LisaVA

Hi, AngelaV !!!! Its Lisa !! We were banded the same day -- You look GREAT !!! Congratulations !!! =D> I, too, should be where you are, but didnt work it the way I should -- I'm back on track and losing again -- the best news (for me) is that while I was "off the reservation" I didnt gain any weight !! Thats a first for me -- so I'm quite happy ! Only had that one fill about 7 weeks after surgery - but now have another scheduled at the end of April -- so I'm hopeful that by June I should be where I want to be -- and I'm giving myself plenty of time. I'm so happy for you !!!! take good care -- its wonderful to "see" you again !!! Lisa >

Rock on, Kym !!! You look FANTASTIC !!!!! Good for you !!!!!!!!! =D> =D> LT

Hi, Mandee ! I did this completely by myself and its been great ! The scarring is very minimal (after 10 months all of the little ones are almost completely gone and the biggest one (about 1/2 inch) is getting there - I think it will be completely gone in the next 6 months or so. You will not find greater care anywhere - the folks at OCC are hands down the most caring, knowledgeable people. It was a wonderful experience. I have not followed all of the rules so my results are not typical. I am "back on the wagon" and am doing very well. But here's the silver lining: While I wasnt doing the right thing? I didnt gain ANY weight -- I just didnt lose a lot ! That has never happened to me before (before banding, I gained and lost the same 100 pounds about 5 times). So I should be much further along than I am - but I'm still losing -- its wonderful ! Its NOT a magic answer, not a silver bullet, its a great TOOL. It will help you. Best of luck ! Lisa

Hi, Judy ! Have you tried oatmeal ? (the 5 minute kind, not the quickie) Its really good for you --- you may just have to eat it slowly -- and I've never been able to eat breakfast (pre and post banding) until I'm up for at least 2 hours -- usually 3. Curves also has a new cereal out and its pretty good. Best of luck to you !!! (and there's NOTHING stupid about you, so knock that off) Lisa

Hey Judy -- dont you think you've beaten yourself up enough ?? Would you treat your friends this way ? (NO). Take it one day at a time for right now - Lori is right - keep a food diary -- it helps! I was banded last April - had a fill in May - and have good restriction - but I didnt do all the right things -- I was lucky - in that when I finally got my head on straight again - I hadnt gained anything - and was still 22 pounds down from surgery weight -- BUT. If I hadnt farted around (scuse me) - I'd be at goal by now -- I can see my first bandiversary for goodness sakes ! Anyway -- I'm "back on the wagon" and doing pretty well (I can see it in my body and my clothes - I don't weigh because the #'s make me crazy) == Anyway, I, too, am a self-basher and I'm here to tell you that if it worked, I'd have been thin a very very long time ago. It doesnt. It serves NO good purpose. Whenever I start in on myself I make myself stop. Really -- you must treat yourself as well as you treat your friends and loved ones. Its really important - and tough !! But you can do it -- you've done far harder things, my friend. Every day is be good and kind to Judy day !!!!!!! Take good care --- Lisa

Thanks, Donna -- I think the best thing for me was to stop weighing myself -- I was doing it weekly because I'm on a team at work and you need to - so now I'm just moving it down a pound every 2 weeks or so -- I think I just need to get thru the worst of this stressful life (moving in 2 weeks- wahoo !!!), then I can at least rest and have rest- ful time when I'm home -- I really really appreciate the support !! Take great care !!! Lisa

Ladies -- I totally understand the TOM thing - altho I traded in my TOM for a hysterectomy 2 years ago (yes, that IS the Hallelujah chorus you hear !!) but if I hadn't, I think I'd be there too - I used to bloat up like crazy! Sorry guys -- I have come to the conclusion that I need another fill, or at least "topped off" ! I'm very very busy at work and don't know if I can sneak off from DC to TJ just now --- I'm also personally moving, so I should lose a little weight pulling out all of my hair. Thanks for all the feedback, guys and gals !!! Its great to be in this company of experts !!!

YOU ROCK, ANGELA !!! Congratulations !!!!! xoxoxoxoxox Lisa

Good for you, KYWoman !! Isnt it a very pleasant experience ? Take very good care and be sure to follow all the rules ! Don't forget to walk walk walk then walk some more!!!! Good luck !!

Hi, Pam ! Thank you so much !!! Dr Martinez did tell me that he wanted me to wait at least 2 months to "live" with this fill but honestly, I can almost eat anything. I have not been losing weight, and I've exercised non stop (daily) from June 22 to yesterday (took 2 days off). I'm eating 85% well, and when I "cheat", its with stuff like salad dressing - fattening in some respects, but I still think something should be happening !!! I'll try and schedule a trip back -- its a long way - but this is important. thank you so much for your reply. It really has helped ! lisa

Well, I took 2 days off. I had to travel for work and got to the hotel at midnight, asleep by 2, up by 6, 12 hour meeting, 2 hour dinner meeting, then just slept in this morning -- so I'll jump back into the exercise every day tomorrow. hoping the break in all facets of schedule makes the scale MOVE! How is everyone else doing ??

Congratulations !!!!! Take that hill !!!!! I think you should play queen of the hill several times a week!

Wow. What a story ! I am SO sorry for your "loss". I think I know how I'd feel if it happened to me, so I think I can appreciate what happened to you. (and you tell it well!) Congratulations for going the extra 15 pounds and exceeding your goal ! that shows real chuzpah !! I'd like to think that I'd do the same, but sometimes I get sidetracked by the smallest of pebbles! Thank you for telling your story ~ you're very brave!! Take very good care ! Lisa =D>

Hey Baby - be careful in this heat, ok ?? I used to play racquetball and LOVED it !!! Wouldnt do that to my knees just yet -- that will have to wait about 50 pounds ! Take care, Angela !!! Lisa >

hey TimS - how's it going ?? You should be 5 days post op -- how are you feeling ? are you walking a lot ??? Let us know ---

Hey JJ - Hows it going now ???

Hey, Pammie! I can't imagine having kids !!! I'm too busy and can't do everything I need to do - if I had kids that would be a completely different life !! I'm just immersed in work (a project I've been anticipating for 10 years, so its not like I didnt know it was coming !) And I'm personally moving - so its just been work, pack, work, pack, pack, work. Tomorrow is the only day I dont have to get up at either 4 or 5:30 -- I'm so excited its pathetic !!! I'm just trying to get the scale to move -- its seriously stuck ! :-? Thanks for the encouragement !! Have a great summer !! Lisa

Thanks! No, it was a perfectly reasonable answer ! I thought the PB'ing was under control and it happened again 2 nights ago. I know I need to slow down - my life is insane and thats not going to change any time soon. A lot of times I'm going Mach II with my hair on fire, and I find it hard to slow down when I'm eating. Its been more of a struggle than I thought it would. I'll continue to eat well, and exercise, and reassess -- Thanks a lot, Clynn !! I appreciate the encouragement !! >

Hello, everyone! I was banded April 9th, and had my first fill May 25th - 1.7cc's. I'm trying to determine if I need another fill or if I'm just being impatient with the process. I am eating very very well - mostly chicken, fish, vegetables and fruit, with oatmeal for breakfast. I had a hard time adjusting after my fill, and PB'ng is a huge issue -- mostly because I cannot always remember to "chew to goo". I'm getting better - but chicken, especially, must be mega=chewed. I have exercised every day since June 22nd - and I drink between 80-90 ozs of water a day. I am physically smaller, and am much tighter = but the scale will NOT move. In fact, it has not moved in 3 weeks. I weighed 241 at decision time, 228 at surgery time, and for the last 3 weeks, still weigh 215. I accept that I am building muscle and that it weighs more than fat, but at some point, the scale's gotta move down! So I'm really really frustrated. I also can eat a whole chicken breast (a big one). So. Should I just keep plugging away, or should I get another fill ? Thanks in advance -- it helps just to be able to "talk" to people who understand. Lisa

Hey HOUSECATGIRL - how ya doing ?? your surgery was 6 days ago -- how ya doing ??? How do they look ???

Hey, Kansas - yes, it feels funny, but you're feeling the gas they used in the surgery and it wont come up by burping == walking walking walking will help it tremendously !!! It goes away - - - Congrats on your band ! Take care -- Lisa

for me it was about 2-3 full weeks before I could take a really big, deep breath. It comes back --

I just got the LiquidMAX vitamins from Costco - on line - and they are delicious!! Holey moley ! I dont need to hide them, dilute them or anything -- they taste great !!! Lisa

Hey, Mikey - good for you ! As I understand it, the more you lose up front, the more pliable and smaller your liver is - and that is much safer for you during the surgery. I'm with you - I can LOSE weight - in fact, I'm a pro ! But I gain it all back again and THATS why I wanted this band --you'll get there -- and won't look back -- it truly is a journey. Best of luck to you -- keep us posted ! =D> Lisa

Sister you are on the cusp of weighing 1xx pounds !!! How exciting is that ???? The big buzz about 10,000 steps is that it is roughly equal to 5 miles. So you are obviously doing that every day at work -- how about something completely different on days off ? Do you swim ?? Thats great exercise and very refreshing. I do a video tape in my living room every morning. Its THE FIRM, and it works for me.....I've done it every day since June 22nd and havent missed one yet! {I'm one of those all or nothing people - I wish I werent, but I'm unable to change that!} Best of luck to you !! BTW, I was miserable the first 2-3 weeks -- I was so tired I couldnt get out of bed == now I feel so great after exercising I"m afraid NOT to do it ! It makes no sense = if you're too tired to exercise, how can exercise make you not more tired ?? But its one of the mysteries of life -- it really does make you feel so much better !!! Keep up the great work !!! Lisa =D>