Starting Over...

[Nicole Justine 0]

I was supposed to be having my surgery January 2012, but due to money issues I had to postpone. I have to start my 6 month waiting and won't be having the surgery until May 2012. I've tried doing some diets on my own with Herbalife being the main one, but I found I'm spending just as much money if not more! I am anxious to start on this journey, but have a couple of questions for everyone who has had the Lap Band done. 1st, I'm 5'3 about 270lbs and I want to get down to 130lbs...is this realistic? If so, how long would it take to achieve this goal? 2nd, I have been told I will be out of work for about a week. Is it necessary to be out of work so long? I have a 2 year old at home and I think I would be doing more work at home, than I would be doing sitting in my chair at work all day. 3rd, how fast does the weight come off? I've been over weight pretty much my whole life and lost a lot of weight about 3 years ago...and then I had my son and I have not been able to lose this weight!! I feel so awful all the time, my back hurts, my feet and knees hurt, I'm always tired and I have no energy for anything. It's taken a toll on my life, but especially my marriage. My husband and I are separating. I want to be able to run and play with my son, and be able to keep up! I just want this done already!! Any help from you all would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

[Allison0927 329]

I am 5'4 and weighed in pre-op at 277. I am now at 212 just 4 months later. I plan to get to 130 or 140. YES i believe it can be done and so does my surgeon. It may take a year, maybe longer - but i'm heading there as I type this! BEST OF LUCK TO YOU IN MAY!!!

[kate82955 0]

keep in mind that with the lap band you don't lose weight as fast as someone who has had the bypass. I had my band 2 years ago and have lost 80 lbs. I now work out with a trainer and will be having a Tummy Tuck this friday. I am now a size 12 - i was a 22.

It is important to realize that with the band you will never eat the way you used to ever again. I have found a great supplement that i highly recommend. I take a shake for Breakfast and lunch and ususally have Soup, chowder or chili for dinner. I became a vegetarian because eating meat of any kind became too difficult with the band. The shake is called Vi-Shape and is by ViSalus. They also have other nutritional supplements as well. Check out the web site www.myvi.net/katelm

i only took 2 days off work, i am an O.R nurse. Post op was uncomfortable but not painful. i started yoga and exercising about 4 weeks later. the weight will come off relatively fast at first but will slow down. Just stick to your diet that works for you and you will be successful. I found that what i could tolerate may change daily- thats why i went to shakes and Soups etc. Sometimes i could eat yogurt, eggs or Pasta and some days not at all. I havent had any Pasta, eggs, bread, or meat since the second month after the surgery.

Good luck to you... life will get better--- you are changing for the better!!!

[Nicole Justine 0]

Glad to know there is someone out there with the same goal as me, and that you're doing so great!! Good luck with everything, and thanks for the words of encouragement!!

I am 5'4 and weighed in pre-op at 277. I am now at 212 just 4 months later. I plan to get to 130 or 140. YES i believe it can be done and so does my surgeon. It may take a year, maybe longer - but i'm heading there as I type this! BEST OF LUCK TO YOU IN MAY!!!

[Nicole Justine 0]

Thank you for sharing all the information you have regarding this procedure. I appreciate it. I am nervous about having to completely change the way I eat, but I know I just have to be strong, and know it's for the better!! I will check out that shake, because I did enjoy doing the Herbalife. I felt good to only have a shake for Breakfast instead of food. Again, thank you

keep in mind that with the lap band you don't lose weight as fast as someone who has had the bypass. I had my band 2 years ago and have lost 80 lbs. I now work out with a trainer and will be having a Tummy Tuck this friday. I am now a size 12 - i was a 22.

It is important to realize that with the band you will never eat the way you used to ever again. I have found a great supplement that i highly recommend. I take a shake for breakfast and lunch and ususally have Soup, chowder or chili for dinner. I became a vegetarian because eating meat of any kind became too difficult with the band. The shake is called Vi-Shape and is by ViSalus. They also have other nutritional supplements as well. Check out the web site www.myvi.net/katelm

i only took 2 days off work, i am an O.R nurse. Post op was uncomfortable but not painful. i started yoga and exercising about 4 weeks later. the weight will come off relatively fast at first but will slow down. Just stick to your diet that works for you and you will be successful. I found that what i could tolerate may change daily- thats why i went to shakes and Soups etc. Sometimes i could eat yogurt, eggs or Pasta and some days not at all. I havent had any Pasta, eggs, bread, or meat since the second month after the surgery.

Good luck to you... life will get better--- you are changing for the better!!!

[Cindy C 150]

I was supposed to be having my surgery January 2012, but due to money issues I had to postpone. I have to start my 6 month waiting and won't be having the surgery until May 2012. I've tried doing some diets on my own with Herbalife being the main one, but I found I'm spending just as much money if not more! I am anxious to start on this journey, but have a couple of questions for everyone who has had the Lap Band done. 1st, I'm 5'3 about 270lbs and I want to get down to 130lbs...is this realistic? If so, how long would it take to achieve this goal? 2nd, I have been told I will be out of work for about a week. Is it necessary to be out of work so long? I have a 2 year old at home and I think I would be doing more work at home, than I would be doing sitting in my chair at work all day. 3rd, how fast does the weight come off? I've been over weight pretty much my whole life and lost a lot of weight about 3 years ago...and then I had my son and I have not been able to lose this weight!! I feel so awful all the time, my back hurts, my feet and knees hurt, I'm always tired and I have no energy for anything. It's taken a toll on my life, but especially my marriage. My husband and I are separating. I want to be able to run and play with my son, and be able to keep up! I just want this done already!! Any help from you all would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

It is absolutely realistic! As for how long it will take, no one can tell you that. Everybody loses at their own speed. It might take you 9 months...it might take you 2 years. It will depend on you. I'm sorry your marriage is failing. Don't let that depress you. That would be counterproductive. Look at it as a new beginning. Maybe when you get yourself on track you and your hubby will reconcile but I firmly believe that if a man can't accept a woman when she's at her worst, he doesn't deserve her when she's at her best. (and visa versa!) While you wait for May, start gradually changing your habits. Start knocking out the bad foods and begin an exercise program. You have 6 months. We all know that drastic changes don't last so go slowly. Cut out one bad food a week and exercise 10 minutes a day. Every week or two cut out another food and add 5 minutes to your exercise. By May you will be so ready for the changes. Good luck to you.