Bklynike

Fantastic. Keep on track and you will lose without even noticing. I keep a weight loss log and every Sunday I log my weight for the week. Best of luck, enjoy your new life and new posture

If your doctor did not send you home with a liquid pain medication, get on the phone right away and request some. You should not be in pain - especially not for 4 days. I had pain the day after surgery, but I got up each and every commercial and walked around my apt. It got easier to get up and down and the gas went away quickly. Protein shakes are the saving grace in this stage, and you must be drinking a lot of water. If you don't like the protein shakes, get yourself some Isopur. There are 40grams per bottle and it will fill you up, although it just looks like colored water. Good luck, it will get better. This is the best gift you could have given yourself.

Please check out my album and see the change in my "green top" photo from 5/20/10 to the new photo taken today, 8/1/10. I think the difference is pretty amazing. :closedeyes: Went to the gym today and I have lost another 1.8 lbs. I don't think I could be happier with my progress to this point. Everyone tells me slow and steady and that is what I am trying for. I can't wait until I am in the 220s. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

I hope the rest of your journey goes as easily for you as the sugery did. The pain in your shoulder is just gas and it will pass on its own. Walking, a lot, will help the gas leave you more quickly. As I tell everyone who will listen to me, this is the greatest gift we've given ourselves. Enjoy the weight loss, getting healtier and knowing that you will live longer with that Fiance of yours.

I checked out your new photos and not only do you look amazing, but you look so much younger. You go girl and keep up the good work.

Congratulations on your decision to join the gym. It will not only help in your weight loss journal, but will make you feel so good. Perhaps not at the beginning because you may be a little sore, but it will not take long. Start slow and increase a little every time you go. If you start too fast and get too sore, you will not want to go back. There are plenty of people in the gym who are not in peak shape - but you will be. Good luck to you.

You were on vacation, you ate a little more than you should have, you didn't rob a bank. I am glad you had fun on your trip to PR and now that you are back you will get back on track.

I had my band done on June 21st. The worst part was the gas afterwards in the left shoulder and neck. It only lasted a couple of day, but I walked so much that it left me rather quickly. If you are a couch potato, you have to be prepared to get up and start moving. I go to the gym 3 days a week and use weights at home on days I dont "gym". I hate soup and protein shakes, but for about a month - 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after that is it. No bread, potatoes, pasta for a least a year, so that could be hard. But the benefits certainly outweigh the bad things. Do it and enjoy the rest of your life in better health.

This Sunday is not only my brother-in-law's birthday, have a happy Dennis, but I am going to take another sent of pictures in the green top I started my journey in. For those of you interested, you will find my photos in my album. I am anxious to see a side-by-side. I think the only way we can actually view ourselves as we really look is through the eye of a camera. I know they say the camera puts 10lbs on you, but I think that's only a TV camera. I've always run from the camera when friends want to "remember the time". Or try to find a way to hide part of my body, but I am looking forward to the day that I am the one saying, "Does anyone have a camera to capture this memory?" I was telling my husband on the way back from the gym tonight that I really believe my stomach is getting a bit flatter. Then I realized it is only 5 or 6 weeks since my surgery and realized I have a heck of a long time to go to reach my goal weight. I know I will eventually get there, but I am only taking 10lbs at a time. As my friend and fellow bandster I'm a Luckydog said, she has lost 110lbs in a year and it went a lot faster than she thought it would. She is now on maintenance and doing great. How wonderful is that? Have a wonderful weekend everyone and check out my pics next week.

First congrats on having the surgery. You may not believe it right now, but this is the best thing you could have done for yourself. Gas + horrible pain in the shoulder. You must walk, walk, walk. When watching TV get up on the commercials and walk around your residence. You will find it a little difficult to "go" #2. I am 5 weeks out and will be starting a stool softener tonight, not a laxative. It gets better, I promise.

This is great advice for anyone getting a fill. Thanks Sandradee0124.

I wish you the best of luck. I hope hubby can hold out.

All last night I kept going over in my head - I'm not hungry between meals, I'm losing weight, I am able to eat and drink comfortably within the portion size my doctor and nutritionist set for me. So why am I having a fill? I get to the doctor's office this afternoon. I get weighed and I lost another 2 oz since last night. Now I say 2 oz, but that is only if the gym scale and the doctor's scale register the same numbers. I'll know tomorrow night when I get to the gym if I actually lost anymore. So, I sit in the exam room for almost a half an hour waiting for the doctor's assistant to come in. When she does, after the usualy small talk she asks me: Are you hungry between meals? Are you losing weight? Are you staying with the portion size? It was like a Filini movie. I answered all of her questions and she said I was not ready for the fill. I was still in the green zone. She made me another appointment for Aug 19th, but said I should call at any time my answers to the questions change and they will fit me right in. She said it could be in a day, 5 days or 2 weeks, so we will see. Instead of drinking my dinner, we went out to dinner and I had a 1/2 a cheese burger, no bun of course and brought the other half home for lunch tomorrow. I am having my first post-op meeting with a new nutritionist on Aug 6th to see if there are things I should or shouldn't be eating. I hope I am doing what I should be doing. I think I am, but I am far from an expert. Remember, I had to have the lap-band! I am happy with my progress. I hope everyone who reads this blog is as happy with theirs.

Hi, Joanne: Welcome to our bandster world. Being banded will be worth every cent you spend. You can always remodel, and the best part is you will live longer to enjoy it. I just spent $13,400 out of pocket because my insurance at work stinks and they wouldn't pay for any part of it. I was banded on 6/21 and have lost 21lbs as of today. I have not felt this good in years. I eat right, better than ever before, I go to the gym 3 days a week and work out at home on days I am not at the gym. I also joined this site to journal - it's a lot more fun than writing in a book. Best of luck and go for it. It will be the best money you could ever spend. Eileen

Well folks, tomorrow is the day I have my first fill. I am excited, nervous and anxious. I'm not worried about the needle, well maybe a little. I am worried about how I will eat afterwards. I've lost 21 lbs since my surgery on 6/21, I am not hungry between meals, I stick to the 3-4oz of protein each meal, and I've been eating brocolli and some salads as well. I don't have any problems swallowing anything, including a hand full of pills at a time and I feel really good. What if I have the fill and then I start having problems eating or drinking? I want to continue to lose this awful weight that has been holding me down for so many years, and I think perhaps the fill will help me do it more quickly, but I fear the unknown. I just hope I am as comfortable after the fill as I am now. Yesterday I was cleaning out a drawer in my dresser and found 2 pairs of capri pants and a pair of black jeans that I bought 6 years ago when I went on my 50th birthday trip to New England with my 2 best girlfriends. I haven't been able to wear them since, but held on to them hoping one day... I was not only able to get into them, but they are now too big on me. I've already taken in the waistband on one pair of capris and will work on the other 2 pairs over the weekend. Boy, that felt so good. Let's remember that 6 years ago I was at 268lbs. I am now at 232.4. I'll report back after a day or two to let you know how I am doing with the fill. Wish me luck - I hope it is everything everyone says it is.

I had my surgery on 6/21 and trust me when I say the gas will leave your body! Walking is the only way I was able to get rid of it. During every commercial series I walked in my apartment - back and forth, back and forth. Boring? Yes, but it worked. A lot of people say try GasX, so perhaps you should. The pureed foods should help you not be hungry, string cheese, jello and ice pops (sugar free) does it for me. Good luck to you.

Today is 1 month and 4 days since my Lap-Band surgery and I have officially lost exactly 20 lbs. I am so happy and excited. I was at K-Mart yesterday and they had a huge sale on short sleeve, light-weight summer tops. Living in Florida, I wear these all year round. So I purchased some 2X tops - I hate passing up a good sale lol. I got home and tried them on but they were a little snug. Oh well, I'll just have to wait another 1-2 weeks before they fit comfortably, but that's not bad when you consider I have been wearing 3X and 4X up to this point. I am looking forward to my first fill on Thurs. I think I am now ready for it. I find I am able to eat a little bit more than I have been in the last couple of weeks, but still keeping within the guidelines the doctor and nutritionist have set up for me. I get my protein down first and I am drinking as much as I possibly can during the day. Sometimes I can actually hear myself slosh as I am walking, but I guess I am not alone in that. I am so curious as to what the restriction is going to feel like. I think I am a littel nervous about possibly having something get stuck or throwing up - 2 things I would like to avoid for the rest of my life if I have anything to say about it. But I will be brave and have the fill. I was nervous about the needle, but after reading other people blog about it, I am not nervous about it anymore. I am happy to be on this journey with so many wonderful people. As the process continues, my enthusiam goes up. My excitement keeps growning leaps and bounds and I am so happy. I wish this great feeling on all of my bandster friends.

Hey, Maggs. You are doing really well. 3lbs already, that is something. Are you hungry because you are not eating regular food but liquids? I hated the protein shakes and soup so much that I was eating very little until I was able to get on pureed food. My first fill was supposed to be today, but I postponed it until next Thurs. I am excited about it, but nervous at the same time. Good luck to you.

No, you will be on the way to the new and better you! I hope the surgery goes smoothly, and it will. Take it easy when you get home, but the next day make yourself get up and walk, walk, walk. The gas will not go away unless you do. Also, it will help you not get stiff. It will be uncomfortable, but only for a day or two. You will do great. Welcome bandster newbie - you have family here so let us know how you are doing when you are up to writing.

I was so tired yesterday. Don't ask me why, but I was. I guess it has a lot to do with the fact that I am in training hell at work. I have 3 new people in my department that I am training. Very stressful. Anyway, it was gym night, which means 1/2 hour cardio and 1/2 weights. All I wanted to do was climb into bed after work and take a nap, but I knew if I didn't go straight to the gym, I'd never go. So, I went. I felt so good that I did. I went completely through my workout and I was so elated and energized. I always weigh myself before I leave the gym and from Sunday afternoon to Wed night I lost 2 ounces. As long as that scale is on the descend, I am happy. I promised myself that I would do whatever was necessary to lose this weight once I had the lap-band done, and I am going to do it. To all of you thinking about having the surgery, find a great doctor and have it done. You will be so happy that you did. For those of you who have had the surgery, I know what you are going through and if I can do it, anyone can. Be strong and most of all, be happy.

The preop stage really stinks. I hated it, too. But think of the entire journey and where you will be at this time next year. Best of luck - it is the best thing you will ever do.

Horray! Tomorrow is the day. You should be jumping up and down and as excited as you could be. This is the greatest thing you could do for yourself. Remember to take your pain medication when you get home and rest up. The next day, walk, walk, walk. It is the only way to get rid of the gas and to make you feel more human. Don't forget to report on how you are doing. New life, here you come!!!!!

It sounds so awful. I am so sorry you are having such trouble. I hope you heal quickly and can start living a better life. Good luck to you.

A few days after you stop the soda, you won't even think about it. Once the weight starts coming off, you will be so happy that you won't want to eat or drink anything that will make you feel bloated. Best of luck.

You go girl. I am so happy to hear it went so well. As I told you, I was supposed to go this Thurs, but I postponed until next Thurs. I am not hungry between meals, losing my weight and feeling great. So the doc said to wait another week. Reading your story I know I don't have anything to worry about. When I was at my heavest, I was 268lbs. Right before the surgery I was down to 254lbs. Yesterday was 4 weeks and I'm down to 235.8lbs. Thank goodness for the band. Just keep doing what you are doing because you are doing great!!!!!!!