my_friend_amber

I flew American Airlines from Arkansas, non-stop to San Diego and paid right at $250 round-trip. Book well in advance and by all means, fly economy class - can you even believe that people pay over $1000 to fly "first class" on the same exact plane I do!? "Congratulations sir, you've reached our destination .05 seconds before I did. Way to spend your money wisely." lol!

Welcome welcome!! A few great (missionary) friends of mine are from Boise and they love it there! Big congrats on your super weight loss and welcome to the forum!

I'm so sorry for what a difficult time you recently had to go through. Welcome back though, we're all glad to see you back around!!

YAY!!!! Way to go and keep it up!!!

My 6 week mark is tomorrow, and even though I've not been too hungry lately, I can definitely tell that the residual restriction from surgery is gone, so it's time to start looking at a place and time for a fill. Does or has anyone used a doctor in Shreveport, Louisiana? If so, please share: which doctor did you use, what was the cost of the fill, would you go back, etc. Thanks!

A-MAZ-ING! Just imagine how hot you'll be 6 months from now! And has Berni lost weight, too??

I also started out well over 300...333 to be exact. I lost 12 lbs before surgery and am now down to just below 200. Please call Dr. Ortiz's office and talk to them in person - you will be amazed at how wonderful they all are!

Holy moly, Neeters! Look at you!! I remember taking that pic of you and Berni and thinking you guys were just the cutest, but I think you've BOTH shrunk! Adorable!

Hi Danielle, I just wanted to say that a) I think you are gorgeous! and b ) I am also 5'8" and my starting weight was 333lbs, so I can really identify with how much you have to lose and how very, very far away a healthy weight can feel right now. I got banded May 15th, not even 6 weeks ago yet, and I can already tell a world of difference within myself. For starters, I'm back under the 300lb mark (yay!) and I feel so much better...more energy, less mad at myself all the time about my bad food choices, etc. All this advice you have gotten so far here is very good - talk to Dr. Ortiz, talk to Cassie, start that conversation with your parents even if they seem uninterested at first. It may be that talk of a surgery makes them nervous or that they just don't know enough about the lap band to really know what to talk about. Sit them down and tell them that you've been really doing your homework and that you are seriously considering this option and that it would mean the world to you if you had their support, encouragement, and understanding. Get them onto this website and in touch wiht Dr. Ortiz, he's amazing. Know that we're all here for each other...and that includes being here for YOU!

The reason a Capri Sun is okay is because you are basically creating a vacuum. When you drink through a straw in a capri sun, the liquid is encapsulated in the plastic which, if you watch it, will actually "deflate" as you drink - that is because no air is inside the container - only liquid. The problem with drinking from an open container or even a juicebox if there is empty space (which really just means air space) is that you cannot create that "vacuum" environment and air gets trapped in the straw, and then in you. So if you want to drink from a straw - do it the Capri Sun way - in a vacuum!

Go, girl, go! We are so proud of you! If you can resist THAT, you can resist anything!

Thanks for sharing! That is some great info!

Boo to the unhappy overwight lecturer! Boo!

Hickups are sometimes referred to your body's reaction (via the diaphram) to having too much Carbon Dioxide in the body. To balance this - do the following deep-breathing exercise: Inhale for a slow three count through your nose, holding your tounge at the top of your mouth behind your teeth After the three count, hold that breath for a three count Now, exhale through your mouth over a five count until your lungs feel empty. Repeat. Do this until your body makes you yawn. You will a ) feel more relaxed and b ) have reset the Carbon Dioxide : Oxygen ratio in your body. Happy breathing!

Um...wow...I just threw up in my mouth a little. I am going to have to really think about that next time I see a fast food burger!

Hi there - sorry you're dealing with that darn port site pain! Yes, in my experience, something like sleeping on the site or bending for too long a period of time, etc. can cause that pain. Be sure to be very conscious of your movements - excessive use of the ab muscles early on or direct pressure can definitely cause it to hurt. I'm just over a month out and I'd say it's been about 2 weeks since I felt mine at all, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Hope you feel 100% soon!

That exact thing happened to me. I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and, like Evette, hadn't had a period in a good few months before surgery. The 4th day after surgery..."Why hello Aunt Flo!" and then exactly 28 days later...there she was again! It's too early to be so hopeful, but I'm secretly crossing my fingers that this has somehow "reset" me to have regular cycles!

Congrats and welcome. Just think...the OCC and Tijuana road crossing...you've had an adventure!

Bless your heart, I'm sorry! I'm so proud of you for winning that little victory though- that's exactly what it takes...let the little victories add up to the huge ones! Just think how miserable that mean ol' DMV lady must be at the end of the day...it's sad really. Good for you for being the bigger (and soon the smaller!) person! > Amber

I didn't get hungry at all until day 19, and then I only had 2 days of liquids to go. I'm 5 weeks out now and doing great, so I'm sure you will be, too!!

So today I am celebrating an event that most people would pluck their eyeballs out over - I weigh 299 lbs!! I know, I know, no one in their right mind should be happy about weighing that much, but it's the first (of many to come) of my mini-goals - to get under 300! Next goal: 280!

I'm feeling you girls! I noticed the other day (possible TMI warning!) that my pee was awfully yellow! It needs to be clear!! DRINK AMBER, DRINK!! :lb6:

I would absolutely talk to Dr. Ortiz himself about this since it seems that there are other people out here who've had ports replaced for zilch! We're all pulling for you!

I am in that period of time...between the 3 week mark and my first fill. My first meal was not a lean quisine or a WW, it was some moist chicken (like 6 bites...SUPER well-chewed!) and some broccoli. So far, I have not slimed or PB'd once. Just eat one bite, chew chew chew, then wait for a minute before getting the next bite. You'll do fine as long as you go slow and careful and make wise food choices. Remember: protien, veggies, then maybe a carbohydrate source if you have room, and 1 very small serving of fat - those are the OCC guidelines!

So a silly, but fun discovery was made last night...my husband, as he was kissing me goodnight, put his hand on my upper arm and squeazed (something he always does - who knows why!) and he said, "Hey, your arm is smaller." YAY! Tiny bit by tiny bit, I will "unearth" my true self!