steph_co

Glad to see your response, Ann. We've all had our stop and starts. I know I have done my fair share of fluctuating. I have to keep reminding myself that a commitment is a choice you make every moment and every day. It's not something I say once and it just sticks. I have to consciously keep making that choice. And there are certainly days that I struggle. Today has been rough so far. I feel tired and sluggish and did not want to work out. I did it anyway and hated it the entire time. I am craving processed garbage like crazy. Because I have been doing so well, as long as it's within my calories allowed for the day, I'll probably fit in a small treat. I find that I do better that way rather than denying myself completely. Committing to your own health is difficult! Especially when you may have a lifetime of experience abusing your body (which I certainly do have). Hang in there. We've all been there.

It's been awhile since I've been on here. There have been several gaps of time when I have "slacked" off in my motivation. TBH, what I struggled with was not being able to get ENOUGH calories with how active I wanted to be. I had finally made the decision to have my band unfilled and that was to occur this past Thursday. But strangely enough, even though it had been since summer of 2009 since I had been adjusted, I started having issues the week right before my appointment. It was a gradual build-up over three days to the point where I was struggling to get down fluids. I had to make an emergency appointment to get the band unfilled. This didn't upset me - it's what I was planning, anyway! The nurse practitioner couldn't believe that it had been 2-1/2 years since my last adjustment and I had zero issues since then. I joined a weight loss challenge with my employer at the beginning of the year that lasts 12 weeks. I stalled in my weight loss right before the issues that led to my emergency unfill. After the unfill, I had a major WOOSH and lost everything plus a couple more pounds. So, since the last week of December, I have lost 8 pounds. I HAVE to get about 1800 calories everyday, or I can't lose weight. VLCD (very low calorie diets) don't work with me for the level of fitness I am working on. I used to be running a lot and weight training. I couldn't get past a certain point in my weight loss because my body kept kicking into the starvation response. Considering that it's easier for me to get calories now, I'm eating healthier, and it's working like a charm, I'd say my theory was right. But we'll see. Currently, I'm doing the Insanity workouts, eating up to 1800 calories a day (split into 6...3 meals, 3 snacks), drinking Shakeology as one of my snacks, taking health supplements, and drinking lots of water. I feel fantastic. I do feel that the Lapband was a necessary evil and given the choice to do it all over again - I would. Over the course of my journey, I have learned SO MUCH about fitness and nutrition that I never took the time to really delve into before the band. I knew I was eating unhealthy, but really didn't have a clue of the best way to approach nutrition. I'm positive that I can take off the rest of my weight and keep it off. The surgeon that did my unfill said if I'm able to stay at a stable weight for several months, then I should consider removal. The Lapband was a great tool...but I think at this point, I may have outgrown it. How is everybody else doing? I'd love to hear updates.

I wasn't around when you posted this, so here's a late "good luck." But I'd love to hear an update on how things are going for you at a lower restriction.

shortgal - I think that's amazing what you've done even without the band. I would not be where I am without it. I'm not at goal, but I'm 70 lbs lighter than where I started. I obviously wasn't able to do that before without the band. Given what I know NOW, I *might* be able to do it. But to have lost the band earlier, I would have been lost. Your strength is inspiring. :thumbup: Keep up the good work. Wendy - Thanks! I'm super excited to go back, actually - not nervous. I can't wait to get moved, already, and get going! Cherlita - WOW!!! 100lbs!!! That is amazing. :biggrin: Major props! I still have some distance to cover, so I'll still be checking in for a bit. Keep us updated on your progress. That is AMAZING!

I went to Dr Brown in Denver, CO. My surgery at the time was actually more expensive, but it looks like these days they are charging $9,925. That's for all the pre-op evals and 3 months of fills afterward. I can't remember how much fills are on self-pay after the 3 months. I only needed one outside the 3 month period and I got it like 2 years ago. The only "surprise" charge I had was a blood draw that was required right before surgery (I can't remember now, but I assume for blood-typing?). I had that done at a local lab and I can't remember how much it cost. I'm 2 years and 7 months out from surgery and couldn't be happier with the band.

Shoot. One more reason I need to get a Droid, already. I would love that thing.

TOTALLY agree. I absolutely abhor the heat and my body is much better regulated, these days. I also like the fact that I feel comfortable wearing shorts, now, when those days get warm! Somebody mentioned the chafing between the thighs - anybody else have to keep buying new pants cause they'd keep getting holes worn in that spot where the thighs rub? SO embarrassing. I am so glad those days are behind me.

I'm trying to eat about 1800 cal/day. You wouldn't believe how stinkin hard it is to get that many calories in when you actually eat right. But eating that amount, along with running 4 days a week and strength-training 4 days - I am down 8 lbs in 3 weeks. We'll see if I've lost anymore when I weigh in again on Saturday. But my body is DEFINITELY changing even if I haven't been able to weigh in. I have two pairs of pants that I bought too tight and they are both so freaking close to being able to wear comfortably. Running is an awesome calorie burner. :devil_smile: It's much better to burn the calories than to starve your body of them.

They'll probably be easier to find in the June 2010 forum: June 10 Bandsters - LAP-BAND :devil_smile: Good luck with your procedure and following weight loss.

LOL. Totally know what you're talking about. I think it's just whatever you swallowed making its way through the band. I've gotten many a strange look from people for that. Since I most certainly did NOT burp, I usually just give a shy smile and a shrug. It helps when the people I'm with know I have a band - easier to explain. But yeah - really sucks when your mouth happens to be open right at that particular moment.

LAP-BAND <----Forum abbreviations

Wow. I didn't have to do all of that. I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of just under $11,000 - but it covered everything, plus 1 year of fills. It's been 2-1/2 years, but I only remember meeting one-on-one with a nutritionist and a Nurse Practitioner. Between the two, they answered all my questions, and did like an interview-type thing to make sure I wasn't bulimic and had realistic goals. I don't remember a psychiatrist/psychologist. But as for all the other tests - the only one I had was a blood draw right before the surgery so they'd have all the info about my blood.

I'm really happy to see it feels like it's starting to click. :frown: I wish you the best on the remainder of your Lapband journey.

Planks are excellent cause they work the entire core - front, back, chest, and hips/legs. Any kind of core work is a fantastic idea. There are a ton of options. I also really like the mountain climber (if you do look it up - I do a slower, more controlled version, keeping my body in a straight line - don't lift the hips up and curve the back or you negate most core work). If you do decide to go with sit-ups, studies have shown that quicker reps work your abs harder than a slow, controlled movement. :frown: To add...about the underarms. Two very good workouts are either the close-grip bench press or push-ups with the hands closer together. Two options, there - so whether or not you have access to a weight room, you can go either direction.

Wow. I don't think it's selfish at all to want to be healthy and ALIVE for your family. :frown: I'm sorry that whomever it is in your life giving you grief is doling it out. Just realize that they'll never understand because they haven't been in your shoes. It's unfortunate, but it's their choice.

Welcome back to the board, ladybug! So what changes are you planning to make to reach your goal (I'm interested to hear what others are doing)? I hope you can get to the weight you are aiming for. Check in now and again - it's good to hear from some of the long-time banders!

I can still eat pizza at excellent restriction for 2 years, now. I can't recall ever having any type of issue with it or any kind of crust. Just like others have said - I can just now eat less of it and be satiated. I also agree with the person that said if you find something difficult to get down, you probably won't enjoy it anymore. So true - pancakes I used to love and I can't stand them anymore...PURELY because I can't get a single bite to go down without pain. So now I hate pancakes. I also used to not like popcorn all that much and I had a period where I couldn't get enough of it (last year). And there was a time when I was craving hot sauce pretty much constantly. I still crave things to be spicy pretty often...but when the hot sauce thing hit, I'm not kidding - I was swallowing spoonfuls of the stuff - the hotter, the better. It's interesting how your tastes can change when they put a Nike Air Stomach in you. :cursing:

There's no need to be rude. I'm not a mind reader. Hence the reason I asked TWICE what you were eating on an average day. I still find it interesting that you refuse to state, exactly, what it is that you eat. But go for broke, honey. Obviously I don't know what I'm doing AT ALL.

Me, too! That's why I recognized it. :thumbup: I totally agree with his principles. I wish it was just more widely understood info. Everybody wants to argue it. Um, okay. Whatever. This way is easier, IMO, than VLCD...but whatever floats people's boats.

Brad - OT question...but based on this statement and the line in your sig. I have a question. Tom Venuto? :thumbup:

Well, if you were trying to powerlift Olympic weights, I could understand the concern. But just start slow and build up the weights. As long as you're not trying to give yourself a hernia, I don't see the harm. Especially if your doctor cleared you.

Definitely don't cut the weight training. It's a good idea to build up your lean body tissue because that is what will keep you down in weight - by keeping your body furnace (metabolism) going hot. Fat just sits there along for the ride - but muscle burns calories just even when you're sitting around. If anything - I agree with previous posters that you should up the cardio. 1 mile walking is a good start, but it's not going to get you the results you want. If running is difficult right now, why not try biking? It's easier on the joints, but you can burn a lot of calories. You want to make sure it's an exercise that you will stick to because it doesn't hurt. You can also get your cardiac endurance built up so that if you decide to start running one day, you'll already have a bit of a leg up with your lungs and heart. As far as the strength training...you might actually consider talking to somebody that does weight training and have them work up a program for you. They might have some good ideas. I had a friend do that for me. When I got bored with his routine, I found a new one in a weight training book for women.

I had a miscarriage at 10 weeks, 2-1/2 years ago (it was actually one of the things that really pushed me to get the band). I can understand the heartbreak. I just wanted to offer you hugs and advise that you take really good care of yourself. This is a time for healing and making your body a peaceful place to carry the baby. Don't be in a rush - nature has a perfect balance to it. Take your time and be kind to yourself.

I weigh myself daily. I think as long as you don't freak about possible fluctuations (water weight, PMS, whatever), it's not a big deal. Plus, they have found that people who weigh daily are more likely to keep the weight OFF. But that may be more applicable to people that are already in maintenance. I like to weigh everyday so I know if there's anything I need to adjust - like less carbs, more water, different exercise - SOMETHING. This way I always know what my body is doing.

2-1/2 years out and YES, YES, YES. Absolutely, undeniably, unquestionably - YES.