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3 words. Cardio. Cardio. and.... Cardio. You cant spot reduce. You need to burn fat all over to lose stomach fat. And the best way to do that is lots of cardio. Strength training helps a LOT too, but it wont spot reduce. A good program combining cardio and strength training is your best bet for all your problem areas. If you have a bad back too, then you also need to really focus heavily on your core strength. Pilates based moves are very effective, as is fitball work. I was having quite a deal of trouble with sciatic pain, and also with a recurring knee injury with running, the key to which is usually weak hip muscles. I've been doing the following faithfully for about a year now, and my back is remarkably better, I never get pain and I was to the point where I had a numb and dead feeling right leg. No more niggly knee either: Planks: - front planks, and planks where you start on hands and move down to elbows, back and forth (killer, lol). side planks Hamstring curls: - fitball on floor, lying on back, legs on fitball, heels digging in. Raise hips so you're in a bridge position, and bending legs roll the fitball towards your bottom and roll it back out again. This will make your hammies SCREAM, but it requires very intense stabilising and balancing from all your core muscles. I also use a sandbag instead of weights for strength training, this has meant I get the benefit of the muscle group I'm working but it works the core remarkably because so much stabilisation etc is needed. Result: perfectly flat tummy (but I was lucky to have no large excess skin issues and never had a huge stomach in the first place) and much healthier, happier back. Hope that helps.
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10 days til the big trip to Mexicali! Can't wait to....
booniedog posted a topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
10 days to go until the dreaded 23 hour trip to San Diego (and on to Mexicali). Today I started thinking about some of the things I'm really looking forward to after surgery: - Smaller boobies! I've been packing double Gs around for far too long. There is nothing cute or sexy about these big mamas or the ugly bras that cover them. There are 2 styles of bras at Nordstrom that can handle the job and neither of them are cute. Can't wait to burn them! - Seeing results of my workouts at the gym. I'm strong, freakishly strong, and love lifting weights and doing crossfit. I know I have some hardcore muscles underneath the layers of fat and I can't wait to be able to see them! Plus now I feel like a fraud because I work out but don't get any smaller... - Being able to feel comfortable in short sleeves or (gasp!) tank tops. I live on a tropical island and wear long sleeves every day. It sucks. - Wearing a dress and feeling girly. Haven't worn a dress/skirt since about 2004, the last time I was fit and healthy. Can't remember what it's like to feel feminine. - Scuba diving and paddle boarding at a normal weight. It's gonna feel great! It's gonna be so much easier! Two hobbies that I love haven't been much fun lately. I can't wait til it's fun again! - Being more comfortable at the beach. Let's face it: there's nothing relaxing about walking around at the beach at my weight. The only thing that saves me is that the majority of the local population is very overweight as well so I blend in. But still. -Enjoying physical activity again. Bye bye sore feet and back! Hello, long lost hobbies! - Dating. It's been a long, long, long time. I've never been comfortable in my skin since gaining weight and I've become a hermit. I miss men! How about you? What are you looking forward to after surgery? -
new years 08 (1/1/09) down 30 plbs. from 7/08 feeling great!!!
JCNY29 commented on BABYGRACE1213's gallery image in Member Photo Gallery
how did u loose the 30lbs.? u look beautiful.Who banded u? -
I called yesterday on a whim and my acceptance letters were sent out that same day. I could do the procedure pretty quickly but it seems that I have to have someone there with me and someone has to watch my kids. I have to be at the center at 5am and the hourly daycare center does not open till 8am. I am from minnesota so I dont have any family here in texas! Talk about obsticles! My husband is an offshore diver and is on call 24/7 so having him home on exactly the right time is only half my problem. I think I really need to find a babysitter in houston who is willing to be at by place at 4:30 in the morning LOL. I figure I might have to wait till the first week of january for when my mom is planning a visit and between now and then I can work out who can watch my kids. In the meantime, i need to sort through and get prepared for what is coming. I keep hearing that I will loose my hair and I am really interested to hear when that happens and how bad it is and can it be prevented. I suppose it will grow back, I am more interested in being about to shop off the sale rack at target in regular size clothes than what my hair will look like for a while. I get to be skinny again. I am so thrilled. So, if you read this far, *applause* and thanks. If you ahve any tricks or words of wisdom, or can give me any ideas of what to expect and what could make life easier between now and my surgury as well ass what I can do w=once I get home. Great big thanks, everyone!
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I am considering having my band removed. I am 53, 5'3" and now 185. I had my lap band surgery 5 years ago. I would do it again in heart beat. The day of my surgery I weighed 254lbs. I am now having stomach problems, ulcers and acid reflux. I do want my band removed because I know my stomach will feel better. I am confindent that I will continue to be active and hopfully loose more weight. I can't seem to find answers as to what I do to prepare for the surgery, what I eat right before surgery, and right after. Can I swim right away? I have my doctor appointment next week to give my decision, but I feel they want me to have mini gastric surgery. I don't think I want to mess with my stomach anymore. I hope someone can help me. Lori
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Anyone else have lower back pain since surgery???
Diane01824 replied to ReadyOrNot's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had my surgery in July 2005, I believe my band has slipped and plan to have it removed during my skin removal surgery. That said the lower back pain is excruciating, the last 2 weeks has been horrible, even muscle relaxers and valium can not touch it. I started at 286 lbs and I am now at 157, my goal of 150 will be reached/exceeded upon skin removal. I exercise daily, walk as much as possible. Do yoga. Nothing helps the back pain. I will post after the removal and tell you if that helps. My plastic surgeon said the weight of the excess skin alone may be causing the severity of the pain. -
Hellooo, newbie here.
videonasty replied to videonasty's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Yeah, it's my first time having surgery. And yeah, I've recently also been making lifestyle changes and exercising. I just figure I need a tool that will help keep me from relapsing and help me lose more weight as I have a long way to go (113 pounds!) Other than anesthesia, my other big concern is excess skin. I really hope I don't have issues with elasticity and excess tummy skin since I'm planning on losing so much weight. -
Hello AMRDNR how are you feeling now? And I am assuming this was last year since it is just March 5th here now. How much weight have you lost????? I have a lot to loose but I can do it!!!! I think I can..I think I can LOL PS I just noticed your post date and see it was 2007!!!!!! I am very anxious to hear how you did now!
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I have a big-butt desk job. The gas and gurgling were just awful so sitting in chair was miserable. Make sure to wear loose clothes! Anything binding was awful.
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Have you tried strained soups? I found strained progresso soups much more satisfying toward the end of my first week before I was able to move to full liquids. There were a few days I was even drinking two cans of strained soup at a time. I'd mix them with a little broth so they were a little more volume - close to 14oz at a time. I'd just sip them down and if I was dying I'd have another! I was loosing quickly in the first weeks too. Good luck. It's such a short amount of time looking back (NOT when you're in it!!).
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Roller coasters and straws
hdsantoni replied to falcon66's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am headed for Disneyworld next week. I was ok'ed to be let loose on the whole park! Just like pre-op and post-op diets, every doctor will very in their restrictions for their patients. You should just give him/her a heads up next time you see them, or give them a call, to say that you are planning a trip in June and you want to know.........and make a list of questions, because you might forget one! Good Luck, and have fun! -
I'm a bit worried. This has been a crazy summer/fall and with that this is the last month of my pre-op diet. I HAVE NOT LOST ANY SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT! At first I lost a few pounds but then I kept staying the same. I had alot going on and I was not focussing on me. Now I may pay for it! I'm not sure, that is why I thought I would get on here to see if anyone else has had trouble with insurance paying if they did not loose weight during the pre-op period. I even gained 10 pounds last month!!!!!! (it was a bad month a close friend dies/my husband moved to Cali for a job we were all to move he's lost it and is back already) UGH! Anyway so I have been great this month and have lost five pounds but I wasn't sure if it's to little to late? I mean this surgery is going to be the tool I need to turn my life around! I need that little push to get me going. I hope I didn't screw this up for myself. Positive thoughts!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone else had issues or same problem? I haven't turned in my paper work yet so it could be ok just wanted to hear from others. -
Warning: These are a couple of my burn pics
vinesqueen replied to beachgirl's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
oh dear god! I just posted to your other thread. Did you have to have skin graphs? where did you get the skin? OhmygodOhmygodOhmygod!!!!!! I had a couple deep tissue burns from a motorcycle accident years ago, but the largest was only about the size of a man's palm. (flipped my bike several times after hitting a patch of white gravel. Ended up face down in a drainage ditch, pinned under my engine.) -
I just had to ring in and share some lessons I've been learning throughout my short journey so far (Banded April 28th) I know and am open to learning more but wanted to share in the hopes of helping others in their journeys through lap-band-land. Things I've learned: 1) I don't blame my lack of weight loss on my band, it cannot force me to exercise or eat the right things. 2) I don't give all the credit of my current weight loss to my band either, I still have to monitor my calories and nutrients to continue to lose. 3) My skin will sag if I don't do weight bearing exercises to offset this, and in areas where my fat is concentrated (for me its my INNER thighs...) I will still have some residual sagging skin. 4) Unless I get a boob job, my breasts will sag and never be 'perky' again...this is meaningful to me, to others its not, and I respect that. 5) If I PB, I don't curse the band, I curse myself. 6) I love my band, I love the choice I made, some days are better than others, I accept that and I do not dwell on the bad (even though its hard sometimes) 7) I am learning everyday about things I can and cannot eat. I can eat things others that are banded can't just as others can eat things I cant. 8) I get my fills when I need to, i.e. if I'm not losing, I don't go on a timed schedule. 9) I've had a bad fill experience (overfilled) I had some taken out and have been fine every since. I don't blame my fill doc, or myself for not noticing right away, but I learned from the experience. 10) I respect everyones individual journey, I think everyone needs to take responsibility for their own weight gain/loss. IMHO, the lap band has made many unhealthy people healty. Like anything, everyone handles change differently and each person has their own individual expectations. I sincerely admire everyone who is on this journey and respect your choice to change....GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!
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How did you decide your goal weight?
justmel2003 replied to pik's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm very heavy right now, but tall - my starting weight is (currently) 373; my surgeon asked me what I wanted for my goal weight (possibly to feel me out about how realistic I am), I said 160. His reply was "let's shoot for 180 and negotiate from there," which I thought was a great answer. Given my age (46), height (5'8") and size I might have a hard time with the extra skin, etc. I visited Dr. Wolkodoff here in Denver, he's a PhD in exercise physiology and is very involved with pro sports medicine. He did an in-body scan to get an accurate picture of intracellular/extracellular Water, where my muscle is located, where I need to gain muscle, etc. It was actually surprising to hear that my lean body mass is currently 167, and he suggested a goal weight of 210 (adding the average 24%-ish body fat most women should have). He gave me a BMR (basal metabolic rate), and told me to gain 2lb muscle in each leg but that I had plenty of muscle in the upper body; he gave me some basic information and suggestions as to an exercise regimen. It was a great consult, and I'll be following up with him post-surgery at 1mo. 3mo. and 6mo. This is something i would suggest everyone do, not just bariatric patients, and I'll be bringing my 24-yr old daughter with me next time - she's not heavy but doesn't really exercise and I'd love for her to have an outside perspective on her body composition so she doesn't land in the same boat as me. My surgery is 7/21 - good luck to everyone on here, both pre- and post-surgery. Mel -
What does bandster hell mean?
kacee replied to Liz1531's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Bandster Hell is the first 30 days after surgery, before you get your first fill, when you are on liquids and mushies. It's great at first because just post surgery you aren't really hungry because everything is still swollen and tender...but THEN you hit about the two week period and all hell breaks loose. The band isn't restricted yet (yes, it is NOT working yet) and you are STARVING and can still only have liquids and mushies. I actually did reasonably well during this period. I just kept eating cottage cheese and puddings and lots of jello and thing that gave me the feeling I was eating instead of drinking. You get really starved to CHEW something. Most everyone goes through a period where they feel they will chew their leg off. -
Ladynettie: Intro & Question
♥LovetheNewMe♥ replied to LadyNettie's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I love my band and have no regrets, it gave me the push I needed to lose my weight. The one advice I have is, you have to walk into this with your eyes wide open. The band will only work if you work with it, it is not a quick fix and it will not stop you from eating things that are not healthy. I suggest doing all the before work, meeting with a nutritionist and a physiologist. Getting inside your head and finding what makes you eat is key to losing in my opinion. I am lucky, I have worked hard and the band has worked very well for me. As far as losing the weight and not losing the excess skin, this is a hard. I have lost all my desired weight. I lost 122 lbs and I am determined to tighten up as much as I can because I am choosing not to have a TT or any cosmetic surgery. It is hard but I am 57 and who at 57 does not have a few flaws. Like I said you really need to be mentally prepared for this process, my opinion is the mental part of this journey is the hardest and not facing issues before or early will prevent you from being successful, -
Pre-digested liquid protein supplements...
WASaBubbleButt replied to jfk's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
This is a verrrry poor quality of protein. You could literally drink Jello and it would be the same thing as the main protein in this product. It's made from collagen. Collagen is great for putting ON your skin or injecting IN your skin. It is absolutely horrible for ingesting as a protein supplement. Check out the ingredients: Ingredients: 67.4% Pure deionized Water, 31.5% Actinase® [patent pending blend of enzymatically hydrolyzed (predigested) collagenic protein isolate, whey protein isolate and casein protein isolate], less than 2.0% of malic acid, Vitamins [ascorbic acid ©, niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), riboflavin (B2), thiamin (B1), folic acid, Biotin and cobalamin (B12)], natural flavors, acesulfame-potassium, blue 1 and red 40. Do you know what collagen is made of? Keeping in mind that this is the main ingredient of this protein, collagen is made from cow & horse skin, hair, ligaments, gristle, etc. It's the garbage part of cows and horses. There is a scale to rate protein quality and it is from 1-100. The collagen based products rate between 4 out of 100 and 6 out of 100 depending on brand. Matrix and unjury are rated at 100 out of 100, Isopure is 80 out of 100. As you can see, this is a huge difference from 6 out of 100. There is an FDA study I just read two days ago. Remember those people from way back when that were on ONLY protein diets and they were dying? Of the 17 that died, 13 were drinking ONLY collagen based protein, nothing else. The study explains that this type of protein actually draws out protein vs. adding to your protein stores. Thus, their deaths. There is some whey protein in this product so it is not the same as the stuff the dead people were drinking, but the point is that the test tubes, shots, and shooters are some of the most expensive products on the market today and they are without a doubt the absolute worst quality protein you can buy. You are better off not drinking any protein supplements vs. the collagen based products. There are two large nutrition websites that won't even sell the stuff anymore due to liability. That's how bad this stuff is. Just be very careful, learn about the different sources of protein and the quality of the protein. Most products on the market today are not great as everyone has found lots of money in creating garbage products and selling them for high prices. Proteins are NOT all the same. -
All weekend I've been in the back yard with a 2 piece but never in public. I've got so much hanging skin on my belly. I LOVE my tankini's and boy shorts!
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Ha, I was just talking about the dreams with my husband last night. I love food, and am a self confessed food addict....drown your sorrow in a pint of Ben and Jerry's. Since my surgery I have been having majorly 'weird' dreams. I am not fighting monsters but I am having dreams about people I went to high school with and university. Last night we were all on a vacation resort (let me go off track and say I havent seen these people in more than 10 years and my husband knows none of them) and I wandered off with my infant son and met up with a high school friend, and we were talking and I was trying to order a mango smootie but kept leaving without paying? It got dark really fast and I went back to the hotel (and met a work colleague on the way) and one of my university lab partners was swimming in a pool in the lobby, and he told me my husband was looking for me. I was trying to get to my room but forgot my room number and the reception wouldnt give it to me. I think perhaps these dreams may be telling us of some of the underlying issues that helped us eat our way to where we are now that food isnt a crutch. Remorse of loosing friends, abndoment issues? Who knows. In my dreams there is always food involved but in my dreams I never get to eat the food for some bizarre reason.
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@DianeJarrettand @LittleLizzieLilliput, ladies, I get where you both are coming from. Like both of you, I have lots of saggy, loose skin in different areas. Tons of it on my tummy. Very thin waistline, but the lower abdomen...oh boy, does it ever hang and droop there. I could probably wear a 10 or 12 if not for the lower abdomen area, but a 14 is fine. At least I don't wear a size 28 or 5x anymore! Yay! But, I honestly do not even care about the skin! Like LLL, I am proud to wear this skin, even though it is swinging to and fro. Stuff it in some nice stretchy jeans with a touch of spandex, or really anything else, and I look pretty darn good! I am just thrilled with the way I look, loose skin and all...happy that I've been able to make it this far. I do look back and think, geez, I used to be 334 lbs! I've lost a whole (small) person! I can do so many things I couldn't do before...loose skin...pffft! No, will never get any plastics. Nothing wrong with wanting plastics, just not my cup 'o tea. We're doing awesome ladies! Congratulations to you both.
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Hi! Well... before surgery I had a very flat butt- have had one all my life really--- I have been doing pure barre for about a year now and I have a butt now that I love ! ( it's all muscle ) my arms look pretty good too from that class ( los of push-ups ) ... one my inner thigh when I am standing looking has a little extra skin and there not a thing outside of surgery to fix that ( I don't think) .... so I will just live with that part.
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Dr. Schulman, Thank you for the reply. Since my hernia is excessive in size, in my opinion, would it be more likely to be able to be corrected in a way that could be similar to a tummy tuck? Is there any phrasing that could be used to encourage "tightening up" during the hernia repair, and therefore getting the surgery covered by insurance? The hernia is the result of three abdominal surgeries with mid-line incisions. The incision begins approximately 2 inches above my navel, takes a turn to the left to bypass the navel, and then continues down for approximately 8 inches. The scar above the navel is relatively normal (for a scar), but then the navel is canted upward, in a comma-shape. Under the navel, the hernia bulges out, and is about three inches wide. The scar in this area has stretched out due to the hernia. When I lie on my back, and the intestines settle back into their semi-proper place, there is a gully on my abdomen that can get about 1/2 to 1 inch deep. I have to place my hand against my lower abdomen when I sneeze or cough, or I will hurt. I don't know if I would have enough excess skin for a panniculectomy, since most of the excess apppears to be just the bulging area of the hernia. Thank you for any further thoughts.
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Today I went to see my brother. He and his wife are/were nurses in ICU. My brother left for another medical job and now works from home and makes bookoo money. Anyway after a discussion between him and my grandmother (also a nurse) he wanted me to come by and see him so he could look at my stitch thats open and infected. So I get there. Brought my loving dog to meet his and he proceeded to look me over. He and his wife looked at the wound and had disagreeing ideas. Brother thought the wound should have been packed, wife says it was too shallow. They both agreed that the office should have done a culture (?) to see which exact antibiotic I should be on. They took out two big boxes filled with medical supplies and gave me a goody bag. It included some gauze, some awesome clear bandages that are waterproof, some antibiotic ointment, sterile saline, some rapid absorbing gauze (neat as well) and some other stuff I dont remember. Anyways my brother told me if its not better by next week he will join me for my doctor appointment. Aint he so sweet. (Background - he is 10 years older than me and we HATED each other like with a passion, so now that im older its funny we are concerned for each other). On with my day, took my dog to the park. He was silly, left came home watched Iron Man, chatted with fine people on here. The only odd thing was I have the strange heartburn thats coming up. I ate a granny smith apple with peanut butter (skin removed) and about 30 minutes after I got heartburn. This happened again with my next meal Cheesy ground beef. I took an hour to eat that because I kept getting distracted but I dont think it was because I was getting full or had my "soft stop" I had only had 4 bites when it started. I posted a thread and we will see if I get any answers...
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Yeah. You are on a loose/tight roller coaster it sounds like. Many things can make you tighter such as TOM, stress, salt, dehydration, eating something that irritates your stoma (where food passes through your band), exercise, time of day, etc. Also what you are eating could be causing your problems. For most, bread, rice, and pasta can make it very difficult to eat. Not to mention that if you throw up your irritate your stoma causing swelling and then you tighten up like crazy. When I'm especially tight it seems that dehydration is the number one culprit.
