betrthnever

Start by walking. Walk around the block. Walk as much as you can. Wear a pedometer so you can see just how much you do walk. After you've been walking for a while you start to realize that maybe you can do those activities you didn't think you could do. Down the line you might be in a serious aerobics class or you're running and then you look back and say it was because of the walking. Of course it looks monumental to "work out" when you feel too uncomfortable to move. Its all about the baby steps. That's what happend to me - I started off walking and am now working out at 5 days a week, 1 1/2 hours a day. You can do it, too. Good luck and keep walking!

Ceradad, you aren't alone. I, too, am working through self image issues. Feel like I'm still lots heavier, etc. Then when I catch myself walking by a window I'm startled to see how much weight I have lost. There are other threads existing dealing with this that are helpful you should check them out.

Hi Tracy, I'm on my second fill (I'll be getting my 3rd on Wed) and I've noticed that I've more restriction in the last few days then ever and my period just started today. Not pbing (haven't done that) but I've gone from wide open or feeling like it anyway to a nicer amount of restriction. But it comes and goes so who knows if its associated with the TOM or just coincidence?

I TOLD My husband that is is what I wanted. Period. There were no threats or anything like that. This is MY body and he knows it (I love him!). There wasn't even a thought about what I'd say to him. He wasn't thrilled but knew that it was my choice to make. And both my children know about my surgery. Didn't keep anything a secret. **The only negotiation that is envolved in my opinion is if you have to mortgage your house to get the procedure 'cause its only fair to the spouse for the financial involvement. Lucky for me my insurance paid for everything. You need to do what you need to do for yourself.

I have had 2 fills and have almost no restriction. So feels like I could eat a whole chicken at times (ok, slight exaggeration)...you folks who are having 1 tablespoon of corn or an ounce of tuna, I'm assuming you have good restriction? My Dr doesn't have us weighing anything as long as we eat within a 20 minute period. How many of you feel like you have to really control the amount you eat? I'm curious (as I don't have much restriction)

Thanks Zengirl, the thing I have to remember is that we are all different and what works for one won't necessarily work on another. My fill is a week from Wed and I'm looking forward to it. Also, I don't tend to weigh myself on a regular basis because the change isn't dramatic so getting a fill is another way for me to see where I'm at.

Hi all, Ok, here's my story. I have my 3rd fill next week and almost 4 months out from surgery (banded 2/19/2008). Really I have hardly any restriction and can eat anything (even tho I know I shouldn't and try willfully not to eat it) like bread, rice, etc. Am NOT eating chocolate, fast food, or twinkies - the things I ate before surgery. I am losing inches and some weight as I work out almost daily. Of course I have more restriction then before I was banded but just not what I need/want. Not even close to my sweet spot. Its my will alone that's floating me. So my question is, will it happen? Will it get to the point where physically I CAN'T eat bread, my nemesis, and not have to really just on will power alone? Can 1/2 cc make a difference? Is my stomach the size of a watermellon (just kidding). Thanks! :confused2:

I'm at 6cc in a 9cc band (the realize) and have only had 2 fills. I have my 3rd fill next week and I HOPE I will have the restriction I need. Currently I have some restriction but not a whole lot.

Have you talked to your Dr?

Best to go by what your dr says. I walked from day one but it wasn't until 6 to 8 weeks out that I could really excersise. You REALLY don't want to pull anything. Patience now or you might have to pay for it later. My sister use to be one of those people who would work out and do heavy lifting right after surgery until she ended up with a hernia and an infection after her hysterectomy. She ended up with a hole in her stomach for almost 2 years because of chronic infection and a dozen surgeries.

My goal is to do heavy duty exercise every day for a week - Friday I did the eliptical for 30 minutes, 50 situps, & more weights, saturday 1/2 hour weights with 1 hour Zumba class (aerobics), Sunday 1/2 hour eliptical & weights, today did yoga in the am and will do Zumba tonight. So far so good!! Banded 2-19-2008

My arms are disproportionately larger then the rest of my body. But what am I going to do wear long sleeves through a miserably hot summer here in Phoenix, AZ? I just have had to come to terms with them. I was banded 2/19 and have lost around 3 inches from my arms but they still look like flabby popeye arms. Where there's no natural fix there's surgery in the future!

So in less then 2 months you've lost an average of 9 pounds and you're upset! Would you have lost that much on your own??

Doesn't sound right that he Dr said it would take up to 6 weeks to work. Usually you know what kind of restriction you'll have within a week at the most. Was it the Dr that told you that? Sometimes there's too many "cooks in the kitchen" when it comes to giving out info. Is the dr the only one there giving fills? Patients at my center don't ever see the Dr after surgery we only see the NP in the office. & the policy with fills is every 4 to 6 weeks. Not so unusual to have to wait some for fills. Maybe you'd feel better with another Dr office with fills & that have more support for the patients. You don't have to see the dr to have support & the Dr doesn't have to be the one who does the fill.

Mr Dr had to remove gum before. Is it worth chewing it? I use to enjoy drinking coffee so much now it gives me the runs. Def NOT worth it LOL

You're young. I know some of us over 40 have period issues but I'd see a Dr anyway. Chances are your hormones are off but just the same...Any chance that you were pregnant? Sorry, don't mean to sound insensitive but that could explain the bad cramping (I do remember the bad cramping). All in all I'd see a dr - Hope this is resolved for you!

This has brought me to tears. I'm so sorry for your friend's loss. The way he cried when his brother was leaving like he knew he wouldn't see him again. Terrible what families have to go through for this imposed war...

Hi Tonks, there might come a time when you 2 go to dinner and you don't eat much and he will ask why. It will probably come up sooner or later. And because you are asking us the question it is on your mind and you feel like you need to tell him. Perhaps you will know when the right time will be to tell him? Good luck!

For the first time in over 10 years I'm in Onederland!!! Its a great feeling. For me that was a big goal. My next mini-goal is 189. I'm not a fast loser but I am losing!

My Dr said that the hair loss is a result of the body's going into a 'starvation mode' trying to protect vital organs because its not getting the quantities of food that its use to having. More of a physiological issue rather than a nutritional one. She said it can take up to 9 months for the body to normalize. Her experience shows that hair products don't do anything for it and that you'll have to wait it out. But it will end!

That is exactly what I think we all want - to be a positive influence on our family. I'm 3 months out and my kids are eating better, too. Not my entire family but it will take time. Congrats!!

Well put. We each have our own path to follow. I gave up smoking and I would like my husband to give it up too and he knows it. But I won't harp on it. He has to choose to make his own changes or all you are going to do is push him away from you. A girlfriend of mine battled cancer by becoming a vegan. She lost weight in the process too and felt much better (she only had a few pounds to lose but the transformation was amazing). It took years for her meat loving husband to come around but he did. She was patient and just concentrated on herself and ACCEPTED THE FACT THAT NO MATTER WHAT HE DECIDED TO DO SHE HAD HER OWN LIFE TO LIVE AND LOVED HIM FOR WHO HE WAS. Over time he saw how happy, healthy and energetic she was and wanted that, too. He is now down 50 pounds and has the energy and health he was missing. As far as your children go continue to be the best role model you can be by providing healthy food and a healthy eating mentality. I wish you patience and understanding.

Just had my 2nd fill last week and I still don't feel like I have much restriction. Of course I eat less then before surgery but I feel like I still eat more then I should be eating. Heard it could take a while to get good restriction. I'm 3 months out today:thumbup:

I was hungry, too, but was only suppose to be on a clear liquid diet for 4 days. But since I hate broth and can only somewhat stand sugar-free jello I went without eating. The first couple of days were the worse but then they got better. 2 WEEKS without eating just doesn't seem right to me...maybe you should call your dr?

I took a week off. There's one women in my support group who went back to work the next day (she said she didn't have a choice). This surgery was pretty mild compared to some of the other surgeries I've had. I'm 3 months out now and loving it!