cbrock1592

What you may want to invest in is a heart rate monitor. By monitoring your heart rate and where is should be - you will know to either up the incline while holding on or watch your heart rate go up as you let go. It is a very good investment and will keep you increasing your exercise overtime because you will see your heartrate decrease as you get more fit which will then up your workout intensity =)

Is it gas pain or more like chest pain? When were you banded?

I'm going through the same thing right now. I have been an avid Avenue and Lane Bryant shopper for years (can't even remember the last time I was of regular size. I have been shopping at Kohl's for my clothing. It is a wierd adjustment to go to the normal stores. Good luck in your journey! =)

I wish I lost 168lbs this year =) That was from my highest weight. I was 282 when I started WW mid January 2007. So I have lost over 90lbs for the year. Not too bad. I did lose about 50 prior to surgery. Figures I would get approved right after that!

I found that when I cut back on the number of carbs I was eating - only because breads don't like me that much- I saw a tremendous drop in weight. I also bumped my cardio up from 30 mins per day to over an hour. Start small though - but it seems to be helping. My surgeon's goal for me is 185 and i'm almost there. Good luck! (I also track all calories on dailyplate.com which really helped. I maintain about 1300 cals a day. The site is free!)

I'm on Coumodin currently and your supposed to stay away from anything that has Vitamin K because it is a natural blood thickener. You find that in green leafy vegetables, spinach, Olean (fat free chips), etc. Any weight loss plan should work for you - just have to eat the above in moderation and if you do you must eat them consistantly so taht your levels are not thrown off.

I also have Aetna POS II and they wanted proof of a six month supervised diet. Once I had all the proof of trying, I was approved (my BMI was 40 starting out). Good luck!

I finally made it to One-derland! I can't remember the last time my weight ever started there. Very nice feeling. My next goal is 196 - then I will be considered Overweight - and not obese by BMI standards. Almost there!!

Greek Yogurt is my new favorite. I buy the Trader's Joe's brand. 100 calories for 1 cup. 20 grams of protein. I add 2 equal to sweeten. Good luck.

I'm sure this would be a question for your surgeon - but I started the Elliptical about 2 weeks after surgery. But my heart rate would go sky high with very little effort. Took about 4 weeks to get back to normal. I guess it takes that long for your body to heal. I would wear a heart rate monitor to verify your are not over doing it.

They kept the small band in. The swelling went down just as they were going to re-open me and put the larger band in. The only plus to having the smaller band is that I do have natural restriction. I did not need a fill for my 6 week appt. with my surgeon.

I did have a complication. My surgeon put a small band on my because he thought he would have issues getting me to restriction. With the small band and the stomach swelling - I failed the barium swallow. I went in on a Wednesday and got out Monday afternoon. At the time - I was miserable (because they put a tube down my nose) but in hindsight - I would do it again in a heartbeat!!

As someone who lost quite a bit before surgery (130 lbs) - I was on the fence when I did get my approval letter. Having said that - I still went through with the surgery and do not regret it one bit. It gives me the control that I need. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

All depends on what your surgeon says I would think. Mine likes to wait 2 months - but I got the go ahead to start and I am able to take my medications now (one was not crushable). I had to switch to liquids for 6 weeks.

I never used a liquid vitamin. I take a centrum chewable a day.

My highest was 355 in 1998. I got all the way down to 245 in 2002 and just as that happened I got pregnant. I did settle at around 260 which is when I decided to get the lapband surgery. I always seemed to gain and lose the same 20 lbs. I did get my act in shape and I actuallly was down to 231 for surgery. So far so good. I am now at my lowest that I know for my adult life. Now if the scale would just start moving =)

Are you satisfied and feel full after eating this for the day? Do you feel hungry?

How many calories are you taking in a day on average? I was really tired and weak when I was only getting 5-600 calories since I do exercise daily. I was also light headed and dizzy in the morning and at night. I did gradually up my calories to about 1000 per day and all is well now. Hope this helps.

For the past 2 days I have been hungry and seem to have very little restriction. Guess I have entered Bandster Hell. Not that I wanted to go and visit - but hopefully it will be a short stay. At this point I have stopped losing (over a week now) and perhaps eating a bit more (I was only taking in 600 cals a day) will kick start the scale again. If not, I'm patient and can wait until September. Next visit is the 17th. I will def. need a fill!

I have Aetna POS II as my insurance. They did pay 90% of the surgery - which is what my plan states. I expect to meet my out of pocket maximum for the year with the surgery - so hopefully no copays for fills =) I did have to provide 6 months diet and exercise to prove that I needed the surgery. Any other questions - PM me.

Losingjusme: Your weight loss to date is great as well - keep up the good work! =)

<p>Although most was of my own doing, I have now lost over 140lbs.</p> <p>I am hoping that the band will be the tool to get me to goal.</p>

I am from the New Haven area and was banded on August 1st at St. Raphael's. They seem to have a better reputation in this area.

They sent you home after you failed the barium test? I failed too - and had to stay an extra 5 days until I could swallow normally.

I just got home from the hospital after a 6 day stay because of the same reason. After surgery, I had such bad chest pain. I too thought it was gas from the surgery - but expected it in my shoulders. What it was that between the band and the swelling in my stomach - nothing was getting through. Did the barium swallow and had such bad chest pains. They had to put an NG tube down my nose and suck out anything that I put in my stomach. Once that was done - the chest pain went away. I stayed a few extra days because I wasn't able to swallow without that same feeling. Took 5 days - but it eventally went down. Hope all is well with you. I did feel much better after I was back to "normal". =)