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Hi Paige59. This is a great place to come for help. I used to weigh over 300 and when I did I could hardly get out of bed every day, I hurt so bad. I was also very depressed. My doctor started me on antidepressants and they really helped me to feel better and that made me a little more motivated to start moving. I started out on a stationary bike. I found one with a large seat, (actually at an estate auction for $1). I just started doing 5 minutes a day, then when it felt like I wasn't going to die after 5 minutes, I did 10 minutes, etc. until I got up to 30 minutes a day. My legs would go to sleep if I stayed on any longer than that but it helped me to get started. Then I would do it twice a day. I lost the first 25 pounds that way. When I exercise I am less hungry. Some say that when you exercise you don't want to screw it up by eating wrong right after but I find that I feel soooooo good after exercising that I don't want to eat as much as I did. Now, if I get lazy or get sick or depressed and quit then I'm right back where I was. I know it is hard to start but you just have to be like Nike and "DO IT!". I won't say it is easy. The sweat runs freely when you start and you may feel even more sore but whatever you do don't stop. If you take one day off because you hurt too much, it is easy to let it become 2 and 3 and 4, etc. Just keep at it and take it easy. You don't have to push yourself to the point that you are about to pass out, just start slowly. Your body will tell you when you can do more. You will be surprised at how fast your body will acclimate to moving and then you won't want to miss a day. The pool is a good choice if you have access to one but if you are like me I'm too shy to go anywhere to a pool, even if it belongs to friends and going to a gym where people can see me is actually still out of the question for me. I'm down to 250 and still have over 100 pounds to go and hoping to get the lap band to help me get over the hump. I know you can lose those 40 pounds. I recently found out I am allergic to wheat and gluten in breads, etc. and I feel a whole lot better if I don't eat it. If I have a day of eating bread I wake up the next day 5 pounds heavier. I wouldn't be surprised if at least half of the overweight people in this world are sensitive to gluten as well. When I eat bread or wheat I just can't stop eating but when I don't I feel satisfied with less. Believe me, I have tested it to the hilt and I know it is better if I never touch the stuff again. You might want to check out Kay Shepard on the web. She has a food plan for people with food addiction that really has helped me a lot, and you don't starve on it. I'll send you my email if you want it. I would be happy to help you in any way I can. I'm still waiting for my band but I believe it is near. Just "Never Give Up".

I can relate to feeling mentally and physically drained. Before I was banded in February, my knees and back always hurts. I had 3 surgeries to fix heel spurs caused by weight bain and I couldn't walk up my stairs without being out of breath and my relationship with my husband was going down hill fast. Plus, I was not as heavy as most that get banded, but the extra weight I had been carrying around for years took it's toll on my over all health and at 43, I felt much older inside and out. Now that I have the band, in almost 2 months I have lost 30#, most of that in the first month. If thats not motivation I don't know what is. It also helps that I have a terrific Bariatric group that I go in weekly for weigh-ins, which helps hold me accountable for my actions each week, especially right now that I am kinda new to this new phase of my life. But I think the key to your sucess depends alot on you. I really wanted this more than anything. I wasn't always big and I loved my life and who I was before the extra weight. That all changed when I put on weight. I love to travel, hike and swim as well as shop for new clothes, which I haven't been able or willing to do in years, because it was depressing trying things on that would not fit right. Last week, I was finally able to get out of plus size, what an amazing feeling. I also, while on vacation, bought some shirts that were too small right now, but motivates me to get into them by summer. I still have a ways to go, but each new success, no matter how small is something to be proud of. I just got back from San Diego on vacation, I really hadn't excercised much up till then, but was amazed that with the weight I had lost, I was able to climb some of the cliffs on their trails. I walked all week and with very little problem, something before surgery I could not have done. So you ask if this can change your life for the better. It has for me. Plus my husband and I have grown close again. Honestly it's the best decission I have made in a long time, now if you had asked me a week or two after I had it done, well lets just say, I was in pain and had a few issues, but I worked through them and with the help of my doctor and this forum it has made it so much easier to move through this process much smoother. Good Luck to you

I have bad, deep, loud hiccups. My surgeon told me it was from eating/drinking too fast. After 4 months, I still tend to eat too fast. Congrats on your surgery and good luck!

Hi! I'm a November 8th girl too! Guess I was lucky I had the gas pains for only one day but I have walked alot. Have you gotten sick to your stomach yet? I did but found it was because I ate too fast. Now I eat very slowly. Hope all goes well and your pain goes away. Donamarie

Your weight fluctuates throughout the day, also - which is why having a set day/time to weigh yourself is the best plan if you're going to get emotional about the number. Most people do get emotional over that scale - either when it goes up or down!! I tend to weigh myself too often. Daily - sometimes twice a day - just to see the differences. And I can vary in weight as much as 10lbs in the same day!! Could be Water weight, could be related to your time of the month... could be alot of things! Also, it sounds like you're starving yourself. If your body thinks it's starving, it will hold onto the weight for dear life! This article might help: http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html - from that article: If you are under-eating or go more than 4-5 hours without eating, your body will shift into fasting mode, slow your metabolism and conserve your stored energy (fat). This can contribute to a weight loss stall or plateau. Hope that helps! Try not to be so hard on yourself - if you're doing everything right, you WILL lose the weight.

I have been hearing people say that they are looking old in the face now that they have lost so much weight so fast. I am 4mo post op. How can I prevent this from happening to me? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using BariatricPal mobile app

Just wondering how you were doing? I also had surgery on 4-21-11 and I have lost 18 lbs so far. Still somewhat sore where they secured the port to a muscle, but other than that I feel SO much better, have more energy and have had no more acid reflux, indegestion, bloated and uncomfortable feeling. Trying to walk on my treadmill every day to burn those calories. Another tool that I have found is that drinking this Protein powder from unjury.com is really helping me lose weight, it's the best tasting that I've found and it has 20 grams of protein, only 180 calories and 1% fat with 8 oz of skim milk. (Of course I only drink 6 oz of milk.) fills me up, lasts long and really taste great!! And NO CARBS!! Unjury Protein Powder, I think someone said you can get it at Walmart now, but I get it on line. A girl at work told me about it. Her doctor told her of it when she had surgery. My doctor's office didn't tell me anything. They recommended slim fast. Duh! that is loaded with carbs! Good thing to have friends. Take care. Kim

I also had a huge energy surge. I could only sleep 4 hours a night, and felt like the energizer bunny on steroids. I got a bike and did a triathlon and a 50 mile bike race in the first year post op. I think it is the ketosis of rapid weight loss that causes this. I started walking right away, hitting 10,000 steps a day by the end of week one, then speed walking, climbing stairs, upper body and leg exercises. I used very light weights ( 3 pounds), and did wall pushups, as well as a stretching routine. I went up to 5 pound weights on my arm exercises. Was training to do a one day rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike, and then Covid hit and the world changed. And ketosis stopped, and I don't have all the energy now that I did a year ago. I say go for it! But please, please, please follow your doctor's instructions to the tee when it comes to weights and lifting. There is a lot healing on the inside that you can't see and you DO NOT want another surgery to repair a hernia or any other damage. But use all the energy you have now to your advantage. It will put you in great metabolic condition and help the weight come off even faster. PS: We have about the same height, starting weights, and BMI. I reached my goal of 149 within 7 months. I know that is pretty fast, but I want to encourage you to go for it. You will hit 180 pretty quickly and may well discover that your body wants to keep losing. It was so exciting to get to a normal BMI. So great to hit 180, but then don't be afraid to go lower. The energy surge really helps.

I have surgery on July 11th. Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App Yayyy....it's like that day can't come fast enough...I was very scared now I'm ready for it all to be over......scared....yet nervous... A ray of emotions Sent from my Z828 using the BariatricPal App

My journey is going great. Sorry to hear about all of the complications you had to go thru. I also have the sick feeling. Went in for my 6.week on Monday doc said I could be eating too fast or too much. I slowed down the past 2 days and have given up on my coffee and the icky blah feeling has been gone so yay for that.

I get that every time I eat to fast or don't chew well enough.

Doesn't hurt..and it comes and goes sorta like it swells up (inside my throat) and then goes down...VERY weird... I was telling a friend about it last night and she seems to think it's probably due to not drinking enough Water. I have chronic post nasal drip and she swears it's clogged snot, lol...she's a ray of sunshine this one... I'll talk to my doc...sure hope it isn't reflux..weird thing is, I haven't really been able to find any information regarding the band and reflux.... My doc has me take 150 mg of Zantac twice a day so I'd think that would keep the acidity down and I don't have heartburn or any pain...just this clog....guess I could try draino! Sorry Paula...the correct description would be more like a clog in the pipes....looking at my message I didn't describe is right..it's there when I swallow...intermittently... Will keey ya'll posted.

I am over 8 years post-op (RNY) and 30 years post-op gall bladder removal. I started doing a one-meal-a-day, 23-hour fast 3-4 days a week and eating a normal diet on the other days. I do a 3 day, water-only fast once a month. I have found that I feel wonderful on the days I fast. It feels right. I'm not sure how it would have felt shortly after surgery, but this far out I'm pleased. Not particularly hungry when I'm not eating.

Sorry I can't help because I have Tricare Standard and my process was really fast! BUT i will say that many people say the 6 months flies by ... so hang in there. Just get going on it; it'll happen for you!

ok, so you have done amazing on the loss so far.. have you lost inches this month you say the scale hasnt moved? have you had to buy smaller clothes? maybe realized the clothes you are wearing are too big? are you able to have better mobility? are you physcially feeling better better? if so, then you are continuing to lose even if the scale doesnt move as fast as you like or at all.....keep on the track of eating great foods, exercising and stay the course....the scale will catch up.

I had surgery 10/17 My process went super fast!

I have been reading about Michael Mosleys work with intermittent fasting, specifically his 5:2 plan. Eating regular meals 5 days and low calorie 2 days. Is anyone following this plan?

just say no for a few weeks!! lol u know how much men appriciate that! ya it sounds like orthostatic hypertention aka gettin up too fast ur blood pressure bottoms out ....

You shouldn't have discomfort after eating, so if you are (and you have been told by your doctor that you can) it is usually because of one of the following - eating too fast, taking too big of a bite, not chewing enough, eating something really dry (like reheated chicken breast). Other than that you are at the stage where you should be able to eat anything. Try sitting down and relaxing. Take a dime sized bite of food and chew it until it is the consistency of applesauce. Swallow it. Wait and feel if there is any pain. If not, take another bite. As you eat, listen to your body for clues that you are reaching fullness. (Not really fullness, but a feeling of satisfaction -'I've had enough') Stop when you get that feeling. You shouldn't have pain if you do those things. You may still have some swelling from surgery, and that makes you tighter, so even without a fill you can feel the restriction that causes those troubles. If it persists, call your doctor.

I am a Type I diabetic, and I have had an upper endoscopy. You should talk to your diabetes specialist about your meds., and I would recommend having it done first thing in the morning, since you need to fast beforehand. does this answer your question? I'm not sure what you are asking...

the bubbles in carbonated drinks have a pressure to them that can do things to your stomach. (hence burping if you drink them too fast) the bubbles you are seeing in the shakes are non pressurized air trapped so should be fine!

I am surprised they did the lapband on you with all those issues. I had my band 9 years. After six years and I was down to 169 one day I just started vomiting and it continued for the next three years. The hospital that I worked for paid nothing for the lapband so I was either gonna have to pay 25,000 dollars or keep it. Well fast forward they finally paid to have it removed if I converted to another surgery. I was sleeved a week ago and this week I have spent wondering why I did this to myself. I don't know in time that it will be worth it. I feel I just mutilated my body again and I have lost 20lbs in the past week but what we do to be thin just worries me. If I could have had my band removed with no other surgery and have been able to eat real food I think I could have done it on my own. I feel like I was forced to get the sleeve just to get rid of my band.

Poor food choices due to the fact that I didn't have time during the week and was just to overwhelmed to make time or even make two different meals at home. Taking care of my 3 daughters and husband came first even before me. I had to cook how they like, not how I would had love to cook (less sodium). In my culture you have to make sure to cook with salt and oils and sazon the Dominican/Ecuadorian way. I was lazy as well it was like I gave up. I also would catch my self eating cause I was bored and sad I needed my ice cream. I would do Juice fast lose an X amount of weight and gain double. After having my first daughter back in 2005 I gain 80 lbs in pregnancy and 20 to 30 for the other two that I was never able to go back to my normal weight. The closest I have ever got was two years ago I lost to 167 but gradually gain it back and so much more. I can say I hit obesity stage the beginning of this year. My family are also in the overweight and obese category but I can't sit here and say is due to that because I know is so much more then just genetics. I hope to finally have my tool to completely lose the weight for good.

1. Putting myself last on the list of things and people I had to take care of, everything else came first. 2. Poor food choices - fast food, sweets, junk - anything that was convenient because I was too busy to slow down and make healthier meals. 3. Emotional binge eating. I could eat a lot, and rarely did I feel full. All the while I knew I was eating too much, but couldn't seem to help myself, the hunger or need for something to soothe me was always there.

Hello everyone my name is Christina I was apart of this app a few years back and left but Iam back. Just looking for new people that can related to me here is a little about me. I've had my lapband 8years now the first few years I loved it when I started this journey I was 300 but being 5"8 you couldn't tell. My only problem was I had alot of issue with my knees so at the time me & my parents decided weight loss surgery was a good idea. Fast forward I was down to 189lbs when I got a tummy tuck shortly after that I received well a month after that I was pregnant with my first child. I was lucky you couldn't even tell I was pregnant with her but since then I just had my second baby last year a boy! They share the same birth day just different year 11 20 15 &17 anyways. Since having my son I've been experiencing some pain where my lapband is located and the vomiting has gotten alot worst and I suffer from heartburn really bad. I made the decision today that I'm going to get my gastric band removed and possibly get a gastric sleeve. Looking to meet people in my area really don't have any1 to talk that's around my age I'm 27 besides my mom who had her gastric band for 10years and got it replaced with the gastric sleeve. Feeling excited to start this new chapter in my life alot has changed since me getting the surgery so I wanna know what's new and learn more and maybe help someone who is new to this. Look forward to speaking with you all and Happy New Year Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app