mediummike

I use a pill crusher that I picked up for around $5 at CVS for ALL pills. Easy, and why take the chance ?

I agree with stlouisgal - find a nutritionist who specializes in lap band surgery...

Regarding the weight loss - remember you lost a lot of weight very quickly - a lot of that is water weight. The fact that you are maintaining (or even up a few) is normal after that. As long as you are eating right (600 calories sounds too low) and exercising, you should continue to lose a couple of punds per week once you pass this plateau. I lost 30 pounds in the first two weeks, then it took two more weeks to lose 5. Overall, 35 in one month which I am very happy with. Regarding the types of exercise, listen to your doctor, and more importantly, listen to your body.

Way to go Chris ! Congrats on your (and your wifes) success. Sounds like you are in a great state of mind. Keep it up and look forward to your next post.

I have a very similar story. Although I feel no "restriction", I am able to just stop eating at will. I lost a lot of weight immediately after surgery during the 2 weeks I was on liquids/mushies, but have leveled off since I have been back on "normal" food. No surprise there. I am still losing, just at a much slower pace, which is good! Your body is probably just catching up with the water weight you lost so be patient as you get through this plateau. My doctor says he MAY give me a fill at my 5 week appointment (Tuesday), but not definite. I think they want to assess my progress and eating habiys before they do anything. I am fine with that. I see him and his nutritionist every month for the first year for any adjustments (fills) that I may need. I trust my doctor and speak openly with him regarding any issues I have. Sounds like you like your doctor as well and hopefully you can have an open dialogue with him too. Good luck !

I was in the gym the very next day, followed by walking around the mall a couple of hours with my wife. Most docs (check with yours) will encourage you to walk every day post surgery. The trick is to listen to your body and do not overdue it.

Thanks for the advice guys !

Hey Fenton - welcome back. Sorry to hear about the rough first night - but trust me (and others on the post) it gets better every day. Keeping mobile is definitely key...

That siad, I realize I am one of the lucky ones who has insurance coverage.

Yes, cardiologist (echo stress), endoscopy, psych eval, dietician, x-rays, ekgs, lots of blood, even had to meet with the anesthesiologist. Lots of pre-op stuff required by my surgeon - and I am a relatively healthy individual, besides the excess weight. Still I get it - you're going into surgery (no matter how "minor") and I appreciated the thoroughness.

The rewards in paragraph 1 so outweigh the sacrifices in paragraph 2 (at least in my eyes) !! That aside, I think that this is something many of us have a concern about. I'm relatively new to all of this but I wonder how tough this will 1, 2, 5, 10+ years from now realizing I won't be able to tolerate some foods/drinks. I am (was) a beer drinker and I'm pretty much resolved to the fact that there is a possibility that I will be lucky to have a sip every now and then, if that. However, the benefits gained (see paragraph 1) are so much more enticing to me at this point, that I am willing to accept changes in my eating behavior/habits. I also agree with shortgal that maybe you are too tight ? Might want to discuss that with your doctor. Good luck to you.

I have not had a fill yet (banded 3 weeks ago) but did over eat a bit this past weekend and WOW - did I pay for it. So uncomfortably full and intense left shoulder pain. I just sat in a comfy chair and waited for it to pass - seemed like an hour or two. I learned my lesson the hard way.

oh yeah, thats a toughie for me too. my doctor has me not drinking 15 minutes prior to eating and then one hour after. i always have an insatiable thirst and i find it difficult to not drink while eating..

ooops - here it is Center for Obesity Surgery, Post-Operative Care: LAP-BAND Surgery Discharge Instructions

I'm attaching the web link to my doctor's post-op instructions, in case you're interested. May be interesting to see how they differ from what your doc says..

Hey fenton - I was up and about the next day. Went to the gym and walked on the treadmill for 35 minutes then went to the mall and walked around there with my wife for around an hour or so. My doctor encourages his patients to walk at least 30 minutes per day the day starting after surgery (of course, please check with your doctor as it seems they all have different guidelines). Besides a little sore (very minor actually), I was pretty much up and about. I didn't drive until around 3 days after surgery just as a precaution. Good luck today !

Hey Fenton - no magic formula really - I just want to get my bmi under 30 initially so that gets me to 240 lbs. I was in that range about 10 years ago and it felt good, althoughI always knew I needed to lose about 20 more. I want to get to around 240 and as I approach that weight, I will see how things are going. Good luck tomorrow !!

Agree with shortgal - 18 lb'sver 3 weeks is amazing. That 18 lbs the first week was a lot of water weight probably so just the fact that you are stable is great. I was (am) the same way - lost 30 lbs first two weeks and this week nothing. But I am eating healthy, excercising and generally feel great. Weight loss will come. As mentioned, be sure you are eating enough !

My doctor says milk of magnesia is ok if no "movement" after 5 days. It works, trust me - and like others who posted on this site, a nice side effect is you WILL lose a couple of pounds....

Agreed - seeing results of others keeps me highly motivated and determined not to look back..

Sounds like we have a similar build. I was at 230 when I got married and was very comfortable. I agree with your methodology - set realistic short term goals and re-evaluate when you get there...

Ceradad - keep at it and soon enough you will be there. I also have an initial goal of 240 which will get my BMI just under 30, but do not intend to stop there. I'm 6'3'' (I swear I used to be 6'4" but I must be shrinking) and supposedly my ideal body weight is 180. Not sure that is realistic....

Your results speak for themselves. Nice job.

Wish I was as commited as Ceradad is ! I try to do cardio 5-6 days a week which consists of at min. 45+ minutes on the treadmill. I lift weights (upper body only these days) around 3-4 days a week for 30 minutes at at a time doing various exercises. Hard fiding time - I get up at 5am as it is to go to the gym...

I was told no ibuprofin (advil), aspirin, or aleve. Only tylenol. Something about being bad for the stomach a- risk of ulcer ??? Honestly, don't exactly remember why, just remember not to. Was a huge aleve fan prior to surgery for sore joints.