trulytangledgrl

Dana: I think that your message was so lovely and heart-felt. I don't think I can put my feelings into much better words than what you already said. You look FABULOUS, by the way!! You can tell such a huge difference. You should be so proud of yourself Who gives a sh** what anyone else thinks! You made a decision that changed your life forever and because of your strength and courage to do that, probably with little to no support from your friends/family, you will be around longer to enjoy your time with those people. My situation was similar to yours. No one in my family ever had WLS, but they always told me I needed to get control over what I ate, exercise more, blah blah. I did all those things SO many times. I lost 130 lbs in college, gained it all back. Lost 50 lbs here and there, 30 lbs, 40 lbs... ALWAYS gained it back without fail. I have been an emotional eater my entire life. When I had no friends in grade school because I was the 'fat ugly girl', food was my 'friend.' No matter what, food was always there for me. It was a love-hate relationship, but I always fell into the trap. I learned from a very early age that if I was sad/mad/happy/bored/etc, I could turn to food to feel a sense of immediate gratification. My decision to have lap-band surgery is the best decision I have made in my entire life. Many people I told looked at me like I was NUTS. I didn't care - I did it anyway, and I am SO happy that I did. The way I see it, those friends who did try to talk me out of it, or who said mean nasty things - - they are probably just jealous. Dr. Ortiz and everyone that works with him at the clinic - they are angels. Truly they are saving thousands of lives and they are just.... Angels sent form above. I cannot thank them enough - - they surely saved my life. I will ALWAYS remember Dr. Ortiz and his staff and will always think of them in the highest regard. Thank you, Dr. Ortiz and ALL of your staff - - and as Dana said, Happy Holidays and warm wishes to you and your families!!

I have had really REALLY good restriction up until today. I have only had 2 fills - - last one I had was Oct. 30, and had one scheduled for Dec 2 but cancelled cause my restriction was still really great, but then today out of nowhere I feel like I have NO restriction what-so-ever. Is this normal? Has anyone else had this? I'm a worrier and I keep thinking my band broke or fell off or something lol I worry myself crazy. Has anyone else had this type of issue, where you have great restriction then just BAM! NONE! ?? thanks for listening, guys and gals

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses!! I appreciate it and I am glad to know I am not the only one who is experiencing difficulty with this. I will try the interval training - - I have heard that its really good... I think I may have read it in a fitness magazine or something. Great idea!! I also do want to add more cardio - I know thats the best way to blast that nasty fat, but my schedule is so hectic because I work full time, getting my masters degree and have 4 classes, a field placement and then the work that goes along with the classes. SO, but after this semester I will be taking a break. So more time for me

Okay, so I have a problem that I must vent about and also I thought maybe some of you fellow bandsters could help me out. I have lost a good amount of weight, and it is definitely noticeable as everyone keeps telling me I am getting 'so skinny'... haha. Here is my problem - despite working out 3 times a week for at LEAST an hour each time, doing cardio for 30 minutes - 40 minutes and lifting for 20 minutes - 30 minutes, I cannot seem to get rid of this stubborn fricking fat in my upper stomach and in my upper/mid back!!! I have that gross cottage cheese like fat on my upper and mid stomach... and it will not seem to go away. WTF?!? I mean seriously - what does a girl have to do to get rid of that stuff?? I am doing a lot of lifting that works my shoulders/back muscles (in all areas of back upper mid and low) and I still can't seem to 'thin out' in that area. Also I feel like my ta-tas are droopy and I do chest press to try and build muscle there but... no luck. Does ANYONE have any suggestions for me?!? I am so frustrated!! :lb12:

Yeah - - I don't think I will ever be able to say I got 'too thin' Although people I work with, especially this older lady (god bless her soul), all keep telling me "Wow you are getting skinny!!" LOL! It feels kind of weird actually. I will look at them and be like "What? Who? You talkin to ME?" they just laugh. Oh those will be the days. When I can think to myself 'wow, you ARE skinny!' I cannot wait.

haha - - this is too funny. I get this too and, like most everyone else here has mentioned, its usually at the most inconvenient moments! I am usually with sonme friends who don't all know I am banded, or with co-workers - - none of whom know I am banded. Like Lisa said, I would welcome this ANY day over being obese again! Gurgling noise - - bring it on! lol!!

Hey there Kristy - - First of all let me congratulate you on your (VERY important) decision to get lap band with Dr. Ariel Ortiz Lagardere. He is a phenominal doctor... the best, actually. My fill Drs - - Dr.'s Christine Ren and Dr. George Fielding at NYU center for surgical weight loss, they tell me all the time what a fabulous choice I made to have my surgery with Dr. Ortiz. They are constantly saying how he is such a phenominal surgeon and even Dr. Fielding has said he is 'the best' (Dr. Fielding is from England and was proctored by Dr. Ortiz). SO, you are in THE BEST hands you possibly could be. Now... like the previous post, I will say that everyone is definitely different in what they can and cannot eat, and the amounts, etc. This is my day, on average: Breakfast: I find that I am VERY restricted in the mornings. For this reason, I always drink Slim fast low carb (VERY important that its low carb becase it has 20 g of protein and the LEAST carbs as opposed to the slim fast 'HIGH protein' which only has I believe 11 g... hmmm). Another favorite of mine is cream of wheat - - easier to get down than oatmeal and just as tasty Snack: Fruit - a banana, some homestyle applecauce, watermelon, or pineapple. Lunch: Once again, depending on how restricted I am feeling. A Cliff bar (crunchy peanut butter) and an iced coffee with skim milk and splenda, I will maybe bring something I made at home like chili or chicken, soup, meatballs are also a favorite of mine. Sometimes I will have a small salad with some canned chicken Dinner: Generally I am feeling slightly restricted at dinner for whatever reason. SO, I will usually have Slim fast, cream of wheat, ground turkey with vegetables mixed together with seasoning or sometimes in a spanish rice style dish. Sometimes I will also have another fruit here. Snack: Sugar-free 90 calorie fudge sickle! YUMMO As you can see, most of the time the meals are very small and they consist of things that are fairly easy to get down. The MOST IMPORTANT thing you want to remember is to TRY - - TRY.... at every meal, to get at least SOME protein!! Also, try to get at least two to three servings a day of veggies and at least two servings of fruit. Dr. Miranda will tell you that your plate should consist of the following 4 items, in this order on your plate: PROTEIN VEGGIES FRUIT CARBS the idea is that by ordering your foods on the plate in that order, by the time you get done your protein you should NOT have much room left for that much of the rest of the items. I KNOW its overwhelming. It will be - - for a WHILE. Don't get discouraged. Its a lot to take in and it takes the patience of mastering a completely new lifestyle. You didn't learn to overeat and eat unhealthy overnight, so you won't change it all around overnight either. Be patient with yourself and utilize the forums whenever you can GOOD LUCK kristy on your journey to a new healthier you!

Stormy and others ~~ I know exactly what you are going through. I, too, have struggled with mental health issues. Its funny, stormy, that you posted this beause at this current time I am going through a LOT of anxiety myself and my partner has no idea how to deal with me. Lets see... major depressive disorder, panic disorder and severe mood disturbance - - not to the point of bi-polar disorder or anything but I havr severe mood swings. I currently take 300 MG wellbutrin xr in am, 275 mg effexor XR at night, 1 mg of Clonazepam (klonopin) for severe panic attacks - - I take 1 pill 4 times per day. So, I, too, probably seem like I am A HUGEEEEE mess. I am, actually. Without my meds I cannot function. If I lower my doses I cannot function. My point is, just because you lose weight doesn't always mean that your body/psyche will be OKAY with a lower dose - - ya know? I am actually experiencing severe mood disturbance at this current time myself because I am under a lot of stress. I work with teenagers I am a social worker. One of my 19 year old girls passed away in a car accident 2 weeks ago. I also do one-on-one therapy with adults for my field placement for school (getting my Master's degree in Social Work) and one of my clients has been on a ventilator in the ICU due to suicide attempt. SO. been very hellish past 2 weeks for me. Anyhow, my anxiety is through the roof, depression throug the roof, and my compulsiveness and need to be in control is through the roof. Not sure what to do. Can't increase either of my wellbutrin or effexor... already on max dosage. Ugh. I was thinking maybe I can get my psych. to add in Abilify which is a potent mood stabilizer. Hmmmm. Anyhow, thanks for allowing me to vent.

WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!! WAY TO GO KIM!!! You look so fantastic! You should be so proud of yourself for the accomplishments you have achieved. Keep up the hard work and you'll be to goal in NO TIME!! =D>

I want to second what everyone else here is saying - - DON'T GIVE UP!! Also, just like Lisa and a few others said, its very important that you are 110% honest with yourself about what you are eating and how much you have really changed your lifestyle. I know that I was in the same boat as you a few months back - I was so frustrated because I was not losing. I told myself 'I am eating much better, I am not eating high sugar foods or high fat foods in excess...' etc. Well, in all honesty, I WAS eating that stuff. I was eating ice cream, cookies, cake, etc. I got my first fill almost 2 months after being banded which was my first BIG mistake. By that time, I was almost back up to my banding weight. That was it for me. The moment I stepped on that scale in the Dr. office and saw that I was only a POUND lighter than the day I got my band, I had a startling wake up call. In that moment, the honest to god truth hit me about how I had REALLY been eating and changing my lifestyle. NOTHING had changed - I was still doing the same thing I had prior to getting the band..... and in order to be successful it needed to change. SO.,.,. my point is, sometimes we convince ourselves that we are doing the right things when in reality we could definitely stand to do way better. Not saying that you aren't eating right or what have you - - some people do all the right things and just lose very slowly. This could very well be you - and if you lose slowly, that is okay too. Its frustrating to be a slow loser - I lose pretty slowly so I know the feeling. I guess maybe just really take an honest look at all the things you are doing and ask yourself if its really a change for the better. If it IS, and its a matter of you losing slowly, then try not to be frustrated and just tell yourself that you WILL succeed. Tell yourself that you are going to reach your goal and that you are a much healthier person. DON'T GIVE UP!!!

Jazzy Jude - I am so happy that my post was helpful to you! Also glad that it gave you that bit of inspiration that you needed!! The reason I love this forum so much (and think everyone who has weight loss surgery should FAITHFULLY continue logging on and sharing their stories/problems/successes/etc) is because there are bandsters in ALL stages coming on here and we all have important and valuable information to contribute. Those of us who have been banded for 5, 6, 7 months or more (I can't BELIEVE IT! It seems like yesterday I was making the decision to get banded... its gone by SO FAST!!) can offer advice and support for those of you who have questions or concerns and we can share our experiences with you so that you know what you are going through is NORMAL! No worries ladies, I KNOW you both will be so successful!!

I agree 110% woth everyone who has responded to this post. We have ALL been through the exact same thing you are dealing with, Stormy. It is completely normal - - as a few said, WELCOME to bandster HELL!! It sucks... most definitely. I waited like 2 months to schedule my first fill and boy was THAT a mistake!! By the time I got around to scheduling, the Dr. I wanted to see was booked solid and I had to wait it out and by the time I got my fill I had had my band almost 3 months. It was so difficult because I could eat just about anything - so I understand what you are going through. Like everyone else here has said, just find that will power and strength within yourself to portion your foods out and ask yourself if you are really hungry or if you are wanting to substitute food for dealing with a difficult situation/emotion or even out of boredom. Many times I attempt to substitute food for dealing with my anger/sadness/anxiety/etc.... I am feeling very strongly about something that happened and because I don't want to deal with it, I eat and I magically "feel better." You know what I mean? We know you can do this!! Be strong and just hang in there until your fill. Maybe try and add some very light activity like walking maybe. Nothing too strenuous that will injur you, since you are still healing - - but getting in some extra activity even light walking might be helpful. Just a suggestion. You will be SO happy in making the right decision because it WILL pay off. Trust me!! For MONTHS I struggled to get below 180.... months and months I was between 180 and 185 and could NOT get below that, but I REFUSED to give in or give up and finally it paid off!! I was frustrated in the mean time, but after I hit 179 I was like 'this was TOTALLY worth it!!' I know you will feel the same. KEEP GOIN GIRL!~!

Vix, Honey I am so sorry to hear about all your troubles!! > HUGS!! I know that Dr's can be dismissive, condescending (acting like they know more about our bodies than we do) and insensitive - it really sucks because they are supposed to be one of the people we KNOW we can talk to and not be judged. I would have given that Dr. a piece of my mind that is for sure. I hope that everything turns out okay with your knee - you will be in my prayers. As far as the weight loss - - I feel you on that one 110% Like you, I was struggling before having my first fill. I am telling you from experience - just keep holdin on girl. Once you get that first fill, things really start to change!! Since my first fill I have lost 14 lbs - I have had 2 fills so far, but my first one was on Aug 20. So just try hard to keep a positive attitude and you will surely continue to be a success!! >

Hey Julie - sorry for the delay in a rsponse. I have my fills done by Dr. Christine Ren at NYU program for surgical weight loss in NYC. She is FABULOUS! I called her office, and the secretary told me to come in right away. She said that even thouh Dr. Ren is out on vacation that one of the Dr's will see me as soon as I get there as this is considered a medical emergency. I am sorry that you have had such bad luck with the Drs at the OCC. I, quite frankly, am shocked. I have always thought of Dr's Ortiz and Martinez in the highest regard, but shame on them for not getting back to you ASAP!! Not being able to keep down even liquids is a true medical emergency that needs to be taken care of. I am so sorry to hear that you had so much trouble. Are you doing okay now?? Let me know how you are making out > HUGS!!

I am sorry to hear that some of you are experiencing problems with keeping your food down. I, too, have been struggling with this. I posted about it last week I think, and then for a few days it was better and I was able to keep some stuff down with a LOT of chewing. Then tonight, though, I had a very small amount of chicken, chewed it like crazy, and on my way home from work I COULD NOT pull the car over fast enough... I opened my door and there it came. All the food I ate came back out. It was horrible. I am able to keep down liquids, but sometimes in the morning even that is tough. Then some times, though, I can keep down solids fine. Last night I ate chicken and some veggies and sweet potato and I kept it down fine. I have no clue what to think?? Anyone have ANY ideas as to why some days/nights I can keep solids down but then sometimes like tonight I am throwing it back up?? I have no clue and I am worried to death that I am going to ruin my band or do something to screw this up. Please help :lb12:

OSuzanna - I get many of the very same symptoms asyou described in your post. I would consider the tightness/fullness in he throat to be restriction, I also get a full feeling in m stomach but more so i feel it in my throat. Also, I feel that restriction includes not feeling hungry between meals. I empathize with you on the sliming and pbing though. I hope things get better

WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! CONGRATS TO YOU, SWEETIE!! I am so excited and happy for you. You are very determined to meet your goals and it shows in all the success that you have had!! You will be arriving in onederland in NO TIME! Keep up the fabulous work, girlfriend!

i was having major trouble eating after getting my second fill. I couldn't keep anything down - not even some depending on how thick it was. Anyhow, I have found that stress causes extra restriction. Not sure why but for me it does. Not to say it is the same for you. Make sure you are chewing your food like crazy. Also try getting in a protein shake. When i was having trouble i couldn't even keep those down. I buy gnc brand whey protein chocolate caramel flavor. Mix with skim milk and ice cubes in the blender. Yummy. Try de-stressing if you are stressed and if the problem continues go back to the dr and demand him to check you to see if you are too filled. I hope that helps

congratulations to you!! That is so exciting. You're an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing your success with us

Hey everyone - thanks a million for your positive words of encouragement!! I am doing much better with keeping food down - actually like the day after I posted about my issue, it started to go away. Weird, huh? :-? I think that most of it had to do with stress... not that the stress is gone, but its subsided and I have reminded myself that I need to utilize some relaxation techniques/coping skills instead of allowing my mind to grasp onto those irrational thoughts surrounding my stress. I am such a therapist LOL!! Anyhow, I got some good relaxation time in and I am doing MUCH better. So, keep your fingers crossed for me that things will stay this way and NO MORE throwing up! No more having to pull over 3 times on the way to work... ugh.