jensmallwood

I just had to wait out the shoulder pain-- gas-x seemed to have no effect... I guess walking helped- but it wasn't instant relief or anything. The heating pad felt good, too. As for the cramping- can you do some gentle calf stretches?

I know when I used to diet, the "you can't have x, y, and z" thing is what caused me to want to binge (on those particular things!). Maybe something like that is going on since you can "only" have liquids? Take a few deep breaths, post some inspirational pics on the fridge, go for a walk, remind yourself why you're doing this. It'll get easier!

Right-- it is natural not to have restriction at 2 weeks, post op. So that's the good news. The "bad" news is that you may not have restriction after the first fill either. Some people take 3 or more fills to find their "sweet spot." (this is according to stuff I've read on here, and from my doctor.) But you *will* get there!

Awesome, Todd! I started C25K last week and am loving it-- I was a runner a couple of years ago (before injury), and I know a lot of people who started with that program (or similar walk/run programs) and have become life-long runners. Good times!

Great job!!

I had two weeks of full liquids, two weeks of mushies/pureed foods, then onto regular (starting with soft foods, but no real schedule for this). I also started with no fill in my band, and still had the two weeks of liquids. I never looked so forward to cottage cheese as I did that last week of liquids! :thumbup:

Congratulations!! May will be here before you know it! My advice is to ask questions (here, at your surgeon's office, etc) so that you feel comfortable with everything.

Welcome, welcome!! This is a great place to ask questions, and find out what life with a Lap-Band is like! The only advice I have is what you're already doing-- collect as much information as you can, ask lots of questions and really find out how it works, and what changes you might have to make in your life to make it work so you can make sure it is the best tool for you. Glad you posted!!

Congrats! The time will fly by!

Perhaps your brain is thinking of this band as a diet where certain foods are "bad." This isn't the same so remind yourself that you WILL be able to eat. There were several foods I wanted to have before I had my surgery, but I didn't "pig out" on them. Steak was the big one, since I read that many people have a difficult time with it after they get restriction. But I tried to think of it as something to savour- not to just shove down my throat (and I went to the best place in town, too). In fact, I practiced eating it slowly, and when I was satisfied- I brought the rest home and savoured it for several days! So, my suggestion is to have some of your favorite things, but try to really savour every bite- slowly and only until satisfied (physically). No need to get stuffed here.

I'm so sorry to hear that you are struggling, but I'm glad to hear that you are seeing a therapist. Make sure you talk to the therapist about your eating disorder concern. They are very, very dangerous and can cause real damage to your body, and should be taken seriously. Hugs!

So my surgeon's office has a twice-a-month support group, and people who've been banded, and those considering the band can attend. The problem is that the majority of people who attend are the ones having problems with the band... not losing well, etc. The "success" stories are not attending. The reason I ask is that one woman who is considering the surgery only gets to see the people struggling.... and it seems to be frustrating her. What have other people's experience been? Do you attend a support group and do you mostly see successful bandsters there or people who are struggling or a mix?

I don't think its necessarily a bad thing to be grossed out by it-- I think it's a form of conditioning, and if I can feel a bit smug about eating well and slowly, maybe that will help me stick to it! (not that I'm advocating smugness as an all-around attitude, but with healthy eating it likely can't hurt- unless you become "preachy" I guess.)

It's so frustrating that women's sizes are so crazy. My husband doesn't understand at all since men's sizes are more standard. He asks me every Christmas-- "honey, what size are you?" And I tell him not to even bother. When I was at my goal weight last time, I had clothes size 6 -12, and tops size S to XL that all fit the same. Aaargh!!

Or hummus.... :frown:

My surgeon doesn't require a pre-op diet either, and it was fine. I read in one of my books about WLS (I don't remember which one) that there is little research to back up a short term liver shrinking diet... but that anectdotally some surgeons swear by them. So, as I didn't write the book and have no knowledge of the actual research- take that for what it's worth... (?) I was just asked not to eat lightly the last few days before the surgery. And I've seen others on the site who have also not had pre-op diets.

Thanks, Sandi-- I have been following your blog posts and have enjoyed reading about your inspirational journey!! I was pretty lucky coming into my Lap Band journey-- I was already an exerciser-- after having lost 100 pounds with diet and exercise, I continued to run, lift weights, do group exercise, etc. When I gained half of that back again (despite the high exercise) I got my Lap Band. So now, I'm four weeks out from surgery and was ok'd to exercise at 2 weeks out. I started by trying to get in 10,000 steps on my pedometer a day the first week, then the following week (this week) started on the Couch to 5K program (running/walking) 3 days a week. I also just got some Zumba DVDs that I've started using at home 2 days a week. Finally, I'm using some lighter weights to start lifting again (also 2 days a week). So my hope is that the weight will come back off again, and with the Lap Band it will STAY off this time and forever!!

I think walking is a great way to start. Typically, it is recommended that people aim to get their heart rate up for about 30 minutes on most days of the week. Work up to it if you need to. You want to walk at a pace that is like you are late for a meeting. It should make you breathe through your mouth. Again, work up to that if you've not been exercising at all. Eventually, you will have to pick up the pace to have the same workout. At some point you can start to add in 2-3 weight lifting sessions, and some stretching. It is important to pick/find something that you can find enjoyment in-- that's what helps people stick to a routine. Some people like group exercise, some people like to be alone. Try something new if you want. One thing that will really help your body (and keep you from getting really bored) is to switch things up from time to time. I often recommend to people (I work at the YMCA) to use several different machines at several different speeds during the same workout. Instead of spending 30 min at one speed on the treadmill, do 5 min on the bike at a slow speed, 10 min on the treadmill at medium, 5 min on the elliptical at a high speed, then 5 min slow on the bike again... or whatever. mixing it up is great for your body. And "fast" or "slow" is relative for everyone. Do you have any "special" needs-- like painful joints, etc? That would also affect what exercise routine you choose.

My plan was similar to the others-- and at my BMI, with no comorbidities- insurance would not cover it. So I went with self-pay. Before I did that- I did check with my insurance company to make sure that they *would* cover any complications or problems I might have. They said that they'd treat it as any other pre-existing condition, which they *do* cover. So that is something else to check into. If you have a band slip, or erosion or something- you might not have another 15K to shell out for that... As for your other question, you will have to find a doctor who is willing to give you fills in your area. I'd call around. I think some offices will give fills to "outside patients" and some will only fill their own. I'm not sure what the protocol is for that-- I know there are "Fill Centers USA" in some places, but I don't know anything about them.

I read somewhere that the longer you blend it, the more frothy it will get-- so maybe shortening the blending time will help.

I lost during both liquids and mushy stages... but less than 1/2 as much during the mushy stage-- and there was a LOT of up and down on the scale from day to day. I'd be up a pound for a few days, then down again.. So- give it time. No worries!

Congratulations!!!! BUT- this thread needs pictures!!! Get 'em posted! :tt1:

Wow- not typical, but if you have all the energy you need, and your doctor isn't concerned-- then I say enjoy the hell out of it!! Are you clothes just falling off you?

Stacie- I really recommend getting the OK from your doctor-- or an ortho with the knees and the stress fractures. Have you been walking? If walking isn't pain-free, running will be worse. The impact from running is many times that of walking. I think it's great exercise- but if you bust your foot again, you'll be doing nothing. Not trying to be a downer-- I just don't want you to get hurt! That said, I just started C25k today-- I used to run, then had injuries and stopped for over a year. Lovin' it!

Congratulations! let us know how it went when you feel up to it!