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Thanks...I already am moving more than I was before surgery.....I am keeping track of the little successes....like the first week home I walked three of the 7 days. This week I have managed to walk 6 of them, AND have spent two days in a row doing laundry all day AND have packed two rooms for our move. ALL of which was more than I could even begin to do the week before surgery. Today, even tho I didn't get a chance to walk, I did spend about 40 minutes playing with my weights here at home--both my upper body and lower body. Before my RA dx, I was very active....exercise has never been my enemy till the past few years. However, my weight has been a problem all my life......I am just happy to be able to move more than I have for the past few years. Just trying to get past my mom's comments AGAIN.

i been banded in july and i went into for my third fill about 3 weeks ago and the doctor couldnt get to my port had my xray done and everything looked good so i went back this monday and he still couldnt get to my port which means that my port flipped he wants me to have surgery to correct this but im not sure if i can? im looking for people out there that as had surgery because of a port flipped and need to know how hard is it really to your body. my doctor is around 4 hours away so if i do this which supposely takes a morning for everything then i would have to drive back home which is about a 4 hour drive maybe 5 depending on the traffic. i have two kids a 3 year old and a 5 year old and i would leave them with my mother when i do this but i will need to pick them up after the surgery and drive home. my doctor dont feel comfortable with me driving home so advise me to get someone to come with me. but sadly i havent told anyone about this surgery i did and that asking them to drive me 4 or 5 hours each way to do this is just not reasonable. my husband is currently in iraq so he is not an option either. so i guess what im looking for is, is it possible to be able to drive home after surgery and will i be able to take care of my kids afterwards? the doctor says its an easy procedure but the more i think about it the more im thinking about not doing it. my kids come first and if i have to stop my weight loss then i guess then that will have to do.

I started with a BMI of 31.5. I took a lot of heat from the hospital staff-nurses etc many of whom were heavier than me. I just told them it is a cosmetic surgery and I'm fine with that! I'm only 3 days out so don't have any long-term experience. Just saying-I understand why you might want to do this. Ideally I should be 50 llbs less than my starting weight. I've worked VERY VERY hard before and lost 30lb in 6 months only to gain it all back plus 10 lbs. I needed some freaking HOPE! I know I can control myself if I"m not hungry. But before I was ALWAYS HUNGRY.

Glad the holidays are past.... Christmas Eve is the big event for our family....we all get together, everyone brings food....and booze... I filled a plate with a taste of everything....I was hardly able to do even that..all that good food, but there was nothing that was band friendly...I started to feel stuck very early on.... What I did do was graze all evening...all those appetizers sitting around...everything from Cookies to delicious Italian Deli Trays...ALL NIGHT! Sugars, salt, oils and fat! And I must have finished at least one bottle of wine myself, at least one bottle..... Not to mention, everyone got in the mood to have toasts with bottles of Scotch and Tenn. Whiskey! Everyone who received a bottle as a gift (including me) felt they needed to open it and pour everyone a glass and have a toast!! Just when you think it's time to go home to bed, eight of us went to the movies for a 11pm showing of Les Miserables! What a LONG movie, I'm NOT a young and crazy guy anymore! After that it was Christmas Morning, be it 4am, and it shortly started all over again with a HUGE Breakfast with EVERYTHING! And I have not eaten breakfast in 18 months! Just the way it is for me due to the band.... But that's another story... I don't fear gaining weight anymore...(and I did not) .....that's all behind me because I have had corrective surgery.......I now live and act the same as a regular weight person does... It's just that I ate CRAP for 36 straight hours..POISON....I can feel it deep in my core....almost a trembling.... NEED to get to the gym and sweat all these toxins out of my system......but good Going to do my 5 miles of running, and then some...with plenty, and I mean plenty... of Water.... So, it is 5 am and I am walking out the door and heading to the gym as soon as I finish this......

I haven't set a goal with my doc yet. I'm in the same boat as Wheetsin. I'm a pretty large gal 5'11 with a large frame. My ticker goal would take me jusssssttt under obese. Do I ever think I could weigh 230, sure... I believe my satisfaction and happiness will be at a slightly higher weight though. The problem for me is I really don't remember what I looked like at 230 because I was young and all I knew was I was bigger than everyone else. So as I shrink I start to hash out the number.

I think many of us have that problem, this holiday season. I have an article on stalls that may help explain your problem if it's not like mine (too much food). Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs of water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when you are not getting in enough food, your body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen, you also lose 8 lbs of water that was used to store the "easy" 10 lbs that most people lose in the first week of a diet. As you stay in caloric deficit, however, your body starts to realize that this is not a short term problem. You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But your body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy so it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. And as it puts back the 2 lbs of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though you might still be LOSING energy content to your body, your weight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while as you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored. I hope this helps.

I have been on a one for about 4 months. They said I was too tight so they loosened me the week after Thanksgiving. I have now gained 9 pounds in 3 weeks. I am eating healthy and still working out. I go in for a fill the 11th. I feel awlful and am regarding my band. I'm almost to my year mark. I had lost 65 pounds now it is 56 pounds. I still have 44 more pounds to go.

I am so happy!! I thought for sure traveling and eating out MOST of the time I would have not lost any or even gained some kgs back. Today I went for a fill and I had lost over 3kgs!! Yippee!! I'll be back on the forum now that I am home.:cool2:

Hi, From your ticker, you have lost 45 lbs! Celebrate that! Not sure if your surgery was Jan 2009 or Jan 2008, either way, 45 lbs is a lot of weight! You can do this! It sounds like you are very anxious and could benefit from talking to someone. The pressure of thinking other people are wondering why you haven't lost more is a tough spot to be in ( I can relate, and that is why I told only my DH about my surgery). I can only imagine that the injury to your knee and the issue with your skin folds is very tough to deal with, but don't use it as an excuse - You can do this! You are doing it! Make the decision to talk to someone, get a number, and make an appointment. Then make a promise to eliminate the foods that are tough for you to control - start one by one. Keep us posted, we are here for you!

So I have a job interview tomorrow and I have to go in my closet to look for something to wear....I havent worn anything professional in along time cuz I gained so much weight....Well I am scared to go in because I dont wanna be dissapointed if I still dont find anything to wear....Wish me luck!

Hi everyone! Just sharing my progress and giving pre-op people some inspiration. I was sleeved August 22, 2012 starting weight 309, as of today 231. 78 lb loss..... I wanna lose 50 more lbs and see how I feel then. Before and current pics attached. Best of luck everyone!!

Not really sure even how to begin. I have been banded since June 2005. Had great success up until about one year ago. I went through a series of fills and unfills which culminated in a slip. I was completely unfilled from October last year until January of this year. I've played around with varying fill amounts since then Through this all, (from my low last summer) I've gained 16 pounds. Not too bad. I had a small fill at the beginning of August (went from 3.5cc to 4.5 cc in an 11cc). All has been going great...until yesterday. Had my normal lunch, crackers ff cream cheese, and wham...stucksville. Slimed quite a bit at work (that's always delightful) but felt pretty good by the time I went home. I took it pretty easy last night...Ice Cream for dinner..yea I know..., but that got stuck as well. Got up this morning, coffee went down ok. Got to work, had a slimfast, and there it sat, and sat and sat. Finally that came back up. I called the doc and they got me in right away for an unfill. My doc's office has always been super about getting me in right away. I immediately felt better. So, this is where I'm at now. My doc's office is submitting a request to my insurance company for removal of the lap band and revision to VSG. I was fortunate that my insurance covered the Lap Band this first time around. I've been doing some research on VSG and it seems like it might be a route I'd like to go. My doc also has said, that he will do all and anything he can to faciliate approval. Guess I'll have to wait and see what happens. Thanks all, feel better for having written this.

I feel desperate at this point. Stuck between 214-215 for what seems like weeks. Eating mostly protein, probably eating between 20-30 gms of Carbs (less most days) Trying to get all my fluids in (not reaching 60, but closer to 48) I am thinking perhaps of drinking protein drinks for 2 of my meals (breakfast and dinner) for a couple of weeks to see if that helps things along Has anyone tried this or a version of this to get the scale moving again?

I don't know what I would do if I was self pay, so I am very lucky that I'm not. I feel for you. Alliemorris gave you some good advice. I find that if I journal everything I have better success. So, start over as if you have just been banded. I don't mean a long liquid diet but a day or two. Journal all your intake, pick up some extra exercise, drink a little more Water. This may jump-start you into weight loss again. You can do it! Just try. Don't be discouraged. Hang in there.

A friend of mine gained 30 pounds during her pre-op and they still banded her...:wub:

I did weight watchers for the first part of the year and had my band on sept 12. All together I lost 60lbs ) i can't wait to see how much I lose in 2013

Ain't this the truth Happy Hump Day all. Sleeve Date: March 28, 2013 Weight on surgery date: 281 First Goal 50lbs: July 13, 2013 (231)

Yes, it's frozen over. Have you seen my 6 mo. Diet Ticker lately? Well, I’m done! DONE I TELL YOU!!! The 6 months of dieting is so over!!!!!! Newbies, cover your ears just a sec….All you LBT’ers who posted that “The 6 months goes so fast!” I want you to know I have all your names and I learned how to Google Earth my way to your houses and yes, I’m letting this one slide, but if I find out this ‘restriction thing’ that you also posted about is yet another LBT Urban Legend I’m coming after you!!! This has been the l—o—n—g—e—s—t 6 months of my life!!! Well, it didn’t help that I started looking at this last May, and it took me most of the summer to decide, and until September to get in to my PCP, and then I couldn’t do anything constructive to make the time fly by, …and so I past the time by (whining about) blogging every gory detail of my (dys)FUN(ctional) life and bored all my new friends on LBT until they were so tired of my incessant (whining) blogging about my 6 months of (misery) dieting that they too, (wanted to throttle me) were counting down the days until my 6 months was over, (Just so they didn't have to listen to me anymore) but it was still a LONG 6 months! OK, my friends, here’s your reward…yes, I said reward…you’ve earned it…you were always there for me laughing, crying, ranting, (whining), and yes, peeing. You’ve come along on my magical ride and now here’s the pay off… …the 6 months are over. APRIL FOOLS!!! No, I wasn’t lying and now you have to suffer through more months with me, the 6 months ARE over, but that’s NOT your reward…bet you can’t guess?..........time’s up!!! I got my Band Date!!!!! (No, NOT April Fools!) Isn’t that great!!! What a reward!!! You were just calculating how many weeks of (whining) blogging about waiting to get my date you’d have to suffer through, and there will be NO (whining) blogs about that!! Good news for everyone! Here it is, served up on a silver platter just for you….drumroll please……my Band Birthday is April 22! April is going to be the best month ever…April 22, my new shiny band…April 24, our 27th Anniversary (guess that won’t be a wild night)…April 27, my big 5-0 Birthday (Broth for everyone!), April 28, DH’s 50th Birthday! Wow, all within 7 days! Then I have the 29th and 30th to get the house cleaned, party decorations up and meals made (maybe catered now) for all the company coming on May 1st for DD’s Graduation! Now here’s the ‘cherry on top’…wait for it…………..there’s NO pre-op diet! Yep, I won’t be (whining) blogging about that either! Just a pre-op class next week and a physical with the nurse there sometime before banding and I’m golden (oh, and that approval thing…I should know within 72 hours, submitted today…she said ‘no worries’, so I’m not). Let the ROASTING begin…. I can hear it now…. BG- Thank GAWD it’s over! BG- If I had to hear one more word about your suffering with having to gain weight and your ‘non diet’ while we're all out here sweating and counting every blessed calorie… BG- Whine, whine, whine... BG- I thought you were banded years ago! OK, maybe not that last one…I’m off to blog the (boring) nitty-gritty about my day.

Hi "C" What's your name ? First I am also 57 and was banded on Sept 3rd of this year. I have lost 26lbs as of today and it's been difficult getting the fills. I just had my third and I still don't feel restriction. I am eating the right things but my portions are to much... I need to eat less at each meal. I'm not a Protein person so that did'n't satisfy me... I have been as of late having an egg scrambled with Salsa on top for Breakfast. Sometimes I add Weight Watchers cheese.. I often have sliced deli turkey wrapped around string cheess.. I like that for a quick fix.. it's quit filling. Lot's of Soup and yogurt with fruit also is a good quick fix.. Hope this helps don't get down on yourself. Just get back on track and TRY and walk at least 3 times a week. That was hard for me too but I'm in Calif so the weather is like 95 right now so no excuse right... Keep me posted and we'll share ideas Sincerely, MartiXLardy

Fellow NC Gals or Y'all I wanted to ask about your experience in losing this weight. I know I did the rny and it's coming off amazingly fast, when I hit my 45 or more protiens a day. For 5 days I got disgusted and didn't get the minimum and it caused me to stay still. So, now I'm comfortablly drink a shake which equals almost 30 Protein grams. I overworked out saturday and drank too much Water and promptly vomitied at home. Yuck. This left me dehydrated. I didn't work monday because I was dehydrated. The dehydration has been with me all week. That's one of the reasons why I started the shakes back. Plus, it's a quick meal and excellent way to get my protien. So, as of today I'm down 30 pounds. I haven't bought any new clothes yet, however, I've been told my bras need updating by some lovely coworkers. I'm also getting afraid my comfy pants will be falling off soon. I am also grown out of the comfy pj's if anyone is interested in pj pants. Kim - are scrubs really comfy? The girl that the dr's office looked like they were so uncomfortable. I know you can get prints and themes and stuff. My friend wears scrubs to the daycare because the kids ruin her clothes otherwise. I'm gonna stop typing and go spend my night making sure chloe breathes. Did anyone besides me ever do that when their kids were babies. I'd startle her to make sure she was breathing. Chloe is nasty sick too. There goes cleaning the house this weekend. I think I'm gonna go get Dh a minivan this weekend so he can raise heck.

When getting up out of bed, roll over on your side as much as possible and put your weight on your arms. The idea about a pillow is a good one.

I am new to this site. As a matter of fact, I am new to on line chatting completely. The first time I posted to this site I managed to post on a NJ thread that was just for chatting about family and friends. I had no idea. I finally found the place to start if you are a beginner!! I am 42 years old and I have struggled with weight all of my life. Since a small child I have been on a diet. I remember when I was going to Elementary School (maybe 4th grade) and my mom and dad put me on a diet and I brought just celery sticks in for lunch. All the other kids just kind of looked at me while they were eating their nutritious lunches. I felt like a freak. There were times when I was able to keep my weight under control...but that was mostly through starvation. I did Slim Fast throughout the 80's, and got on the Phen Phen wagon in the 90's. During those times I was only eating a bagel or a small salad once a day, but I was a size 10 so I felt good. When Phen Phen was taken off the market, I gained weight and have been very overweight ever since. I did lose a little over 70 lbs over a year ago (I work for the Navy as a civil servant and was asked to go to Iraq to support the effort there. I lost weight consistantly the whole time over there. I started gaining the moment I hit American soil September of last year). Afer much research, I have decided that the lap band is a tool that could help me be successful. I am a bulk eater....big portions at lunch and dinner. Dr. DiMarco (Harrisburg, PA) is my physician and he has made it very clear that this is not a cure all, but something that can assist me in being VERY successful with my weight loss. I have to be committed to my own success and I know that. I have been stopping by this site every couple of days and I it just so inspiring to me. In the beginning of my journey I was so afraid of failure again. After reading what you all have had to say, I feel so much more in control. You are a great support system and I hope you will be there for me as I will be for you. I made my appointment for my surgery today. It is 1 Dec 05. I am nervous and excited at the same time!! Any words of wisdom that you have would be SO inspirational for me. My doctor is not making me fast before, so I am most concerned about the first two weeks of nothing but liquids....were you hungry at all during that time? Looking forward to getting to know all of you!! Keep up the good work!!

Stephanie, They require a list of things, among which are: *12 month medically supervised weight loss attempt *comorbidities *documentation of 5 years of morbid obesity *psych evaluation *letter rec. the surgery from your doctor *and so forth... Call the customer service at bcbs and ask them. They'll mail you the list. They waived the 12 month medically supervised diet for me...why? I have no idea. I was just so happy to be approved I didn't even dare ask. Write a letter about your health and send as much documentaion to them as you can gather from your doctors about weight related problems. send me a pm if you need some more info. best of luck to you!

I am sorry that you are having a hard time, it will all be worth it in the end. I was sleeved on the 8th and it's still a work in progress. This gas thing is pretty gross lol but it's necessary. Mine is mostly belching but oh wells. They say that some people do gain after so don't stress yourself, I would stay off of the scale until you are healed from your cough and able to get in liquids and protein.

When i crave dairy I opt for string cheese sticks that weight watchers make..I eat cottage cheese with fruit and when i make my egg white omelets in the morning I used cheddar..I love cheese in my salads too..I havent eaten fast food since Ive been banded..if i decide to i will opt for a side salad with chicken...make sure u take your multivitamin and calcuim supplements..I incorporated vitamin b12 and protein shakes into my diet..when i go food shopping it is so expensive...i pay $60 a week on food..but I buy things like chicken and other meats in bulk to save $$..ive been clipping coupons to help too!!