jensmallwood

Just keep doing what you're doing. The scale, unfortunately, is a big stupid liar sometimes-- but we slave to that son-of-a-*&*(#! If your body is getting smaller- rock on. Get on the scale only once a week. Are you doing the same thing at the gym every day? See if you can mix it up- try something different- go a little faster for a few minutes here and there, try a different machine or class or whatever. Our bodies get really efficient at what they're doing when we do the same things over and over. When you mix it up, your body has to kick it up a notch. You're doing great!! Really!

I was cleared at two weeks to exercise as long as I listened to my body-- so be sure to not push beyond what is comfortable. It's perfectly natural to be fatigued after a hard exercise bout . Particularly if your calorie intake is low, as I assume yours is. AND-- if you are really low on carbs (your body's preferred source of energy for exercise), you will feel even more fatigued. You said you haven't been active in a long while-- so aside from just the activity from your legs pedalling hard, your lungs are working harder, your heart is working harder- and I don't know where youlive, but here it was 85 degrees.. if its hot out, EVERYTHING works harder! In addition- for your own safety- be sure to cool down with some easy activity after a hard effort like your fast bike ride. Your body needs a chance to reduce its hard working systems before you shut it down by sitting or stopping. Walk for 5-10 minutes to let your body systems come back to normal. This may help to reduce your fatigue as well (a little.) It's also *especially* important if you have any blood pressure issues. My guess is that you just pushed it a little too hard today. Back off and try a more moderate speed. When that feels easy, go a little further OR a little harder (not both). Drink some Water then have a small snack. Napping is not a bad thing, IMO! :thumbup: Also, give your legs a little stretch.

The ADA and the AHA are absolutely NOT recommending that you get your carbs from french fries, Desserts or bread. What they ARE recommending is that we humans (omnivores and some could argue closer-to-vegetarians than not) is get our diet from a mostly plant based source. And by this they mean mostly vegetables and fruits and whole grain sources. This means brown rice and Beans, not french fries and cake. People who eat plant only food are the thinnest people (vegan). The ones who get their carbs from white bread/french fries and sugar are the heaviest-- and I daresay -- probably also eat the most meat. Unfortunately, our medical associations have NOT been good about pointing people in the right direction about carbs. They've led many to believe that all carbs are equal when they are not. Some do best on a very low carb diet. As a person who works in the fitness field-- I would argue that active people would do better with a higher percentage of carbs in their diet (and I don't mean just athletes- but active people in general). Not tons and tons-- just a balance. On another note-- weight loss can stall from too few overall calories as well as low amounts of specific nutrients. Something else to think about. Sorry for the book... :thumbdown:

Congratulations!!

Yay, you!! That's awesome- I'm glad that you called and it worked. May 3 will be here before you know it!!

Ha! Every summer for the last few years I've had to buy bigger shorts (well, bigger everything) because I was gaining weight. Last summer I refused to buy any new ones, and so went without because none I had fit me. I can't wait to fit back into those old shorts again!

Ask about Lap Band complications-- and then ask your surgeon what his/her complication rate is- what kinds he's personally seen at his practice and how many. Ask about pre-op and post-op diets- what will they be like, and for how long at the different stages-- including when you are back to eating normal foods. Some people on here are restricted to the point of only eating 4oz of food at a time (when they reach restriction.) That's not my doctor's plan at all (thank goodness, IMO) but you need to know upfront. Ask if they have a support group, when does it meet and how active is it (do people participate)? Ask about the average success rate of the Lap Band, and find out what the success rate (percentage of excess weight lost) your surgeon has seen at his/her practice. Ask who does the fills in the office- the surgeon? A nurse? Find out what sorts of preoperative tests you will need- they vary by surgeon and by insurance and by patient. Ask him how long he/she's been doing lapband surgery-- does he/she do them routinely or just once in a while? Does he do other weight loss surgeries- contrast and compare pros/cons. Ok- I'm out for now! Good luck!

Bravo, Jacki!!! I'm so excited to see your videos-- very cool. I wouldn't know how to post something like that even if I was brave enough! I'm currently doing C25K, and you've motivated me to go ahead and sign up for a 5K in another month. I love them and it's been a long while since I've run one. Good times!! You're rockin' your band!

I know nothing about the heartburn issues.. so that aside, I'd say if you can eat too much at a meal and get hungry between meals, then you need a fill.

Don't let it go, even if you're not feeling any pain, etc. What stage of food are you on? If you're focusing on Protein and not getting much veggies or whole grains, constipation will become a problem. I'd talk to your nutritionist about a Fiber supplement a few times a day...

Thanks for the replies! I have recommended this site to the woman who was questioning the Lap -Band based on the people who showed up at the support group. I hope she checks it out.

So my surgeon's office has a twice-a-month support group, and people who've been banded, and those considering the band can attend. The problem is that the majority of people who attend are the ones having problems with the band... not losing well, etc. The "success" stories are not attending. The reason I ask is that one woman who is considering the surgery only gets to see the people struggling.... and it seems to be frustrating her. What have other people's experience been? Do you attend a support group and do you mostly see successful bandsters there or people who are struggling or a mix?

I'd recommend walking. You don't need great shoes to start if you don't have them. You're not going to be going out for two hours at a time. Start with 5 minutes 5 days per week. Add 5 minutes next week. Add 5 the next. Now you're up to 15 minutes , 5 days per week. Keep adding like that until you're up to 30 minutes. If that's too fast, add only 2 minutes at a time. Just start at whatever level you are at, and add on as you get more comfortable. You don't need to go fast- just go. Some might say walking isn't great if you have knee issues-- but the fact is, you have to walk to survive (unless you're wheelchair bound of course-- I take it you aren't.) The walking will strengthen the muscles that support your knee joint, and the weight coming off will help your back. You also might look and see if you can find any Leslie Sansone dvds at the library- she has a "walking" series of videos you can do right in your living room. They range in length. You can do it!

jls- I'm so, so sorry for the loss of your father-- I understand how it's easy to turn to food for comfort after a loss like that. (I had a similar response to my husband's death.) It seems like money is tight for you-- do you have health insurance that might cover a therapist? maybe there is a community center that offers those sorts of services on a sliding scale? The only thing that turned my eating around after my husband's death was seeing my therapist and having someone to talk to. It sounds like you may be depressed-- I know I was. There is a lot of research that shows that exercise has very similar effects to taking anti-depressants. And I know that when one feels depressed (or sad or whatever) it really seems impossible to get up and go for a walk... but the return on the investment of doing it even though you don't want to can be immense. Once you start to get those "I'm doing something for me" feelings going, it really snowballs into something really good. We are here for you-- but if you can find a therapist to talk to about bereavement that you can afford- I think that'd be best. Hugs-

My surgeon's goal for me is 156... which is above a BMI of 25, so I set my own "official" goal of 150 (BMI of 25). Frankly, I could live the rest of my life at 165 and be mostly happy, but my secret goal weight is 140 or so. But I tend toward muscular, and will be happy (I think) at any normal weight. :smile2:

I have read that when people lose a lot of weight and the port becomes more visible, some have opted to have a "low profile" port put in to replace the original. I personally know nothing about this-- but it is a good question for your doctor when you go. I can feel mine, but can't see it... but I still have at least 50 pounds to lose!

Wow- I didn't have any pain problems around my port (other than tenderness.) Did you explain to your doctor how bad this pain was (like on a scale from 1 to 10 so he'd get it?) Do pain meds help?

I have found that drinking fluids too soon after eating significantly affects my hunger. If I don't drink- I stay full. If I drink, I get hungry very soon after. I've stopped drinking almost entirely until about an hour before I'm scheduled to eat. During that time I drink at least 16 oz of Water. I have found that drinking before my meals doesn't have any effect-- even if I drink right up to the time I start eating. FWIW, I don't have any restriction yet, if that matters.

My job was pretty supportive-- but I teach classes at a YMCA, and had to find my own subsitutes for the time I needed off. But that isn't like a regular full-time job. Do they understand you are having surgery or do they think you are just going to be "out?" You may have to be more assertive. What kind of job do you have? (if you don't mind sharing.)

Deborah- There is a forum titled "Low BMI Bandsters." You might ask your question there and get more answers. Good luck!

Unfortunately, it's common to not have any restriction until 3 or 4 fills. It just takes a while to get to that "sweet spot." And they can't put it all in at once-- the swelling would be bad. FWIW, I haven't had any fill yet and have no real restriction. (I'm on regular diet again). I've just been eating three meals a day off of a salad plate. It's much more than 4oz, but well balanced with 3 oz Protein, 1/2 c veggies and 1/4 c whole grain (or something like that.) I actually found that when I upped my food to those portions I started losing weight again after I stalled on the mushy stage. But I'm very active as well, which helps. Did your doctor give you some guidance as to what/how much to eat? I'm sorry you're suffering!! ETA: Try not to stray from your doctor's suggestions as to what stage of eating you should be in. This is a time for healing your stomach and pushing it can possibly cause harm. And MANY people don't lose during these recovery stages-- your body is busy healing and it may not be "letting go" of fat because of that.

Welcome, Marina! I'm your neighbor to the south-- in Bloomington! Be sure to post your questions in the post-op or general discussion forums, and you'll get advice or answers as needed. I was banded a bit more than a month ago, and I visit this site often to ask questions or see what others are up to. You're right-- friends and family are supportive, but this is a process that they can't really "get." It's good to have friends-in-the-know! :bored:

Definitely try them on. Those CWX tights are really tight! Uber-supportive, though. Very expensive. I personally don't buy their selling points though-- I think they are very good tights, but I don't think they give you better endurance or anything. (I have a couple of pairs-- next winter I will fit back into them!)

Did you ask if one of them would cook? I know I have a hard time asking for help, even when I really need it. Good luck tomorrow- you'll do great-- and Happy Easter!

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