jhansen71

I'm 3 weeks post-op and wondering when I will be out of danger for a leak? How far out has a leak been reported?

Thanks Danyell and Fiddleman. You all inspire me.glad to have the support. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I did it!!! Today I ran a 13.6 miles which is the distance of a 1/2 marathon. I can't believe it. When I stopped my legs felt like rubbery noodles and I had terrible leg cramps. Afterward, I sat in ice Water for 5 minutes, took 3 Aleve, put Biofreeze all over my legs, drank a huge electrolyte drink, ate a Protein bar and stretched, stretched, stretched. My legs feel great, but tired. In fact, I'm at Monster Jam with my husband and child. I'm finally excited about my 1/2 marathon on the 23rd of this month. I know now that I can do it. I came back from my injury and did it. Woo! Hoo! I'm on cloud nine!!!! Congrats to all of YOU who made some goals this week. All it takes is one foot in front of the other and we can achieve anything. Yay us!!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Small world BTB. Thanks Renea! Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm in!!! Are there any runs in Hawaii? Lol! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Thanks Danyell!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

As promised I'm reporting back after my run with my new shoes. HUGE difference! I mean HUGE!!! Today is my first day back on road running as opposed to treadmill since my calf injury almost 2 months ago. I was worried I would even make the short run. I'm pleased to report that I made it, my calf was great and even better no hip pain. Feet felt good and I could have kept going, but trying to stick to this marathon training schedule and follow their guidelines. Only 3.25 today, but felt so wonderful!!! I can't wait for the next run on Monday. Sent from my iPhone using VST

So I went to a running shop today to finally get properly fitted for running shoes. The shop owner was a 60 something year old marathon runner and knew so much about running. She had me bring my current shoes in and she watched me walk barefoot first and then walk and run with my running shoes on. She determined that I'm a heel striker which basically means I lead with my heel hitting the ground first. She also said my shoes were too big and had too much flex. She said a lot of flex is great in small runs, but for marathon runs she suggested a stronger sole for better foot support. She also went on to explain that an improperly fitted shoe can cause injury because if your foot can move around in the shoe, your legs will overcompensate to avoid twisting an ankle. This can cause knee problems, hip problems and possibly torn muscles. I also have worn tread on my right shoe and I didn't tell her this, but my right hip has started bothering me lately. I thought it was arthritis. However, now I think it's my darn shoes. She said worn tread on the outside of your shoes can cause you to tweak your knee or hip. To which I responded about my hip. She felt confident that new shoes would help my hip. We shall see.... I run in the morning so I'll report back on the difference my shoes make. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Sorry for the delay. I'm not sure I can describe them very well. Feet together toe touches (hamstrings/calf) Feet spread -touch the ground and then each foot (hamstrings) Feet spread with toes pointing forward-lunge to the left (inner thigh) then the right. Standing straight, legs together, keep knees together-put hands behind you back and grab your foot (quad stretch) repeat other leg Feet together-lunge forward with one foot tors forward and then dip your back leg trying to keep your heel on the ground (calf stretch) You can also dip your heel off a step or curb for calf stretches, but my Dr just told me not to do this because it can pull too fast or hard and tear your muscle. Squat and put one foot on the other knee. If you push the knee to the ground you'll feel the stretch in your hip flexers Standing with feet shoulder width apart, side stretches. 1 hand on your hip the other toward the sky and lean (left hand in the air-lean right) repeat the other side (stretches back, sides) Arm stretches-move your right arm across your body to the left keeping it shoulder level. Us the other arm to keep it as close to the chest as possible and drop the shoulder of the crossed arm (this will stretch shoulders and part of the back) I hold each stretch for a count of 10 and I do these before and after my runs. I hope you can figure out what I wrote. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'd like to join in. I've been training for a half marathon for months now and was doing great. Had gotten up to 8 mile runs. I'm training with a friend who is about 4 inches taller than me. I think I should mention also that she has long legs and a short torso and I have short legs and a long torso. We really are mismatched running partners, but the best of friends. Anyway, as you can imagine we have had to work on keeping up with each other on pace. She's had to slow down and I've had to speed up. We walk a very brisk 10 minutes and then stop and stretch really well. One day about 6 weeks ago we were running one of our short runs (3 miles) and I started to get what I thought was a cramp. I kept running. Stretched really well afterward as I always do and took a hot bath and applied ice. My cramp finally went away after a few days so I went out for another short run (4 miles)-no pain. The next day I woke up in a lot of pain. I limped around for a few days and then went to a sports medicine doctor who proceeded to tell me I tore my calf muscle. I've been benched for 6 weeks. ???? Here is what I have learned: Picking up your pace too fast can cause injury (as well as wrong shoes, uneven surfaces, falls, etc.). This is most likely how I tore my muscle according to the Dr. A torn muscle is no joke and can take a few months or longer to heal. You can mistake it for a leg cramp. If it doesn't go away after the first day treat it like a tear and take a few weeks off before trying anything to avoid further damage. Running outside is way more fun than a treadmill. When I started training it was on the treadmill, then I moved outside. The doctor has me back on the treadmill through the end of this week and most of next week except one run per week until 2nd week in February. Can't wait to be outside full time running. I have to slow down my pace and slowly work back up to my longer runs. This is hard. Before i was injured...I'd run 3-4 miles, have 1 day rest, 3-4 miles, have 2 days of rest and then longer run, then 2 more days of rest and repeat. Dr (who is also a marathon runner) said this was a great way to avoid injury. In fact dr said everything I was doing (stretching before and after, warm up, cool down, resting periods) was all good. The only thing he cautioned me on was picking up my pace too quickly on longer runs. If your body isn't ready for it, it can cause injury. Wish I had been told this. Anyhow, getting back into running after 5 weeks of rest has been very difficult, but I'm just thankful at this point to be recovering. Fingers crossed I make my 1/2 marathon on 2/23/13. Sorry so long. I hope my story helps others. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Surgery 3/13/12 I have lost 101lbs I'm 5'5" and met dr's goal of 150 and trying to get to 135. 7 lbs to go... Sent from my iPhone using VST

As we hit a new year and are getting close to our 1 year surgiversary, I thought it would be nice to check in and set some goals to hit by our 1 year mark. I hope we still have some March Sleevers on here as I know the tendency is to fall off after you get the hang of this sleeve life. This thread will hopefully help motivate us and it might help newbies too. I would like to hit on: Current struggles: staying consistent with watching my Protein intake. I've gotten lazy. I still eat healthy, but find myself not meeting protein. If I only knew then what I know now: work your booty off the first 6 months to lose as much as you can. If you don't, you may spend the next 6 months getting discouraged that the weight isn't coming off as fast. Advice for others: protein, protein, protein-I need to heed my own advice. This really is the key. Surgery: 3/13/12 SW: 243.6 CW: 145.6 Overall GW: 140 GW for 1 year mark: 140 Work out regimen: run every other day-training for a 1/2 marathon food tips: love Jimmy Dean Delight Breakfast bowls. They have 22 grams of protein and are delicious. I hope you'll join in. Sent from my iPhone using VST

You will hit that goal 90lbs is AWESOME!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

I googled this and found a site that tells you to measure your wrist over the bones (where there usually has little fat even when you are heavier). There was a chart that you matched up with along with your height and gender that told me my frame size. I actually found it on a medical site, but can't remember it. However, I just found an article and video about this on another site and its the same info: http://www.bestwaytoloseweight4u.com/what-weight-should-i-be-for-my-height/ Sent from my iPhone using VST

There are many people on VST and MFP (My Fitness Pal) that lose well over 100 lbs. I would say you will lose what you put into it. Your first 6 months will be your biggest weight loss. You can increase your loss during this time by following all of the rules, including watching what you eat and working out. After the first 6 months it slows for most people. When I say slows its still a higher loss than someone without VST could probably attain, but its just not crazy weight loss like 5-10 lbs in one week that can happen occasionally. You want to take full advantage the first full year and follow your nutritionists guidelines as best you can and you will learn great habits into the 2nd year when you just have to work a little harder to lose. I'm 10 months out and my weight loss has slowed considerably since month 7, but I'm also very close to goal so its to be expected. How I wouldn't love one more big week though... On a final note...If you go in with the expectation that this isn't a magic pill and you put in a lot of effort to take full advantage of the benefits this surgery can offer, you can achieve anything. Good luck, you can do it! I hope this was helpful. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm 5'5" tall Started out at 243,6 Surgery 3/13/12 Size 20/ 2-3XL Today 146 and size 6's and small tops. Still working on those last 6 pounds. This might put me in a 4 as some 6's are loose. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I posted this same question when i was starting out and did not hear from anyone far out from surgery. I hope this helps and/or motivates you. I'm 5'5" with a large frame and am down to 146lbs. My original goal was 135, but feel its way too small so I moved it to 140. I wear a size 6 and have 6 more lbs to go. SW: 243.6 Surgery 3/13/12 I hope to make goal by my anniversary. What I have learned over these last 10 months is that everyone's body is so different that you can't base your goal on anyone else your same height. You can definitely ball park it and use it as a guide, but your goal will change several times as you near the end and see your body change. This is going to come off as bragging and this is not my intention, but its important to share so you can understand what I mean. People tell me I'm too skinny and are shocked to learn I weigh 146 lbs. The perception of size other people have is that I'm in my 120's. I just happen to hold my weight evenly across my body so 146 on me, may not look like 146 on someone who carries it all in their gut. This is why your goal may change as you get closer to the end of your weight loss. You may need to lose a little more or less depending on your body type, not just height. One more thing, I run a lot, but have not incorporated weight training yet into my regimine. I anticipate my weight to go up a bit from 140 with some added muscle mass or maybe I'll lose a little more and gain muscle. Who knows? This is all so new to me still. I hope this was helpful and good luck in your journey. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I am 7 mos post-op and have 13lbs to go. I am experiencing the exact same thing. I'll lose a few ounces and gain them back and lose a few more and gain it back. When I hit my weekly day to weigh in I've lost like 2-3 ounces which is better than nothing, but at this rate it is going to take me another 39 weeks to lose 13 lbs. I'm running a lot, still eating healthy and following all of the rules. I think this is just standard practice for the body on the last 15. Ugh!!! Good luck!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST