missboo333

My turn to "weigh in"! I'm 5'4" and had my surgery 12/29/08. I've had one complication (my surgeon had to move my port 4 weeks ago), but that has almost healed and despite that, I've lost 30 pounds! I'm thrilled with my success, but it hasn't been easy ... I follow the Protein and eating guidelines to a t and exercise 5-6 times a week. I say go with what your psychologist says! You might also ask why your surgeon thinks gastric bypass is better for you. Also, follow your "gut" ~ your 6th sense will usually guide you to the right decision. Hope this helps!

I work out at LA Fitness in DFW and my personal trainer breaks me into muscle groups: triceps/chest; back/biceps; legs. He also wants me to make sure that I allow 2 days between same group sets so the muscles have time to heal. Abs you can do every day if you want to. I lift weights 4 times a week for 20-30 minutes a time before my cardio, but after a 5 minute warm-up. Hope this helps!

I asked my nutritionist that very same question and she said to pair Protein with a carb about 30 minutes before working out. It has worked for me! Be careful you don't get full on that snack. I did once, and cramped through the whole workout! Good luck!

I was informed when I went for the psychological evaluation prior to my wls surgery when the psycologist asked how I would feel about it. I have been overweight my whole life and now, 35 pounds down, am already seeing that my skin is not going to bounce back, so I'm all for it!! I also found out, via my bariatric surgeon, that he can and is helping document the rashes and painful shoulders in an effort to help get insurance to approve it. Further, he said he usually plans to be in the OR when I have ps to replace the port with a low rise port and move the port to where he can get to it for fills. He is super supportive and a strong advocate of after care and support group!!

Thank you sooooo much! Your one reply gave me more information than weeks of research on the internet. Have a great week!

I was on a total liquid diet with a specific list of what I would eat at each meal with either New Whey or Isopure at the end of the day (Isopure made me gag, so I held my nose to get down the New Whey). My nutritionist warned me that lethargy would be a problem because I was getting in less than 1000 cal a day. Sounds as if you are going through the same thing I was tired, grumpy, and felt awful, but I also knew that relief was coming. Keep in mind that the purpose of this diet is to shrink down your liver for a safer surgery. Hang in there! Only one more day! It sucks now, but once you get your band tomorrow, you will be on the road to a new you! Good luck tomorrow!

Hi Dr. Shulman, I'm sure you have answered this question before, but there are 27 pages of questions and answers to sort through :welldoneclap:! Your patience and knowledge are greatly appreciated! I have two quickie questions: 1) how long before reaching goal weight do you recommend seeking consultations for breast reduction/lift and Lower Body Lift? 2) how long is the typical recovery period for those procedures and what can be expected (specifically, how long before I can resume exercise?) Thank you so much!!

What is a "pouch test"?

Not to sound condescending, but have you all thought of seeing a psychologist for help? I KNOW I'm a food addict and a horrible emotional eater:w00t:. I started seeing a psychologist and he has helped some:thumbup:, but I still have a ways to go! Good luck to you!

I've had a few setbacks in my band with port issues and only have had 4 cc's in two fills and no restriction. Now that we have resolved those and I'm back on track, I can hopefully get a fill in a week, that will help. That being said, I believe I've lost weight on willpower and exercise (way more hungry than I let myself eat). Do you log your food and exercise? I love seeing the calories burned and it helps me be sure I'm getting enough Protein and carbs (to avoid becoming ketonic). It also keeps my calories in check until the band can kick in. My band is the Realize Band, so I use their site, but there are many others out there that are free. www.sparkpeople.com www.dailyplate.com ...and many others I'm glad you are back seeing your surgeon and nutritionist. Hopefully that will help, as well! Good luck to you!!

Hi all! My surgeon and I have been talking about my exercise since I was an exerciser pre-band (just didn't watch what I ate). He suggested that at some point I would probably need to start running to continue the weight loss. I already spend 5-7 days a week exercising (treadmill, elliptical, weights, and step aerobics) and he thinks running will kick it into a highter gear. I've wanted to become a runner anyway since I enjoy participating in 5K's -- eventually 10K's?? Here is my question.....for those of you who are runners, at what weight did you begin running and how did you do it? Thanks for any ideas you all have!:confused:

I just had to have mine repositioned because after 11 weeks of pain everytime I use my abs or sneeze. He concluded that the metal claw holding it into the muscle was sitting on a nerve and he moved it, removed the claws, and sewed it deep into the muscle. Problem solved!! I can't feel it, even when I go looking for it (now). I was cautioned that as I lose, it will become more visible. Once I get to my goal weight and go for plastic surgery, my surgeon will be there with the plastic surgeon to reposition it againg and change it out for a "low" port that is skinnier for the long term. Hope this helps!!

Wow! I'm looking at that totals and I'm way up from that (but with little restriction) in my calorie totals, but still losing (34 pounds in 12 weeks). I'm happy with my loss and I still get to eat! I suggest going to Calorie Calculator - Daily Caloric Needs and they have a way to put in your weight and activity level. Once you do that, it will calculate your maintenance calorie level, weight loss calorie level, and extreme weight loss. I also suggest that you check with your program nutritionist for what he/she suggests and follow those guidelines. Post-op diet for me was a list of foods I could eat and how much of each. Good Luck!!

I'm from DFW and used Dr. Sina Matin's office at Baylor Grapevine. He is very knowledgeable, easily accessible if needed and his office staff is top notch! Good luck!

I am. I had surgery 12/29/09 and have lost 34 pounds. About a month ago, my primary care doctor checked my levels and lowered my daily dosage! He wants to recheck every 3 months to be sure we are at the right dose with my ever changing body weight. He said it would never go away, but as I lose body mass, I will need a lower dose. Hope this helps!

I am 34 pounds down with about 60 to go, but the tummy rash on my thighs has already been a problem. I'm a total researcher, so......I put in some calls to some local plastic surgeons recommended by the "American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons". Each said to wait until about 30 pounds from goal for your first consultation. The articles by plastic surgeons that I have read on WLS Magazine website say the same thing and recommend at least 3-5 consultations (should be free) with different surgeons and most will make you wait 3-5 months for surgery to see where your weight stabilizes. My bariatric surgeon has someone he recommends, as well. On a side note, all the articles I read recommend taking someone with you to all consultations who can ask questions with you to be sure no question goes unanswered. My best friend can't wait !! Personally, my plan is to go over the holidays this December for my consultations and maybe surgery for Summer 2010 when I can take 6 weeks off to recover.

I was banded with the Realize Band on 12/29/2008 and as of last Wednesday, I am down 31 pounds and 18 inches. I've had two fills (1st--3cc; 2nd--1cc). I have little restriction, but haven't been ravenously hungry, so I'm not worried about it. I know I will get there soon. I think it has been so successful for me because I exercise 5-6 days a week (run, aerobics, swim, elliptical) and weight train 3 days a week. I also faithfully track my food calories and daily Protein using the realize software every day. I am now 3 pounds from the lowest weight I have ever been! My surgeon said that when I plateau (and he said I would), I should make an appointment with the nutritionist to evaluate my food choices and make a few changes. The only problem I have had is that I just had my port replaced. My old port had the metal claws holding it in the muscle and my doctor thinks one of them was sitting on a nerve. He replaced it with one that he sewed in place and I can already tell a difference!! In two weeks we can add another fill. Have a great week everyone!!

I've lost 31 pounds on my way to 110 pound loss and mine has definitely moved south about 2 inches from my incision. My surgeon said that is totally normal. I asked if we needed to move it back and he said not until it's time to have my abdominoplasty and breast reduction (the rashes and shoulder pain are awful!). He plans to coordinate with the plastic surgeon's office to be in the OR to move the port himself during surgery. So.....I would say talk to your doctor and go with his recommendation. You trusted him the first time, right? Good luck to you!!

I just want to thank everyone for their posts! I have started following the Couch to 5K podcast by DJBeatsmith and doing well! I can't believe I'm actually running! Thanks everyone!!

Hearing your story makes me glad I listened to my "gut"! My port has hurt for some time and your post makes me glad I agreed to a "Port Revision" this week. I have had the same pain since I had my surgery 12/29 and it has not gone away. I talked with my surgeon and he wants to go in for a second surgery to check for a hernia or infection. If neither is present, he will move the port to the left ~ he thinks maybe it is sitting on a nerve. Everytime I use my abs or engage my abs, the port hurts. It's especially painful if I overeat, which I have only done once due to that pain!! Thanks for your post!

Thank you everyone for your honesty and insight. Question....those of you who started running at a higher weight, did you find you have any knee issues? When I saw my family doctor last week for a sinus infection, I asked him and he suggested that maybe I should wait until about 200 or so because your knees bow weird to compensate for the weight. This causes knee problems. Anyone having this issue? Thank you again!!

I don't know if this helps, but my surgeon told me at pre-op that he doesn't do any fills when his female patients are on their period because everything swells, including the stomach!

I don't know if this helps, but my nutritionist says to stop eating when you are "no longer hungry" instead of when you are full. Good luck to you! I know you must be frustrated.

Not sure if this helps, but my nutritionist is strict about not drinking 30 minutes before your meal, during your meal, and 30 minutes after your meal. She says that the liquid will wash the food through your pouch opening and make you hungry quicker. Good luck!