teamdingdong

I really recommend exercise. I had surgery in 9/09 and after losing just 15 pounds, I gained it all back over the holidays, because I had no restriction and was just frustrated and depressed over the whole process. I started working out in January and lost zero pounds (at least I didn't gain), but I felt so much better and my whole outlook changed. I felt empowered and motivated, I was inspired to make better food choices and I felt healthier, less aches and pains, less fatigue. Now after 4 fills, I'm finally starting to feel restriction and "get" that I have to work with the band to see progress and although the weight is not coming off as fast as I'd like, I know I'm on the right path to lose weight. I think it's easy to get depressed reading this board because it seems as though most people here lose a ton of weight in a short period of time, but I think the reality for most people with the band is much different.

I'm doing the turbo jam dvds, beachbody.com sells them but they're much easier than P90x. I have problems with my knees and ankles, so I didn't want to do too much jumping around until I got stronger. I read a while back that if you have knee pain, you should strengthen your quads and that's the best advice I've ever gotten. The turbo jam sculpt dvd has worked miracles. My goal is to do the P90x after I've mastered turbo jam. I also go to the gym and do the elliptical trainer. I do intervals where I go at an easy pace for 4 minutes and then minute 5, I sprint as fast as I can. I've been slacking on the elliptical for years but I really get a good workout this way. I want to incorporate yoga at some point, but I haven't figured out how to fit it in yet. Exercise has really helped me out alot because I was so depressed after getting banded in Sept and not really getting results and even gaining weight back. Even after I started working out, I didn't lose any weight, but I felt soooo much better about myself. Now I've finally got some restriction and I'm toned, my cellulite is going away, I feel muscles, I'm stronger, I have more energy and now I'm losing weight. In a way I'm happy I struggled so much because I think I was waiting for the band to do everything for me, especially since I paid all this money for it. But now that I am working so hard along with the band, I feel like I'm earning every pound lost and I have a real since of accomplishment.

I'm in LA and I got banded in Mexico, it was difficult to find a reasonable place to get fills. Most places wanted to charge at least $300 and were too far away. I found this one guy working out of a store front clinic near LAX. He charges 200 and will pretty much put in however much you want. I didn't really like him personally - he told me I'd be "perfect at 120 lbs" which I found offensive - but he said he used to work with Top Surgeons, those people with the billboards all over the city and has done about 1000 surgeries. The clinic is called something like "LAX Urgent Care" and their number is 310-846-9777. Luckily I was able to get my aftercare done through Kaiser and now all my fills are free. I just have to drive to Ventura but I really like the nurse who does my fills and there's shopping nearby so the 60 mile drive is worth it.