BandDiva

Definitely tight. But, I haven't figured out if it is the working out or my Fill just tightening up this last week.

OMG! Thank you so much for telling me about this. I am signing up for the Breast Cancer 3 day (60 miles in 3 days) and this will be great!!!! I just looked at the website & I am going to do one too! WOO HOO!

Sounds like me. I didn't have all the gas pains people talk about in their shoulder etc. I went shopping the next morning. However, once I got home and was sitting a lot, my port got very tender. So, try not to sit in one position for too too long. There were definitely many times within the first 6 weeks that I had a heating pad around my port area.

Robbyn, Thanks for the encouragement this morning! I have been stuck for 2 months now. Only down 5 lbs since Jan.7. UGH!!! It can be really frustrating. I keep doing what I am supposed to do & think one day my body is going to catch up and drop a lot in one week....... Everyone is different. I was banded in October and I am down 45 lbs. Other people were banded that same month and are already down 55-60. It is important not to compare your weight loss to others. And, Lord knows that normally I would have already started gaining weight & lost interest in a "diet". This truly changes your life! I now feel in control. Though it may be coming off slow (for now) atleast it is not creeping back up! Just wanted to say Thanks for positive words...... (((((((((((((((ROBBYN))))))))))))))))

OOOOH! My favorite snack. I mix the sugar free cherry and orange, with dab of cool whip lite. It is to die for! This week I added a can of sugar free peaches! YUM!

Hey. Not sure what multi Vitamin you take, BUT, I started on Vitaband Mixed Berry, by Bariatric Advantage. (chewable) My fill doctor sells them in his office and told me this vitamin has ALL we need. They are great because they were specifically made for Bandsters. Anyway, I hope your hair loss stops! Keep up the great work!

Very true! I know someone who was banded 4 days ago in the states and she is already eating mashed potatoes. Every Dr. has different rules.

Lisa, I agree! No problems here. Thanks for voicing your opinion. I will let everyone know how I am doing. I definitely don't want to live on liquids forever. I like food too much. lol

Regular Muscle Milk, that is true It is high in calorie because it is intended for building muscles. But, the Musclie Milk Light (premades) is only 100 calories and can be used for weight managment & the Chocolate Milk flavor is fabulous. I buy them by the case at Costco. I am using this Cookies in Cream to change things up and throw another taste in there. I also have not been getting enough calories in my day, another reason he said I probably plateued. He is not a lapband specialist, but he definitly knows what he is talking about with diet and exercise. He told me what I should be doing with all the working out I am doing etc. I will not have more than one of the Syntha 6 per day because it is higher in calories. I have room in my day to allow for the extra calories of one though.... I am doing Heavy Weight Circuit Training at a slow pace. Meaning, in the past when I do the machines I just grab them and and do them as fast as I can. This trainer has taught me to take 20 seconds on a rep. And we do each machine for 3 minutes 15 secnds. For instance if you are doing the leg press, take a complete 10 seconds to push it down and 10 seconds to bring it all the way back up. This way your muscles are constantly ripping and not getting a break. He said you will get faster results. So far, I am really impressed!!!! It is a very hard work out, I am really pushing my self to get the best out of it.

I understand what both of you are saying, but I also know ME. I know that I only have 2.5 in my band and I AM NOT getting an un fill. I am not puking up liquids, I am fine. All of my fills have loosened. I will not pay 250.00 to get an unfill 1 week later when ALL of you say, Can you keep down liquids? The answer is YES I can, and I can eat later in the day, so a fill is not an option....that is crazy. ALSO...Before the lapband, I was all about eating meat. 100 grams of protein was NOTHING. a 3.5 oz serving of steak has 30 grams of protein & I would easily eat a 12 oz steak. So, I think I can handle more protein. As far as going AGAINST the OCC, I don't look at it that way. I have followed all the rules & my weight loss has been great! But I have freakin plateaued! And right now, I can't eat solids before 2 or 3 pm, not alot of options. So, sorry you feel I am going against my Doctor, I personally don't think Dr. Ortiz would feel that way if I called him up. So, thanks for your opinions, but I think I will be fine for the next few weeks as I give it time to loosen. I am not one who believes I have to give up Splenda and go All Organic at this stage in my life.

Also, just to clarify, I I have not relied on all liquids until the last 2 weeks. I did the Kick Start Challenge and now I am tight so I am choosing to do it. It is important for everyone to know, I lost ALL my weight eating protein first, then carbs. But, for the last 7 weeks I have not lost. I definitely needed a fill. I feel it will loosen up a bit more and I will be back to eating normally. I don't think a few weeks of shakes during the day will hurt anyone as I will be getting ALL my protein. Then a healthy dinner.

Hey Karen, Thanks for your concern for me, means a lot! Well, I am working out alot so I am burning calories. BUT, I am only going to have this brand in the am before I leave the house. It is higher in calories, 198 per serving, 54 from fat. The Muscle Milk premades are 100 calories. I have tried eggs, oatmeal in the morning and on about the second or third bite I get the tightness in my chest. I had my third fill last monday, and I do not think it is too tight because by 3pm I can eat solid foods. If I have any removed I will be back where I was and I know I need restriction. As long as my food stays down, and I can eat comfortably after 2 or 3 pm, I am fine with that for the time being. I would like to get some more weight off. I can also tell my band has loosened since last Monday after the fill. So, I am going to do as he suggests and do the liquids during the day for 3 weeks, maybe by then I can get back to my protein for bfast. I am going to try 3 drinks instead of 4 though, I thought it may be excessive to have 4. (I just dont think I will be that hungry)

My trainer told me today that I need to be drinking 4 protein shakes a day (8oz each) now that my band is so tight to eat during the day. He explained how if we load up our evening meal with all our protein that our body can not process it, so then it is stored as fat and cant be burned. I always knew I needed to eat 4-5 times a day, but honestly I haven't dont that since the band. I eat 3 times and then a couple snacks. He told me to stay away from the snacks. Drink these, or Muscle Milk light (premades) for atleast 3 weeks and I will see a difference in the scale. He explained how it is important NOT to eat sugar. So, your body goes into Ketosis and you lose the weight. He told me that he was sure that is why I have plateued. I was very frustrated because I lost a few lbs on liquids the last couple weeks and this morning I weighed (after eating over the weekend) and I am up 2 lbs!!!!! SO, I am going to do what he suggests and see. This protein powder is awesome! It tastes like a milkshake. My husband got me the cookies and cream and I am freaking out! It is fabulous! I just had to share. Because I know all of us have protein drinks! No more drinking baby formula! I can't wait to try the other flavors!! FYI...2 grams of sugar sweetend with Splenda. https://www.topshapesupplements.com/syntha6...der-p-3521.html

Make sure she gets all of her liquids & protein. Also, keep in mind the OCC doesn't want you eating foods that are blended. (I was straining the potatoes in my soup-not mashing them and eating them) She needs atleast 50 - 80 grams of protein a day. I was doing 60 and got very headachy and dizzy. This is just going to depend on her body, and she will learn how much. Again, if she has any dizziness or headaches, she could be dehydrated or low on protein. You can go to GNC and buy Whey Protein shots to add to water. They are 42 grams and come in different flavors. I would recommend these Chewable Vitamins. They do not taste bad, they are berry flavor & GREAT!! I tried so many vitamins and I found these to be the best. It has everything she needs in them. ( My fill doctor has them in his office ) http://www.bariatricadvantage.com/catalog?...20Berry&so= Hope this helps!

LOL Those were gross. Funny thing, about 10 minutes after I came to, everyone was like, lets walk! I was so drugged. I stood up and Carmelita ripped them off of me & threw them in the trashcan there in the room. I laughed later thinking about it.

I would choose Dr. Oritiz & the OCC all over again! I tell everyone I know about him. The fact is, he has done more surgeries than anyone (that I know of). He is brilliant. Also, his surgeries are fast. Mine was 19 minutes and that included repairing a hiatel hernia. My friend was banded in the states and she said hers was 40 minutes (still short, but twice as long as Dr. O) and from the sound of her experience, it took her longer in recovery. I was shopping the next morning & I was the last one banded about 3pm. Anyway, set up a consultation or whatever you need to make you happy. Hands down, he is the best!

Glad everything went well! Rest up, Walk, Sip & take your Gas X!!! lol

Hey Lindsay! Glad to hear from you! Yes, all of that is normal. Just keep taking your Gas X strips, it will ease up. Walk as much as you can & don't sit for really long periods. Your port will really start aching if you are in one position sitting for a long time. Anyway, rest up, drink up & you will be back to normal soon. XOXO

So proud of you & happy for you! It is a wonderful feeling, I am right there with ya! Keep up the exercise! It works!

OMG Robbyn! I was logging on tonight to see if you commented on your surgery, little did I know! Well glad you are OK, take care of you!

Have yall seen or heard from Lindsay? She was supposed to be banded Tuesday. I was just curious. Lindsay.........let us know how you are, please!

Hey everyone! Thanks for your nice, sweet compliments! I told someone yesterday that I feel younger than I have in YEARS! It is amazing to me how much weight, truly brings you down. My energy level is way up. I am not requiring as much sleep, I wake up at like 5 am & hit the elliptical. I am doing weight training 2 days a week with a trainer. I AM SO HAPPY! I love my band & if I could (without getting in trouble, I would kiss Dr. O) lol haha SO....this 3rd fill is CRAZY. I have finally learned what all of you have talked about when you say restriction and really having to go slow. I have been on liquids, but even when drinking my Muscle Milk, it takes 20 minutes or so. Tonight I had soup & it got very cold before I was able to finish it. I feel restriction with liquids. But, they are staying down. Good sign. I am staying on liquids through the weekend & will start eating Monday. I don't want there to be in swelling and I want to be able to eat with no problems next week. (I know its going to be TINY portions). So, Here is to kicking Plateaus AZZ & droping some more lbs! haha DENISE....My Diva Girlfriend, I can't wait to see you on the 28th!!!! Love yall! XOXO

Well, yesterday I went for my 3rd fill. Everything went great, they said my band was in perfect placement and looked great. I also had not lost any of my fill, it was still there 1.5cc. I told them that I was hungry about 2 hours after I eat and that my portions have increased to about 1/2 of what I used to eat. So, she gave me one more cc. So, I am now at 2.5 CC. I am really excited. I definitely noticed when I drank the water yesterday the difference. And even last night drinking coffee and broth when I got home, I had to go much slower. I really hope this is my sweet spot!! When I left there, I took off to meet the trainer and had a great workout. It was a great day! All day today drinking my protein shake etc. I have had to go really slow, I can really feel the restriction. I hope this is a good sign! I am also celebrating my 5 month Bandiversary today! I am very thankful to Dr. Ortiz and his staff for being so wonderful to me! This is just the begining....... XOXO~

I think I am down atleast 2 lbs. I will weigh again next Monday. I started liquids again today, I go for a fill at 2:30 and will remain on liquids all week. Hopefully, I will drop a few more lbs.