lisalisapsl

I'm a BIG dog lover.. I lost two in the last year,, one to cancer and the other to a schreech (sp?) owl. Both were so devastating to me especially opening the back door and finding my little Sweat Pea laying there, she dragged herself to the back door looking for her Mama (me) and died.. I was hysterical!! She was a yorkie/chihuahua mix,, best little girl you could ever have!! I miss her so much!!

I say yes go for it! I rescue, rescue... I am known in the neighborhood for adopting the homeless. I am so sorry for your loss,, it is so heartfelt. I know what you mean about having a love before your children I rememebr my little boy asking me "Mama how is it that Ivan is your first born?" Ivan was my chinese sharpai and I always called him my first born.. My little boy is now 18 and Ivan has long since passed, but I have pictures of him right on my desk as he was such a great time in my life... Take care XO Lisa

Oh my gosh, you should also try cream of split pea.... YUMMMMMMM I definitly water it down alot but it is still very very good and no chunks.

shy

Shy.. No one in my entire world will deal with spit pea soup!! I love SPS!! I will get some,, sounds so yummy.. How are you and your sis doing? I am really good,, ready to rock and roll... I can't wait to go swim though,, it is sooooo hot here!! My feet and toes are looking like prunes since I sit on the side all day.. Take care,, XO Lisa

Hiya Gang,,

Something I bought yesterday at Target,, It is a Back to Basics Slushie Express for $20 dollars and it has sugarfree syrups that are additional. They were $3.99 a bottle or 3 for $6.49,, they come in sugarfree flavors. The taste was ok not to scream home about but I think a little splenda in the mix would help.. The actual slushie maker worked really well so add whatever flavors you want,,I think crytal lite is good over them or the mixed berry or tropical protien water by Special K.. Thought you'd like to know.... I am still in the recovery stage so I am always looking for something good.. XO Lisa

Great Picture Lynn.. You look great and happy.. XO Lisa

Great question. I was thinking the same thing but too afraid to ask, besides why would I ask now? ZI just had surgery on the 1st.. I love roller coasters.. Im a annual pass person myself!! I will ask next visit, but let me know if you find out anything in the mean time... LOL.. XO Lisa

hahah i thought you were the one who was always sleeping! must of nodded off at different times. I left the clinic at 9pm back to the hotel and then off to the airport in the morning.Flight was terrible. I had and still do have the worst pain in my shoulder. The port area is starting to feel allot better. Im sure we wont see any great losses until the 3rd,4th,-6th week and not allot then. Once we get our first fill ???? that will be where you are going to loose the weight fastest. Hay maybe see you in TJ. Let me know when you plan to go!

colleen

Yes since we had our surgeries at the same time maybe I could meet you at the airport and we could split a ride down to TJ. I havent even began to think about when I am going back down.. I am sorry about your shoulder,, try some phazyme.. I like that a lot!! So lets come up with a date... TTL XO Lisa P. S. I think I did sleep a lot!!

Lisa, do not worry. Right now your body is healing. This part of the journey is not really meant to lose weight,it is to give your band and body time to heal. The best thing you can do is walk walk walk to get the gas removed from your stomache. Don't force things down. Stay hydrated and follow the Doc's orders. Let us know how you are doing and welcome to the land of the banded!

Thanks Caroline.. U are right I am healing... My head wants to run and I need to heal...

your still on the liquids phase. I was banded on the 2nd? we must have met in the office, i was getting my blood work done etc ( low BMI Canadian) I only just noticed today a 4 pound drop. dont think we r suppose to loose to much until the 3rd week, proper meals will help our bodies stop collecting calories while in liquid mode. we r storing fat because our bodies think we r starving.

colleen

Oh yes Colleen,,,

We were talking about our horses in the waiting room.. Your bed was next to mine in the recovery, but everytime I went to talk to you, you were sleepig or it was my time to go.. They took you early in the AM to the airport right? Yes I was thinking the same thing about the starvation mode thing.. I am just anxious,, as I am sure we all are. Good to hear from you!! How was your trip home?

So when does the weight start coming off? The scales aren't moving but I was banded on the 1st of July.. I can tell that I am losing something as my midsection isn't the same. Is it normal for your banded tummy to feel like a ball? I can barely get anything down at this point..I am sure I am swollen inside etc,, I just can't wait to be able to do my daily swim and work out a little. I just needed to hear from you all that have gone before me.. Tell me your experience... XO Lisa

Hi Sandy,

It basically boils down to how bad you want this.... The liquid phase is not for the faint at heart, it is hard and takes a lot of will power to get through. You have to remember that it is all mind over matter. I am not hungry but I find myself obsessing over food sometimes. Something as simple as a commercial on TV makes me want a food that I normally would not eat!

You have to remember that if you eat foods to soon you can stretch your pouch and you would have to go through the surgery a second time to repair that! If you stretch your pouch you will never reach your weight loss goal.

Hey Erin, (you too Lisa)

Thanks for the pep talk,, I just read that and prior to reading your post I was feeling like I was mouring food so much!! You are exactly right!! I do want this bad and it isn't that bad.. It is all in my head!! TV is all commercials about food and stuff I would never eat. This is a time to reprogram my head!! It is worth it and I am worth it. This is a time where I would be grazing out of being bored. I need to find other things to do with myself. I am 4 days post op and feel full all the time but sip sip sip.. So thanx for your posts!! It is greatly appreciated and needed... XO Lisa

I am trying to put the hooker pic on but I am not sure how? HELP ME!!

No, where were the hookers? I don't think I ever saw any and I was there 3 times. I am not sure I have ever seen Dr. Acosta. Dr. So I very cute too, but too young for me, LOL!!

Yes there are hookers,, I took their pix.. They didn't care,, they were in front of a sleazy hotel far away from R Street and the Lucerne. We were on a quest to velvet paintings as a joke and ended up in some not so nice places..I don't remember what street they were on however.... I am so happy I am a little buised up.. but very happy I had this done.. Have a nice 4th everyone.. Thanks for the great thought.. I Love you all!! XO Lisa

Shy your Husband wasn't there was he? I never saw him. ANNNNDDDD SHY is so much much more prettier than her picture she has one here. You. you sister and your Mom are so sweet! Your Mom was full of good advice. I hope you are well. Keep us posted.. XO Lisa

yes Dr.Martinez was very handsome, but I fell for Dr. Acosta.. MMMMM. My friend was liking them all. Or course Dr. Ortiz is very handsome himself.

I didn't see all the bulls you saw.. I was fearing for my life in the taxi's.. I never was brave enough to try to cross the street by foot though. we stayed on the same side of the street and went to the merkato to shop, I bought Jamaica flowers (dry) to drink, it makes into a kool aid type drink after you boil it and add splenda. My friend that went is from Colima,MX and helped me shop. We got cookies and candy for the kids bought a pinanta or my little girl, than took a cab to R Street fro more shopping. Did you check out the hookers? I had a get time and can't wait to go back in 6 weeks. The fill part was really easy,, they did a test fill on me. so I am not scared at all. I am very tired and resting today but look forward life with the band... XO Lsa

I know those aren't really zebra"s down there. I was very out of it when I wrote that.. haha I am home now,, I weight 7 lbs more then when I left.. I guess it is swelling aye? Have a fill already but then they took it out.. It was to make sure everything was good over the bypass.. I begged to have them keep it in.. but of course they wouldn't..Got my nails done too so I can type worth a crap. Shy and her sister Trish with her Mom are still down there, they are wonderful people. I am with you Paula I have a lot of Jackasses in my life but I keep believing they are Zebra"s. These guys tried to get me and my friend to come to a donkey show like who would want to see that???..

ALL THE DR'S down there are so cute. They were worth the trip in itself!!..Especially Dr. Acosta,, he floats my boat!!! Everything was great, everyone is wonderful. I made some good friends there. I bought a lot of stuff, huge sombrebro I wore across the border, my husband thought I was such and idiot whe he met up with me.

Thanks for all the well wishes See you later XOXO Lisa

PS. I came home to a kitchen full of home made broths chicken and beef, veggie all strained through cheese cloth and full of flavor, popcycles, fudge cycles (Sugar free), jello all thanks to my wonderful husband!!

PSS. Yes they still have the cows and the two headed one too that was my favorite,, it is ads to milk!

Hey guys Im an official bandact now!! I just got thru les than an hour ago.. I am a little groggy but breathing at lest.. Surgery was a piece of cake... Well just ashot hello... They have Zebra's here... On Revelution Street.. LOL.. Ok gotta walk XO Lisa~

Ok kids I am signing off for today.. I will post as soon as I am done!! Wish me luck!! and lots of GOOD shopping!! THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!! XO Lisa~

Well I am blonde haired blue eyed and have live in SO Cal all my life which includes going to TJ... A Lot!! It is like anywhere else,, good and bad parts of the city.. I just walk like a dude and I highly doubt someone is gonna want to attack my fat ass when I get there tomorrow!! Common sense is the key here.. I don't think they care where you are from anyone can get robbed,, just use your head and I agree I wouldn't go out at night!! I will post in a few days how things went.. I am leaving my bullet proof vest at home though..

Good luck!

It'll be great.

Thanks I read you experience and it helped a lot!! This is gonna be great! See you all on the other side:)

So I am leaving in the AM to TJ.. This is so exciting!! THIS IS IT!!! I can't wait to get banded... Gotta go pick up a few things today and finish,, well ok start packing. So I will see you on the other side!! XO Lisa

WOW I have some advice,,, DO USE THAT FACILITY!! You deserve much better.. Everyone there deserves better. I am sorry that you had to go through that,, but sister listen to us when we tell you to call OCC. I am not banded yet, but will be as of Tuesday. Dr. Ortiz was great on the phone for our consultation. He even gives out his cell phone for contact, you won't find that in the US.. Carolyn is wonderful,, I scheduled with her. I am excited to go and KNOW that I won't be mistreated. Good luck to you and please keep looking.. You must demand decent providers regardless if that provider is the Dr. or his staff!! XO Lisa~

Hey y'all! I am curious about the Bullet blender that people talk about. What makes it special? Where can I get one? How expensive are they?

Thanks!

If what you are talking about is the little blender thing that is on TV, I have heard really crappy reviews when I looked for one so I went and bought a similar product on line from target for $30.. The bullet is around 60 bux I saw them at Costco and Bed Bath and Beyond online and I read a lot of break down stories so I bought the cheaper version so if it breaks I won't be too upset about it and target usually takes things back..I bought the "Bella Cuicina" it seems to be ok, it made the awful tasting optifast tasting whippy and much better to stomach!! It comes with the large and small cups, lids and two diferent blades, similar to the bullet. Hope that helps a little.. Lisa

Hey Shy.. I want to thank you for getting with me and letting me know you were gonna be there at the same time I am! I am really looking forward to this and lookng forward to meeting new friends and of course meeting you!! I'm the chubby one you can't miss me.. HAHA!! This web site is such a great support, everyone is so great!! So I will see you in a few days... OMG can you believe it? Have a great flight.. It's warm down here so dress accordingly!! See you take care.. XOLisa~

Good for you Lisa! I don't know the answer to your question but I do have a respectful question.

I'm seeing more and more gastric bypass patients are gaining their weight back. I was watching Al Roker last night and he looks to be about 40-50 pounds up, Carnie Wilson gained almost all of it back, many forums are populated with bypass people in the same boat, etc.

If bypass is weight loss by malsorption how does that happen? I understand bypass patients can't do "sweets" because it goes right to the intestine and creates dumping and any protein, starch, veg, etc., just passes through the system which is why they have to take so many supplements.

I'm confused. I'm not bashing, I just don't understand it.

Hey Jann,

You can ask me anything you want... I am totally open about this subject.. It is a frustrating situation to say the least. I think it is a great idea that wasn't completely thought out. In the begining I lost fine, I worked out daily and lost 100 lbs in the first 6 months and ended up losing a total of 180 all together. I was feeling pretty awesome. I was however, discouraged as they never tell you about the hanging skin, but I delt with it none the less. Well they do tell you, but the reality is a much different reality!!I didn't look that bad except my arms and my boobs but got those lifted. So a couple few years into it the restriction (there is that word!) was begining to become non-exsistant, so I could eat what ever I wanted. I found love again got married(you know what that brings with it--eat eat eat), so while I was gaining weight and stressing about it it gradually came back on, it was like I couldn't stop it. I was back in the same boat I was in before the surgery. I had them do testing and my pouch was fine and small I had not stretched it out,,, finally I found a Dr. who did another test on me and found that the stomas (openings to my stomach and from to the small colon) were no longer holding true to the surgery size, they expanded. So he expained to me it was like pouring water down a tube,, there was nothing stopping it. So it became worse as you can imagine,, I was HUNGRY all the time!! Also I am not abosrbing nutrients such as b vitamins and iron becoming anemic and tired. So I take suppliments for all that. Also I was rerouted inside but apprently from what the new Dr. told me the first surgeon didn't take as much out as he should of. SO then he (new Dr.) wanted to go in and take more colon.. I said forget it!! no way. Open abdominal surgery is aweful!!He said since I had open before I had to have it that way again.. NO FREEAKING WAY.. I would NEVER do it again!! NEVER!! SO another year or so of searching went by and I heard about the lapband researched it and that is how I got to OCC. I am convinced it has to do with behavior modification, as they do surgery on your stomach not your brain. I had no after care from the bariatric surgeon I went to originally and didn't have any support or after care to depend on. That is why I am convinced that the lap band is the way to go and wished I had it available from the start!! The restriction and the support is another key factor. I like that it is adjustable is removable etc.

As far as sweets go I never had issues with dumping syndrome. I could always eat sweets but I am not a sweet person so that wasn't an issue really for me. I like food!!

While I can't not speak for Al and Carnie I suspect that they are suffering from the same thing and lets keep in mind a junkie is always gonna find their fix. So for me I see counselors and see the lap band as a tool to succeed to reach my goal. I will continue to do so to stay sober so to speak... I need all of you at this web site and I really feel a sense of belonging. To many of my friends and famliy behind my back feel "I am a failure for doing the surgery", while I am disappointed,, "it is what it is" and I have to move forward. I am very positive about the lap band,, I feel that I should of waited with the original surgery to see the out come.. I didn't so here I am,,again "It is what it is.." I did what I did and thats how it is. Its OK,, I have to believe what I did was Ok. I didn't try the easy way out,, as some said,,, that road was not easy and this Tuesday isn't going to be easy either. I've just got to keep working at it and it will come. Some think I should bitch to the original surgeon, but that is silly,,, I would never do that as he did exactly what he said he would do and it didn't work. I accept that. So that is what I have to say about that.. So if you have anymore questions,, be sure to ask.. I would never reccomend the gastric bypass to anyone now that the lap band is out. Thanks for asking. I am glad you did and I hope I answered your questions. Thanks XO Lisa~~ I leave day after tomorrow!! YAY!

Hey I was just curious to hear from anyone has had the lap band over the gastric bypass. I don't see anything recent.. I am a gastric bypas (open) person going for the lap band on the 1st.. Very curious to hear from you... Thanks Lisa~