Lisa
-
Posts
12 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Blogs
Events
Gallery
Articles
Media Demo
Posts posted by Lisa
-
-
I had the lapband surgery 18 months ago and love it. Now my sister wants to have the gastric balloon or BIB system for a short term loss. Does anyone know about it? She is already within a normal BMI range, but wants to lose 20 pounds for a film. I heard Dr. Juncua does that. Please help!!
-
Patty,
Good luck!!! It was a difficult decision to be banded, but now I just feel blessed!
I can highly recommend that you contact "marys." She talked to me online and on the telephone. Mary helped me to stay calm, learn from her experience, and to be realistic as to what to expect. (Thanks, Mary...you've been a great support to me!)
Lisa
hi patty - i had the band put in nov 05 and i'm also happy to share my experience. my email is theIfacilitator@hotmail.com and if you write we can exchange phone numbers, etc. i do admit it is a big step in many ways but one i am pleased with. good luck/take care, maryb
-
A couple of years ago I lost 25 pounds in two months. My hair started falling out rapidly after that. I went to a dermatologist who looked at my follicles under a microscope. He said that it was temporary. The body can have a very stressful event and then lose hair. He suggested I take gelatin (from drug store.) It worked. My hair stopped falling out and now my hair is healthier than ever.
It will come back. Make sure you are getting nutrients you need!
-
Hey!
I would have loved to come to the bash, but I had family visiting. I am actually from Seattle, but live in California. I'm glad to hear that you chose Dr. Ortiz. I scheduled with him for April also!
Good luck! (We can share stories)
Lisa
-
Oops!
These are great questions, because I have been wondering the same things. I am also a 30 BMI, and am considering having surgery in April. Some of our experienced friends can help us both out!
-
Hi...I'm getting banded next Friday and have a BMI of barely 30...I'm wondering if there's anyone else out there that's had success with a lower starting BMI?
I'm also wondering if everyone needs a fill...is that standard? Does anyone ever not need a fill?
Can you ever have a soda again? Or go to dinner with friends and eat too (I'm not sharing my surgery status with friends)?
Everything I see says they're only eating 3 bites of food after banding...is that forever or just following surgery?
I want to eat less and lose weight, but I'm afraid of looking like I have an eating disorder since I'm not telling anyone about my banding. Will I ever eat normal again? (And by normal - I mean healthy food and smaller portions, just not "3 bite" portions).
All good questions. I am the same BMI and am wondering the same things. I am hoping to do this the beginning of April. So, some of our experienced friends here can help us both out!
Please...tell me the straight truth!
-
I am a Special Ed teacher of students with emotional problems at a year round school. I had my banding while I was off track so I didn't need to take any time off.
My surgery went very well and I felt comfortable with the anesthesiologist and all the medical staff in Tijuana. It was on a Tuesday and I think I would have been okay to return to school the following Tuesday or Wednesday.
It was similar to having my gall bladder removed. They found a hernia and repaired it, but I didn't really feel where it was located.
This is the THIRD best thing I've ever done for myself.
FIRST marrying right guy
SECOND having daughter who has beautiful grandson
I think the most difficult part has been changing the social aspects of food. Like Jenna I had lunches, dinners, desserts with which to meet friends. Now I go on walks, or go shopping.
I avoid certain restaurants, and Mrs See's Candies. She and I had an affair where we met late at night. We do go out sometimes but now we split a meal or I get an appetizer. We ate at Outback and spent $28.00 for lobster & filet. I had lunch the next day as well. Before it would have been at least $60.00 and I would have been sick.
I am not perfect. I eat chocolate. I have my daily Diet Dr Pepper but I wait until it is totally flat. I love losing weight. I feel sexier (husband says he would like more proof), younger, and lighter inside and out. I'm not shopping in Whale World or the FLD (fat lady department). I TUCK in my shirts.
Go for it honey! I haven't regreted it once
207/161/125 5' 2" Banded 11/7/05
Great response, thank you!!! I love the analogy of an "affair". It is so true. I am still a little worried about Mexico, complications, aftercare.
-
I was teaching also during the surgery date. I had the surgery on Wed and was back to work on Monday. Although a lot slower and taught a lot from the desk. Did a major writing assignment using a longgg video. Was teaching 8th grade science. I suggest bringing in a tall back chair to sit down in if you have younger grades. Or... take more time off. By the end of that next week, I was good to go. Another friend of mine who is a teacher was also banded by Ortiz. She did it over the summer break.
i want to do it over spring break, if dr ortiz is available then. i maily stand when i teach. is standing hard?
-
Is it really difficult to change? For me, it was difficult the first two months. I am not going to lie or romance it that it wasn't a culture shock. But... it is kind of like child labor in that once it is done, you really forget how hard it was and then it becomes a way of life.
What is most difficult about your new life? Learning the new way to eat. Not having dinners out as a big social occasion. Learning portion sizes and ordering or taking the correct amount of food and not throwing 1/2 of it away.
What is most challenging? The most challenging was being fat. Once I started losing the weight I started feeling better. When I began to see the results after the first fill, it motivated me. Otherwise, the most challenging is getting in all the water that is required. You have to sip sip sip it A LOT to get it all in daily.
What has changed the most? Going out to dinner is no longer my form of entertainment. I find other ways now and learning those new things to do was hard. My life revolved around food it seems. I drink a lot of water now too. Plus, I have to take a chewable multivitamin to make sure I get the required nutrients as well as protein powder drinks to get the right protein.
Is it the worst month of your life to recover from the surgery? If you are referring to pain, I had minimal pain. Not more than a bit of cramping here and there, nothing to shout about and I am a big ole baby too. If you are referring to the post op diet, yes it is hard and it sucks going through it.
Do you want to eat all the time? During the first 3 weeks you will battle the mental hunger a lot. You think you are hungry and should eat because you ate that much before. During weeks 4-6 you battle more of the hunger because you are not filled but are still on the post op diet plan. It is tough because you can eat as much as before, and you are hungry a lot, and you can't. Once you get your fill... life changes in that it actually becomes easier to battle the mental demon. Sure you have to still struggle with what works and what doesn't but the hunger itself is gone. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I need to eat something because I am simply not hungry.
Do you feel sick from not eating? I had some hunger pains and cramping during week 4-6. After that, nothing.
Headaches? I attributed my mild headaches the first few weeks to the lack of nicotine and caffeine I wasn't getting anymore. That went away once I started smoking again (bad girl) and the caffeine headaches subsided on their own.
How hard is it to give up diet soda? I was a HUGE soda drinker. I gave it up and have never had anything carbonated pass my lips again. At first you miss it a little but I don't even ever think of it anymore. Substitute with Tea, Crystal Light, water, juice, etc. It really is terrible for you to drink sodas and you won't miss it much after a few months.
Do you have to give up diet soda forever? No carbonation ever again. This includes anything bubbly (champagne, soda, beer, etc)
Also, are there any long-term success stories? The longest term banded person I know is 5 years. Banding in the states has only been happening for the past 2 years. Mexico about 10 I think.
Where can I find them. Try the medical journals on a site like ebsco host.
A fantastic site for a lot of information is www.lapbandtalk.com you can search different questions and read the responses. There is a ton of different questions that have a lot of us bandsters on it. They have a mix of everything including other countries and the US.
Thank you for the info!!!
I really want to do this, but am unsure if I can handle work and family responisibilities while going through the first 6 weeks. I am a teacher and my job is pretty demanding. I also have a large family. So, I appreciate all of your encouragement, resources and frankness.
Lisa
-
-
I am seriously considering having the surgery. I really want to know how life is different. I keep reading that it will never be the same. Is it really difficult to change? What is most difficult about your new life? What is most challenging? What has changed the most?
I am terrified, not of the surgery, but the lifestyle change and how hard it will be. Is it the worst month of your life to recover from the surgery? Do you want to eat all the time? Do you feel sick from not eating? Headaches? How hard is it to give up diet soda? Do you have to give up diet soda forever?
I know this sounds so trivial, but I want to be prepared for what i am committing myself to.
I would appreciate any guidance!!!
Also, are there any long-term success stories? 10-15 years? Where can I find them.
Lastly, did you trust the anesthesiologist in Mexico?
Thank you!!!
Lisa
Do I qualify for lap band?
in Gastric Band Support & Discussion
Posted
I think if you have the money, you will qualify with Dr. Ortiz. He advertises the lapband for 50 pound weight loss. I sure wish I had done it at 186 instead of 206!!! It is the answer to years of prayers.