Keeper

I have read a bunch of "stall" posts recently, and even though everyone's situation is different, I feel I can relate! Ugh - I have been craving junk lately like crazy. I am having a hard time separating real hunger and head hunger, even though I know I should ask myself questions like 'would an apple sate me or am I just wanting sugar'. But it's hard! I haven't lost anything this past month, so it is frustrating, even when I know I am probably my own saboteur.

But I joined a gym and have a fill scheduled this week. Just trying to get my head back in a good place and eat better and know that I can do this, but acknowledge that is still requires work on my part.

I don't have any advice - there are others who can provide that - but I just wanted to say congratulations! So happy for you. You will be able to set a wonderful example for your wee one to be the healthiest you you can be. Congrats!

@@MaryRN66 are you still feeling the same way? Just curious. i felt awesome after my last fill but I have struggled this past month. I have my next fill scheduled for this Thursday and I am looking forward to it. I got banded in Nov as well.

I feel like I am a slow loser - 30 pounds in 4 months. This month has been a bit frustrating because I keep fluctuating 5 pounds. I blame the crazy weather we had for a bit because I quit exercising completely, and quite frankly I have been craving junk. But 30 pounds is still 30 pounds. I gained a little after my initial first week post-op (before my 2nd fill) but that was right in the middle of the holidays. it gets better with each fill - hold onto that. I have my next fill thursday and I have really high hopes for that in getting to the green zone. it has been a little frustrating this past month because I really thought I was at green with this last fill, but as I have struggled I know I am not quite where I need to be. But 10 pounds is 10 pounds. Be proud! That is 10 pounds that you can say goodbye to for forever. Also, a little perspective once given to me, as you have about 60 more you want to lose, you only have to lose 10 pounds 6 more times. That is awesome! You can do this. you ARE doing it even when it feels like you aren't. I promise. :-)

I just started working out with a private trainer (this is my 2nd week and she is kicking my butt!!). My very first workout, after I finished, I felt the same as you described. I am a pretty hardy person, but I felt so shaky and light headed. She told me to increase my Protein by 40 grams on workout days (2 days with trainer, one for cardio). My appointments are at 9 in the morning. I've never been a big Breakfast eater anyway, but since being banded, I am more restricted in the morning so I am having to make sure I eat something as having a shake did not cut it. But I have been doing ok with high Protein Bars on the way there, Water or Protein Water on the way home, and a meal at lunch time.

keep up the good work! :-)

@@InkedLexeme congrats on taking the first step! I'm not a "newbie" anymore (banded in Nov) but what is so great about this forum is that you get to meet people in all stages of this process. Believe me - I am still very much in this learning curve. For the record, though, I LOVED turning 30 and I think it is so exciting that you get to Celebrate that milestone with this milestone - changing your life. Talk about rocking a new decade. also? I'm a tat afficianado so your post made me smile. :-)

Thanks so much for replying! :-)

@@JustWatchMe that's awesome. and inspiring. so happy for you! you can totally do this - ARE doing it! :-)

I have always been a Water drinker. I used to joke and say it was one of the few things I did right. I do have my 1-2 cups of coffee in the morning, but no sodas, tea, or juice. only occasionally will I have a glass of milk.

Since getting surgery, I have actually struggled getting in my Water needs. I never really drank with meals, either, so it isn't that.

But I definitely carry my water wherever I go - it is my Linus blanket I finally downloaded an app on my phone. Silly, but effective. The one I use is Aqualert (android) but I've been looking at others as well. Just thought I'd throw that out there!!

I went today! Immediate reaction: whoa!! Next reaction: Definitely going again!

First of all, even this 6 week program is completely private!! Not a group setting like I thought. It is circuit-style and the personal trainer walked me through all of the circuits, showed me how to use and adjust all the machines, and sat down to discuss goals and all that jazz.

My legs felt like jelly when I was done and I have naturally strong legs! It was scary going, but I am so, so glad I did.

But I never want to do another crunch again. Ever. :-)

I went to the gym for the first time and met with my personal trainer. They state right up front that they are not nutritionists, which I appreciate, but they did tell me how much Protein I need to get in on a daily basis while doing this program as well as an increased amount on days that I work out.

Has anyone else seen this? Based on their calculations, on workout days I would need to get 100 grams of protein. Is there such a thing as too much protein?

Just curious. I see my doc next week so I will ask them as well.

@@jasminebsn3 me too! Maybe we are all having mid-winter pre-spring blues?? lol. I love the support and accountability this site can provide. I felt so great after my last fill, thinking I was in the green and everything, but now I am not so sure. I definitely feel in a funk and I am trying to snap out of it and get back to eating right and exercising. I totally get what everyone is saying! Chin up - to myself more than anybody! We can do this. :-)

Yay - keep us posted! That is so exciting! I'm a triplet so I am a little biased toward multiples!!! :-D I seriously don't know how my mother did it, raising us and working full time, so I love your 'retiring' remark. Made me giggle.

I am terribly, woefully out of shape. I have never been an active person. Growing up I always preferred curling in bed with a book than I did any outdoor activity, let alone exercise. I am an august baby so I adore swimming but I find it hard to use swimming as an exercise. And I've read conflicting articles on its effectiveness for actively losing weight. Anyway, I decided to look into some of the area gyms around me. I've used a treadmill and an elliptical in the past, but that is it. My only form of day-to-day movement is walking to pick my son up from school, but it has been so cold these last couple of weeks that I have barely done even that. And the scale reflects this.

One of the gyms is called Private Workout. There are 3 in the DFW area, so this isn't a national chain, but I am sure there are places like this elsewhere. The idea is you schedule your workout time so there is no waiting when you get there and you are in a small enclosed space so no one is watching you. You meet with a trainer for your very first visit and they walk you through all the machines, etc. Sounds awesome, right? So I was looking at their online specials for this month and they have a 6 week "gutbuster bootcamp." It was very affordable from so many things I looked at, and I figured that I can do anything for 6 weeks, so I bought it. I also figure that the monetary aspect will help me keep going so I don't waste my money, etc.

Well, I go for my first appointment tomorrow - a 90 minute session with the trainer. I am TERRIFIED. These past few days even thinking about going makes me so nervous! The boot camp is a group setting so I don't know if that is what I am scared of or not. I really don't want to be the literal elephant in the room with no experience, too big and ungainly to do anything right..

Has anyone else done something like this? Have i bitten off more than I can chew??

That is great, ladies! And I totally get it. These NSV's are so important as you go along, and it was really nice for me to see this today since my scale is *not* budging at all. I posted this somewhere else a while back, but being able to shave the back of my thighs with ease was pretty cool Keep up the good work!

I found this via Facebook. It's a good reminder of what to do (how to live) post-op and it looks like it has a lot of resources. Just sharing!

http://www.bariatriceating.com/2015/03/02/top-10-bariatric-post-op-mistakes/

So..I'm having a hard time breaking up with my fat jeans. These are the last pair I bought before surgery because all my other jeans were getting too tight. Because I don't work, I spend much of my time in shorts, PJ's, yoga pants or workout pants. For me, wearing jeans is almost like dressing up :-)

These jeans are now huge on me. And of course that feels great, but every time I reach for jeans, these are the ones I grab. Want to grab. They look horrible on! I have no idea why I am holding onto them. Fear, I suppose. I don't even want to throw them away.

Anyone else go through this?

@@enjoythetime hahha that's great! Thanks for the encouragement!

hi Lolo, I have not personally experienced that, but I have read on here frequently that feeling restriction can kick in a week or so later. That is awesome if you are feeling some restriction after your first fill. I gained a couple of pounds between my first and second. :-)

That is so exciting! I can't wait to get there so when I read stories like yours, it is very inspiring. I haven't been in one-derland since high school! :-) Congrats!

I can't wait to get to where you ladies are! There are sacrifices i am making, but I am not to the point where I don't miss it. For instance, Cereal is a trigger food. I used to be able to put away a bowl or *two*. Actually, I am sure I still would be able to, but I just don't buy it any more. My kids don't really ask for it. it was always there for me, nights when I didn't want to cook, or nights when I wanted a "snack" or moments where I was too stressed or emotionally drained and wanted a quick sweet-tooth fix. So I just don't buy it. But I still crave burgers or chocolate. Or there are days I think I will go crazy if I eat one. more. almond! But I look at what summer could look like for me for the first time in a dozen years. I don't even know what that looks like, but I really, REALLY want to find out! This helps keep me motivated.

@@MaryRN66 - so happy for you! This is exactly how I felt after my 4th fill. it feels great, doesn't it??!!

@@funky_monkey800, yes! I agree with you totally. I am so not ready for something like p90x. My brother in law swears by crossfit as well, but I feel like I need to lose some weight before I can handle something with higher intensity.

We got flurries today and I am so not having it. I don't need 4 seasons - I would be happy with 65-75 year round!!

My first step in my whole process was to call and make an appointment. I met with a 'patient advocate' who told me basically what to expect (very condensed version) and that they would verify my insurance coverage. I made the pysch appt, the appt with the nutritionist, and had my blood work done. All that probably was done over a couple of weeks and the biggest lag was me getting around to doing my blood work. Oh, also I had to do a sleep test to see if I had apnea. From that point they told me it could take 4-6 weeks to get approved It was probably exactly 4 weeks and I met with the surgeon for a pre-op appt and surgery was scheduled about 10 (maybe??) days later. I would say my overall process was super fast and was about 2 months. I feel very lucky. I have already paid off the portion insurance didn't cover (Thanks Uncle Sam!) which was about 2k.

I have only had one small stuck episode and it was quite unpleasant. But from what I have read on here, this is quite common if food is eaten too fast or not chewed well enough. Esp so soon post-op when your band is probably creating a little swelling from surgery. Just hang in there, take things slow, and use this time to learn the process!

Good luck :-)