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ok, what is a carbonated alcoholic drink? Is beer carbonated? I am leaving for Play Del Carmen on 9/27 and want to make sure I have handle on this? I love my corona light with a lime..... I am really gonna miss this............ I know beer is a no-no. Is it a no-no because it is carbonated? What if I opened one and left it in the frig for 30 minutes, could I have it then? Cheers Amy

Great pictures. You look so happy!!!

Hi Stormy!!! So glad you are home and recovering. Can't wait to follow your progress!!! Amy

Hi, If I swallow too much at one time or eat something that is too hard, I get the hiccups. I wondering if it is common also. Thanks for the post!!! Amy

That is scary. I hope you are feeling better.

Amazing & beautiful!!! Congrats!!!

Jessica, that is wonderful & amazing. So happy for you!!! Amy

So what are your non scale victories that you have achieved or look forward too? So far I have achieved: reduction in blood pressure med my pants & skirts are getting longer lost 2 inches off my waist happier more outgoing and doing things I want to do I can't wait to: wear smaller underwear have a waist smaller than 35 inches use skinny cuff to take my blood pressure be off all medications get pregnant and have healthy pregnancy and healthy baby feel sexy cross my legs Not feel like the extra padding in my bum makes me taller than the person next to me when sitting walk correctly in high heel shoes

Hi, I am 7 weeks postop. I started lifting weights and cycling with trainer last week. He really focuses on holding my stomach tight. My port area gets a little sore after working out. I do not do any exercises specifically for my abs yet. I could not find this information in my occ documents. How long does Dr. Ortiz want us to wait before lifting weights & cycling? I thought this was 6 weeks post opt. when can I start ab work? I thought it was 3 months post op, but not for sure. Thanks, Amy

I got my fill on 9/13. I got 1.8 cc. I have really good restriction. I am so pleased. Today, I could barely eat anything though without getting that lump in my throat. But earlier this week I was fine. So I will just wait it out. Since we can't drink after eating, is it ok to suck on ice chips? I have been doing this if sticking becomes painful. Thanks, Amy

Way to go!!!

can't wait to hear more from you on this...

It will get better. You are a brave girl to go back to work so soon. Everything I ate went right through me. Then after I got on solids, it went in the other direction. hang in there!!!

Big smile to all of you. You have such big hearts. Thank you for all of your words of encouragement and sharing your experiences. Amy

Lisa, Wonderful words. You are sweet, intelligent, beautiful and happy. And very much one of my inspirations. When I hit my goal, I am getting my whole body lifted and putting my bikini on and working in garden in the front yard!!! Many skinny people think fat people are lazy. It does hurt our opportunities in life. I think it is terribly unfair. Not everyone can get the band or figure a way out. in regards to your elderly neighbor, isn't amazing that any person could say something like to you in a compliment? When I was in my 20s and weighing close to 140, my favorite aunt said, "My what a big girl you are". I was devastated. I also had an uncle and boyfriend say similar things to me around the same time. I have always been well endowed up top. Maybe that is what they meant. But as a young person, using the words "big girl" to describe me was horrible and embarrassing. Self-image obliterated at 27... I beat myself up all the time about how I let other peoples words send me into "the land of sabotage". I still have this tendency that I will fight for the rest of my life. If I had realized this in my 20s, I would have never gotten over the 155 pound mark. I don't fully understand what makes me work that way, but just hope I can cope with it. Amy

There is a topic open right now about "thinking thin". I really believe in this can help get me to where I need to be. BUT what do you do when a skinny person unknowingly makes you look at reality?? How do we overcome this and not fall into old habits of sabotage? I have been thinking skinny and feel so good about myself right now. I have several positive things happening: Today I am wearing my fat skirt that I was previously too fat for. Scales are going hired a personal trainer counting calories and using the daily plate all of my clothes are getting longer, yes I did mean longer My waist went from 38 to 36 In my mind, I am doing wonderful.... look at me.... can't you see???????? Here comes skinny person and wants to take my blood pressure. She says " I can't use the normal cuff, your arms are too big". My heart sinks and I want to cry right there on the spot. I see that I am living in my own skinny world by myself..... ouch. At least my blood pressure was 116/74 and I had lost 19 pounds since last time visiting that Dr. office. I really can not wait until that skinny girl just puts the skinny cuff on my arm without hesitation...... She meant no harm to me and was clueless about my state of mind. She was just being practical. I am keeping my head up high and keep thinking..... won't be long til I can wear that size 12. Would a size 12 mean a skinny BP cuff too? Amy

Hi, I have a couple of things to add to the nsv post. I think that what you called non-scale victories. I have 0 luck with the search on this forum.

Hey girls, I agree with you 100%. I totally believe in living your life the way you dream or visualize it to be. I have always felt this way, but my weight really held me back because I was so I ashamed & defeated. I just felt like a failure. BUT TODAY....... and from now own..... I can hold my head up high and know in my heart that I will be healthy & smaller. I am healthier every single day than the day before. I am breaking down this wall day by day. For instance: I spent last weekend in a swimsuit at our health club with my 3 year old. There is no way on earth I would have done that prebanded. But my mind is set on living now and not regretting anything or missing anymore opportunities to be with my family and friends. I got on boat last weekend for the first time in 4 years. I started weighing over 200 pounds then. I really thought I would sink or flip the boat over. I just kept telling myself how silly I was being and had a great time. I actually let my husband take pictures of me and my son over the past week. My son turned 3 last week. And this time, I am included in the pictures too. I have hidden from cameras far too long. Then I posted the pictures for all my family and friends to see. (reluctantly) But I just said to myself, this me, this is who I am, inside I am happy, and I am working on the healthy part. If you love me, then support me.... I know that this will eventually end up in the hands of some of my high school so-called friends. Previously, this possibility would have been a show stopper. I have been out of high school for 20 years and live 5 hours away and have not lived in that town for 20 years. Why in the crap do I care????? But my weight did keep me from attending my 20 year reunion. I weighed 130 through my mid-twenties. I know I rambling at this point.... But so much of these changes are mental. I am just beginning this journey. I think I will get the "Laws of Attraction". Sound like some good self-help.

wow, you are hot, hot, hot!!!

Hi again, I went back into lurking mode after my 21 days of post op. I was just trying to hang in there until I got my first fill. Now I have my fill and I am trying to figure this out too. My head hunger and food obsession is horrible. At least it is painful enough to keep me in line. I hate that feeling of something stuck. this first time I thought I had to drink something to make it better. Drinking makes it hurt a thousands times worse. So now I am sucking on ice cubes instead...... Seems to really help....... Good luck on the preopt!!!!

Hi, For people thinking about doing this. I have been banded 7 weeks now. I love having the band. It has already significantly improved my life. This is the hardest, most controlled diet I have ever been on. This is not a free ride to skinnyland, but it is the first time in my life I have gotten results that keep me motivated to stay on track. I really do not believe the results that I am having. It will take me some time to actually own the progress I am making. Losing the weight takes thinking, planning & tracking every thing I eat and all my activities. Plus I am really pushing myself with a trainer. My lung capacity is in the 10th percentile for my age group. So I have a ton of cardio work to do. Anyway, this is just my story and my opinion. Amy

I know everyone is so different... But I am having a hard time believing that I could have lost 5.6 pounds in a matter of days. I am just not relating to the me that is losing weight. It is a very bizarre feeling. I have not been able to get my scales below 220 for 3 years now. On Saturday (9/13) I weighed 210.6. I have been here for a while. I got my first fill on Saturday morning. She gave me 1.8 cc. And told me I have a "pretty" pouch and healed nicely. Very cool to see this band in action under fluor..... I felt heavy this morning (Wednesday, 9/17). I have been working out like a crazy woman with my trainer, journaling my diet and eating 1200 calories a day. To my surprise my scales said 204.8. I did not believe it, so I got back on them and it said it again. However, the third time, it said 209.6. DARN IT... so I took the lowest number..... of course.... I have new scales, but they seem to do this sometimes. I may get another set. So anyone lose over 1 - 2 pounds per week after the 6 week post op?

That is wonderful. I tried to get my husband to have the surgery with me, but he thought he could do it on his own too. He is dieting and exercising with me, but his weight is not budging. So he may have a change of heart too!!! Congrats to you both!

Hi, That is wonderful news to find out you so close to your "real" goal. Amy

I teared up to.