Donna34

My testimonial is missing! I wrote a good one too! It was right after surgery, and fresh on my mind. I told the TRUTH about the whole experience. It was a WONDERFUL trip, and the staff was great, and I'd do it all over again, and Dr. Ortiz is THE BEST. blah blah blah But, my post is GONE.... And yet the negative, nasty, posts from disgruntled people are still here????????? I don't get it! Donna

Hey Janice, Good to hear from you. I don't know if you could call my 2nd fill an actual fill...LOL .08 ccs??? not 0.8, but .08 I'm hoping this one will be worth the trip! I really would like to get about 30 more pounds off by Christmas, don't know if that will be possible, but it sure would be nice! You're the exercise QUEEN! I hate exercise, absolutely DESPISE it! But, I have been trying to walk on the treadmill, and at the park. Talk to you soon! Donna

You'll be happy to know that your heartburn, will get a lot better, if not completely go away, after banding! I thought I'd never be able to give up Cokes. I did, and I honestly don't miss them as bad as I thought I would. You'll be ok! I took a tiny sip of one the other day, just to remember the taste I guess, 4 months after not TOUCHING ONE! It burnt like FIRE going down, and it was then I realized....THESE THINGS CAN'T BE GOOD FOR YOU! Won't touch another one! Donna

This will happen when you get a fill, if you eat too fast, or do not chew enough. Bottom line is...it will happen anytime you eat too fast or don't chew enough! LOL The FEAR FACTOR is what keeps you honest! LOL REmember CHEW CHEW CHEW, small bites, and wait a minute or two in between bites, to make sure you can handle another one! You've now been initiated into the Bandsters club! LOL Donna

Yes, I do believe Tom will be showing up soon. I'm generally VERY RESTRICTED when it's time for him to come around! So, I can only guess I was so HUNGRY the past few days, due to his upcoming arrival as well! LOL #-o Donna

Just DISREGARD everything I said before. My restriction is BACK in full force. Just got some scrambled eggs stuck, and am in pain at this moment. I hope this post shows up. This is my THIRD ATTEMPT! Donna

I don't know what's going on. I've had two fills, as you can see below in my signature. My restriction is TOTALLY GONE. I mean I have no restriction at all, and my weight is creeping back up. I feel like I can eat more now than before I EVER had my 1st fill. Has anyone else experienced this? I know I have a very small fill amount 1.28cc's AFTER 2 fills. I'm scheduled for my 3rd fill on Sept 7th. I'm going to have him pull it all out to see if I have a leak. I'm so paranoid! I was using my AbLounge a few nights ago, and now I'm terrified that I pulled the tube loose from the band, and maybe all my saline leaked out! I guess I'll see that on the fluoro! I do tend to worry a lot! For some of you who have been here before...is this what it feels like when you REALLY need another fill? I was so HUNGRY yesterday, and I pigged out all day! I would have never been able to do that/or want to, after my last fill. I'm just nervous. What do you all think? Donna

Danielle, If you have decided that weightloss surgery is the WAY you want to lose weight, then definitely go through with it. You will not be dissappointed, and Dr. Ortiz, and his staff are the best! If you just decided to do this on a whim, and didn't research the procedure, or really think about the changes you will have to make...maybe you should hold off on it for awhile, and think about it. I was desperate to lose weight, and I'm SO GLAD I had this done, and I'm so glad I had Dr. Ortiz to do it! As for the last thing you said, about posting this on other forums....I really wish you hadn't done that. People who go to MX for surgery, and the MX doctors that DO lap bands always get such a bad rap, from people on these other forums. They really tend to bash anyone who goes to MX for surgery. You will see after you have the surgery. And for a patient to be upset about things involving their decision to go to MX....well, that just adds fuel to their fires. I'm certain that you will be pleased with your trip, and surgery, and the staff there as well. Try not to worry, and just relax. It will all be OK. We'll be here for you! Donna

Don't worry, you will know everyone REALLY well, before you leave! They will become your band sisters/brothers! You will all be together all the time. It will be lot's of fun! Let us know how it went! Donna

Hi, and welcome! I know what you mean, I wore out Dr. Ortiz' book too. I still read it a lot. It's a great resource! You will not be dissapointed that you chose Dr. Ortiz, he is great, and his staff is too! You will enjoy your experience! I can't imagine being a military mom! GOD BLESS YOUR SON FOR DEFENDING OUR COUNTRY! I will pray for his safe and speedy return! Good Luck with your band! Check in often! Donna

I don't have any of these diseases, but I can only imagine that weightloss would HELP the problems, not hurt. Your first step would be to decide if you REALLY want a band, secondly, choose a doctor. I can tell you from experience that Dr. Ortiz is AWESOME! Then go from there. If you choose Dr. Ortiz, give Carolynn or Lori a call, and they will give you all the information you need. NO PRESSURE AT ALL. They will not try to talk you into anything, they are very helpful. You should be able to find out pretty quickly if Dr. Ortiz would be willing to operate with your conditions. I can't speak for everyone, but I think the average weightloss is 60% of your excess weight the first year, although I know many who have lost 100 or more the first year, and were at goal. It just depends on how motivated you are. My cousin has had her band for a year and a half, and has lost 80 pounds. She wasn't planning on losing that much. She weighs less than she did in highschool, and looks great! She didn't exercise, or anything, and she ate whatever she wanted. BUT, it does help to exercise, and make healthy food choices! Good Luck with your decision! Donna

Mine have been extremely crazy since getting banded! Sometimes I skip, and it shows up 2 weeks later. It ends and starts again. Crazy! But that is normal with surgery. Everytime I've had surgery, I've had the same thing going on. My last two fills were probably not the best due to the erratic starting, RIGHT beforemy fill. I have to try to GUESS when it's NOT going to happen, and that doesn't work most of the time! LOL Donna

Hi Lynn, I hope I get to go with you, but it's not looking too good right now. You will LOVE Dr. Vitello! He's GREAT. He's very nice, and he does a great job. Have you had a fill yet, or will this be your first? I thought it was cool because I got to see EVERYTHING. I felt like I was gonna PB, and I could see what my pouch was doing at the same time. Kinda strange. You'll like him, he's great! You two, don't wait for me if you get a suitable date. Go ahead and go. I think Dave said you were really in need of a fill. I'd hate for you guys to reschedule because of me. Maybe I can catch up with ya for the next fill, if there is one! LOL Donna

Hey Sis! I'm finally down 36 pounds! YAAAYYY Sounds like you are doing really good too. Especially with the exercise! I know that you are glad that your kitchen is almost done! I'm going back for another fill around the first week of Sept. I think this one will find my "sweet spot." I hope so anyway! I'm still at 1.08 cc's. Maybe I'll get a good one this time. Talk to you soon! Donna

Hi again! Do you want to know what my first solid meal was???? LOL This is bad, I know...PIZZA. Yep, we were out on the town, and my hubby decided to take us to the Pizza Ranch. I thought well, I can have some mashed potatoes/gravy, or something else soft. The potatoes went down just fine, and that pizza was staring me in the face!! Well, I did it! But, I chewed that pizza so much that I wasn't able to eat much at all, because my jaw was so tired! So, don't deprive yourself TOO much! You are probably like I was though. I didn't want to gain an ounce before my fill. Miraculously I DIDN'T. I ate what I wanted too! Yes, walking is my exercise of choice, and I agree it is ENTIRELY too hot. I know that's no excuse when I have a treadmill downstairs, but oh well. I'm gonna TRY my best to do better! LOL Donna

One more thing, if you'd like to compare notes, (which is really discouraged) LOL You can check out my blog. I try to keep it up to date, and it kinda shows the timeline of my weightloss. If you're interested... www.lapbandforlife.blogspot.com Donna

Sounds like you are doing pretty good! My goal is DEFINITELY to get under 200 in the next few months! I can't WAIT to be 199!! I guess that will be my day of victory. I'll do a happy dance FOR SURE! I haven't weighed that since before my daughter was born 6 years ago! What kind of foods do I eat? Well....I know I should eat better, but I want to eat normally too, not feel like I'm on a diet. I got this band so I wouldn't have to diet! LOL I eat pretty much whatever I want. I don't buy cookies, chips, or cakes. Those things go down VERY EASILY, so I don't let them come in my house. For the most part, if I fix spaghetti for the family, I have spaghetti. If we order pizza, I have pizza. I have added more salads though. They go down really well too, so I try not to add too much junk to them. My biggest downfall is EXERCISE. I have always hated it. I know I'd probably lose faster if I exercised more, but I guess I'm just LAZY. I try to walk about 3 times a week. So, most likely your loss will be faster than mine! My cousin had this surgery almost 2 years ago. She lost VERY slow in the begining. SHe told me, she was going to be the ONLY person who couldn't lose weight after weightloss surgery! LOL After her 3rd fill, she took off! THe weight just started falling off. She weighs less than the goal weight she set for herself, and is still losing! She's JUST like me, we could be sisters! She didn't do a lot of exercise either, and she never stopped eating the foods she loved. AND, she didn't limit the chips. SHe loves chips, and says she ate WAY too many. Nonetheless, she lost 80 pounds the first year! So, I'm just looking forward to hitting my sweet spot! Donna

I FINALLY got some of the DVD projects completed, so I have a little time left to breathe once again! My weightloss has slowed to a CRAWL. I think I lost 2 pounds last month. Yeah, REALLY crawling! I know I probably need a fill, but I'm trying to hold off until Sept. Last time I only got .08 cc's and it's just too expensive to drive that far, and pay that much for a fill that small. So, I'm hoping that this next time I will get a decent amount, and will FINALLY be at my sweet spot. How awesome THAT would be!! So, let's hear it! How are the rest of you losers? I'm anxious to hear how much you've lost since I've been gone! Donna

Hi Lisa, I feel your frustration!! I had surgery April 3rd. My highest weight was 247, my pre-op weight was 234, and TODAY I weigh 212!!! Well, I was going to say I KNOW how you feel, but actually you are behaving much better than I am.LOL I'm not making the BEST food choices. I eat what I want, except I try to avoid buying cookies, chips, and other junk type food that goes down ALL TOO EASILY. ANd as far as exercise goes, sometimes I do, and most times I don't. I know, shame on me! At first I WORKED really hard at it, and then I said, ya, know this is gonna take awhile. So, I just kinda relaxed. Now the weight is DEFINITLEY coming off slow, but it is coming off. I KNOW I need another fill though, but I'm trying to wait until Sept. I'm hoping this next one will make ALL the difference in the world. My cousin was lower bmi, and lost all her weight in a year. Total of 80 pounds, which was MORE than she planned to lose! She didn't do anything major either. Ate what she wanted, and walked some. She lost REAL slow in the beginning, and stressed JUST like we are now. Then after fill #3 she started losing like a madwoman! LOL I'm not saying to stop what you are doing. YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING!! LOL I need to get in gear. Anyway, maybe the exercise is building muscle, and we all know that muscle weighs more than fat. I'm guessing you are still noticing a big difference in your clothes! Hang in there! We'll get there eventually! Donna BTW Fur Elie I KNOW what you mean about TOM. I can't hardly drink a glass of milk when he comes around! Restriction x 10. I guess that's a good thing though, cause that's when I USUALLY tear the house down looking for junk food! Not anymore! LOL

I see Dr. Vitello too! He's GREAT! You'll love him! Donna

I know....frustrating isn't it??? This fill was a good fill, and I do still have some restriction, but I'm just losing SO SLOWLY. Maybe 1 or 1 1/2 lbs. a week. I know that's how we are SUPPOSED to lose weight, but it's just excruciatingly slow! I'm definitely NOT at my sweet spot. After my cousins surgery, she went for maybe 6 months where it seemed her weightloss just creeped along, then BAM! After she finally got to the sweetspot, she took off! Or I guess I should say the WEIGHT took off! She went from 220 down to 133, and looks great. She never thought she would lose that much because she hadn't weighed that since highschool, but she did! Her goal was 150, but I guess she'll just have to live with 133. Must be nice! We'll get there eventually! Donna

Hmmmm, I'm not saying you are wrong, but that sounds very strange to me. Maybe a different syringe? I know when my cousin had her fills some of them were 1.07, or .06. She uses a US doctor too. Or perhaps he is guesstimating?? (my doctor that is) He said "I'm going to take out just a tiny drop more." So maybe he was just guessing at how much he actually took out? I don't know. I do know that his fills work like a charm, and I haven't been overtightened, or undertightened yet. I read about your trip. Wow, that's a bummer! I can imagine how it would have been to have gotten poked that many times in the same spot! OUCH! My first poke was a little more painful than I expected. I can't imagine 4!! Dr. Vitello did say the same thing they told you. He said "Fills are not an exact science, it's more like an art!" How's your restriction now? Donna

Pammie, I ended up going to Dr. Vitello in Chicago. He is GREAT, love him to death. I get to see everything he does, fluoro, barium going down everything! He is very much determined to get it JUST right. I'm glad I found him! Angelav, Yes, 1.28cc's is the total amount in my band at this time. I've had 2 fills so far. I have a 4cc band! Donna

Hey, I'm a cosmetologist, so I have had this question asked a MILLION times! LOL Yes, this is normal. There are several things that can be the culprit. First of all the surgery, any time you have general anesthesia, you can experience hair loss. My hair fell out like crazy after gall bladder surgery! It can also be caused by rapid weight loss, caused by sickness, liquid diets, stress, etc. And, finally it can just be a phase. Typically a person sheds 80 hairs a day, however during the Tellagin stage, your hair sheds more rapidly, like 120-150 hairs a day. This makes it much more noticeable. However this is a NORMAL cycle. First thing first....DO NOT PANIC, IT WILL COME BACK. In fact as you are losing it new hairs are replacing the fallen ones. Secondly....Do not go out and spend a fortune on products promising to stop, or treat hair loss. Remember this is a phase, and will correct itself. You will just be wasting your money. I did a liquid diet a few years ago, similar to optifast. I lost 36 pounds, and my hair started falling out like CRAZY. I mean I would have a HANDFUL of hair, everytime I took a shower. Anyway, the diet led to gallstones, which led to surgery, which led to MORE hairloss. I literally thought I was going to be BALD. I gave myself a good all over trim, and just waited. After about a month it completely stopped. A few weeks later, my hair felt just as thick as it ever had. So, don't worry, you'll be fine. Donna

You SHOULDN'T be feeling any restriction right now, if you are on liquids. Liquids pass just fine. You MAY or MAY NOT have restriction after you start solids. Some people DO, but a LOT of people don't! So, when you do start solids, be CAREFUL, but don't be upset if you have no restriction. Make sure you CHEW like crazy, before you swallow any solid food! You can get a fill anywhere from 6-8 weeks, or LONGER after being banded. Some of the LUCKY ones may not need a fill for 3 or 4 months. You will know, if you can still eat everything with no problem, you need a fill. My suggestions about getting a fill... I was unable to go back to TJ for my fills, so I found a local doctor that did fills for MX banded patients. It took a lot of calling, and checking, but it was worth it. Choose a doctor that uses FLUORO. I like to see how fast or slow the barium passes through the stoma, and you DR can determine by the timing, how much he needs to add, or subtract. Don't panic! I think everyone kindo feels a little nervous after surgery. There's nothing to it. As far as the enery thing, I agree with Pammie....add more protein! Good Luck, Donna