mona-camille

Restriction is exactly as you have said. If people are throwing up and having pain then either they got something stuck by eating too fast or not chewing enough or they are eating more than the band holds. If they are following the rules and are still having pain, then they are probably too full and need some fluid removed. I don't have pain or vomitting unless I take too huge of a sip of water without thinking and remembering to sip slowly.

ALANA!!!! So thats what happened to you! I am so sorry you are in so much pain. I have hear from others that it is a painful surgery. I sure hope you are feeling better soon. And I would certainly take this opportunity to let everyone take care of you for a while. Just relax, rest and take good care of yourself. I miss you on here!!

What a trip! Very informative and I am glad I went - even though I did not get a fill. First of all, after I explained to Dr. Acosata about my struggles all year, he pulled in Dr. Ortiz, Dr, Matinez and another American doctor that was being trained. A little intimidating at first, but actually, I was very impressed that they all came in to discuss my case. They went over my file, my fills, my diet (had printouts from Spark) my exercise and my history and to make a long story short......I am fine. They told me I am doing everything right and to stop worrying about the scale. I had complained about only losing 40 pounds in a year and they said that given my age and my family history that I am just someone who's weight loss is going to be slow. Everyone is different and that is how it works for some people. They felt that my weight loss was just fine and I should be happy. They checked me under fluroscopy and my band is fine and working properly. It is nicely tight and not stretched at all. So, I did not get a fill. They all felt that I was not eating enough and to try to up my calories more and to eat three meals a day at about the same time each day too. They explained that if the body doesn't get food at regular intervals, then it goes into starvation mode. Also, your breakfast should be a good hearty one and the best meal of the day. (if you are very tight in the morning try warm liquid to be able to loosen up the band). Then we went over to speak to Dr. Miranda and she gave me a lot of good tips. Plus she put me on glucophage and thought that might help my liver process fat better. I also had a very good piece of advice for everyone.......STOP assuming that what she tells one person is the same thing that applies to everyone. And, the nutritional information they give you in the beginning is not necessarily the same as what you would follow a year after your surgey. For example, that diet plate she gives you in the beginning that she divides in 3 is divided in 4 for me at this point. So, I encourage everyone to speak to her a good 6 months after banding. I am not to avoid ANY type of food, just eat less of whatever it is I am eating. I do need carbs, I do need fat, so no Adkins diet for me anymore. (Just stay away from mushy foods that slip right through the band). She gave me a good example for protein to follow for the day. An egg for breakfast, then some sort of meat for lunch and supper but no more than the size of a deck of cards and to drink 2 small glasses of milk into the day also. That is all the protein a person needs unless you have some sort of disease that requires more. (Plus, add in fruit and veggies too). She also said I should try to have a salad before I eat my meal. All in all, I was extremely impressed that EVERYONE got involved with me and my case and went above and beyond as a team to discuss everything with me and to try to figure out what my problem was. And, according to them, I don't have any problem at all! I just need to be patient and realize that losing this slow does not mean anything is wrong. I feel vindicated! So for any of you lurkers out there who are afraid to post because of your slow weight loss, come on out and stop being afraid. The majority of those former members who seem to think they know more than the doctors aren't even on this forum anymore. You will not get hammered!! Plus, it would be good for others to see that not everyone can lose 100 pounds in a year. We are all different and we all lose differently. The good thing for me is that I am not gaining anymore. That makes it definitely worth it! AND I got to meet Darlene and her daughter Mikayla. Very very nice and so glad we got to hang out. And she looks fantastic by the way. And her daughter is such a cutey pie.

Good for you and good luck, you will do fine! No isopure for me, I used Atkins or GBC.

Hey girl! How are you today? So nice to be able to meet up with you and Mikayla. I didn't care for the Marriot either. It was nice and all but the Lucerna is warmer. THe people were nice and the place was clean and it was fine, I just like the Lucerna better. I suppose because it is more familiar. But, it has a warmer atmosphere to it. In fact, me and hubby took a cab over there for drinks and dinner the last night we were there. Met some other bandsters too.

Hey girl, so nice to see you post again!!!!!!!!!!!! I've missed your smiling face. I am SOOO glad to hear you finally got your mom to move. I know that has been a problem with your sister for a long time and I know your mom will be so much better off. I am so proud of you for sticking to all of this and getting your moms life back in order. You are very very caring and a wonderful daughter. As for the stress, I am sorry for that and I know you work in a very tough job. I can only imagine how hard it is to hear about everyone's bad situations with this economy. It does sound like you are not eating enough at all. Your body thinks it is starving and is holding on to all the fat it can. Try to eat more and at regular intervals each day. (I jus leanred that at the occ this week). Anyway, so glad to have you back!

Ask for an aggressive fill. I have the larger band too and although I got my first 2 fills at the OCC, they didn't do a thing. I am actually on my way back there right now for my 8th fill and a checkup. I'll be headed back home friday though so I won't see you. But, do not get discouraged and don't look at my number of fills. I am an unusual case and that is why I am going back for a look see. I just wish they would have been more aggressive with me in the beginning.

WOW, you are right, you CAN see it on your face. And, you are gorgeous!! Congratulations!! I have to admit, I did discover that water is my friend and it sure seems to be what I need to get this weight loss going.

I'll be at the Marriot in Tijuana by 10 am tomorrow!

http://www.thriveportland.com/laser.html It's called titan light therapy if you want to do your own search. I found it on WEBMD. Now approved to help with saggy stomach and breasts. Can help prevent surgery with the use of light therapy instead of a scalpel! I like it! Maybe I can get my double chin done now, and much cheaper!

I have had the band 10 months and I do not cut anything up smaller than a pea! Thats a bit of an exaggeration if you ask me. You absolutely DO need to eat smaller bites and chew them up very well because they need to fit through the band. But you don't have to get carried away to the point of cutting up peas. Thats crazy. You will feel full much quicker and you will feel satisfied with smaller portions. The point of the lap band procedure is to continue eating the eame things you eat now, but on a much smaller scale. And you WILL feel satisfied with that less amount of food. That being said, there are some adjustments to that. Like, most people can no longer tolerate bread after banding. Tough dry meats are out of the question for some. Pineapple is off limits for others. Everyone is different. Not all pills need to be crushed. Only those smaller than an M&M candy. Lots of them come in liquid form too. But to be honest from your description of your love affair with food, (I have one too) it doesn't really sound like you are ready. At this point, to still be worried about enjoying your food, sounds to me like you aren't ready to give it up. Yes, I love food too but I am tried of being in love with it and want that affair to end. The lap band is helping to get that other 'love of my life' out of my way! I'm tired of it. I want it over. I don't want food to be the main focus of my day anymore. And the lap band is doing helping me to get over it all. But, you have to be ready and you have to be a willing participant in wanting to end that roller coaster of eating.

Glad to hear you are done and ok! I'll be there wednesday for a checkup.

Yeah, sounds like it. It was probably the noodles, a lot of people can't have them after banding. You can always go on liquids for a day or so to calm your esophogus down after that. Hope you feel better!!

(((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))) What a wonderful day, I am so happy for you! I would have shed a few tears! I am so sorry you lost your sister. I know your pain, I lost mine too. But, I think today, your sister was there to give you a wonderful gift and to say hello. After-all, it made you think of her and remember her with fondness and love when you looked in the mirror. And, it is NOT crazy to cry about that, it is perfectly normal! You should feel extra good, because you made me smile and thats not such an easy thing to do, LOL!!

Try Travelocity or orbitz they usually have last minute deals.

Personally, I loved Lucerna and never had anything but a great time there on all 3 trips. But, I decided to do something different this time and stay at the Marriot. I sure hope they are as helpful as Lucerna. I hope they are also aware of Dr. Ortiz's patients and that we are there because of him.

YEAH congratulations!!!! 20 pounds is a good amount to lose and to see it in your bra size already is fantastic!

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS for a job well done!

Congratulations to all of you! What a great present to yourselves. I too seem to be doing better by adding in more food. I think I wasn't eating enough and I definitely wasn't getting in enough water. But, I seem to be doing better now.

OH you are right!!!! Didn't think of that, THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe I ought to go out and buy more!

So, anyone who is fat and has a weird shaped body understands that shopping is a nightmare. Especially where pants are concerned. I can go in 5 stores and be lucky to find one pair of pants that looks right. That is why when I find a pair I like, I buy several of the same ones. Some of you oldsters out there also know about how my weight has refused to let go over the past several months. So I am hoping you will understand my ELATION at my shopping trip last night! I FREAKING FOUND 7 PAIRS OF PANTS THAT FIT! Not the same ones either, ALL different! 7 different pairs, can you imagine my glee??? And all size 22's. So, ok 22 is still huge but I started out at size 28 and although the scale still isn't budging getting into size 22's comfortably is amazing! 7 different pairs of pants! And..........one gorgeous lacy blouse to go along with them. And TAADAA I only spent $150.00! As you can see I am overly excited and want to share my happiness. I still don't 'get' how I can weight 250 pounds and fit into 22's. Last time I wore 22's I was 220. But, I won't complain. Plus, this past week, a ton of people have been saying that I look much smaller. I don't get that with the scale but I won't complain. As a lot of you know, this past year (banded 3/24/08) was the hardest struggle with weight of my life but I am still glad to have the band. I would weigh much more by now. I wish I would have lost all of it now, but I guess the roller coaster of my weight loss and gain over the years has finally taken it's toll and my body just doesn't want to give up the fat. I suppose I should be happy that it is going so slow since none of my skin is saggy but I still wish I was further along. I am going to the OCC this week to get it all checked out and see whats going on and to make sure the band is still ok and nice and full. I also want to speak to Dr. Miranda to get some things settled. I am really looking forward to that. I decided to stay at the Marriot this time for something different and I will get to see Darlene too! So I am hopeful and excited! And wanted to share my shopping trip with you all. Have a great day everyone and happy valentines to you all!

I'm right there with ya woman! I've great will power during the day but night, LOOK OUT! I'd get the fill. I'm actually going the the OCC this week to have mine checked out. Seems that every time I get a fill, it works for a few weeks and then it's done.

Congratulations and welcome to bandland!! Best of luck to you!

So glad you checked in with us! I was wondering how you were doing since you were soooo worried and nervous. Glad it all went well and you are on the mend. Good luck and welcome to bandland!

I say; you paid good money for that band, so get your money's worth and get that fill! Heck, if you could do it on your own, you wouldn't have bothered getting tha band to begin with.