sparetire

yup, Obsession is my middle name...

my latest experience: I just recently got another fill (2 cc and I am at my sweet spot!) I find that I will eat what I want, but likely can only eat one little bite. I have had chicken fingers, battered fish and all sorts of restaurant food due to being on vacation for 9 days afterwards, but have always had to leave almost all of the food on my plate (my son ate my fried, hubby ate some veggies etc). I ordered from the children's menu, and at Shari's they let me order from the over 55 menu. Really, I could not see a difference in size of order, just the price.

Anyways. the way I found to overcome my obsession...I can now eat my desired food (unless you have had a bad experience of course...Cathy, I feel bad for you!) and I find the band keeping me from overeating it. I do have a tendency for proteins being my faves... so it comes in the right order for me.

just wanted to share my latest experience...

Hey ya'll! We had a super busy weekend with Bella's party and a concert Sunday night ( We saw Def Leppard..LOVED it! LOL)

I have a question for ya'll. Before band life I would have called this a virus and moved on, but now I am worried about my band. Sunday my stomach started cramping really bad and I had no appetite, couldn't hold solids down, and had diarrhea. Yesterday was the same and now today it is actually getting worse. My stomach cramps horribly and I have no appetite and the trips to the bathroom continue. I can hold liquids down fine, but I have no desire to eat.

Do you think this is band related or just a stomach virus?

The one thing that makes me think it is a virus is the diarrhea. I am just worried about my band.

sorry to hear you are not well. I hope you feel better soon.

Today, I wore a pair of jeans, I bought months ago, that were too tight...they have a zipper (ooooooahhhh) and a button (ooooooahhhh) and absolutely NO ELASTIC WAIST whatsoever!!!!!

Whoot hooo!! for small victories!

I have been wearing elastic waist jeans for years and could never find a pair with a button and zipper that fit properly or fit for that matter that were comfortable to wear, until now!

I love my band!!!

Isn't that feeling just fantastic?

just wait til you go shopping for even nicer clothing, and smaller...

So sorry to hear about the death of your friend.

If you think you are busy with the engagement stuff, just wait til the wedding!

Welcome back.

thank you, he was ready to go from this life. very ill for quite some time.

Fortunately my daughter is sooooo organized and just finished being the maid of honour for her best friend so she has it all under control. it looks like I will be there for shopping and writing cheques... hahaha...

Hey Val

You can really tell you have lost weight in your new piccie.

Well done!

Nicolek

Thanks Nicole! I liked this pic... my son took it...

Welcome back Val, I love your picture, you look great!

Thanks Evette,

I am feeling good too. Lovin' it (and not McD's) sorry, just got the jingle in my head.

Well hello there!! Glad to are back and hopefully now, things will slow down for you a bit. Well, not the weight loss, just the hecticity of life. My 3rd fill was great, but I am also scheduled to go back for my 4th in about 2 weeks. One of these days I will get it right. It is still helping some, but I can tell I need more already. See, I have the 10 cc band and they tell me it takes a while to get up to my sweet spot. But don't worry, you'll get there soon, same as me! Your grandson is gorgeous!!!!

Hi Mona,

Thanks.. things are slowing somewhat. The excitement is still there, but more tolerable.

I am heading down to Oregon in 3 weeks so I am goin g to schedule a fill in Washington on my way down. This will be my 3rd fill. I too have the 10cc band and right now have 5 cc's I think (have to check my stats here in my sig) I am working on willpower still, however, I can say I am loving being more active. My hubby and I went golfing yesterday and I had no issues then entire 2.5 hours... we had a blast.

I agree my grandson is gorgeous. He is such a happy little guy, rarely cries, just smiles and babbles. I am so lucky to have him so close to me too.

Hi,

I started my pre-op diet two weeks ago. I lost 3 pounds the first week and only 1 the second week. Dr. Miranda asked that I email once a week to check in. When I checked in with her this past weekend with my 1 pound weight loss, she responded saying that I may need to post pone my surgery. I am frustrated because they have my starting weight as 296. But 2 weeks before calling the OCC, I weighed 304. I lost 8 pounds just prior to calling them. So I am technically down 12 pounds in 4 weeks, but they are recognizing 4 of those pounds. Now, my weight loss has slowed since when I first started, and I am frustrated because, I know that initially when people go on these pre-op radical diets they drop weight fast. Well, my fast pounds came off right before I called them. Because my BMI is 53, I have to lose weight before surgery. They didn't give me a number, but the paperwork they send out says 5%, for me that would be 14 pounds. I have 4 1/2 weeks until surgery. I am doing the 2 protein shakes and 1 lean cuisine diet. I eat about 800 calories per day and I am walking on my treadmill 5 days per week. The weight is just coming off slow. I don't want to post pone my surgery and I don't know what more I can do to make the weight come off faster. I thought 7 weeks of pre-op diet was plenty of time. I am frustrated because I am not even sure what weight they are looking for prior to surgery. I did respond to Dr. Miranda and ask this question, so hopefully she will clarify so I know what weight they want me at. But I guess I am just ultimately frustrated because I feel like this is why I am over weight. It seems like no matter what I do, nothing works. I am wondering if I should be doing some liquid diet for the next 4 weeks to see if this will help. Although I know that would be awful to follow that up with another 3-4 weeks of post op liquid diet. Help, what can I do different to help keep my surgery on track for Aug. 29th.

Jessica

Awwww hun, you are doing great! you might not be getting enough calories, especially if you are exercising so much. Try bumping up to 1000... add a salad with some good protein, your new muscles will need it and they will help to burn the calories. You can do it!!! >

Hi everyone,

I have been so stinkin busy the past few weeks... at first it was with a death of a close friend, then it was my daughter getting engaged...(still have to have an engagement party but at least the planning is done) and then my co-worker got really really sick which means I had to take over her schedule plus try to find a temp to cover when I can't be there.

All this time I was taking a new to me vitamin supplement and I have to say wow. It is in liquid form so that is why I am sharing with you all now. I liked it so much I signed up to sell it. I have problems with my knees, specifically I was diagnosed through x-rays, not with arthritis which is what I thought, but with "patellofemoral syndrome" (Chondromalacia) anyways... this is what got me started on this stuff... it has helped out so immensely I could cry.

In case you are curious, and want to give it a try, I have a website for it... Visit My Website Watch the product info video, it talks about the acai berry and antioxidents.

That being said, i haven't really lost much more weight yet, (10lbs the first 2 weeks but nothing for the last 2) I am not feeling any restriction from my second fill anymore, so I have scheduled another one near the end of August when we have to go to Salem OR for my nephew's wedding. I am hoping this will be my sweetspot fill... my sister had a fill a week ago or so and I tell you, she looks fantastic! she has hit the 70lb mark. this made me a little depressed but I read someone's post today about how we are all different and will lose at different rates. I know that in the end, I will join her and get down that far, but it is just taking me a bit longer. Good practice in patience I think...

Anyways, I hope you are all doing well. I have thought about you all many times while I was out and about almost going crazy I will try and keep up a bit more here... and in chat...in between spoiling my sweet little grandson...

Ramona,

I have to agree with the others... for the amount of exercise you are doing, you are not eating enough calories.

I am in the same boat as you... 2 weeks with no loss, but suddenly I dropped 2lbs yesterday.

This is actually a revelation for myself as well (I just posted about this on my blog last night) I have been working out as my trainer had originally set up my program, goal being to lose weight. (guess I have to see him again and get a new plan done up)

for example. according to my "sparkpeople" calculations, yesterday I burned my entire weeks calories and then some, just by going golfing and playing beach volleyball. It was 2x what I ate in calories for the day. this will put the body into starvation mode and hang onto the pounds for awhile.

the guideline for those with band is 30 min a day... when I go to the gym, I am there for 2 hours. Are we still in the "old" frame of dieting mind?

take heart, it will drop... just hang onto the non-scale victories!

I just sent you a PM

OMG... I'm to young to be a grandma I still think I'm 25

My son who is stationed in Alabama (US ARMY) just phoned and told me that he and his wife are expecting.

I am so excited!!!

I will be one hot Grandma!!! LOL.

Congratulations! I have to say, it is the best thing in the world... I love being a gramma! it is way more fun than having kids... (i still have 4 boys at home too)

Funny you should post this today. I have been struggling with the same 2 lbs for the last week too. I thought for sure I would have dropped another 2 by now since last night I was 238. this morning, I was 238.2. I don't even have monthlys to blame due to surgery a few years ago... However, as I go over my eating yesterday (very good btw) I remembered I had not taken my meds...very bad and will definately keep weight on...

I also went back to Dr. Ortiz's book...

the part about needing a fill. Just because we don't drop weight each and every week does not mean our band is not working or we need a fill. If the overall for the month is still 8-10lbs, it is working just fine.

"are you losing wieght, how much, and the weight loss pattern. The progress of weight loss is not a steady decline in regular decrements, but a mixture of sharp drops in wieght mixed with periods of no weight loss called plateaus. Sheer weight loss is not the total indicator as reduction in clothing sized may often signal a positive trend. Remember, muscle weighs four times as much as fat by volume."

This was a huge reminder for myself as I have been working out alot. I do notice my clothing falling off so while I really want the scale to move down, as long as I know I am not overeating for my band and I am working out, I will patiently wait for the sharp drop.

hugs,

I will definitely be adding your blog to the group I read on a daily basis! I'm not a writer, I just like to write. Yay for blogs!

Haha... I guess I better start posting more eh? oh yah, I am Canadian and say "eh" all the time without even noticing...just a little tidbit for anyone who doesn't know me.

Love your blog Alana! you must be a writer! I love the name of it too, it is just so fitting.

I also have a blog but it is more of a journal of my feelings and updated when I have time... I would love to have readers though

http://lapbandval.blogspot.com

I have another blog for my small home biz, but you guys don't want to see that

So I haven't seen anything about it the last week, are we still planning on getting together on the 5th? I want to be there, but may have to bring one of my kids with me (I couldn't get anyone to watch him and the hubby is out of town) and he is quite a handful. It is a long drive and I just thought that we could get a head count and firm plans on when and where and maybe driving directions.

Thanks,

Donna

I would so love to be there, but it is out of the question right now since I was there last week. We weren't able to meet up with anyone, but I have to say i am so glad I went... I am in a really good state of mind with my band and we have now formed a bond and common goal!!! she has helped me lose 5lbs already since I went down... hmmm that fill was 1 week ago today...

Anyways, I hope to meet some of you another time (going through and probably getting a fill in Aug- have to be at a wedding in Salem, OR)

Have a great time together!

I am one week out from first fill and have no restriction to speak of. Definitely not anymore than with no fill. I am getting ready to book next fill and wanted to know if there was anyone who would like to coordinate to ride with me. Last week, I met Heidi at the airport, rented a car and we drove to the border. We parked the car on this side, walked accross and got a taxi. It worked really well and the transportation only cost me $40 instead of $120, but I don't want to do it without company. I am looking at going around the 17th or 18th of July, anyone who would like to coordinate? I would probably fly in and arrive around 8:30 AM and plan to be at OCC sometime around noon. If you want to do this you can email me directly at vjsimonds@flairdata.com

Just a suggestion, that is even cheaper... My sister and I took the bus/trolley system to the border, walked across and took a cab to the OCC. We bought a 2 day pass for $10. We stayed at a hotel in Chula Vista and went shopping before our plane trip back. Worked out sooooo well. I highly recommend using this system.

The instructions for which bus/trolley are posted in the the "Fill Doctors-Fill trips to Tijuana" pinned at the top.

too funny Aluap!

Has anyone had their fill kick in later after they got it?? I am hoping mine will kick in....

Kimmie,

i am finding my last fill (June19) is now feeling a bit tighter than it did when I first went back to solids. I was told 24 hour but did more like 36hrs...

I am actually working on testing how long I can feel full on a small amount... and if i need to have a mid afternoon snack. I make it a milk or yogurt in order to get some dairy. that so far has been tiding me over, but we shall see how it goes on my days off... (yes, i am at work but we are not busy )

He hits my port the first time everytime. Like I have said before, he has been our family surgeon for years until he started concentrating only on WLS. He is a dang good Dr...but not so good with giving a good fill!

Is he just being cautious then? I had a "blind" fill last week in Arlington and was almost blown away by "how much do you want?" That blew me away... I was not prepared for that... i figured she would somehow know by how much I was eating, how much i have lost over the last 6 weeks etc... anyways i got 2 more cc's which puts me at 5cc in a VG... also, she said " you don't lose any, it may be hiding in the band and we are unable to extract it all" but I dont believe her cuz I have seen ppl's stats here and how much they have in... even over 10cc's so it doesn't make sense to me.

I sure hope you get a good fill > and that he realizes that being overly cautious also doesn't help one... although, this gal also told me that i had to make up my mind that this fill was "the sweet spot".

btw, she does mostly Ortiz patients... and has a wall of fame there...so inpiring.

I eat eggs every morning. I have had no trouble with them, however, I am an omelet person and create one with 1 TBsp Salsa and 1 TBsp ready bacon bits and whip it all together... fry in pan with Pam spray.

I start every day off with this and never had issues with it going down. What I do find is that it keeps me completely full til lunch time.

hth

I was finally banded on June 12 and gained four pounds because I was so bloated. I really suffered a lot with gas pains for the first week. Good news is that I'm down 14 pounds now. Drinking through a straw is definately a No No, it gave me automatic gas and shoulder pain.

Question: I seem to still have port pain. Is this common? Everytime I raise my arms the pain comes back. I know its only been two weeks but I am scared that maybe the port flipped. Has anyone experienced long term sensitivity in the port area and for how long? I still have minor shoulder pain and still seem to generate gas which is very hard to leave my body. By the way, I am HUNGRY!!!

Congratulations! I also gained some weight after surgery but then started losing about the 2nd week... Port pain is normal. It has been stitched to the muscle wall and also needs time to heal. I think I had pain for about 6 weeks. Now, I have no pain anywhere... unless one of my kids is driving me up the wall and then I have a pain in the you know where I digress...

If you are really concerned, you should be calling the dr. He and his staff is well trained and will be able to ask the right questions to ensure this is normal or not...

hth

Thanks you all so much!! the lady I talked to just blew me right off saying "oh no he won't do it you have to have gastric bypass" I said "how can you say that when you have never seen me and my weight was guessed? "(give or take only 10 lbs or so) still, altho nice,she said no I was NOT a candidate I was so worried and so scared I am afraid i will die from being overweight!! I live In Buffalo NY and don't know who to contact!?

Was this at a local dr? I can't even think that Dr Ortiz's gals would say that... there are many here who have come from where you are weight wise. Make the call and ask all the questions, they are really great!

Hanna,

we ended up being 30 min late... long story, but very expensive... had to buy new tires after we were on the road 1.5 hrs and also had to get the brakes done. crazy... anyways, we are so sorry to have missed you! we just got into the hotel room here in Bellingham.

I got my fill (2cc so now I have 5cc) but Diane has to have hers done with Fluoro. Kitty wasn't comfortable finding her port.

Well, we are exhausted so we will head off to sleep.

Oh and if anyone is interested I made us a sparkgroup called OCC Bandits. Only myself and Michelle are members right now.

sorry Kimmie, I knew someone has posted about it... I joined the group...