cyndiwilson

I was banded Oct 16th 2006

267 was my starting weight

190 now and feeling great

hoping to get to 160-170 one of these days

guess exercise would hwlp which is not a favorite of mine - but the restriction is great...Love the OCC and how they have changed my life

ew ew ew I might be interested - I just recently had to cancel are you flyinf in and out in the same day-----do you have a passport? I don't or my birth certificate so I may not be able to go. I will check back

Cyndi

Hi,

I am new to this, just joined today. I have been reading the posts for several months though, most people get me very enthusiastic, some not so much. I am not nervous about the actual surgery, mostly nervous about my success. I don't want to be one of the people who "hate" the band. Or lose 12 pound in a year! I have confidence in myself to do well, I just hope my body co-operates! If any one is going on the 25th (Fri) I will see you then. Good Luck!

will be being picked up at the airport- I am coming in for a fill and we can ride together------if we can meet up with each other

Sorry to hear that Kyle has choosen to continue his habits- :-( #-o Hannah has gained alot of weight she is at around 225- she is my height and I look at her everyday and hope people don't make fun of her at school- you get what I mean- He will mature and like I believe was said - when he is ready he has the tool to help him------We are coming up on that year yes we are- you have done good for the small amount of weight that you are wanting t0 lose---I am down from 267 to 191 and am thrilled- i have had 2 fills one by Dr. Ortiz's office and one by Wendy- that was back in May and I think I hit it right on the nose with that fill- I have to watch my bites and make sure I chew- and not drinking during has been a big step to climb and I still have to work it everyday- I just started working on my stomach to see if I can get rid of the innertube look LOL theamount I have lost without exercising I feel is a good thing one year out- 10-16-2007

Hope your family is doing well

Cyndi

Just updating - it has been almost a year - it flies by just like everything else- turned 36 on Monday September 3rd- Opened a AVON Beauty Center here in Arizona on Saturday September 1st - and I have been stressing stressing stressing and can we say stressing LOL kids are full gear into school 2 are at the high school and the younger one is elementary but started playing full contact football this year UGH ////life is crazy before we know it it will be the holidays then we will be worrying about remebering to put 2008 on our checks---at least for those of us that still write one---LOL i have been lurking but not much time to post so I thought I would give a update and let everyone know I still read and stay connected that way ---hope all is well and here are some new pictures of me

http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/cyndiwilson/

the pictures in the profile are dated so you can see the good and bad ---I love the good ones---- need to get more recent ones cause I have had so many people say that it looks like I have lost SOOOOOOO much weight - I think it's just cause I went shopping for clothes that actually fit - but not too many due to the weightloss is still going --------hope you have a GRAND BAND DAY

My daughter is almost 14 (october) she is overweight and gaining - I would love to have her have the surgery but in all reality she needs to understand her battle that she has- I have sat down with her and she wants to do better but sneaking food and having that one extra cause she thinks nobody is watching the band will not work for her ------at this time ----it was a big decision for me - I still haven't even tried flat soda- mine is a big time MENTAL issue -my daughter weighs more than me by about 30 lbs. I advise her on what she looks cute in and no comment when she asks if it looks nice and and I think otherwise ---it's a sign for her and she changes her outfit -----I don't want kids to tease her- she has friends she has fun at school she has ADHD she will figure it out when she is ready too and I will be there for her to help in what ever way she decides

If you are speaking of the Wendy Hall office yes I have - don't advise that you signed up thru the fill centers cause they want alot more than what Wendy will take in cash or check which is 100.00 - I had her do my 2nd fill this last May it was a diffrent experience not bad at all- little trouble piercing the port which scared me but I heard exactly the sound and feeling that I heard when I went back to Dr. Ortiz for the first fill - I have lost 20lbs since may 21st so it must of worked- but over the last few weeks I have been getting the first bite syndrome at nearly every meal- no pbing just a lot of gurgling - so I get up and walk around and about 10-15 minutes i can sit down and eat- it is totally wierd but I have been stressing alot lately so it is probably from that- also a little slaky on my eating habits -just the bites I take and the time I take to eat - need to slow down and it is letting me know

You didn't mention the size of your band and how much was put in on your 1st fill? I have had a 2nd fill and I am 8monthes out and find that I need to be very careful on chew chew chew evne on the strangest things such as cottage cheese refried beans -but your timeline of fill till now should be a concern call the doctor and see what they recommend ---cause even if it is small small bites and you are chew chew chew you should be able to keep food down---also is it that time of the month? that effects me big time for about 72hours I am extremly tight during that time - I thought that it was all talk on the boards when I saw those TOM posts but I am a believer now!!!!

Best wishes

Cyndi

8 monthes out as of today and my weight this morning is 200.2 that is 67lbs. lost -----WOOO HOOO

OH YEAH DID I MENTION I LOVE MY BAND

I recieved a fill(my second) on may 21st and it was a 1 cc bringing me to 2.6cc and boy do I have restriction- I now know what first bite syndrome really is....definatly need to drink liquids for me in the morning - sometimes all I have is a protien shake and then for lunch I try a little salad but if I even feel that rock feeling I stop and switch to soup - Dinner is slow for me - I start with something mushy usually cottage cheese- and work other foods into it - chicken with lots of sauce on it- usually salsa it really helps the food go down easier - I don't have a problem with water going down so I really don't feel that my fill is too much - but I definatly am eating diffrent than prior to 5-21 -----i took my scale for a week weighed exactly the same when I got back on it yesterday morning 203.8 but got on it this moring and it was 202.4 - so I think I may be adjusting to this fill of what I can eat and not - I actualy PB'd yesterday TUNA ---which I have done b4 so guess what I can't eat TUNA lesson learned ----till next time

Cyndi

http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/cyndiwilson/

just in case anyone wants to see updated pictures this is where I post them

64lbs. gone woo hoo

I LOVE MY BAND

I swallowed gum once felt wierd going down but I am fine---I think you will be also

Hi, Cyndi!

I had my first fill with Wendy yesterday. She was great, two pokes and then she found it. She put in 2ccs at first but I felt nothing, so she put in 3ccs and still nothing, so I ended up with 4ccs. I still really felt nothing until about 1/2 hour later. NOW I feel restriction. Surprisingly I have kept 12lbs since surgery and 12lbs preop, OFF, with really no restriction. Now I have to learn to eat slowly and chew forever and watch the weight go.

Michele in Mesa

Michelle did you come in for a 2:45 if you did I was the one leaving right in front of you -----blond hair pulled back- I had black shorts and shirt on ?

DO you have a small 4cc or the larger VG band?

Okay everyone I have gotten my 2nd fill today May 21st by Wendy Hall here in AZ- charming lady - i had 1 cc added to my 1.6cc that was put in on my 6week visit after my band placement 10-16-07....she found the port right away - had me drink water - i could feel it going down - I call it the funnel effect just like my first fill- I will take it easy the next few days which I do have off from work - which will help me focus on my eating habits - slow all over again - oh joy but it is well worth it I have lost 60lbs in 7 monthes ya can't beat that-----chow for now

I took about 100.00 cash same reasons as above and also I went out and bought comfy clothes for my recovery time which I splurged and took time off work and then decided to quit my job so I was learning my band during this time comfortably in lounge wear from JC Penny and found some nice bras that support without the wires- till I was ready ----this is just my story of being banded ---I did a total mental destress during my first 3 monthes learning my body and mind and the brand new lifestyle I am going to be living ---by the way I am at 7monthes today weighed in at 210 been as low as 207 it is full blown time of the month so I still think I am doing a fantastic job- actually had a little bit of the first bite syndrome and believe that may have been brought on by my period - so long for now

Cyndi

Just my 2 cents worth.

I was banded October 2006 by Dr. Ortiz My opinion of the Great Dr. and his wonderful staff is the same as you have found throughout this forum.

I am currently within 15lbs of my goal.

My Post surgery weight 315

Current weight 230

My Highest weight 350+

I have had 4 fills and and 1 unfill

You will hear it said that the band is only a tool to assist you in your weight loss journey.

The longer you have it the more this will become clear

I have found that other tools are required, such as a stuctured weight loss program. Most of us overwieght types have found short term success with different diets only to gain much more weight back after crashing off.

I have used the weight watchers eating plan to lose the weight, and the band to help me keep from crashing off that plan and gaining a bunch of weight back, if I get too busy/lazy/distracted to follow the plan.

Excercise becomes a natural side effect of the weight loss. Not that you will join a gym or start walking/jogging every night (wouldn't be a bad idea) but I have caught myself walking more at work and around the house mainly because it is not the painful experiance it used to be.

I can say the same thing as Pammie when it comes to the fact that I am not at my goal weight but I am ok with that.

This is my explanation of this statement.

Right now I am down 120 lbs from where I was in January of 2006. I have been actively fighting my weight problem for a year and 5 months.

9 months into this journey I started putting weight back on, that is when I made the decision to get Banded. Now, 7 months have passed since surgery and I am the lightest I have been in 20 years!! It is my opinion that I would weigh somewhere around 400 lbs right now if not for surgery. So I can somewhat claim 85lbs weight (Prevention) right from the start!

I do not feel like I am on a diet. I do not feel that I am in danger of gaining this weight back. In fact on any given week I will gain or lose 2 to 3 pounds or stay the same weight. I have not had any consecutive weight gain weeks. Meaning that if I gain 2 or 3 pounds this week, next week I will be back Down 2 or 3 or even more pounds.

I feel in control of this situation for the first time in my life! CONTROL! This takes the pressure off of the whole goal thing because I absolutely without a doubt kow I will get to my goal and probably more. The only question is WHEN! This takes a tremendous amount of pressure off and adds huge amounts of confidence making it virtually unnecessary to keep dreaming of a stated (GOAL).

I believe you are right to think that there are a lot of untold success stories out there. I know I have been busy adjusting and learning since my surgery and am just now sitting down to give back to this powerful and helpful forum.

JC

JC all I can say is AMEN

I must confess that this confuses me, Pammie. You're not at goal, but could care less about losing more weight. The two comments seem to be totally contradictory. If you don't care about losing more weight, perhaps you ARE at your goal (and just need to redefine it)? Or if your goal is definitely a lower weight, then perhaps you need to care more about acheiving it? It seems to me that this is a big step, a great opportunity.... ah, I'm just rambling now. Perhaps we're just defining success in different terms.

I was just wondering were do you stand at your preop weight and height? Pammie had a little bit less to lose than some of us on here me starting at 267 and down to 210 - am I at goal weight no but I do feel great and in my opinion look great- instead of the oh you have such a pretty face I am gettign the compliments you look wonderful ----i am proud of you and that makes think wow do I need to lose more? only I know i need to lose more cause at 210 i know it would be even greater if I was at 175 my BMI indicates for my height and age i guess i should be at 145 will I get there that is another 65lbs i look in the morror and wonder wow what will i look like at 145? I think 175 is more realistic for me....so at this point you are getting opinions of people that are still working at losing and getting towards thier personal goals ----the people that are at thier personal goal do float around and lurk occasionally - if you go to obesityhelp.com lapband forum you will see the success stories that I believe you may be looking for and they do post on a regular basis there ----I love that site as much as I like this one

hope the comments that you are looking for will be found soon

tha lapband is a wonderful thing - but it is a tool and not one that actually collects dust in the tool chest- WE ALL HAVE TO WORK WITH IT and understand our bodies reaction to it - listen to our bodies - it doesn't chnge our thoughts of eating only we can change our ways of eating it just helps us

I will be getting a fill on May 16th the day b4 my husband is banded ----we arrive wednesday and leave on saturday

Good for you. I guess that makes a lot of difference! I still haven't seen the post-op diet details, but I know that I'm pretty much going to be on clear liquids for 3-4 weeks after the surgery. I've just ordered Dr. Ortiz's book and also "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" which seems to be the most highly recommended. I guess I'll have a pretty good idea of the best diet following surgery.

57 pounds in 4 months is pretty amazing. Congratulations! With results like that, what's not to love?

Best,

Sanjay

Actually it is 6 monthes not 4 monthes but still amazing ---te he

Hi folks. My band date is also the 17th of May. I'm 45 years old and finally taking charge. My mom and I are flying into San Diego Wednesday (the 16th) afternoon. You know, I just want to say that when I finally made the decision to do this after debating it on & off for 2 years, I was really excited. Felt empowered and all that. Then a few days after I booked the surgery I was walking down the aisle of my local grocer's and I think I could almost have cried. I was thinking "Wow, I'm not going to be able to eat everything I want to eat anymore." Then there's the part that is jumping up and down and saying "Wow, I'm got going to be able to eat everything I want to eat anymore." I have trouble with binge eating. I can eat and eat and eat. I joke that my stomach can stretch to the size of a beach ball. Not too funny, I know, but I'd rather laugh than cry. I don't like pain and discomfort so I hope just the possibility of slipping/erosion/ pbing and all the negative stuff that can happen will deter me from breaking the rules. I'm sure I'll test my limits at some point. Part of me is so excited to finally take control of my eating and then there's the part of me, I guess the part that wants to stay fat, that's kind of spooked. Anybody else have the feeling that there's somebody in your body that is afraid to change and not be "the fat one" any more? I'm so identified with that. Maybe I'm just schizo. I know with a head knowledge that it will feel WONDERFUL to not be heavy, but I wonder where the conflict is coming from. Anyone have a clue?

WE are flying on the 16th also - surgery the 17th Daron and Cyndi from AZ ---we get in around 10-11 I believe see ya then

Hi Cyndi,

What better testimonial than returning to have your husband banded! Cool! I have my surgery the day before his.

Just curious: what happened between Feb and Mar that reduced your weight loss to just 2 lbs? Was there some specific reason, or is it just the nature of weight loss that it's not always consistent?

Sanjay

You do have to work with your band- I am not currently exercising- do to my work schedule 12 hour shifts anywhere from 4-5 days a week- and family- my habits of eating actually change from day to day- and during that time I have no clue what may have happened - but i can recal thinking I need a fill the weight isn't moving - or I am able ot eat more ---and boom it started moving again- I changed from eatign lots of protien to adding more sald and fruits in to my diet - I will be gettign a fill when I go with my husband though just a little tweek I feel that I can eat more than before not a whole lot- I still get that full felling at a cetain time- but feelit is coming on later and my plate is a little fuller than before- but still losing - I am down to 208 ----did i tell you I LOVE MY BAND tee hee

best wishes

Well there is no reason you shouldn't relax a little during this journey-it is a life changing experience and a little calmness before hand wouldn't hurt- you will love the pool area- I found it very peaceful back in October in theevening to sit out there- but now going back in May i will be enjoying the susnshine and a lot less of me by the pool this time - he he best wishes and i will see you there we get in on the 16th surgeryis the 17th

My husband and I are flying in on May16th he will be having surgery on the 17th of May - I had my surgery in October 2006 and he is going to take the plunge now- what is funny he see's me on here posting and telling my experience and calls me a goofball ......but he sure likes my results???? LOL who's a goofball now----you would just have to know my husband and I ----he is a jokster and I am the mellow one-----tee hee not so much anymore----went shopping yesterday and was wearing a 24-26 when I began this process and I put on a 18 pair of capris woo hoo ----

see ya all soon =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> > okay everyone just a quick announcement ---my husband Daron will be joining me on the losing side May 17th. He has decided he wants to lose just like me -----tee hee anyway - I will be posting his progress on here as well as keeping mine up - He will start his pre op diet this Monday to give hime the time to lose the 15lbs. that has been requested - his starting weight is 298lbs. he is 5'10. we are in the process of filing out the paperwork that Lori Becky has sent us and booked our airline tickets last night ---- so the countdown begins? Anyone else getting banded or a fill that day? would love to chat in the office while I am waiting with him - and of course our lonely night in the hotel that we as spouses and friends get to stay without our other half ------

talk to you all soon

Cyndi in AZ

2 -3 slices pizza ( and even more if I let myself) a whole sandwich

Just a quick idea---how about getting the pizza that has allthe toppings on it wether it be a supreme or all meat pizza - take the toppings off and just eat that - I can eat up to about 3 pieces that way and it equals about 1- 1 and half cups of food and I am skpping the bread-----your sandwiches same thing take the middle out eat only it -----or have 1/2 a grilled cheese and dip it in tomato soup -----just some ideas -- is till love my food - but I have special bowls and plates I eat out of and don't go back for seconds too much and if I do i attack the protien first or scoop another soonful of cottage cheese onto my plate - my kids make fun of me cause I eat the cottage at almost every meal ----it is great n tomato soup - on nachos instead of sour cream - mixed in refried beans - I am a big mexican food lover and have learned what to eat off the menu -----if oyu need some more ideas let me know I will journal what i eat and pass it along to you = the thing is eat don't starve yurself , don't not eat cause you may gain something ----portion and the right choices ae what makes this work

Cyndi