Blazn

Thanks for the update Michelle. Thank God the band is designed to get additional fills until we do hit that sweet spot. I agree, you do have a lot of will power and have done GREAT since your banding without a fill. Keep up the good work. I can't wait to see you in that dress. I know you'll make it. You take pics next week, right?

:lb10: :lb11: :cheerleader:

No, your port should not set off any metal detectors. As a matter of fact you can even have an MRI which as you know is a super strong magnet. I believe Dr. Martinez told me the port was made of a titanium alloy that is not metal at all. I don't really know all about metals but I did ask about MRI and he said it was fine so I know if you can have that done you should not set off any metal detectors.

I also used American money. We tipped the driver $5 each trip and tipped the hotel staff a couple of dollars for helping unload the bags and taking them to our room.

Yes, I watch GL. It is my favorite soap - it deals with more real life issues than just who's sleeping with who (although there is some of that in there). Anyway the character's name is Ashlee and since she started the show a couple of years ago she has been dealing with weight issues (on the show). She was taking diet pills at one time and she always made her weight an issue in her relationships. So a couple of weeks ago she started talking to Coop (her BF on the show) about gastric banding (not necessarily calling it Lap Band - as that is a trademark Brand). Of course he did not want her to do it and keep insisting that he loved her the way she is. Which is great and all but she finally had a breakthrough episode and proclaimed to him that everything was not about him and that this was for her and her alone. She just had the surgery last week and she was not on the show today so I am not sure how they will play the story out. I hope they are doing this to promote the band and show people that although people may support and love you the way you are - you are not wrong for wanting to better yourself for YOU and you alone. I will keep you posted as the story plays out.

PS I kinda figure the person who plays Ashlee really did have the surgery so they worked it into the show so that the audience would know why she was losing weight.

Mackenzie, yes, that too has hit me. I made the same comment during the post-op clear liquid diet phase. I could not believe how little my body needed to survive - well not only survive but feel good. I cannot believe how much I used to eat.....even though I was not hungry I would clean my plate. Always. Thank God for this renewal on life.

Michelle - now that you are a few days out from your fill how is your restriction? Is today your first day eating food? What are the recommendations after a fill...day 1 clear liquids, day 2 creamy liquids, day 3 ?

I originally set my goal at 150 but I am only 5'3 and when I plugged that in on a BMI calculator I was still considered overweight. So I plugged in 145....still overweight. So I plugged in 140 and that will put me with a BMI at 24.8. I know, I know it is just a number.....but my GOAL is to not be overweight. Why go through all of this to still be considered overweight, right? So my current goal is 140....time frame? not sure. I guess maybe next March or April. I would love to start trying to get pregnant sometime next summer so I am shooting to have my weight off by then.

I requested my MR over 3 weeks ago and still have not received them. I will update this post when I do though.

I can't wait...

to buy a new pair of pants....wear them a couple of times and them still not have little cotton rollies between my thighs

for my shirts to go over my rear and stay there

for this small pocket of fat above my elbow to go away

wear a dress without my tummy tucker

wear a sandel that straps around my ankle

see my ankles

have a baby - been trying for 3 years - not ovulating due to excess weight and shift in hormones.

Hey - according to Dr. Miranda - ANYTHING - that can be sucked through a straw is ok in the liquid period. I am sure if you pureed the chunks in the soups (as many people do) you were able to suck them through a straw. Apple sauce is also pretty thin - I've never tried but I can imagine it can also be sucked through a straw. You are down 20lbs. Great job!! :lb24:

I have been very open with most all of my family and friends about having lap band. Most of them even knew before I had it done. However, I did not tell my grandma. She sometimes gets things very confused and worries over nothing. So I figured why even bother. So she has asked me what I was doing to lose weight and I simply reply "I'm just cutting back. I am actually stopping when I am full." And that is the God honest truth....right?!?! Anyway, I completely understand if you don't want everyone to know that you have been banded. I am not shameful. Although I was not able to lose the weight on my own I was able to recognize & admit that and do something about it.

Kittycat, I do see a pic of you when you post.

First off, :lb9: Secondly, thanks for posting. You have joined a great support group and we will be encouraging you throughout this weight loss jouney. Keep up the good work. If you need anything let us know and keep us posted.

drortiz@obesitycontrolcenter.com

Thanks for all your stats and congrats on your weight loss! Keep up the good work!!

It was there before...but I think it was revamped! Now it has nice colors and stars!

Disregard my other post about your experience - I found it. That's great!! How is your restriction now? I guess you are still on liquids. Keep us posted. My first fill -- 2weeks and counting!!!

So how did the fill go Michelle, how many cc's? Pain? Fill us in....or have you in another post?

I was very strict about the post-op diet the first two weeks. But.....during that last week of liquids I did start on some soupy grits (not sure if you know what that is...I think its a southern thing). Then I had a few mashed potatoes. Never had a problem though. I can't wait for my first fill - May 3rd.

Looking sharp! Way to go! =D>

im not going to be much help but....

banded 2/27/08

10cc VG band

first fill at a fill center in st.pete, fl (loved it) 4/10/08- 5cc's

I am not hungry-ever- i can still eat bread and pasta (i do not eat a lot) i have lost 6lbs total since my fill a week ago!

Down 6lbs. Way to go Mackenzie!!! =D>

When I was banded I was tight from the get go. Dr. Ortiz put the 4cc band in me. I had my first fill 10 weeks after surgery. here's my fill history.

surgery: March 1st 2007

#1 fill: May 14th 2007 .4cc's

#2 fill: July 6th 2007 .7cc's

#3 fill: September 27th 2007 .7cc's

#4 fill: December 14th 2007 .5cc's

Total of 2.3cc's

I'm scheduled to go on May 14th with my wife,, She was banded in September and she's due for a fill.. So I might have Dr. Romero tweak mine a little. As you can tell,, I reached a sweet spot and didn't require any fills since December. If I even tweak it a little,, I'm thinking my band won't require much,, maybe a .1 tenth of a cc. LOL

Wow Dolittle, that's great. You really did have restriction just from your band, huh? Well thanks for your post and good luck to your wife.

TammyLu, there is a fill center in Salem, OR. I am sure that is closer than driving to TJ. Not sure if you know anything about them but they were founded by a mother whose son was banded by Dr. Ortiz. When they got back to the states they could not find an aftercare provider so they started Fill Centers USA. Dr. Ortiz is on the advisory board and has written many of the policies and procedures. Their website is www.fillcentersusa.com

They charge $349 for the initial visit and $165 for all subsequent...however this does not include fluoro and I am not sure how much the Oregon center charges - you will have to check with them.

Anyway - hope this helps.

Bump