BandDiva

Ok....So I just could NOT wait. I weighed this morning and I am at 202.6!!!!!!!! So excited!

Count Down Is On!

Carrie

Carrie, you are a Rockstar! I am going to start the 5 day test Monday. I am scheduled for a fill on next saturday!

Stormy,

Sorry you are going through this. Love your Mom (and your sister). Even though it may be hard because you don't understand the actions of your sister, it takes less energy to show kindness and love then hatred. I am a firm believer in doing what benefits me and my health. Think about your frame of mind and what you need. Keep focused and don't allow stupidity to make you sick sweetie!

Today I hit 150#. It has been 20 years since I was that low. I have 15# to go. My jeans are size 12 now, not 18W. My self-esteem is not in the toilet. I am not depressed. I do not dread meeting people whom I have not seen in a long time. I have ENERGY. I bought new panties in a size 6 that don't have a fat roll hanging over the front.

My observation is that this journey is NOT the easy way out. You have to work at it. Anyone who thinks this band is for lazy cheaters, I'm gonna smack them upside the head with a frying pan. I work out 5 days a week. Yesterday on the stairstepper at the gym, I climbed 50 flights of stairs. I plan to get to 100 flights in the near future. I count every calorie, and stay at about 1200. My last fill was a tough one, but I hung in there and worked with it. I was sensitive to cold temperature food--it tended to make the band slam shut. So I learned to drink room temp milk. Not an easy thing to do, especially considering that I have NEVER been a milk drinker all my life: after the band I had to learn to drink milk because I didn't like taking calcium supplements. It did several beneficial things for me--1. Gave me more fluid intake 2. Got me my calcium 3. Got me my protein 4. Gave me healthy calories when my band felt restrictive. 5. Stopped the need for expensive gumdrop calcium chewies that had 50 calories for the dosage.

Good Job! So proud of you! Keep up the great work on the last 15!!

Okay...you made this tough girl cry *sniff* Seriously cry. where is my tissue? LOL

I love you as well and am so thankful you are my friend for so long. It is funny how we bond with some and we don't with others right?

I owe you a 'Rita (or whatever) and we will do that soon - even if I have to fly my skinny ass there to Texas with you and Dana...LOL. We will all be here anxiously waiting to hear of your recovery.

*muah* my sister girl . xoxo

C

Did I hear something about a 'Rita in Texas?

Denise I am so happy and proud of you! Love you Big!

Love You too C!

Bandsisters for life!

YAY!! Congrats Robbyn! Can't wait till you move to Dallas! You will love Dr. Jay (if you want a local fill doc). I am jumping with joy for you! So glad it was smoothe sailing!

Robbyn!!!!!!!! ((BIG HUGS)) >

YAY!!!!!! This is the best thing I have seen and heard all day. So happy for you!!!! We will kick this weight & do it together! Can't wait till you move here! YES, I want to join your walking buddies too! Just have to make sure it is not on a day I work with my trainer.

OMG Dana...I just looked up their address...it's "7777". I was married on 07-07-07 (and the house we're selling closed escrow on 07-07-06...and my mother passed on 07-07-08...and we were going to "list" our house for sale on 07-07-09 for 777,777 just to be cute). I feel so much better! Thank you!

((((((((((((((((((((((Dana))))))))))))))))))))

OMG! That is crazy. Yep, that is their address. My Dr. is Doctor Tri Nguyen. He is incredible. And I have never waited longer than 5 minutes to see him. So sweet and very supportive of my decision with Lapband. 972.566.6000

Robbyn,

Once you get here, call me. My Primary Care Doctor is in the same building as my Fill Dr. Medical City Hospital, which is not far from Frisco. I reccomend both of them! Let's not give up sweetie!!

Ok, so my friend told me that it's possible that this pain is caused from me eating to quickly, and drinking to quickly! What do you guys think?

I feel an ache if I eat too much. It's probably swollen. However, you can also just bend or twist a certain way and it also gets irritated. I had one of those before that took my breath. Just go easy for a few days, if it doesnt get better soon. I would call the OCC.

String cheese or sugar free pudding. That is pretty much all I snack on. Oh wait, my hubby got me a bag of dried fruit at costco. It has apples, apricots, and peaches. I had a couple pieces last night and it was very satisfying! Good luck!

You look amazing!!!! You are an inspiration~ so proud of you!! =D>

Sabrina-

I have been totally shocked lately at what i can eat. I had a roll this week! The thin crust pizza has never been a problem, we order it crispy. Same thing a piece and I am done. I have been really excited that I can eat bread things in small portions. This is what Dr. Ortiz says, we should be eating everything in small portions. The last week I have eaten veggies, fruits, everything! Just in tiny portions eating super slow and really chewing it up! YAY!

I havent lost any. I take bariatric advantage mixed berry vitamins. They are made especially for lapband paitients. I also eat about 80-90 grams of protein a day. Haven't had any issues. I have lost about 47 lbs.

Sounds like a good idea. My tightness has only lasted a couple days but if yours is a couple weeks, sounds like you are making the right decision. Feel better.

I love protein shakes! I drank them before my surgery! I use a couple brands that are REALLY like milkshakes. I enjoy them and I am getting the protein I need. I have learned how to feel if I am tight, on those days, I have one for breakfast. Otherwise I eat eggs or oatmeal for breakfast. I have a shake in the afternoon instead of snacking. I do eat more protein than what is suggested.

I can eat rice, but the only kind I eat is brown rice. Anything like this that can get gummy, you really have to eat super slow.

Keep in mind, it will depend on your fill.

thanks

I'll see if I find a box of the gas x strips, I have the chewables,

I'm thinking about those incission and how I don't want anything rubbing on them. even the sports bra,

besides the gas, when you get out of surgey how bloated are you

I don't remember being bloated. I had minimal gas after surgery. It is the CO2 leaving your body. Sometimes it will be in your shoulder etc. But, I didn't have any of this. I believe alot of it has to do with getting up as soon as you can after surgery. I was walking 15 minutes after I woke up. I got a bra from lanebryant, that looks like a sports bra but really isnt. It was very comfortable the next day.

Thanks I feel good and I'm so ready!

Now I just wonder how my

Patience will hold up, I’ve always been short on them!

Every time I'm in a store I grab something that I should bring with me

I picked up

a box Gas X - I On here I saw Gas X strips i don't know if i got the right ones

a 10 pack on those Crystal light to go packets and a small box of chicken bullion cubes......

Oh I’m sooooooooo Loving this! Someone mention liquid Tylenol - I wonder - was that for pain or fever? Cause I’d have to drink half the bottle if it’s for pain, it doesn’t work for me

And online here it mentioned Gas X Strips... Now is that the same as what I got?

Oh I was thinking about the Optifast drinks I wonder if it has a nutrition label for me to read? I went there and took a peek around - Guess I’ll go back and see if I could find it

Yes, the Gas X strips are correct. Also, they will give you pain pills at the OCC & an option to buy more. BUY MORE! Liquid tylenol does nothing for my pain, unless its a headache, thats about it. lol Might want to take a heating pad if you have room. Also, I would have pj's that open in the front (button) unless you just stay in the gown they give you. I stripped it off 15 minutes after I woke up and put on my pj's. Much more comfy! The button up top is easier dealing with an IV, etc.

I lost my aunt too. My Dads sister had gastric bypass and died in the hospital days later from toxic shock. SOO SOO sad. I miss her all the time & wish they would have had lapband back then. She died in 1998.

hi....

i had my surgery almost 4 months ago, i just had a party! over ate ....probably the most i did since the surgery! i have pain 5-6 out of ten esp. on movement ....what should i do now?! i tried to throw up but its not working! would the water help fasten the food movement??

thanks

I hope you are feeling better, I know this is the next morning. I did that before, drinking really doesn't help. The food has to leave your pouch and one of the reasons we don't drink is because it sometimes wont go through the food, it pushes it way back up. Mostly likely you would only PB your drink. (it happened to me). I tried drinking, it just makes sense that it would help things go down. Not always the case with your lapband. So, stay away from liquids right after you eat. What I did when I felt that pain is get my heating pad and sit there before going to bed. Let us know how you are doing!

Okay,

I decided to see what else was out there for forums and I was shocked at what some of these people are posting one month after surgery! Drinking carbonation and alcohol and eating all of this crazy food? People giving advice saying that it is okay to drink carbonated beverages as long as they are diet and that this person is not hurting their band by doing it? WTF? I have a sick feeling that many doctors in the U.S. are NOT preparing their patients for the lapband--can somebody help me out with this? I cannot believe how shocked I am. Sorry for the rant, but I can't believe someone was drinking beer and eating chicken wings less than a month after surgery. Isn't their body still healing? How is this possible?

That is crazy! I am 6 months out and I am not planning to ever pick up a soda again. I feel If I can give it up a month before surgery, and still haven't drank it..l can do without it. It is SOOO bad for you anyway, even without the band! Did you post anything?

Hello BD - And how are you today?

Today is a different day for me, A good day. I let the best of my nerves get to me the other night. I do know for sure this is for me. I have peace with my decision.

OK see you just enlighten be again. My mind frame was thinking OMGoodness When I tell people & my doctors I’m going to Mexico and letting a doctor do this to me, they will think I’m nuts, But If I tell them Doc O performed this procedure there is a good chance they may know or heard of him & I may not get that reaction

I am in a very strong mind set theses days. I mean Com’on it took me10 days of Severe withdrawal (NOT Fun) and another 2 weeks of the Chantix pills to break a 30 plus year, pack a day menthol smoking habit. And I know without a shadow of doubt I will never smoke again

So just like I used the Chantix I will use the band to help me have control over losing weight and keeping it off. Putting two bad habits in my

Rearview Mirror - he he he - I love Pearl Jam. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfqzQKt9UeA

As of this afternoon all my paper work was faxed over mailed my DP and

my flight is for May 19th -

get Banded on the 20th

and leaving on the 23rd

taking an extra night........

Thanks everyone

~muah~

You have a great attitude! Good for you, you don't need the cigarettes! Yes, the band is a great tool in helping you break life long habits! I love my band & you will too!

I just thought the office would call to explain stuff to me... I just find it a little - I don't know, it seems rather cold,

like OK 500 bucks need to be here in 3 days & heres you diet option & don't forget to e-mail (so & So ) with your travel arrangments at lest 10 days before...

Oh BTW if you have any questions about the diet - get in touch with Dr. Miranda

Like if I didn't come here there is NO one telling me to bring gas X, or anything

I did expect someone to call me! I did send my money, which means they are holding the date, - Maybe it's just me

I know I could e-mail any questions, BUT I would have never thought to ask about what bra I would wear or chewable( I would never thought about ) chewable gas x

I wrote down questions that I had and I called and asked them. Keep in mind that is why they have this forum. I understand what you are saying, but I guess they figure people come here to get info. If it bothers you, call them and let them know. Did you get all the info that they email?

Hi Babe ~ what I like about Turbo Jam is that you can be at any weight and go as slow as you want. I started at the beginning and progress up. I still do the beginning even now as I like to concentrate on the moves. For example, they may do a total of 15 and I was only able to do like 8. But that is ok. I started doing Turbo Jam at my heaviest at 272 lbs and I muddled through it...BUT I didn't give up! I did just the first stage until I thought I could go to the next step.

Check to see if this is available at your local library and try it. Mind you, at first I thought NO WAY! But once you start it and continue, it's a piece of cake and you go at your own pace. I now find myself doing some of Billy Banks and Turbo Jam on my breaks for a few minutes and just jam it up! 10 minutes here and there is all you need to get in a little exercise and it sort of revitalize me too.

Hope this helps...

Jude....Which Turbo Jam do you have?

All I was told if I had any questions about pre op diet to get in touch with her, I was told how much to pay when

to e-mail my travel arrangments over at lest 10 days before & that's it? Oh and I was told to lose 5% of my weight, and when to stop some of the meds I use.. But that was all through when I booked..............

I thought someone whould call me, but I guess not

The only thing they talk to you about is getting ready for your surgery. Once you get there, you meet with Dr. Miranda and she goes over everything, the day before my surgery I went in for all the pre-op stuff and my meeting with Dr. Miranda. This is when she told me, not over the phone. Not sure if you are doing all that the day before, or the day of. It is your choice but call Rene and go over your plans with him. If you want to talk to Dr. Miranda, call her. She is really good about emailing and returning calls.

yeah So ya think she had some lipo or PS? They can't do that just with Cameras

I dont think she had plastic surgery. (her body is not perfect) She only lost what, 40-50 lbs. I think she worked out like crazy tough.