nothereanymore

What group of people lose weight the fastest who have had surgery to lose the weight? Its GBS (gastric) pts, they lose it fastest and they take in the least amount of calories. I’m a higher BMI pt, I looked into the programs and chose not to go for GBS since you did take in the least amount of calories and all the other problems that goes along with it. However also please talk to the nutritionist at the OCC, its really important to get her take on your diet and what’s best for us banitos. Unless something’s changed we are suppose to eat 3 small meals a day and no snacks. The healthy way is what Christy states, however you want to be careful about over eating with the band and eating all day to try and get in enough calories. The three meals a day is also a way to break our life long bad eating habits. I lived closest to what lock did, some days more some days less. I rarely ate more and I lost over 100 pounds in a year, the last 30 took another 5 months.

I was generally eating under 1200 calories a day. If you eat three small meals and follow the program as directed, it’s difficult to get in 1200 calories. Think about how much they tell you you can eat – and then total up the calories. I still lost the weight, had some plateaus but the truth is, they don’t last forever. They can’t. You just have to keep working at it, stick to the program, add in exercise and drink plenty of water as directed. At some point you will start losing again. Best, Lisa

I would as well; I just went to a mini HS class reunion to help get ready for our 30th. And everyone was commenting on how I hadn’t changed over the years, how great and healthy I looked. They have no clue of the changes I made with my band, I can’t imaging even wanting to go if I weighed 275 like I use to, I’m now 145 and love the way I look. I’m a totally different person now than I was before my band and I love the new me! OICU812 you rock!

Great job, very professional and you look amazing! Thank you so much for doing this, our band has made such a difference in our lives and you have been such a great spokesperson for it. The video is very honest and it really plays well, I believe you’ll really make a difference in people’s lives when they see this. You should be really proud of this! Lisa

Ouch Kim – I am so sorry!! I had my surgery on Thursday and the drain (one) out on Monday. The drain was the worst part for me! Once the drain was gone it was much easier for me to recover – just dealing with that thing was a pain. Sorry you have it so bad - for me the worst part was the first 3 days. By a week it was much better and back to work in 10 days at a sit down job. Pammie is so right – take it easy and don’t do too much!! It’ll be worth it! Best, Lisa

You could still be swollen due to the flu and PBing, and since you went on liquids which was the right course to follow and you didn’t get better (I go on liquids for 3 days after an episode) I think it might be best to get back to the OCC for a check up and an unfill if it continues much longer. And another note, food goes down better if we are running around, and don’t have stress. So I’m guessing that at your waitress job you have less stress and you run around a lot after eating. Sitting or lying down (for me) does slow down how fast my food drops. I do try to walk after eating and I make sure that I don’t eat or drink (unless it’s clear herbal tea) a couple hours before bed. I don’t like to leave anything in my pouch. Also check out your stress levels at the places that cause you problems eating – it can be really eye opening when we start looking at what causes our bands to close up. Take care, sorry you had to deal with this! Lisa

Sue, the band is pretty fickle and what you're experiencing is what many of us have over the years. I had much of my fill removed and at times I can barely eat - at others times; open game. Everything that Jude mentioned and sometimes if I eat something really salty I’ll retain water and that even affects my band, and if I eat food with MSG. Its such a learning and the advice to go on liquids for a few days is a good one – if you continue to PB without going on liquids to give yourself a break, you'll swell and that's when we get into trouble. Take care! Lisa

Ckiki, That's so cool, that's the attitude that people have who always succeed with their band - congrats and just let it do its job. (Not the snapping part - they gave you great feedback on how to fix that) I still watch people eat and have a hard time remembering when I could eat like that - and I imagine it as a pile in my stomach turning to fat on my body. ICK! Keep up the hard work - you're doing great! Lisa

WOW!!!! I am so proud of you bigali!!! Congrats!!! You have always done so well, and are such a super star!! And everyone is right; those last 15 pounds will come off fast!! Yaaaaa!!! Can you remember when 100 pounds seemed like such a huge obstacle and you wondered if you'd ever make it!! Here you are almost done with your journey!! Congrats again! Lisa *We really need to start the 100 pound club, (and 25, 50 and 75 pound clubs as well)

lock, An un-fill is most likely much cheaper than having your band slip, flying to Mexico and paying Dr. Ortiz to fix it. Sounds like you're in a vicious cycle, I had an un-fill when I reached my goal, and Pammie had an un-fill when she was at her goal and her band tightened as well. Don’t push it, you don’t want to lose your band altogether or get too thin. In addition if you are planning on getting a tummy tuck they don't like to perform them on those who are too thin and aren’t healthy, they can have problems healing. Be careful! (And I'm recommending an un-fill) Lisa

Here's my 2 cents on this, and I'm not trying to disagree - we just have to be careful with work arounds. One thing I want to note, since getting my band one of the things I’ve been focused is living a healthier life and learning more about eating foods that are good for me since we eat so little. If you’re sick I think a saltine is good to ease your stomach, I actually just take my anti nausea medication for this, it’s a chewable and I only take it when feeling sick to my stomach. Starting off with a white carb like that is something we would try not to do. Take 5 crackers, crunch them up and then think of what happens when they get mixed with all of the saliva that is going down to try and push them through your band. Its makes a paste and if you think about it, its most likely not the best thing for us. Plus its a white carb, like white bread, we really try to stay away from those. We really need to start out with protein at each meal. If you throw up at each meal you most likely want to be looked at and discuss with your fill provider. We really shouldn’t try to work around our bands, I’ve seen this before and that can de rail you, we should learn the best way that our band works for us and it is trial and error with fills. Best, and remember, this is just my thoughts on this. Lisa

We’re all different and our bodies react in different manners. I’ve been on the board for a long time and many have an easy ride with the surgery, and many are uncomfortable and have pain and gas longer. It’s really an individual recovery process and 15 days is not much time at all, you had stitches inside you and it takes a while to heal, discomfort would be normal for some who are more focused on their bodies how things feel and those who heal slower. If you’re having serious pain, make sure to follow up with the OCC for help. Best, Lisa

Some have tried eating solids before, anything chunky is considered solids, and some have been fine, others have slipped their bands and lost them. Its not worth it, you can stick to it - the results are amazing!! Go girls, you're on your way to an incredible journey. Just last week I was laying on a beach in Hawaii, wearing a bikini, size 6 bottom, 8 top. 2 years ago if someone told me I would be wearing a bikini on a beach I would have laughed them right out the door, but that was when I was 130 pounds heavier. Keep up the hard work – its so worth it!

I did saline, under the muscle. Since I was going under the muscle and it wasn't going to be felt like it is if it sits on top, I was like - why bother paying extra for the silicone, (and silicone still makes me a bit nervous). And the scars aren't great, I'm like you, my scars are dark and raised; but I'm doing cortisone shots on the bad spots and you can see improvement. Also one note your scars are worse on your back. Since its not like you can’t sit and they get stretched. I really don’t like that so if you can go for a second opinion and see if you can just do a normal tummy tuck I would do that first. And one note, I would much rather have the scars than the other, but if you can do with out the extended try. If the others recommend the extended for you as well, then you’re in the same boat that I was and you most likely need it or it could look bad to stop at the sides. Good luck, and honestly if I could have done all of my surgeries at once I would have rather done it that way. You're in pain, you have to be in bed and not move might as well get it done at one time. Also remember Pammie and I are older, so that does play a part.

Agree, Dr. Nyte doesn't like to do too much together and says no to some of my requests….. (Like doing a lift and inserts at the same time). He also likes you off work and off your feet for 10 days, and he doesn't like you to travel in a plane for 30 days. (But remember each doctor is different and has different guidelines, some others in WA do multiples and will allow you to travel sooner). I have what Dr. Nyte calls an extended tummy tuck, which means the scar doesn't touch but goes all around my back and its 2 inches apart, (pretty much like Dolittles). And I was pretty good by 10 days and back to work with a little discomfort, but doable. (The first 3 to 5 days with the drain was pretty darn painful) The breast lift was pretty easy compared to the tuck and the implants were a breeze for me. Karen, what you’re going to need extra care with is lifting your little one when you come home – you won’t be able to do that for a while and its going to be hard for you! Make sure you have extra help on hand and take extra care! Congrats on your decision!! You’re going to love it! Lisa (Pammie, I’m looking at scheduling my face for March or April with Dr. Nyte – I can’t wait)!!

Add in a good low carb protein shake and change it up - what I mean by that is change the times you drink it. Whenever I'm stuck I do this and it works. Great job, it never lasts forever and you're changing your body shape so don't stop doing it no matter what!! Best, Lisa I'm adding in some more - after traveling for 16 hours yesterday I'm not all that together today. On thing to note, I would often get tight and have problems eating when working out a lot - make sure you're getting enough water to flush out the toxens so you're not retaining water. Also check you're protein shake - some will cause you to bulk up - make sure you're not taking one of those - try to increase you're calories and get to the point were you can eat - we eat very little - 1/2 cup per meal and only 3 per day when we're tight. If you're too tight - check to see if you need an unfill.

I hate how fickle it is, mine got really tight and I couldn't eat much while traveling and I was doing it for the last 20 days. (At least I lost the weight I put on during the Holidays) And I agree the eating out in public can be a pain, and dealing with the questions if people notice that we eat differently. It can change who you are and that can be hard on some of our friends and family. You will most likely change emotionally as you lose the weight. It’s not all about the looks and your health improvements, it changes who you are inside and that can change how you act. Some of your friends may not like the new you, confidence comes out, the ability to say no more often. I’m not the same person now that I was 28 months ago and it was hard on some of my friends. It can be hard on marriages as well, you really have to work to make sure your partner knows you love them, or they can start feeling threatened. If you lose the weight and skin is out of wack you may need plastic surgery – that can be expensive and its not an easy process. I love it too, wouldn't change it for the world.

Oh boy...... Hmmmm, what do you think Chad would do if we started posting our poop pictures like they do on colinix in the gallery....... (for those who don't know me - this is a joke only a joke I promise)

Sue, just so you know, I've been on this board for over 2 years, and I've never seen a newbie get burned. We love everyone to join in. You'll find out the only time we get fired up is if someone is mean or aggressive to someone – and we even try to hold ourselves down from that - the main rule the moderators have is we have to respect each other - now that doesn't mean we can't disagree sometimes - it just means we need to do it with respect. You're doing awesome - please jump in more!! Lisa

Hey AngelaAnn, She said she only went in the AM, she followed her normal morning pattern for poop - but I'd be careful - I hate going in public bathrooms too and I actually have made myself sick before trying to hold it. And when it comes to spewing poo - you just never know...... It could get ugly....

Hello SoCalKid, Nope, I'm not saying that at all, we're just normal people and we can get whatever someone else gets..... What I'm saying is that we really try harder not to throw up - it can cause the band to slip. That's why we take anti nausea meds. Normal protocol for bandsters. But it looks like you read the other post, so you're good to go and know what happens! I'm getting ready for vaca, good luck getting this going again.... Hey and by the way were you banded at the OCC? Lisa

Lori Becky knows how to do this, just give her a call, she'll get the needed tax information to you from the clinic and you submit. (and its just the receipt I think) Its really dependant on how much you earn per year, sometimes you can take some off - sometimes you can't - but everyone should try!

Girl Barb, if you're taking protein, try changing the times you take it. I gain weight and lose all the time - its just part of my life now, and have that extra to lose since the Holidays. Right now I brought up my protein intake, and change when I have it for a meal replacement. (Somedays for breakfast - then another day lunch - then dinner) I found that a lot of it is about fooling our bodies. I'll also really change up my exercise - just at home things right now since we've been snowed in so much. I'm doing yoga, treadmeal and some dancing. (and I change the times I do it just like changing the protein) Its finally coming off again. It always does! This always works for me!

You most likely haven’t stretched it and if you have you they will put you on liquids for a while to see if you can shrink it back down, if not surgery may be required. Only you’re doc will know when he checks you out. The doctor can check your band under fluoroscopy to get a better understanding of your pouch size and make sure that you have accurate fill. (Its carried out in the X-ray department so they can see your pouch and watch the liquids pass through) People get the flu, most of us try hard not too, and in general we’re good about getting flu shots and focus on staying healthy. We also have anti nausea meds with us – I have prescription and OTC ones so I don't throw up. (Ask your doctor – or just search anti nausea medication and you’ll find one online) Where did you get your band?

I would recommend waiting - just because.... you do use your stomach muscles when going.... And do talk to your doctors – some just hate these, especially if you have any medical conditions.