MaggieMay702

Hello all! Today I would like to share a triumph! I was able to get to my local gym and do the elliptical trainer for 35 minutes, burning over 600 calories. I could feel my endorphins rising, and my heart rate going up...all that good stuff. Now, that being said, I'm NOT a fitness guru. Faaaaaaar from it. I hate exercise. It's a chore, but I'm doing my absolute best to readjust my attitude and embrace this new lifestyle. That said, I'm very unfamiliar with what can happen with your body after you become active after periods (long, in this case) of inactivity. About five minutes after I stopped my workout and got to the car, I immediately felt the need to cough up some congestion in my chest. I was able to get some up, but I definitely feel like a lot of gross stuff (sorry if this is too graphic) was loosened after this workout. It makes sense? Right?

Just putting another "plug" in for my fitness pal...I'm loving it as another tool to log food, share recipes/foods and track calories and weight loss. Would love to add more friends on there! My username is westcomk or email: westcomk@gmail.com. Research proves that success breeds with more support and encouragement...sounds like common sense but these forums really do help. I love myfitnesspal! You can use it on your desktop computer, tablet or smartphone.

I added a dash of French dressing to mine today and it was delicious

Please keep us posted! Sending warm thoughts your way... We are all here to support you.

Excellent idea!!!' Thank you

Please add me, my email is ILuvEeyore702@aol.com (ooooold, lol). Thank you!

Discount protein products? Okay guys, I need to catch up on the thread but need your help while I'm thinking of it. I'm starting to get my hunger sensation back and am 1. On a very tight budget 2. SICK of my chocolate/vanilla/strawberry protein shakes. I'm willing to buy online. Please reply to this thread with suggestions; I'm in the purée phase and already eat 1-2 Greek yogurts a day it seems. Thanks!

Yeah I've definitely been overdoing it. Can't wait to get in the pool! Two weeks post op appointment tomorrow! May I ask your opinion/info on the realize band? I've read the pamphlets, but am curious as to what you think.

July 3 bander-down 26lbs total since my pre-op diet documentations started in December. Feeling okay, as in my previous post in the pre-op group right before we started this thread, I actually get a lot of pain from walking. It's so discouraging. I WANT To be active. Going to the support meeting for the local surgeon tonight....super awkward bc I did my pre-op with him but had to switch to an out of town surgeon because the local office didn't get me approved in time. I need the support though, it's not about him, it's about me. Right? I saw some posts about the realize band. I have one and wasn't expecting it--was expecting the smaller lapband. Thoughts everyone?

Trying to catch up, I missed a lot! Lol. I had a looooot of posts to read. Y'all are providing support and doing so well. Proud to be a part of this group. I've been under the radar because I was bridesmaid in a wedding on Saturday and believe it or not, am still recovering lol. I strained the muscles near my incisions, I was only 10 days post-op and didn't have any pain meds for the day so it was a suck it up (and in, might I add) kind of day. The dresses we wore we're gorgeous, but had bowing in the abdomen which pushed onto my port site (OUCH). So not only a rough day physically, I got to dinner and when I sat at the head table and realized I was the ONLY person in the room not eating anything, I almost cried. I held it together but it was a very emotional experience. I felt bitter, "entitled" to my meal, and excluded. But, thankfully the chef came out and asked what he could do. He brought me out a cup of French onion without the cheese or crouton. So sweet! I definitely recommend avoiding any and all major commitments like this if at all possible while recovering from surgery. Being professionally photographed, all of that pressure, etc was a lot. However, it truly was a gorgeous wedding and I'm so blessed they asked me to be a part of it. Now, I walked too much on Monday. I walked our small(er) zoo and my port site has been yelling at me since. I'm so sore guys. The nurse at my surgeons office was very stern that 1. They don't refill pain meds and 2. NO ICE on my muscles near my incisions, only heat. Even though I could sworn the hospital told me different. I go back for my two week post op on Friday. Excited to find out when my first fill, when I can use my gym membership without feeling like I can't walk the next day, etc. I'm enjoying this site as well as my fitness pal. If you'd like to add me on there, my email is westcomk@gmail.com and username is westcomk. How do I get a hold of the woman who started the Facebook group? I only use this app on my phone and it doesn't seem to be as friendly with clicking on usernames. Thanks! Keep it all up guys. Remember, one day at a time. If you fall, get right back up. We are all human.

Well here I am! One week post-op and I can't believe I'm already here....I don't feel banded but I definitely feel the pain of my incisions and the changes in my body. A few things I've noticed that I'm wondering about you guys... 1. I feel bloated. Constantly. I don't feel these "gas pains" everyone talks about?! I belch often. My incisions are painful. But I don't have gas pains? I just feel bloated. Allllll the time. 2. I've lost my hunger sensation. Physically I don't feel hungry. Emotionally, I do. I've just transitioned to my full liquids stage and am allowed SF pudding, FF tomato/cream soups, broth, protein shakes, jello, and yogurt. I am having a hard time with the non-liquids. I ate a lot out of feeling like "well I don't have anything else to do," or "I didn't have dinner," or "I need to try that flavor of yogurt," etc. that's my food addiction and it scares the crap out of me. I know it was just one bad day but I'm only one week post op and I'm already feeling like a failure. Should I go back to liquids? Idk what to do. 3. Do many of you use myfitnesspal? I have a few friends on there from this forum but would like more. My username is westcomk. I think it's nice to have benders on there! 4. I'd like to share recipes if anyone's interested. For instance, I realized my favorite Campbell's tomato soup has 12...TWELVE grams of sugar per 1/2 cup. So I found a sugarless homemade recipe tonight that I'm going to try. Does anyone have any good low sugar soups they like? Thanks for listening everyone. Maggie

I wonder if they have a lower sugar or organic tomato soup that I just haven't paid more attention to? Hmmm. Thanks for the input everyone! I will definitely be consulting my nutritionist.

Tomato soup, anyone? Does anyone or is anyone permitted to have tomato soup on their pre-op and/or post op diet? I progressed to my "full liquids" phase yesterday, I am a week post op. I'm allowed: protein shakes, broth, sf pudding, yogurt, tomato soup, and ff cream soups. I've always LOVED tomato soup. So I was very excited about being able to have it. Today while having my daily serving, I kept thinking "this stuff is like crack!" Then I began thinking...something is wrong here, it shouldn't taste this good...I know that sounds so screwed up but hear me out. Then I looked at the nutrition label. Per half cup, there are TWELVE grams of sugar! I'm a sugar addict. This can't be right. I know my surgeon's office wouldn't steer me wrong, but I'm just baffled/really really bummed now. I feel like I'm just not allowed to enjoy food anymore. Thoughts? Maggie

Congrats on being banded! I was in more pain than expected too I'm sorry to hear it's the same for you. Your bed will feel wonderful! Hang in!

For those of you recovering from being banded this July: Are you in pain?? I've read many people say they've had no problems and that's NOT been the case for me. My incisions are very sore, especially when I move from sitting down or laying down to standing up, etc. I don't think(?) I'm experiencing "gas pain?" The pain I feel is around my incision and is sharp and stabbing. Not constant, just when I'm doing the activities above. I have constant diarrhea, as I've read in previous blogs, liquids in-liquids out. I also feel SO BLOATED. I'm prepping for full liquids phase on Wed. when I'm able to add protein shakes, SF pudding, FF yogurt, and tomato soup. But when I think about it, I'm so bloated I don't think I could eat! I'm trying to stay hydrated as much as possible, constantly sipping. Is anyone else experiencing this? I will admit my pain tolerance is low. Maggie

Hello All, I've posted this on other forums but have not landed much of a response. Do any of you have a realize band? Did you request it? What do you think about the realize band vs the Lapband? Advantages/disadvantages of the realize band? I'm trying to learn about the two. Thanks, Maggie

Thank you everyone!