Questions

Hi, I just joined the site and am probably going to have alot of ?'s. I am considering the band surgery and have started my paperwork. My question is how everyone finds time to excercise prepare food and what not. I used to love to go to the gym but now have 2 kids , my wife and I both work full time opposite shifts no babysitter along with all the other normal everyday things you have to do. I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses but i don't seem to have time for anything. I also have a fairly recent knee injury. I do want to say that just by reading some of your stories I am more inspired. I think this site will be very helpfull Thanks in advance for your Help.    P.S. another child due in July  

Congratuations on making your decision.  I know this sounds selfish, but, you might have to think about yourself for awhile.  This takes dedication...we are here for you for any questions!  Good Luck! Rosemary

Do you belong to a gym? Most gyms have some form of childcare. I know that is a total lifesaver for me as I also have two kids and work 50 hours a week. Other than that take advantage of exercise videos. If you don't have any there are tons of them for cheap on ebay. Good luck

Congratulations on your decision to have weight loss surgery. Deciding to have the surgery is one of the biggest hurdles to get over Sometimes getting that excercise in is the most difficult part of post-op life. I myself are very inconsistent with my excercise do to the craziness of every day life, so I know where you are coming from. If you can be disciplined, maybe a treadmill or other sort of equiptment in your home would work well for you. That way, you could exercise when the baby was sleeping and the other children (I am not sure of the ages) are busy with a video or some other activity. I know we all hate to stick the kids in front of the television (I have 2 myself), but you need to put yourself first sometimes.  As far as the food prep, I tend to cook some food and then refrigerate or freeze portions for myself. I eat a lot of chili and cook a pound of meat at a time. Add the beans (also a good source of protein), throw some low-fat shredded cheese on top (more protein) and you have meals for many days. I usually cook other things for the hubby and kids, because I can't eat alot of what they have. Once you are banded, it will be trial and error to see what you can tolerate. I always keep some frozen lean cuisines in the house too for those days when time is really short. There are many banders on this site that can give you more specific information on what to expect before, during , and after surgery. Keep us all informed of your progress as you move through the requirements towards your surgery.  Hugs, Lisa

As far as exercise, you have to commit to it and find a place in your schedule for it.  Walk at lunch, or before work.  Another idea is to involve your children in your exercise -- if they are small, walk them in the stroller a few miles a few times a week especially as it is darker later now.  If they are older, ask them to walk with you or bicycle with you.  Kids actually like to get involved and help out. Good luck, Sue

First of all good luck in your path to health! Lisa made the comment to put yourself first, I find this difficult for me, I usually put the needs of others before my own.  When it comes to exercise, you are putting yourself and those who love you first.  As you get healthy you will become a very positive role model for your children.  If you can get them involved in regular exercise, hopefully you can prevent them from going through what you are going through right now. (that is my hope for my children). My wife & I have been on the Medifast diet pre-op now for two weeks.  We can already see a change in the eating habits of our two boys (9 & 10).  We have made of point of not using the word diet, but healthy.  The boys have actually started to ask if a certain food is a healthy food.  I am hoping to give my boys a good start so they do not need to wrestle with obesity like I have.  Jim

Hi I would like Thank eveyone for the positive comments and like to say I have been talking with my wife and figured out I can squeeze in my exercise. Probably just making excuses now and will have to re arrange a little furniture to get the treadmill out but it will work. I think this site is great and is a necessesary tool. For eveyone keep up the good work and hope to be joining you soon Thanks