salsa1877

Taking it very slowly is the key! If you go back to the January, Feb, March challenges you can see my excitement when I got to .25 miles then .5 miles. I didn't get to 10 miles by just doing it quickly! And as for speed...I am a turtle. This sounds weird but this is for you couch to 5k'ers as well. SHORT STEPS: When you are jogging take very short steps as it will minimize the impact on your knees, ankles and hips. The longer you are in the air the more momentum you have and the more weight you put on your knee. The shorter the time, the less impact...it is more like walking. You will look a little funny at first, but it is important to take care of those knees. Also, make sure you have good shoes!

For some reason the pictures aren't showing up for anyone but me! If you click on the link in my signature to my blog they are posted there. Sorry! They just won't post here. Didn't post yesterday cause I was too tired...I ran 10 straight miles. That is right....I didn't stop once. Then followed it up by walking 2! So 12 done yesterday! Wahoooo... Going to try and post the pictures 1 last time.

I really hope you are taking a good multi-vitamin because there is no way you are getting enough nutrition to heal on 400 calories. My nutritionist is a whack job, but she still wanted me at 800-1000 calories. It is good that you are not having hunger though. Please do ask lots of questions because they will be very helpful to people. I always refer people to what their doctor says (not always their nutritionist) on terms of what TYPES of foods (ie mushies/liquids/soft) but I honestly think that 400-600 is low. I know one lady stayed at 600 the entire time, but she was INCREDIBLY picky on what she ate to make sure that she had the correct nutrition. Your body will go into starvation mode that low...in my humble opinion!

I totally agree with you...and am beginning to think that nutritionists are crazy. Mine just recently told me to stop exercising! No kidding. I think 500 is too low...especially when you are healing from surgery! Keep on doing what you are doing!

A fill is when you have saline solution inserted into the band so that you decrease the opening to your stomach. When your band is placed there is an inflatable part that is between the hard part of the band and your stomach. Tubing connects that to a port which is sewn to a muscle (mine is just under my left rib). WHen you get a fill, a special needle is inserted into the port and saline solution is injected into the port and travels down the tubing into the band. By filling up the band you reduce the size of the stoma (or opening to the stomach). THink of this as creating a funnel. Right now you have a funnel with a HUGE opening. As you get fills the funnel gets smaller and smaller. As you can imagine, the smaller the whole the LONGER it takes the food to go down. Your sensor that tell your brain it is full are in the upper part of the stomach, so the longer your food can stay in the upper area of the pouch the longer you will seem full. I hope this clarifies!

For me it wasn't painful at all. The faster you can start walking, walking, and walking, the better off I think you will be. I had read so much from people on here telling me to walk that I literally walked from just outside the recovery room door back to my little cubical (mine was outpatient). I stayed with my brother who has the sympathy of a rock...and he forced to to walk every hour on the hour. I thanked him when I heard stories of people having lots of pain in their shoulder. A heating pad will also help with some of the pain. I never found that gas-x did anything. If you have a high pain tolerance you should be fine. This was my second laproscopic surgery and it was about the same. I honestly think my 10 bouts with kidney stones were WAAAAAAAAAY worse! Believe me the pain lasts for a week, the benefits will last for life!

I think that was me that said not to worry about how much you eat right now. My doctor told me that this was the time for healing. I lost 18 pounds in my first month and I honestly think that most of that was during the first two weeks on liquids when I didn't have a scale. You are going to eat normally as you have NO restriction. Actually there is a little restriction, but probably not enough to tell. I am one of the lucky ones that has A LOT of restriction with just the band, but most people do not. Are you drinking while you eat? That will make you fill hungry a lot faster. Right now to stay full longer you are really going to have to eat a lot of protein. Refried beans, pinto beans, black beans...get it...beans, beans, beans. Tuna and other soft fish will work too if you have been given the okay by the doctor. How long before your fill? If at all possible stay away from the protein drinks...They don't fill up for very long. I also made some noodle-less lasagna with ricotta and cottage cheese. Make it just like lasagna but omit the noodles. You can add white beans instead and it should be soft enough. Here is the key to eating and feeling "full". You probably aren't going to feel full. You have to keep doing what you are doing. Eat the 1 cup of food and then be done. Eat it slowly (I know it sucks cause the food gets cold) but after about 15, 20 minutes you will start to feel a sense of "nothingness" in your stomach. That usually means that you are not hungry any more. Also, your tummy is probably hungry sometimes, but your head is starving. If you are anything like me you are used to eating HUGE portions of food and now you are eating 1 cup. Try to eat that 1 cup in the smalles thing that it will fit in. I would eat out of small little baking cups...like ramekins. It made it seem like so much food. Your brain is not satisfied, but your tummy really is. Finally.. the rumbling and grumbling in your stomach doesn't mean that you are hungry. It just means that there is air in your stomach...most of the time. Sometimes it means you are thirsty. Using the band means really learning to "feel" your stomach. When you think you are hungry sit down, close your eyes and try to "feel" your stomach. Focus on your stomach. Pretend you can see it...is it really hungry...or is it your brain. 100 pounds later...I still do this. It was my way of realizing the difference between real hunger (which really will be diminished when filled) and head hunger (which as a fat person...and I still am mentally...will not go away) Hope this helps some!

Did they come through now?

Kat it is good to hear that you are doing alright. I am getting a bit nervous about mine. I too will be getting the pain pump for 48 hours. My doc said it was about the size of a soda can. But I am also instructed that I MUST take my pain meds every 4 hours for at least 5 days, preferrably 1 week. She says the body heals so much better when you are not in pain. I requested liquid pain meds as I don't want any problems with them getting stuck because even though I am unfilled...things still get stuck. Besides...the liquids work better. Here is to a speedy recovery!

Becky..Just keep fighting it. I know right now this is tough and I feel for you. I have not lost nearly the amount of weight that you have and my body disgusts me as well. You just have to appeal the hell out of this. As someone mentioned before, they often deny on the first round and then will approve on appeals. Most people will go away after the first denial...but we know you are a fighter. NO one can lose 300 pounds and dnot be a fighter! Have you talked to your surgeon about the appeal? Is there anyway that you could get this financed if your insurance doesn't come through. I HATE spending money and yet in the last year I have dropped 17000$ (with a 24% interest rate) on my lap-band and 10000$ on my TT, so I know the burden of HUGE medical bills every month, but I figure this is MY body for the rest of MY life...and I am worth it. If you are just getting a panni then is there anyway you could afford it? Here are big hugs! Karri

500-700 is really low. Though one of the ladies on here Wasabubblebutt stayed at 600 the entire time and she lost very well. I don't advocate going that low, but I would stick to around 1000 as previously posted.

The entire time I was trying to lose weight I would eat between 800-1000. My exercise was mild between August and January but then I really upped it and still didn't eat more. My "band mom" ate between 900-1100 and she had similar weight loss. I would try for 1000 and if you are a little under or a little over that should be okay. If you are finding that you are not losing weight, try upping to 1200, especially if you are exercising. The first instinct is to drop calories if you are not losing but if you are working out with a trainer (who may or may not understand that band) you might need to up the calories. I don't normally advocate drinking Protein drinks after getting your first fill, but that would be a quick way to get in a few extra calories if you need too. BTW...how many calories did your doctor/nutritionist say to eat?

Congrats. I saw a post of yours on another thread (not sure which one as I put my 2 cents in all over the place), but I just wanted to congratulate you on your positive and good outlook on the band. You truly are demonstrating how to WORK the band and not let the band work YOU. Great job! And no tip-toeing needed...bust that door open to this thread...you deserve it!

Can't you call your doc and get an emergency unfill...because yes... this is an emergency. I have been too tight before, but not like that. His office should have a answering service that will page your doc. I hope you are alright. And no 6 pounds is not a good loss when it is caused from severe dehydration. I honestly think that 2 days is too long to wait. If you can't get to the doc go to the emergency room and at least get an IV.

Thank you...I hope that I can inspire people. That is why I am so open and honest about everything I have done. I found a great "band mom" on here that has truly inspired me. I am too young to be a mom though...but I can certainly be a friend. Good luck and if you ever need anything, just PM me!

I had to share this with my exercise and PS buddies! I have always said that if I fit in a size 4 that I would wear that pants inside out and take a picture....Well here they are!!! So much for window shopping. I couldn't help but buy these. This isn't a fluke either. 2 stores...3 pairs of pants and 1 skirt...all size 4. HOLY CRAP THEY FIT! 100 pounds and 20 sizes in 9.5 months! Now my question is...what the hell size am I am going to be after surgery:w00t:?????

I have always said that if I fit in a size 4 that I would wear that pants inside out and take a picture....Well here they are!!! So much for window shopping. I couldn't help but buy these. This isn't a fluke either. 2 stores...3 pairs of pants and 1 skirt...all size 4. HOLY CRAP THEY FIT! 100 pounds and 20 sizes in 9.5 months! Now my question is...what the hell size am I am going to be after surgery:w00t:?????

Glad to hear the operation was a success....Those last pounds might come flying off now!

Thank goodness...I seriously worried about you all day yesterday. NO being too tight will not lead to faster weightloss...It will lead to all sorts of problems though. My bet is after an initial bit of weight gain (1-3 pounds) of your body getting back to its proper nutritional state that they weight will start coming off if you can eat the solid proteins and veggies. Please do not hesitate to PM me if you ever need to chat or get suggestions. So glad you are feeling better. Welcome to the life that a bandster SHOULD be living! You had to have thought banded life was hell!

It isn't too bad. THis is what I drank when I was first banded. I got it at GNC and got their gold card (which cost 15 dollars) but I saved that amount when I bought a couple cases of the drinks. Just make sure they are REALLY cold. If they get warm the Protein can start to clump...then they are YUCKY!

So now come the baloons!:rolleyes2: I officially lost 100 pounds! I had been down earlier in the week and then was bouncing around all week, but on the day that counted...I was at 150 pounds. I had changed my ticker early in hopes that I wouldn't have to change it back...and now I don't! Thank you for all of your support! Now we are going to go see the new Indiana Jones movie, go window shopping, and then go walk part of the half-marathon course!

I am sure LJM will invite you...but watch out...she is vicious! On my blog she tried to get me to "take a few weeks off!" AHHHH the nerve!

I applaud the ambition, but I think that is probably a bit much for recovery! YOU JUST HAD SURGERY GIRL! I would take it easy. Believe me there is plenty of time for healing but overdoing it can lead to injuries and hernias which can side track you for long periods of time. Enjoy the business trip!

Nah...this is about YOUR Tuesday! I will make up for it...only 3 weeks left of work and then I have all day to run/walk! Plus it will give some others a chance to join!

Yeah did my 4 miles!