rharriet62

Definitely call your lapband doc. When my stomach lining was irritated, I often had pain in my back/side on the left. With getting my band totally unfilled, it allowed my stomach to heal and I do not have those probs any more. Worth a call! That would also explain why caffeine bugs you more; it prob irritates the stomach more, thus causing the flare up.

Jessiebear, I got a 1.8 cc fill on Tues after a month of no restriction. I did really well during my month "off" and the recommitment to the band is going well, too. I have to say that my body bugg has really shown me how slow my metabolism is and how hard i have to work and how little I can eat to lose. SO, for about a month, I'm back to a min of 1 hour of hard cardio per day and lifting a few days a week. I'm really watching my food. I was so happy to get a fill...I'm still not very restricted, but can go back in 2 weeks for .4ccs again. They want to fill me back up slowly and so far I'm doing just great! I would love to hear how you are doing!!! Rose

I am the QUEEN of slow weight loss. I work out doing cardio an hour a day, and I mean HARD cardio! Yeah, I'm in great shape but even with that added to my life, I can't eat many calories! I'm the cockroach of all metabolisms!!! HAHA. Up your exercise! I also got a body bugg and I have to say it has really given me insight into how much it takes me to burn a few hundred calories!

Something fun to do, too, is to TIVO or tape shows that are on FIT TV or another channel like that if you have cable or dish. Then, you can do it when your day allows based on what your kids are doing. Even when my kid was a toddler, he would sit on my stomach while I did abs any try to do the exercises with me! It can be fun and what a great role model to your children!!! Also, most libraries have tapes or DVDs you can check out and if you have NETFLIX, you can order TONS of things to do!

You can totally do 3 hours. I drive 5 to see my doc because I live out in the middle of nowhere in Wyoming. Once you get some good restriction and don't have any issues, you won't have to go see the doc all the time...just for "tune ups." I know it's hard at first. I had to go every week and then every 2 weeks for a while at first. YOU CAN DO IT and you've had great success!

Hi, I'm a slow loser, too! I think we have to really hit it harder. I do cardio an hour a day 6-7 days a week and lift 2-4 days a week, depending on which routine I do. You have to do both to maximize your benefits! I just saw Bob Greene on Rachel Ray's show and he said that to get health benefits, 3x a week of exercise is good, and for weight loss a MIN of 5 days a week and pref. nearly every day. The thing is this: my heart is in fantastic shape (54 bpm resting heart rate) and BP is like 118/70. I also sleep great when I work out hard. Sounds like you're doing great ... you're thinking about it!!!

Hi, It does track steps, but I don't really pay attention to that very much. I like the way it tracks how many calories I burn during the day, my workouts, etc. Then, when you log the food, it will tell you your "deficit" so you can stay on track for losing weight. I also like the way it keeps track of protein, fats, etc., so I can tweak my eating. So, to answer your qs., I have to say it is a lot more than a glorified pedometer. You can add custom foods. There are not restaurant foods there (that I've seen...I've had this a week) but you can look that info up and add it as a custom food and then it's there. That is what I have done. They do have things like some Kashi foods, some brands of foods but most are mainstream brands like Premium, Kashi, Campbells, etc. Have not seen store brands there. I like my bug in the fact that it is a reminder for me to log food, which is huge, and mostly to see that I did or did not meet my calorie burn...and if I didn't I get up and burn it beyond my gym time. Hope this answered your qs!

My doc cleared me to do all exercise, including lifting after 30 days. You should do what your doc's office suggests. However, that being said, all during the first year of my band, when I would really work my abs hard and they were sore, my port was often sore or I could feel it while working out. It is the ab muscle healing and adjusting to the port. Sore, but nothing to be concerned about unless it really hurts all the time. I think what you are feeling is normal. BUT, again, make sure you are following your doc's orders! Good luck...those abs will thank you for it!! HAHA.

WOW! That is a killer accomplishment! BUT, you have to realize that I am laughing because I am picturing a thin guy wearing HUGE pants that are TEN inches too big??? Dave, I realize you might not like shopping, but start showing off that new body!!! Congrats on your achievement!!!

Hi, I'm a Virgo and have been banded 3 years! I have never heard those traits of a Virgo, so I thought it was quite interesting. I do not have any of those problems, so maybe it's back to the idea that "some" people have those issues. I have been doing well. AND, what will help a Virgo be successful is our attention to detail, doing things by the book, and not compromising! HAHA. You go for it, Virgo friend! You'll do great!!!

Congratulations! A SIZE 12! YOU ROCK!!! That is killer! I can only imagine how exciting it is to be in the 100s! I can't wait to get there! I also loved the insights you provided. I am a therapist and I hear these same issues with people of all sizes...just that it seems overweight people use fat as an excuse...others use other reasons! It's the truth that sets you free and you are flying, babes!!! Good for you!!!

Jessiebear, we are identical! I've been banded 3 years and have now been unfilled due to stomach irritation for a month. I go back on Tuesday and get a fill of 1.8. My doc said she would put in 1.8 and then slowly work me back up to a sweet spot. I was at 2.9 when I got so irritated and she took it all out. I have to say, having NO restriction made me recommit! While exercise has been easy for me to do, I have upped it to more intense again and have really cleaned up my diet (my weakness). I could not believe how much sugar I was eating! SO, for a month, I've pulled back to protein, logging ALL the food I eat each day, and I even bought a body bugg to help me monitor te food vs. burn rate. I have to say, the bugg has been an eye opener for me and I'm glad I got it. SO, we are in this together! I can't wait to hear your success! Keep us in touch and I'll do the same! Good luck!!! I'm with YOU!

I think I bought that book when I was preparing for surgery. As I recall, it was basically the stuff that I was taught in all my pre-op classes...about not drinking and eating, exercising, etc. Frankly, if it's the same book (and I think it is) it was not anything enlightening. Maybe you can look it up on Amazon and it will let you read a few pages...they often have books where you can do that online.

First of all, awesome job on the weight loss and fitness! Do you crosstrain and do 3-4 types of cardio? My body got really used to a kickboxing class I went to for a long time and it was hard to keep losing. When I switched to running, elliptical, biking and rotated those, I was able to start up again. You might even consider having a trainer at your gym look at your routine and build a new program for you. A couple of sessions is REALLY worth it. Then, in about 4-6 weeks, switch it up again. This has been most helpful to me. Good luck!

Yes, I had to have 6 mos of a dr. directed diet. Luckily, about 10 years before I got the lapband, I had been on phen-fen for SIX MONTHS! All that was on record with that doc and my insurance accepted it. If you have to do the whole 6 mos, use it to your benefit! Start exercising and get in the best shape possible...I did this while I was waiting for approval and it really helped my recovery and pre-surgical required weight loss.

I also work out tons and my RHR is always around 54 for the last few years. In fact, two years ago, I had a pulmonary embolism (PE) and was in the ER...with a RHR of 54 and oxygen saturation level of 100%! After taking my history, including my excercise level, they had TWO interns come in and examine in because I was NOT the typical looking or presenting patient with a PE. My doc was amazed and said, "You have the heart of an athlete!" Yeah, and I was 303 lbs at the time but was a runner! TOO FUNNY!!!! SO, I think you sound normal for someone who works out a lot! GOOD FOR YOU!

NO WAY! I have had two different trainers in the past two years. A good, qualified trainer starts you where YOU are and builds you up from there. Also, a good trainer will not just stand and watch you do cardio! You will probably do that on your own most of the time and the trainer will work you out with weights and/or interval your training so your cardio rate is up AND you are buildilng muscle. GO FOR IT!!! You will LOVE having a trainer!!! It is the BEST thing you can do for yourself!!!

How long have you been feeling like this? Are you eating and drinking enough? Are you able to sleep? Sounds like you could be struggling with some depression.

I just got my bugg today and got set up online. I'm wearing it now and learning to use it with the wrist sensor. VERY COOL!!! When I registered, it asked if you had bariatric surgery and then said you had to contact their dietician. I did that, but am wondering what that entails when she gets back to you? Does it change your plan or something? Thanks for the info!!! I'm SO excited to have the BUGG!!!

I eat popcorn a lot. Some people can tolerate it and others can't. I happen to be able to eat popcorn when other things bother me. I save up by doing extra cardio, etc., and eat movie popcorn at the movies because it's one of my favorite things to do! I just get a small and eat one or two pieces at a time. Sometimes I can't finish the bag and other times I can....depends. It was one of those treats that I am glad I can still enjoy. I follow the plan of quit when you are full before you get that "one bite too many" syndrome!

I like the advice LapBandit gave you! As well as the others! If you look and see that you are losing an avg of one lb a week, that rocks! I know it's not fast, and I'm a super slow loser...I'd KILL to lose one lb a week! Are you lifting any weights? They really help build muscle and burn fat and you will lose inches, too, which is a huge bonus! Vary your exercise, as mentioned above! Maybe take a spinning class or something to really torch the calories. I do one hour of cardio and lift weights....jack it up on a few days a week...and make sure you are sweating and working in your target heart range to burn it off! I also agree that logging food is essential...we often eat more than we think we do! Keep going!!!

Also remember that when people ARE doing well, they are less likely to come to the site and share it. When we struggle and are feeling it's a hard time, we come for support! You WILL see success stories here, of course, but I have noticed that lots of people check in when they are not doing so hot...I know that is true for me! DO IT! You will NOT regret it!!! Follow the rules set by your doc, exercise, and you will do GREAT!!!

It sounds like you are almost there! Yes...it's a PAIN IN THE BOOTY to jump through all the hoops and that is a lot of money for EVERYONE! BUT, keep in mind that soon you forget all that stuff because you will be enjoying life with your band! Hang in there! You're almost there!!! YAHOO!!!!!

Caffeine can irritate the stomach lining and that is why (I was told) it was suggested that we use decaf drinks. I switched over to decaf everything. It DOES take some time to get used to! However, I find the Bigelow Earl Grey decaf to be excellent and I also drink a lot of Celestial Teas...my fav is the Decaf Green Mint flavored. These two flavors are my nightly enjoyment! Maybe try a 1/2 and 1/2 blend for a while (you can make it yourself) and gradually switch over. I know other people here just drink what they want and have no problems, so this is just what I did!

Delli, I have been banded for 3 years and 3 months, so I understand that it's a PROCESS. I am still losing and I am a slow loser, so it will still take me quite a while. However, even with times of slipping up, I go back to the basics: check to see that you are filled correctly (the band can lose a bit of fluid), exercise, eat Protein and veggies...all the stuff you already know! ALSO, I suggest keeping a food log either just writing it down or on fitday.com or a server like that. When you are super accountable, it all makes sense and you will see what you need to change! I say get back on that horse and use the band as a tool to help you on your journey! YOU CAN DO IT!!! GOOD LUCK!