bigali

I had my surgery done with Dr.Ortiz and I would not go anywhere else, especially when it has the name "Tourist" in it. Just my opinion.

Since being banded I have never been able to eat 1200 calories. I lisen to my body and I eat what I can I usually eat between 800 to 1000 the most. I feel great and I exercise a lot. And most import the weight is coming off. That is what works for me I am not saying that it is what work for anybody else.

I started walking on the weekend about 1 mile then I increased to 2 miles and so on. Now I have been banded for 6 months and I am up to 6 miles but I also do exercises 5 times a week at 5:00 a.m at the gym. I guess what motivated me to do more and stay with it was watching the pounds fall off. I lost 84 pounds in 5 1/2 months. Now that is worth getting up at 5:00 a.m and going to the gym.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I know exactly how you feel. Doesn't feel great? Keep up all the hard work.

You look great. Keep up all that hard work. Ain't the band great?

It's normal to be nervous and have lots of emotions running through you. I almost canceled my appointment because of how nervous I was, but now 84 pounds lighter it's the best decision I ever made for myself.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! I am so happy for you. I bet you feel and look like a million dollars. Way to go...

Tanya, I know what you mean about not wanting the unfill. I knew that they would do a complete unfill and I was on a good run with my weight loss and I did not want to gain any back, but I knew it was unhealthy and then it just got tighter until I couldn't even drink water. Now that scared me. But now I feel better.

Thanks for all your kind words. I feel better knowing that it is a common thing and now I know how to take better care of my band. I don't want anything to happen to the tool that finally gave me back my life. I can eat solids on Thanksgiving Day so I am totally greatful for that since it's my favorite holiday. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYBODY!!!!! P.S. it is very important to lisen to your body especially when it is telling you that something is wrong!!!!

I had an emergency with my band that I thought would never happen to me. I got really sick with a bad cold and after my cold was over I noticed that I felt more and more restriction as the days went by. Finally on Thrusday I called the OCC because I could even keep water down. I was told to go in immidetly so I did. Dr.So waited for me until I arrived at 8 p.m. at night. He is wonderful!!! He removed all my liquid out of the band. My band is good, so now i'm on liquids for 7 days 2 weeks on solids then i can get my band restricted again. I was told that when ever I get sick i need to on liquids the whole time to avoid inflamation again. I can't wait to go back and get my band fill again. I just want to say thank you for the wonderful people at the OCC for all their love and concern. Alexandra

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I know what you mean when you say that if it weren't for the band you would of never done it. I truely believe that for myself, too. You deserve to be happy and I know that you are because I am right there with you in onederland after over 13 years. Keep up all the good work.

I would recommend to increase your exercise time try adding 15 more minutes if 30 is to much. Your body is probably use to the same routine so you need to trick it by either changing your diet or more exercise. That usually works for me. I hope that your great success starts soon again.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is wonderful does it feel wonderful. I remember I couldn't believe the scale. So keep up the good work.

You both look like new people. CONGRATULATION on all your success.

You look really good CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

You look amazing keep up the good work

You are doing really good. Any pound is a lot in my eyes so keep up the hard work. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I did have a lot of success with my first fill. I lost 30 pounds with the first fill and I had a second fill 2 months later and now I have lost over 20 pounds. I have lost a total of 74 pound and I have had only 2 fills and I gave great restriction. I have a 10cc band, but like they say, everybody is different. I think it has a lot to do with what you eat and if you exercise ( which I do both). I love my band.

You look like a new person! Wait ... you are a bran new person and you look great. You are right the band does work and it has also saved my life. =D>

You look really good. Like a bran new person! CONGRATULATIONS on all your success.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! > What an exiciting time for you. Keep up the good work. I know what you mean about the band, I would not be were I am at with out it.

Name and Location: Alexandra from California Age: 33 Gender: F Band Date: June 6th, 2008 Height: 5'6" Highest Weight: 267 Surgery Weight: 255 Current Weight: 196 Goal Weight: 150 (for now) I Love My Band!!!

That is a wonderful story. It sounds very familiar to mine. That's great that you were able to loss so much weight in one year. I am sure you will reach your goal.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! > You are doing wonderful. Keep up all the hard work. You will be ready for bikini next summer for sure. =D>

You look really good. GOOD JOB!!!!