LisaVA

Congrats !!!!! Keep up the great work !!! =D>

still working out every day -- I gained 2 pounds this week, and I'm hoping its because I started lifting weights ! I've been good on the food side of things !! Feeling good !!! =D>

Hey Krystal -- I've just tried to take it easy on the alcohol. Have had 1 drink and 2 glasses of wine (in the 3 months since my surgery) I was a little freaked out about the fill, but it just wasnt an issue! NO PAIN. If felt funny when Dr. Romero flushed my band, but it wasnt painful at all. I was sorry I spent ANY time worried about it ! Good luck !!!!

Hi CalKev! I've enjoyed your posts -- congrats on the 70 !! WOW !!! Whats BUMP ?? Lisa

It depends on your band. If you get the VG, thats different that the one I have. I have the "other" band, and Dr. Ortiz told me that typically, 3 to 4 fills for life was all that was required. I had my first fill in TJ 6 weeks after surgery. That was in late May. Dr Romero told me to live with this for 2 months before thinking about another one. I can tell you as long as I feel like I do right now - I won't need another one ! I expect, tho, that as I lose weight, and I get smaller on the inside, I might need another fill - but I'm just taking it one day at a time and listening to my body (and the band thats taken up residence in there ! ha ha, band humor) Hope this helps! Great luck to you next month !!! =D>

My post under the newbie section is also not there. I just assumed it was purged due to time. Has anyone asked Lori ? :-?

Still working out every day -- and feeling GREAT ! ABs are a little sore since today is only day 2 for AB work -- but I love it !!! =D> Have a great week, fellow bandster/exercisers !!! Lisa

Hey, Chelley - I'm so sorry to read todays' post - I read the first couple of pages and then I admit I skipped ahead to the end. I'm sorry this hasn't turned out how you wanted and needed it to. I hope you come to some resolution that will make you happy and get you what you need. You've been thru it, thats for sure - and you deserve some happiness and satisfaction. Best of luck to you! Thanks for posting everything -- take good care. Lisa

Congratulations !!!! How exciting !! You look great ! How proud you must be -- you deserve it !!! =D> =D> E X C E L L E N T !! =D> =D>

Hi ! Check out the newbie section -- you should be able to read enough so that your entire experience should seem familiar to you -- it was that way with me -- by reading these boards I knew what to expect -- I posted a very detailed account on the newbie page - I'll be 3 months out on Monday and I feel great ! My weight loss is slower than I'd like and after my first fill I've PB'd (I'm sorry Pammie, its throwing up) more times than I ever thought I would - thats been very difficult for me for some reason, but I'm getting there! I only told one person - and still he's the only one who knows I've done this. My choice - the older I get the less I feel the need to confess everything. Thats a very personal decision. I don't regret this for one minute ! The real benefit for me is yet to be realized. I can lose weight - I'm really really good at it -- what I'm not good at is keeping it off - and thats the prime benefit I feel this band will give me. Either way, you have a host of friends here who will help you any way we can. Best of luck to you !!! lisa

Way to go, Angela !!!! By the way, starting Monday we can do AB work !!! I have not missed a day since about the 22nd of June --- I am doing "The Firm" series -- which has been very succesful in the past for me -- when they say you WILL see results in 10 workouts, they're right ! My butt has lifted about 3 inches ! I'm much tighter all around, and since Monday is Angela & mine 3 month band anniversary, I get to DO the ABs instead of fast forwarding thru them! I am finally at the stage where I feel so good exercising I'm very protective of it ! I don't care if I have to get up at 4am (I've had to do that twice!), I DO it every day! I am also on a team at work (one team of 5 - there are 53 teams altogether!) that are on a 14-week challenge to lose weight -- so that keeps me motivated, too! I think, rightfully so, that a lot of the posts are centered around decision (do I get this thing?), to particulars (does it hurt ? when can I go back to work?) to fills (to TJ or not to TJ??) and now we are at the exercise stage !!!! I swear I feel so good I'm petrified to stop !! That took several weeks, but I'm so grateful I'm over that hump !! Have a great, happy, healthy, vigorous summer, everyone !!!!!!! =D>

Well said, Dialit! And congrats - you're doing great!

Thank you, Lori ! Lord is he adorable! =D> Lisa PS - The allergies are still with me - but manageable -- yeesh!

.....or unwrap them and put them in the microwave for 10 seconds -- very pliable ! Also -- with the liquid -- you cannot taste ANYTHING until you breathe -- so after I knock back my shot of liquid vitamins, I immediately drink water THEN take a breath -- still a little nasty but MUCH less so! Lisa

Amen ! This is me exactly ! I have lost the same 80-100 pounds several times over the last 20 years - and I don't really need the band to lose weight - obviously its something I know how to do and do it well -- what I need is the "don't gain it back" help --- and help is the right word for me -- lets face it, if there were a magic bullet of weight loss, it would not be a multi Billion (yup, with a dollar industry ! That doesnt mean I don't have good days and bad days -- I do ! For me {the only one I ever speak for}, this was the tool I wanted and needed and I have never once asked myself, "why did I do this?". I'm sorry that anyone does ask themselves that question, because its a pretty drastic measure. Its nice there is a forum to explore it all ! There's room for everyone. Thanks! Lisa

Rock on, Pammie ! Your are my hero !!! {heroine ??} Lisa =D>

Hi, Angela ! Its Lisa !! You are doing so great !! Good for you!!!! I'm down 21 - and trying to get the hang of being filled -- I got 1.7cc's and have been PB'ing like crazy (after I was all cocky and said I wouldn't do it!) I'm getting better, but its been rough (but I'm tough, I just don't want to slip my band!) Sounds like you got a good fill -- I think that 2.2 is a lot ! When I got my fill the Doc said to give it 2 months, so thats what I"m going to do. Keep up the great work, Angela !!!! Its great to get your progress! xoxoxoxoxoxoxox Lisa

I had surgery on Monday and flew home Weds - SD to DC (5 hours). I was fine. I didnt need anything - altho I had a 2 hour layover at LAX and walked the entire time - that may have had something to do with it. Lisa

Thank you for posting, Brandy - I have a breast lift/aug, tummy tuck and facelift in my future (about 3 years) - I've been searching for referrals ! Lisa

Holey Moley, Lori !!!! Sixty Five Inches !!! Thats as tall as I stand - I"m 65 inches tall !!!!!!!!! You've lost ME!!!!! That is such a tremendous accomplishment ! Congratulations -- you have every right to feel proud of yourself !! WAY TO GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lisa

Having been "filled" since May 24th - I def. feel restriction - and I am more restriced in the morning. I solve this by drinking a cup of black coffee - it seems to "grease the skids". This is graphic, as most bodily function discussions are, but I have allergies and frankly, I believe my pouch is filled with congestion. The heat of the liquid helps that. Having said that, I am trying to strike a delicate balance, as I have now PB'd 3 times. I swore to myself (and on this board) that I wouldnt - and well, I was wrong. You MUST chew your food a LOT for it to go down. I obviously have not done this ever in my life, which is why I'm this heavy - and its def. a change for me -- but the latest PB was a few hours ago and I have been a bit sore since. I can only imagine that I'm swollen, and I'm trying to be better. It seems so simple, but obviously, for me, old habits die hard. The only thing that comforts me is that I'm petrified I'll slip it, so I think I'll be better from here on out. Am I upset about it ? No. I'm mad at myself for not having the sense to slow the heck down, even tho my life is crazy and running at very high speed. I must insist that I come first. Just my 2 cents ! Best of luck to all ! Lisa

Hi, Karen ! First, let me say I don't know why you arent' losing weight - but I can tell you that I don't lose weight (band or no band) unless I exercise. I was banded April 9th and first fill 6 weeks later (1.7cc's) I DEF have restriction - all said - pre diet to today I've lost 20 pounds. I think it should be more than that, and it started to move when I got more consistent with exercise - but the last week has been crazy and I havent exercised and I havent lost an ounce! So I'll bet that once I get back on the exercise wagon I'll start losing again. Maybe try exercising a little and see if it'll move ?? Good luck to you !! let us know how it goes...... Lisa

Hey, Angela !! how are ya ??? don't sweat it, you'll be fine --- the only reason I could afford it was because I booked my airfare before I left for my surgery! it doesnt hurt at all and Jersey will be great == in fact, I'd like to know for the future ! Well, after saying I wouldn't PB - I've done it 3 times now. Holy crap that hurts! Today was a public place - luckily I made it to the bathroom (twice!) I've been going Mach 2 with my hair on fire all week - 12+ hour days at work, 2 and 3 hours at home at night - and I'm just not slowing down enough to chew and its done exactly as designed and sent it right back up to me ! I'm sure my tablemates spent their whole ride back to their office wondering whats wrong with me. Chew all ! I've said it before and apparently I wasnt listening !!!! Best of luck - Angela, let me know how Jersey is !!! Love, Lisa

Go on the site www.fillcentersusa.com - there's one about 4.5 hours from here near Philly. I went to TJ for my first - and will decide later if I need any more....