lanejane

OK. I'm with you guys. I dissapeared for a few weeks because things weren't working. Then I actually had a few good weeks and loss maybe 7 pounds. Although, I then turned around and had a bad couple weeks and gained 1 back. I want to lose 30 more, just to get to the point of feeling really comfy in my skin and in my own clothes. Everything after that will be a bonus. I don't need to be skinny just comfy and look good in a nice suit. But I'm detemined to make this work. I can't see it any other way. So many people are so proud of the success I've had thus far that it does put a lot of stress on you to do well for the sake of not letting them down. But I must get back to the basics, that this things was done for me and only me and that at one point I would give anything to have it and now that I do, I can't lose sight of the dream now. I started writing down my foods today. I figured once I got up and hadn't put anything in my mouth that it was the perfect time to start all over with a fresh, new day. Hopefully I can get to loosing again really soon.

good for you for catching yourself before it was too late. i've been gradually getting more use to the idea that the band is a took and not a self-operating machine. I kind of wish that more emphasis had been placed on the tool part before I had surgery... it probably was but i was probably too busy daydreaming about my new body. Anyway, good luck.

I know what that feels like. I was banded May 21. I didn't loose antyhing for the first three weeks. Then suddenly I lost like 5 pounds last week. And for the moment, I seemed to be stalled again. I'm hoping that after my first fill July 3, something will give. I ride my bike for an hour each day and I def try to keep the calories down so I was expecting much bigger results my now but in the words of Jessie Jackson, "Keep hope alive."

The absolute key is to find something you love. I bought a bike one week after my surgery. I was apprehensive about biking because I felt I was too big and would stand out. But I put my headphones on and once I got use to it, I can't stop. So many nights I think to myself, I should just give it a rest for one night. But I can't. I love it. I ride for an hour 7 days a week, even when it hurts. You just have to find something you love, combine it with music and start slowly and work your way up.

put the scale down and back away slowly! I know what you feel like. I was banded one month ago today and for the first three weeks I lost nothing and it seemed at times like I was actually gaining. I've been in the bottom of the pit for so long but I decided about a week ago to try hard to forego the weighing everyday, sometimes several times a day. And even though I sometimes do that still, I realized this isn't about watching some magic number go down as much as it is about you living in a new way. I resolved to continue what I was doing and try even harder and let the scale do as it will. Plus, people kept telling me because I haven't had a fill yet, because my hormones are probably going crazy now and because I was watching the scale too closely it wasn't going to happen. Well the last few days the scale has finally moved downward by at least 4 or 5 pounds. I'm so happy because I needed that reassurance. So you see it will happen just maybe not when you're wanting it to. Stick to your guns and one day you'll see the results you want.

Hi Juli, Your success is amazing. I look up to you! Hey, did you notice that the bike worked good for fat loss. I feel I'm working my abs when I ride but I can't be sure. Unfortunately, I haven't lost much yet but I think I've built some muscles from the riding so that could be part of it.

I understand your pain. It's been almost three weeks since I was banded, and if I've lost 5 pounds, I'd be surprised. That said, I think 10 lbs is a pretty good amount in just a little over a month. I get so discouraged too sometimes, looking at all the people here who've had such outstanding success. I'm like, 'why can't I be like them.' But then again I know I don't follow my diet to the letter. But I excercise like crazy so I would think I would be much further along. I know it seems silly to go through all this just to be told to do the same things people were telling you to do before the band. But you have to admit some things are easier, aren't they? Just think if you had to stick to this same plan but without the band. I'd be at McDonald's right now! So I try to keep that in mind and the small yet positive changes I've made like smaller portions and no fast food. I also just try to give myself time but that's hard because I'm impatient. Sometimes I see it as more gratifying this way. Because yes the lapband is helping but you're really the one doing all the work. So be proud of yourself. And remember why you wanted to lose weight in the first place. And know going back is not an option. Resolve to only go forward, even if you have to do it slowly. That's better than looking back.

I'm so glad to see a thread here all about biking. I just purchased my first bike in years about a week after my surgery (I was banded 3 weeks ago). I've ridden it just about every single day since. I go to this beautiful park near my house and ride for about an hour or as I estimate it, about 8 miles. I've been wondering if you've all found it an effective fat burning workout. I plan to switch up and join a gym in the winter but for now I'm addicted and although it kills my butt, I find my self craving a ride each day no matter how tired I am. And I've already gotten stronger.

Thank you so much I find your message inspiring. Already you've given me ideas that could jumpstart my progress. I know the only direction I can travel is forward and that gives me more motivation to stay on this long ardous path. Thanks for taking the time to give me a swift kick in the butt when I needed one! :behindsofa:

I'm nearly 3 weeks post op. I've barely lost anything. I've been working out for about a 1 1/2 hours a day riding my bike for about 6-8 miles in an hour. In the last few days I've completely lost my appetite. Yet with all this I seem to be either staying the same or gaining. I don't know what to do. I keep just thinking that my body is in shock and doesn't know what the hell is going on. Has this happened to any of you. I need some encouragement. I'm not thinking of going back to my old ways but it sure would be nice to be rewarded on the scale for all this hard work.

First I feel your pain. During my pre-op diet I always felt deprived. I would get excited to go home for lunch only to realize that I was on a diet and couldn't eat much and it was such a let down! Then after surgery I felt as if my best friend had left...what am I going to do with my life? Who am I going to spend all my time with? What if I get bored? I thought. Then I brought a bike, and I must admit, I no longer feel hungry. Instead of thinking about food when I get up. I think OK when can I go ride my bike. I found a really nice park and I do about an hour each day. Now I'm worried but not because I'm on a diet but it looks like it's going to rain :thumbup: and I needs my ride. So my advice for you is to realize the lapband is a tool and not a cure all. I've found my eating habits have changed drastically in the spand of a month. I no longer crave foods I did the first few weeks after surgery. I've gotten to the point where food isn't even big on my mind anymore. When you get hungry, drink a glass of water and if that doesn't help, take a walk, and if you're still hungry choose something healthy. It's hard. I think the thing I didn't realize is that this experience is really no different from any regular diet. You still have to practice self control. More than anything it's mental..it's 90% mental and when you get your mind right your body will follow. Now, I have a question for you bandsters. I'm about 2 weeks post-op I've only lost 4 pounds and I'm at a standstill now. I weigh myself everyday, which is obsessive. I excercise like a mad woman and eat less than 900 calories a day...what's the deal? I used to eat 5X that much before. Why am I not loosing faster?

it's not that you're at a higher risk. It's just that as you lose weight it becomes easier to get knocked up so be EXTRA careful! lol

I just started on semi regular food. I guess you can call it mushies but it includes oatmeal, mashed potatoes and yummies like that. I was banded on the 21st and this week I finally feel like I've gotten over the hump. I no longer feel hungry! And a little bit of food is fine with me! I hope this last. If it does the weight will come off...this is the sweet place after you transcend from post-op hell.

Wow! congrats on your weight loss.

Sue Magoo.. I was looking at your weight loss. Fantastic! Do you have any advice?

you know you're a bandster when you day dream about 1/2 a cup of unsweetned apple sauce.

I'll be honest. I didn't do as well as I wanted to. However, I did back off a lot and made 90% of what I took in liquids. I'm a bit disapointed because I only lost 4 pounds since surgery but as Doc. Foote reminded me, I didn't exactly stick to the diet :smile2:. Anyhoo, the appointment wasn't so bad and I didn't get yelled at too bad. I was thinking after these two weeks, life would return to normal but there's a new diet and yet another diet 2 weeks from now. But luckily this diet includes lots of things like pudding, yogurt, mashed potatoes, even yams, oatmeal and and some veggies. It's still a pretty limited amount of food but if you're creative you can make some good things. Dr. Foote told me I wouldn't feel much restriction until my first fill. Until then I'm determined to stick to this new plan. It should be much easier. I tried, really I did but I just could not get with the liquid thing. Let me know if you plan on going to any support groups. Good luck and keep up the good work.

At about that time you should be starting on liquids. I know sometimes when I'm hungry it's just that I'm thirsty. After I drink a glass of water I feel fine.

I feel you. The first doctor I went to told me the surgeon wouldn't allow me to have the lap band because of my size. Then I went to the surgeon and he said he thought it was the perfect choice for me. So you see, one person will say something as if they're the sworn expert on the topic and have no friggin' clue what they're talking about. You've got to do the research and gather a multitude of opinions and make the final decision for yourself. Yes I think I was a bit niave going in. I knew I'd have to work hard after surgery to get the results I wanted but maybe I didn't realize just how hard. I'm realizing that more and more but guess what..it's not making me want to give up. It's acutally making me want to try harder so that when I do get down about 100 pounds, I'll be able to look back and say that was (almost) all me. I did that! Something I never thought was possible. Prove the naysayes wrong that's always the best way to shut them up. And now that I've had my surgery. I know of at least 20 people who are thinking about it for them!

Yes that does seem excessive, even for someone that size but obviously they're doing something right. I just hope I can see big results in the first few months. I'm about a 1 1/2 weeks post op and things are moving relatively slow even though my calorie intake is minimal and I excercise nearly every day a week for more than an hour. I'm thinking that one day soon, I'm going to wake up, jump on the scale and see a huge difference. I just hope it happens soon because I'm certainly working hard enough.

Don't freak out! I totallly freaked before my surgery. I cried and cursed my boyfriend, I'm sure he thought I was nuts. Then on the day of I was totally relaxed and woke up after surgery like...that's it? Trust me there's no need. You'll be fine.

awww... I feel for you. I know a lot of men who've worked all their lives have a hard time giving it up because they feel it's their jobs to always be the provider. I would recommend helping him find other types of work. Just don't let him go home sit on a couch and wait to die. Tell him to use this time to do the things he's always wanted.

I just had lots of pain with that port incision on my right side. but nearly 2 weeks out, I think it's healed nicely and unless I try something again like taking up rollerblading it won't hurt...Sudden movements also really aggravated it.

I'm struggling with the same thing. The important thing is not to beat yourself up about what you've already done (no matter what people say) and try your best to stick to the liquids from here on out. I was worried about my solid food dabbles post-op and called a nurse who recommended I go back the liquids but she didn't sound nearly as severe as some of the post here might. Of course it's always best to stick to doctor's reccomendations but being human you will slip up. Just do your best to bounce back and don't worry about what's in the past. :laugh: