Hey everyone, just thought I'd check in. I was banded on August 6th and I've been doing better and better each week. I started back to the gym three weeks ago, started going very early in the morning before work.

My workout plan has been 4 days a week, 25 mins elliptical, alternate lifting for 30 mins, then another 25 mins brisk walking on the treadmill.

I'm doing pretty well counting my calories, managing my intake, and making sure I get enough Protein. I'm averaging about 85g of protein a day, 1500 calories, and between 40 & 60g of carbs.

So, when I was banded I was at 357lbs and I weighed in this week at 324. My first goal is 299lbs and I'm more than half way there and I personally feel its the exercise. I get up at 4:15am, Mon - Thurs, workout from 4:30am till 6:00am, and then get ready for work. To me, it seems my metabolism is jump started since I'm working out in the mornings. I work late so its hard to get to the gym at night but so far, its working out great for me going early.

The tough part has been the fact that my band only makes me feel full for about an hour or two after I eat. So I've been drowning my hunger with Protein drinks between meals. lol. My first fill is supposed to be this Wednesday...what exactly do I have to look forward to?

You are doing great - keep it up. Check out my blog because I am writing about exactly your question. I thought getting the band was the band. Then I thought my first fill was the band. At my first fill the nutritionist told me, we installed it but we havent turned it on until today. At my second fill on Wednesday (and unfill), they said the first 4 ccs of a standard lapband doesn't really do anything more than inflate the band. After 4 ccs, you start seeing a difference. Ah.... they were not lying. I am at 5ccs now and EVERYTHING SINGLE THING I SWALLOW stops and then passes. The putting down the fork thing and waiting, it was no lie. It takes me like an hour to eat now. The first or second fill will fix the hunger issues you are having. GOOD LUCK!

You are doing awsome! Good for you starting an excersise program so early in your journey. The only thing I would say is my trainer told me to do weights before cardio. Actually, I am not sure why. Maybe ask about it at the gym. Keep up the great work!

You are doing awsome! Good for you starting an excersise program so early in your journey. The only thing I would say is my trainer told me to do weights before cardio. Actually, I am not sure why. Maybe ask about it at the gym. Keep up the great work!

Weights before cardio is good for fat loss. Lifting weights burns off your sugar stores and that means that when you do cardio, you are working on fat burning rather than sugar burning.