MamaMichelle

Sorry about your troubles Linda, I am right now trying to decide if I need a tiny unfill or not! I went from 2.35 to 2.6 (that's only .25cc or 1/4 of a full cc) and it might have been too much... I can eat solids, a few times I've been able to eat the same amount as before the fill but other times I slime/PB on liquids (anything really thinck like the protein bullets or anything really cold like ice water) I am going to give it a week and see what happens...I have lost 2lbs since the fill so that's good and I figure that I can keep down solids and get all my water in (it's just not as chilled) and if I got an unfill and it was too much I would have to pay for another fill anyways! Glad you are feeling better, and P.S. you are looking super hot girlie!

Here is my most recent before and after, with the band I have lost 50lbs in 6months: I just had my 4th fill on Friday and found out that my port is detached on one side also known as a "tilted port"... During my last fill my doc had a little bit of a hard time accessing my port but it was no big deal... This time when he felt my port he said that he thought my port was tilted which was exactly what I thought because it feels kind of pointed, like it doesn't feel flat like the top of a quarter.... Luckily he could still fill me, I had my original 2.35 and he added .15 so now I am at 2.6ccs. My doctor said he has never had a Dr. Ortiz patient with a detached port so I don't know if this happened because I overexerted myself at some point or if all the poking from the last fill maybe dislodged it or something but if I look at this pic of my 1st fill on April 17th- Notice how the needle is straight up and down?? That's how it should be!! So sometime in the last 3.5 months the right side of my port detached so it is still attached on the left and if you were to take that same picture during this fill the needle would be 30* leaning towards the left (my right if I'm looking at my belly). So I guess that's the update, so far no difference in my eating after the fill but I have PB'd a few times on really cold liquids... Pretty weird I can eat the same amount but that drinks are bothering me, maybe that means I am getting closer to my sweet spot if nothing else it means no way I can eat my weekly Blizzard (probably a good thing) so we shall see if it "kicks in" in the next week or so!!

Here you go Cathy- You look great!!

Hey guys, I am happy to report that those pesky 3lbs I let creep back on are almost all gone... I realize now it wasn't really about gaining 3lbs it was that as I was going through those few weeks of bad bandster behavior I fully knew what I was doing was wrong yet I kept eating anyways! So I started back working out (just 20min a day for right now) and made sure I got my 100oz of water in, upped my protein grams and lowered my carb intake and put the benefiber back in my diet... Again basically all the RIGHT things a bandster should be doing but I had slipped on doing during our move, after about 5 or 6 days of getting back on track I weighed this morning and I was 175!! I also have my 4th fill today in about an hour so that's good, even in following all the basics I mentioned above the fact is I can still eat WAY too much at a sitting and for many months I was ok stopping myself but I realize I got this band so I wouldn't have to rely on will power! I am thinking I'll just get a slight tweak, maybe go from 2.35 to 2.5 as I do PB 2-3 times per week but it's only when I eat too fast... And finally I found the box that had the digital camera in it so I snapped a pic yesterday, I'll have to take my bikini/progress pics later this afternoon when I get home from my fill! But here's me at 175!

I Love the $10 saved per pound lost idea Janet, I used to spend $10 on one trip through the drive thru... Now I just need to find $730 to put away for what I've already lost!!

i believe the title of the magazine is:British Women's Magazine I'm sure Jenn will let us know when it's published!!

Just saw these on Jenn's myspace, these are for the British Women's Magazine Article they were interviewed for... They both look GREAT!!

crazycoolbutterfly- it's great to find someone else who had great results with the Optifast... I think it's a big reason I lost so much weight on the pre op and in the 3 weeks of liquids after surgery! I always added a little of the sugar free DaVinci Vanilla syrup and ice to the blender and I thought it was great... I am thinking of re-ordering some because I work from home and don't mind having a shake for breakfast and one for lunch and since they are only 160 cal each, I can still have 1000 calories in between dinner and any snacks!

Happy Birthday Anita, hope you're out painting the town red!

I too have planned budior photos for when I reach my goal weight, I was hoping it would be around the time of my birthday but things have slowed down a bit so I won't be doing it so soon... But here's a link the the photographer I will be using, she's based in Portland but tours all around including Vegas... She did my girlfriends shots and she is featured in her gallery number 2 and 3 on the site! Here's the link: http://www.rachelstephensphotography.com/index2.php?v=v1 Obviously these are racy photos, some fully nude so open with caution at work or around your hubby... lol

So you've lost 10lbs in 5 days since banding? That sounds great to me!

For those of you who don't know exactly what a tummy tuck entails or maybe want some help explaining it to a friend or husband here is an AMAZING 3D slideshow that shows step by step on a virtual model (no bloody surgery videos) they also have examples of other surgical procedures from chemical peels to breast lifts! Warning- there is nudity on these cartoonish models so you may not want to look at these at work! Here is the link: http://www.locateadoc.com/plastic-surgery-...id=9&aid=14

For those of you who don't know exactly what a tummy tuck entails or maybe want some help explaining it to a friend or husband here is an AMAZING 3D slideshow that shows the procedure step by step on a virtual model (no bloody surgery videos) they also have examples of other surgical procedures from chemical peels to breast lifts! Warning- there is nudity on these cartoonish models so you may not want to look at these at work! Here is the link: http://www.locateadoc.com/plastic-surgery-...id=9&aid=14 I'll add this to the plastic surgery thread too, hopefully you'll find it as cool as I do!

Just wanted to bump this up for those who are struggling or the newbies who might not remember all the rules!

Sounds like it is working for you, do you know if you have to be a 24hr Fitness Member to purchase one or can anyone off the street just go in to buy that? I've heard you can get them on Ebay but that those are usually the older models... Also isn't there a monthly charge for use of the software?? Do you know how much that is? Keep up the good work, can't wait to see how it works for you!

When I was researching the band I cam across a woman who had the band and lost 75lbs and hit a 2 month plateau, then she got the bodybugg and lost the final 25lbs she needed to reach her goal... Of course I LOVE the biggest loser, and I know that their use of this equipment is a huge part of how they track the calories they burn! So I told myself that when I reached 75lbs lost that I would get a bodybugg and a personal trainer as a gift to myself to make sure that I didn't plateau out like the blogger did... I will try to find her blog but I doubt, I will be able to get it!

Here are some links that some of you might find useful: American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO) American Obesity Association (AOA) American Medical Association (AMA) American Psychological Association (APA) Fill Centers USA (Gastric Band Aftercare) National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) Mindless Eating Calorie-Count.com Dottie’s Weight Loss Zone (DWLZ) Glycemic Index Database

cckcsharp- you probably forgot to log out of your profile on the occ computer when you posted after surgery and Hedi in her groggy state forgot to log in as her, nothing to worry about!

Try this link they have Chili's and Longhorn's calorie counts: http://www.dwlz.com/restaurants.html you would have to imput that info in yourself at fitday.com or one of the similar sites...

I for one have never heard of this, but it seems pretty extreme for the 3 week period between starting solids and your 1st fill, basically it would serve no purpose once you get a fill... Here's what the process is for those who aren't familar with this procedure: Bioenterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) What an intragastric balloon is? The BIB is a temporary non-operative method helping to lose weight by partially filling the stomach, inducing the feeling of satiety and assisting in getting used to proper dietary habits. The balloon is placed in to the stomach by endoscope and filled with 500-700 cc of blue-coloured saline solution, causing it to expand into a spherical shape. The placement of BIB is limited to maximum 6 months, and then it has to be emptied and removed by endoscopy. The BIB has not been covered by the national health insurance. How does the BIB work? The balloon itself does not make the patient slim. It occupies the stomach and helps the patient to make the portions of meal smaller. The BIB system in the principle helps the patients to introduce healthy dietary and behavioural changes and to keep the required reduction diet. As the physiological response of the patient to the presence of the intragastric balloon is individual, the prediction of particular weight loss is only assumptive and usually achieves about 10 – 20 kg. The extent of weight reduction depends predominantly on coexisting supporting dietary, psychological and cognitive behavioural treatment, which should be built-in the BIB system. The patient is advised to follow his (her) urine and to come immediately for a check up when the urine turns blue, otherwise for a follow up control within the first week and in the month 2 and 4. Introduction of the balloon The endoscopic introduction of balloon in to the stomach is less burdening for the patient than an operation (e.g. laparoscopic gastric banding). It usually does require neither a general anaesthesia nor a hospitalisation. Initially an intravenous medication for sedation is given to the patient. Then an anaesthetic spray in to the mouth and throat helps to tolerate the introduction of the BIB well. The insertion of deflated BIB system by mouth through oesophagus to the stomach follows immediately after the diagnostic gastroscopy rules out any inflammatory or neoplastic lesion in the region. The procedure takes only about 20 - 30 minutes and the patients then stay for a short observation in the bed, checked by a doctor regularly. It is not recommended to drive a car the same day until 12 hours after the procedure because of used drugs. Patients usually experience severe nausea, vomiting and belching within the first 3- 5 days after the BIB introduction. Those symptoms vary in their intensity and usually disappear within few days. Antiemetics and PPI drugs (Gasec once a day) usually helps the tolerance of BIB. The removal of the balloon is performed in a similar way within 3 to 6 months. Dietary consultations are offered before the introduction and before the extraction of BIB. Is BIB suitable for everybody? Event though BIB is not an operation but an interventional endoscopic procedure requiring no general anaesthesia, indication criteria for BIB are similar to those in bariatric surgery. Indications Pre-surgical temporary use in extremely obese patients (e.g. BMI above 50) to become ready for a bariatric operation, a life-long definite solution Patients with BMI 40 and above or 35 with co morbidities who are not fit for an operation Obese patients (BMI above 30) with significant health risks related to their obesity who have failed to achieve or maintain sufficient weight loss with a long-term supervised weight-loss program (diet, behaviour, excersize) designed to increase the possibility of long-term weight-loss maintenance. Contraindications BMI below 30, weight-loss for cosmetic reasons only Patients who have had previous abdominal gastrointestinal surgery Inflammatory disease, lesions with potential upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding, large hiatal hernia Alcoholism or drug addiction, major prior or present psychological disorder Pregnancy or breast feeding Patients unwilling to participate in an established medically-supervised diet and behaviour modification treatment programme with routine medical follow up. Complications Intolerance: continuing nausea, vomiting, gastric discomfort, feeling of heaviness. Leakage: The blue colour of the saline solution infused to the balloon would signalise any potential leak from the silicone BIB by turning the discharged urine to blue or green colour. A leakage and partial empting of the balloon may cause a small bowel obstruction requiring an urgent surgery. Therefore the patient should come immediately to a check up when the urine colour changes. Ultrasound and Xray examination can estimate the size and location of BIB. Early leak detection and removal of an impaired BIB may avoid any serious complications. Organ injury and perforation. During the insertion or removing of BIB an injury or even a perforation could happen. According to literary data few cases of spontaneous stomach disruptions did happen in patients who have had a previous abdominal operation, probably due to perigastric adhesions.

Wow 40lbs between banding and the first fill, I thought I was doing good losing 24lbs... I think it is possible but you have to get your head in the right spot! Just because you CAN eat everything in sight before a fill doesn't mean you should, the sooner you realize this the better! I have fallen into a similar mindset over the past 2weeks and I am wondering if getting a fill (which I know I need) is really the solution or if I need to refocus on the bandster rules... That is how I maintained weight loss during the period between starting back to solids and my first fill... I knew most bandsters couldn't eat bread so I didn't eat bread, if you've already detoxed your body off of all the sugar and bad carbs during the liquid phase I didn't see much point in reintroducing those things for 3 weeks before my fill when I knew I wouldn't or shouldn't be eating them after my 1st fill! Your diet logs could be worse but what I would do is put those meals into a calorie counting website and find out just how many calories you were getting total each day and how much you were burning off! Don't lose hope, the period between starting solids and the first fill is called Bandster Hell for a reason... You can do it!

ever watch The biggest Loser? Those armbands they wear 24/7 are the bodybugg, basically instead of guessing that your body burns 1300 cal per day doing it's normal functions, eating, breathing, sleeping and relying upon a treadmill counter to say that your 1 mile jog burned 400 calories this thing you wear 24/7 and it tests your body temp, sweat level and something else constantly and gives you exactly how many calories your have burned in that day... It's like 97% accurate the most accurate of all the measures to do the same thing... You then plug it in to your computer and download your calorie count for the day and can input what you eat (like some people do with their food logs already) and you can see that you ate exactly 1,456 calories for the day and your body burned 1,822 calories and it will calculate the difference and show you how much weight you could lose... It really is pretty cool, but it costs $300 or $400 so maybe not worth it to the average dieter/exerciser

Measure Progress Without the Scale An Arsenal of Tools for Your Motivation -- By Liz Noelcke, Staff Writer Frustrated. Disappointed. Hopeless. Skeptical. Whichever you choose, these emotions are enemies of people trying to lose weight—especially when you feel like you have done everything right. For many trying to shed pounds, the elation from that initial weight loss is brought to a screeching halt when the scale stops moving. But, instead of viewing this as a setback, look for other ways to measure your progress besides the scale. After all, good health isn’t always measured in pounds. Losing weight usually involves a relatively simple calorie equation: burn off more calories with daily activity than you consume through food. So what happens when these numbers indicate progress, but the scale doesn’t? Before the aggravation sets in, consider why this might be the case. If you’ve been hitting the gym on a regular basis, participating in both cardiovascular and strengthening exercises, then chances are good that you have shed some fat. But the scale might not indicate this because you have also been building lean muscle. Since muscle is dense (a small volume of muscle weighs more than the same volume of fat), the scale might not reflect your hard work. Non-Scale Signs of Progress See results by taking a trip to your very own closet. Take out a pair of pants that fit snugly before you began your new, healthy habits. Are you able to ease into them, when before you had to sit (or lie) down and yank them up your legs? This is a sure sign of progress toward a leaner you! What about an old shirt? Is it now a little loose around your waist or arms? Also look for improved muscle definition when you check out your body in the mirror. There are many everyday indicators that you are firming up your body, from how your clothes fit to sitting more comfortably in a booth or small chair. Aside from weight, use other numerical signs of progress. When you first start your program, take measurements of your waist, arms, neck and hips. Even if you are not losing pounds, you very well may be losing inches all over your body as your figure slims down and tones up with muscles. Measuring your body is more reliable than the scale alone. Other numerical indicators include a reduction of blood pressure or cholesterol, heart rate, and body fat percentage. Monitor how a healthy diet and regular exercise affects your energy levels. Not only will you be able to work out for longer intervals of time, but everyday chores will also become easier. Whether cutting the grass or simply walking up the stairs, these behaviors will come effortlessly. Think of all the daily activities you could use more energy for—grocery shopping, house cleaning, playing with your kids, and more. Pretty soon you’ll be training for your first 5K! Lastly, be conscious of how you feel emotionally. You’ve been working hard to reach your goals. Hopefully, the hard work will come with a boost in self-esteem, confidence, and happiness. Are you beginning to feel more comfortable in your own body? Work to build a positive vocabulary to stay motivated. Just because the scale has stopped moving doesn’t mean that you’ve hit a plateau in reaching your goals. Don’t give up out of frustration—all healthy behaviors are well worth the effort. Whether it’s better sleep at night or more energy throughout the day, start listening to the signs your body gives you that all of your hard work is paying off!

Does Weight Weigh Heavily on Your Mind? -- By Jason Anderson, Certified Personal Trainer It cannot talk yet it speaks to you. Some days it makes you giddy with delight. Other days it puts you into a deep depression. It judges you on a superficial level. The thought of it is enough to worry even the most optimistic person. What am I talking about? The notorious bathroom scale. What is with this obsession we have with the scale? For most people, the scale can be an adversary or an ally, depending on the day. We often hate what it says or argue with it, but we still feel the desire to use it. When used properly and taken for what it is, it can actually be a very useful tool for weight management. But for many, the scale does more than measure the total weight of all your various parts. It somehow defines who you are as a person. And sadly, it can determine your own self-worth. We read way too much into this single-purposed tool. Here are four signs that you might put too much weight on weighing in: 1. You constantly worry about weighing in. When you're trying to lose weight, it's normal to experience some hesitation when it's time for your weekly weigh in. After all, you want to see the numbers go down as confirmation that all of your hard work has paid off. We all want to be rewarded for our efforts, and it can be discouraging when you have done everything right and things still don’t pan out. However, if you find yourself preoccupied with worrisome thoughts of what the scale is going to say tomorrow or the next day, then you might be a little too obsessed with the scale. 2. You weigh in more than once per day. SparkPeople recommends weighing in once a week (or even less). Ever wonder why it's not a good idea to do it more often? Your body weight can and will fluctuate from day to day, and change throughout a single day, too. There is no sense in putting yourself on that roller coaster of ups and downs. In the war on weight, if you become so concerned that you weigh yourself daily or several times a day, you are fighting a losing battle and you will be discouraged. If you feel like you can't control yourself or stop yourself from weighing in each day, then you could be headed for trouble. 3. You can recite your weight to the nearest fraction at all times. This is a sure sign that you are relying too heavily on the scale. Anyone who can tell you not only how much she weighs each day, but measures her weight loss to the nearest quarter of a pound is probably weighing in too often. There is nothing wrong with wanting to see a lower number on the scale, even if it's a quarter pound lower, but remember that weighing in is more about trends (an average decrease or consistency in weight over time). 4. The scale determines how you feel about yourself for the day. When the number is down, you step off the scale singing and have a jump in your step all day. When the number goes up (or stays the same when you expected a loss), you feel like Charlie Brown walking around with a rain cloud above your head. To me, this is the saddest situation of all—to let the scale dictate how you should feel. How would you feel about yourself if you hadn't weighed in that day? What other ways would you determine your self-worth if weight didn't exist? If one (or all) of these situations sound familiar to you, it's time to step away from the scale. Go cold turkey. Or at the very least, weigh in less often. But what's a "compulsive weigher" to do? Instead letting the scale alone determine whether you're a success or failure, use more reliable measures to determine your progress. My philosophy is that weight loss is not a goal, but the result of healthy habits like a better diet and regular exercise. When you do step on the scale and don't see the reading you had hoped for, ask yourself these questions: Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing? Am I making healthy food choices most of the time? Am I exercising consistently? If you are, then rust that your body is making positive changes, and the results will come. If you are not, then resolve to be consistent in healthy behaviors to see the results you want. Weighing yourself is definitely helpful and it has its place. Just make sure you don’t go overboard and give too much credence to this one measurement! After all, other measures (like how much energy you have, how much easier it is to climb a flight of stairs, or how well your clothes fit) might not be as precise or scientific, but they're sure to make you feel happier and more successful than a scale ever can.