don't worry about the exercise - i have done next to none and am down over 50 pounds. i'm sure i'll have to exercise when i start hitting plateaus but by then i'll be down even more and exercise will be easier. Don't worry about the surgery itself it is short sweet and to the point - very, very minor compared to other surgeries i've had (c-section, gall bladder). I wish you all the luck in the world on your journey!!!!!

just walk a little more each day or week. As your body gets stronger you will be able to go further. Walk to the mail box when that gets good walk down the street a few houses. It works, I started with 1/2 a mile and am up to 5 a day now. You can do it!

YAY! This is really the first step for you...It is such an exciting journey. I wish you all the best and anything I can do to help you along the way please feel free to email or message me! Good luck to you!!

We are here for you. I was banded in 2009 and have lost 110 pounds and have kept it off. I am thinking that you have made a life choice to change. Bravo to you. Many have had up and downs it is not as hard as you may think, take a step at a time and be happy you are making well choices today.<div>Best wishes imaluckydog </div>

Dear “I want to Live”,

Your story tears at my heart. I am 55 and I know exactlywhere you are coming from. It is sad what we do to our selves with food, butnow you have made the commitment and want to make a change in your life. The lap band has been a god send to me andhas helped give me the kick in the pants I needed. I had tried many diets and succeeded only tofail again, over and over. My MD wantedme to have the gastric sleeve because he feels that exercise has to be part ofthe regime with the lap band. I have bad knees, decreased cartilage and just asmall step from a total knee. (One of my motivations for wanting to loseweight) I opted for the band because I was afraid of the sleeve, but that was apersonal choice. I lost very well with the band for the first 50lbs but startedto stall and bit the bullet and started exercising. I joined curves because itwas low impact cardio and I could gradually build up my resistance. I wish Ihad joined a gym now and worked with a personal trainer but oh well. (Anotherstory) Have you thought about discussing with your MD starting a pulmonaryrehab program, I know all people have heard of cardiac rehab but there areprograms out there for COPD patients to help them with exercise. The key to your exercise is learning to breathethe proper way, your lungs are not as compliant as normal lungs and learning tobreathe my help you to do low impact cardio, yoga or stretching. If you can donothing else than walking short distance in the beginning and graduallybuilding this up will help. You really need your exercise program monitored bya physician, so if you do not have a pulmonogist as one of your MD’s I suggestyou pay a visit to one. If you have stopped smoking your lungs should gain backsome of there compliance over time and exercising should become easier. You mayeven be able to use an inhaler prior to exercise to help open up the airway. Onelast comment, Do not compare your weight lose Journey to anyone else. We alllose differently and at different speed. Do not compare how much fluid you havein your band to someone else; everyone has a different “sweet spot”. Bottomline we are all individual and what works for one may or may not work forsomeone else. Read the blogs and take away what works for you, it helps. Goodluck on your journey, with commitment and a positive attitude you will succeed.

LovetheNewMe!

Thank you all so much for the words of encouragement. I just returned from my final consult with my surgeon. He is very concerned with my heart condition and is now deciding if I need to have the procedure done in the hospital instead of the surgery center. Bummed me out a little, but he assures me we will still be on track for the end of Oct. or beginning of Nov. I am grateful that he is being cautious, and I know that it will come soon enough. In the meantime, I am beginning my food regime to lose a little before we start. I am looking forward to having a success story like all of you. Thanks again, Allison, Brenda, Tracie, Lucky, and New Me! You are my first lapband friends! Protein shake lunches...here I come!

Well, the decision was made between my Doctors that the surgery be done in the hospital rather than outpatient. I am grateful that my surgeon is thorough and he and my cardiologist are looking out for me. Tomorrow I am being admitted for overnight cardiac observation and the next morning is my Lap Band surgery. My husband will be staying with me the entire time. We did Thanksgiving with the family today and sent all the leftovers with them as I will not need them here! I am excited that all of the testing and preparations are done, and the time has finally arrived. When next we meet...I will be a Lap Band recipient. Wish me luck!