Lottie

I suggest using a HRM(Heart Rate Monitor) I use mine everyday and it calculates how much I burn. I bought mine at Academy. There are different price ranges. I bought the POLAR. Google it and find out about it and decide if this will be helpful to you.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! to each of you for making the choice to get this tool to help you get control of your life. I wish each of you much success during your journey. Feeling nervous before surgery is normal. It will be over before you know it and you'll be happy you made the decision. If you have any questions before or after your surgery please don't hesitate to ask.

Great advice from JACHUT. You didn't mention, that I noticed, the size band you have. I have the 4cc band. It took me 4 fills to get to my sweet spot. Others didn't take a long. You probably need a couple of more fills for proper restriction. I have never had a hard time getting in for a fill. My doctor has performed several hundreds of lapband procedures. If I call today, I can more than likely get in Monday or Tuesday of next week. He is generous with the fills. I can get a fill every two weeks if I need one. Sometimes it has taken me 3 weeks to feel restrictions so I've not gotten a fill too close together since I was first band. I think you should add exercise to your workouts and not focused as much on the scales. I know this is easier said than done but it is a great thing to do. I never thought 2 yrs ago I would be as fit as I am now. Hopefully you'll be able to tell a difference with your next fill. I know how discouraging this can be. Each of us bandsters has felt this at some point during our journey. I know things will get better for you and you'll see results soon. Keep us posted and feel free to ask questions anytime you need to. We are here to motivate each other.

Congratulations!!! on adding workouts to your daily routine. I agree the calories on the equipment varies for individuals depending on the incline of the machine and speed. I experienced this same thing and decided to invest in a HEART RATE MONITOR. You enter your personal information (example:age,weight,height ect) and it calculates, your total workout time, Avg HR, MAX HR and Total Calories Burned. Cardio is an excellent way to burn fat. Make sure you do workouts you enjoy. When you get use to a certain machine or a particular workout you need to push yourself a little harder to keep seeing results. INTERVAL TRAINING is a great way to keep your heart rate up. Keep up the good work.

Welcome to the site. Do your research, ask questions then attend a seminar if you have not done so. This will help you with your decision. I would do it all over if I had to. I have no regrets. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. Welcome to LBT. This is a ver informative website.

Congratulations!!!! Boss Lady, How much protein are you taking in each day?

www.unjury.com I love unjury. Check it out.

You look fantastic. Love how you explained your journey. I totally agree with you. I would do it again also. Before I got to my sweet spot (proper restriction) I totally thought I would never get to my goal weight because I had tried every diet possible I thought. Well this is truly a life style change. When I look in the mirror sometimes I don't know the lady that is looking back at me but I tell you one thing and that is "I LOVE HER". I wish you continued success. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! :sad::sad: _Lottie

First I want to say CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your weight loss is super-fantastic. I totally understand where you are coming from. I don't know why people are so rude. It will get under your skin but you handled it so well. Lot better than I would have I think. I only wish I could have been so calm. There are some people I rather not discuss weight with. I work out hard everyday so I know how you feel. I glad that you didn't let that rude person interfere with your workout. You might get to see that lady again one day after you lose the rest of your weight and hopefully you'll get to say to her what you wish you could have said. Keep up the good work and don't let ignorant people spoil your journey. This is about improving your health and your life. Concentrate only on YOU. I wish you much success on your weight loss journey. I am really proud of you.

I am sure there are other great physicians out there but Dr. Touliatos is AWESOME. I like his attentiveness. He is very knowledgeable. He is caring, compassionate, has great bedside manners and he listens to his patients. I would recommend him 100%. HE IS THE BEST. Thanks Dr. Touliatos

I experienced the same thing in my 3 and 4 month. I was so upset to see my hair thinning. I also got my protein in and took biotin for about 3 months. My hair is now longer and thicker than it was before the hair thinning. It must be related to the surgery but trust me your hair will thicken up and get longer. I'm living proof. Although I can't answer why it happen, I promise you, my hair is thick and longer like it was prior to my surgery.

Congratulations...

Congratulations. You are doing great. Which hospital did you get your band? I was band in Birmingham, AL also. I wish you much success on your journey.

Congratulations on making the decision to get the lapband. I was in your exact situation back in 2007 when I got my lapband. I was so nervous so what I did was corny but true. When I got to the event I told the person who was sitting at the table that I had a stomach virus and was afraid to eat for fear of not keeping food down. I took my fork and stirred in my food and actually put it to my tougue and just decided, no I couldn't do it. No one really said anything but the word did travel that I hadn't felt well that day and that I might have a stomach virus. It probably wasn't the best way out but it's the one that worked for me. I wish you much success during your journey. If you ever have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. Take care, relax and enjoy the wedding. Everything will work out for you.

Well said Patty.

Congratulations on your weight loss. The compliment your husband gave you was a 'NSV' (non scale victory) Sometimes those NSV is just what the doctor ordered. Example, compliments from your spouse, fitting into a pair of pants that you have not be able to in years, sitting into a booth in resturant that you use to not be able to get into. I am like you, some days I can go a long time without eating and then other days I can eat like I've not been band. I think the reason for this is something called "HEAD HUNGER". I think about food and just find myself eating. Especially on the weekend and other times is at night. I really have to fight the tempatation at night time. I work out 4 to 5 times a week. When I get the tempatation to eat when I am not really hunger, I pop in an exercise video and work out for 30 or 40 mins. Once I am finished I sure don't want to think about eating and sabotaging my workout. If I still just want to eat a little something I will eat a sugar free popscile or sugar free fudgescile. It's all about making better food choices. I wish you much success during your journey.

I was band by Dr. Touliatos at Trinty Methodist. Address: 860 Montclair Road - Ste 600 - Birmingham, AL 35213 - PHONE: 205-595-8985. Dr. Touliatos is fantastic. I know there are other great doctors but I promise you won't be disappointed with him. His staff is great and he is there whenever you need him. He will never not be attentive to your needs while you are under his care. This is a center of EXCELLENCE and they have earned that title. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask me. Give the office a call tomorrow and see if they except your insurance. I don't know about that. I wish you the best during your journey.

I love that show. I didn't know it still come on. I watched every episode last year. Wish I could watch it more. Now I watch the Biggest Loser.

Let me say first I have no regrets regard getting the lapband. To me 2 months is not that bad because my insurance required me to be on a 6 month supervised diet. There was no certain amount of weight that I had to lose so I joined a weight loss program locally. (like weight watchers) I started exercising (mostly walking 30 mins each day). I loss 33 lbs during the 6 months. I've loss 102 since I was band in Oct 2007. I wish you much success during your journey. Please keep me updated. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Congratulations!!!! on your success. You have done wonderfully. You look great too.

Pineapple Juice helps get food unstuck? I've never heard that before but thanks for that tip.

Congrats to you as you start your journey. Please make sure you get your proteins in each day. My doctor recommends 64-80 grams. I to had thinning hair but along with my multi-vitamin I took the vitamin BIOTIN. My hair has thicken back up and is looking pretty and healthy again. I bought the BIOTIN at Wal-Green. It's also sold at Wal-mart. I wish you much success.

The support group that I attend, you do not have to pay anything. It is very well organized and there are people that speakthat has either been band or had gastric bypass. We talk about issues good and bad depending on our experiences. We went to water aerobics as a group (twice) since our meetings are held at the Fitness Center at the Hospital. Most meetings there is a speaker there to share information with us regarding health and diet. I've enjoy each meeting that I attended. Snacks are available at each meeting. (Foods that are band friendly) LBT is a great support.

Questions to ask during consultation: 2) Research the doctor. What kind of follow up care is provided? (ie: fills, unfills, endoscopies, fluroscopies, port revisions, removal, etc). Ask to speak to about 5 or 6 of his patients before you make a decision. Ask those people if they have any complaints or issues with their care before, during and after the procedure. How many of the procedures has he done? What types of complications can occur from this procedure and how frequently do they happen? (ie: perforations, etc) What types of complications has he personally ran into doing this procedure? What is his policy when a complication occurs during a procedure? (ie: does he discuss options with family or immediately convert to bypass or other WLS). Is he Inamed approved for the procedure? If not then who qualified him to perform the procedure and can you have literature to verify this? 3) Research the procedure. How is the procedure performed? Will you use the Pars Flaccida approach? What type of sutures do you use? Can I request glue and not staples? Will I have a catheter placed? If I am on my menses, can I wear a tampon? What will I need to have prepared when I get home in way of food items? What are the short term issues? What are the long term issues? How will I be able to take my pills? Will you write today for liquid pain meds? Do you want me to take antibiotics post-op? If so, will you write for Diflucan? 4) Follow up care. What is the schedule for fills? When can I get my first fill? How is the fill procedure performed? (ie: with or without fluroscopy) What is the cost for fills? (under fluro and not) How often will I need to be seen? Will I have access to a Nutritionist? How do you handle unfills? Is there a direct line in case of Emergencies? Does your doctor have email address? Should I continue to take Metformin? What Vitamins should I be taking? Will I need to crush my pills? If so then for how long? Are there any pills that cannot be crushed? If so then how will I be able to take them?

I wish you much success.