RaleighLap

This sounds so familiar! A few weeks ago I tried the eliptical at my gym. I started on the treadmill, they're located right behind the elipticals. I wanted to watch the people using them to see how it worked so I wouldn't look stupid. Finally, I worked up the nerve and got on one. I didn't know what level to pick so I mashed some buttons and started peddling.

OMG!!! I had to force myself to last 5 minutes. I felt really uncoordinated on that thing. When i jumped off I had those "light legs". For 3 days afterwards I could hardly walk, especially on stairs. Oh the pain. My gym friends laughed and said I need to keep working on it and it would hurt less the next time :-)

The first few weeks after being banded I jumped on the scale every single morning eager to see how many pounds I had lost. Some mornings I was rewarded, others not to much. It got to the point of obsession. No, I only weigh in on Sundays. Everyone usually fluctuates a little day to day.

I totally understand about wanting to be at the "goal" and feeling like life doesn't start until then. I used to have this magic goal number in my head but that's too obtuse. I work better with a more tangable goal. My first goal was to lose 10% off my weight. DONE!!! My next goal is to be able to step on the scale at the gym and not the special scale for the obese. These goals are more short term but you get to the results faster. As I reach them I'm able to reevalute my situation and make new ones. Maybe that will help for you too?

Good luck. This is a great site for information.

It's been 7 weeks since I've been banded and I've gotten stuck 2 times. Once it happens, remember what you did to make it happen so you can prevent it in the future. My problem is I get side tracked while eating by talking to my friends and not paying attention to the size of the bite I took or not chewing enough.

Now I chew until that food is almost dissolved. DO NOT drink anything. Your brain will tell you to grab some Water but it just makes it worse. Takes some deep breaths and if I stand up and walk around that helps too.

Be careful of vomiting, that could cause your band to slip.

It's a learning curve for awhile. I love the posts on this site. I've learned so much.

Thanks everyone. I went to the gym Thursday and Friday and feel great! So far I'm just walking the treadmill. I put my headphones on and forgot what was around me.

Congrats on the 14lbs! That's great!

I go to the Planet Fitness in Knightdale. All the Planet Fitnesses in Raleigh are only $9.99/month. Can't beat that. They don't have a lot of the "extras" but they have treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, and weight machines. I don't need anything too fancy this early in the game.

I got a reminder email about the support group at Dr. M's office. It's next Thursday.

Hey everyone. Are there any Raleigh banders out there? I know I've seen a few on here. I live out in Wendell (east of Raleigh) and go to Planet Fitness of Knightdale. I was wondering if anyone else goes there.

Also, I thought it would be cool if we had some kind of social club/group get togethers. Maybe out to dinner (healthy of course), a movie, a walking group, etc. I love chatting with people on this site and everybody's advice, but sometimes to know a real person is so much more helpful.

Thoughts? Ideas? :huh2:Interested? Not interested? Go away Chad? LOL

I know this probably sounds stupid, but does anyone else fear going to the gym? Everytime I go there I feel like people are looking at me. I'm sure they aren't but I'm so self conscious. I've been only a few time since being banded. The treadmill is good but I feel like it's not enough. I've heard people saying they love the elliptical but I'm scared I'll look like a fool bouncing around.

I guess I need to just suck it up and go to the gym. If people look they look and maybe when they're looking they're thinking, "wow, good for him for trying to get healthy." I can hope!

I've not had any fills yet, but as a nursing student I do know that he should have extracted the Fluid that was in the band to make sure he was in the right place and there weren't any leaks. As for saline vs sterile Water I'd think saline would be best for your body. Saline is most like your blood and body fluids (slightly salty). Water would yank electrolytes like potassium out of your system. Just my 2 bits. Good luck to you!

Sounds like the fill went well. I go for my first fill at the end of the month. I have a 10cc band and they put in 3cc at the day of surgery. I hope they put a few more cc's in. I feel like I'm hungry all the time. I have had a few moments of that "full" feeling and a few stucks. Other than that the weight loss from the liquid phase is slowing down :biggrin:

Ah the gurggles, such memories. :-) I got banded 7/30/09 so I'm not that far ahead of you.

After the first 2 days I started to get really hungry and the food ads on the TV did not help one bit. I think in the liquid stage you can eat pretty much as often as you feel you need to, just don't over do it. Once I got to the soft/pureed diet my doc said to start the 3 meals a day.

Remember to drink your Water, I add those single serving flavor things to my Water becausee I can't stand plain water.

Oh, the gurggles to go away. It's just your body getting used to something new being inside you.

Good luck!

My dietitian told me to take in 1000-1200 cals per day, 70-80g of Protein, less than 100 carbs, and 48-64 oz of Water. For the protein I do drink one Protein Shake per day to help reach the goal. Just make sure you find one low in carbs, sugar, and cals. Mine has 25g of protein per serving. Which is good, your body is only able to absorb 25-30g of protein at a time. The rest you would just pee out so it's a waste. You need the protein because when you're losing so much weight you risk losing muscle mass also.

I agree with the others, no soda, no junk food. Start cooking at home and read your labels. I hope this helps. I got banded 7/30/09 so I'm stlll learning too.

So, I'm visiting my parents for a few days. Last night I went for a drive and passed my favorite pizza restaurant from high school. I had an incredibly weak moment, looked up their number on my phone and ordered a medium pepperoni pizza. I took it home (parents already in bed), went to my bedroom and ate all of it but one slice. :sneaky::frown:

I'm 12 days post op from getting banded! I didn't think I'd be able to eat like that. I did chew chew chew and everything went down ok. This morning I had bad cramps though. I feel like such a failure. I've been by the book with my eating until last night.

This morning I drove down to the beach and took a 45 minute walk along the Water and had my Vitamins, Protein Shake, and met some high school buds for lunch. I had 1/2 a grilled chicken wrap and felt full. They were really supportivee. I let them eat my chips :w00t:

I guess this post is because I feel like I need to tell someone I slipped, but I'm back on track. I don't want to be this big forever.

I'm trying to rack my brain why you'd have a bruise there. The idea of the strap across your lap could be it. I've given tons of heparin injections to patients and have never had someone get a bruise from them. You can if you rub it after the injection I've heard.

I've observed a few OR procedures. They do tend to be rough with people once they're under. It's amazing people aren't in more pain when they are recovering.

I was banded 7/30/09 and only had a slight brusing around one of the incisions but it's already faded.

I struggled with this problem prior to my surgery. I only told a few close friends and my parents. Everyone was really supportive. Then, the night before surgery I posted a message on Facebook to all my friends telling them about the procedure the next day. To my surprise every single person that wrote me wished me luck and thought it was great. They were proud of me for making a choice to better my health and offered support anytime I needed it. Since my surgery I've had friends showing me new ways to cook, exercise, etc. Personally I think having that support system is wonderful. Also, a few of my overweight friends have asked me about the procedure so I feel like I am able to help them and offer them support by educating them about the Lapband.

This thread is exactly what I needed for motivation to get of my A**. After reading the posts and checking out the couch to 5k site I'm so excited. I know I won't be on the same schedule as ya'll but I'll definitely be back for motivation and to hopefully motivate others. Good luck to everyone!

I just got banded a week ago. The week prior I was on a liquid diet. I had to be at the hospital 6AM and was leaving by 1030AM the same day. When I got home I took a nap and mostly watched movies/TV the rest of the day and sipped on some Water. The 2nd day I drank more, I was really thirsty. I only took my pain meds twice. There hasn't been much pain, just some discomfort, it's like I did 10,000 sit ups. Laughing and hiccuping kinda hurt right now.

Good luck to you. You'll do great!

No, I don't plan to drink one, but I used to be the biggest Mountain Dew drinker. Just wondering how bad a carbonated beverage goes down, does it hurt? Just a random question.

I hope everything has cleared up by now. I agree with the others, if it's yellow and pus, it's most likely an infection. I'd clean it with 1/2 strength peroxide. NEVER use full strength peroxide on any wound, it's really bad for the skin to heal.

Good luck to you. I hope everything is better.

pureed is baby food consistency. I just got banded 7/30 and am on clears for a while. My dietitian gave me the following list for my pureed diet: canned meats (tuna, chicken, turkey); eggs (not fried); fat-free refried beans; applesause; cream of wheat or grits; mashed potatoes; easily mashed fruits; or baby food. I hope this helps. Good luck to you!

Thanks for this post. I was banded on 7/30 and not had a BM yet either. Just some gas and peeing a lot. I figure it will happen when it happens.

I'm only 2 days post op but I do know from my nursing classes that you need Protein for your hair. I'd suggest taking the shakes or increasing the amount you're eating. hair is primarily made of Protein. I do agree with one of the other posts, it could possibly be from stress. This is a huge lifestyle change.

Good luck!

Thanks for your post even if it was months and months ago. I am being banded Thursday morning by Dr. Moran. I have to be at the hospital at 6am. I'm nervous and excited. I hope all has gone well for you.

OMG the memory of my Barium Swallow. I agree it was really difficult not to burp after taking the fizzy crystal stuff. And the barium chaulk wasn't too bad. I handled it well until I had to lay down and roll around so they could take the films, that's when I started feeling an upset stomach.

PS. white poo, gross! LOL

Good luck to you. Everything is going to go great. This is the beginning of a new journey to a better you.

How do I get the July 09 Freedom Fighters for my signature?

I guess I did get the ball rolling for everything. Honestly, I thought it was taking way too long. Once I made up my mind I did everthing I could. I'm still amazed my insurance is covering everything.