TexasFire

Monthly Total = 330 Minutes I took my bike to the park today. There are miles and miles of concrete trails through the forest along the Trinity River...beautiful and lots of wildlife to see. I rode 13 miles and it took me two and a half hours. I'm slow, but steady! LOL And there are markers along the way to stop and read about the different animals that are prevalent in the area. It was fun!

Monthly Total = 180 Minutes

HA! You have the same center as me...cool. I agree that she got "fill happy". I've thrown up a couple times, too. But it IS starting to ease up, but I have to sip Water with meat. My Protein shake in the morning is sometimes tough to get down, also...I'm tighter in the mornings some days. I'm trying to make sure I get in enough calories. It's getting easier. How many days has it been since your fill?

I never knew about this thread! I'd love to join and hope this will keep me accountable, as well. My goal for August is an hour a day...1860 minutes.

Well it's been eight days for me, and I'm still very tight. I can't eat meat very well, if at all. Chicken salad even gets stuck if I don't wait a while between bites. Fruits and veggies are mostly okay, but again taking it slow or I feel them going through the band tightly. I have a very hard time going super slow to eat. I've always been a slow eater, but this is ridiculous. I'm having a hard time changing my habits to eat super-slow. I'll keep working on it...I'm determined to NOT have an unfill.

Hey, SWEETY...I just noticed that you are a Texas Girl, too! Do you live in Texas now? What part? I'm in Ft. Worth. Those are really little fills compared to what I'm used to...you must have a different type of band than me. What kind of band do you have? I'm glad the second fill did better for you! We all want to get to that elusive "sweet spot", don't we?

SWEETY - Also, make sure you are eating your protein first, then veggies, and limited carbs. (I'm sure you know this, but I hear of folks who eat sugar and carbs and wonder why they don't stay full!) I drink my protein in the mornings, but not every patient or every doctor is on the protein kick. My doc says do it if I can tolerate it, but doesn't push it. I just found one that doesn't make me hurl! LOL In fact it's good.

Everyone is different. If you feel like you need one, then you probably do. Personally, I would wait at least one week before deciding on another fill, though. Restriction can occur several days after a fill...I KNOW! LOL Not fun. If you are not restricted after a week, I'd go get one, for sure.

Yes, it eased up last night, thank goodness! I was able to eat some chicken salad as long as it was very moist. Then I ate a plum, which I didn't have problems with fruit or vegetables when overtight. I felt so much better within 30 minutes of having that chicken salad. Tonight I am going to try that salmon again, so wish me luck! I'm still pretty darn tight, but at least I can eat now. And if I stay at this level, I would be just fine, I believe.

I had my second fill five days ago, and I am experiencing what I didn't believe existed: I was okay...restricted, but okay...then two days ago, my band started locking down. Today I've had 60 calories, and 50 of them were brocolli. I ate two bites of salmon before it got stuck, and STAYED stuck for a long time. Sorry to be gross, but I was never so glad to PB! It's getting tighter and tighter. I hope it eases up soon...I really don't want to get an unfill. I'm going to go back on full liquids for a few days and see if that doesn't help. At least I'm not hungry. P.S. By the way, I have the small AP band (10cc). The first fill was 3cc's at 3 weeks post op and the second was 1cc at six weeks post op.

So how long was it before you felt okay? I had my second fill five days ago and I am tighter now than in the first couple days after the fill. I, too, can only eat about two bites before I am PB-ing, and it is worse than ever...takes longer, feels stronger. I do NOT want to get an unfill, and my doc is only four minutes away. I guess I will give up trying to eat my salmon for tonight and go make some Soup. This is not fun.

It's done on an individual basis, but I believe the most common first fill is 3cc's in the 10cc band. (I've got the new AP band that holds 10cc's. I think this is getting to be the most commonly used band now.)

My BMI was 36.5 with no comorbidities. I was approved on the first try and had lapband surgery two days after I got the approval letter in the mail. I have United Health, but every employer selects their own plan "a la carte" even within the same insurance company. The week after surgery, hubby changed jobs and now has a BCBS of Texas plan that doesn't cover lapband at all. I had to move FAST! LOL I do know from AIGB that most who have United where lapband is not an exclusion, they have the easiest time getting approved.

My second fill was today. I received 1cc, for a total of 4cc's. liquids for the rest of the day. I will update on the restriction status, as last time it disappeared after about three days.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I've only had one fill, but from my experience, there isn't much to it. The function of it seemed exactly like a shot to me. (Though a bit rougher! LOL) It didn't hurt at all, just pressure from the needle going into the port. The only thing that didn't go well with my fill is that I still have no restriction, but that is very common. I wouldn't worry if I were you...you'll do great.

I can't recall if I posted this here or on another thread. Anyhow, I have a protien powder that tastes great! (And I'm super picky!) It comes in vanilla or chocolate and provides 27g of Protein. You can mix it with Water or milk, but I don't see the point of adding the extra calories of the milk. It is called EAS PREMIUM PROTEIN, 3-Stage Extended Release Protein Blend and it comes in a purple and silver 6 pound resealable bag. I got it at costco for about $30 or so. The vanilla has 140 calories and the chocolate has 150 calories. It's great to just throw a scoop in my Magic Bullet with 8 oz. of water and a few ice cubes and let it go...takes just a minute and I'm out the door with my breakfast in hand. Much healthier than my old breakfast consisting of only coffee! :ranger:

Years and years ago, a picture was taken of me sitting cross legged on my mom's front porch with a litter of adorable calico kittens. What my mom and sister remember is that in that picture, I was wearing a bandana as a belt! (Not to mention the little white tank top with no bra! LOL) I don't think I can get a bandana around my thigh right now, much less my waist! I want to be able to wear a bandana as a belt if I want to!

I found the perfect search and got a HUGE return when I used my Limewire account. I will post the list this evening. It's a pretty long list! (Some of the one's listed here already are on it, too.)

Yes...a pound is a pound is a pound. True. But the saying refers to (as you basically said) a volume comparison. In that respect, muscle most definitely weighs more than fat. And we want our bodies to have less volume, right? LOL I know I do! :biggrin1:

I thought I would start a thread to ask for suggestions. I originally put this in the main forum, but maybe I can double my chances of replies if I put it here, too! I want to load up my Ipod with songs that are fast, upbeat, happy...for when I start excercising. What are your favorite songs for exercising (sp)? I want to get lost in the music and just GO! Thanks, folks! Stef

I thought I would start a thread to ask for suggestions. This may not be the "Exercise Forum", but this forum gets more activity, so I cheated! LOL I want to load up my Ipod with songs that are fast, upbeat, happy...for when I start excercising. What are your favorite songs for exercising (sp)? I want to get lost in the music and just GO! Thanks, folks! Stef

I am so sorry that everyone can't shout this wonderful news from the rooftops! My family, friends, neighbors, AND the neighbors dog (LOL) all know, whether they wanted to or not! Not everyone agreed with the concept, to be sure, but most of that is through lack of education and I just don't even entertain their objections. My decision is an indiputable fact that I will not debate with anyone! BUT! I'm as stubborn as THREE mules, so in this instance it came in handy! I think every single one of you who are banded, getting banded, or thinking about getting banded are very brave...and in most all cases it is not a vain, selfish act at all, but a tool to create better health and better quality of life. And if your quality of life is better, it will spill into the lives of those around you such as your spouses and children, extended family and friends. The band is a wonderful thing and ALL BANDSTERS *ROCK* !!!!:rockon: Congrats to all and no matter if only you or the whole world knows, you are wonderful folks!!!

I've been all through my paperwork and can't find any directions as to when the bandages can be removed. I have white pads 1.5" by 2" covered with clear plastic. I'd love to remove them, but unsure because I had surgery only two days ago. When did y'all remove your bandages?

Thanks again for the support...surgery in the morning for me! I talked with my doctor today and asked about the new Advanced Platform Band that I just learned about yesterday. Turns out the surgery center I am going to uses the AP Band exclusively! Things just keep getting better and better. Good night, all and see you on the losing side!

I'm getting banded in the morning. The surgery lasts 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes, go to recovery, and when you wake up you get to go home! Total time inside the building is supposed to be 3 to 5 hours. I see you are getting banded in two weeks...good luck and a speedy recovery to you, and keep us posted! Take care, Stef