MrsShannonDennis
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Everything posted by MrsShannonDennis
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Tight when sick??
MrsShannonDennis replied to MrsShannonDennis's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thanks. Im keeping things down great. After a 13 mnths being banded Im pretty much a pro at knowing my limits and how to prevent vomitting and PBing. I for sure keep liquids down, but some days they hurt going down but I am a gulper so thats my fault. But ya 13 months out I usually can eat my steak and chicken and pork and right now its like no go. Ill just give it time -
Hey! Thanks for your comment on my picture. I was banded on Jue 09. I started at a size 22. I am not a 12. Yes I do use a trainer now for about 9 months. Im bottom heavy too. Im all hips and thighs and boy are they sticking around. I work out a ton. Twice a day and do boot camps, weight lifting, step, you name it. Looks like you are doing well. I would suggest doing more toning workouts to get your bottom half down. WOrks well!
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From the album: Post Op Photos!
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Ok so Im getting to the point where I am looking into some "fixing" of my new body. The only thing I think I am going to get done is a breat augmentation. Has anyone gotten one done or looked into it seriously? What I dont know is if I need to get a "lift" or an actually augementation. I have heard the lift leaves bad scarring. I would rather go bigger and fake to avoid more scars. WOuld love some feedback!
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Irani is one of the most experienced if not THEE MOST experienced in town. He has been doing LB since it first came out. I LOVE HIM and is PA Kristen is amazing too. I usually just go to her. Please use me as a resource. We can get together sometime and talk if you like. Im pretty much an expert by now. I do tons of research and Ive gone through a lot during this year with it. I would love to tell you all about it and answer questions that a doc might not be able to tell you!
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Hey! Good luck at your consult! Best thing I have EVER done. I Didnt shop around too much for a surgeon. I know several people who had LB done and then have talked to random people and every single one had Irani or went through Bakersfield Medical Associates (his company). There are 3 surgeons there. I also knew I wanted to go through Mercy Southwest and so I went to their info meeting and they go through bakersfield medical associates. I was super impressed by them and fell in love with the bariatrics dept at Mercy SW.
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Your thoughts on LOW CARB with the band.
MrsShannonDennis replied to marathonman's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Im South beach all the way too! Its what my surgeon and Nut HIGHLY suggest doing. I get my carbs from minimal amounts of unrefined starches (brown rice, whole grains, etc). Its basically high protein, low/no sugar and carbs, high veggies, minimal fruit. It has made ALLLLLLL the difference for me. Its helped me overcome EVERY platau and stall in weight loss. I started it a while back and it worked but I didnt stay strict on it. Now at a year our I am struggling with these last 25 lbs so I went back on it and off comes the weight. Its an overall healthy "diet". In my opinion its well balanced and a lifestyle change not a short fix. Read up on it and check it out. The first 2 weeks are the hardest (if you follow the SB diet strictly by its stages). You basically onlt eat veggies and protein, no carb at all. This helps stablize blood sugar levels and fights cravings. I dropped 5 lbs the first week. Then you slowly add things back into your diet. Good luck! -
Any CA Bandsters out there?
MrsShannonDennis replied to Mamarotten's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
HEY! I'm central CA in the valley, Bakersfield. Welcome to the site! it has been my savior. I was banded June 09 and this site has got me through it all! It has become my doctor and answered all questions and concerns for me even ones my doc couldnt. USE IT! Its a wonderful resource and support. -
mterry-
It happens. Dont beat yourself up. Just remember, the band is just a tool. You must change your thought process about food. I had to WORK for EVERY pound lost. Its a 2nd job, but with an amazing payoff! Keep it up andknow that it didnt take overnight to get heavy and it wont take overnight to get thin
Good luck! -
The price of gas is high...
MrsShannonDennis replied to maja0507's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Im a year out and still suffer from it BAD. I have learned to control it a bit. Drinking through straws and chewing gum are my enemies! They give me massive gas pains. I get them mainly in my left shoulder. Also if I sit for longer than an hour, I get massive gas pains. Its just weird. After surgery, the gas was the worst part. My friends who have had the surgery have not suffered from it like I have. Again, I still get it. -
I can't afford a new wardrobe every month
MrsShannonDennis replied to iwannabealoser's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I went through this big time and still am a year out. Some sizes I stay on for a month of two and some sizes I zip straight through. I madr the mistake of buying tons of clothes at each size, needless to say, my friends and family have been benefitting nicely from my very gently used clothes at each size, many clothes I never even got to wear. Iwork out a TON and do a lot of weight lifting so even though the pounds are not moving, my inches are melting off. I move a new pant size on average every 2 months. It gets expensive. -
Your interpretation of a perfect LapBand eating day
MrsShannonDennis replied to LapNYC's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thats no where near enough for food me. I dont eat 3 meals a day. I eat prob about 6 times a day, small "meals". I wouldnt even call them a meal cause they are too small. Your meal looks good, I would just make sure you are adding some healthy fats in there: olive oil, avocado, cheese, etc. You need these things. I also dont see too much dairy which isnt a biggy, but its something I make sure I get plenty of :thumbup: -
Everything has changed.
MrsShannonDennis replied to LeighaMason's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Haha its the weird things that change that we would never have thought of! I went from a ring size of an 8 to now a 5.5. My shoe size shrunk from a 9.5 to an 8. I wear less make up now too cause Im more confident. Its just such a transformation. I am still working on taking compliments and not seeing a "fat girl" in the mirror still. Its hard to die to our old habits that trapped us for so long. Congrats and keep it up! -
Day One Need Help
MrsShannonDennis replied to nado's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
1 week post op I was only supposed to do clear things: Jello, popsicles, broth, gatorade, etc. My doc/nut said as long as I could see through it, it was ok. I didnt move on to cream of wheat, yogurt, other soups, milk, stuff like that until 2 weeks post op. Every doc is different but the things you listed are fine. There is no a whole lot else I really did. Lots of gatorade (G2 less cals and sugar), popsicles, broth, milk, yogurt, cream of wheat, protein shakes,....ya...I didnt get too creative. -
Hungry too soon after I eat?
MrsShannonDennis posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Ok so I am a year postop down 73 lbs. I am at 5.75cc in a 10cc band. I feel like I am at great restriction. My issue is when I eat, I am hungry within 1-2 hours after. My meals are super small cause I usually start getting stuck before I can get a good size meal down. So I usually stick with eating small amounts but often. This has sped my metabolism up nicely. My concern is am I not supposed to be getting hungry that often? I am eating mostly Protein which is supposed to satisfy you longer. I dont know. maybe my body has juust gotten used to eating often? Could the faster metabolism have something to do with it? Am I doing something wrong? Do I need a fill? Please help! -
Then more recently like march maybe we started trying different classes at our gym to switch things up. We started doing weight lifting, step, and Zumba. We love it because every day is something different. We never get bored and we have fun! I look forward to going now cause I have her and we have made a whole little group of girlfriends there and we all support eachother.
I always suggest doing something fun. If working out isnt fun, you will not look forward to going. Join a gym if you havent already and look up what classes they have. Drag a friend with u. You need the support. U can push eachother to go. Switch things up and think about the end results not how much you hate going. Try finding a Zumba class. Its salsa/latin dance aerobics. You burn up to 900 cals in the hour. ITS SOOOO FUn! You just have to make it fun. WHatever it takes, thats the key. Then it will just become part of your daily routine. You dont question it anymore. Good luck! its hard but soooo rewarding!
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Bella-
It takes time. I started 2 weeks post op. I was still uncomfortable with the idea of going to a gym so my best friend who trains and I worked out every day (m-f) at one of our houses. We switched it up between hip hpp abs and Tae-Bo DVDs. I liked working out at home cause I didnt get embarrased and I could go at my own pace. That was in June 09 and I think in Sept or Oct 09 I joined the gym. I started to just work out M-F with my friend who had LAP-BAND?? done too. We just went slow at doing cardio really. Then in NOV 09 we both decided to join a boot camp at our gym 2 days a week with a trainer. We had eachother so it made it easier. We did boot camp 2 days a week and the off days we just met up and did cardio. We always did an hour a day.
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Who has really pushed themselves exercise-wise?
MrsShannonDennis replied to adagray's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
HEY!! Well I have really grown to LOVE working out. I started working out all the time 2 weeks post op. I am now 1 year post op and the gym is my 2nd home and I LOVE gOINg. Ive had a trainer for 9 months and she had literally helped me become a trainer. I am so knowledgebale now on fitness and what it takes. First here is what I do weekly: Monday 5:00am: Advanced Step class (1hr) 5:30 pm: Boot Camp (very intense)(1hr) Tuesday 5:00am: Weight lifting class (1hr) 5:30pm: Cardio circuit training (1hr) Wed 5:00 am: Kick boxing (1hr) 5:30 pm: Boot camp (1hr) Thurs 5:00am: Weight lifting (1 hr) 5:30pm:Zumba (1hr salsa dance aerobics) Friday: anytime 1 hr cardio curcuit training. I take weekends off. Heres the deal. I figured this out personally and from doing research. There is NEVER TOO much working out as long as your calories can support it. I realized I was wprking out more than I should for the amount of calories I was eating. So eigher cut back work outs of up calories. I upped my calories. The people on the biggest loser do work out all day, but they have a high calorie diet to support it. To figure this out, once you have your total calories for the day, subtract calories burned, then you should have a deficit between 1000-1200 calories. This is an average estimate, but its the one that helps me lose consistantly even at a year out. My advice to you is to up your workout, its fun and it helps give your body new things to do. Just make sure you are upping your calories to fuel your weight loss. Also make sure you are doing a combo of weight trainging and cardio so you are losing and toning! Working out had been amazing for me. I actually read so many (most) post about people working out and I am like THATS IT?? Maybe I just do a lot, but still I dont think 30 min a day is going to help you become more fit and grow to live a very healthy life and loving fitness. Maybe it can, but I dont see it. Working out gives me energy and gives me knowledge to live an OVERALL healthy life and maintain it for life. I love it so uch, I am now training people to lose weight and am using my story to push them through. If people would go to a gym and take different classes they wouldsee how much FUN FUN FUN working oiut can be. There is so much to do! I eat based off south beach diet. It is mainly lower carbs/sugar (eating complex carbs only), big emphasis on veggies, Protein etc. My surgeons live by it as well as my nutritionist and trainer. Its a nice well balanced diet to live off of. I could go on forever about this topic. Its a huge passion of mine. I heard of too many people doing the minimum or nothing at all in exercising after surgery and I SWORE I would not be one of them. My goal is not just to lose the weight, but build a new found passion for a healthy life is all aspects of it FOREVER! -
My own food plan
MrsShannonDennis replied to erieli's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
There is a protein powder called "ANY WHEY" and u can put it in anything. Its almost flavorless. Helps add some protein to foods u like. -
PROTEIN - Shakes vs Solid Food
MrsShannonDennis replied to Drasan's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I understand if you are not concerned too much about protein but I do major weight training and lifting and I work out twice a day. A HIGH protein diet is NEEDED to keep and build that muscle. WIthout it, you will lose muscle. My goal is to replace my fat with muscle and only way to do that is high protein. -
PROTEIN - Shakes vs Solid Food
MrsShannonDennis replied to Drasan's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Those of you who dont do shakes, how many grams of protein are you getting in a day? I stay between 80-100. Its what my doc and nut recommend. If you are this high, how the heck are yoou getting it all in? One shake has about 45g of protein. I eat a lot of eggs and turkey bacon and lean protein meats and nuts, but I cant physically eat 80-100g of that a day based of quanity alone. Would love to know your secret -
PROTEIN - Shakes vs Solid Food
MrsShannonDennis replied to Drasan's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I get it at Vitamin Shoppe only $19.99. Used to pay over $40 at my surgeons until I found it here. I see youre in Tulsa, I looked and they dont have one. There might be somewhere else there that carries it, Nectar is another good one. -
PROTEIN - Shakes vs Solid Food
MrsShannonDennis replied to Drasan's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Cocoa is right. My surgeon and many others I know want you to limit drinking calories. Your more apt to consume for because it doesnt stick as well. My surgeon suggests drinking one in the morning cause I too am super tight. If I dont get to one in the morning, or I eat something else cause Im more loose, then I have one for dinner after a good workout cause the Protein will keep the muscle I just built up. The only thing is that shakes are where you get a LARGE amount of protein so I rely on at least one a day to get my protein in. Tip for those who cant find a good shake: I HATE HATE HATE the taste of shakes. I was even forcing myself to drink them and would throw them up. I have since discovered Matrix Protein powder (I like chocolate). I mix it with 1 cup choco soy milk (or fat free milk), half a banana, and 2 tbsp chunky Peanut Butter (no sugar added all natural). I SWARE TO YOU, it tastes like a milk shake. If a shake tastes anything like protein powder to me, I wont drink it and I can drink these allllll day if I had to. I actually look forward to having one daily! Hope this helps! -
Stupid Question
MrsShannonDennis replied to LaurenT626's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Did your surgeon not tell you of workout restrictions? I know every doc is different. For me, I was told not to lift anything really until 2 weeks post op. 2 weeks post of I could start working out, lifting no more than 10 lbs. Then 3 weeks post op no more than 25 lbs, then at 4 weeks I had no restrictions. -
2nd fill today and it was informative and I think productive too
MrsShannonDennis replied to Katy517's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Glad you had a good experience and its interesting to hear how other surgeons do things. I have a 10cc band with 5.75cc in it and I THINK I'm good. SOme days I can eat a horse, but most I'm at a good restriction. I find it interesting that your surgeon does a barium swallow after a fill. That sucks! I am SOOOO glad mine doesnt. I just drink water to make sure it doesnt bubble up in my throat before I leave. I guess the barium would be a very precise way of doing it but I HATE HATE HATE doing it! My PA and Surgeon are very gentle with my fills. One little numbing shot, then the poke to fill. Nothing to it. Never been sore or even felt like anything happened there. Well hopefully this fill helps ya out!