not a newbie

[Guest j. lynn]

I've just recently started posting here, but I've been banded for almost 5 months. Starting weight: 288 lbs. Last Thursday's weight: 217.

After surgery, I had to do 6 weeks of full liquids. My surgeon normally requires 4 weeks, but I had a fatty liver (as discovered in surgery).

I was lucky and had good restriction with just the band after surgery. I didn't need a fill until about 3.5 months out and by then I was down about 63ish pounds.

I got a fill about 5 weeks ago - no restriction.

Got another fill last week -- up to 2 CCs -- this is good restriction again.

I have a crush on my doctor's fellow (you know, his student surgeon or whatever).

I have a blog site that I've journaled everything from the beginning:

http://jaymelynn.blogspot.com.

I have never regretted the band. It's been tough at times - not physically, but mentally and emotionally. My life is so different now than 6 months ago - I care about what I eat and I exercise almost daily for an hour.

Life is good on this side of the band!

jayme

[debri85 1]

Congratulations Jayme...as you can tell I'm REAL new, can only hope I am as successful as you've been...I sure am trying real hard....

Welcome to the board...it's a great place with exceptional people...

[paula 4]

woo hoo Jayme! What a great story. So glad you are posting with us.

Gosh, -63 in 5 moonths??? Fantastic!

[Jammin & Losin 1]

Congratulations and it sounds like you are of to a great start with your weight loss!! welcome to LBT!!!

[Guest j. lynn]

I am up to 75 lbs -- just hit it this morning! It was 63 at 3.5 months...now 75 lbs at 5 months. I think, for me, that exercise has been the biggest reason I've dropped so quickly.

jayme

[Guest j. lynn]

thanks! good luck to you as well!

jayme

[Alexandra 55]

Wow, Jayne, you're making everyone else look bad! But we're happy for you indeed. What sort of exercise are you doing that burns up so many calories? Marathons?

Congratulations on your amazing progress and we're glad you found us!

[Guest j. lynn]

I don't want to make people look bad --just want them to know that it's possible. Before surgery, all I'd hear from RNYers is how the LapBand doesn't work -- rubbish!

Before I was banded, I wanted to make sure I could exercise while the band helped me control my eating. So I started at the gym. Each week I had a goal. The first week my goal was just to GO. No matter what I did there, I just had to go.

The next week, I had to go 3 times for 15 minutes on the treadmill.

Then I had to go 5 times.

Then I had to go for 1/2 hour at a time.

Then I had to go with a 1% incline.

I just gradually bumped up my time and speed and incline. So, now I am doing 1 hour at 3.4-3.5 mph at a 2.5% incline. Per the machine, I am burning almost 500 calories when I do that. I just walk -- if I get to a point when I am going fast enough that I think I need to jog, I bump up the incline instead. Before surgery, I would burn that much too, but I wasn't going nearly this high of speed or incline or even time, but because of my weight, you burn calories more quickly.

When I joined my gym, I got 3 free personal training sessions, so I used those to help me set up a program. I lifted weights for about 2 months before surgery, then stopped after surgery due to surgery. I just now have started weight training again -- nothing major, but just some handweights and a few machines. I make sure it takes me no more than 30 minutes at a time.

The one thing that REALLY keeps me motivated is that each time I work out, I put a small star sticker on my calendar at home. That way, I look at the month I am in and see 20 stickers or something and I feel proud. I feel proud that I am actually working out. There's been a few times I've gone to the gym just because I wanted to get that sticker for the day! When my sister comes over, she makes sure to check out my calendar to see how many stickers I have. I told my mom what I was doing (about the stickers) and she laughed -- said that's how she potty trained me! Must've worked!

[the best me 6]

Okay, I'm liking your style and really getting motivated by you...thanks, gotta run. Gotta go get star stickers for my calendar....

[Iluvharleys 15]

Welcome! You are doing great! Thanks for the ideas too!

[Guest j. lynn]

I know it sounds kind of cheesy, but it was the best $2.00 investment I ever made. if you have family living at home (I am single), they'll probably get a kick out of watching you put stickers on the calendar. Heck, that could help with your motivation to keep working out -- knowing that little eyes are watching!

jayme

[Guest j. lynn]

Welcome! You are doing great! Thanks for the ideas too!

Thanks! Looks like you're doing pretty great yourself!