Search the Community

At first my husband encouraged me to exercise and eat healthy. Well obviously that didn't work out (after trying for yrs)... Now I have the band, 30lbs lighter, and he loves every minute of it. Just the other day he was griping because I can't finish my plate and he has been eating my food- well he has gained a good 10lbs since I was banded! lol Ya'll just keep your head up because when your looking good and feeling great they will have changed their mind about the lap band.

You can do it... Go back to the basics! Drink Proteins shakes and Water with a lean and green meal and you can drop that in a week ( it will be water weight), but none the less. I am cheering for you!

You do have to do shakes in the beginning stages, usually for a liquid pre op diet and then for a week or two after surgery. Many continue to use them because it's an easy source of Protein to make sure they meet their protein requirement post-op. But you don't have to if you are able to get enough protein elsewhere in your diet. Also, you say you have 150lbs to lose, are you saying you wouldn't be satisfied with 105-120 of that being gone forever? Many people change their goals as they lose, especially when they have that much to lose. However, it is a tool, so it is what you make of it. You can lose it all through a lot of effort on your part with working out, and maybe even plastic surgery to take care of lose skin which can account for 5,10,15 lbs or more depending on how your skin reacts to that much weight loss. How well your skin does is based on genes, age, and current condition. There are definitely a lot of variables to consider, and I agree with mags, you should go to a seminar at a local hospital to get more info! And poke around this site, there is much to be learned. Good luck to you!

Guys, Is there anything I should know about working out after I get the sleeve? Like will I still be able to lift and gain muscle the same? Will I be able to push my self? Also, I love playing basketball, is there a possibility of still playing once I get cleared by the DR's and everything?

I have GOT to buy myself a measuring tape.. I'm upset with myself that I haven't yet. I was measured at my doctor's fitness center before my surgery and I have not been measured since. I KNOW I have lost inches, I can see it and feel it. However, I am only down a few pounds on the scale... it's weird how you can feel like you are different yet don't see much on the scale, that part of it is driving me nuts. I am going tomorrow to get a measuring tape because I know I will be happy to see what I've lost in inches.. and I need to stay motivated with my exercise. I'm definitely ready to start seeing a change on the scale. It's really starting to get to me. One day I am thrilled with myself and the next I feel like I should be doing better. I hate the rollercoaster of feelings but I know I have to deal with it.. there are always going to be good days and bad days. Plus, my weight fluctuates SO much in a day. I know this is normal but I never know what I really weigh. My weight in the morning is getting lower and later in the day its 4-5 pounds higher.. ?? Oh well.. as long as I am feeling the difference and feeling better about myself, that is the most important thing.

First. Who said that you have not made good progress?? Your expectations are too high. Your weight loss is amazing. Surgery is a tool. You are not going to lose 100 lbs overnight. Scale will go up and down. You will hit a stall and the scale doesn't move. Accept it and safe yourself the frustration. Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

Hmmm, that is difficult, for me it seems to be more of what can I eat than what am I going to eat??? This is how it was when I was really losing weight. I can basically get down protein coffee or protein smoothies, soups and soft meat like fish with sauce of course. I can get crunchy things down ( which is bad, because they are usually high calorie). I may need to get my band loosened, but I don't want my weight to go In The wrong direction again. I am trying to kick up my exercise again. I was really successful with my weight loss when I was exercising but I hurt my knee. I just got a fill and am at 8.5 in a 14 cc band. Trying to find low calorie things that I can eat. I would love some advice! Thanks!

It took me 1 year to reach MY GOAL, but I continued loosing until I hit rock bottom...that place were my body felt was the goal, not me...anything more would be unhealthy because it would not be fat loss...right now I have a very low body fat % in the "Fit" range.... I have not lost, nor gained any weigh in almost 2 years now...everything just leveled out on it's own....

I had my band removed March 1, 2009 because of a slip. At that time I weighted 163..only 8 pounds away from my personal goal. I have gained 30 lbs. since then and am totally disgusted with myself. :cursing:I am going to have the band put back on Feb. 11. I am keeping the same surgeon that put it in the first time. It was not his fault that it slipped. He is amazing. I am so thrilled to have this second chance. I hope that you get better with your band removal and have different results than myself. It is totally a personal decision what you do from that point on. Trust me, you will have lots of people giving their opinions about how they feel about the band, your weight loss, etc. I am so tired of hearing it that I have only told a select few that I am having it replaced.

Congrats on doing so well so far on your plan so far! Your current weight shows at 160 and your goal looks like it is 125. Cutting out the cardio and adding lifting is not going to get you to your goal weight quickly. People are taught that building muscle burns fat, which it totally does and it is good for you, but when your goal is to hit a certain weight, that being 125, the more you cut out cardio and add lifting, the less you are going to lose. I was really stuck around 166...as soon as I added more cardio that incorporated some strength moves (my boxing class is a lot of running with pushups and squats and such), the quicker I dropped and the more I toned. I've used trainers in the past when I was around that weight and purely lifting weights as opposed to doing a lot of cardio does absolutely nothing for me in terms of weight loss. I'm really big on the number on the scale and if you want to be 125, you can't have the muscular structure that someone who is building at 160 is going to have especially if you're building that muscle through lifting instead of through active movement like you would get in a plyometrics class or something. If you look at the Biggest Loser, they have plenty of weight work, but everything is offset with a ton of cardio. So...not do diss your trainer by any means, because he (or she) was taught to preach the value of lifting, but from someone who was at your weight and has a goal close to yours, I don't feel that dropping cardio off that much is going to help you. As a funny note, I always thought that I had to workout hard to lose weight, which is what I did the first part of my weight loss. Then I had plastic surgery and couldn't work out for almost 8 weeks and I dropped 16 pounds, some of which was very likely muscle. It made me realize there was no way I was ever hitting my goal of 129 if I didn't first get there and then start building muscle. Good luck!

Thank you for writing such a long and detailed response! Yes, you do have a point. My weight has been stuck for a few weeks right now, but none of my pants fit anymore and have cut down on taking meds so it's inches (at least that's what it feels like). I didn't tell the trainer about my WLS because she started freaking out when I told her I was diabetic so I left it at that. It was a free session from the gym anyways. So do you think it would be better to do lift weights once a week and stick to cardio the rest of the time? In the past (prior to WLS), weights would make more of a difference in my body but everything is changed now. I'm going to ask my bariatric doctor his thoughts as well when I see him next time. Btw - how often do you work out?

Sooooo, I have only 1 more appt. in Sept. then I should be done. Well, not so much. I was told since I have had prednisone for my neck (degenerative disk disease, arthritic, with a pinched nerve) I have to wait until 6 more months for surgery. HAHAAHAHAHAHAHA! Then they tell me my PCP said that my sugar has to come down (currently at 7.4 a1c) cause it was 346 at the time of testing. Yeah, the prednisone elevated it and what could I do. I was at the bariatric centers doctor and told them this, they did not mention the time to wait. WTF!!!!! That makes for 1 year to wait!!! There are sooo many meds and problems I have, but have been flying through FOR the surgery, I am at the point of giving up.... on everything! This is ridiculous, if I am at the weight I am and have so many problems at 37 y/o, why are they questioning this. This is just a rant and I am ready to give up on life....no joke! WTF are they doing!?

Heather, Just be sure and research thoroughly whatever weight loss help you decide to use. Knowledge is powerful! Please don't compare yourself to all the "size 10s". That has nothing to do with who you are. I don't know if you've had an ongoing problem with weight or not. Do you have serious health problems -- diabetes, blood pressure, asthma, thyroid, arthritis, etc.? Only you can decide if you're wanting to do this to be healthier or just for the physical appearances. The band will help you, but you have to be willing to take responsibility for what you are eating and how much. I, also, wish that I could have had this done at a much younger age. But, for me, maybe I really wasn't at the mental point that I needed to be. You do need to take care of yourself. A little bit of laproscopic surgery is absolutely nothing compared to open-heart surgery and recovery time (from a heart attack and/or blockage)! Best of luck to you as you start your journey!

It really does vary between each individual. I weighed more after surgery than I did the morning of simply because of all the fluids I had pumped in me going through recovery. Weight starting 2 week pre-op diet: 336 Day of surgery: 318 Current (3 weeks post op): 296

Starting weight (July 2015):268 1 month after(august 2015):239 Current weight: 162 Goal: 150

My reproductive endocrinologist was the first to tell me that weight loss is only about 60 to 70% percent "calories in vs. calories out". The rest is hormones, body content, genetics, etc. So, if you eat way more than you put out, yes, you will gain weight. That's how most of us got in the shape we were in. I had a test done to see how many calories my body needs to operate. My body needs at least 1350 calories to breathe, operate, and function. (I had this test done a year and a half after surgery). Due to my activities, I can eat up to 2050 a day and not gain weight. If I ate that many calories everyday, however, I would put on weight. That's just how it is. I eat about 1400 to 1700 on any given day. This Saturday, I am running a half marathon, and will probably end up eating close to the 2000 mark. Exercise and food go hand in hand. You cannot out-exercise a horrible diet, and you cannot just eat so little without exercise. Well, you could, but you would have no muscle and would kill your metabolism. Everyone's bodies are different. Often, it is the types of food we choose to eat and the exercise one chooses. You have to do what is best for your body. For me, I do a mix of cardio and weight training. The cardio helps burn fat, but the weights help trim and tone.

Geez that was long!!! I agree with the bulk of it. Exercise only accounts for less than 20% of your overall physique (fat, muscles, etc) and diet is over 80%. People can lose weight just from changing their diet alone. Exercise is a boost really. I've never really agreed with the calorie in, calorie out though. I did once upon a time, but now it's just eating better quality food and watching how much to eat. Eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full/content. Now, the article almost came off as, you don't have to exercise at all. Although this can be true, kind of, it's even better to incorporate exercise to get the best "bang for your buck" so-to-speak. So, for weight loss, yes, it can help. But heart conditioning, muscle building, strengthening, stretching...those are all excellent benefits of exercise and we still do lose calories doing them (if you count calories) but the diet is what counts most.

Well I am almost three years out on my lapband journey and had lost a total of 140 of the 200 total pounds I want to lose and I just hit a wall in 2010 with some very eventful, stressful things in life and I reverted to some old bad behavior of thinking okay, I can eat now and get through this stress, and then lose the weight if I can something later. Just get through the stress. Whoa! Was that really me thinking that -- I want to lose this last 60 lbs. I want to see the scale go below 199 for the first time in years and years. I want to finally lose the rest of my weight so that I can go ahead with my tummy tuck or whatever surgery I need to be able to accept what my body looks like when I am done. So, for all that history...on to a new year! I took both pictures with front, back, side views today and its not so pretty! What was I thinking being so proud of my 140 lb loss and thinking I was just too cute in those smaller sizes and jeans! I want to get to even smaller sizes and smaller jeans! Anybody else want to be accountable in 2011 and take photos today and then a year from now take photos again and see if we really meant our commitments? The only person I am really committing to is ME! Forget this thing that I let get back in my head that if I were to lose weight I'd finally find my dream man. I did find someone in 2010 and then just as I was getting brave enough to show my feelings, I lost my job where we were working together and he started dating someone else we worked with. Darn! Okay, without posting ugly pictures here, I'm wearing Size L to XL Tshirts now and Size 18 in dress pants and Size 20 in jeans as of today. Can't wait to see where this new year of commitment takes me.

Ok, I have been dealing with my weight for the last past eight years. 2 years and 28lbs ago I attended the seminar for gastric bypass. At the time I felt that the procedure was a little to drastic for me and never pursued it any further. I am starting to have soooo many issues surrounding my weight like sleep apnea, acid reflux, and recent knee issues. The acknowledgement of being tired and short breath all the time has encouraged me get back to trying to loose the weight on my own. I am now looking for alternatives so this disease doesn’t get the best of me. I am currently 5'0 and 228lbs. After reading information on the lap band, I am thinking this is the route for me. I welcome any advice from anyone who is willing to share. I will keep you guys updated in my progress.:thumbup:

3 lbs in 30 days isn't a lot whether you are 20 lbs over weight or 200 thats why we were very surprised.

I've been hanging around, reading posts and journals for a while now. I really respect the folks that are recording their lives here. I don't know how long I will be able to keep this up. I'm not much of a writer and I'm sooo glad there is spell check. But Im going to try. Maybe someone will read something I write and get something from it. I know I've got a lot from the journals I'm currently following. So here goes: My name's Amanda. I'm 41, married to a wonderfully supportive guy and have 2 step sons (30 & 31)I'm very close too, and we live in the Northeast. I am the CFO of a small company, so I work at my desk, in my office, all day and it doesn't leave much opportunity to move around during the day. My weight has been up and down all my life. Mostly up. I'm at my heaviest and not liking myself much lately. My husband and I like to keep busy and we do many sports together (golf, biking, walking, shopping(involves lots of walking!!)) and I love everything to do with the water (kayaking, sailing, fishing, boating, swimming). In 2005 I was on a 3 person team that completed a triathlon. My goal is to do the triathlon again. (UPDATE ON AUG 2, 2008 I COMPLETED MY FIRST SOLO TRIATHLON!!) I've been looking into the LapBand for about 2 years, ever since my sister-in-law got it. She has since had it removed because it was eroding, but says she would have another put in if she could. About 2 months ago I went to my first information session and consultation with the surgeon. I have since jumped through all the hoops (psych,nutrition,upper GI,pulmonary and cardiac clearance, diet history, blood tests). So far so good. I stopped by the Dr.'s office to see how things were progressing last Friday. They have received all the information and will now submit to insurance. Then they will call with a surgery date. The desk lady said I should be hearing in a week. So I wait. I've been working on eating meals without drinking. It does make me feel full faster. I'm going to sign up at the gym after the first of the year. I've lined up with my company to take a week off after my surgery, hopefully in mid January. A word about the pre-tests. I breezed through the cardio, pulmonary, blood, nutrition and diet history. It was the psych that messed me up. I've had some hard times these past few years. Many deaths (a very dear friend from suicide and all grandparents, a daughter-in-law, my father-in-law and mother-in-law. I guess I'm a bit depressed. This Dr had me thinking I have some real problems and they might get in the way of her passing me for the surgery. I figured I flunked the psych part. Is that possible I asked my husband? Well I didn't hear anything further from her so I guess I didn't flunk. But gees I am an intelligent person that goes to work each day, am very successful, happily married and don't beat my dog. This lady had me doubting myself. I'm just fat, not suicidal! I'm glad I don't have to see her again. So I wait. I've decided not to tell most folks about the surgery until it happens or someone asks after. My business and all that. My close friends and family know. I'll need their support. Well I guess that's it for now. I hope to chronicle as often as possible or when the facts allow. Comments are welcome and appreciated. TTFN :cursing:

Hello! I'm am new to this,well relatively, so please be nice. I can't help but feel so depressed during this pre op liquid diet ... I have a 2year old son, no energy.... Sometimes it feels like I wish I could sleep the days away this week. My surgery is tomorrow however it's not til 12 in the afternoon. Everyone is eating "normal" around me and I am barely eating. I keep trying to have the things I'm allowed but I don't even want it . I try forcing myself but I'm just not thrilled. Sometimes I just feel like why do I have to go through this? Why am I the one that has this challenge? I am altering my natural body to lose weight. It just sucks. I know im grateful to be approved , and I sure know people have it worse than me but I can't help but feel sad. I'm having a really bad day. Has anyone else felt like this? Granted I have had days of feeling excited, nervous, and happy about getting VSG. It's like a new emotion every week . Thanks for listening Frankie

You're almost there! Try to focus on how much energy you'll have to take care of your beautiful baby boy after you've lost weight! Everything serves a purpose. You're doing great. Hang in there. C.

Just wanted to get a comparison view from others on what your workout routine is. I was banded 12/3/09 and have lost just shy of 100 lbs. so far. I hired a personal trainer that I meet twice per week starting in January 2010. I also workout on 2-3 other days per week. Here's a rundown of what I do for exercise. Thoughts? Trainer: 45 minute session combining cardio, circuit training, weight lifting (running stairs, sprints, power-lifting, metabolic training, toning) followed by 60 minutes of walking at 3.5 mph and a 6.0-7.5 gradient on the treadmill. This is twice per week. On own: -I do zumba 2-3 times per week for 60 minutes. -I do interval training on the treadmill of 7.4 mph for 90 seconds, followed by 3.5 mph for 90 seconds all at a 2.0 gradient for 30 minutes. I will sometimes walk for 10-20 minutes after this or do 15 minutes of abdominal workout or 15 minutes on the spinning bike, but not all on the same day. -Recently started doing elliptical instead of the full interval session as I am getting bored with intervals. Working my way up on the elliptical. Did 6 for the level with 90 seconds at maximum effort and 90 seconds of recovery effort for 12 minutes today (first time I tried it). My legs were shaking! I've worked my way up to dead-lifting 145 lbs with the trainer and can benchpress about 70 lbs repeatedly. I've been able to run a 5K on the treadmill, although I haven't tried it outside as the weather is horrible here. Am planning on completing my first outdoors 5K in April and doing a 5K with 12 obstacles next fall! nursemidwife86

Congrats on at least making the appointment for your fill. I lost a total of over 140 lbs. Havent been for a fill in 3 yrs. Ive gained 40 back. Im trying to get up the nerve to go back to the dr. But it's a big deal because I had my surgery with True Results and they are no longer in Atlanta. I'm trying to get motivated again start eating like im suppose to. I gained my weight from depression and sweets. They slide right down the band. I have also started walking. I just hope my band hasn't slipped. I feel hungry all the time. I hope your fill is a success and your weight starts melting off again. (: Lynn Philippians 4:13 <><