Jenn1214

I went out shopping today to find a cute dress to wear for Easter. As I hunted through the racks I saw one I liked but was disappointed that it was only a size 10. Still I figured, I'll try it anyway...the worst thing that could happen is that it doesn't fit. I slipped it on, zipped it up, and almost started crying with joy! I literally have not worn a size 10 dress in well over ten years. Single digits, here I come!

My fiance was just banded on February 15th and at his post op visit 2 weeks after, his surgeon said he could start exercising...just no crazy-heavy weights or abdominal exercises for 6 months. I seem to remember my surgeon saying the same thing to me. Just go easy and listen to your body. If something hurts, stop and talk to your doctor about it.

Honestly, I don't think anyone enjoys exercise. Sometimes you have to literally force yourself out the door and just do it. After a while, when you start seeing results, you'll have all the motivation you need! This happened to me when I first joined my gym. I was so afraid I would lose motivation and stop going, but I made myself go at least 4 days a week and signed up with a trainer. When I started toning up and losing weight and inches, that was the kick in the butt I needed. Now I go six days a week and am officially a gym rat!

I lost 10 pounds in 7 days.

I avoid carbonation like the plague. Not only is my surgeon really against it, but carbonation hurts my pouch and gives me shoulder pain. No thanks!

The way I figure it, you have to be out of shape before you can get in shape, right? Start small and work your way up, and before you know it you'll be doing things you never thought you could!

I would ask your surgeon, but your band is stitched to your stomach so I don't think it will be a problem.

Congratulations! You must feel like a million bucks!

I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I am no longer obese. Every time I put on a medium shirt or size 12 jeans, I think to myself "Oh these will never fit". Sometimes I still turn sideways to walk through smaller spaces that I can easily fit through. When I look in the mirror, all I see is a huge gut, thunder thighs, flabby arms, and a double chin, not my cute little waist or perky derriere that my fiance can't keep his hands off of. I don't know how long it will take for me to realize how thin I've become. I keep hoping that once I reach my goal and see 145 on the scale, maybe it will sink in. Until then, it's nice to know that I'm not alone!

My trainer has me do all kinds of arm exercises and I've lost inches, but it will never help with the sagging. I plan to have them done if they don't improve by the time I get to my goal weight (if I can convince my future husband to let me!). The way I figure it, my arms can't really be hidden under clothes (not in the summer anyway) and I'd rather show them off. I didn't lose all this weight to keep hiding in my clothes!

I use Nuvaring, and my surgeon never told me to stop using it. I never had a problem, but every doctor is different.

My cycle was screwed up the month after surgery. I use Nuvaring for birth control and to control my PCOS, so I was used to my cycle being pretty regular. After surgery, my period was late, and when I got it, I bled for almost 2 weeks. I was so freaked out I went to my GYN, but she said the stress of surgery coupled with strong antibiotics threw everything out of whack. I haven't had any problems since. My PCOS has pretty much resolved after losing so much weight, so you should hopefully see some improvement too!

I got the results from my blood work and everything was fine, except my cholesterol is borderline high at 207. I rarely eat red meat, never eat eggs, have shellfish every once in a great while, and fast food isn't even in my vocabulary. I work out 6 days a week anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours a session. What gives?

He said everything else was normal and he was confident it could be controlled through diet and exercise. He doesn't think it's time for meds yet. I was just very shocked that it was higher than last year when I've been eating better and exercising like a fiend for months. I have a sneaking suspicion that it may be partly genetic since my father is on cholesterol meds and he's not obese (maybe a little overweight but nothing terrible).

I've thought long and hard about it, and for me, self-sabotage comes from fear of success. Sounds weird, right? I've been losing and gaining weight all my life, and now to have broken the cycle scares me sometimes. I'm also starting to get more attention from others, which has always terrified me. Sometimes it's easier just to be invisible instead of being the center of attention. It's very strange to overhear friends and family whispering to each other about how great I look, getting jealous looks from other women and appreciative looks from men. It sounds like a dream come true, but for someone who isn't used to it, it can be pretty scary. Sometimes I feel like hiding under a rock. This is just me, though. You have to do your own soul searching and figure out why you self sabotage. In the end, this battle isn't about food, it's about ourselves.

I am the same way...it's like I don't even have a band during that time of the month!

So I ended up having the Tom Yum soup (good but very spicy!) and some steamed chicken and shrimp dumplings. Pretty tasty, but Indian is still my favorite :-)

I rarely eat Thai but I'm going out with my brother and sister-in-law to a Thai place. Other than trying to avoid things with a lot of coconut milk or peanut sauce, what are some other good choices? I don't know much about Thai food. Thanks!

Don't freak out! You're still healing from surgery and you have no restriction yet. My fiance was just banded and had the same problem, but he's about six weeks out and steadily losing again. Have faith...if the band can work for a lifelong yo-yo dieter like me, it will work for you!

Here's what I would do: 1. Get a fill. The lap band requires fine tuning and if you're hungry all the time, you definitely need an adjustment. 2. Look at what you're eating. Are you getting enough protein? Eating a lot of soft foods that don't keep you satisfied? Keeping a food journal for a few days might help. Try to change things up if you find yourself in an eating rut. 3. What are you doing at the gym? Mostly cardio? Any strength training? If you're not doing any and the doctor says it's ok, I would add some weights to your routine. 4. Keep hydrated. 5. Stop beating yourself up! 24 pounds in three months is pretty darn admirable. This isn't gastric bypass where the weight just falls off. Keep plugging away and you will get there! Don't give up!

I went to my primary doctor for my physical today. The charts are electronic and each has the patient's picture on it when it's opened...I saw mine and thought "Holy crap! Who is that?" The medical assistant taking my blood pressure didn't have to use the large cuff (yay!) and was impressed with my weight loss (although the unenthusiastic "Oh" when I mentioned I did it with the help of the lap band annoyed me ever so slightly). However, the doctor was positively elated with my progress so far and told me to keep up the great work! Then, when it came time to draw blood, the MA had no trouble at all finding a vein, whereas they were always buried in fat and hard to find in the past. I practically skipped out of the office! It's funny how the simplest things can make you so happy

I would call your surgeon. Heartburn is usually a symptom of being too tight.

I didn't take any pain meds and I regret it...the nurse made me feel so guilty about filling my prescription, like I was some kind of drug addict or something, so I didn't do it. I just took chewable Tylenol, which did precisely squat.

Congratulations! There is no better feeling than putting bags of too-big clothes in the donation bins! I would keep one pair of pants to try on when you reach goal, or even when you're feeling down during a plateau or something. It'll remind you how great you're doing and how far you've come. Keep up the great work!