2mara

Hi All - It's 7pm and I've only had 650 calories (and I'm probably rounding high) AND I worked out with a personal trainer for an hour today with at least a 300 calorie burn. I know I lose better with at least 1200 calories/day, but it's already 7pm and I've been working hard not to eat during my witching hours of 8pm to midnight when I traditionally consumed 80% of my calories! I will most likely have a glass of skim milk before bed, but I'm wondering if I should "force" some more calories in or just try again tomorrow? (Ice cream would probably be the answer to get a bump in today's calories!) Here's a quick bullet point background: Banded May 2008 at OCC -- 277 lbs. Down to 205 lbs. by 2009 and stuck between 201 and 205 for most of 2009. Started running in 2010, training for a 1/2 marathon in October 2010 and got down to 190. (I'm 5' 9" and big boned. 190 was wonderful, although if I ever got to 175 I'd be in bliss!) Nov. 2010 had a much needed tummy tuck to remove loose skin. Had a slight unfill before hand. Dec. 2010 - over-enjoyed holidays without much of a fill/restriction. Feb. 2011 - Girl Scout cookies arrive and it was not pretty. I punished anyone who failed to pay for their cookies by eating them! March 2011 - Fill. He was very aggressive and it was too much. Had to back off after a couple of weeks of misery. Tried to start running/walking again but suffered a pinched nerve in my back that I've been fighting all year with both meds and chiropractor visits. That relieved the pain symptoms for a couple weeks at a time, but not the underlying cause. SO August 2011 I was ballooned up to 215 pounds (25 more than my 190 happy point last October), out of work for over a week because my back was so bad, and just fed up! I decided I had to start loosing weight again to give my back some relief and I found a fantastic personal trainer that is helping me build my core muscles to support my back. I started tracking calories again; increased my water intakes and protein; and cut down on the carbs, sugar, caffiene and fast food that had snuck into my diet. My fill is in a good place. Mornings are a little tough to eat solids, so I often do a greek yogurt or a protein shake. Making good choices for lunch. Eating same dinner as family - smaller portions and none of the bread. And after just a couple of weeks I am pain free, except for the sore muscles :-) and I'm back down to 205 - which was my year long plataue before I started exercsing regularly. Feels so good to be using my LapBand tool again! How did I get in to this 600 calorie canundrum?? Well, this morning the protein shake I grabbed on the way out the door was chunky. BLEH! Skipped it and ate my "grown up Lunchable" with some turkey and wheat crackers for an early lunch around 10:30. It's Thursday so we are out of fresh fruit. Sounds weird, but I grocery shop on Saturday so by Thursday the clementines were all gone except for a mushy one that I threw out instead of sticking it in my lunch bag. Worked out HARD and was shaking when I got home so I made a quick 100 calorie instant oats and then had Healthy Choice Chicken Soup for dinner with the kids (drained the liquid and eat it like a casserole.) What do you think, folks? Does my body HAVE to have 1200 calories every day? I struggle to get it most days -- getting about 1100. I am loosing weight and I know from experience if I start eating 1500 I won't lose. I'm kinda an all or nothing gal -- I either struggle to get 1200 or I top 3,000 no prob! Can I have a bowl of ice cream tonight or will that throw me off track for another year!?!? Thanks for your thoughts and hope everyone is enjoying their LapBand journey. It is the best thing I've ever done for myself. I would never have been able to camp, canoe, hike, or zip-line with my kids' Scouting Troops if I was still that 300 pound lady! T. in Tennessee

I was a Diet Coke fiend before Lap-Band. I decided to give it up as part of the pre-op diet and after drinking a 12-pack a day for years, I have been soda free since Feb. 29, 2008! I think it helped with the weight loss b/c diet soda seems to make me hungry. I switched to unsweet tea to still get a little caffeine (I don't drink coffee) and sugar-free Kool-Aid or Crystal Light to drink instead of eat when I thought I was hungry or just needed flavor. I would create a mental picture of the Diet Coke and Mento's trick and think, "Holy Cow, if I put that stuff in my banded stomach I will explode and my head will pop off." I did the 2 protein shakes and lean frozen dinner, too. I did buy the tiny bags of snack carrots to keep in the fridge and if I absolutely had to have something crunchy during the day, I would snack on those during the first couple of weeks. I know it was a little off the plan, but it helped keep me stay away from chips cookies, and other big no-nos. (By the way, you want to get those out of your house!) Also, start walking. In my personal experience, the scale didn't move right away. It's like my body wanted to hold on. Once I got a little walking going, it helped. And, when the weather was bad, I found my "Reebok step" from the 80's. I put it in front of the TV and did a few minutes of steps. I found if I did it during commercials, it would stop me from walking to the fridge! Good luck! It will be so worth it!

Hi All! Training for the 1/2 marathon was awesome and helped me drop a few pounds after being on a plateau for a long time. Thanks for everyone for the all the tips you shared. With Fall allergies, I had a slight unfill -- too much mucus and I felt like I was choking/sliming when I ran. Finished the 1/2 Marathon in October and felt such a huge sense of accomplishment. Rewarded my self with a tummy tuck yesterday! My plan is to maintain weight as I recover and make good choices going into the holidays. I'll start walking soon and will do the annual Zoo Run Run 5K in January with my family. Also, asking for gift cards only for Christmas. It will be very interesting to shop for new clothes. I've been able to buy some 14s (VERY STRANGE to be in the regular ladies section for the first time since high school!) but because of all the loose skin/muffin top / apron they have been loose on the waist with the big gap in the bac in order to fit the apron in the front! Certainly not done with my weightloss journey, but feel like I'm at a different stage where will power, exercise and good food choices are more a part of my life now. I'm relying less on restriction, but feels good to know that I have the lap band and can get a fill if I need a little help. Again, thank you thank you thank you for all sharing your journeys and advice too! Tanya

Thanks for all the great tips. I found Nike Dri-Fit shirts at Academy Sports and Dick's Sporting Goods in size 1X that fit great! Body Glide is the best $5 I ever spent! I super-glide around the bra, under my watch, everywhere that might get irritated. I also bought some Under Armour 7" legging shorts that I wear under my runnning shorts. No more "CHUB RUB!" Hydrating - loving G2 to drink before & after but still working on drinking over longer distances. I'm not wanting to carry it around my waist or on my back, but as my distances get longer I'll probably have to give in. Thanks everyone! Tanya

Sherri, Thanks for the shopping tips. I'll check out Target asap! I don't think our Old Navy carries the women's sizes and I am hesitant to order on-line since I'm having a hard time finding a good fit. I did get my fills in Nashville, but it's been over a year (and I'm still very happy with the fill I have.) It's expensive ($500/fill!) but I just don't have time to travel. Check out http://www.baptistweightloss.com/ (Baptist Metabolic Surgery Center) Dr. Morton is who I see. If you had your surgery in Mexico they insist you see the Dr (not the nurse or phys assist), so it takes a good 6 weeks to get an appointment (but they will see you immediately for "emergencies" or un-fills.) Dr. Morton did the surgery for a friend of mine and she really liked him. u

Hello All! I am 2 yrs post-surgery. Lost approx 80 pounds in year one and have remained at that weight for over a year. Still want to loose 20-30 pounds, but I'm happy with my results thus far and my restriction. In the last year I've started a new company and my husband has started traveling for work so he hasn't been able to share the kid-load as much as in the past. Not complaining, just kindof saying it's been a hectic year and I'm really happy to have stayed at this weight. I'm ready to kick up the exercise (and focus on better eating choices) to start the scale moving in the right direction. I've started a 12 week program to train for a 1/2 marathon. I've finished week 1 and I'm really excited that I've been able to keep up! This race requires a maximum 15 min mile for the first 6 miles or they don't let you finish. I'm really optimistic that I can do it. I'm hoping some of you who understand where I have been with being obese, having the lapband, and having excess skin that hasn't been addressed yet can give me some tips/tricks to help me on my journey. Here's my questions: 1. THE THIGH RUB: Partly because they've held on to the fat well and partly because of loose skin, my thighs rub together. It's actually the one thing that is stopping me from going farther or faster! It is so irritating and after a couple of miles, painful! Tips? Tricks? Should I vaseline my thighs? Baby powder? Hopefully they'll shrink before the big run! 2. RUNNING GEAR FOR BIG GIRLS: I'm having problems finding the running shirts that help wick away sweat for larger people. I'm still probably a 14W/16W size and "well endowed." Regular cotton t-shirts are too hot and irritating. I think a running shirt would be better. Any suggestions where to get them? 3. STAYING HYDRATED: I don't usually have a problem drinking liquids (maybe 1st thing in the am, when I'm extremely stressed, or during Aunt Flo's visit -- but not often.). I'm worried about getting enough liquids down while going long distances. I'm finding after a few miles I REALLY want to Gulp, not sip! Experienced runners with any insight? How did you stay hydrated? Thanks in advance for your suggestions! Tanya in Nashville Thanks in advance

Hi All - I was banded May 08 and have lost about 80 pounds, all before July 2009. I've probably only lost 2-3 pounds from July until now. The good news is, I haven't gained! Since I've been stable so long, I have started considering a tummy tuck and breast lift and even had a consultation this week. The doc is ready to go, but I have one major reservation.... I'm not at my goal weight. While I am very happy with my weight loss and if I never lost another pound would be ok with it, I hope to eventually lose another 20 pounds. Does anyone have experience where they continued to lose weight after plastic surgery? I hate to have a TT to remove all this excess skin (which really, really bothers me) and then create a new wave of extra skin by losing more weight. Tanya in Nashville http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wIGPVjy/

Hi ValleyGirl! My hubby bought us a WiiFit for Christmas and I love it! The hula hooping is fun (at first) but can be strenuous on your knees -- hurts to walk the next day if you aren't used to it. Try the step challenges and after you have unlocked the Free Step you can set it to go for a while and change the channel to watch TV! I do some of the easier yoga moves and was really surprised how quickly I improved at them (having never done yoga before and falling off the WiiFit board on my first trys!) I got to where I liked the boxing, too! It's one that will get you real sweaty and you feel like you are really working out. The balance games are fun, too but I don't know that they are much of a work out. Enjoy! Let us know how you like it! ~Tanya

THANK YOU, Everyone! I can't wait to check out Kohl's, Goodwill, and some dark chocolate! The wins keep coming... even after a rough day at work yesterday (we had to lay off several people at work), one of my remaining co-workers came up to me and said, "I know this is a tough day and probably not appropriate timing, but I just have to tell you that you are looking great!" Made me feel good to stand in front of my co-workers and talk about the issues and not worry about if they are thinking I'm too fat to be talking about anything. Anyway, my back is feeling so much better. I'm going to keep taking it easy for a few days and maybe do some light walking for exercise this weekend to test it out. Take care!

Congrats Jaz! Your surgery date will be here before you know it! Wish you the best for a successful weight loss journey!

Why is it that N-Saids are a no-no for bansters? (I don't remember this part of the instructions.) I have avoided advil since having the surgery because I know it is so rough on the stomach and I was worried about what it might do in my pouch. But, my back has been out for almost 2 weeks now and the chiropractor isn't cutting it. I was completely planning on grabbing some Advil tonight before bed and then saw this post. What would be a band-friendly alternative for muscle pain?

Carrie, Big hugs from Nashville. I'm sorry you are going through a rough time. Weight loss can really be challenging emotionally and mentally (for us AND those around us!) I hope you have someone you can grab a cup of coffee with and talk about whatever is going on. Sometimes just sharing helps resolve problems. Take care of you!

Hope the fill appointment went well. I think there is a lot of trial and error, especially after that first fill. I left the doctor's office thinking... hmm, I don't feel very different. The next morning when I woke up though it was so tight I had to switch to sipping slimfast for a couple of days until it settled in. And bread, bread was a thing of the past! I always know it's time for a fill when I find myself eating the meat off a sandwich and then I start picking at/eating the bread! Let us know about your fill experience! Best wishes,

Hi All, Just trying to put together my plan for the next 2 months... my bandiversary is coming up on May 31 and I fly out to Hawaii for a family vacation on that day. So far, down 62 pounds. Nothing to shake a stick at! My original personal goal was 85 pounds in 1 year. FRUSTRATIONS: Last several months have been painfully slow. A little plateau action, too much ice cream, enjoyed the holidays, stopped exercising after successfully running a 5K in January (lost motivation because my goal was accomplished and I didn't set a new one). Don't have anything to wear (which is also a win) and no clothes budget right now. Can't foresee affording any lifts or tucks in the next 18 months. Seems like my fills are super tight for 2 weeks and then immediately open up like a black hole. I have injured my back and can't exercise right now... heck, I can barely walk. WINS: Don't have anything to wear! (I have to remind myself that this is a good thing!) Was a size 22/24 a year ago. I bought some size 18 jean shorts from OldNavy.com and had to return them for a 16. 16 arrived and they are really too loose! I think I could do a 14 but I didn't keep the receipt b/c I could never imagine being smaller than a 16. Haven't seen a 14 since high school. I think my body shape is changing even though the scale has been slow to move lately. I don't fear putting clothes in the dryer and I'm often surprised by how loose my clothes, rings, shoes, etc. are. I think I can shop in a regular store...maybe in the women's section, but I've always restricted myself to Lane Bryant & Avenue. I'm ready to try some Kohl's, Dillards, etc. (soon as we sell this house and I feel better about the clothes budget!) I weigh LESS than the day I got married (12 years ago). My husband is awesome and supportive. Puts up with my obsessing over the evil scale, loves me just the way I am, and compliments my efforts to be a better, slimmer me. Imagine what a world of hurt I would be in if I threw my back out AND I still weighed 60 pounds more. How on earth would I pull myself up out of the bed?!?!?! The band really works. When I say I can eat like a black-hole, it is all relative. I ate most of a slice of pizza the other day.. and was so full, I'm lucky I didn't slime. That felt like a ton of solid, unhealthy food. Gotta remember THREE slices of pizza used to be typical, plus wings AND ice cream! I feel "normal." Yes, I'm still significantly over-weight. But I feel like I fit in with American society instead of drawing negative attention / looks. I feel confident. I've joined a women's networking group and I've been attending luncheons and coffees to meet people (instead of avoiding people for fear that they will notice how fat I am!) People who know me are blown away by how much I've lost and make positive comments often. THE PLAN So -- here's my plan. More protein! More water! (Less ice cream!) Rest my back and don't get depressed about the lack of exercise. Take photos again to get a realistic visual of how far I've come and enjoy the success. Any more tips on how to make the best of the next 2 months of my first year???