I had my surgery on 7/22/10. I had to have 2 cc's removed from my band 3 weeks after surgery due to something being stuck and vomiting. (even though I did not even know I had 2 cc's in the band in the first place!) Healed quickly and had my first fill 4 weeks after surgery and the Dr. only put 1.5 cc's back in. I do have some restriction during the day but in the evening hours it is pretty much a free for all. I try to make healthy food choices and still keep my food intake to a minimum. I have been doing pretty well. I definitely eat way less than I used to pre-surgery. I have lost a total of 20 pounds to date. I was down about 24 at one point but gained some back. I have been fluctuating between 19-22 pound loss mark for the past 2 weeks. My Dr. only does fills every 7-8 weeks so I am not due for my 2nd fill until 10/11. Here is where I need the kick in the pants at:

1.) I have on ocassion eaten things that are not good for me. I cannot eat to excess any more which is a good thing, but I am still sometimes making a bad food choice. It is so frustrating. I had this surgery to help me lose weight, get healthy and look fantastic of course! LOL Why oh why after everything I have been through do I still sabotage myself and put food into my mouth that I KNOW I shouldn't???? What is wrong with me? Bad food choices I have made include a hot dog, a bratwurst, 5 piece chicken nugget from Wendy's, spaghetti. Not all at the same time, on different days of course, but you get the idea. What the heck am I doing???

2.) I haven't been working out like I should. I have walked a few times, even jogged a little of the way a couple times I have walked. But I have only walked like 4 times total since my surgery. No other exercise. I am no dummy. I KNOW that exercise is key to losing weight and you cannot be successful without it. So again, why oh why can I not get a good exercise routine going? I have a great exercise video that I used to do before when losing weight and I keep telling myself I am going to do it, but still haven't. I know how to exercise, I have even enjoyed it in the past. But I am having such a hard time getting motivated. I don't understand it since I went through all this pain and discomfort to have this surgery and I am not doing what it takes to kick it in gear to lose the weight. I had wanted to lose about 15 pounds before my next fill date at the doctor but now I am down to 1 month away from the visit, so it doesn't look like that is going to happen. However, I would be happy if I could lose 10 pounds before then.

So could everyone just give me a pep talk? That would be fabulous! I need to be held accountable!

Thank you!!!

Well, I have just started working out everyday. Like you I only did it every blue moon but on my last weigh in on Tuesday I had only lost one pound and the month before that two pounds! I was so embarrased because it was obvious I wasn't working out. I am tired of feeling like a failure and want success!! I have been working out everyday this week and I have lost 2 pounds in a couple of days and that's more than I lost in a month. Working out is the key for some people. I can't explain why some people can have surgery and never set foot in a gym and lose more weight than others but since I know I am not one of those people I got my butt up and got to moving!! I was knocking the door at 400lbs, the highest I have ever seen on my scale was 394 uggg unbelievable!!!! I jump off the scale so fast when I seen that and didn't get on one again for a long while. Today I am 329 and I should be smaller because I had my surgery 2-23 of this year. On surgery day I was 360 so 30 pounds in 6 months shows that I haven't been working out right. I am so close to being under 300 and I can't wait!!!!! I am a 31 year old single female and really believe my weight has stopped me from meeting new (decent) people. I am ready to love and have a family. Now, if I get skinny mini and still don't get a good man than I don't know what's wrong! LOL! Good luck and get to the gym please!

Hello,

I got banded on 7/21/10. Just a day before you. I also have lost 20 pounds. Yeah for us!!! I eat chocolate. I know I'm not supposed to. I am like you. I haven't eaten (Meals). I was a snacker. It is so HARD to break bad habits. But I am doing way better than before. When I read your post I was like "that's me" haha. We will do it. We just need to get used to this new process!!!:thumbup:

You clearly know exactly what to do. Now it's just a matter of focusing and doing it. Excersise is key for sure. When I have had stalls in weightloss, I have uped the intensity of my workouts and the scale starts moving again. You can do this! Getting the band was a huge step toward getting healthy, now you just need to put the good food choices and excersise into play.

Remember the band is just a tool and you still have to do all the work. Here are little tricks I play with myself to get myself motivated:

1. Window shop at the mall w/o any money on you

2. Walk down the street and you have to walk back or you won't get home

3. Park further away in the parking lots

4. Get active..hang out with friends/family (if available)

5. Start over with the liquid only diet (I've read a few post where that works)

6. Remember how much time and money you put into the lap-band procedure, don't end up in that small percentage that fails.

7. Join weight watchers or similar group that gets you thinking about health eating habits

8. Most important.. Read a health tip daily to keep you conscious of your goals.

9. If this is an option for you, get a personal trainer

10. Go to a Zumba, Yoga, and/or Cardio class

Good Luck on your journey. The fact that you reached out proves that you will be successful.

Have a whoop-tastic Day!

Working out has 2 benefits. The first obvious one is that you burn calories. The second one is psychological, I worked out for an hour this morning and burned about 400 calories, now I am considering eating a pack of M&Ms (or substitute any junk food here) but they are 400 calories so if I eat them my workout will have been done for nothing. So the candy doesn't sound as good and I usually don't eat it.

I have to schedule my workouts, just like a Dr appt. If not I blow it off. So I work out on Tuesday and Friday between 7 and 8 am and on Sunday before 9 am depending on what time I got up. I signed up on Active.com (free) for a calender that tracks my workouts so I have a schedule that I can look at and see progress and I can also see what I am going to do.

By the way, I don't go to the gym. I work out at the park, I run, do push ups, sit ups, squats, and jump rope. The only thing it costs me is the cost of the jump rope.

I hope some of my advice helps you. Good luck.