Gone23456

Woohoo!!! That's amazing! Good luck and have fun!

I stayed overnight and took a sports bra, pj pants and a loose fitting t-shirt with. I changed from my surgery gown to my clothes about 1 p.m. (Had surgery at 8 a.m.) I kept refusing to change into the normal hospital gown so they finally said if I didn't want to do that, then I could put my real clothes on. I was a much happier girl after that :thumbup: I walked the entire night. I couldn't sleep so I just walked up and down the hallways with my IV(I was one of 3 people in my part of the hospital). I'd walk for about 10 mins and then go lay down and read for a half hour. I didn't have too much gas pain (don't know if this is why, or if I was just lucky) Good luck!!

I'm exactly the same way!! It's so frustrating to do everything right, but see nothing until the week after my period. I asked my Dr. and he said it's pretty normal. When I first was losing I lost for the 2 weeks after, but now I'm down to a week - about 5 lbs or so. I'm with you, 5 lbs a month at this point is still great, but its annoying to see the scale bounce for weeks on end :thumbup: Patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to weight loss!

Hey everyone!! Today is my 6 Month Bandiversary! Time has gone super fast. I took my monthly pictures and just wanted to share. Purple shirt is the beginning of my supervised diet(287), the green is the night before surgery(226) and the gray tank is tonight(177). Since the beginning of my 6 month supervised diet I've lost about 110 pounds. (68 of that since the start of my 2 week liquid diet) I feel better than I ever have before! I can run (if it weren't so damn hot!) and bike for longer than I ever imagined... I went to the amusement park with my cousin last week and comfortably fit in the rides, I can walk for hours without my feet and back killing me, I can even be outside in the heat without instantaneously sweating! My husband and I have taken up canoeing and fishing. (with my back pain outdoor activities were practically impossible) I love band life! It has definitely been the best decision I have ever made. It's definitely not easy - but it's worth the hard work to get my life back! This has been a great place to come and get support and read up on everyone's successes and hardships. Having people that truly understand what you are going through is a lifesaver. Thank you everyone for taking the time out of your busy lives to share your experiences - it makes a huge difference to us all! :scared2:

Congrats on finishing the 5K! I have to wear a compression shirt when I run to hold down my tummy and support my port or else I have some serious pain issues.

I was never athletic in high school. I've been overweight since I hit puberty. So running a 5K was a huge goal I had when I chose to have surgery. I started the C25K program March 8th (at 209 lbs) and ran my first 5K May 8th. Since then I've ran 4 more 5K's, an 8K and I'm signed up for a 10K in October. I highly recommend the Couch to 5K program. It's made me a runner!

WOOHOO!!! Way to go!! You rock! :tt1:

I graduated C25K May 8th and I have yet to be able to run the 5K distance in 30 mins. I'm down to 31:06 - getting closer! I've run three 5K's races and an 8K. I have another 8K on the 4th of July that I'm excited to see if I can improve on my time from my first race. I'm running a 10K in August and another in October. I also have a 5K in October and I'm hoping with all the distance training I'll be able to make my 30 minute mark. :eek:

My upper arms! I'd like to wave and not have them wave back! A tummy tuck would be nice, but it looks alright with clothes on so that can be delayed a bit. Haven't had kids yet and haven't decided if we are, so it's definitely not on the top of my list.

Did they say that they did it on a regular basis or just to have a taste of steak. I can understand wanting to taste the steak without swallowing it since it is such an unfriendly band food. I've done this to get a taste of something that I can't eat with my band. It's an easy way to solve my craving. But I completely agree, if it's an everyday habit, then they need help figuring out why they aren't willing to eat.

I have to take a Multivitamin and Calcium every day for the rest of my life. Other than that, I haven't drank a Protein shake since surgery - they're icky to me. Some people use them to get in more protein during the day or to replace a meal. My Dr. doesn't want us drinking any liquid calories and Protein drinks count towards that. I agree with btrieger completely though - new clothes have been my number one expense (but what fun I've had shopping for sales!)! Just remember though, you won't stay the same size for long so buy cheap clothes! Good luck!!

One of the suggestions in our support group was putting up a before picture on your mirror. Then each morning while you're getting ready you just have to glance over to see just how far you've come!

My Dr. and nutritionist are the opposite - centrum silver is the one they told me to take. I'd ask your team what they recommend since everyone is different! I take liquid Vitamins. The chewable ones were way too chalky for me. I wasn't doing well at taking them every day. Now I just have to take two shots and I'm done for the day!

Congratulations!!

I take a Zumba class weekly and it definitely burns some major calories! I feel it most in my legs and my abs. I definitely work up a sweat! I love it! I've lost 4 inches around my stomach since starting the class 6 weeks ago. On occasion it's hard to keep up, and I feel ridiculous sometimes, but it's the best/most enjoyable workout short of running that I've found!

I've been making poor food choices and slacking on the exercise for the last couple weeks - that's why I'm running the 8K this weekend - to make my ass get off the couch! My staple foods for the past 2 weeks have been fish sticks, chicken strips (both baked, but that doesn't make it much better) and mashed potatoes... I think I'm in my first lazy phase (with many more to come, I'm sure). I still managed to lost 5 pounds this month, but I can only imagine how bad it's been for my body! txprincess - I love working out and I STILL have days when I just don't want to do it :tongue2: They charge for the races so at least it gives me incentive to get out and train! And I get a shirt for going to them!! I love new shirts! And since I didn't say it before, TX, Sawyer and Jen you all are looking great!! I can honestly say I am happiest about the improvements in my health and mobility. But feeling better about the body I'm living in is definitely a fringe benefit. And... ALL THE CLOTHES!! My husband keeps commenting that I'm forever buying clothes, I keep telling him its only because I'm shrinking out of them so fast! (couldn't be because for the first time in my life I can find clothes :eek:) I've gone from a 24 pant to 12 and from 2XL(26/28) tops to M (some L depending on clingy-ness). Love it! Its so nice to be able to try on a bunch of things and pick the one that looks the best instead of just the one that fits. I've been overweight since I was 11. I never got to dress "cute". It is definitely a nice perk. And I love the sales!! I went shopping last Friday and got 4 shirts, 3 for $2.80 each and 1 for $5.99. Ok, I'm done now. I don't mean to sound like I'm self-centered, I'm definitely not. I just try not to talk about it to most of the people around me, so as to not be annoying about my weight loss - it's nice to be able to talk to people who understand how exciting it is!

The first pictures in purple are from middle of July, 2009 -287 . I started meeting with my Dr. for my 6 month supervised diet August 5th.The second pictures in teal are from Memorial Day weekend - 188. I've lost almost 99 since starting meeting with my Dr/Dietitian and 54 pounds since the start of my pre-op diet. I'm down 124 from my highest weight of 312. I ran my first 5K May 8th. I'm running an 8K this weekend, 5K's the next 2 after that and another 8K July 4th. I signed up for a 10K towards the end of October, I'm a little nervous about that one... I can't believe that I'm a runner! I love my band!

Did you get your kiss??

You lost three pounds a week!! That's an awesome loss!! I hope you have better luck with your next fill. It sounds like your journey has been rough - I hope it only gets better!!

Cool Running :: The Couch-to-5K Running Plan The Couch to 5k program is a program that combines walking with running to build up your endurance til you can run a full 30 mins. straight. The program is 9 weeks long and it is AMAZING! I have always been overweight. I had never run a day in my life, and I decided to start this program in March. I have completed one 5K, have 3 more planned for this month, I have an 8K on July 4th and I am running a 10K October 23rd. I am up to 5 miles 3-4 times a week. I never in my life thought I would not only lose weight, but learn to LOVE running! I highly recommend it (if you can't tell :Dancing_biggrin:)

I have the 10cc AP. When I was banded my Dr. only used the Lapband AP. He recently started placing a few Realize bands because he thinks the "stops" are less severe which could result in less vomiting which can help reduce the chance of slipping. I don't know which is better, I haven't had any problems with my band, but I haven't had it very long either! Good luck on your decision!

I have to wear a compression top under my shirts when running to stop my stomach from bouncing up and down or else my port pulls and it hurts really bad. Don't know if this is a problem for you, but just figured I'd throw it out there. Good luck with your half marathon!!

I finished the C25K program this week and ran my first road race today!! Finished in just over 33 minutes! To anyone thinking about starting this program - do it! It's amazing!

We had the chance to attend a Zumba class as part of our "Shape-up Challenge" at work. I went last Tuesday and LOVED IT! I loved it so much I Googled classes close to me and signed up for a 6 week session that started Friday I wish I could go 5 days a week!! That would be awesome! It's only 1 day a week unfortunately... You'll have to let us know how the AquaZumba is!! I wish we had one around here!!