Jenn1214

I was never a big fan of exercise...I have been banded almost a year and only just joined a gym two months ago :-( My fiance was just banded this week and his surgeon said no heavy lifting for 8 weeks and no ab exercises for 6 months. As soon as he's feeling up to it, I'm dragging him to the gym with me! It's really the best way to keep your weight loss steady and consistent.

I have never kept my band a secret. Millions of people in this country struggle with obesity, so I don't think it's something to be ashamed of, although there will always be people who feel I took the easy way out. I didn't want to be a statistic anymore, and I knew I needed a little help. Anyone who compliments me and asks how I did it will know I have a lap band, and that's fine with me.

I am down 72 pounds in 11 months. My rate has been slower because I haven't been exercising regularly until recently and I wasn't careful about my food, but I'm still chugging along at the rate of about 5-6 pounds per month. Slow and steady wins the race, after all!

I was starting to get very frustrated because I was on a plateau for about two months where my weight and size really didn't change much. I almost started to fall back into my old mindset of "Screw it, I'm not losing weight so I might as well eat whatever I want.". I knew I had to do things differently, so I joined a gym, increased my protein and water, and kept careful track of my calories. Even then the scale was going down very slowly. I was getting even more frustrated, but I stuck with it anyway. Today, I hit a number on the scale that I haven't seen in years...180 lbs! I also tried on a pair of size 12 jeans that I got for Christmas that didn't fit...those zipped up! My wedding dress, which I bought a size too small on purpose two months ago and I was starting to panic because it didn't zip up... now it fits! So what's the point of sharing all this, besides being super excited? Plateaus aren't forever. Don't get frustrated and give up...you WILL reach your goals if you stick with it!

Great job!

I've been going to the gym regularly for about 6 weeks now. 3 days a week I do an hour of cardio and the other 3 days I do cardio and then weights with a trainer. My tolerance and endurance have been steadily improving...until today. I did my cardio with no problems, then met with the trainer. From the get go I knew something was off. I was getting winded way too easily and sweating more than usual. Finally about half an hour in, I was doing some leg extensions with a cable and I felt nauseous and dizzy and the lights started to dim, so I sat down immediately. I have never passed out before, but I assume that's what almost happened. I never want to feel that way again. My trainer said I need to eat more on training days, because by the time my cardio is done I've already burned off most of the calories I consumed for the day and my body has no fuel left. Makes sense, but I'm afraid that my weight loss will slow down or stop. Am I right to be worried? Anyone else have a similar experience? I'm sure having my TOM isn't helping either but my body's reaction still seemed pretty extreme.

I was so excited when I started soft foods...if I had to drink one more protein shake I was gonna scream! Congrats on your progress so far!

I didn't do a last meal but in the weeks leading up to surgery I was in the mindset of allowing myself to eat what I wanted in unlimited quantities. I regret it because I ended up gaining a lot of weight and it just set me further back from my goal. I honestly thought after the band I would never enjoy food again, so I figured I'd better eat what I wanted beforehand. Big mistake, I wish I'd never done it.

Everyone has a different experience with the band...unfortunately, not all are positive. Me? I've lost 70 pounds in 11 months. My back and legs don't hurt anymore. My reflux is gone. My cholesterol and triglycerides are normal. My PCOS is under control. I can look at pictures of myself without crying from shame and embarrassment. I'm starting to finally feel comfortable in my own skin. All of that is worth giving up certain foods, having fills, and occasionally getting stuck. I would have the surgery all over again. Tomorrow, if I had to. Nothing tastes as good as getting your health and self-esteem back feels. Good luck on your journey!

I use Unjury in the mornings to make my breakfast smoothie, and I drink Muscle Milk light after I work out (it comes in ready mixed containers and they're 100 calories each with 15g of protein).

I had SILS, so mine is a couple of inches below my belly button. Don't worry, pretty soon you'll miss not being able to feel it (but not the weight!).

You're probably swollen from the fluids you had intravenously in the hospital. When I came home my fiance politely informed me that I had "sausage fingers" (he's lucky I was too weak to punch him!). I wouldn't worry about weight loss at this stage...concentrate on healing from surgery and learning how to eat again, and the weight loss will come!

Mine loosens up about a week to ten days before, then tightens back up again. Stupid PMS!

I will be celebrating my one year bandiversary on March 14th. I am 68 pounds lighter than I was before the surgery. I have given up beer, soda, champagne, steak, biscuits, breadsticks, rice, fibrous fruits and veggies, and bread. However, that's nothing to what I have gained: normal cholesterol and triglycerides, no more acid reflux or back pain, more energy, greater self esteem...I could go on and on. This journey has not been easy, no matter what opponents of weigh loss surgery say. But I'd do it all over again without hesitation. I'd go through the shoulder pain, endless liquid diet, and all the rest of it every time. Good luck on your journey!

I worked for an gynecologist for a few years, and I learned that Depo is notorious for causing weight gain, the average being about 30 lbs. Most of the doctors in the practice would only consider it for women who had low normal BMIs. I would try to find another option if you can; you don't want to be behind the 8 ball before you're even banded.

It's hard at first, but you really just have to force yourself. My surgeon says drinking with meals is one of the number one reasons that the lap band doesn't work the way it's supposed to. I count the seconds until I can drink again after meals because I feel so thirsty sometimes, but I force myself to wait. It'll become second nature after a while, so hang in there!

My cycle was all out of whack after my surgery...my period was late and when I got it, I bled for almost 2 weeks. I was so freaked out I went to see my gyno. She said that the stress of surgery, as well as the strong antibiotics (just as a precaution) were enough to mess with my hormones. This is definitely one thing they don't warn you about before surgery!

I've never been able to see my port, but now that I've lost a good amount of weight I can feel it much more easily. No more leaning against the sink to wash the dishes!

I remember the gas pains...they hurt more than my incisions! I hate to be the bearer of bad news but nothing really helped mine either. I've heard people say that walking around a lot helps (plus it's good to prevent blood clots). The only thing that really helped me was lying on my left side as soon as I was able, but unfortunately it just takes time for the CO2 to metabolize. Hang in there, you'll feel better soon!

I lost weight quickly in the beginning because I was dropping water weight and I was on liquids. The week before surgery I lost 10 pounds on a full liquid diet. Since then I've lost 58 pounds in just about 11 months, which averages out to the recommended 1-2 pounds per week. I've been hitting the gym hard in the past month and while my weight loss is about the same, I'm losing more inches.

My trainer says you continue to burn calories up to two hours after a workout.

I always have my PA's voice in my head regarding portions: "Just because you CAN eat more doesn't mean you SHOULD." Usually I have little trouble controlling my portions, but when it's that special TOM it's like my band isn't even there. During those times, I really have to keep myself in check and watch what I'm putting in my mouth.

I have the same problem...when it's that time of the month, it's like "Band? What band?" It's very frustrating but the PAs at my surgeon's office say it's completely normal...urgh.

After months of my weight being stagnant, and my wedding quickly approaching, I did what I never expected to do...I joined a gym! My membership came with two free personal training sessions and I had my first one yesterday. The trainer did some fitness tests to see how I reacted to certain types of exercise and let's just say I did pretty pitifully. Today I'm in a nice amount of pain in my legs and abs, but I keep telling myself it can only get better from here. I plan to continue with the personal training so she can get me on the right track. She's thrilled with me already because a lot of her clients have trouble with their portions being too big and not getting enough protein in their diets, so I'm already a step ahead that way. Now I just have to whip my poor cardiovascular system into shape!

I hit a plateau that lasted about 6 weeks, so I knew something had to give. I was so frustrated I went as far as to have my thyroid checked (everything is fine). Last week I joined a gym and signed up with a trainer, and increased my protein and water intake. I stepped on the scale this morning and bam! Down 3 pounds! I also have a lot more energy, which is a great bonus. Take that, plateau!