fatty no more

My energy level is soo much higher. I was able to run a 1/2 marathon without walking and walk around a fair for 3 hours after running the 1/2 marathon. Mentally I don't feel self conscious when I walk into a room full of people.

I love my Lapband!!!!!!!!!!!

If I remember correctly I had some reddness and swelling too around my port incision. I was told as long as the sknin around the area was not warm to touch that it was normal. But my doctor did put me on antibiotics when I left the hospital after surgery anyways as a precaution. I hope all is well.

Check out a cookbook called "The Sneaky Chef". I originally bought it to sneak veggies into my kids everyday meals and found that it has also been beneficial for me. Good luck!

Thank you Elcee, for explaining it as a different senario.

To Amanda- it was not a lecture just simply a question on whether you had any educational classes prior to surgery (I saw that you had the surgery in Mexico). I have been there with the clear liquid diet for two weeks (MY doctors orders) it wasn't easy, but I knew this surgery is a life changing decision, not a quick fix and I had to work hard at it in order for it to work for me. And I continue to work hard at it. I do have my days of cheating, but like now, I just had a fill today and soo badly want to eat, but my doctor says to be on liquids 2 days, mushie 2 days, and then normal food. He's the one with the PHD, not me. Perhaps you should be ashamed.

Did you have any education classes prior to your surgery? You really need to follow your doctors orders if you want the band to help you. It sounds as if your mind is not ready for this lifestyle change. Only 5 days after surgery and your already cheating? For your health you should listen to your doctor.

Try the New Whey Protein bullets. There is 42 grams of protein in each shot. It's a bit sweet, so I advise mixing it in with Water. Good luck!

I didn't tell anybody. Only my husband and daughter know, not even my own mother. I didn't want to answer to anybody about what I ate and how much I ate.

My girlfriend had it done and all she heard was "are you allowed to eat that"? "you can eat that much!". As an explaination of my weight loss, I just told people I cut my calories (which is true) and I began to exercise (which is also true). Because with the lapband, weight loss is soo much slower than bipass you can get away with it.

But it is completely up to you, just know if you do tell you're gonna be hounded with questions.

I would check with your doctor to see what he/she would advise. As far as getting your carbs in if you do do it, you can take GU. It is a gel like substance many runners use before during and after races. There are a lot of carbs and no chewing required. I use it all the time before I do races because I have a hard time carbing up with Bagels, rice, and Pasta. If you do do it good luck!

Everybody is different, but for me, I knew I hit it when after having my last fill and was able to eat mushy food, I was unable to eat scrambled eggs in the morning. I then made a Protein Shake, and stayed full, for four hours! My last fill was 3 weeks ago, I still am very tight in the morning and I HAVE to chew chew chew every piece of food. Before, I could eat eat eat and keep eating. Not that I did, I had to really have self control, it was like I didn't have the band at all and I became frustrated that I had the surgery. I love it now!

Happiness is.................. to finally have restriction!

For those who have not found their "sweet spot" don't give up. It took me 4 fills and 8 months to finally reach it. It maybe more or less time/fills for you, but you will reach it. I now love my band and have no regrets for having the surgery. The very best part is I'm healthy and I no longer take diabetic, high blood pressure, and cholestrol meds! The money I used to pay for my meds now buys clothes.

Oh, and I can finally cross my legs like a lady :biggrin:

Hang in there!

Yay! I'm soo glad everyone is still on here and sounds like we're all on the same page. The weight loss is going slow for me too. I have lost 63lbs so far, but that was with a lot of work. I'm still not at a good restriction. I can definately eat more than 1 1/2 cups of food. If it wasn't for the amount of exercise I do, I don't think I would have lost the amount of weight I have. I work out 5-6 days a week and eat 1100-1200 calories a day. How much is everyone else eating?

This question is more towards the ladies. I am curious if this just happens to me or if there are others experiencing the same thing. During "my time of the month" I am able to consume way more food than any other time. It feels as if I have no restriction and I am never really full. I would also go through this before I had the lapband done in Aug. 09. Please tell me I'm not the only one!

I believe it is approximately 10lbs per dress size. For example for women; if you are a 22/24 and you loose 10 lbs. then you are a 22, 20lbs and you are a 20, 30 lbs and you are an 18, ect..... Although some people will vary due to loosing more inches, than actual weight. Hope that helps. :biggrin:

You only need to worry about PBing when you eat too fast and don't chew. I have been banded since August and have have had two fills. I have not experienced PBing or getting stuck.

When I saw all the posts on here about PBing and getting stuck I felt the same way as you. As long as you follow the rule of YOUR doctor, you'll be fine.

Tracy your not alone.....I had a day of grazing too. I don't know what happened today? I just couldn't get enough. I even journal my food intake and it still didn't help me stop. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully a better day. My plan is to do some major exercise to make up for todays weakness. Wish me luck!

What may help you is purchasing a Bodybugg. It is a device worn on your arm (shown on biggest looser). It calculates your calorie intake and calories burned throughout the day.

It looks as though you are eating alot of high calorie food. Without enough Protein. The Bodybugg will help you even out your protein, carb, sugar, Fiber, and fat content by having you log it into the website. It is important to be honest exactly how much you are consuming to be able to figure out where you need to improve. Good luck!

I had my surgery 8-5 and soooo glad I did it! I feel great. I can move around soo much better! I actually enjoy exercising. And I can cross my legs, which may sound silly, but for the past 10 years, I was unable to cross my legs, I could only cross at my ankles. Love my band!

I'm not at my sweet spot yet, but I have a feeling at my 2nd fill appointment I will get there. :cursing:

Thin Ali-

Just wondering what size you were and what you are now. I noticed our starting weight and current weight is the same. Also, how many inches you have lost. I didn't measure myself before, but will start now. I know everybody looses differently. If it is too personal please don't feel the need to reply.

A great way to get your Protein and Water intake for the day is mixing a protein bullet in with your water. I mix Proslam protein bullet (42grms) with my water everyday, along with drinking the EAS Protein Shakes (44 grms) and usually chicken or fish for dinner (10-22grms) and I have reached my goal. Hope this helps. Good luck!

KSP-

I found the weighted hoola hoop online at target.com. I was unable to find it in any stores. I have the wii also, but I can really feel the workout with the actual weighted hoola hoop. It's actually kinda fun too!

Go back to your childhood and start hoola hooping. I bought a weighted hoola hoop a month ago. I have been hoola hooping for a month everyday for 10 minutes and I have lost 21/2 inches off my belly.

It's not easy at first, but then you get the hang of it. I got a couple of bruises in the beginning, but no big deal. You can also work your arms with small weight while doing it. Good luck!

From what I was told by my nut, Hair loss is due to a lack of Protein. Try to up your protein intake along with taking Biotin. Biotin is very cheap, you can get a bottle of 100 tablets at Target or Walmart for less than $2. A friend of mine took 6 tabs through out the day of biotin after noticing hair loss along with upping her protein intake and her hair became fuller and shiny after a month. Good luck!

I was banded on Aug 5th. Tomorrow I go for my 1st fill. I can't wait! I was steadily loosing 2-3 lbs a week up until 2 weeks ago. I have not lost anything. I haven't gained either, but it is very frustrating because I am hungry every 3 hours. I can definately eat more than 1/2 a cup of food, but try not to. I am working off of will power and exercise. I hope after my fill I will begin to loose again. My biggest fear is to fail using this tool!

My nut said I should be eating 1000 calories a day and at least 60 grams of Protein. Well I have been doing that from the beginning, and have been loosing up until 2 weeks ago. I have not lost anything! I haven't changed anything along with working out 4-5 times a week.

Out of frustration, I looked online to see how many calories I should be eating a day to reach my goal weight. It stated I should be eating 1700 calories and 97 grams of protein with the amount of exercising I am doing. Also, that weight loss will happen in the beginning but then my body will eventually go into starvation mode and I will not loose anymore. Which I am wondering what is happening now? Is it possible that I am in starvation mode and unable to loose weight? I know the band is a tool and I use it as if it is. But honestly, without snacking in between meals, how can I get 1700 calories in a day and eat healthy?

I ditto that THANK YOU! I'd be sooo lost without this site! Thank you to everyone for all the encouraging words and to those who are experiencing the same as I am, to know I am not the only one who is going through this is comforting.