I've been banded for 1.5 yrs. Lost 85lbs, so far, 50 more to go. My first 3 wks I thought I had made a horrible mistake, found out I was WRONG, best decision I ever made! I does take time to let all swelling go down and everythign goes back to normal. I lost 15 lbs first 30 days of liquid, then started getting fills. First couple of fills didn't really do anything for me, but my Doc kept telling me, slow, steady and healthy! After about 4 fills I hit my sweet spot (everyone's is different) and things really picked up! It's very easy to get frustrated on this journey so try not to let yourself go there. 30 days or so of liquids is easy compared to a lifetime! It will fly by! Kudos for joining the gym! I bought an elliptical right after my surgery, another best decision ever. I could only go 3 minutes with no resistance (wimpy!), but with diligence, i now ride 45 mins with level 4 resistance and burn 500 calories a day! Took me a year to get up to that. I will say, excercise is key with this surgery. It will help things move along quicker and makes you feel better. Also, lifting light weights for toning and muscle bulding, afterall, muscle burns more calories than fat! I started with 3lb weights and 20reps and squats (still can only do about 10 squats at a time) also sit-ups, stomach curls, whatever your able to do. Start slow and build up and change it up! Sometimes I go as hard as I can for 1 min and then steady 1 min and alternate the whole workout. Sometimes I do a steady 1hour, it tricks your body changing it up and keeps plateus from happening. Lots of people have this surgery and expect miracles wihtout any work. As my Doc said, "This is a tool to help with your liefstyle change" So true, if you don't change your lifestyle, the band will not be of much help. Good luck!
