Erin O'Donnell

I see a lot of people say they struggled with gas pain during their recovery. But I, luckily, didn't have any gas pain at all. I mostly had trouble with just being sore. Getting up and down from a chair was hard and laying down and getting back up was harder. It felt like I'd done sit ups for like 10 days straight lol! It took I'd say about a week to a week and a half for the soreness to be pretty much gone. As for eating/drinking, I didn't struggle with nausea or anything. I couldn't eat or drink much for the first 3 days but once day 4 rolled around I could definitely feel hunger. But drinking a protein shake helped so much. A lot of people I saw didn't feel hungry for a while after surgery, so that just goes to show how different we all recover. hope this helps a little. I was so nervous about recovery but it wasn't all that bad for me. Not nearly as bad as I expected! Good luck!

I saw in Target and Kroger that Ben and Jerry's makes frozen Greek yogurt...I haven't tried it, nor have I checked the nutrition facts but yeah...that's just what I've seen. Lol

Hi! Wow! You've gotten a lot of requests! Would you mind emailing me the egg timer distraction document too? odonnellem2@vcu.edu Thanks! -Erin

Despite what anyone says, losing 50lbs is amazing!! I envy you so much! I'm not quite there yet, and your success is inspiring.

Hi! So I've been off the band wagon way too long and have decided to get back on..but that means I need some band friendly, healthy foods. I'm an awful grocery shopper...I never end up getting everything I need or end up with stuff I don't need. I was wondering what you all have on your grocery lists? Maybe you could help me make one? Lol it's so lame I know but i really want to do things right. I'd really appreciate any input you have (keep in mind that I am a poor college student on a budget haha) thanks!! -Erin

Congrats!! You look so amazing!! I hope I can have your kind of success keep it up!

I turned 20 in June and got banded in August...I have to say I fell off the band wagon but have decided to get right back on. I've made some goals to meet by the holidays and the new year and I'm excited to get started and reach them. I initially lost 25 lbs...I've gained some back now but I'm determined to lose it all and more. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I got the surgery for me and nobody else. It's hard not to care about what other people think and expect but it's what you have to do to make it work. I also feel disappointed knowing I couldn't lose the weight with out the surgery but I have no regrets

Congrats!! You're looking good keep it up!

So I was banded back in August and lost 25 lbs. pretty quickly...then after my first fill I seemed to feel less restriction then before the fill. Now it's mid November and I'm pretty sure I've gained most of the weight back and have completely fallen off track. Has this happened to anyone else? Any advice for getting back on track? I am really disappointed in my self and would love to start losing weight again to 'wow' my family by the time Christmas roles around...thanks

Thank you so much everyone! It's exactly what I needed to hear. I agree that I need to do this for myself. I've been stressing about Thanksgiving for a while now because I'm afraid of the expectations my family has. But I can't worry about that anymore. I just gotta start. Nike says t best; Just do it.

I paint my nails...lol it takes time to do them and then it takes even more time to let them dry. You wouldn't wanna mess up your nails while reaching for a snack it takes my mind off food...lol

My doctor recommended nail polish remover, worked like a charm!

As frustrating as it is, it's comforting to know I'm not the only one struggling. I have the same problem. I'm also about 2 months out, have had 1 fill and I don't feel any restriction :/ I hope we both can get over this hump and get going with our weight loss! Good luck!

Hi! I was banded back in August and I was also really nervous! But when the nurses woke me up I was must have still been kind of out of it because I vaguely remember yelling out "I'm in pain! I'm in pain!" Haha! But I don't remember actually feeling pain when I yelled that out...must've just been the anesthesia lol! And then I fell back asleep and slept for a good 6-7 hours before I really woke up. They gave me pain meds which helped a lot and then I was sent home that evening. My stomach wasn't too sore when I was at the hospital. When I stood up it sort of felt like my stomach was being pulled down to the ground but other than that it wasn't bad. The days after that the pain was progressively worse but still nothing awful..just felt as if I'd done a bagillion crunches and sit ups lol. By like the 6th day I was feeling pretty good! So recovery really isn't all that bad! Of course, like you said, everyone's experience is different but I don't think there's anything to stress about. Just relax and it'll be fine! Good luck!!

I'm looking to revamp my work out routine to maximize results but I don't know how. I know it's best to switch up which muscles you're working out each day you're working out and stuff. I was wondering if anyone could give me like a weekly workout routine example? I think it'd be nice to see what other people do and what works for them. I understand what works for someone else may not work for me but it'd help to give me some ideas. I typically do 30 mins of the elliptical and then most of the weight machines. Thanks! -Erin

Goal Weight for October 29th: 264lbs Weight on October 1st: 279lbs Age: 20 Dietary goal for October: more Protein, less carbs Exercise goal for October: go to the gym at least 5 days a week Personal goal for October: fit into a size 14 by the end of the month Date banded: August 13th, 2012 Total weight loss since banding/preop: 26lbs. Favorite Halloween Activity: Halloween parties

Starting: 305 Current: 279 Short term goal: 255 by thanksgiving Long term goal: 150

The "it feels like I've done nothing but sit ups for eight years straight" feeling whenever I got up from sitting or laying down. O.O

That is so amazing!! You look great! You should be so proud of yourself. I wish I had some advice for you but I think you need to realize how amazing you look and what a HUGE accomplishment it is to have lost the weight that you have! It's stories like yours that keep me encouraged and keep me motivated.

Hi! I'm getting my band up in NJ but will be returning to school in Richmond on the 23rd and was wondering if there were any support groups or anything in the area? Also, are there any fill Doctors near Richmond? I don't think I can make the 6-7 hour trek to NJ every time I need to follow up with the doctor...thanks!

I got the realize band

Surgery on 8/13. Starting weight 305.4, current weight 278.0

I've lost 25 pounds since I was banded in August