LapBandit2013

Can you get up and stretch frequently during class? Can you recline a little in your chair? Will somebody drive you back to school? For me, sitting upright was painful for a few days and uncomfortable for weeks due to port placement. I didn't drive for about a week so I could recline in the passenger seat. Can you talk to your teachers about it and see if you could use a doctors note to excuse you from attending a full day for the first week back? You will need to move a lot in the beginning due to risk of emboli. I think it's possible to return so soon, but you'll wish you took more time for recovery.

I haven't lost my ability to eat healthy foods, I can still eat all the same fruits and veggies. I'm eating better now than before because I'm not eating a whole bag of Doritos (chips get stuck for me) or a whole loaf of garlic bread (breads also get stuck). I wonder if it's just some people's anatomy that makes it difficult to pass fibrous foods, because I've heard this on the threads before. That really sucks, and must be a huge disappointment.

Great job, 30 pounds is a HUGE loss for that amount of time. You can really tell the difference. Beautiful!

I'm not going to lie, I struggle with it. Eggs are a great source of protein, but I don't always feel like making them. I buy the Garden Veggie Patties by Morningstar from Costco (they are bigger and have 18g protein). I try to drink one Muscle Milk Lite or Premier Protein daily, but that's not always the case. Cottage cheese and greek yogurt are great sources of protein, as well as beans. I like making salads that are protein packed (spinach, eggs, beans, sunflower seeds, cubed fake meat if I have it). I snack on low-fat string cheese almost daily. A lot of the processed fake meat products have a good deal of protein, but they are also pretty dry so I have to take tiny bites and chew like crazy. They are the #1 thing that makes me PB or in the beginning, get stuck. I have, to date, lost 61 pounds. I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian (though I don't drink milk, I do eat dairy products). Before surgery, I was definitely a "starchitarian" so the lap band lifestyle has most definitely helped me lose weight. My body loves the extra protein that I get, and the band limits the amount of starches I can eat. I'll definitely be following this thread to see if more suggestions come through. I would love to hear them!

I think that's called a "niacin flush".

OK, sorry to hijack the thread, but I was totally inspired by the dress and found a similar one online - Target's Mossimo kimono maxi dress. I purchased it in black, and it came today and it's beautiful! FYI I had to buy the maternity version because they were sold out of plus sizes, but I can't even tell. http://m.target.com/p/mossimo-women-s-plus-size-kimono-maxi-dress-assorted-colors/-/A-14255399 Edit: it looks like they have restocked!

I also hate milk and don't drink it. Muscle milk lite in chocolate flavor is pretty good ( despite the name, there is no milk in it). Premier protein is OKAY, but a little milky. I like it better though because you get more shake and protein for the calories, and less carbs. Don't do the Atkins shakes or EAS, way too milky tasting. I haven't tried Nectar, but it sounds delicious.

I've plateaued for over a month, and instead if feeling down about it, I wanted to share a little about how my life has changed in the past 3 months: * Went from a 4x to a 2x in tops * Went from a 26/28 to a 22 in bottoms * I can fit in chairs with arms * I can fit in a stadium seat * I can fit in a movie theater seat * I can fit in a restaurant booth * I went roller skating * I can run after my 4 year old at the park * I don't sweat profusely anymore * I can use a backseat seatbelt, and fit in the backseat of a car * Training for a 5k. What?!! * I can still breathe when I bend over to tie my shoes * I put a recent picture of myself on Facebook, lol I know there are more, but this is a huge difference for me. I used to stay indoors all the time, I would get winded from short walks and my body would hurt so bad with any physical activity. I stayed away from a lot of social activities because of my size. I'm not afraid to try something new now. I know it's super cliche, but I feel like I have my life back.

Awesome job, you look great! Where did you get that dress? I need it.

So when I was at my heaviest, I had a really bad experience at a salon. Although the hairdresser didn't say anything to me, I am pretty sure I broke the hydraulic pump. When she was foot pumping me up, there was a pop and the chair went back down - then she just cut my hair in the low position. A lady next to me stared at me in disgust for the entire visit, which I tried to ignore. Anyway, I'm sure I exceeded the weight limit at well over 330, though I never weighed myself then so I'm guessing. Now I'm in the 270s and I haven't dared venture to a salon since that experience a few years ago, but now I have a Groupon for a really nice place and I'm ready for a big change. My hair is nearly homeschool/sister-wife length, and it's weighing me down, man. Any of you formerly or presently super or morbidly obese ladies had experience with salon chairs? My butt was a size 28 then, now I'm in a 22. Should I go for it or wait until I hit 250? I may call the salon and ask, but that's so embarrassing.

It's probably your metabolism. I'm cold all the time now, too, but just months ago would sweat profusely at any activity or temp over 65 degrees. I still have a ton of "insulation", so it's got to be the diet. This is a good article: http://www.livestrong.com/article/305720-how-come-when-you-lose-weight-you-feel-cold/

Banded 1/18, down 31 pounds since the day of surgery, down 55lbs since pre-op. I have plateaued for almost a month, and I wish I had taken body measurements because my clothes are looser. I, too, am doing a couch to 5k and working out enough that there are a lot of changes even though the scale isn't moving. Having a lot of trouble sticking to my diet, I am definitely a grazer and need to work on it before the scale starts moving again.

Thank you!

So I did it! Happy to say there was no breaking of any chairs this time, but I'll admit I was sweating about it. I had a great experience, and I feel like a new person! Here is a semi-recent before picture (showing the prairie length) and the new do. [ATTACH]26454[/ATTACH]

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I really do need to get over myself and stop letting my fears about my weight get in the way. You all have been so helpful! I made an appointment for Monday!!! Eeeek!

Yes! Cramping was so bad for the first two cycles after surgery, it was nearly intolerable. Now it seems to have gone back to baseline. I wonder if our hormones get all out of whack or something.

I buy mine from oldnavy.com and I've been really happy. The active padded sports bras have a lot of support, and I'm big and doing the couch-to-5k so lots of potential for bounce. I will continue to buy from them ESPECIALLY when they have online sales.

I just registered for the Warrior Dash for mid-July, so I have over 3 months to train. Has anyone done this? Are the obstacles really hard for an overweight/obese person? I'm hoping to be 30 pounds less by then, but still worried about being too large for some of the obstacles. Also, did you train for it and what did you do to prepare? Thanks!

Thanks! That's good to know. I just started the couch to 5k program, maybe that will help me. I'm really excited about it!

Stop eating too much.

Not counting pre-op weight loss, I'm down 11 lbs since Jan 18th. I was hoping for a little more of a dramatic weight loss, but overall I'm happy. Curious to know how everyone else is doing!

So Scratchibali & Texasjeff, I saw photos from a Tough Mudder where you had to do a monkey bar type obstacle over a river. I'm worried about something like that on the Warrior Dash - I'm a long way away from holding my own body weight. I'd anything, I can at least be there to help others feel better about their own shortcomings. Lol. I'll be the one wading through the river, barely holding on after 0.5k.

Checking in at 276

I had my surgery in Tijuana, and booked my flight for the next day due to the return flight being way cheaper on that day. I was aware of the risks, so I made sure to walk as much as possible right after surgery and the next morning before my flight. Make sure whoever drives you stops frequently for you to get out and stretch your legs, walk a little. While I was in flight, I shifted constantly, and did squeezy butt and calf exercises to keep the blood flowing just because I was worried about the same thing. Anyway, I was fine. You will probably be okay, too, but you should consider your doctor's advice first. Sometimes you can find a screaming deal on Expedia for a hotel room. Just keep in mind that being in a car after surgery is pretty uncomfortable.

My port was really sore for several weeks post-surgery. I am just over two months now and it doesn't hurt at all anymore. I think the hardest part for me was figuring out comfortable sleeping positions.