ChopswyfT

For me just knowing the band is there has required me to really be more mindful about what I put into my mouth . I am heading toward my sweet spot (only one fill so far), so restrction has not been a major factor for my weight loss...what has

EXERCISE : I have become obsessed with working out each day and have hired a personal trainer. I have also recently started the Couch to 5k regimen. Exercie is now vrey important to me !

I have been able to tolerate thin crust pizza, spaghetti noodles & croutons fine with no problems. I REALLY want some bread like a biscuit or a hot roll or bun but , I am REALLY afraid of ordinary bread products so I stay away. I just don't want to get stuck . I have 4.5 cc's in my band right now and I am pretty satisfied.

I agree with some of the other posters, it's funny how your restriction fluctuates on a daily basis ??

I just started the Coach to 5k on Sunday. So, far I am doing okay. I am very motivated to see some real fat loss..makes me keep on going when I am tired. Surprising, I can actually breath and have not experienced any shortness of breath.

I also took some advice and invested in a great pair of sneakers, my feet actually feel good when I get done.

I found that using just Water to moisten the contacts on the chest strap isn't enough. I now use a Water based lubricant to saturate the contact pads.. and I'm getting much more reliable HR's. Before, using just water, sometimes it would quit picking up during the middle of exercise!! Disconcerting to be pedaling away or doing mountain climbers and look down and see 00 as your HR!! LOL

Okay, so I called the Polar customer service line last week. They explained that the eloctrodes on the newer model HRM are very sensitive to salt build up. The young lady recommended that I wash it thoroughly after each workout in the washer machine. Which is totally too time consuming. However, I did try it that night and the next day it worked great the next day.

So, now I have been hand washing it in the sink each night with mild bar soap. So, far it's working much better.

Okay, so I took you all's advice and went to get fitted at Running Etc...Great idea, they were very helpful.

Then went to our NEX and bought my shoes for almost half price. Went with the Mizuno Wave Creation 12....Oooh they feel so good.

Gonna start Coach to 5 k tomorrow. Wish me luck

Thanks guys for all your advice. I plan to go by our local Running store and get fitting. At first I was going to just go to the NEX , but I guss I better do this right and go get fitted like you all said.

Another question: did you notice a mark change in you body after you started running ?

I wear a Heart Rate Monitor, Polar FT-7. But, I am strongly considering the Body Bug as I am finding the Polar is starting to become a little unreliable with irratic HR's all the time. I like my old Polar F6 much better ,but I gave it to my hubby when he brought me the new one. Should've just kept my old HRM.

I usually try to burn 400-500 cals during each work out.

I call mine, "Trudy"....my tool "Trudy"

So far she's working for me.

I just recently started working out with a personal trainer a few weeks ago. I really enjoy working out with him , I go three times a week at our local YMCA.

Yes, it is an investment, but so worth having someone around to help you workout hard each time. I am finally starting to see some real changes in my body.

I say if you can afford it, go for it. Well worth the extra $$$.

Getting ready to start Couch to 5k this week. My hubby insists that I need to get a good pair of running shoes. I have been researching them online and still have no idea which one's I should get.

Any suggestions ?

I am a BIG BeachBody junkie, always getting suckered into buying their latest dvd sets. I used to do Turbo Jams (which is very similar to Turbo Fire- both by Chalene) faithfully until I grew tired of them . I lost A LOT of inches too. If I were to go back to doing dvd's (gym rat now) I would definately choose Turbo Fire over Slim in 6. I have spoken to several ladies that have SLim in 6 and all have the same opinion, that it's boring and the music is bad. A good friend of mine said she would have to play her Ipod over the dvd and tune it out in order to finish the workout.

I plan on eating as many calories as I can to still lose weight. No way in hell would I want to eat only 800 calories a day for the rest of my life. I'm shooting for 1400 a day during the weight loss phase.

Owww, I feel ya there....800 calories WHAT ???

Update: I increased my calories to 1000-1200/day.....lost 2lbs

Yeeeyah !

So, I went in today (got off work early) excited to finally have my first fill. Well, she poked, and poked, and poked and could never find my port. Left the room , went and got one of the surgeons (supposedly he can find ports with his eyes closed.) Then both of them noticed some dark blood seeping from the many injection sites. Turns out I have a large hematoma sitting right on top of my port. The loonnnggg needle was NOT long enough to get past the hematoma.

Now I have to wait 3.5 weeks to allow the hematoma to dissapate or reabsorb before I can get my first fill. I am sooo bumbed out about this. I know it can take a while to get to the coveted "sweet spot." On a lighter note , she did give me the okay to start seeing my personal trainer, so hopefully that will help get the scale moving down.

So far, I have lost 19lbs since the start of my pre-op diet. So, I am still grateful ...justed bumbed, had my expectations up for my first fill.

Has anyone else had a similar experience ?

I'm so sorry you've had that experience. My prayers go out to you for a speedy recovery. God bless you !!

I went back to my Zumba classes 1 week post - op ( and felt fine). I am NOT recommending you do this. I REALLY took it easy and modified quite a bit. I chose the class with the more easy going instructor and felt fine. No jumping, no kicking and no punching or swinging my arms too much.

At my 1st post -op visit , I endulged and told my surgeon what I had been doing. I kind of looked at me side ways and said,

" I rather you just work out on the eliptical machine." I still have't found my way onto that machine, just did Zumba yesterday.

Hello all my LBT homies,

I was wondering if anyone could answer this question for me ? I am 3.5 weeks post op. My caloric intake has been ranging each day around 800 calories or less. I have already started working out 3 x a week . Next week I will progress to Stage 4, and will bump up my workout regime to 5 days a week.

My hubby (who's an avid weight lifter and runner) feels I am not consuming enough calories. He insists that my body is going to soon go into starvation mode and my weight loss will stall. I have lost 18lbs so far. And, honestly this week I have avoided getting on the scale for fear that he may be right.

What do ya'll think, should I be eating a little more?

No, the bites you are taking should be pencil eraser size. I think thats a little small, but just SMALL in general, no huge fork full of anything.

Heather, I can always count on you to get me straight ..thanks

I've found that a lot of folks on this site , have commented about that area continuing to feel tender for a while. I am 2 1/2 weeks post op and my port area is still tender. Hasn't stopped me from exercising or doing housework though.

Lawd, I'm so confused now. I am on stage 3 soft/moist. I was told by my my Bariatric coor. to chew, chew, chew until it's "applesauce" consistancy. Now, I've yalls post stating to chew till it's the size of a pencil eraser.

Oh, what's a girl to do (or chew) ?

For me 1wk 3days...my poor husband was looking so pitiful. I figured I was already working out (doing Zumba) and had my first post -op appt. No long drawn out session, just short and sweet and to the point He was happy !

well turns out it was pulmonary emboli, i had it it both lungs! not just from surgery but they said between being a smoker, on birth control and then the surgery are all factors. i now have to be on heprin and cumadin for at least a year and watch every single thing that i do.

thank you all who kinda scared me into going to the ER cuz i would have been sitting here going "oh its just gas it will pass"

Thank GOD you went to the ED ! I am soo glad you are being treated. I pray you are feeling better. God bless you & take care of yourself !

If you chew them really really well then they're fine. The stoma (hole from pouch to stomach) is about the size of a dime.

WOW, the size of a dime ??? I didn't even realize that it was that tiny. I really would much rather take my kids Gummy vits instead of my nasty chewables. Most fo the time I don't really chew them all the way....end up swallowing them early. YUCK

Is it a feeling of having to clear your throat or something totally different. Last night after my dinner, I noticed I kept having to clear my throat. Not thick mucous , just kind a clear , thin phlim. Similar to post nasal drip. Was that sliming I experienced yesterday ?

I am currently taking Flintstones chewable and absolutely HATE them . I much rather eat my kids Flintstones Gummy Sours, but my doc says NO gummies. Claims they will get stuck in the band.