mandyfsc

Hi Cristal, Ugh! I am STRUGGLING! I need to make my work outs a priority! My sister and I started our weight loss journeys together on New Years. She is doing it the old fashioned way- I got the Lap Band as a tool. She does not know this. It is KILLING me because she has lost 35 lbs so far and I have lost 28 WITH A LAP BAND! And I know it is because she is working out more and harder but it is still frustrating. And it makes me doubt whether this was a good decision or not. ... I think I'm just having a bad-lap-band-day.

You look incredible! What an inspiration! What are you having done??

Congrats to you, Sabrina! I've had one fill so far and although I've been told it was an aggressive (high) fill amount- 6 CC's, I still don't feel restriction. Thank goodness I have learned to eat healthfully and actually think back to some of the foods I've gorged on in the past and it makes me sick. I am starting to really view food differently and I think that really helps. Anyhow, I was looking at your stats and even at your highest fill amount you were never up to 6 CC's... and that makes me wonder what's wrong with me?? Why do you have less fill and get stuck and I have more fill and feel nothing?? I know the band/fills/and restriction vary but shouldn't there be some sort of consistency? Can anyone help me understand that?

OK, so today is Friday and I did not work out Wednesday or Thursday. Those are my two toughest days. I'm jammed packed busy from 8:30-10:30 on this days. I know I need to get up and workout BEFORE work but I am NOT a morning person. This is where I need the encouragement, ladies. I also just read Lindsay's post about working out for an hour a day. So here's my new goal... Still do my 20 minute circuit training daily but also add walk/run for an additional 30-40 minutes 5 days per week. I'll do that this week and see if I can increase my weight loss. I've lost exactly 1.6 lbs each week for the past 2 weeks and I'd like it to be at least 2 lbs. So we'll see....

GREAT POST! That is so important! I've been doing 30 minutes daily so it looks like I need to UP it for now... Thanks for the reality check as always, Lindsay.

201.8 down from 203.4. Lost 1.6 this week. I guess that's a steady healthy weight loss but I still wish it was more. It's frustrating being this close to ONEderland.

Curse away! I hated it the 1st few days and now I'm addicted. She actually says at one point, "I want you to feel like you are going to die." It's hysterical! You will really grow to love her. I am in desperate need of tough love sometimes so I think she is very encouraging. Let me know what you think!

Lindsay, Your tough love makes me laugh! It is simply the best. We all need a good kick in the tail from time to time. So keep it up! I may not like it, but I still need it!!!

Hey Cristal! You know I'm in! Thanks for setting up the thread! I am on level 2 of my 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels. I just started level 2 this past weekend. I still feel like I'm gonna die and need to take breaks in between when she says not to BUT that's how I felt on level 1 until it became easy. I can do this! And I feel great. SO- today, just like every day- 20 minute hard core circuit training.

I feel the same way. I've never been a gym rat. I didn't really like working out- um maybe because I was 230 lbs! BUT I've noticed a significant different in my weight loss when I work out. I was eating only 1200 calories for a while and not working out. I lost maybe a pound that week. The next week I upped my calories to 1400 and would burn (on top of that) an additional 250 calories doing a simple circuit training video- which I've now become addicted to. A couple things to consider with working out- you have more energy and you can EAT MORE! I was eating more and working out and lost 3.6 pounds that week. If you need some suggestions on some workouts ask us. We all doing very different things but the bottom line is- YOU HAVE TO MOVE! Working out is key to being successful. And seriously, $6,000+ is a lot to pay and not get everything out of it that you possibly can. Good luck!

Cheryl, Way to keep it fresh! I love that you challenge your body so much by doing different things every day. That way it won't get boring. That's awesome! Galloping Goose trail, huh?? Sounds interesting!

No, this was not under fluoro. I think it's $150 or $200 more for that. I have been self pay for everything thus far and wanted to keep it that way so that nothing ever shows up on my insurance. So I just paid $200 for the initial consult when I was there and $400 for the fill. They asked for my insurance info and said they would file it. I wasn't going to let them but they said it won't hurt if it gets denied and if it is accepted then I'll get some money back. That would be nice but I'm not holding my breath. I know the pricing seems high but I've looked and looked and his prices seemed the most reasonable.

I was banded 01/15 at the OCC and had my first fill 03/16 by a local doctor. I got 6 CC's. I just started eating solids yesterday. And to be honest, I still don't feel restriction. I'm not overeating at all so maybe that's why?? Not sure. But I think my doctor gave me more of a fill than most because I am paying $400 a pop! So he wanted to make it worth it. Now I kinda wish I had got more. But I feel great so it's OK. I'll just start saving up for the next one....

I haven't read his book. I was banded January 15th and just had my 1st fill on March 16th. What does the book talk about? Is it mainly for before the surgery? Or after? Or all of the above? What did you get out of it?? Just curious... And BTW... you are making an unbelievable life changing decision. Be proud of yourself. I have not told a sole! Except for my lap band buddies on here and other forums. No friends. No family. But my community here has become that family. Congrats on your decision.

I've realized that although my food intake is important my workouts are even MORE important! So I have committed to working out every single day! I started Jillian Michael's 30 day shred a week or so ago. It has 3 levels. The 1st day was sooo tough I couldn't even imagine what levels 2 and 3 would be like. Well a little over a week later I have now moved on to level 2. I started it yesterday. Oh my goodness! I thought I was gonna DIE! And then I realized that's how I felt the first time I did level 1- and now it seems so easy! So I'm realizing that our bodies can do so much more than we thought they could do. We just have to push ourselves. Daily! Not necessarily a hard core workout every day- but something. I also love this workout because it's only 20 minutes. But there are no rests whatsoever. She works you the whole time. And she says you can lose up to 20 lbs in the 30 days if you follow it for the full month. I am determined. So that's my story. how bout you? What's your workout like? BTW... if you wanna try this one out you can find it on "On Demand" from most cable providers. I bought the DVD but found it on my TV later on- of course.

So as you know, I had my first fill on Tuesday. All is going well and I am excited to eat real food for the 1st time tomorrow and see what type of restriction I have. Anyhow, I found out something pretty funny on Tuesday. Background story.... I am a complete hypochondriac. I constantly think there is something wrong with me. In fact, I've had to give up medical shows because I freaked out every time I saw a perfectly healthy person end up dying of some crazy disease because I would always think that would happen to me. Anyhow, I am very good at freaking myself out for no reason. So when I started researching this procedure I read and heard and shared stories with so many others. And I have found that so many people ended up having a hernia repaired during surgery for a hernia they didn't even know they had. Well, as a hypochondriac, this got me thinking. "Do I have a hernia and not know it?" So after surgery I started to notice a pain right below my rib cage on the left hand side. When I pushed on it I felt a bump type thing. Naturally, I assumed this was the hernia that everyone had told me about. I freaked out and did tons of research and was convinced I had a hernia! I'm sure you have figured out where I am going with this.... when I went to get my fill my doctor pushed on this same spot- BECAUSE IT IS MY PORT! Wow, how silly did I feel! Glad I never told anyone about this prior to! hahaha!

Hey there! Super happy for you! But I am curious. I had my 1st fill Tuesday with a local doctor here. But I was told to have liquids for 2 days and mushies for another 2. So I'm on mushies today and can eat real food tomorrow. Do they not tell you that at the OCC? I'm just curious. I know all doctors are different from pre-op and post-op diets and care but I was just wondering because I am DYING to eat a real dinner tonight but don't want to hurt my fill... Just wondering...

Sure! I am not creative at all. So please, feel free to come up with a catchy name!

OK, 1st day of our Friday Weigh In's I was 203.4 this morning. That means I lost 1.6 lbs this week. Not bad but I was hoping for more simply because I was on liquids for 2 days after my fill on Tuesday. I start eating real food tomorrow. I'm hoping I will feel that restriction for the 1st time. How did you ladies do?

Had to laugh on the wine b/c i'm not sure one glass is possible in our house! One day I had someone telling me about these cute wine toppers they had bought and I was like why did you need toppers and they said for any you have left so it doesn't go bad. I was like, you have wine left at the end of the night?! Ha! This totally hit the nail on the head with me! I just can't be trusted with it. I've NEVER had left over wine. Seriously! And actually, because of this, I decided to give up drinking altogether. Not forever, but I thought it would be a good one to give up for Lent. Prior to surgery I'd drink 5 nights a week-easily. So now I'm 4 weeks in ( to Lent that is )and haven't struggled at all. But I've also not allowed any temptations. I actually found a great recipe that called for white wine. So instead of buying a bottle (and probably drinking what I didn't cook with) I bought those little mini 4 packs instead. This way I can cook with it and not be tempted (or AS tempted) to drink it. I guess it's all about moderation. With food AND alcohol. Some have the control and some don't. And I don't! So, for now, I say no to even a sip. But for the love of Pete- someone have a cocktail for me! HAHA!

Wow, I never thought of it that way. That's such a bummer. I am 28 and have stretch marks on my thighs and right before surgery I noticed some stretch marks on my stomach too. I guess I'll have the loose skin, huh? Oh well. I'm not above weight loss surgery to help me lose weight so I'm certainly not above plastic surgery to get rid of excess skin!

Fantastic, girls! After I posted this I found the Wednesday Weigh Ins. Nothing wrong with having two right? So let's start this Friday and keep it in our signature so we can see progress! Woo Hoo! Let's do this!