nothereanymore

Sorry, no more posts from Lisa.

That's great - it’s just taking that step - and finding a program that works for you. Onvo worked for me, because it was education and support. I needed to learn about food and exercise and come to an understanding of how and why I was using it. It should be used in a good way, to help us live better - healthier lives. Before I was using it as a crutch, abusing it as we do drugs and hurting my body, as well as my spirit. I don't care what anyone says, I believe it’s horrible to be obese, we miss out so much in life and die young. We also burden others with our higher costs in the health care as we age and they have to deal with our medical issues. In addition I hid myself and I know others do this as well, we don't fully live life and make excuses not to go out to functions when we know we'll be seen or can't fit in chairs, rides or whatever. And I know that not everyone is like this, but many are and it’s so sad. I hope that we all reach our goals, and focus on living life to the fullest, just get out there and do it. When I was still big and finally came to the realization that I was going to succeed (we need to do that as well) I bought a tiny sports car I could barely fit in. I made myself get out and start living and acting like a smaller person. I then became that person with work, but food is not the end all to me now (OK I still love my sweets from time to time and don't deny myself) it is the fuel that allows me to live life to the fullest and enjoy and the band is something that helps me manage it.

The first step is just a baby step, looking yourself in the mirror and telling yourself you love yourself. Your important enough and strong enough to work this dam band :-)

Much love,

Lisa ~ 140 pounds lost, a new life gained.

Hello,

Banded 10/6/06

High – 275

Current – 133

It’s a great tool, I'm thankful for it every day. But it’s a tool, I work hard, workout and make sure I watch what I eat and drink. I’ve very rarely gain too much weight – I go up and down about 5 pounds on average and just get that it is what it is and don’t worry about it.

I’ve had an extended tummy tuck – lippo, breast lift and augmentation. Face lift and going in for something else in March.

I do things now on a daily bases that I use to just dream about doing. :-) The best decision I ever made. It gave me a great life and most likely added years onto my life - happy ones.

Don't test it - don't even let yourself eat like normal. This is your time to get ready and train yourself for restriction. I know its hard - anything good is always hard. So start measuring your food - eat your protein first and eat slow - chew every bite 30 times. Then go to veggies, fruit and carbs if you have room.

Pretend you have restriction, you will find you should eat less - you should have shrunk your stomach but you can stretch it out fast if you aren't careful.

Good luck, work hard and make sure you start moving your body in exercise while still staying away from your core.

Lisa

Good luck, I'm going to be honest - we all own our success or failure - not the band - it’s a tool and we need to use it and own up to how we use it. That's the hardest thing to do. If its too high up I get it, but I'm surprised you didn't go back to the OCC for assistance ealier when it wasn't working.

Just like the barbell sitting at my desk, if I don't use it correctly (Or even pick it up and use it) it does me no good. If its broken and not working - I'm going in for help - but I also know that I'd most likely get a second opinion, I never do just one. (I've had too many doctors tell me one thing - then another say something else).

(One quick note - the most successful bandies from our group stay active on the forum, they come here for help and support).

You have to work it, and work it as hard as you can. I lost over 140 pounds, and I worked my ass off and I continue to do it on a daily bases. That's what it takes to be successful. Doctors will tell you different things, I really wish you'd gone back to the OCC if thats where you went originally - have it looked at and get their opinion. I'll be honest - early on if I had you close I'd most likely get you into a fill center often- get a good fill for you - have you attend classes on healthy eating and get you working out. I'm sorry when people tell me they are working hard, eating small amounts and exercising and you can't see then losing weight or changing their bodies - I'm going to be honest - you aren't. It’s hard to hear but you can't cut down on eating and add in exercise into your life and not change your body - it’s not possible.

If you try something like this again – get active in the support system – you haven’t been and that was your first fatal flaw. You'll spot trouble faster. Second – I drove 4 hours to get my band filled – had the big one and had 10 fills – I didn’t care what it was going to take I was going to make this work – and I did. I got into eating healthy – realized the band was a tool and I needed to change my life – I then started exercising and do it almost daily. Don't wait years to see success - we know based on feedback from this forum how the succesful people live and their timelimes of success.

You want something bad enough you’re going to succeed – nothing is guaranteed in life. I changed mine – been very athletic and healthy for years now, but it’s my success – the band helped a little but I did all the hard work and it paid off. I can tell I’m not going to go back to being morbidly obese, my life is not the same. I’m living now and will never give up, the band was the tool that it took for me to get here.

I understand your frustration, but I'd tell you to go to the mirrow and look straight at yourself and get that you own it. Not to look back and feel bad - but to go forward and become succesful with whatever method you chose.

Take care, I wish you the best.

Lisa

It’s not something you want to do. I have anti nausea pills in case I ever get sick.

Have I ever thrown up – yes – (I can't tell you where it comes from...) but there’s always a chance you can slip your band if you throw up hard. We generally work hard not to.

How do you do that? You stay away from sick people – wash your hands often – and keep anti nausea medication on hand. I have some at home – at the office and in my purse. You never know – and they do work. If you ask your doctor for a prescription, they will most likely give you one. Over the counter anti nausea works too.

Smile, you're OK. We all have our little bumps in the road. Great recognizing this and getting back on the "band" wagon!

You'll do fine - just follow the program you're on now and keep up the hard work - its not a diet, this is a lifelong commitment and we have to learn how to incorporate these changes in our lives so that they will stick - forever. That's the hard part, not loosing the weight but learning how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and that takes commitment and time. And we're all going to blow it from time to time - so we have to have forgiveness for ourselves and love - otherwise we delve into that dark realm of continued failure - and that's no fun.

Have fun with your new plan!

So I'm finally feeling really good, wish I could go exercise but its too soon. I miss that more than anything. Its not just the fact that it keeps me tone and in shape - I've very addicted to the endorphins. The surgery went really well, it lasted longer than originally thought. I was in at 7:30am and my friend was called at 4:00pm to pick me up, and they were still putting on my blue peel at that time.

I went to a doctor that specializes in faces, (is great in other areas too) but Dr. George Marosan was someone that was known for his atistry in the face. Which means he looks at your face and tries to bring the true you through the use of cosmetic surgery. At only 9 days out, I can already see that its going to be amazing. Its kind of scary. My face before I became morbidly obese was always heart-shaped. When I gained the 140 pounds it was pretty much just a big pumpkin..... As I lost the weight the skin went down and caused it to be oblong because of my hanging neck and jowls, most didn't see it or recognize what it was - I did and it really bothered me. Its nice to have it back to being heart shaped again.

His consultation was amazing, he really explained things to me - set a list of items out there and I could take what I wanted - I was lucky that I was able to take all of them, from the face lift - lower eyes, fat grafts and peel. However I look very young. I turn 49 this month, ran out to wholefoods, grabbed a bottle of wine - got carded and the guys face dropped when he read my age (the avatar picture is right when I came back from the store). So he may have done his job a little bit too good. :-)

http://www.bellevueplasticsurgeons.com/

If anyone in the greater Seattle are is looking to have some work done, I highly recommend him. Take a look at my pictures, I'll be putting his before shots up, I saw them yesterday, and it was kind of painful - like when I took a look at my before pictures of my tummy. Its hard to look at something like that and realize its you. You just can't fix lose skin without surgery, that's all there is too it.

Hope everyone is doing well.

I'll update and create an area focused on my PS soon.

Best,

Lisa

Congrats, you rock girl! I love watching your progress - you are doing great! You lost over 70 pounds the first year - (that matches my weight loss too)!

Go sister!

I did great, recovery time - happy so far, but its pretty early, lots of bruising and swelling right now.

Thank you!

So on Thursday I have my facelift, lower eye lift, fat grafts and a blue peel. Looks like it takes about 6 hours. I arrive to the surgery center at 7:30 and I'm picked up between 2:30 and 3:00. I'm so excited to have this ugly neck done. My face isn't too bad, its the chin that gets me, and you can really see it from the side. The lower eyes are because when they do the new facelift it pulls the face up so they do the eyes at the same time. Fat grafts in the places that have sunken (I have those) and a blue peel to get rid of the fine lines and pigmentation. This is my fourth procedure - I'm not too worried, kind of get the drill by now. I'm more focused on getting my sleep, exercise and eating right so it all goes well. I'm in a bit of a down mood, broke up with this guy I was seeing - I have a problem getting really close to people these days.

When I was going through my weight loss, I would yell from the highest mountain and tell everyone about it. That's stopped, it does come out from time to time - and I'm not trying to hide it, just don't want it to be such a big part of my life - I want it to be my past and just part of who I am. I have a close guy friend and we actually dated, but as usual I broke it off - the only difference is we became great friends and I told him everything. He's picking me up and taking care of me after the surgery and gave me a great example of what my weight loss is. He said that it was like someone who use to smoke and stopped, you had a bad habit, you broke and your on your way to a healthier life. Its not something I have to tell everyone about (do I tell everyone I use to sneak ciggies and smoke) no I don't, its a part of my past.

So besides the facelift and such - I'm kind of thinking of this as a new beginning. This is the first surgery that I've had that is out there and public..... I'm just going for it, I don't care about my past, love it - hug it, but it doesn't shape me - my future does. This procedure is going to change how I look, I'm beautiful now, I'll be beautiful once its done, just something I don't like will be gone and I'll have a bit of a tune up :-)

All of these little changes don't change the core of who I am, I'm still Lisa, just a little bit more confidant and happy. I have to honestly say I like myself. When I look in the mirror, the person who looks back at me, fits how I feel I should look. When I move now and I'm very atheletic - that fits how I feel I should have always been.

Thank you all, love you and I'll let you know how it goes. I can't be on the computar for 6 days after surgery - have to stay off and no talking so see you on the other side.

Lisa

Ahhh, I'm sorry - its hard sometimes. Its easy to hate something when it hurts us or causes issues. But I think you can turn this around and make it work for you. Keep the band at a cc that is comfortable, allows you to learn how to eat less and learn to love it again. Also make sure you are exercising - it's only part of the success - we are the key to the bands success - not the band. Learn about food, I had to go to classes to learn how to eat foods that where good for me.

You're beautiful and smart - you can make this work!

Congrats on getting Married - lucky guy!

Lisa

Try going back on a pure liquid diet for a week. I know its hard and it sucks but if you haven't slipped it, but you have some swelling going on it may take care of it. If it doesn't work - go in and have it checked. Pretty much the rule is if you can't get anything down (liquids) you may have a slip. But I've done what you're doing - had problems where it comes and goes. That generally tells me I need to slow down, go on liquids, look at my life and how/what I'm eating and examine what I'm doing. Its always has worked for me. I pretty much know my band killers, stress, salt, not chewing - eating to fast - too much and PBing.

Take care and keep in touch.

Lisa

It almost sounds as if you have some swelling going on. If you're tighter now without a fill - you have to think why? Are you eating more salty foods, under stress - have you been throwing up more, start writing down things that are happening so you have an understanding of why this is happening. It could also be that you changed the way you eat - are you eating your protein first and not chewing as good.

The alcohol thing is differant - its a liquid, it should go down easy so its upsetting your stomach, make sure you aren't drinking on an empty stomach - eat a little cracker then try a little drink - see what happens.

You just have some differant issues. I would take a look at yourself - and if you can't figure it out on your own go in and have it looked out to make sure you haven't had any issues.

Take care - and good luck!

Lisa

I didn't have one, and glad about that. My band got a little tight (I think it was due to all the saline they pumped into me) but I was eating soup and protein shakes anyway. It settled back down and I didn't gain any weight throughout my surgeries. (I've had three so far - going in for my facelift on the 28th and don't plan on an unfill)

Good luck, you'll love it! And I wish I moved my port - that's my only regret!

Lisa

Food becomes your fuel, if you work your band right. I can't tell the life changes for me. Its been amazing - I kind of had to put my head down for a minute as I was writting this because its so emotional for me. I have a life now and remember when I too couldn't ride the roller coaster or do the zip line. I have a friend who has only known me since I've been thin, I told her my story on the 4th and how I lost over 140 pounds and she didn't believe me. I keep an old picture of me in my phone and showed it to her. She looked at me and started crying. She can't see me like that - I sometimes still see me as big Lisa and it does cause me to be a little bit shy.

I run, jump, play - I'm seen as a leader - I'm proud of my body and have fun and laugh all the time. I live life to the fullest. That's hard to do when you're as big as I was.

I don't eat for emotions, I've learned how to manage my food, I do enjoy it but enjoy a bike ride or running down to park more. I'm strong, beautiful, athletic and confidant.

I'm Lisa and I'm living life as hard and with as much joy as I can. I could not say that before my band.

Good luck!

I'll go, where do you sign up?

I agree with Elia, the band is a tool, we use it right - or we loose it. (right)....

I'm very aware of the issues and watch what happened to others and kind of set my own track. I lost over 140 pounds and I've had my band for almost 5 years. One of the keys steps I took is focus on teaching myself how to eat RIGHT. Not just in small portions, but what to eat. I went to classes, and retrained my mind on food. I eat mainly organic, and focus on healthy foods. I also exercise, almost daily - 5 to 7 workouts a week. And they are good ones, hard - I push myself. I think the main thing I hear when people see me in my workout clothes is they don't believe I was ever fat. I think much has to do with my intake of food, (the kind of food) and exercise along with water and suppliments.

You have to use the band as an opportunity to retrain yourself - if you have it, and keep doing the same habits you're not using it at its optimum. Its too easy to fall back into the old habits if you haven't created new ones, and that can lead to failure. We're all human it can happen to the best of us.

I have the fluid removed from my band so I can eat more - I need to now since I am finally eating right, and exercising. Otherwise I get too thin.

Its a tool, but its the best dam tool I've ever had in the fight over obesity.

Much love,

Lisa

Kristi,

Congrats, you are so amazing and beautiful!

Watching your journey was just like watching a little butterfly coming out of its cocoon, your transformation has been fun to watch and participate in by reading your posts!

You are such an inspiration to us all - thank you for always being here for us! You always support in a positive way and share your successes to help others, you are so giving with your love and assistance!

All the best on the rest of your journey!

Lisa

I love yoga, but you use your core and I was told to stay away from core for 30 days. So use caution - you don't want to mess up your band and move too fast. I would wait, and I agree walking, exercise where you don't use core is great. Make sure you've given yourself some time to heal. (Today is the first day of the rest of your life - so you do have time).

Congrats Linda!! You are so beautiful and amazing! You look like you are in your 30's not 50! I want to come fly with you!

I have one regret - got mine in 2006 - wish I'd done it sooner!!!!

Hey Everyone!

I'm flying out to Vegas on April 9th - will be there till the 13th. If anyone else is there at the same time, and/or knows anything fun to do - cool shows, some great bands (I love live music/dancing). Where can I take my BF and have some fun! (Or if you're a local and know how to get those cool passes that get you in places...) ;-) Please let me know!

I am sooooo looking forward to a vacation! And I'd love to meet up on the side with some of my Banditas! Makes it all the more special!

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Unless of course we decide to post on the forum.......

Lisa

Here's my take on it - I know that I was building scar tissue around the port - why wouldn't we build scar tissue around the band? That would add tissue around it - thus causing it to tighted without a fill - since we all are seeing this over time and its a normal part of what our bodies do - it just kind of makes sense to me.....

Hi Carrie,

Welcome back! You'll do just fine - you know what you need to do to succeed - you already did it not that long ago. Its just normal life to have little set-backs - the goal is too not let them turn into big ones. So jumping back in for support and guidance is the right thing to do. For me ~ since like you I know what it takes to succeed - the magic is waking up that one day and making that long term commitment to fix it. For us now its realistically only 90 days of hard work (so short in the scheme of life), but then a lifetime of little long term changes. Whether its getting up 30 minutes earlier and doing a fast at home workout. Or forgoing that evening drink/treat and only having them on the weekends. Or both it we're rock stars!

I've been traveling a lot lately and added 7 pounds just because of that - I got off my schedule and it puts my body in havoc. I know what it is and I don't sweat it, its part of life - I just jump back into my normal routine and work it off. It normally only takes me a couple of weeks to get back on track and then I'm back to working so I don't get too thin! (Feast or famine - I'm telling ya). The body is a strange thing.......

Take care, its great to see you! Just join in, we'll do it together we both have a little bit of work to do!

Love ya!

Lisa