vanillatangerine

How many weeks or months after surgery did you first plateau?

In large groups no one really notices....but what has been werid is dating. I agreed to go out with a guy I have been dating since before surgery but I never told him about it and then the day of I realized ohhh crap I can't eat anything....this was during the tail end of post surgery liquids. He ended up canceling because he had to much school work. I went on a double date to a party and it went fine. It was a dessert party.....one or two people I knew there that knew I had the surgery were like eating everything and telling me how it tasted. I really didn't care that I couldn't eat. I tell people I dont know I'm sorry I can't eat it it will make me sick. They usually just assume I have food allergies or intolerances....no one really questions it (I am lactose intolerant anyway). I just focus on other things when I go out like talking to people or dancing. Don't stand near the bar because that's when guys try to buy you drinks just head straight to the dance floor and burn some cals. Or first thing get yourself water so you have a drink in your hand so you can say I already have a drink thanks!! As far as dating goes if I do date more I will just make sure its more activity focused. I am in grad school so I don't have alot of time. I want to do things that burn calories like go ice skating, or biking, or just walk around the city...go to museums or concerts were you are up on your feet....burning all those extra calories.... The only thing that has limited me I had my surgery on Nov 12th (same starting weight as you!!) is that I get tired more easily because i am not eating enough.

I was banded a week ago and was wondering when it would be safe to start exercising. My doctor gave me a vague response like whenever you feel like you are ready. For the most part I am fine I just get these severe abdomenal pains and pain in my left shoulder about once a day which goes away with pain meds. I also am on a shake diet (5 per day for the first 2 weeks) but am only getting down about half of what is recommended. It's not that I get tight its just my body just really doesn't want anything more. Can I start exercising again? During preop i had bulit up to walking between 5-8 miles and run/walking about 3.5. What has your experience been? What do you recommend? Thanks!!

Sounds like you just don't have enough restriction. You have the band so use it. Get another fill and decide to start over. My doctor recommends doing shakes (5 per day) for a bit of time after the fill. The stomach is a muscle so I would focus on not stretching it out. I would do two weeks of liquids, a week or two of mush and then back to a low-carb healthy diet. Make sure you get at least 50 grams of protein and enough water. I would start walking with goals like time or distance (nike plus ipod is my personal goal keeper) and increase it as you make improvements. It seems like you don't know where the problem is so go back to the bear minimium and then add on to it while watching what your weight is doing. Another thing is that you could have food intolerances that interfere with your weightloss. Going to a natural low carb diet where you carbs come from fruits and veggies and healthy breads could help you identify things your body just doesn't process well. Common intolerances include:dairy, wheat, perservatives and chemicals in foods. I did the Glucerna shakes for diabetes they help maintain your blood sugar so your not hungry all the time. I view the band and the weightloss as a journey. It's never to late to take a change of course. If I were you I would wake up tomorrow with a more positive outlook and just take life a day at a time. I liked the comment about keeping a balanced life I think it's something you must aim for and make sure to take time for yourself. I was banded on Nov 12th. (BMI 44) I lost 15 pounds preop drinking glucerna and working out 5 days a week (started the preop diet Oct 20th) and 13 pounds post op so far. I started walking again yesterday about 8 days post op. I have just been drinking the glucerna's and next week I will start my mush diet...yah!

What does it feel like when some thing is stuck?

I am getting banded on Nov 13. I guess my only fears are that the band won't work for me. I mean I have been good about sticking to the preop diet and have lost 11 pounds since Oct 21st. But I think the fear is that my body just won't respond and I will plateau at a weightloss of 30-50 pounds when I really need to lose more like 100-120. Part of me just doesn't believe my body can be small. I have been over weight my whole life.

I live in Boston and am getting banded by a surgeon at Brigham and Women's. They said that there was a practice in western MA that was larger than theirs. I think it might be in Worcester. I am not sure about it because I don't know much about MA. If you go to Obesityhelp they have a list of surgeons in MA. You could also call the Brigham weightloss center and ask them if they recommend any practices of comparable quality closer to you. There number is 617-732-8500. They are extremely helpful. I would tell them I was considering them but would also like to explore some options closer to me. Also, if you are using your insurance some companies have prefered surgeons and hospitals. For example, Blue cross MA has recommended practices. I would also contact your insurance company because if you go to one of their prefered locations they do all the work to get insurance approval. At the Brigham I got my insurance approval 2-3 days after the initial consult with my physican.