Andytim08

Thanks for all the positive feedback! So far the gym has been great. Usually when I start working out it takes 3 weeks for the weight to start coming off, so I am being patient.

Hi fellow April bandits- Well, After losing 38 pounds I have been fluctuating up and down without any weightloss since August. I had to have extensive eye surgery and was out of work and under docs orders could not excersise and soooooo I got out of the groove, The positive is that I haven't gained any weight. I just keep fluctuating 3-4 pounds. Last week I started back at the gym so hoping that helps. I did go for a fill 3 weeks ago, but they denied me saying that it sounds like I have restriction and that I need to work out again and it will come off......I am in the lower 190;s which is a weight that I have been stuck at quite a few times before the band.....Hopefully the gym works. Positives- no weight gain. Negatives- no weight loss. LOL!!! I am back on now.....Thinking I may have another visit to the dietician to put me back on track as well.

Haven't been on here in forever! I have been busy! My husband came back from Army chaplain training, I went to Virginia Beach to visit his family a few times, and right now we are under contract for our first house. I also am having eye surgery monday for eye issue and won't be able to work out for 2 weeks. I think the NSV's for me are #1- looking down and seeing that I am crossing my legs automaticly. I used to attempt to cross and had to reallly think aboiut it and try reallllllly hard. So crossing without thinking is different.#2 I can button almost all of my old size 12/14 jeans. Out of those, I can say that I would actually wear 1 pair out of the house. Just because they button, doesn't mean that they fit, but I am getting there! #3 Slacked off at the gym when hubby got home in July but still eating right. I was freezing last night from the AC and I put on my favorite sweatshirt which hasn't been worn since the winter and I was so surprise how it just hung on me like a tent! After reading everyone's NSV's and weight loss success stories, I am actually getting off here to go to the gym! It's awesome to hear how everyone is doing!.

Banded on the 15th. Decided to weigh myself and I am down 12.5 pounds. Not from surgery day- I was very dehydrated from laxative night before- but from the morning of the 14th. Anyone else jumped on the scale yet? I am eating around 750-850 calories a day and getting in 58-65 grams of protein. typical diet for me is 1 yogurt, 4 oz of non fat watered down refried beans with a piece of cheese melted into it, cup of green monster juice, 26gram protein bullet, 17g eas carb lite protein shake, sugar free pudding, and of course water and crystal light. Sometimes will have a soft boiled egg, 2 tbs of cream of wheat and 2 table spoons of apple sauce for breakfast. I am also up to 2.5 mile walks.

The reason I was excited was because I was feeling extrememly hungry. I continued losing weight due to my working out and watching everything I ate. I didn't get the lap band for any other reason than to help me to feel full with a smaller portion of food so that I could reach my goal weight. I was in the military for over 10 years, and maintained my weight between 150 and 175 . I then got married and had a miscarrage last year, and that is when I gained enough weight to make 40 BMI. I know about will power and I know about lifestyle change, but for me, this was about being able to feel full and content with a small serving of food and not trying to eat like my husband. Fills are definitley a small part of the journey, but I got the band for what it is for- restricion. My eating habits have changed, but my lifestyle is the same, as I have always been active. Everyone's journey with Lap Band is different. I wasn't new to exercise, or eating healthy food. My serving sizes had just become wayyyyy too big. I also had an icecream habit, which is completely gone now.

Just wanted to post that I got it. Yay! 1.5cc in my 10 cc band for a total of 4.5cc.

Wow! My husband and I have been talking about getting bikes and a rack too! After reading these posts, I think we are going to have to get them sooner than later! We have some excellent places to ride here. The gym is little over a half mile away, and walking home after working out in this weather is not fun so I have been driving. Oh that would be fun to bike!

I can't believe eeryone has had a fill and I haven't yet! Hopefully June 13th. Noticing I can eat alot more now in a short amount of time..... Who knows? Maybe only 1 fill will work for me? Guess we will soon find out.

A couple of things for me... Several patients (I only see them for maybe and hour or so and then they go home ) have said to me "WoW! You look nothing like your badge picture! When was that taken? You must have lost weight!" It can't be a fluke because it seems to be happening alot- could be the anesthesia talking LOL. I also went to try on clothes again at Old Navy and I went right for the xxl shirts and sun dresses which hung on me. I then tried the XLs and the dress I really wanted was still way to big! I bought an L, which was snug when I bought it but now fits. Same thing with the shirts. My B/B ratio has changed. Belly is now smaller (before it seemed to be about even with) than my boobs and I will probably be down to a d cup in a month because the girls are shrinking as well One of the biggest accomplishments is that I have lost all my cravings for ice cream and sweets. I am almost afraid to try them for fear I will fall off the wagon again, but I am just shocked, because sweets have always been my "go to" food..

I have lost 16 total since surgery. I went in for my first fill and they said it was too early for me to have a fill because i wasn't eating all solids yet and i did have a little restriction.. Since that appointment 2 weeks ago, I have lost 2 pounds. Then I gained 2 pounds back, after eating 4 slices of pizza over the weekend and then I lost the 2 pounds this week. I am a little irritated because My protein is high, my calories rarely go above 1200, I work out, and I am drinking water. My next fill date isn't until june 16th. I can't seem to get past 212.5. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!! Frustrated.

Mine is directly to the left of my belly button...slightly upper left....I wonder if it is because I had the SILS/ Single Incision.

Spot- how was your first fill?

Scale finally moving again! Post op 3 week mark tomorrow, down 14 pounds. I think it is because I am excersing more. Hope to hit 20+ by 4 week mark.

Still holding at 12.5 pounds...Keep flucuating between 216 and 217. I think my body is compensating for all the weight being lost in 7 days. I also started back to work and the new phase of my diet-soft foods. I had my post op appoinment on thursday as was told that I could start incorporating them into my diet. Think that is why my weight is in a holding pattern. I also got the go ahead to start back on the arc trainer, so today will be my first day on that! I walked 2 miles today (i didn't exercise for the past 3 days due to work and appoinments, but at least at work i probably walk 3 or 4 miles a shift.) Will weigh myself monday and hope that I have broken thru the plateau. I go in for my first fill on May 12th.

Nice to hear how everyone is doing!!!! Thanks Brenda 62 for that recipe. I broke down this afternoon and had a mocha frappacino-light. My husband was at Starbucks... I went online and saw that it was only 140 cal for 16oz. So I cheated and had a 12oz one. I also cheated on Easter and had a bite of mashed up potato salad and a bite or 2 of tuna salad. I remember when I could just pile it on my plate! I think I am going to be psycho about the scale as i just weighed weighed myself AGAIN and weigh 1.5 pounds more. My husband told me if I start getting crazy with it he is going to hide it lol!. I hope to be down to 214 by friday.I am going to officiallystart mushies on Thursday.....I start work on wednesday and am on my feet so hopefully between that and my walks I will be there. I know it is going to slow down...as long as I don't gain weight back, I will be happy.

Had surgery April 15th. I have been walking my dog, but not very far, at least 2 times a day...probably 15 minutes at a time? May not account for much exercise as she likes to stop and sniff everything! I do live on the third floor, so today I have been up and down the stairs maybe 7 times? Went to the gym today for the first time and got on the treadmill for 25 minutes. You guys are lucky, as I was told by my doc that I have to wait 4 weeks to get on the eliptical or arc trainer.I kinda want to wait at least another week for breaking that rule because of the earlier issue with my incision. Tomorrow I will do a little more.

Hi and welcome!

That sucks!!!!! I'm so sorry! My deep breathing is fine now. I had a feeling it would subside in a couple days....I am glad you are feeling great now, and SOOOOO glad your insurance is picking up that ER bill! Where are you in NC?

I took it easy yesterday, stayed on top of everything and then around 10pm I noticed that the bruising was starting to show, so I wanted to take a closer look at my incision and make sure everything was ok. Hubby was so helpful- he held a mirror and a flashlight and I looked inside my belly button and Surprise!!!!!!! My incision had split open. So I made the call at 1019 to the on call number and of course, waited 40 minutes and had to call back again. Finally, my surgeon's PA-C called and asked me a few questions. I told him I was and RN in Surgical services, but i don't think he heard me, so I asked if he woukld like me to send pictures, so I did. Then he called back and said "wow, I can see the hole ". I think that he needed proof. After all, it is late on Friday night and no one wants to be bothered on the weekend lol. I asked him what he would like me to do, and he told me to butterfly it and place gauze and tape over it, then come in monday morning for a stitch or two. I guess I must have said something in some sort of medical way because he then said "oh, I didn't know you are in the medical field" I then told him again that I work in same day surgery at the hospital where my suregery was performed..Then it was like a magic lightbulb went off, like "oh you really do know what you are talking about". But like I said, it was late on a friday night, and maybe they get calls about gas pain and minimal stuff that comes along with this surgery. Well, Now I am thinking about calling back and asking about getting an rx for antibiotics since i do have my abdomen open to air..... As far as everything else, still sore, but not bad. Taking my pain meds still on a schedule. Today I upgraded from just Jello, Water, and popsicles to adding Protein shots and bullion........ Once again, surgery may go well, but that is ONLY the beginning. Not scared or nervous. Just wanting my hole closed!!!!!

Another update and a good one! I actually wrote pretty much the same thing on the Post Surgery Board. I went in to see the doc today about my incision, and found out that it has closed up enough (and is strong enough) not to need stitches. He did give me a script for antbiotics which i will take for 10 days along with 1 yogurt a day. I had my first yogurt today and it was awesome! I have been busy today and more active than the past few days....even went on a walk with pumpkin (our dog) and pain is tolerable now.....Things are now going in the right direction. Just a minor complication that apparently is now fixed

Today I got great news! No stitches required for my incision because of how well it is healing. On antibiotics now for safety precautions, and was told to eat 1 yogurt a day to prevent yeast infections. So today, for the very first time since wednesday night, I got to eat something besides clears! It was the best yogurt ever! I also am going to take a shower today. Was too afraid to yesterday because of incision issue. Also, EmptyNest, you were so right, day 3 is ALOT better! I went on a walk with my dog around the neighborhood. Pain is tolerable without pain meds. I can't wear regular clothes yet due to the swelling, but it still felt nice to be outside of the house! So I guess I am at 80% back to normal. Still tired today-had to take a nap earlier. Other than that, going in the right direction!

Thanks! I hope so!

I thought I would update everyone on how I feel today!. I am doing much better than yesterday. Besides the incision being open, also had quite eventful day with tornadoes in Raleigh. I actually had to get in the garden tub with my dog and husband, but everything turned out ok and no damage, but boy, was I sore from all the moving around! This morning I woke up feeling a whole lot better. The pain has subsided quite a bit. I don't feel as sore getting up and down from the couch or bed. and the greatest thing is that it appears as if my incsion is healing on its own. Thank God for butterfly bandaids. I changed the gauze out this morning and saw that it was healing. This morning I really wanted to go outside and to church but, I am too afraid to walk down the 3 flights of stairs because of the possibilty of splitting open the incision again. I will take it easy today, being careful to hold my belly when I walk. Other than that, the only complaint I having the feeling of not being able to take in a full deep breathe. I am working on deep breathing, so it should get better. I am still doing well on the clears-just trying to make sure I get enough protein and liquid in so I am healing and not getting dehydrated. Am also having "mega farts'" which is what my husband has deemed the crazy amount of gas I am passing! I am still going to the doctor tomorrow to have him look at the incision and see if he wants to reinforce it, will update with more info after that.

I'm on post op day 2, but really thinking it should be 3 since i had my surgery early friday morning lol, and today with pain i noticed a significant difference. Yesterday it hurt to get up out of bed, and today everything seems alot easier to me too. I too also feel as if I am not taking in enough deep breahths, even though i did not have a hernia repair. I am using my ics( the toy they sometimes give you at the hospital where you have to inhale to watch the ball go up) to try to inflate my lungs as much as possible. When I do it on my own, they dont feel like they are opening as much., like i am cutting off taking a deep breath....I know sometimes it takes a few days , especially after the tube/general anesthesia for those aveoli in the lower parts of our lungs to open back up and too start doing there thing, so I am just going to keep deep breathing. Glad to hear your surgery went well! I did have my incision open uo, but I have been taking it easy and guess what? It is healing on it's own! I will still go into the doc n monday to verify. But I guess you and I will be on the same page most days... I will be looking for your posts to see if that is how I feel too

I can't wait to get to where you are> this 2nd day (really 3rd) of Clear Liquids is killing me. I have been taking in probably around 400 calories a day. I can't tell if this sick feeling that just started is hunger or something else...