My journey started on Thursday November 14, 2013. Surgery was out patient and took about 45 minutes. Once I left I was fine...no pain. I came straight home and went to bed for a few hours. I walked around the house, but not as much as I should of. Due to the surgery, I wasn't hungry at all and I could not force myself to drink the shakes. I would gag at the thought of it. I drank a good bit of Water and survived (wouldn't recommend it). With only liquids the first week, I lost a considerable amount of weight. I started out at 251, and after only a few days I was down 5lbs. After the first 3 days, I felt like I was in the clear with pain etc....however, the gas pain started in my left shoulder and severe back pain. I was sleeping sitting up on the couch or propping up completely in bed. Nothing seemed to help with that at all! I went back to the doctor after the first week and mentioned the gas pains. He told me just to give it time. I did just that, and it did go away just like he said. My back pain didn't go away until I started eating! At my 1 month appointment, I had lost 20lbs. Honestly, I was excited, but I had not ate very much at all. I just wasn't hungry. After that visit, I lost a pound or 2 but nothing significant. I was beginning to get worried. At this visit, he added 2.5 to my band. I couldn't tell difference at all! With another week past, I still had not lost any weight. I was beginning to snack a little more than I had been, but still no cokes, tea, bread, or sweets. I was having my dad a big surprise party on a Friday night, and I knew I would need loads of energy. So for some reason that morning I thought I would do what I had been told..............to EXERCiSE. I started on January 10, 2014. I have exercised 5-6 days each week since then. I use the C25K app on my phone. I am running and walking with it. I am using the stair climber and the elliptical with weights twice a week. The weight is finally starting to move! Today is Feb. 2, 2014 and after walking up and down stairs this weekend, I am noticing a slight pain on my left inside knee....so now I've gotta change the plan again and do something different! Heck I'm not giving up now though!! I got up for church this morning and had to try on 3 pair of pants before I could find one that would fit! Now thats exciting. People are just now beginning to notice I have lost weight at 226. I feel fabulous. I hardly ever have headaches anymore (I think due to sweets), and honestly I just don't ache and hurt at all. All the swelling has left my ankles and legs (which cause a little pain at times), and my face looks completely different. After the first week, I might have second guessed my decision, but I knew once the pain left I would love it. Looking back, I can guarantee you that the lap band is not EASY! Its a daily challenge. For me, it has been a $13,000.00 brain reminder and only that!! Before I would have caved in for that coke after about a week maybe 2. Today I am reminded how much of a sacrifice this had been and I can't quit now...instead keep working for the goal. My ultimate goal right now is to be below 220. I haven't weighed that in atleast 8-9 years...maybe longer. My next goal is under 200! I don't even remember that time in my life....it has been so long ago. But I am going to get there! The band sure doesn't help over night! Blessings to you all!

Congrats on being off to a great start!!

It takes some people more fills than others to reach proper adjustment of their band. And some, may get there with no fills. So just realize it could take some time.

Awesome job on doing the C2K program...another thing that will definately help! I'd offer that if you have progressed to 5-6 days a week now, walking AND running, to make sure you go to a good RUNNING shoe store, somewhere that they will actually talk, discuss and watch you run. I didn't listen to so many people who told me to do that. And I started having significant OUTTER knee pain. While not the same location of pain as yours, mine was completely cured by getting different shoes.

Once again, Kuddos to you for being off to a great start and having such a positive attitude.

Congrats!

You sound so determined and aware.

Determination helps not to give up and awareness not to have unrealistic exepectations

You sound very self motivated and determined to see this journey to the end...and it's only just begun....

Just wait until the band begins to do it's magic....

As far as exercising, I found I was limited on what I could do until I lost some weight...trying to run with all the extra weight did more damage than good....so I stayed with the elliptical for 2 years...always wore a heart monitor and worked that elliptical in a "Zone 3" for a steady 30 minutes, sometimes up to "Zone 4"...plus a 5 minute warm up and cool down...

THEN I took it to the treadmill, did the C to 5k.....then the C to 10K....

Can now do 5 miles a day, in about 45 minutes.....but I had to loose the weight first!

Reed3580 - I too started using the Couch 2 5K Program. OMG, I love it! Never thought I would say that. I have always from the treadmill SO BORING but that program certainly spices it up. Love it!

We have something else in common, at the beginning of Week 4, I too found that my inner left knee hurt. I had to stop immediately. I have been off the treadmill for over a week now but planning to hop back on tonight. My plan for now is quite different though, I plan to go back to early Weeks & redo them. As B52 suggested, I think I need to lose a little more weight before my knees are ready to absorb the shock of my body weight.

As B52 suggested, on Saturday, I went to The Running Room and had an accessment done to get the proper footwear. I'm hoping that helps. I also plan to do stretches, etc before hoping on the tradmill & starting the warm-up. I dug my heartrate monitor watch out this weekend & plan on using that as well.

We bought a Bowflex this weekend. Assembled it last night. I am looking forward to using that as well.

Never thought I would be excited about exercise! Glad to see there is someone else out there using the Couch 2 5K Program. It always seems to help when you know you aren't the only one...

So happy for you - you are doing fantastic!!!!!

You are doing great and it looks like you are very motivated

You sound very self motivated and determined to see this journey to the end...and it's only just begun....

Just wait until the band begins to do it's magic....

As far as exercising, I found I was limited on what I could do until I lost some weight...trying to run with all the extra weight did more damage than good....so I stayed with the elliptical for 2 years...always wore a heart monitor and worked that elliptical in a "Zone 3" for a steady 30 minutes, sometimes up to "Zone 4"...plus a 5 minute warm up and cool down...

THEN I took it to the treadmill, did the C to 5k.....then the C to 10K....

Can now do 5 miles a day, in about 45 minutes.....but I had to loose the weight first!

I'm so glad to read this..... These have been my exact thoughts.... Continue on the elliptical for a while why I continue to loose the poundage, and then convert over to trying to run. This just verified for me that I need to continue with that plan. Thanks, B52