pam726

No problem! I am glad you enjoyed it :-)

Even with the few issues that I have had with my band I still love it. I have been banded since Nov 07 and would not change a thing! My life is totally different now and I owe it all to the band!

Dr. Schulman, I have always had my own idea of when to do PS but I have never asked a doctor their advise. I just wanted to see what you thought about my story. I am 31 years old, a mother of two and pretty active. I am training for my first marathon in January of 2010. I have ran one half marathon and will run another one in November 2009!! Currently I am at a weight of 145.2 (weighed this morning!!!) and pre-band I was weighing 224. I want a tummy tuck, a breast enlargement and something done to improve the appearance of my inner thighs and arms. Should I wait until I hit my goal of 124 or go now for a consultation with a doctor? Thank you in advance for your knowledge! I wish you were in Texas and I would just come see you and ask all of this!

I was never informed by my doctor about the possible need for PS, but I have always wanted to have some work done anyways. I am not going to even consult a PS until I reach my goal weight. I have 21 more pounds to lose to have 100 pounds lost since surgery. At that point I will talk to a PS and see what all of my options are. I love losing the weight, I just wish other parts of my body would shrink before the breasts!!!

CONGRATS!!! Just remember it takes time to build up the stamina to run for long periods of time. Don't give up! You will do great.

Great idea! Thanks!!!

The run was great! We did 3 miles and this coming Saturday we will do 4 miles. The thing I love about the group is that you are running with people at your own pace. You are not running with an elite runner and feeling like a failure. My BF runs at a crazy fast pace and it is very hard for me to run with him (even when he goes slow). I feel uncomfortable with that but I have never felt uncomfortable running with the group. I am in the red group. We are anyone running 10 minute miles or slower. They also subdivide the groups further. Red Fast: 10-11.5 min miles Red Medium: 11.5-12.5 min miles Red Slow: 12.5 and more min miles Then there is also the 5/1 Red Group. This group runs for 5 minutes and walks for 1 minute. This is the strategy that I did to complete my first half marathon and it worked great! So there is plenty of options for you and you will never feel out of place. I know it seems weird to pay to run, but the knowledge that these people have and then the core exercises after the run are so worth it! I do not have any issues with my port. I am having issues and thinking that my band might have possibly slipped or something so I am on straight liquids until I can get into my doctor on the 4th, but it is all good! The good thing about early meetings is that it is not to hot. It is still hot but not boiling yet!

I eat frozen fat free cool whip. I only eat a spoon full or two but it cures me! Just another idea :-)

I promise it will get better! Just keep at it. I run about 4 times a week and sometimes I am an allstar and sometimes I walk more than I run. Just know that it takes time and everytime you go hit the pavement it is not going to be wonderful! If you join Houston Fit, let me know. Would love to meet you and have a lap band running partner :thumbup:

Congrats on the 5K!!! I remember the feeling that I had when i ran the entire time of mine as well. You will not forget it! My next goal is to run a full half marathon without walking. I did a half marathon in March with a pretty good time of 2 hours and 40 minutes but I did it on a 5/1 schedule. I am signed up for another one in November and hope to run the whole thing!!!

Another good idea is to join a running group. They have people in all levels that want to just get into shape or the people that are training for a marathon/half marathon. I am in a running group call ed Houston Fit, the parent company is USA Fit. Look them up online. They have walking groups and when you get in better shape you could move to the 5/1 group which is run for 5 minutes and walk for 1. I did my first half marathon on a 5/1 time and did very well. I finished the 13.1 miles in under 3 hours! I am now signed up for another half marathon in November and a full marathon in January 2010. Never be afraid to try to start something new. I have never been a runner and when i started I was barely walking 30 minutes. Now i can run straight for 6 miles with no walking. Just remember it takes time and ALWAYS stay hydrated!!! Good luck :-)

There is a running group in Houston called Houstonfit.com I am signed up for the Houston full marathon and started training with them this past Sunday.