for my grandchildren. They were and are my purpose for living. I had researched weight loss surgery for three years and was told by my insurance company that I would not qualify. I went to several Lapband seminars and I let my PCP know this. He said he would document all my health issues and declare it medically necessary. In the meantime, I was determined to improve my health in whatever I needed to do it. That included WLS. In the meantime, I had changed insurance companies and it was my latest series of seminars on the Lapband I found out that the surgeon I had attended my latest seminar with accepted my insurance -all but $800 plus my liquid pre-op diet and I would attend another class on Lapband once I was accepted as a patient. So, here I am with a plethora of health issues and my mindset was I need to get healthy but without weight loss how was I ever going to get healthy? Well, I'm here to tell you that I'm off a lot of meds that I was prescribed for years. My health has improved to the point that I don't need a mobility cart to go shopping, I'm breathing better, I'm not out of breath after walking for 5 minutes, I fit in a coach airline seat with the arms down and the seatbelt buckles without having to ask for an extension, so aside from weight loss it was health issues and social issues that have improved my life. I still have a ways to go but my life has improved so much since starting on this journey. I've added years to my life, my health has improved so much since this surgery. My weight loss is slow but steady and above all my grandchildren are seeing their grandma walking instead of in a wheelchair. I walk with a cane due to balance issues but there was a time I couldn't walk at all without severe issues. I still have issues with spasticity but that has improved too and my doctor has reduced my meds for that because I weigh less so I think I have to reiterate that health improvement was my reason for WLS and I love it! Ok, I think you get the point, it was all for my health and I'm a testimonial to that. I mean without writing a book this is my synopsis of the issue. Thank you Alex for starting this Lapband forum. It has been a Godsend for me.
:-)

A lot of those things apply but I would say that overall it's been my self-confidence that has benefited most from the weight loss.
Now don't get me wrong, I was always opinionated, strong and confident but it's almost like when I lost the weight, people actually couldn't dismiss me as not worthy of having an opinion. And if I want something now, less people were inclined to say no to me.
I believe 100% that that says more about how society perceives people who are overweight that anything that has to do with me - I am the same person I was when I weighed 80lbs more, it's more about how suddenly, they can't pretend I'm invisible or not worth their attention. And that has made me more assertive and my confidence in what I look like on the 'outside' now matches my confidence on the inside, if that makes sense.

OMG it's my concentration level, for sure! I've been walking around in a sleepy brain fog for the last few years and I'm suddenly back AWAKE! And I'm doing really well at work. Not that I wasn't doing well before, but my stamina now hugely improved, I'm sharper, quicker, and can handle a greater volume of tasks.
I also just feel like myself again. I was feeling really old. Tired. Like my best times were behind me. But I feel like I've taken off ten years. I'm 41 and I'm right back to the zippy party girl I was before having a kid. And I'm even thinking I may want one more before I can't anymore... Good times!!!
And getting to pull down all my 'thin clothes' from the closet kinda rocked. Cause I threw out all this stuff that fits but is way out of style. Woo hoo!! And my engagement ring fits again...
I could keep going, but those are the biggies.

What do you mean by "Messing Up"? and What do you think will be different because of it?
What is the purpose of the Pre-op diet?
All Dr.'s have different approaches to this, and you will get as many responses here on this forum...I will not say what I think, but you do need to think it through....

For me it was the face, then boobs, stomach, thighs and butt! When I was first banded my bra size was a 42 or 44 DD. I went to the store Intimacy and got a real bra fitting for the first time. I'm now a 32D. I will never have to get a Lane Bryant bra again!

You are most welcome here. This forum is like a family to me and I haven't been on this forum that long (my surgery was 12-28/12), but I started going to this forum pre-op and now it's like a second home to me. Again, welcome aboard!

When I had my surgery, they gave me shots of heparin in my stomach; one before surgery, and more (I don't recall the intervals......possibly every 8-12 hours) during my stay in the hospital. This was to avoid possible clots. The worst bruising I had was from those shots. Like someone spilled a bottle of blue/purple ink.

For women, we have hard time with the lower abdomen region. When you do your cardio.. Do an interval cardio setting 2-3x a week. That will help a lot with the muscles, fat, and skin in that region. It's hard but start off doing 10 mins and working your way up.
Elliptical and precor are great for it because you can raise the resistance. Treadmill raise the incline. Elipitcal takes alot of pressure off the knees and ankles, so that may help you.
I had 4 abdominal surgeries in 3 years due to renal cancer. So I feel your pain! You will be surprised how the muscles will work back. Just takes dedication and time.

Although I don't do the sauna.. B-52 is right.. Since I started doing real cardio 5x a week, my skin is toning up wonderfully in the abdominal and leg region.