Old Bander Needs Help

Hi...I'm Tonya and it's been 2 years since my lap band.  I did soooo good to begin with.  Lost 80 lbs. in less than a year.  Went from size 26 to 16.  I was an exercise demon!  Loved every minute of it.  Then it happened....blew my knee out.  Now, 3 knee surgeries later and almost a year, I've gained back 30 lbs....maybe more.  I haven't weighed in months.  I haven't seen my doctor in almost a year.  I know that I've gone thru a depression because I can't do the exercise and the weight is coming back so easy.  I'm actually very nervous about even seeing my doctor because she is probably going to rip me a new one!  I need some major support here.  I need to know how to start over and get back to where I was.  Physical therapy is finally finished and I still have bad days with the knee but I've got to get back on track.  Any words of wisdom or advise?  Please tell me someone else has gone thru this.
Signed.......HELP!

I haven't gone threw the knee issues, but I have gone threw the weight gain.  45+ lbs in the last 14 months, thank you. 

The only WISDOM I can give you is what I am TRYING.  To pick myself up, dust myself off, and do it again.

Eat a diet rich in protein, skimpy in carbs.  Cut out liquid calories, they are evil.  Drink water (and the occasional crystal light) like they are going out of style.

Also, do what you can to not stress the knee.  Buy a Bender Ball and do sit up.  Do push up.  Do resistance training.  Walk or jog something only a few times a week, if that.

Above all, I wish you the best of luck!

So are you still going to the doctor for adjustments and such as that or just starting over on your own?  I'm having some issues...there are days when I can eat everything in the house and then there are days that I can't get down anything but liquid.  I was having problems when I had my knee surgery and all of the saline had been removed from my band but it really didn't resolve anything for me.

Thank you for your response.  I hate you are going thru the same thing as me with the weight but it is a comfort to know I'm not alone!

I'm actually going in to have xrays for an upper GI next week.  I'm worried thre may be complicatins/issues with my band.

But I'm betting on that I just screwed up.

I hope not.  Good luck with that.

Thanks.  And good luck to you.

We both will succeed!

Hi Tonya,

I have an issue with my right knee and though I didn't need surgery it put a real damper on things this Spring and Summer.  I ended up buying a pair of the sketcher shape ups and I am now able to do a 1/2 hour on the treadmill with no problems.

Some advice about starting over remember the band gives us the opportunity to start at the beginning.  I would go back to as if you just had the surgery and follow what your surgeon had told you.  If you have to do liquids for one week, mushies for week two, and so on.  Also, get something to write down what you are eating.  Make sure your getting your protein, daily vitamin and water in. 
And like Brock said do exercises that you don't have to use your knee to much with until it is feeling better. 

Jenn

Thanks Jenn.  Where did you get the Sketcher shape ups...that might help me?

I got mine at Macy's, but there are tons of places that carry them. 

The doctor diagnosed my knee with severe arthritis and a tear at the base of tendon or ligament I can't remember.  I could not bend my knee and it would swell up like a soccer ball.  The stupid sneakers have helped so much.  I think it has to do with the way they are shaped and it takes pressure off of the joints. 

Jenn 

Someone just a few posts after you asked a similar question. I am cutting and pasting my reply to her.

Coming back here is a good start. Sorry to hear about your health problems, hope the docs work it out soon!

I totally agree with going back to basics? Not the liquid diet!! That would be too much like punishing yourself. But back to following every one of the rules you were given by your doc and nut and which clearly worked for you in the past. It is so easy to get out of good habits.


Kate