QueenBee

First of all, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! There are of ton of us "bandsters" on this forum and many others. I have found the answer to just about all of my questions here and on lapbandtalk.com I am 27 and gained some weight after getting married 6 years ago and REALLY put it on during and after pregnancy, so I feel your pain! I was banded a little > 4 mos ago and I have lost a total of almost 40 lbs. Remember & do not forget this: everyone loses at a different pace. It depends on your starting weight, what you eat (of course) the amount of restriction you have and exercise (yes I said it.) For the last 6 weeks I have been going to the gym constantly and have lost another size in pants - only about 8 lbs lost, but I'm starting to see some muscles I haven't see in years! And alot more energy even though I've been battling a sinus infection. So here's what I have for you: 1. You're not alone 2. You're doing great, keep it up 3. What to eat?- eat as healthy as you possibly can. The band restricts quantity you regulate quality 4. Exercise as much and as often as you can - even if it's doing sit ups and going on walks at home. Be as active as you can be @ least 30 mins a day. Best of luck!!!

"Muffinbirdie" - Mae on another Lapband forum has had a LBL with him and is very happy with the results. She also has her own website with pix & her story: http://www.myagb.homestead.com/index.html

Good for you!!! You should be so proud of yourself especially around the Holidays when everyone gains the lbs! I'm very happy to hear you're doing so well. Keep us posted.

Man I wouldn't be discouraged at over 30lbs and you haven't even had your 1st fill yet? You're doing great!!! It doesn't all fall off at once, it takes time and patience. You're doing wonderful!!!

Not sorry, No regrets!

Just check on the threads on here and there's another forum that's great that will answer alot of your ?? Lapbandtalk.com

Whoo-hoo! Wow, congrats on making your goal and thank you for your words of encouragement!

Don't worry, you're barely a week out. As everyone says and I'll say it again, the 1st 6 weeks are a healing time and I lost very little during the 1st week. In fact I gained a few lbs and by week 2 I slowly slipped a few lbs. It gets easier when you start seeing results, and it's hard to be patient when you undergo surgery you want immediate results, but, it doesn't happen overnight. Be patient, stick to your diet and the weight will start melting off! And remember too, your body will reach a kind of plateau (mine did at 3 weeks) where I lost nothing at all. Then by week 4 to present it's a couple lbs every few days. Every body is different so everyone will lose at a different pace. After you get your first fill, I'm told it will provide more restriction (I'm 5 weeks out and I have my 1st fill next week - right now I'm eating about 3/4 of what I ate pre-band.) So, don't get discouraged k?

I know, it's REALLY hard. I went to a party a week after my surgery with chicken, hot dogs, cake, all the goodies and it was really tough - I actually broke down and had a bite of potato salad - be strong! By the end I was really going crazy, but after I was able to mushies, then to solids & eat a little meat it was totally worth it! It helps you lose weight too - being on liquids initially. Stay strong!

Probably cuz WBABH was the last one that logged in to the site before you on that computer in the lobby.

Hey Shell, I was wondering if that was you on LBT... I'm scheduled on 10/8 for my 1st fill...anyone else?

Since this is a discussion on plastic surgery and not the band itself...there is a PS in TJ who Ortiz is now working closely with . The surgeon also has a practice in Cali too. If you want his info, I got his card at the OCC booth at a trade show last week. Just pm me and I'll give you his info. I personally have not had any PS done yet, but I'm sure I'll be needing it!

Yup, that not chewing is a...I totally feel your pain. I actually chewed on some cheese from some pizza and spat it back out. Once you get outta the liquid stage you appreciate food so much more - the taste, feel and texture, and amazingly a lot less of it! I actually want to eat healthy food instead of junk (except for the occasional cravings of a little sugar or salt) BTW- try and drink SF juices, or SF lemonade, tea, crystal light, etc. You don't need added liquid calories, they keep you craving more sugar and they kill weight loss. Once you get out of week 1 (which it looks like today is 7 days out for you) you can eat SF pudding, and other mushies which help with the need to chew. At between week 2-3 I was eating plain cream of wheat with some SF maple syrup and it really filled me up and satisfied my need to chew (I didn't have to chew my food, but it somehow satisfied me) Some have tried gum too, but that tends to add more unnecessary air in your tummy which has enough already...but for some it works ok.

If you're referring to the clinic, lab, hospital or OR, all very nice and clean. Better than most in the States. Hotel Lucerna is nice, not anything fabulous, but nice. The staff there is very friendly and helpful with directions, cabs etc. The hospital (where the surgery takes place) is next to a golf course ( I had a view from my room) and everything was nice and clean... Hope this answers your?

Welcome!!! Keep us posted on your progress!

I gained weight after my surgery as well, about 5lbs. Then they started sliding off. Everyone's different though, just keep pluggin' along and follow your Dr's orders and the weight will come off. All that broth high in sodium keeps your body retaining water too...keep drinking plenty of fluids low in cals and you'll be fine. And welcome to Bandland!

Best of luck & you won't regret it!!!

I'm there along with everyone else - Highly recommend him!!! He is awesome, staff is great, surgery very easy. Best of luck!

Dr Miranda (my nutritionist) said if I was experiencing hunger I could take a Metamucil caplet...has anyone tried this? I noticed I'm starting to feel more hungry now. I was banded 8/25 and am still on liquids and some mushies. Last night I had some soup and I was still starving so I had some plain cream of wheat and finally felt full. I was wondering if any of you have tried the Metamucil caps yet???

I was banded on 8/25 and have been very tired. When I added yogurt (fat free, lo sugar) I felt much better. The protein shakes help as well. I think it's just your body telling you that it needs more protein. I'm still a little tired, but I've been super busy this past week, so that could explain it. I'm feeling almost back to "normal."

I'm doing good! I just weighed myself and I couldn't believe my eyes - I'm down 15 lbs! Geesh, I never thought I'd be so happy when getting off a scale! Man, I know about that pizza! My husband was pigging out on pizza last weekend and it was so hard to sit there smelling it while sipping Gatorade! I actually chewed on a tiny piece of cheese and spit it back out - now that's bad! Since I've added yogurt, I'm feeling much better. Hmm, Oct 1st? That's just shy of 6 wks right? Did you talk to anyone there about it if it was too soon? I can't see how a couple days would make a difference. Take care!!

Carolyn, You can always take a cab from the airport to the border & just walk across as Jenna suggested & then a MX cab to the office. When are you going for your fill? I need to schedule mine for October too, so maybe we'll see eachother there!

I live in Murrieta (next to Temecula)

Melissa, I'm glad everything went well for you! And I agree, Dr Ortiz is AWESOME!!! I was surprised out how nice everyone was and how smoothly everything went (and let me tell you, I hate Dr's and I'm EXTREMELY picky!) So take it from a true critic, he's the BEST! Leah, about the feeling of needing food as a pick me up... I'm sure all of us have felt that way or we wouldn't be overweight in the 1st place. I have an office job, so I would always snack on something in the afternoon - crackers, candy, nuts, etc - junk- out of boredom and trying to satisfy the hunger. And don't let me get started on the Ice Cream at night!!! I'm 7 days out, and since I'm on this liquid diet I ain't gonna lie, it's pretty tough, BUT I'm not hungry all the time and I chew gum which seems to help too for the boredom, and at night I have a popsicle or jello and it cures my need for something sweet. Just always keep in mind the big picture - how wonderful it is going to feel to be the "normal" weight & have energy to do the things you want & that certainly helps me keep my perspective. And, in just a few weeks, I can eat regular (healthy) food again, so hey, there's not a lot to lose except for all this fat! Good luck Leah and keep us posted! There's another website I found very informative too: www.lapbandtalk.com

To answer the question about lying flat on your back...Mrs Ortiz was the one that mentioned it to WBABH & I in the car - I do recall that. She said after you eat to not lie down on your back or otherwise and she said it's because it's like your pouch is like a globe and stretches if it's pulled (from the gravity & it being full) she said the best position is a semi-reclining position if you need to lie down. Personally, I feel better standing up after I eat and taking a short walk to get out all the excess air.