AZPete

Not sorry about getting it at all. It gave me my life back. Things happen, just make sure your in good care like myself and you will be all right. I was relieved to find out in recovery that my band was in great shape and that it was left alone.

Ok so I will start with a quick background: First six months with the band, I lost 120lbs. lots of running and dieting. Everything was great at the time. I only had 6 cc's in the band. As of Sept/Oct of 2008 I started noticing that I could eat much larger portions, sizes that I was in no way able to even attempt before. I put it out of my mind as I was still maintaining my weight and exercise. However I started to slowly gain some weight, love those holidays, and it became harder to control my apetite. So I just got out of the Dr's office today to get checked out. She assured me that my concerns of a leak or faulty band was about less than 1%. So she inserts her fill needle and draws back on the plunger and to her amazement, not one drop of saline came out. She immediately changed her tune to "o.k. we may have a problem." She then put in the syringe about 6 cc's of saline, and then immediately drew back to see if it came out and only a drop or two came back out. So we have scheduled an X-Ray with an injectible dye to see if there is a leak. She feels and hopes that if anything it may be the port, port connection, or tubing, and will try to get the manufacturer to cover the cost. Anyone with any similar experiences or information for me would be greatly appreciated. If you had surgery to repair, what was that like?

Then thats your goal. Sign up for the run now, and work towards that race. Thats what I did for my first. I would also suggest that during your training, take four solid days off before you run a 13-15 mile run, then be sure to take 2-3 days off following that run. Lately I have been averaging 30 miles a week, however before I run halfs I take off 4 days, I feel lazy, but when I run the race I feel strong. I can agree with you on the pain issue, feet, hips, knees all tend to hurt during and after two continuous hours of running, but like you said, with the proper training, you will be better off. The pain will still be there, its the injury that you do not want. Proper training on my part has kept me 100% injury free for all of my race events. I am hoping that by next fall's race schedule, I will no longer be in the Clydesdale class, runners over 180. I also know that my time will be greatly improved, however I am pleased that for my age group I have placed rather high. My last race I was 322 out of 100, 2nd race was 217 out of 890, and my first was 2122 out of 22,000 finishers.

I just wanted to say that on December 14th I finished my third half marathon and broke the two hour mark. Not by much though 1:58:07, which is my best time of the three. I kept an average pace of 8:30/mile. Overall I was pleased, however, my next half is on Jan. 18th and I hope to lose 20lbs. before that and shave another 6-8 minutes off my finish. My cardio was perfect, however I broke a cardinal rule of running and wore new sneakers, my previous pair had over 600 miles on them and were in shambles. Should never run long distances on new sneakers. Oh well. I will let you know how my next one goes. Back to training, 90 miles per month.

While I don't try to set a new personal best every run, I do strive for consistency, and slight improvement. I run 4 miles 6-7 days a week, sometimes 30 miles a week. I would highly recommend a run of at least 12 miles once before your half, just so you and your body knows what to expect with 13.1. My farthest run before my first half was only 8 miles, and I thought that the other 5 would be a breeze, it was a rude awakening. But having three under my belt, I am acustomed to the distance. I am running another in Jan. and may try a full marathon in Feb. After that, there are no races due to the extreme heat out here in AZ. I won't persue the full marathon unless I get down 20lbs. running at 240 at my pace is hard, and I know 26.2 miles will tax my body. Train hard up to the race, and take off about four days before your run, you will feel like a slacker, but you'll benefit from it.

Honestly i run four miles 6 days a week, and I try to increase my time. Run on average 85-90 miles a month. If you can do a 10K in less than an hour, than you can run a half. Just go out one day and run 8 miles, than 9 so on and so on. It just becomes repetition at that point and yeah you will slow down on your first one, but then you'll know what to expect. Until you run one, you really don't know what its like. The first one I ran was a shocker. 13.16 miles is far, and two hours of constant cardio is hard, but it feels so good to get the medal around your neck. Just keep going you'll get it. I say the best motivator is spending the $50 and sign up for one. Then you'll be sure to run it.

Honestly i run four miles 6 days a week, and I try to increase my time. Run on average 85-90 miles a month. If you can do a 10K in less than an hour, than you can run a half. Just go out one day and run 8 miles, than 9 so on and so on. It just becomes repetition at that point and yeah you will slow down on your first one, but then you'll know what to expect. Until you run one, you really don't know what its like. The first one I ran was a shocker. 13.16 miles is far, and two hours of constant cardio is hard, but it feels so good to get the medal around your neck. Just keep going you'll get it. I say the best motivator is spending the $50 and sign up for one. Then you'll be sure to run it.

Hello to all, its been a while since I have posted. And I think that not being on here has led me astray. Let me say that I have struggled with food over the past few months. I do train excessively. I run around 90 miles a month, and just yesterday completed my third half marathon. It was my personal best time of 1:58:07, which placed me 322 out of 1000 runners. Not bad for someone who weighed in 243. I kept an 8:30 pace per mile which is strong. My cardio is impecable, which it should be running 4 miles a day for the past year and 8 months. Anyway, I am going to see my doctor next month as I feel as though my restriction is gone. is it normal for it to do so after almost two years? I hope not. I feel as though I can eat a lot. However i am cheating, ie. ice cream, mexican foods, etc. I have strayed away from following the rules, ie. proteins first and veggies second. It seems as though I keep away from the foods that fill me up quick. I am posting this as a way of "coming clean" and admitting that I am not perfect. I just need you guys to slap me upside my head and tell me that I need to focus. I have another half marathon in Jan. and one in Feb. so I need to get back down to 210. In that shape I should shave off another 10 minutes or so, and look and feel better. Any words of encouragement would be appreciated. Good to be back on the boards that helped me through so much.

Your start is similar to mine. I started barely walking on the treadmill, then jogging for a few minutes, to a consistant 20 minute run. Soon there after I went to the streets. There is no treadmill that can substitute for a road, it doesn't move for you. I built up to a four mile loop that I have been running for the past year and a half. I set goals, ie. half marathons. 13.16 mile races. I have ran three to date, yesterday I ran one and posted my best time of 1:58:07, and placed 322 out of 1000. Not bad for someone who weighs 240lbs. My advice is to set goals, and keep them. I pay $50 a wack to run these events, and I love the finisher medals. I am running another one in Jan. and Feb. Just keep doing what your doing, and take it to the streets. I highly suggest getting and Ipod Nano and the Nikeplus system. Very good program. it tracks your runs and progress. Best purchase ever. Good luck and if you need any help I will be here for you.

Mary you are going to love the feeling you get when you cross the finish line. I ran two half marathons last Jan/Feb and I am running two more this Dec/Jan. Then its time for the full marathons. I encourage you to complete the 13.1 mile treck once or twice before you go do it, it will shock you how far it really is. Good luck and congrats.

Well its been a year since surgery now, and I have already ran in two half marathons, so its now time to train for the full marathon. I have up'd my training to 28 miles per week in running. I still need to loose twenty more pounds to be under the "clydesdale" rating for the marathon. I ran the half in 2:02 which placed me in the top 15% of the runners. So if I can finish the full marathon in a good time, I may qualify for the NY and/or Boston marathon which I will participate in if I can. I can run 15 miles right now without stopping or walking, so if I can get up to 20 miles without walking or stopping than I should be able to do the full. For anyone who runs I suggest the nike plus system with the Ipod. It is a great way to track you success and chart your progress. Since March 4th I have run 44 miles at an 8:13/pace.

Last Sunday Jan. 13th I ran the PF Changs Rock N Roll Marathon. It was the greatest experience of my life, except for my wedding and birth of my daughter. It was grueling, but felt so good. Out of 30,000 racers I finished 8807th and finish 670 in my division. Not bad I beat almost 22000 people. I ran it in 2:18 min. I ran the first 10 miles non stop, walked 1, and ran the last 2 strong. When I finished I wasn't even breathing heavy, my foot was sore thats all. I got my finishers medal and shirt and went home and imediately signed up for another half marathon that is Feb. 17th. I am probably going to do the Scottsdale Half Marathon in March as well. I am hooked.

Just a follow up I ran my second half marathon on Feb. 17th. The Lost Dutchman in Apache Junction AZ. This thing had some serious hills in it. I ran the half this time in 2:02 which was 16 minutes faster than the first one I ran the previous month. I finished in the top 20% out of 3,000 runners. I really just love life, my cardio is awesome and right now I am running about 28 miles a week. You all can do it, you just need to set goals and stay focused. If I didn't have all of your support on here I would have faltered. I love you all.

Half Marathon. Today was the day, 10 months after the surgery, I ran and completed the PF Changs Rock and Roll Half Marathon. I ran the first 9 miles straight through, walked 1, and ran the last 3. I am proud to say that out of the 30,000 1/2 marathon runners I finished #8707 overall, and #4441 for the men, and finally #688 in my division. Not bad for someone who could barley walk less than a year ago. I have to say that I am proud of myself, and usually do not like to say that out loud. Today was a great feeling.

I had always been athletic, except for that whole weight problem. I basically just told myself that I would run this race last year after my surgery. I started off with a three minute walk three days after my surgery, and then slowly progressed. In the months leading up to the marathon, I was running about 28-30 miles a week. Nike's Ipod chip is a great way to track your progress. I can run 8 miles at an 8:30 pace and can do a 7:00 minute mile. Not bad considering I am still 230 lbs. I am also getting ready to start training for a triathalon. Biking is easy and fun, the swim should be ok. Just set goals and really stick to it.

<p><p>Well its been nine months since surgery and long nights of running and I am finally ready for the PF Chang's Rock and Roll Marathon. I am running the half marathon 13 miles. I have been religiously training, running about 20 miles a week. I highly suggest the nike-plus I pod training program. It helps motivate and chart your progress. I should finish in 2 hours time, at a pace of 9-9.5 minutes a mile. All in all things are going good. My wife and I bought a brand new boat and have become avid wake boarders. Probably one of the most intense work outs there is.</p></p>

I started running at around 300 lbs. and progressed from there. I now run between 4-5 miles on the road everyday 7 days a week. I am training for a half marathon. My knees and joints are great. I love the high I get from running. Used to run all the time back in the day. Ready to take my mt bike out of retirement now as well.

Banded March 8th, everything is going great. I have lost 117 lbs. feel great, look great and run everyday. Best decision of my life.

I was worried that I would not lose anything. But here I am 5 months out and I am down 117 lbs. I gave up coffee, alcohol, beer, pasta, pizza, etc. I only drink water. I am currently training for a half marathon, running 4 miles a day under 40 minutes. I follow the rules for eating, don't drink 30 min. before and wait at least 30 minutes after. Exercise and follow the rules and the weight will come off.

Never drink during your meals. I stop drinking a half hour before I eat, and then wait between a half hour to an hour to have a drink after I eat. It is the most important rule as far as i am concerned with keeping you satiated. If you drink during your meals its like flushing the toilet, makes the crap go down easier.

Just checking in, its been a while. I am happy to report that my weight loss is slowing, only because I am running out of weight to lose. I am down 106lbs. in four months, I only have another twenty to go. I run every other night now four miles and let me tell you that in Phoenix its slightly warm right now, I think that I could go further if it wasn't that hot, 110 is average temp. I feel great, weigh 244 wear a size 38 waist considering that in March I was 350 and wore a 52. I still had only one fill at 3cc and do not think that I need more. No complications to date.

Not too bad as far as the skin situation. I will give it a year or two before deciding on doing anything surgical. I am actually suprised by the fact that its not too bad at all. The running helps alot. Just got back from running a 3 1/2 mile loop with an Arizona monsoon chasing me.

First off I drink only Water. Nothing else. I eat good Proteins, eggs, chicken, steak. I do not snack, and never eat high carb foods like pizza, Pasta etc. I figure that each meal is so small and important that I choose not to fill it with crap. We all know that there are ways to eat around the band, just don't do it. I am addicted to feeling and looking great, not the food anymore. I actually crave salads and veggies now. By the way the salads at McDonalds are extremely good and healthy. I am not on here trying to boast my success, rather than to let others know that its possible. I never expected this much at this time, but if you put your mind to it and really commit to it, you can do it.

<p><p>By the way, I know that its an extremely almost bypass or more type of weight loss. However when I went into this I at times thought that "what if I am the one that fails" and when I got home from the surgery I decided that I would not allow that. You can do it if you put your mind to it. Its not normal, but who cares, I did it, and so can others.</p></p>

Yes its real, and its not from starvation. I just make healthy food choices, follow the rules, and exercise every day or every other. I run constantly. No alcohol, nothing but water. My Dr. was floored by my success and has asked me to be in her advertisements for the band. In fact they are trying to set that up after I reach my goal. I feel great, have abs and my legs are ripped up, I am happy with my decision.