karebare4me

I'm down a total of 48 pounds now Just took the July picture today, because I just got a haircut

Ok, So it is a start of a new month and many of us have or are coming up on our Month anniversary and many will be hitting it soon. So I thought it would be fun to start a before & after thread, so we can all share in our progress. So Here is mine, The pictures are not the best sorry. I am still having a hard time seeing the changes, but I feel the differences.. in my clothes and I know that the outside appearance will catch up I guess... I just wish the weight loss would help with my Lupus Rash (this is why my face is so red and has sores)

Well I was banded on 5/06/09 and I had my first fill today. I have a 11cc band and my Dr. wanted to put in 5 cc's but he thinks he was only able to get 4cc's maybe 4.5cc's in. So just for those that like to know how it all went here is the run down. he had me lay back on the table and put my arms above my head like I was getting ready to do crunches. Then he asked me to stick out my stomach and he felt for the port and then he gave me a little lidocain and then he poked around to find the port hole. I have to tell you he missed a few times and it did hurt I can't lie. He then found it and then he put in some Fluid and then pulled it back out to make sure he was in, he was so then he put the rest of the fluid in. They had me drick some Water and make sure that is didnt come back up. I didnt feel any differant And that was it. They put a band aid on the poke. And I was done, he said he wanted to see me in 2 months and to call him if I don't have restriction. And that is is, not to eventful. I had an ounce of cottaqe cheese and I was full so, I think so far it is working. Yeah...:thumbup:

Highest Weight 4/15/09 - 329 Surgery Weight 5/06/09 - 317 (-12) Currant Weight 6/06/09 - 290 (-27) Total of 39 lbs lost, 27 lbs since Surgery Highest Size 4/15/09 - 26 top 32 pants Surgery size 5/06/09 - 26 top 32 pants loose Today size 6/06/09 - 22 top loose 28 pants total sizes lost = 2 top and 2 pants I am loosing faster on top then around my hips and thighs. But my ankles are smaller I am not weighing my self every week, so I will post each month. Have a great Month everyone. Happy Loosing..:blushing:

If you have not tried, I highly recommend the Yoga Ball get the large ball and then the stretch bands (I have three differant colors all for different resistance).. The ball comes with exercises that you can do.. This is what I use to get my excercises from for my ball. ExerciseBallWorkouts.net or for resistand band exercises watch this Or you can use the resistance band steps that I have listed For the resistance band exercises below, complete 2-3 sets of 12-15 repetitions (or up to 25 repetitions for easier colored bands). You should warm up first with 5-10 minutes of light aerobic exercise and cool down with another 5-10 minutes of gentle exercise. Resistance Band Squats 1. Start by stepping on the resistance band with both feet shoulder width apart. 2. Hold the resistance band at shoulder level with both hands. Start into a full squat while holding the band at shoulder height. 3. Return to the starting position and repeat. Resistance Band Bent Over Rows 1. Start by placing the band under one foot and stepping backwards with the other foot. 2. Bend over keeping your back flat and stop at a 45 degree angle. 3. Pull the bands up towards your waist keeping your elbows in close together. 4. Squeeze your shoulder blades together when performing rowing motion. Alternate Lying Chest Presses 1. Lie on your back and place the resistance band under your back and hold the ends with both hands. 2. Start by pressing one arm up towards the ceiling and then return to the starting position. Repeat with the other arm. Diagonal Woodchops Starting Position: Loop the band under your left foot and grasp either end. Keep hands together and extend arms down towards left foot. 1. Bring band up and away in a wood chopping motion. 2. During this motion your feet stay stationary and you rotate at your trunk. Repeat this motion for the desired repetitions and then repeat in the opposite direction. Triceps Extension with Resistance Band 1. Start by holding the tubing in one hand and placing that hand behind your back. 2. Now grab the other end of the band with the arm that is over your head. 3. Extend the top elbow until your arm is fully extended. 4. Return to the starting position and repeat for the prescribed repetitions. Resistance Band Lunges 1. Stand with feet hip width apart. Take left leg and step back approximately 2 feet standing on the ball of the foot. Place resistance band under front foot and hold the other end with your hands. 2. Start position: Feet should be positioned at a staggered stance with head and back erect and straight in a neutral position. 3. Lower body by bending at right hip and knee until thigh is parallel to floor. Body should follow a straight line down towards the floor. 4. Return to start position. Lateral Rows with Resistance Band 1. Step onto resistance band with feet hip width apart and knees slightly bent. 2. Start position: Grasp ends with a neutral grip (palms facing each other). Arms should hang down to sides with elbows slightly bent. 3. Raise band to side of body at shoulder height keeping elbows only slightly bent. 4. Return to start position. Biceps Curls with Resistance Band 1. Stand with feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent, and at a staggered stance. 2. Step onto middle of tubing with back foot or both feet. 3. Start position: Grasp ends with underhand grip (palms facing forward) with arms hanging down at sides. Elbows should be close to sides. 4. Flex at the elbows and curl band up to approximately shoulder level. Keep elbows close to sides throughout movement. 5. Return to start position. 6. Remember to keep back and head straight in a neutral position throughout movement. Shoulders should be stabilized by squeezing shoulder blades together slightly - only the elbow joint should be moving

"Bandster Hell" is an understatement.. I called my Dr's nurse to ask her what I can do.. I have been taking the full 30 mins to eat.. I have increased my lunch and dinners to 4 oz and I added a snack between Lunch and dinner and I think I am up to 120 oz of Water a day..and I am still starving. I have been working out and when I track my calories food intake and exercise calories burned I am burning more calories then what I am eating and yet I think I am at a stand still on weight loss.. what is up with that!!! My Dr's nurse said as long as I am not going over 4 oz on meals and choseing protien Snacks.. I should be ok. She said that it will be a long hard week until I go in on the 8th of June for my appt and first fill. But once I get the fill I will have restriction again. So I have to just keep that in mind and try to keep my self busy.. I think the busier I make my self the less I think about food and so it is not as bad.. So my plan is to spend the next week in a half at the gym and in the pool..And I am not weighing myself until I go to the dr's.. And just hope that I will have weightloss in the end. Just have to stay positive!!! But I have to agree this is "Bandster Hell" fits well.....

Sarah, I have lupus so I have to choose my exercise wisely or I am down in bed for days. So, that is why I do the arthritis class. I am so sorry to hear that you have to deal with such pain.. I could only imagine. I hope you can find some help or find something that gives you exercise with out the pain. I also like curves, I have done it in the past but was to much for my body. But it is a good work out. For now I am doing better with the Water low impact exercise.

I had my surgery on May 6th and I have been doing treadmill and I am almost up to 20 min's, then I lift weights for 15 min's and then I go to a Water Aerobics class for an hour. I have been doing this for a little over a week now. I go in the morning for an hour class and then after Tuesday's and Thursday's I do laps for 30 min's. I have loved doing the water aerobics.. It is low impact and gives you a great workout. I highly recommend it. Well this is my work out schedule. Monday - Treadmill - 20 min's Weight's - 15 min's Arms and Legs Aqua Fit class Tuesday - Yoga ball 30 min's Band strenghting 30 min's Arthritis Aqua class Laps Wednesday- Treadmill - 20 min's Weight's - 15 min's Arms and Legs Aqua Fit class Thursday- Yoga ball 30 min's Band strenghting 30 min's Arthritis Aqua class Laps Friday - Yoga Ball & Bands 30 min's I Work Fridays so I am then gone to work. But, then do the Night Aqua Class Saturday- Aqua Class Sunday - Walk with the Kids I am up to almost 1.5 miles hope to be at 2 miles by the end of the month. I really like the variety in my days.. When summer comes and the kids are out of school then I am sure this will have to change slightly. Happy Losing:tt2: Karianne

So the large incision is my port and it is in the middle left. This is 8 days after. When I press on it I feel it right above my incision, I think where the bruise is? At least that is what it feels like.

I have the realize band 11cc I don't go in for my follow up until June 8th which is 32 days after surgery.

This is what I ate Yesterday: I am 2 weeks post opp. Breakfast - 2 tart size egg quiche - 2 oz (I made a bunch up and keep them fridgerated) lunch - 1 oz of baked Beans - 1 oz of canned ham sauted up. dinner - 1/4 cup of stroganoff mushed and green beans (made with canned turkey) Had my 64 oz of Water with 8 oz of this water with crystal light rasberry ice flavor. I have some small plates and silverware and so I sit down and eat with my family every meal and present the food to me as a meal and then eat slow and put my fork down in between each bit. this makes it easier for me. And I make sure I keep my water or drink in another area thent he table so I am not tempted to drink it while I am eating. (still adjusting to this).

So here are my suggestions to have the same things but in the way we can it it.. Don't deprive your self just find a way. Here's the list of items mentioned: -pizza, cheese/mushroom You can eat the cheese and pepperoni off the slices. just minus the bread -spaghetti, plain, chicken alfredo, chicken parm, noodles with butter and garlic...mmmmm You can eat the chicken and sauce and have some steemed veggies on the side, just minus the Pasta -SWEETS, I love Cookies, chocolate, ice cream, candy- make your self some SF pudding with SF(light) coolwhip or SF Jello with Light Coolwhip, have SF candies, cookies and treats sparingly. -Chinese foods, I have always loved chicken fried rice and PB chicken. just avoid the rice and fried items, but eat the chicken and veggies. -Buttery popcorn, movie theatre popcorn is the best!This one is a NO NO so yeah it will be missed.. -Hot Dogs and cheddarwurst! You can have hotdogs just cut them up small and chew chew chew, -BREAD...mmmmm This one is also a NO NO and will be missed you know If I keep telling my self that I am deprived of items then it makes life much much harder. so I have found that if I find a way I can enjoy something my family eats and adjust it for my needs it makes life much much better. I make sure that when I am cooking for my family I make dinners that I can still eat. for example... I made Beef stroganoff last night for the family. I used Canned Turkey in stead of beef, (they didnt know any better) I chopped up an onion used fat free sourcream and freash mushrooms and skim milk. with fresh garlic and then they had the egg noodles. I made some green Beans to go with it and also a salad for the family. I had my small portion of the meat sauce with green beans and they ate the rest. It was perfect. but I am also 2 weeks out and am on canned meats and mushies so I just mushed up everything really well and chewed chewed chewed. Just think in positive ways and life can be easier then we think. Just my 2 cents - Karianne