notateechanow

I, too, had Harvard Pilgrim AND, unlike Jay, a very flexible work schedule. I think I had a bmi of 43 or so. I attended the October information session and was able to be operated on by December 12th. I also had Dr. Robinson. I stress that I had a very flexible schedule and was able to work closely with Jennifer to make it in before Christmas. (I assume there wasn't a big demand for the pre-Christmas surgery dates, either....) Weight loss is important for the reduction of the size of your liver---your surgeon must lift the liver to get to the stomach to put the band on. There are links on this site and the Brigham and Women's site to watch a surgery. I strongly recommend it. It's quite interesting if you can stomach it. Good luck. Hope you will join us for the March support meeting at the Brigham!

I had prime rib for Christmas Dinner....surgery was on December 12th. :tt2: I know I wasn't supposed to...but I had pretty much full food after 2 weeks....no issues, but that was my experience. YOU might have issues. Don't take my experience as what will happen to you. I wouldn't want you to have to visit Dr. Robinson to have something removed and have you tell him it was because I suggested it!!! :thumbup:

I've scanned through the postings so I apologize if someone has already said this to you----but have you gone to individual or group counseling? Your stomach was banded, not your head or your heart. I'm pleased to see that you still care...that's the very first step. I ate a ton of crap tonight. Why? I'm not PMS'ing. I was overwhelmed at work....I will admit here that when I overeat, I often rinse it out with a big drink of Water...yes, and make myself vomit. Healthy? Absolutely not. It's not something I do regularly, but we all struggle.....we all have our demons. Having my stomach banded didn't make my perfectionism or issues disappear. I'm thinking of you and hoping that with every hour you feel stronger. Delight in small term goals. Take each day, each hour as it comes. Do the best you can. But, know that you're not alone.....

Yeah, Cristasha!!! Congrats! Keep up your great work! :w00t:

I want to hear all about this appointment! Jay, I love reading your postings. They always make me laugh so hard!! Hope you had a super dinner!

My now ex took the batteries out of the scale--apparently he knew I'd be too lazy to go buy a new one--they take some special kind, so I wasn't about to go get a new one! My nutritionist really encouraged me to stop weighing myself. I must have walked by my scale 10-15 times a day and stepped on it EVERY time. I know it's compulsive and unhealthy. More importantly, it was very defeating. I went to a gym where they took measurements. These proved invaluable when I was struggling at the scale. I would absolutely encourage you to measure, no matter what point you're at in your weight loss. I do one arm, a thigh, waist, hips, and bust. This is what helped me through my frustrating times when the scale wouldn't budge..... Stay on the program your surgeon gave you. Don't let the scale be your judge and jury. If you eat properly, drink your fluids, and make sure you move regularly, then you should be ok. Keep up the good work!

Are they expecting long wait times??!! I, unlike you, didn't make it past the 1/2 price sale on candy. I love my candy. (Thanks for the kisses, by the way..still munching on those...) I'm just better at not eating the whole bag in one day any more. :tt1:

Water pills are great for their intended use--to lose water. Are you drinking enough water? If not, they can cause muscle cramping and eventually cause you to retain whatever water your body does have.....unless you're someone sensitive to sodium or retain water for other reasons (like PMS or a medication) they really aren't worth it. Go for a long walk instead! I have found them to be helpful when flying---if you're someone whose ankles blow up this will help. Otherwise, don't waste your time or money. Nothing replaces good diet and exercise. :hurray:

Good for you for acknowledging the emotional/mental aspects of this journey. I strongly suggest you consider some individual counseling to help you further explore this, too.....it can't hurt. Congrats. Keep up the great self control. Impress Dr. Robinson! :hurray: Oh, but please don't be dissuaded if he doesn't do the celebratory dance along with you---he's just not that type of person.

Sometimes your body just needs to readjust to a particular weight. I was stuck between 50 and 60 pounds for nearly 2 months. If you have adequate restriction (think about the volume of food you're able to consume....) and you're continuing to move, be sure you're sleeping enough and drinking all of the water. If those things are consistent, change up your workout routine or the kind of foods you eat. Sometimes it's just a matter of making small changes to adjust and stimulate loss again. Good luck! Keep at it. 50 pounds is a lot of weight!

My incisions are far closer to my bra than they are to my waistband. In fact, I have one that was right smack in the center of my chest, right below the band of my bra. Otherwise, the others are all lower--but quite a way above my waist. (I'm tall and long waisted, but it's about a 6 or 7 inch difference on me....) As for eating, cooking, and feeding---let me suggest a few things. Once you're back on solids---what, like 6 weeks out, maybe? (I can't remember now) I found it easiest to make everything at once, but setting a portion for me aside before it was made for them. For instance, I'll take out a small piece of chicken and prepare it without breading or sauces until later on for me. The other thing is to never cook when you're hungry. Picking will be a problem for a few reasons--1) you aren't keeping track of how much food you're consuming. 2) you will eat unconsciously. THIS will have to change with the band. You will need to be a conscious eater after the banding. 3) It's anti-social! You'll leave the table far sooner when everyone else is still eating. Chew gum while cooking. It will keep you from munching OR drink your water while cooking. It will make sure you're not so parched that you'll want to drink later, while eating. Yvonne will tell you, just don't swallow the gum!!! Good luck. Hope it's all going as you want.

So I re-read this thread today to remind me of how far I've come. My ex and I no longer speak. Things got ugly--really ugly. He started dating another woman (yes, I did realize he would date...) around Thanksgiving and proposed to her on Christmas Eve. So, evidently he didn't have commitment issues, he just didn't want to be with ME. I spent my first 2 months in my new apartment trying to keep myself together...afraid if I stopped smiling, I'd never stop crying. I realize now that it wasn't him I missed in my life so much as it was that I was so sad that he didn't love me enough to want to be with me. I spent 3 months of sleepless nights--did I mention I've never lived alone?! I finally started working out at night, between 8 and 10, because it was the hardest time of the day for me to stay out of the kitchen and keep it all together. It also helped me sleep. I had a fill right after Thanksgiving. Between that time and New Years' Day, I lost almost 40 pounds. I realize it's far more than I'm supposed to lose, but I swear I did it in a healthy way. (Cooking for one just isn't any fun. Eating yogurt or pre-cooked turkey meatballs is just far easier when it's just me!) I also worked out for nearly 2 hours a day. I took some time off from the gym around New Years' on the advice of my surgeon. My ex is now single again. (some things just have to make you laugh!) I spent Valentine's Day with my friends at a singles' party. I've been dating as much as I possibly can--there are 3 meals a day, after all, and that doesn't even include coffee! My apartment is finally looking like I live here. I couldn't bring myself to decorate or even put up curtains initially, but I'm getting there. I'm training for a 5K in May. I'm meeting new people and making new friends. I am going back to Aruba for Memorial Day weekend--my reward for my first road race. :mad2: I'm learning to love myself and appreciate men who admire me. I'm not looking to fall in love today, but you never know. Incidentally, I started individual counseling around late November, when I just couldn't seem to put my life back together on my own and didn't want to depend on whining to my friends any more. We all have limits. It hasn't been an easy journey, but my new life is finally mine. I control it. I appreciate it. I love it. The Lap Band hasn't just given me control of my eating--it's given me the confidence to go after what I want in life. It has allowed me to find what makes ME happy, not just create happiness by making others happy. I am not at goal yet. I'd like to lose another 40 pounds. When the time comes, I'll get there.....for now, I'm training for my 5K. Thank you so much to all of you who were supportive when I most needed it. I can't tell you how much it meant and still means to me. :sneaky:

Cerrin, Does your surgeon have a support group? I have found mine to be invaluable. Aside from that, are you moving or exercising? Dieting is good, but moving and adding some exercise--even if only 20-30 minutes 4 times a week will definitely help. I have lost in chunks--I lost very little weight between July and November, then dropped a quick 40 again when I changed up my exercise plan. I work out at least 4-5 days a week. I watch what I eat, but I'm not hyper vigilant. I focus more on making sure I have enough Protein and Water every day, and do my best to add veggies/fruit. If I end up eating junk with it, so be it. I'm losing, but not obviously or steadily. I keep my measurements because I know that's how I will see my greatest results. I'm now down to about 215 from 304. It wasn't fast and it wasn't easy....but it has been worth it!!

I love dating now! I am so happy to be single and at this size. I haven't had much of a dating life in the past--before now I typically met a guy, became good friends, and things progressed from there. I get a lot of attention from men and a lot of phone numbers. I'm loving my new life. I will say that life is more complicated and the band has definitely created huge complications. I focus more on my date, whatever we're doing, and allow myself to appreciate his company while trying to steer away from food. It's not about the food--it's about the date, right? I'm not very comfortable with the intimacy aspect, but that's why I keep it superficial until I'm ready to be with someone I know who will accept me---scars and all. Life is good. :sneaky:

Have you had hour thyroid checked? I know mine needs to be regulated when I can see my scalp. Other things affect this, too, not just protein---seasonal changes, hormonal changes, etc. Even with the band, you should be getting adequate nutrition. Are you taking a multivitamin???

Heidi, Raising your heart rate will undoubtedly improve your weight loss. However, be sure to make changes that you can sustain. Working out will certainly improve your cardiovascular health and will raise your metabolism, even when resting. If walking is all you can do, then walk. If you want to try, try jogging for even 15 seconds at a time, then resume walking. Do the best you can do to start raising your heartrate even a little more. Working out will initially make it seem as if your weightloss has become stagnant as muscle mass increases and your muscles retain water---however, this is the time to take measurements!! I lost 2 clothing sizes last year without dropping a pound. I lost the pounds later on.....I just know I'm healthier today for it. :tt2: I have officially finished week one of my ten week training program for my 5K in May.....I'm sore. I feel crummy, but I'm going to do this!!! :thumbup:

Thanks. It's scary to think I let myself go like that....:tt2:

Jay, I totally understand and sympathize. I bought a treadmill for my house when I had surgery because I certainly didn't want to workout in a public place. Over the summer I had to travel to Chicago for work and didn't want to take the 5 days off from working out. So....I had to face my demons and walk/run in public. I do what they call interval training. I started by walking at one rate for a few minutes, then jogged at a faster rate for intervals as short as 30 seconds. I lost about 30-40 pounds BEFORE doing that, though...Increasing the speed or intensity, even a little bit, will have a great impact. I, too, worried about breaking the treadmill. Let's be honest---I was over 300 bills when I started. I WAS going to break the treadmill, but they're built to last. I ended up doing my regular workout last summer at the hotel. I was horrified that the only available treadmill was in the first row, with 3 other rows behind...so if the noise wasn't deafening, the wiggling of my fat would be quite a scene! So...I put on my headphones really loud. I didn't want to hear it. If I didn't hear it then it didn't exist. I didn't make eye contact. I didn't want to know what people were thinking. In the end, though, I will tell you that people have a great deal of respect for your effort. They're not thinking what WE think they're thinking. I swear. OH, but just so you know you're not alone...I won't run outside yet. I have a 5K in 11 weeks outdoors and I'm horrified to imagine what I'll look like. As it is I'm self conscious in my gym. I workout when I know my gym is empty. It doesn't matter how much weight you have to lose---we're all self conscious, at every size. That part of your brain doesn't disappear with the weight loss. Just get working out. Walk, jog, skip if you want...just move. Don't worry about how you look. There's always someone who looks worse. :tt2: Keep up the great work! :tt2:

OH...and FYI..I've seen MANY people wipe out on the treadmill. It is absolutely possible to mess that up!!! :eek:

You shouldn't be doing anything other than walking for at least 6 weeks post op. After that, most gyms offer some kind of trainer who will set you up with a simple workout plan in writing---even the YMCA does that cheaply. No tips involved. You go, workout and go home. I don't do anything other than cardio, though.....when I need to really bulk up, I'll start lifting again. :eek: Ask about getting a guided tour of the gym from someone who works there. I know you recently joined and they should have some sort of an orientation....... but for now, Jay, wait til the good doctor tells you to start doing something other than walk.

You can definitely do 10 pounds in 6 weeks....keep working out!