denisem

I didn't have my surgery at the OCC, but had it local, but just reading what others have said about their first fill, I think you should do it locally if that is available to you. Especially if Dr. Ortiz has said he is a good dr. I've had 3 fills now, and am really thankful I can have it done 15 min from my house! Denise

Very interesting! I just purchased the Wii Fit and need to get it hooked up. Now I'll be searching for this as well. Thanks for the heads-up! Denise

Great job, Anita! You are one HOT Mama! I can totally see a huge difference in your pics each time you take a new one. Thanks for sharing your story and your pics with us! Denise

Thanks Jann! It sounds wonderful! I'm heading to the store tomorrow to get the stuff to make it! Denise

Congratulations on your weight loss! You look stunning! Thanks so much for sharing your pictures and progress with all of us! Denise

lots and lots of broth....chicken, beef, vegi, whatever you want to mix it up! Try to find the low sodium kind. Also, sugar free jello. You'll need lots of little boxes of it. I ate it with every meal. Good luck! ps. the rest of your list looks good. Denise

Stormy, You are totally normal in the way you are feeling. Welcome to Bandster HELL! You'll want to schedule your first fill for 6-weeks after your surgery date and keep your appt. for sure! You must use willpower between now and then and train yourself to eat like a bandster. It's hard, but you can do it. You've made it past the liquid stage, and now you are on your way! Good luck! Denise

Darlene, Sweetie....I feel for you. We have all struggled with weight for a long time which is why we all have the band, but it is only a tool to help us along the way. I've come to realize, I still have to put forth the effort to not eat bad things. The band will only assist me if I follow the rules. We all have "off" days where we eat more junk than other things, but you just have to chalk it up to a bad day and start over with the right mindset the next day. None of us are perfect, and we all feel like you from time to time. You are not alone, and that is why this forum is so important to us all! I took alot of guts to post your feelings and struggles, and we are all here to help you get through it. I hope you find the fill doctor you need locally so you can get back on track. Maybe while you are searching for one, you can try what the others suggested and go back on the pre-op diet for awhile. It would get you used to eating smaller portions and maybe by then you'll have located a local doctor. Best of luck to you, and keep your chin up! Denise

Have you tried to buy any alcohol just to see what happens? I swear you would get carded! Denise

My doctor is okay with me drinking right up to the moment I start to eat, then I have to stop. That seems to help me. I down a bottle of water right before I eat and then wait about 60-90 minutes after my meal to drink again. It seems to help from getting too thirsty during the meal. It's okay to swish water around in your mouth when you are done eathing, and then spit it out. Good luck! Denise

Yes, you may have milk in the creamy soup phase. Just nothing with lumps yet. Good luck, and congrats on your progress so far! Denise

"Sweet Spot" is when you are eating food, getting full quickly due to restriction, and losing weight at a steady pace. We would all like to be there for a long while....Not as easy as it sounds though! Denise

Good luck with your 3rd fill, Cathy! I had my 3rd one done last week and it is really working now. I hope to see the lbs start falling off soon! Denise

Great comparison! There is totally a huge difference! You should be very proud of yourself. Denise

Wowza Cathy! You are looking so good and I love your hair. Isn't it funny how when we start losing the weight, the hairstyles change as well! You go girl! You are doing fabulous. Denise

Way to go, Denise! You and Jann will have to join the "Young Hottie" club together. No one will believe your ages when you show them your id, heck, they probably won't even think it is you at all. You look AWESOME! Denise from TX

Did you hear back from the doctor yet? That sounds really serious! I had port tenderness pain, but nothing like what you are describing. Keep us posted. Denise

Clynn, Can we borrow your response whenever someone says this?? It was the greatest thing I've read in a long time! Denise

Wishing you a successful surgery and a quick recovery! Can't wait to hear how it went. Denise

I was so glad to see an update on you, Michelle. Congrats on losing 80 lbs! That is such an amazing feat in itself! My hubby is considering having lasik surgery as well. Did you have both eyes done on the same day? What was the recovery period? Thanks for inspiring us! You look great. Denise

Hey Jazzy! Welcome to BANDLAND!! Get your rest and check in with us when you feel up to it. Glad you did well! Denise

I had the left shoulder/neck pain, but not the stomach pain you are describing. I think you did the right thing by calling the doctor. Hopefully, they will call you back with some good advice! Take care, and let us know what they say. Denise

Great Vix! See, there was nothing to worry about. I had my 3rd fill today and didn't even feel the needle go in. I wish my dr. did fluro, but he doesn't and I've never had a problem yet. Good luck with everything and I hope you feel some restriction soon. Denise

Fantastic transformation Jann! You look so much younger, it's unbelievable! Keep it up. 30 more lbs and you'll be getting carded at the stores! Denise

Jessica, I'm terribly sorry for the pain you are enduring right now. Nobody deserves to be treated the way you were treated, and you do not owe them anything. You sound like such a strong person, but you should take that energy you have and direct it towards getting them some help elsewhere, away from you. Take Dawns advice, just like Lisa said and rid yourself of them for good. You need to focus on you and your goals to better yourself for your family and future. You have spent more than enough time and energy on hopeless people like them. God always protects and never gives you more than you can handle. Something tells me HE knows you have suffered enough and he'll guide you to make the right decision. God Bless You and I'm praying for you, Denise