mandilou

I am just beginning my hard workout action... but having been a pretty serious athlete in the past, I know that complex carbs help with energy levels.. and if you are really working hard (which it sounds like you are!), I would follow your trainer's advice and try to get some carbs in. I found this link... complex carbohydrates foods list - good sources of complex carbohydrates, which I think explains it pretty well. Keep in mind, your idea of cutting out carbs is probably because you were addicted to simple carbs and processed foods. Complex carbs will help you!

congrats, ceradad! :thumbs_up: What a great feeling... and thanks for sharing your positive experiences! It's nice to hear for those of us still at the start of our journey. As for moi, the fiance and I went to the gym last night. Did about an hour or so of elliptical, chest/back/shoulders/arms, and then played catch with a medicine ball on Bosu balls... SO MUCH FUN. It was a great workout, and we were laughing and enjoying ourselves at the same time. If anyone has other "couple" workout ideas, let me know! Back to the gym today... and I'm using My Plate to track the food. So far so good... okay, it's only been a day and a half but I've gotta start somewhere!

Kat, you sound a lot like me! I, too, was concerned with my personal hygiene - SO EMBARASSING to admit! I, too, am maxing out at stores, wearing a 30-32. Congrats on your overwhelming success! You're an inspiration!

I will be working with my dietician/nutritionist through my surgical center for a diet plan, but my fiance and I joined the gym this past weekend, so we'll be going daily to that. I highly recommend "The Daily Plate" as well... another bandster turned me onto it and I've loved entering in my food and really seeing what I've been putting in my mouth. Helps me keep on track!

Actually I have BCBS of Illinois, although I live in Minneapolis. And while it's super frustrating to have to wait six months when you feel you've already waited a lifetime for this option to come along, I really do feel it's going to be good for me. Like others have said, I'm trying to be positive about it... get to the gym, get used to eating like a bandster, get used to the change in lifestyle and maybe even lose a little weight to get me jump-started. Best wishes to you! In the meantime, I encourage you to jump into the exercise threads and commit to moving a little more, or eating a little more. Making little changes now will help us a lot when the band comes!

While I haven't been banded yet, I have been down to 168lbs (which on me equaled a size 10). Now at around 350, it's amazing the HUGE difference in the way I'm treated. In fact, I wasn't psychologically prepared to be 168lbs. (down from about 225 at the time), and all of a sudden guys I went to high school with who wouldn't give me the time of day were suddenly REALLY interested in talking to me when I ran into them at the local bar. Strangers would sit next to you on busses, people were more friendly and likely to strike up a conversation. Interestingly, WOMEN became more closed off, assuming incorrectly that I was a bitch. Frankly, I hated it. It will be a challenge to get over as I lose weight this time around. Thankfully, I won't be in the dating world, so I don't have to deal with people who would never have given me the time of day suddenly interested in boning me. As an aside... when I interviewed for the job I currently have, my parents were both convinced that they wouldn't hire me because I was too fat to look appealling.

Yeah, _I_ made the decision to not tell anyone until I had moved way ahead and made it work for me (similar to others... not wanting it to be another failed attempt). However, imagine my surprise when I overhear my fiance talking to his mother about it!! :Dancing_wub::cursing::thumbup: Let's just say that things in our house got a little nasty. I was so pissed. I haven't even told my PARENTS about it, and I'm way closer to them than his parents. AAAUUGGHH. I'm still steamed about it, but I told him (in no uncertain terms) that his mother is the LAST person he will discuss this with, and that conversation would be the LAST one they had about it.

I worry about this exact thing as I move toward being banded. People like Jachut and others have been a huge inspiration to me... not because they've lost weight, but HOW they've done it, and how they do not make excuses for themselves, but hold themselves accountable. In a way, I'm glad that I will have to go through a 6-month monitored diet before I can seek insurance approval. I really want to use that period to make the lifestyle changes that will be necessary for me to take full advantage of the band.

The fatter I have gotten, the more I've realized how much it sucks to even make PLANS to go out to eat... I'm always worried I won't fit wherever we go. And I keep wanting to take the step-kids to an amusement park or a Water park, but then I stop when I realize that there's no way I'll fit on any rides. It's sad when your kids' lives are negatively affected because of your "disability".

I have had so many "a-ha" moments, and have wanted the band for about two years now. But one just happened today, which is why I mention it here. I started at a new company about three weeks ago. Today was our "new employee lunch" for our group. I'm in downtown Minneapolis, and we had to walk through the skyways to get to the restaurant. Probably a half mile at the most. By the time we got to the restaurant, I was lagging behind the group, sweaty, and mortified. My back hurt, and I was pretty much ready to cry. I just kept cursing myself because it's MY FAULT that I can't even keep up on a walk to lunch. And of course, the entire way there, I'm PRAYING that we're not squeezing into a booth, or worse yet, we don't have to sit in chairs with arms. I had to subtlety wipe my face with my Water napkin, and suck on ice to try to cool my body temp so I'd stop sweating. On the way back, I was more sore, sweat even more, and now I'm back at my desk... after applying powder on my face to combat the shiny, red face. My back hurts, I'm terribly embarassed, and I just basically make myself sick. I used to be this athletic person... maybe not THIN, but at least in shape. It just made me angry at myself, and more determined to kick my own ass at the gym tonight.

Congrats on turning it into a positive! I'll be starting my "6-months" May 1, so we can support one another. :thumbup: Just remember to DOCUMENT and make sure you visit your GP/nutritionist/dietician to ensure everything is in your medical records, so BCBS can't deny you! :Dancing_wub:

when you say your "walker", by the description it sounds like an elliptical or treadmill of some sort. if so, the pain in the back of your legs could be simply your muscles getting adjusted to that type of motion. Your hamstrings and calf muscles might not be used to that type/range of activity. Walking and elliptical machines will use slightly different muscles, and perhaps when you're walking you're not really pushing a quick pace? What kind of pain are you having? If it's a "sore" kind of pain, and it doesn't hurt WHILE you're doing it, but afterwards, it is probably muscular. I find that even when I'm sore, once I start moving and stretching those muscles out, the soreness goes away by the end of my workout. If it's a sharp or shooting pain, and it happens when you're on the machine, perhaps a join issue? Maybe see your GP and make sure you're okay.

Susan's right... every healthcare provider is different. And even within the same provider, sometimes things are changed/tweaked depending on the employer. I have BCBS-IL, and when I asked about fills, she said as long as your surgery is covered, any post-operative care (including fills) will be covered as well. She did say that whether I'd have to pay a co-pay would depend on how they billed the procedure. Office visit? Co-pay. Outpatient? Fully covered. Good luck!

ah yes, scissor sisters! I LOVE "filthy gorgeous". great for the gym.

luluc- Great suggestions! Some more of my favorites (many of which are on that list) include: Dresden Dolls - "Girl Anachronism" Kenna - "Say Goodbye to Love" and many others White Zombie - esp. "1969", "Thunderkiss 65" Mindless Self Indulgence Linkin Park Lily Allen - esp. "Not Big" and "Knock 'Em Out" Nine Inch Nails Various 80's hair band songs (i.e. Motley Crue, etc.) Sum41 - "Fat Lip" Mika - "Big Girls" Crystal Method I'll have to edit this when I get home from work and I'm actually looking at my music. Now I can't wait to workout tonight! :purplebananna:

I finished reading that with tears in my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing such a personal journey. I'm so happy for you that the LapBand has proved to be such an amazing gift. Best health to you always!

Marisa is so right.. I have to do the supervised diet program too, and I'm going out of my way to make sure EVERY LITTLE THING is documented. Just make sure that you visit your doctor (preferrably your WLS surgeon or their office) at LEAST once a month. My insurance provider even suggested more than once a month. They want to see that you can follow up and stay committed, since you'll have to go in for follow ups after surgery. Remember, it's so worth it in the end... you'll get the tool you need to help you maintain your weight loss, and if you manage to lose some weight before the surgery, it's just that much closer to your goal! Stick to it, document, document, document... and make sure your surgeon's office is too! Nothing would suck more than being denied because they were missing information or forgot something important! Best wishes!!

these are some good ideas... I hope they keep coming! I'm always looking for new workout songs.

From what I understand, that's the norm.. putting them in empty. I think that's why once the mushies phase is over and you've had time to heal, a lot of bandsters end up super starving! Which is why I'm hoping this new band is slightly filled to help me out. :tt1:

At my information session last night, I asked the RN how long it would be until my first fill. She replied six weeks (which as I've read here is standard). However, she said that it is changing a bit now because with the new band model that came out a month or so ago, it's recommended that they do a fill during surgery. Anyone with newer bands have a fill during surgery?

I just saw this thread, and I'm joining the gym today, so I'm in! Hafta get me one of those tickers. :tt1: I'll commit to 20 hours. Mostly cardio, with a mix of weight training once I put together a plan.

from what I understand, they use the LapBand (as in, the Allergen {sp?} one).

Misty- It's so funny (well, not really) that you posted that, because I just had a lengthy talk with a rep at BCBS-IL re: the whole 6-month diet, etc. She said that the review board will look for MORE than one visit a month with your doctor/nutritionist/dietician, and will expect LOTS of detail. She did mention that they WILL expect at LEAST a five year history of obesity, and said they really really focus on "medical transcripts" - i.e., the actual photocopies of your charts. She said that some doctors write letters or whatever else, and that isn't good enough. I told the surgery center where I'm getting banded about this. She said she was glad I let her know that, because they might have to alter their 6-month plan for BCBS-IL patients. I guess another patient with the same insurance has been getting the run around quite a bit from them. :frown: Ultimately, she said BCBS-IL was the most difficult carrier they've dealt with yet. :tt1:

thanks for responding! I was starting to think I was "death to all threads" around here! :cursing:

1) have you read her other posts? Most are nasty and full of attitude. 2) most of you are being WAAAAY too diplomatic 3) I'm willing to bet "she" is a troll... posting to cause trouble and not even banded. 4) in closing? STFU 5) PS - if you're "all for education", as stated in your original post... maybe you should use some and learn how to spell? PS - and I'm SERIOUSLY out of the loop, since I skipped ahead and replied to Ms. Nasty... and didn't read all your yummy talk of Sonic, fries, ice cream... dammit! I'm not banded yet... give a girl a break! :cursing: