Shinyhappymommy

Another thing to consider: Are you constipated? If food is going in, but not coming out, that can lead to weight gain, or at least not losing.

Mizzoupoodle, I don't know if it would be considered ab work. I do feel some discomfort in my port after doing the basic workout. Not pain, but discomfort, like the surrounding muscles have worked like they usually don't and maybe the port has been moved around a little because of it. I fully expect it to subside after I've gotten a few more workouts in. I've only done 3 or 4 days so far. You might do a couple of the moves, like the t-tapp twist, and the box for your surgeon and ask him if those would be okay 3 weeks out. I'm 6 months out, so I'm not sure how it would have been closer to my surgery. Good luck!

Sure, Donna. We can email if you'd like. Send me a private message with your email address in it and we can get started that way.

. . .about the miracle that it's been in my life. I had Lapband surgery 4 months ago. Here are some of the things that have happened as a result: I have lost 66 pounds. My BMI has dropped over 10 points. My clothing size has gone from a 30/32 to an 18/20. I can cross my legs now. I feel stronger as a person. I am much more confident. I have a different relationship with food. I honestly don't miss the junk food that I was mourning the loss of before I had my surgery. On occasion I will have a little bit of something and then find that it no longer appeals to me like it used to. The post-op diet was hard at times, but nothing I couldn't handle with some planning and lots of reading around here. I eat normally. I have yet to find a food I couldn't eat as long as I'm careful in my chewing. I am rarely hungry. I eat to fuel my body, not because I'm driven to by an insane hunger. I wake up every morning grateful for the blessing that this surgery has been for me. My friends and family have all been supportive. Every last person I have spoken to about my surgery has been positive, supportive and kind. I want to cry when I look at my face in my before pictures. I didn't realize how lost I had become in my body/fat. I am almost giddy when I look at my current pictures because I see hope and happiness there. My family is eating healthier because of my food habit changes. My kids are proud of me. My husband is proud of me and thrilled with the changes in me, both physically and emotionally. I haven't uncovered any secret emotional reasons to why I overate. I'm still doing fine emotionally, in fact, I'm better than I've been in years. I have hope for a very bright future because of the changes that having the Lapband has helped me to achieve. Now, I still have 77 pounds to go until my goal weight, so I'm certainly not there. But even this much of a change has done so much for me. Anyone should go into surgery with both eyes open as to what complications you can run into, etc., but I just wanted to put my story out there, because there are some people who don't have complications. Sometimes the band is a perfect solution to why we're overweight and can be a virtually problem-free answer. I do follow my surgeon's rules and make good food choices most of the time. You do have to learn how to eat the best way for your weight loss, but it is important and you can do it. I do use willpower at times, but it is a hugely different experience with the band than before. Sometimes I don't post about how easy things have gone for me because I don't want to frustrate those who are struggling and trying hard, only having slower success. I don't want to come across as bragging in any way. But it's not a true picture if you don't get all perspectives, and this is my perspective. Hope it was helpful.

I thought I'd update some of these points I listed now that it's almost two months later. The green italicized text is new. I'm inching ever closer to my next goals: 100 pounds lost (19 to go) Onderland (23 to go), then weighing less than dh and that fluctuates daily, but I have around 45 to go for that one. Then goal for me is only a few more pounds from there. It's amazing that these things are within reach!

I'm just ordering the whole thing again and on DVD. She has apparently redone the workout for a third version, so I'd like to have the newest version. At half-price, I can afford to get the whole thing again. I didn't even realize my step sister got a discount. I was just calling to ask her advice on what to order and found out. Bonus!

I have realized that I only have half the workout, so I am going to be ordering the new Basic workout, plus Hit the Floor. I'm also going to give T-tapp's Skin Tightening System a try. Heaven knows I could use some help in that area. I'm going to take the Alfalfa, and Fiber Tox as well as an oil called Skin Saver Body. It was recommended to me by my step sister who is a trainer. (I introduced her to the program years ago, and she loved it, and went for it.) She can also get me a 50% discount, so that rocks. I have been skin brushing before every shower since I had surgery, so I'll continue that. I feel stronger when I do this work out. It does annoy my port a bit at certain points, but only a little bit. I started a 14 day bootcamp today and took measurements for comparison. We'll see how it goes.

I don't know, 6 pounds in a week is nearly a pound a day. How is that "not losing weight"? Maybe your surgeon had different guidelines, but it sounds like you're doing fine. Just make sure you stick to the diet, don't cheat and hopefully you'll sail through!

Well I feel strongly that the Lapband has been an answer to years of prayers. I have finally found a way to lose the weight, like I have been praying for. I believe that God inspires people to invent things, including surgeries. Sorry you had a bad experience with this friend.

Whoa! Thanks for letting me know that. I fixed it. I had my full name as my blog address, but since adding it to my signature I changed the url. Apparently I accidentally put the old address in my signature and that old address is now snatched up by someone else and their cash loans. I don't like that my name is now attached to that. Oh well, though, what can you do? Blog now accessible. Thank you.

Katrina, Thanks. You're sweet. Just let me know what specific questions you have. You can read my posts from here, my blog(s), or just ask questions. I'm more than happy to help.

lamvmomof4, First of all, congratulations on taking this huge step. As a mom, I really feel that the surgery was as much for my kids as it was for me. They have loved the differences in me and have celebrated in my successes with me. At first, I didn't eat meals with the family. School was in, so the girls had an easy Breakfast, lunch at school, and daddy would fix dinner. I wasn't at the table with them, hardly ever. After a couple of weeks, I joined them. I would have my bowl of refried Beans, or soup, or whatever, and they would have their dinner. My kids are 10, 8 and 18 months, so I don't have to fuss a whole lot over the older two and their mealtime. As time has progressed, we eat together and most of the time we eat the same things. I have started cooking healthier fare for the rest of the family as well. As far as your kids being young, I would almost think that it's going to work better for you to concentrate on feeding them, maybe sit with them and visit with them, and then later, or before, whatever schedule you're on, feed yourself. You will need to concentrate on chewing, etc., especially after your fills and you don't want to end up PBing. Now that I think about it, my second PB was at the dinner table (well, in the bathroom, but you know what I mean) and was because I just wasn't paying attention to how fast I was eating. You'll be able to tell once you're to the point that you can eat without concentrating on every single bite and every time you chew. Eventually you should be able to eat in a fairly normal way with your family. Did that answer your question, or did I totally miss the mark?

My blog link is in my signature also.

I did the regular T-tapp workout this morning. (Instead of the one for morbidly obese people.) I loved it. I love the stretch I feel and I felt stronger for having done it. I've lost enough weight that I figured I could do the regular work out. I was right. Anyone else doing T-tapp right now? I've also been skin brushing since my surgery. I do have a lot of loose skin, so I'm not sure it's helping. Maybe I would have had more loose skin without it, though. I'm going to go order the Basic workout on DVD. I'm missing the second half for some reason.

If your hair has become curly, you might just need to learn how to treat curly hair. I have curly hair and I love it. It took me reading the book Curly Girl, by Lorraine Massey, getting my hair cut by someone trained by her, and starting to use the Deva Curl line of hair products to really fall in love with my curls. The main thing is to stop using shampoo. It strips and dries curly hair. If you're using the above mentioned cleansing conditioner, that sounds like a good step. You need a good conditioner. I use Garnier Fructis, Sleek and Shine Conditioner. Also, a good gel is so important. I love the Deva Curl Angell. It's available at certain salons and online. It makes my curls defined without being crunchy. (Well, they dry a little crunchy, but then you scrunch them and they are soft, soft, soft.) Don't brush your curls, they will frizz. The less you do to your hair the better with curls. It may be a new kind of hair for you, but you might end up loving it if you can learn how to manage it.

I don't know about the burping part, but yes, the tight or heavy feeling in your chest is kind of what it's going to feel like when you get full. Early on that feeling will last for a while. As time has passed, I've realized that I often get a full, tight feeling right away and it's usually because I didn't eat slow enough or whatever. It usually passes within a couple of minutes and then I can finish eating my meal and actually get full. Now I'm at the point where I'm trying to decipher my full signals earlier because I do worry that I might be eating more than I need to. I have yet to eat till I'm in pain (okay, one time early on I did, and that led to my first PB episode.), but sometimes I am uncomfortably full when I'm finished. At one point I told my friend that I was full, but I wasn't ready to be done eating, so it frustrated me to get full. Now, I often finish what is on my plate. I need to gauge how much to eat by what my body tells me, not my head or my plate. I do Celebrate the need and the ability to eat reasonable amounts of healthy food. I just need to really understand what a reasonable amount is for me. Sorry, lots of rambling. I hope some of it was helpful.

I just noticed that your ticker says you've been banded for over four months. Are you still on a liquid diet? That is just plain crazy! You should be eating regular food by now and learning how to eat with the band, not just having liquids. This is very troubling to me.

I would run, not walk, run away from this quack. I've never heard such a ridiculous post-op diet plan. I am eating three healthy sized meals a day and losing two pounds a week. You don't have to live on liquids, in fact if you do, the band is not doing anything except maybe curbing your hunger. The whole point of the band is to allow solid Proteins to fill your smaller stomach pouch. I'm shaking my head that someone like this is actually practicing. I suggest you put his name out there so others can avoid him as well as report him to the proper place. Sorry, not sure how to do that, but you can probably find out pretty easy.

Well that made more sense to me. It does sound like we're in agreement. I just think it's a healthier way to approach the band and so far it's working for me.

Hi PennyLane! Nice to make your acquaintance! Congratulations on a good start to your band journey. It's going to be an exciting ride! In your post you said: Maybe you mistyped what you really meant to say, because most of your post I agree with, just not the part in bold. The above quote is actually not my philosophy on the band, actually it's about the opposite! LOL The part in bold is the part that for me is reversed. I don't believe in restricting the amount you can eat to an extremely small amount. My aim is to be able to eat fairly normal amounts of healthy food, while employing some willpower and thought to making the right eating choices for my body. Sorry, but for me 1/4-1/2 cup of food per meal isn't going to cut it. I eat more like 1-2 cups, depending on the food. For example, I talked to a friend today who was banded the same day as me. Since her last fill, months ago, she's not been able to tolerate meat, fruit, salad, even Peanut Butter. She is subsisting on Protein shakes and crackers with cheese for the most part. She can eat some veggies. She says she's hungry a lot and wonders if she should get another fill. My advice to her was to get an unfill. I think she's hungry because her band is so full she can't get enough food in to sustain herself. She said she doesn't look healthy, she's got dark circles under her eyes and her hair was falling out. She has lost weight, but in my opinion, there's a better way. I don't think that is how the band was intended to be used. As far as limiting choices, you have limit choices of inappropriate foods for weight loss. I'm not going to label things as bad or good, because food just is. Some things are a much more appropriate choice for someone who needs to lose weight, as we are. Our bodies will respond as we make choices that are healthy and conducive to weight loss. I love that you've made a commitment even down to redoing your kitchen to accommodate healthier cooking. It is a total life makeover, at least it has been for me. I think it has to be for one to ultimately be successful at this. Maybe you can explain more exactly what you meant in your post and if I misunderstood you, or if we're on different pages with our thinking.

I think the above 40 rule is mostly for insurance purposes, but I could be wrong. I'd be really surprised it at a BMI of 37 you can't find someone to do your surgery. Good luck!

Yay! Congratulations! I'm glad everything went well for you. It honestly will soon become a distant memory. I know I have to think about it for a minute to remember and it's only been 6 months. The excitement of the weight loss journey way overshadows that pain for me. Good luck with work.

Hi quilter, In my signature line you can click on What I'm Eating and it takes you to a blog where I've listed the healthy foods I'm enjoying eating and wanted to remember for myself, as well as be able to tell others what is working for me. There are some meal ideas on there. A typical day for me looks like this: 16 oz Water Breakfast: Yogurt and Kashi Go Lean Crunch, or Fruit and Cottage cheese 16 oz water Lunch: Solid Protein, (fish or chicken usually) steamed veggie, salad 16 oz water dinner, about the same as lunch. 16 oz water I do add some snacking throughout the day, but I try to keep it healthy snacking, like fruit, or baked pita chips and salsa, whole grain crackers, etc. I'm not perfect on getting all my water in, but I find if I have a goal of getting my big 16 oz water glass in between each meal it makes it easier.

Hello, Fellow Kansan! What is going on with your eating, and how close are you to goal right now?