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Diva

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  1. I am seriously considering having post lap-band abdominoplasty and resculpting at the Ariel Center. I have had an initial consultation with Dr Lara but am finding little or no information otherwise. It seems that of the few postings on this subject, that the surgeons mentioned are no longer at the Ariel Center/OCC - Dr Castillo, for example. Any input from someone who's had the procedure with a current staff surgeon? Any reviews? Thank you
  2. I am left feeling a little unsure as well. Dr Castillo's website has some photos but none of the thigh lift procedure. Under the heading 'Surgery after weight loss' there are only two photos: an upper arm revision and a second photo whose before photo looked pretty perfect to begin with. I'm wondering if I shouldn't just spend more time on the stairmaster....I remain undecided.
  3. Hello, I'm considering a thigh lift at the Ariel Center but have not found much information online or on the forum. Have you checked into that option and if so, what is your opinion?
  4. Hello I see that your surgery is right around the corner. I am scheduled later this month and will be eager to hear about your experience. I wish you the best.
  5. Anybody had post weight loss surgery done by Dr Castillo Calderon? I'm looking into a thigh lift and possibly more but am unable to find much info. I had my lap band done by Dr Ortiz and wish I could feel as fully confident with another procedure by a different surgeon. Any insight would be very much appreciated. Any photos out there? Thanks a bunch
  6. Hello Everybody, Regarding the violence in TJ, it so happens that my father lives in TJ - in a very nice area about 10 minutes away from the border - without traffic. Living in the good area of TJ is in a way more worrysome because of the threat of kidnapping. He now spends 3-4 days a week in the States and does no shopping or walking about in TJ - basically he's "in and out." I've been wanting to go to TJ for another fill and while the general consensus is that it "should"be fine, the concern is very real. Not so much for a personal attack but for the indiscriminate shooting - from both sides- should you be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Which, by the way. happens not only in "bad" areas. So, I keep putting it off. My father has a golfing friend who was kidnapped in early 2008 but was released after 43 days after ranson was paid (a business owner in TJ - living in the States). He was NOT treated well, let's just say. Approximately 3.5 weeks ago my father was playing golf in TJ when a shooting broke out between police and God who knows who, just across from the club house. Nobody was hurt but the people in the club house were told to lie down for their own protection. So, will I chace it? Probably in a few weeks. (Like THAT'S going to make a difference!) But the recommedation is mixed when it comes to the business people we know who live in the states and cross for business. Go figure. I would just be cautious about milling about like I've done before. This time it'll just be "in and out." For what it's worth, that was my two cents. Best wishes everybody.
  7. People like that drive me crazy. That's one reason why I decided to keep my band a secret. I'm not ashamed, I'm not embarrassed, it's simply not anybody's business and I don't need to be bothered with unsolicited opinions aimed at sabotaging my efforts. Someday, I may choose to tell somebody out side of this forum if it's helpful to them but that'll be my choice. Only my husband - who's under threat of castration should he ever squeal - and a friend who is a bandster herself know. I honestly don't care if some people think it's an easy way out - it isn't, although I was hoping it would be! But yes, I paid for a personal inner food police with my band. And IF there was an easy way out I WOULD gladly pay for it without hesitation. I do enough in my life the hard way, so what if I pay for help? Money comes and goes. If I want to spend money on a lapband, jewelry, give it to charity or gamble it away in Vegas, it's my business. People with their unsolicited opinions - such as your co-worker - can suck it. She probably doesn't give a hoot anyway about your journey and hopes that you won't succeed. But her jab at you gave her a false sense of superiority. You go and do your thing. Next time she says something be ready for her. Or simply don't waste your breath. Good luck and best wishes on YOUR weightloss journey.
  8. I've told only my husband and a fellow bandster friend who encouraged me to get banded. It's been super easy to keep secret. If I get 'stuck' I just say that I swallowed wrong. I was always on some diet or another anyway so now I just say that my new diet is to eat less and to eat very slowly. Piece of cake. Funny thing is that a couple of people think it's a great plan and are following my lead and LOSING. Gee and it didn't cost them anything! Hate them. HA HA. I'm glad I haven't told anybody. Most my family thinks I spend unwisely anyway. Not that this was unwise but since I really didn't have too much to lose, it would probably be another reason for them to gossip anyway. Just wait until I get the boob job. Then they'll REALLY talk. HA HA.
  9. Hello and I really feel for you and all the added strain you are having to deal with regarding your decision to get a lap band. I was fortunate in that my husband was completely supportive of my decision BUT BUT BUT I wanted to share my experience with you because of your last sentence "I need the band to control myself." 100% those words were exactly my words and the reason I got the band. Unfortunately for me, I found that my fantasy of what the band would do was just that: a fantasy. After much struggle, I believe I've finally come to terms with what the band will and won't do for me. I can't speak for anyone else but in my case, the band does very little to control me. Even with restriction. In other words, most of it does come down to the basics: limit food intake and exercise. Shoot. Not what I thought I was paying for. I do not regret getting the band but I might think differently if it had been a financial burden. As my husband and I joke, it's cost about $1000 a lb so far but it's not really funny. I've only lost 7 lbs in 4 months. Why? Because I was thinking / hoping that the band would control me. Wrong wrong wrong. I've had two fills and have restriction but believe me if I don't control myself the band ain't gonna do it for me. You might notice that one of the most successful and popular bandsters on this site has done it mainly through willpower and self control - stopping herself from overeating - on her own. She simply amazes me. Trust me, the band won't stop ice cream or chocolate or potato chips. It will still take self control to follow the rules - just like any "diet" pre-band. All I'm saying is that you might, like me and other bandsets that personally know, still have to grapple with the "impossibilty" of limiting your food intake and exercising. The band will help - this is the first time that I've actually lost anything without much of a struggle. I'm thrilled that I've kept off even 7 lbs. I have about 40 lbs to go. Most of the time I struggle with hunger. The band doesn't always let me eat as much as I'd like but let me tell you I'm still hungry. Sometimes the band will stop me from eating because the food feels tight and uncomfortable in my gullet. The challenge comes in another 20 minutes with the unconfortable feeling passes and I am able to eat without restriction. Not eating at that point comes down to willpower because I'm still hungry. I hope that you will be able to get your surgery. I just want you to be aware of the reality of the band especially since you will undoubtedly have the added pressure of a husband who may not be completely at ease with the procedure. I wish you the best. Please keep us posted.
  10. Thanks ladies. Your replies on restriction were great. I have found that certain foods: chicken, steak, High fiber crackers or cookies, are more than likely to give me that 'stacked' or pressure in the breast area feeling that reminds me to stop eating after only a couple of bites. So, if I want to work it right, I really need to start with a couple of bites of those items (gee, like we're supposed to - protien). But sometimes, I don't want that feeling quite so soon which I supposed equates to cheating. Ay yay yay, back to the drawing board. Good thing is that my little buddy does keep me under-eating at least a portion of the time. Best to all
  11. Hello Great topic. Okay I'm confused too. Perhaps I don't have the level of Restriction that I'm supposed to? SOMETIMES I can't eat cause it feels as though I've swallowed a golfball, but other times, no problem; I'm "wide open." It's hit or miss. Is it really true that some of you really can never eat more than 1/2 cup at a time? That would be wonderful. I've had two fills but maybe it's time for another appointment.
  12. Ha! Here I thought I just wasn't feeling the "right" thing. Thanks for clearing that up for me. I likely would have dwelled and gone in circles over this for who knows how long. Clarity is a good thing. Hopefully I'll begin to start working this band right rather than waiting around for some 'other' feeling. Funny about the hubby. He'll certainly get the picture now. Congratulations on your weight loss success. I hope to join that club sometime soon.
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