lml32937

First of all I know/knew exactly how you feel... Like you- I walked and rode my bike- When I felt like I was ready for more- I started Zumba and became ADDICTED for years until my arthritis took over and it became too hard on my joints. Now I swim, walk and ride my bike but NOTHING gives me the adrenaline I had doing it. I never went to a gym per say- for several reasons 1) cost- 2) I didn't want to go by myself and 3) I just felt like I had enough motivation on my own to continue what I did- you need to find something you enjoy that wont bore you and stick with it.. it may only last a few months or so but that is normal then as you loose more weight and your confidence gets bigger you will feel better and you will want to try things you never did before- one step at a time....

Did anyone of you have/had Lymphedema that got better after surgery?? I have had Lymphedema most of my entire adult life- have had therapy etc and manage it with a daily pump and compression hose- but I would LOVE to get rid of them just as much as I did my band.....

Did your doctor charge an "administration" fee?? If you had insurance that covered your care did you have to pay it??

I have NEVER owned a scale for OBVIOUS reasons...not even with my lapband did I get one- I would wait and weigh in at my doc's office. Now with the sleeve and the weight loss being what I am hopeing is much more drastic/dramatic I feel like I should consider buying one BUT I dont want to gain another obsession... any suggestions??

Spaghetti squash alone really is bland.. you have to season it how you like- so in that regard however you season it is how close to "pasta" it will taste- Personally I baste mine with EVOO and salt and pepper- I have put marinara on it after it's cooked and many other ways...it is close enough and way healthier...

When I do the steel cut oats alone I soak them over night- In the crock pot however it depends on how good yours is- Mine cooks rather quicly so low for 6-7 hours gets good consistancy... 2 cups steel cut oats 2 cups coconut or almond or soy( I dont like soy) milk 3 1/2 cups of Water 2 cinnamon sticks (or powdered cinnamon to taste) Nutmeg and or all spice and or apple pie spice to your taste 1/4 tsp sea salt Peaches- I used real peaches when they are in season but you can also use 1lb of frozen peaches.. (you can also add in any other frozen berry fruit or pineapple, raisins, whatever you'd like) if the fruit is not frozen you may just wnat to add it in the end. Spray crock pot with non-stik cooking spray.Combine all ingredients and add sweetner if you need to (sweet and low, truvia etc) To add some flavor and sweetner, I use a coffee cremer that is french vanilla coconut milk. It adds more vanilla flavor and sweetnes it automatically. I can only eat about less than 1/2 cup over about a 1 hour time frame so obviously this lasts for at least a week but when I make it I also variate the fruit according to season... It's yummy- ENJOY!!!

EVER?? IT is THE BEST ALL NATURAL fiber EVER!!! IT is so healthy and good for you!!!- Steel cut oats are the bomb.. I have this amazing recipe that I put in the crock pot with rice milk, peaches, raisins and nutmet and all spice- Smells so good and is so yummy- 1 batch is for at least 10 days bkfst's...

I eat at least 1 serving of oatmeal a day- NO worries with weight gain at all...Also et Oat Bran cereal and Oat muffins- NO problems

The dreamfield works for me too however only a few bites- I love spaghetti squash for any linguini dish or spaghetti dish and of course zucchini or eggplant in place of lasagna type layered dishes- There is also this oriental fermented thing in the salad area I dont know what it's called several people have told me that if you rinse them really good that they are a great alternative- sort of bean sprouty but I couldnt get over the fermentation smell...sorry...

Actually it is a physical therapist that is licensed/certified in lylmphedema that should be doing the therapy- MLD/massage. I personally would not trust a regular massage therapist as they can do more harm than good if the massage is not done correctly.

Really?? Just out of curiosity.. why wouldnt you be able to wear heels?? Not sure I understand the correlation between shoes and weight loss surgery....

I use MILA and use it in my drinks, smoothies, oatmeal and basically anything that will use "pepper" because that is what it looks like... NO taste but so good for you...

I have the same problem and have lost so much fat and muscle that you can see the line of my upper arm bone when I hold up my arm/flex. It is disgusting BUT I am not done loosing therefore I am not going to have the surgery to remove the skin as of yet. I know I have to- IT is frustrating to not fit into certain shirts etc but I have been more self conscious about my legs than my arms and am ok wearing sleeveless and or halter type maxi dresses with no problem...

With all do respect in your original statement/post you said that exercising is nearly impossible still due to your body habitus yet you are now consiering a boot camp?? I'm sorry but I do Zumba 3x a week yoga 2 x a week and walk every day and consider myself to be in pretty good shape despite my current status. There is no way I could do a boot camp even with the cardio I get as it is. I would reccomend swimming or walking to get yourself up to a good pace cardio wise and time wise- You will definitely be out of your element walking into a boot camp with no experience and/or tolerance built up. I would not want to see you set yourself up for failure which is why the docs and many on this board would encourage you to take little steps at a time. Walk to the mail box, then a few houses down and each day increase it before you know it in a month you cold be walkin for 30-45 min and that is amazing!! No need to go out 1st run and do a marathon... I'm sure you will firgure out what is best for you and I wish you luck...

Congrats! if there is 1 peice of advice I can offer (taking with a grain of salt of course) don't get yourself worked up or obsess on fixating on a specific weight you want to be at this time. From personal experience- Your surgeon knows what's best for you and your body type- You cannot go by the charts in doctor's offices.. Take 1 day at a time and take into consideration all of the inches, healthier choices you are making, smaller clothes, NSV's (non scale victories) etc. I did not set out with a certain poundage in mind- NEVER owned a scale until after my procedure and am very happy with my results. I have surpassed my surgeon's goal for 1st year out and am continuing to loose and feel so much better about it, my other goals and where I want to be in a year, 2, 3 etc... Good luck! you wont regret it!!

My surgery was on a Friday- by the time I came home on Sunday- I was on my side- I had my drain out that Weds and Weds night I was on my stomach and havent "turned back" since.. lol.

This is 1 of the processed foods I indulge in since becomming a vegetarian. I buy the little easy macs (small cups) it will last me at least 3-4 sittings and by that time I'm over the craving- I can only eat 3-4 bites and then I'm done- Pasta does not sit well in my sleeve.

I tried to put CHEX into my magic bullet then a little bit of milk to make it "mushy" it was really gross... BUT I did it--

Liquid diet does not only mean shakes, YOu can do jello, jello water, soup, broth, shakes, water, juices (no sugar or juice your own fresh fruit) some even allow yogurt. It is 2 fold- 1 to get a jumpstart to your weight loss and to shrink your liver and also an indication to the doctor to see how you will adhere to the rest of the program. I know several physicians that have opted NOT to do surgery if they patient is not able to do pre op as they ordered...

I have to have an endoscopy every 5-6 years due to other medical issues in my upper esophagus unrelated to sleeve/band. I REFUSE to do the barium because it is unecessary- My doctor and GI know what they are doing and I have NEVER had a problem either pre or post sleeve with any of the endoscopies Ive had..

I am now doing great.. I had a rocky post op for about 4 mos- I had a hard time increasing from liquids to mushies and soft foods- My body took a longer time to heal. Looking back I should have done the band removal and sleeve in 2 seperate surgeries and NOW I understand why but I was stubbborn, didnt want to take time off etc and waited and did it all at once- Having said that I LOVE my new life, my sleeve - TOTALLY regret the time and effort I put into the band- My sleeve feels natural- I feel like I eat like a normal person- I have gained a greater respect for my body and what goes in it- It has completely changed my life for the better....

When my band was "deflated" as I call it- I gained about 30 lbs in the time until my sleeve date- However I lost about 18lbs pre op and have kept loosing since my sleeve- so No gaining has not been an issue for me- I do not exercise as much as I should- but I attribute my continual loosing to a strict vegetarian diet I now follow.

I eat a vegetarian "diet" now. If by diet you mean watching what I eat, counting calories etc. then NO I dont because I can eat as much or as little fruits and veggies as I want/need and still be under my physicians reccomendations on most days. I love my new lifestyle.

My body rejected the band due to auto immune problems- I never had problems with the acutal band HOWEVER after being sleeved I wish I would have NEVER had the band and just done the sleeve in it's place a loooong time ago- I Love my sleeve and wouldnt go back/trade it for anything.... Also with the band- everything got stuck and the weight loss was not consistant. WIth the sleeve- I eat whatever I want within reason of course- and dont have to worry about getting stuck, getting fills etc... it's so low maintenance...

I was only advised NO coffee 3 weeks post op- I have about 2-4 cups a week. ON off days I either have tea or a instant cappacino.... Once that is done i'm on water the rest of the day... but to drink a 4-6 oz coffee now is about 2 hours- it gets super cold before i even make a dent in it- so Ive grown accustomed to cold/iced coffee instead.