Beachy_Babs

I have a protein shake for breakfast and I would split one before and after my workouts . I don't see a problem with having protein shakes. :0)

I'm afraid to do strength training and working with weights because every time I do it, I build muscle so fast that I bulk up. I don't like to look like a bulky person. Question: should I just stick to 50 minutes on elliptical for a few months then slowly introduce my body to weights?

Thanks checkyes! You are so right. Less weight and more reps I shall do!!

A personal trainer sounds like a great idea! I can afford a few sessions.:0) they're just so darn expensive . Thanks you guys for your help!

Oh, I know how you feel ! When I am out and about without a packed snack, I go into panic mode. But its good that you chose to have a salad instead of nuggets! That's an awesome start. One problem I have is eating too fast. Sigh, still learning myself ! Good luck :0)

Hi there, The McDonald's salads are pretty big. When I order their salads, I would only eat 1/3 of it and save the rest for later. Plus, salads don't really fill you up. Since you don't have any restriction yet, its understandable that you can eat without discomfort. But try practicing now and cutting back your portion sizes to a cup of food at each sitting. I had my first fill last week and I do fill restriction, but I know its not my "sweet spot" yet because I do still feel hungry sometimes. Hang in there :0) I hope this helps. So start off with 3 oz of lean meat, and 1/2 cup of veggies .

Zen, you tell him girl!! Looks like someone is sleeping on the couch tonight lol !

I loved reading your post and I am so glad that you are up and walking. It helps ALOT. Congratulations on being a bandster and I know you will succeed :0) Keep it up ! I slept alot due to pain meds, but it was restful too. Keep us posted!!

Gag! I am so sorry your husband said that to you! Men...what can ya do... Just a few days ago, after losing 30+ lbs, I was able to fit into a summer dress that I had previously bought two years ago. I was getting ready to go to my brother's graduation and my husband takes one look at me and goes, "UGH! Don't wear that to a graduation! All the high school boys are going to look at you. Can't you just put something more casual on...like old jeans and a t-shirt?" I gave him the evil eye. I think now that I am losing weight, he's insecure that I might get big headed and not want him anymore. It's cute in a way, but more so frustrating. Keep your head up girl!

CONGRATSS!!!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU! I treated myself by buying a new dress last night for losing 30+ lbs :0) I think you deserve a shopping spreeeeee

I just came back from my first fill. It went well!! I was told that I could get 5 cc into my band today, But after the doctor's assistant put it all in, I felt nauseous. I felt pressure in my chest so she took some out. After all said and done, I have 4.8 cc in my band. Couldn't take the .2 cc! I couldn't even swallow. I also got the okay to do aerobics and weights now Along with my cardio. On liquids for the next 24 hours. Then to mushies. My stomach is making crazy noises. Tell me about your firsr fill experience!!!

I was banded on May 2nd 2011. My PA NUMBED me with a needle and it stung when she put it in. I would recommend being numbed because my PA WAS digging around for the port while the needle was in me and it wasn't a pleasant sight to see. And yes, I had to Sit up to drink Water while the needle was in and she added little by little until I was okay with the fill amount . Good luck with your fill!!!

I have 4.8cc in my band for my first fill. Today is the first day I'm allowed to eat soft solids after being on liquids for the first 24 hours, then graduating to mushies yesterday. We went to Olive Garden for my younger brother's graduation dinner and I ordered off the kids menu of chicken with broccoli. I had a few bites of the Zuppa Soup that came along with it (eating most of the kale in the soup instead of the potatoes) and barely took four bites before I was completely full and satisfied. Maybe it's my honeymoon stage, but I have tuned in with my body alot since surgery and I am learning so much about when to stop eating, when to eat, etc. I know fills will work if you give it time. And everyone is different...someone with the same amount of cc fill may not agree with me, but I'm just sharing a few positive thoughts for those who are curious about band fills. Happy Banding :0)

We have a KINECT and it is AMAAZZZZING. I have only tried the Wii once and I did not like holding the controller/remote in my hand. I have been hooked on the DANCE CENTRAL game and they have songs from the oldies to GAGA (Love Gaga). I'm a bit biased as you can see, but it is so well worth your money. They're good for family time as well as rainy days in and you don't want to go to the gym.

The reason why your doctor did not give you any restriction is because the first six weeks is mainly for healing. Your body is still getting used to the band and it will take at least two weeks to fully feel back to normal.

I would assume that you are at a plateau. Try switching up your work out routines. Instead of doing Zumba five times a week, how about doing it three times and incorporating two days of strength/weight training. You'll be surprised by the results! Also, I agree with the comment above that you should start logging your food intake. I have been doing that for six weeks since surgery and I am able to tweak around things I eat to make it better for me. You are not doing anything wrong from what you're saying, but spice it up... do something new like hiking or biking and that will trick your body!

I love your saying, Cindy!!!

I do find myself having the same mentality of people starving because that's how I was raised. Not anymore!!!

I recall eating no more than 1/2 cup the first two weeks after being able to eat solids. Then during bandster hell, I would eat a cup.of food.. and sometimes I would be full and sometimes I wouldn't. Right now, start off at 1/4 cup and slowly move up. For breakfast, one egg is a good portion. I had 1/4 cup of sugar free Apple sauce with it and that would be my breakfast. For lunch, do 2 oz of lean Protein, and 1/4 cup of really soft cooked veggies. And for dinner, do 2-3 oz lean protein and mashed potatoes if you want the carbs or more veggies. I hope this helps . :-)

I agree with Heather. On day two, I was hurting really badly and needed my husband's assistance around the clock. I couldn't get up by myself and the pain would subside once I was up and walking, but it would hurt again. The ride home for me (20 minutes) was painful and nauseating. I don't want to discourage you, but you will know the answer by the time you have your surgery and the morning of you leaving. Take care of yourself first before a concert. Best of luck to you and I do hope you can make it to your concert!! Just be careful.

thank you for the responses I really appreciate it :0)

Okay, I have a dilemma. I love to eat cheese and every time I do, I get constipated. Also, I don't really know what are healthy cheeses out there. I like to make a small plate of apples, cheese, and grapes as a snack. So far, I have been eating Laughing Cow light wedges and the Light Baby Bell cheeses. Do you have any suggestions on healthy cheeses? what do I need to look for in fat, calories wise to be in the "OKAY" stage?

For the laughing cow low fat cheese I only eat 1 wedge

Hey TanksMama, I'm sorry to hear that you are not liking your band. Before considering lapband, I had my heart set on gastric bypass. But after attending a few meetings and learning about both, I knew lapband was a better choice for me. I think mentally, you're comparing your weightloss to your mom's success. On average, someone who has had gastric bypass loses a pound a day whereas someone with the band will average about 1-2.5 lbs a week. I'll admit, I had my heart set on losing weight rapidly, but that's not the healthy way to do it. Your mom just got lucky that she didn't have any loose skin because almost everyone who have had gastric bypass always end up with some sort of loose skin on their body. You have lost over 40 lbs! You should look at that as a success with the band and not a failure just because it's not losing weight fast enough to meet your expectations. That's what you need to do... you need to stop expecting so much out of the band. It WILL work for you if you will work WITH it. You can't possibly assume that driving through Micky D's will help your chances of weight loss.. I'm not saying that you can NEVER have Mcdonald's again, but it's good to just stay away from temptation. If you don't like the heat (I HATE THE HEAT), then hit the local gym... or get an xbox KINECT. I have that at home and bought the DANCE CENTRAL game. It is SO much fun and I put it on WORK OUT mode and have burned 250 in 30-40 minutes of dancing. Okay, I'll stop rambling. I know everyone here is trying to help you go down the right path and for you to succeed. Good luck with everything.

Hey Carly congrats on your surgery! How are you feeling my dear? You typically get your first fill anywhere from 4-6 weeks after surgery. It really depends on the doctor's office and how they work. For the most part, during and after surgery, the band is not filled with any saline at all. But I have read posts on this site where people actually got fills during surgery. The main reason why you don't get a fill is because your stomach will be swollen from adjusting to the band so it wouldn't necessarily be good to have a fill in it yet. The purpose of a fill is for your passage way to be smaller so you won't consume so much and it would take longer for you to get hungry since food is passing through it slower. I hope this helps with answering your questions! I'm still in the process of learning, but let me know if you have more questions!!!