sandi2004

There are many parts to your statement that I would like to reply to.. 1. My BMI was 68 when I had lap abnd surgery and I have done very well 2. Committing to exercise is NOT going to get the weight off- it will take a committment to a lifestyle change- a change in your food choices as well as portion sizes, giving up snacking, not drinking with meals, AND exercise. Please be aware that you are the main component here- not exercise. 3. A band will require you to see your sureon regularly, at least every 4-6 weeks for the first year or two. For me it was for the first 3 years. 4. You have to be ready to be patient with your weight loss since it will be slower than with bypass. I chose the band because I felt I could and would (and thank heavens did) committ to everything and it was the best choice I ever made. I wanted to make sure you go in with eyes wide open though. If you would like to read some more of my story go to my blog at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Let em know what you think. Best of luck to you. all of us high BMI bandsters are here to support you!

Thanks. If you're interested you can read about my journey on my blog atSandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story

Thanks for the kind words - please email any questions, concerns or whatever to me and we'll try to work out the issues together and get you going!

Hi Susi: I'll be glad to offer any help that I can. You can email me directly or send me PM's. First suggestion is for you to start journaling what you eat so you know, really know, what you are pyutting into your body. Second is to set up an appointment with your doctor for a fill if necessary, or a "head adjustment" if that is all that is needed. Third suggestion is to get hooked up with a lap band support group if possible, and, no matter what your schedule is, make it your business to attend at least once a month. whew, I hope I haven't overwhelmed you, You may find osme more interesting ideas that could work for you at my blog Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Looking forward to hearing from you so you can start on the road to great health again. And, by the way, Celebrate the pounds you have lost and the fact that you are now doing something about continuing the process and learning to use your tool again.

You have a band- you can always learn how to work the tool and have success. You are making the right moves now and should have a plan for your eating, and a backup plan so you can get back on track. I would be glad to offer any help that I can to you. You may find my story of how I got back on track after the holidays helpful to start. You can find it at Maintaining: December 26, 2009 or Making It Through My 6th year of Holidays After Lap Band® Surgery Let me know how I can help.

Hi: My BMI was over 68 when I went in and consulted with the doctor for the first time. He thought that a gastric bypass might be the better choice for me, but he supported my decision to have the lap band, and now that I have lost 250 lbs and am maintaining that loss for 4 years he has done many more bands on patients with high BMI's and he is secure in the fact that if we choose to make lifestyle changes we can get our weight loss with the band. Check out my journey at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story and see what it was like.

Hi Meg: First of all you are doing great! Quit looking for ways to minimize your accomplishment so far and celebrate every pound you have lost. It is not unusual to stall for a little bit (maybe a week or so) as you introduce food back to your body. As long as you are following the eating plan you were given by your doctor (are you journaling?) and getting all of your fluids the weight will start coming off again. I hit a plateau for about a week at about the same time in my journey and guess what? aweek later I had lost 7 pounds. I hadn't changed a thing, but my body obviously had caught up with itself. Regarding exercise, with your knee issues you have to take it slowly. don't try treadmill or elliptical or any major walking yet. Please read my blog entry about how I started exercising (remember my start weight was 424 lbs) at Use It To Lose It! and take it easy, and don't set your exercise goals too high for yourself. We all want to lose the weight as quickly as possible, but remember that slow and steady wins the race.:thumbup:

You can do it! I'll be happy to help.

I'm here to help - also take a look at my blog- it may help too- you can find it at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Let me know

Hi cindy: Have you figured it out yet? If not, feel free to email me directly.

Good luck to all of you. You are taking a giant step toward improving your health and your lives.

Just goes to show you that all of us "old dogs" can learn new tricks and reclaim our lives! Congratulations and keep on sharing.

Susi, you can do it one step at a time. Have you thought about going in to the shallow end of the pool and just walking back and forth in the shallow end? Your joints are pretty much supported by the water that way and you can progress as slowly (5 minutes ata time) or as quickly as you feel comfortable. Just one day at a time, 1 step at a time. I know it seems you cannever get there, but take it from one who knows, if you are determined, you can and you will! Good luck. Stay in touch. I'm here to ffer as much help as I am able for you.:thumbup:

You are doing great and provide inspiration for others, so stay connected here. Please go out and check my blog for some interesting and potentially useful information at tttp://www.sandisbandedliving.com

I'm here to help! I need a little more information- send me a PM or an email. Also, you may find some useful information on my blog at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Let me know. Sandi

Julie: I basically agree with you. don't count on the exercise. Once you have portion control down- calories in reduced enough that you are losing weight, then exercise becomes of multiple benefits for you. First of all it helps to boost your weight loss since you are burning calories, then it helps you to continue and to maintain your weight loss since muscle burns more calories than fat just sitting still, it conditions your cardio vascular systme resulting in better health and it creates all of those feel good endorphines to keep you coming back for more. BUT, the weight l,oss and learning to eat the right foods in the right proportions is primary.

Hey Julie: Thanks so much for sharing. Yopu are incredible. Please stay in touch - either on LBT or by email and let me know how you're doing.

The best idea that worked fo rme was t start journaling everything I ate again so i could see where I might be able to cut out a few calories at the same time that I increased the frequency and/or intensity of my exercise. The 2 together give you a good kick in the butt...

Hi there: I'm almost 6 years out so pretty much have been there, done that- including being terified, sure I would fail yet again, and wondering if I was doing the right thing, especially since I was self pay also. All of those fears are GONE! I know I did the best thing for myself and now, 250 lbs lighter, my biggest fear is that I will gain it all back overnight. Unrealistic? You et, since I am maintaining for 4 years, but that is what my fear is now. It's art of the body image thing and the incredulity with which I still view my journey over the past 6 years. If you would like to see some of the things I did to prepare, how I dealth with surgery and recovery and weight loss you can read my blog atSandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Let meknow if you find some useful information there. Good luck on your journey!!!!!:confused:

Hey cindy - Welcome. I'm here to help any way I can. Send your questions, concerns ot me via PM or just use email. I'm 6 years out so I have kind of been through it. Good luck on your journey.

You bet.I'm here for you...since I can't access lapbandtalk on my blackberry (too hard to read) you may want to email me all of those questions. It's sandi@bandedliving.com I look forward to getting to know you!

I don't live in Illinois, but I have had success and would be happy to give you whatever help I can offer. You may find some useful information on my blog which you caan find at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Good luck on your journey!

I think that oit's not so much about who you ar enow, and what you eat now, but more about what you are committing to going forward. going into the procedure at 424 lbs I made a committment to myself that this was it, I was changing my life and was going to use th band to help me achieve it. Then I was open to, and willing to, follow "the rules of the band" Just for your information, at 18 - 24 months out the results for th eband and the bypass become identical. Remember that bypass patients lose their weight quickly and, if they don't use the first 12 months to change their eating habits they will start gaining weight at that point. With a band we have to change our eating habits from day one if we are to lose weight at all. So we have to make life style changes immediately, are learning what they are and what works for us immediately, so at that 1 year to year mark we are frequently the better educated, with the healthier food choices, as the bypass patients are first beginning to really come to grips with what is necessary to keep the weight off. Bottom line, both procedures have advantages and disadvantages, but weight loss is identical int he long term which is what you should be looking at.

I'll be happy to help. Send me an email or a PM

First and foremost- congratulations- You have lost about 10 lbs per month and that is no small task. Well done! Now, you may want to take a good hard look at what you are eating. It's not what you should it, it's what you are eating. do you have any idea how many calories and how much protein you are getting? Are you drinking at least 64 ounces of fluid? Are you exercising? Are you eating a little more now than the first 3+ months? all this needs to get taken into consideration. Send me an email with a days food journal and let's see what you're choices are like. I'd love to help you, but them comes form interaction between us, not just me telling you what you "should" be eating...Hope this makes some sense.