Kime-lou

LOL! I had that realization a few weeks ago. My sister in law came to visit during Thanksgiving and we went shopping. I was trying on shirts and pants - need something that fit. My SIL looked at me and said and hon you really need a new bra you are seriously sagging. I was mortified. Went and got a couple of genie bras - in size L- wonderful things.

My OB/GYN ask me today when I want to try and get pregnant again. Honestly the though scares me to death. A little back ground. Got Preg in March 09 miscarriage in July Got Preg in Sept 09 miscarried in Nov 09 Got Preg Feb 10 miscarried April 10 Gallbladder surgery Aug. 2011 after 6 months of trying to figure out why I was sick all the time and hurting. Lapband surgery June 2012 (244 lbs) after being sick of being fat since I was 5 years old I am now at 199 and feel great. My surgeon doesn't recommend trying again until 1 year, that will be June. My hubs and I have so wanted to have a family, each miscarriage broke our heart. After the 3rd we opted to take a break because emotionally the thought of seeing a pregnancy test terrified me. My hubs is about to turn 40 in Jan and I just turned 32, I know we can't afford to wait, but I am scared: 1 of losing another baby 2 of gaining weight that I have lost I know it's selfish to freak over the though of preg weight, but I have wanted to see the scale below 200 since I was a preteen and now it's there and still dropping. How have any of you handled this? Even those of you who have gotten preg with the band any insights would be welcomed. I just want some feedback on what and how other women would feel and what I maybe be able to find help in.

My fitbit has made me realize how seditary I was. Now because I can see what I am doing in a day it motivates me to try and find reasons to walk more during my work day. Day 1 I only had 3000 steps (LAZY), but now I am up to 5000-6000 steps a day. I pack them in anywhere I can - take the long way to the restroom at work or the long way to the front office.

Fage Total 2% greek yogurt is my new BFF. Never really like greek yogurt before, but this is awesom. It has yogurt on one side and a little fruit compote in a little comp on the other. It is pefect! 140 calories and 12 grams of protein! If you haven't tried this you should!

FYI- do not discontinue them unless under a doctors supervision.

I have an intolerance to vitamins so I had to take the one at a time spread throughout my day. I took them until the last 2 months. My doctor due to my condition ok'd the stop and it checking my labs montly to make sure all is good. If something drops back on I go. This however, makes it that much more important that I eat the right food to get the nutrition I need.

Everyone is diffrent. I am a little over 5 months out and just got restriction. I had my first fill at 4 weeks post op. My 5th fill and I am there. I stay full, it takes me the 30 min to eat and I can eat no more than a cup. Before this I just made myself stick to the rules, now my band has kicked in.

I don't see why. I have never been told not to eat before a fill. My appt are normally around 3:00 and I have eaten breakfast and lunch. After the fill you are on liquids for the remainder of the day and sometimes a full 24 hours.

When I married I was in deniel of my size (wedding dress size 24). In my wedding pic I really saw my size, but still not ready to admit it. A year later I got pregnant and was so happy, but ended up losing the baby- six months later same thing. I went to a fertility doctor and my weight was 247 and they said that in front of my husband- I was mortified. I was almost 250, when would I stop 300. At that point I toyed and research WLS, but was afraid. In 2011 I had to have gall bladder surgery- I was in pain all the time and sick. During that time I lost down to 232 and vowed to keep it off- 6 months later back to 244. I decided at that point to get more serious. Finally in 2012 I told my husband I wanted to do it for me, I was tired of being fat and ugly. He supported me and In June I had surgery. Now down 45 lbs and so glad I took the step.

Good luck ladies. In my experience this is the toughest part you make it through this and you are golden!!!!

I started ab exercises to early (2 weeks), after the pain of that I ask the doctor and was told to wait until 6-8 weeks. Once I started back at 8 weeks it did feel odd for a little bit. It was like I could feel it in my port area. But as soon as I tighted those muscles in that area a little bit I don't feel it anymore. Actually once I tighted that area I don't feel any pain in the port area anymore.

I don't know how far out you are, but when you signed up for the band you knew you would have to get fills. With out the fills your band really isn't worth what you put in it. The fear/phobia I can understand. I have an axiety disorder. Passed out during my first fill - I think half due to fear and half due to the vagus nerve. I am on meds now for anxiety, I was having phobia in several areas of my life that were really holding me down. If you are having trouble in this area seek some help, it will be the best thing you ever do for yourself. If you only have axiety about this doctor- talk to him/her about your fear before they start the fill, their may be something they can do to help. My doctors off does fill with floro- this way there is no poking around to find the port, they know where it is and stick it the first time do the fill and I am out. Less than 5 min.

No, not unless the doctor told you to. Mine ictched to, but just try to deal. If you put neo on them it will make them turn loose quicker than they should. They are holding you closed until you heal, so just try and let them come off in their own time. Likely it's your healing incisions that are itching not just the steri-strips.

I had gallblader surgery in Aug of 2011 and gained weight afterward. In June 2012 I had lapband, I was at 244 lbs at surgery - my highest weight was 247. Now a little more than 5 months out I am down 45 lbs (199). I feel great - my asthma is almost not there anymore. I can walk and run- more energy - sleep better. Clothing wise I was wearing a 20/22 pant and a 1-2X top - now I wearing 14/16 pants and a size L-XL top. I haven't had any problems that others told me about before I had surgery. I have been stuck a few times, but that was my fault (not chewing well enough). Having a band is a learning experience. Each person is different and reacts to the band in a different way. If you are just thinking about getting a band- go to seminars- choose a surgeon you like and are comfortable with and talk through it with them. My surgeon and his group are amazing and have been 100% supportive and wonderful with answering my "dumb" questions.

I was banded June 22nd @ 244 lbs, now 5 months and 11 days I am 199.2 - 45 lbs down!!! So glad I went through with this. It's been a really good tool and experience. I have learned a lot about my health that I think will help me keep the weight off in the future.

I was banded on June 22nd and haven't had one since. I am on BC and my doctor says it's normal. I'm not pregnant, so I am trying not to stress about it. The odd thing is though during the time of month I am suppose to have it- the week before I still have PMS.

If you have ever been around a kid for more than 5 min I am sure you have heard them say why at least twice. I was always the kid who ask why, it just does never worked on me, drove my mom nuts! Well I am still like that, I always want to know why. Since having surgery I am reading about nutrition and fitness all the time, to find out how and why my body works with food. One article I read said a calorie is a calorie and should be counted, while yes that is true, it isn't the whole picture. We all have heard and been told 200 calories from chicken is better than 200 calories of ice cream. But why is that if a calorie is a calorie? Well here is what I have figured out..... We need our protein and fiber- it helps us stay full longer. Some say hey ice cream has protein- I'll eat that, but that is where we need to know more. One of the best things I have learned is I can make my food work for me!! How awesome is that! When we eat foods high in protein, fiber and complex carbs our bodies must work harder to digest them, therefore, our bodies will will burn more calories digesting them. While I guess I knew this, it never really dinged until I read an article about that. When I did WW years ago things like fruit and veggies were hardly any points, yet they do have calories. However, your body must work harder to digest them therefore their calorie counts are almost null and in the case of veggies like Celery it is null. So now what do I do with this information..... Well, I am all about what I eat working for me rather than sticking to my hips. I am upping my fiber, making sure the carbs I take in are complex, and making sure I get my recommended protein in. I can still eat yummy food and things I love and lose weight. Yes, I will have to adjust. I highly recommend going to your favorite resturants website and looking at the nutrition part. Some like Wendy's and Burger King you can adjust the meal to see what calorie counts would be. It is amazing what just leaving off cheese or mayo can do for lowering the calories. Now I AM NOT saying eat fast food daily, but what I am saying is if you are craving that whopper - go get it, but adjust it- leave off the mayo, cheese and pickle and the calorie count will come down nicely. We (I) got to be obese by eating what I wanted and not paying attention to what I was putting in my body, but with a little nutrition knowlege we and ADJUST ourselves and our food to work for us. Holding up my water bottle..... Here's to Success!

I always a fairly active person. I would go to work, if I needed to talk to someone in my building I walked to them instead of calling. I came home and stayed moving until after dinner. I thought I did good. Well...... My MIL came over Thanksgiving and one of my gifts was a Fitbit One. After figuring out how to use the little sucker I realized- damn I've been lazy. The first day I was shocked at the results. That is all the calories burned, that is all the steps I took, that is my active score- WTH. Since the first day with it I have found myself looking for ways to increase steps- I park further away from stores, between projects at work I get up and walk around the office circle. I stand up and sit down to get things rather than rolling my chair, I stand and pace while on the phone- all of these things helped me increase my steps and calories burned. I know you may think oh just a little bit won't matter, but hey gotta start somewhere and every calorie burned is not going to hang on my hips. It has really opened my eyes to reality. Reality- I think that is something each of us in order to be successful need to find - the reality of who we are. We got fat by not thinking, mindlessly eating crap. Now that we have a tool inside of us, it's time to be realistic. You can fail the band- you can drink milkshakes other high cal things and gain or you can be realistic and look at what you are actually putting in your body. I love food, we all do that is why we got here, but the reality of it we can still eat good food and lose weight. Yesterday I went for my 5th fill and saw the doctor who operated on me (normally I see his wondeful assistant- also a surgeon). He looked at my band under floro gave me a little fill and told me this may do it- get me to the green zone. He said everything looked perfect and I was doing great. Well today, I know I got that fill. I am tight, but not to much, it's just right. A cup full of food is either perfect or to much. There is no way in hell I can over eat when eating real food (not sliders) with out tossing it all back up. This is a great feeling. I feel motivated and encouraged after being down about my plateau. Plus I finally dropped below 201 this morning after being at that for a month- 200.6 - 7 oz until ONDERLAND!!! Basically, what I am saying is, we ALL can do this, we ALL CAN lose weight, but we must be realistic with ourselves and our support group (family, doctors, nutritionist). We must make a choice to do what is right- to eat healthy.

First off, stay calm as possible. You body just went through a major surgery, it takes time to adjust. I also had horrible upset tummy to begin with. Please continue to stay in contact with your doctor, you do not want to get dehydrated. Sip as much water as possible, if you can't get that down call the doctor you may need IV fluids.

I try to avoid those, the sodium does work well with me. If you try just pay attention to how it affects you.

I eat with in 20 min of getting up, if I don't I get dizzy and sick feeling even though I don't "feel" hungry. So I eat a light breakfast (special K) at 5:30 and then I will eat a snack around 10 ish then lunch when I am hungry.