laralen02

Justified and Shameless. Chopped and Worst cooks in America on Food Network is HILARIOUS! Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Dexter. On Netflix I watch Arrested Development and 30 Rock while I'm biking. Breaking Bad is my favorite of everything. EVER!!!

I didn't need a smaller size until about 50 pounds. I even lost 1.5 shoe sizes. Shopping in your closet is awesome! Try on things in your closet even if you think it won't fit. I waited to try some things and by the time I did they were too big! Thrift stores and clearance racks are great. I get alot of designer stuff cheaply on the clearance rack at Nordstrom Rack. It will come eventually--be patient! It's alot of fun when it does, but it gets expensive.

I think that's a great idea! I do yoga and body pump (weight training) classes at the gym. I also use the elliptical and treadmill. Remember NO ONE is there to look at you. Everyone is there to better themselves. I tried a spin class, but left during the first 10 minutes because my heart rate was ridiculously high (and dangerous). It was embarrassing to leave, but I had to do what's best for me! Also I just didn't enjoy the vibe--dark with black lights, strobe lights, loud music, couldn't hear the instructor, etc. I enjoy the other classes more. If you haven't been exercising, it might be better to start with a recumbent bike. The upright bike is more intense. Without a gym, you still have options though. I live in South Texas, so I do alot of walking throughout the whole year. I also own a recumbent bike and ride that almost daily going up and down "hills" while watching Netflix. I also do a yoga video to help with strength and develop core strength. And circuit training videos like 30 day shred. So there's lots you can do at home. As long as you are burning calories somehow! I'm 1 year out, down 85lbs, 36 inches, 14 points on my BMI, and 6 clothing sizes!

Are you eating enough? I have a very active job, and I work 13 hours/day. (10,000-14,000 steps a day when I wear a pedometer). Whenever I'm tired or hungry, I drink 2 cups of water. It helps!

And some of us are sensitive too. My Dr. Put 3cc in during surgery, and with my allergy issues I couldn't eat 2 weeks out and had to have some taken out! They tried doing a 1cc fill once, and it was just too much too fast! I can only tolerate 0.25cc at a time, and even had to have half of THAT taken out once!

I'm plateaued also. Since a little before Thanksgiving. I track my food, eat a ton of protein, drink a lot of water, and exercise 1 hour 4 days a week. I eat 900-1200 cals a day. I have not gained anything, but I haven't lost either. I'm so frustrated because I'm doing everything RIGHT but nothing is happening! I have lost 80lbs since my surgery in March, but I still have so much more I want to lose. The only thing I can think of is that I switched my birth control right about that time...I wonder if my hormones just need to equalize?

My husband is also overweight. He was very nervous in the beginning. I think he thought I was going to get skinny and leave him, but then I explained that I was doing this for US. I want to have children, and be healthy while I'm pregnant. And have energy for him and future kids. And live longer, etc. I'm almost 10 months out and have lost 80lbs. I work long hours and when I come home, he has a healthy delicious meal ready. He packs healthy lunches for me every night. He finds yummy healthy snacks at the grocery store for me. He even encourages good decisions when we eat out. He doesn't snack around me (I know he does after I go to bed). He's stopped getting popcorn at the movies. He does get a bit irritated with my obsessive working out, but he does not complain and rearranges our plans to fit it in. He is wonderful, as always. I hope maybe someday he will decide to have the lapband too.

I went to kona grill (sushi) and had part of a sunshine roll and half of a steak flatbread. I'm sure there were drinks and dessert too, but I don't remember. I still eat there often, and have eaten both of those things---but a lot less of them, and not simultaneously!

If you get the virus and start vomiting, it can cause a slip. Go to your Dr., get some fluid out and anti nausea meds.

I got banded at TR in SA 3/7/12. Down 70lbs--halfway to goal!

I'm a PICU nurse. I took a week off. I wish I would have taken more! I thought I could avoid lifting by trying to get the babies as patients, but instead I got a 90kg intubated 8 year old my first day back!

I did TR in San Antonio. I'm very pleased so far. The only thing that bothers me a tad is that I never see the same nurse practitioner twice with followup appointments, which makes it kind of hard for them to get to know you. But I'm almost 60 lbs down in less than 5 months!

Added! I'm laralen02 on there.

I've lost about 6lbs and my ring size has gone from an 8 to a 7. I'm a little less than halfway to goal, and I only want to resize them once. I tried a ring guard, but with how much i wash my hands at work, it ripped up my finger! I bought a cheap silver ring in the correct size and put it in front of the too-big rings, and now it holds them on my finger. Works like a charm!

3/7/12 and 48lbs gone!

I was banded 3/7/12, and I'm down 47lbs (including preop). My husband said this morning that we should do something to celebrate when I hit 50lbs. I've been thinking that too...but no idea what! We used to go have fancy dinners (and still do sometimes), but that seems a strange thing to do to celebrate weight loss! And I don't want to buy a bunch of clothes--I still have 95lb to goal! What have you guys done to celebrate small victories?

I get manicures, pedicures, and massages fairly regularly...spoiled I guess! I really do need new clothes, but I don't want to get much cause hopefully they won't fit for very long! I'm thinking about doing "Painting with a Twist" with some friends. You bring your own wine and have an artist help you paint some awesome picture. I'm at 48lbs down now, and my birthday is in 2 weeks, so I'm pretty sure my 50lbs and 28th birthday will coincide!

1. Banded 3/7/12 2. I want to lose 145lbs total to reach a normal BMI 3. I have lost 43lbs, and 18.5in from various places. I feel so much healthier, and I'm actually enjoying the exercise--building alot of muscle to stimulate my metabolism! 4. I would rate the band a 10 so far. I feel like my weigh loss is slow, but when I really think about it, it's pretty fast!

My surgeon allows me to drink while I eat, as long as it has been 1 min since I have swallowed a bite of food. I can feel the food go through my band, so I wait for that feeling. It's usually only sips during a meal, but 60 seconds after I'm done eating, I drink a ton! Anyway, the point is, he is a very experienced surgeon who agrees with the modern research.

My surgeon and dietician both said that I can drink as much as I want before and after a meal. As long as it has been 60 seconds since my last bite. It should take 60 seconds for a bite of food to pass through the band from your pouch to your stomach and send the satiety signals to your brain. And drinking water will not flush the food from your stomach--there is the pyloric sphincter between your stomach and your intestines. It's all anatomy.

Any suggestions for a HRM? I've been thinking about getting one. Also--once again my username is laralen02, I'd love more motivational friends on MFP!

I'm an RN in San Antonio, banded 3/7. 32lbs down so far.

Sadness-- I was banded 3/7. I had some Fluid taken out 2 weeks afterward due to being sick, and I have had one fill since. Definitely not in the "green zone" because right now I have less in my band than I did at surgery time. Also remember to take small bites, 60 seconds apart and chew until mush. One meal should take you 20-30 min to eat You asked what I eat: Breakfast is usually eggs, maybe a little fruit. When I work, I have premade these little things I call "egg muffins". It's beaten eggs poured into a muffin tin over sausage and vegetables. They freeze well, and I can eat them slowly on the way to work. I dont have time at work to eat over 20 min, so I do it on the way. lunch is 3-4 oz of chicken, pork, steak, or fish. And 4 oz of veggies. Like asparagus, sautéed peppers, green Beans, Brussel sprouts, etc. dinner is the same. Snack is string cheese, or lunch meat, or strawberries and yogurt. Try to keep the snack less than 100 cal. Avoid sugary drinks and anything that will go quickly through the band (aka sliders). Maybe you need a talk with the surgeons office to review eating habits with the band. Get a food scale and weigh your food. You will be surprised at how your brain thinks you need more than you actually do!

Don't eat pasta! It goes easily through the band. Every once in a while is okay, but your meals need to be 3 oz of firm protein (lean steak, chicken, firm fish like salmon), and 1/2 cup firm vegetables (not easily squished with a fork). Measure your food so you aren't eating too much. Anything that goes slowly through the band will keep you fuller longer. Always eat protein first, it will also keep you fuller longer. Veggies second, then whatever carbs or starches (aka pasta!). Aim for at least 60gm protein a day.

Out of pocket here was $9800. I'm sure your bill was alot more than that. They always bill the insurance companies a ton more than if you pay cash. Not sure why.