rharriet62

I drink a bit once in a while. Besides the calories, they advise us not to drink because of stomach irritation and the idea that alcohol MIGHT lead to band erosion. I think quite a few people drink sometimes, tho, without any problems. I'm not a wine drinker but have had beers and drinks at times. I'd probably wait more than 30 mins after eating, tho...right?

Hi! I'm from Buffalo. I went to Greeley, CO to get banded. I've been banded for a bit over 3 years. Good to see some WY folks here! Rose

I feel like an old timer...but I'm actually from Wyoming. I was banded in Greeley by Dr. Johnell and go there for my fills. It's a fantastic place! I've been banded over 3 years. Fun to read your threads! Rose

I work out at the gym because I am the type of person who has to leave the house to exercise. When the weather is nice, I go on long bike rides or runs outside, but for the basic daily stuff, I have to go to the gym. SO, consider your lifestyle and personality. I have bought lots of equipment that I ended up giving away or selling cheap...but I always will hit the gym! Just a thought!

I had a gazelle..the deluxe model...can't remember its name, but I think a treadmill is more versatile. There are things you can do on a gazelle and they do include a dvd with options, but you will soon want to run, speed up your walks, inclines, etc, and it is my opinion that a treadmill is better. In fact, if you opt to not get a treadmill, look into an elliptical. I really like those a lot better than a gazelle. I gave mine to my sister after just a short time of having it. I thought it was boring

Call your Dr's office and ask what they think. You are early out, and I was always told to only eat if I was hungry...that a skipped meal was no big deal. I suspect your hunger will return sooner than later. I'd see what my doc's office felt about it.

I think that's sort of individual. Like, I can't really eat eggs and some people have no trouble with them. I can eat oragnes some days if I take a really small piece and chew it really well. I think you'll have to experiment.

I agree with Jack. It's a totally personal thing. For example, I would not want my family asking me ALL THE TIME about how much I weigh or much I've lost. That might not bug you. Your list may also change over time as you lose and recover. First on your list, it sounds like you need to say to DH that the candy bars are not love...so thanks, but love me in a supportive way...like help me do X, or bring me a flower instead! Make me a cup of tea! Something like that.

I have been banded about 3.5 years. I have gone thru phases where I have lost very slowly and actually, while it was frustrating, I know it's my head catching up with my new way of life! My head fights me sometimes. HOWEVER, I would do this again in a SNAP. I would find a way to pay for it myself if my insurance had not paid for it. I was the QUEEN of losing huge amounts of weight (100 lbs+) and the instant I stopped some goofy diet, it was back on plus more and more. That cycle was killing me emotionally and certainly not doing my body any good. The band is the BEST! DO IT!

Hang in there! I think it is very common for many of us to have slow ups, whether it's your body or your brain that is catching up. You HAVE lost some great weight! you are also adjusting to your insuolin levels and stuff like that. I know it's hard to be patient...it has been for me at times..like this past year, I was not doing that great and lost only about .25 lbs a week! but, I got my head around it and made some good changes. Also, you will probably need a few more fills to get some good restriction. YOU ARE NOT FAILING! You are adjusting and doing greeat! Take a deep breath, stick to your program, and get your next fill when you can! Good luck!

I got an unfill on Dec. 14 and had to rest my stomach for 30 days. I got an unfill because I was sliming and throwing up nearly every time I ate. I was having acid stomach and was living on zantac in addition to starting to get acid reflux. I could not eat anything of substance like meat and somedays, I couldn't even get down a protein shake. Other days, it would be more "normal" for eating but bad in the acid stomach department. I didn't have pain, per se, just symptoms. I am now going MOnday for my second fill after the unfill and I feel amazing. A band that is too tight is a miserable experience...and so amazing when it's just right!!!

Ask at the desk and see if with your new membership you get a couple of orientation sessions for free. At my Y, you get 2 when you join. It's also a good idea, like the posts above say, to pay for a trainer for a few sessions to show you the ropes. They may even have a volunteer who would help you. I think it's awesome that you went to the Y!!! NICE! If nothing else, keep going to walk and you will become more and more comfortable with being there. I'm sure they have great classes, too...I used to take a great circuit training class and you get lots of help on using the weights in that! Find out what they offer!!! GO FOR IT!!!

NICE! Congrats! THat is the greatest feeling ever!!! Good luck!

I'm certainly not a doctor, but I am a survivor of a pulmonary embolism, which it sounds like this guy had. I got mine a year after my surgery and it was not related to the surgery at all. It was related to birth control pills. I got a blood clot in my leg and it shot off bits that went into both of my lungs. I survived because a huge piece did not break off...if that happens, it plugs up the ONE artery you have that goes into your lungs. Lots of things cause blood clots and most people die of embolisms because there are not real symptoms until it's too late. I was lucky...and a doc in the ER actually ran a test instead of just looking at me and saying...yeah..you're short of breath because you're fat...which I almost didn't go to the hospital because that has been my experience with the medical community...if you are fat, it's the cause of everything...but my husband forced me to go! Lucky me! Sorry to hear about this guy, but sadly, it's pretty typical. After all the testing, etc. I had to go thru...I am certain it had nothing to do with his diet.

You can do it! I have just come off a full month of no fluid in my band due to irritation. I was scared spitless, but did very well! You will, too! And, you will start getting filled up again! Just think how great you'll feel after your surgery!

Junonia.com, Danskin.com, JustMySize.com, and Champion has a lot of plus size workout clothes, too. I am tall enough that I often buy the men's shirts and they work great, too. I have even seen quite a few workout clothes in plus sizes at WalMart and Target. My favorite (heavy duty and supportive) sports bras are made by Moving Comfort. They support you even if you run and I was like a 44DDD and am now a 40DD. They are about $40 each but wear and last a long time. Totally worth it if you need support! If you can get to stores that sell Columbia clothes, you can often find workout clothes in 2 or 3X that go up to a 22-24 and they are very nice, too. I don't know what size you are, but that gives you an idea!

You can get them at Target or WalMart and they are very inexpensive. Many come with a DVD. You can also get books on using them at the library if you don't want to buy one from a bookstore like Barnes & Noble. I started using one when I still weighed about 350 and it didn't pop...I was afraid of that, too! But it was fine. You will LOVE it for doing abs, stretching, sitting on while doing some weights...the list is endless. It's a great piece of home equipment with a lot of variety! I think Target sells the Gaiam ones and they are good!

First of all, you are so beautiful...in both pix! You have the best hair ever! But, anyway...(lol) it's totally normal. I've been banded over 3 years (used to be a size 34 and am now an 18). I went to buy some clothes and took sizes 22-24 into the dressing room and couldn't believe they were huge! They looked so small out in the shop. Even some days when I get dressed, I look at my jeans and go...there's no way I'll EVER get into these jeans...they look so small...and yep...they go on! Ah the mind is stuck in the past! You will adapt!!! Good work!

If you were on it, I'd tell them. It is surely in some medical record somewhere that a screener will look at. I'd be honest. I was on phen-fen and it was not even an issue. I remember my surgeon just asking if I had any problems and I said, "No. It was a sad day when they took it off the market because I LOVED IT!" He just laughed and went on with the exam. I don't think in any way it will cause a problem for you!

You don't have to have fills in .25cc increments. My doc will do them in .1cc increments. When you get as full as you are, that makes a huge difference. Discuss this option with them. You should not be feeling so hungry...I'd go back and discuss it with the doc.

I also find that if I focus on eating an afternoon snack and a good dinner it offsets that all night eating. During the evening, I will drink several cups of hot tea and that really helps me since you can get all sorts of flavors in decaf. Also, schedule in your food budget for an after dinner snack. Maybe some hummus and veggies or something like that. I often find that planning ahead and having healthy foods on hand, washed, ready to eat make it easier for me to choose that instead of the "good stuff" I might really want.

I totally agree with kimsretro. I would go to the gym, too. We always think people are going to look at us, but even when I'm in the gym now, I am so busy sweating and focusing on my workout that I don't pay much attention to others. Plus once you go there a few times, you will be permanent fixture there, too! As far as distance or speed, you might want to rotate those for variety and for working on those skills for your own strength. Each will help you out a bunch! Sounds like you are on the right track!

Did your doc's office give you a diet? It's usually proteins first then veggies. Always work on getting that protein in. Also, cut yourself some slack. you don't even have a fill yet. IF you have questions, you should ask your doc's office what they suggest when you go for a fill. Some people on this site follow Weight Watcher, some South Beach, and others like me, focus on lean protein, veggies, and supplement with low cal/low carb shakes. Go get your first fill and it will be easier to really start losing! Also, KUDOS on the walking daily! NICE!!!

I think what you are doing is great! The only things I have read and heard about swimming is that since you are floating, you are not bearing weight on your bones and joints to build strength. That being said, I think if you can swim and then walk when it's cooler weather, you'll be doing great. If you are losing, then it's probably enough for now. Remember that as you get more fit, you will have to increase time, tempo, do some other exercise, and lift! Can you ever get to a gym or be indoors where it's air conditioned?

Interesting! I think most of us all feel the way you do. It is a source of shame and embarrassment for most of us, too, so why would we be announcing it? I have been banded almost 3.5 years and my husband has no idea how much I weight. He doesn't ask, doesn't care, and just supports me when I say I lost X lbs. Do thin people announce what they weigh? I have no idea how much my "normal sized" friends weigh so why would they ask me? RELAX! AND, if someone asks you, you can always say you are not comfortable sharing that information! Nice way of saying MYOB!!!