shamr0ck

I had my band in December 2010. It was fine for almost a year, then i started having issues and had to have a barium swallow, only to discover the band had slipped. Had a complete unfill, let it get settled back where it was supposed to be. After six weeks, had another swallow, everything looked okay, started fills again. And it slipped, again. Unfilled once more, still having issues. Woke up in extreme pain, had to go to the ER, band had slipped to the middle of my stomach and had to come out.
There were days when i could eat anything, and days where i could eat nothing. Vomiting was a regular part of my life, and i wasn't losing weight like i thought i would. I was so happy when the band was out - but i started slowly gaining weight, and that was unacceptable.
Today i am one month post-op with the sleeve. I am 1 pound lighter than i was at my lowest post-band. I've not thrown up, i can eat "normally", albeit much much smaller portions, and i feel fantastic.
No comparison between the two, i wish i'd had the sleeve first.

I will be 3 weeks post op with my sleeve tomorrow. My band came out in may in an emergency situation after slipping to the middle of my stomach. It was not the first time it had slipped. I managed to lose 50 pounds with the band, but gained back 17 before deciding to revise.
I have felt better with the sleeve than I ever did with the band, and I have lost the 17 pounds already. I wish I had chosen the sleeve from the beginning.

and of course i hit my 3 week stall right after joining this challenge. LOL Haven't lost anything in the last 10 days!

Thank you everyone! I'm hearing that you all wish you'd done the sleeve first. Makes me feel good about my decision and listening to my gut. I had my last appt today pre-op and found out that my insurance will cover it! I'm planning for 11-28 to be revision day! Bye bye band day!
I'm nervous....

I'd get a second opinion. Having no nipples seems crazy and no matter how big her breast were or how much tissue that shouldn't make a difference. Shamr0ck, I'd love to see your pre/post op pics. I'm planning on a lbl soon.

I had a lower body lift 15 months after i was banded. Best thing i've ever done (other than wls), but boy, it was an experience!
I have had multiple surgeries in my lifetime, and even though i "knew" what was involved with the lift, i have been spoiled by my ability to bounce back quickly from previous operations. I will admit, for the first week or so post-op, i wondered what in the H*(( i'd done to myself.
It wasn't pain, so much. The second day in the hospital (i was in for 3 nights), the nurse came to see if there was something wrong with my morphine pump. Nope, i just don't use it. But getting out of bed that first time - wow. Normally, i'm the one that is doing laps around the nurses station as soon as they let me out of bed. After the lift, just getting to the toilet and back made me sleep for 4 hours. I was lucky to be getting to the end of the hall and back by the time they let me leave the hospital! My mobility was severely impacted.
That being said, at my first post-op visit, the day after i left the hospital, was my first view of my post-op self, and i've never looked back. Having that nasty hanging mess of skin gone made me feel like a new person. My surgeon took off six pounds, varying from about 9 inches wide in front to about 3-4 inches in the back. Made my tush look nicer, too, although i've never been cursed with pancake butt.
By the second week post-op, i was pretty much back to normal. Slept in a recliner for 10 days, and then in the guest bed with strategically placed pillows for a few more. I have several dogs, so part of that was self-preservation.
Feel free to contact me privately for more information.
val

Puréed mars bars are a definite no-no.

Most of you figured out I have dogs. Long hair dachshunds to be exact. 3 reds, 2 blondes. Here's the latest pic of the blondes:

Well, having dogs means shedding. Usually only 2x a year. Fall is one of those times, so they are shedding. I am also a blonde. And at almost 3 months post-op, i have now joined my dogs in shedding. Woozers!! What a mess!!! I go see my hairdressers next fri and I'm def going to cut it short. Question is, who will stop shedding first? Me or the dogs??

Thanks everyone!! For some reason this topic posted twice and it's driving me crazy!! Anyway - I used to be 5'10''....but last height check put me a little over 5'9''......
I am definetly not skinny - but I am wearing the same pant size as I did graduating highschool.
Being pregnant 3 times and having 8 to 10 pound babies rearranged some of my figure for sure....but height has always been on my side.

Howdy!
Today is 4 months....
down 81 pounds from highest and 66 from day of surgery!
I am feeling great....wearing size 16 bottoms and either a large or XL top. I had to buy all new underwear - size 8 thank you (underwear sizes are in their own world, and an 8 is for sizes 14-16, but I am not gonna lie...loved seeing the size 8 on the package!!)
I am still struggling to drink as much Water as I should.....I am trying!!
chips go down WAY to easy...gotta watch that -
love all things seafood.
And then they ask you..."So, how much weight have you lost??"
I have been very honest with everyone, told them about my surgery....
If I can help ONE person in their journey - then yay....
But I balk here....
Early on, spoutin' off 20 or 30 pounds was awesome....
I DOn't wangt to tell work associates or acquaintances I have lost the equivalent of a German Sheppard off my ass!!
I Celebrate that with my girl friends, but co-workers are a different breed (pun intended).
The bitchiness is not appreciated, nor do I want to see raised eyebrows as they look at how much further I still have to go and strain to do the mental math to see I was a 300 pounder at one time....
Gosh NO!
ANyway -
That's my monthly check in.
Going strong....going to try and get some intentional work outs in.....
Glad to be a success story.....
Still have never been in pain or puked...
Just get REALLY full REALLY easy -
Pretty awesome huh?
Oh - here's a pic of my Halloween outfit....I chose not to wear it out of the house....

I went with Dr Ortiz in Tijuana

We all have these (with rare exceptions). You have lost a lot of weight already so feel good about that! This isn't a race, it is a change in lifestyle. Think about how long it took you to put on that weight.
I had a two week stall at 4 weeks and it was frustrating, but not bad or sad. I decided to do something to shake my body up. At first I upped my calories by 200, but that didn't work. Then I upped the intensity of my exercise and drank more fluids. That worked. Either that, or it was just time for the stall to end anyway.
Rejoice in your victory so far! Don't beat yourself up over a number. I'll bet you are feeling a lot better than you did when you were heavier. You are healthier for sure. Savor the feeling of having done something powerfully effective for yourself and let the rest come when it does. You aren't through losing weight. It is still going to happen. We are all too conditioned for instant satisfaction through the influence of marketing. Those weight loss ads usually say something about ....Lose 50 lbs 30 days or your money back! .... Why is it desirable to make something happen immediately? We are more interested in long term results.
Patience isn't one of my strengths either, but reality has its own way of unfolding things.

I had a lower body lift 15 months after i was banded. Best thing i've ever done (other than wls), but boy, it was an experience!
I have had multiple surgeries in my lifetime, and even though i "knew" what was involved with the lift, i have been spoiled by my ability to bounce back quickly from previous operations. I will admit, for the first week or so post-op, i wondered what in the H*(( i'd done to myself.
It wasn't pain, so much. The second day in the hospital (i was in for 3 nights), the nurse came to see if there was something wrong with my morphine pump. Nope, i just don't use it. But getting out of bed that first time - wow. Normally, i'm the one that is doing laps around the nurses station as soon as they let me out of bed. After the lift, just getting to the toilet and back made me sleep for 4 hours. I was lucky to be getting to the end of the hall and back by the time they let me leave the hospital! My mobility was severely impacted.
That being said, at my first post-op visit, the day after i left the hospital, was my first view of my post-op self, and i've never looked back. Having that nasty hanging mess of skin gone made me feel like a new person. My surgeon took off six pounds, varying from about 9 inches wide in front to about 3-4 inches in the back. Made my tush look nicer, too, although i've never been cursed with pancake butt.
By the second week post-op, i was pretty much back to normal. Slept in a recliner for 10 days, and then in the guest bed with strategically placed pillows for a few more. I have several dogs, so part of that was self-preservation.
Feel free to contact me privately for more information.
val

First, just define your goals and/or objectives. Are you wanting to work on any specific body part, or overall/total body resistance training? It's sounds like it's really the strength that may be your goal, and I've certainly been there. Second, I would recommend just easing into it, going light at first for a while and make sure you use good form and technique. Free weights or body weight is better for good compound lifts and overall body strength. Some of these lifts are squats, pullups, military press, bench press, deadlifts, dips, etc. Machines can help too, especially for isolation work. Find what lifts work for you and go with it. If someone tries to give you advice (BroScience), just consider the source and maybe do your own research and see if what they are telling you has merit. You'll find at some point if you lift long enough, that you'll have to change your routine/types of lifts every once in a while. Your body will get used to it and you'll plateau. If so, just try variations such as changing the weight and doing more or less reps or even change the lift itself to hit a similar body part. Third, please don't get discouraged if you don't start out or even progress to being a "powerhouse" or worry about what others in the gym might think. Remember, everyone has their own reasons for being there, whether it's "toning", increasing strength/power lifting, bodybuilding or like my main reason.....just getting that hormone rush and flat out feeling good from the workout. Last thing I would recommend is finding a way to motivate yourself to do it. Consider any and all means or forms of motivation and find what works for you and do it. Good luck!

I would continue to stick to your 800 calories per day for now, unless you are doing ALOT of exercise, and especially if you're doing resistance training (weight lifting). You require a great deal of Protein to help build your muscles and if you stick to your 800 calories, you may not be getting enough Protein.< /p>
In addition, cardio uses up your available glucose while you are working out, and you may canabalize your own muscles to provide additional energy during your workout. If you're doing a lot of cardio, you should increase your carbs (and will probably have to increase calories too).
The great thing about building muscle is that it burns energy all the time, even when you're at rest or asleep! Cardio is a great "on the spot" option, but as soon as you stop, so does the energy burn. A good balance of both cardio and weights should give you optimal results.
Keep track of your energy levels during and after exercise, and see how long it takes for you to recover, get over muscle soreness and increase your capacity. If you are finding yourself struggling, you may need to adjust your diet to compensate.
And don't forget, if you're building muscle, you may not see the dramatic weight losses you've had until now as muscle is more compact and greater weight for the same volume of space. Not "heavier" than fat, as many people say, but more dense. So you may gain muscle mass while burning fat and not progress as quickly as you've been going down on the scale.
You will however notice a difference in your body tone, and if you're taking body measurements (I do, once a month on my surgiversary), you should see improvements in your measurements and the way your clothing fits!

Free weights will develop all the stabilizer muscles much better than machines. Also, machines force you into a certain range of motion, which may not work for everyone.
Definitely ease into it, and proper form is key. Doing a lift incorrectly with too much weight can set back your fitness goals significantly. Can you see a trainer for a couple of sessions to get an evaluation and some basic, personal feedback?

I was sleeved 10/8, and i am currently 3.5 weeks out. Doing great, recovery has been easy, and no complaints with the clinic.
Good luck with your surgery, soon you'll be a loser.

People like that are so stupid! I'd report them to the supervisor and pat myself on the back. Time for some education for these B******! Take a look in the mirror ASAP and notice how beautiful you are! Yes you! This is hard work, and it's better than dying from obesity and health complications. Those people are not worth any of your time! You have to strut yourself and rock that sleeve of yours! You are a success. It's going to take all your energy to focus on a beautiful life ahead of you.

Added you. I'm shamr0ck.

I was banded almost two years ago, and i traded my addiction to food for an addiction to the gym. Started going right at six weeks post op, and i'm still going 6 days a week. As the weight came off, i also got addicted to shopping for new clothes. Then my band slipped, readjusted, slipped again, and then had to be removed in an emergency surgery.
And the weight crept back. And i realized that the shopping was a problem.
So now i'm still addicted to the gym, but looking for something to replace my shopping addiction.

I was sleeved in Mexico by Dr Ortiz on October 8. Great experience, no complaints, would do it again. Down 5 pounds on my pre-op diet (3 days liquids), and 11 more since surgery.

My insane attention to detail has been the downfall of a few friendships, and the subject of many arguments, ahem, I mean discussions...

Good luck Ladies...and me, the only guy, I guess. I am having my surgery done on 10/8 by Dr. Ortiz will be staying at the Marriott from 10/9-10/13 (barring any complications)... Maybe some of us will run into each other. I'll keep my eye open for anyone sipping broth in the restaraunt! Good luck to all!!

My surgery is on October 8 with D. Ortiz in Tijuana, Mexico. I'll be at the Marriott from 10/9-10/13. Good luck to everyone!