WAgal

Hi Snowbird! It's Hanna... can you tell me how much they charged you and who was it that did your husband's implant. I have a father in law that has lots of dental implants needed... I think about ten when he went to an Orthodontist last year. He is retired and can't afford the cost here. Also let me know how it goes with your husband's crown. I go back to but not until August. Thanks in advance, Hanna

Armydad, Did you watch on the x-ray if there was a slowing down of the fluids as it passed through your band after you were filled? We saw how the band was working first without restriction and then with the saline put in, the liquid flow was slowed down after our fill. If you saw this with your own eyes then you do have restriction. If you didn't then I think your band is malfunctioning or damaged. Are you following the food guidelines? Not drinking stuff high in calories or having ice cream or liquid anything high in calories? May I ask what you are eating? You can call the office and ask to talk to Dr. O and get his email address. 1 866 Dr Ortiz (1-866-376-7849) Best wishes to the outcome of your predicament. Let us know what happens. Hanna

Paula, Lynn, Claire, Nikki and everyone, Thanks so much my sushi supporters! I guess I'll have to try having some sashimi. I've had some before but preferred the sushi because of the rice. Lynn you're right, rice is not good for me anyways 'cause I am diabetic. You guys are the best. I hope you guys will be able to eat it. It just wasn't for me... I may try again to have it in like 3-6 months from now, LOL! Right now I'm too scared. You guys have fun and be active this weekend. Go for walks or anything outdoorsy if your weather permits. I'm excited about my gardening and may take pictures to show you guys. blessings, Hanna

Oh Paula, I'm so sorry... I'll be more sensitive. I only found it funny because I feel like you, it's like you gotta be kidding me... I'd believe it if I were young and sexy but I'm old (about to be a grandma) and overweight... about the rape thing! I see your picture and you are beautiful! You are who you define yourself to be and define yourself with the more important inside qualities that surpasses time! Beauty is great but we all get old! There are only so much you can do with your outward appearance until time catches up with you. Not trying to be negative but please know you can relax with me. There will be nothing I say on this forum to ever PURPOSELY make fun or tear down anyone. That's my personality... I'm here like everyone else trying to go through a difficult journey with the support of fellow friends/bandster to get me through it all. If I succeed then I will have all of you to thank and hopefully help others along the way and in the future. Have a nice weekend... I've been gardening and things are looking up and perky in my garden. Now I have to plant things. Big HUG and SQUEEZE from me! Hanna:)

What I eat: 8am -I drink coffee or tea before eating. breakfast is my hardest meal to have... cause I'm not a breakfast person. Sooo I drink an EAS shake with at least 40grams of protein. Sometimes I'll eat one egg... anyway I like it cooked. Yogurt is good too for me. 12noon lunch, 5-6pm dinner -1 childrens gummi bear vitamin, drink whatever I want, usually 8-16 oz of water or 8 oz soy milk or any specialy tea drinks in a can.. I watch my sugar intake. what I've eaten that works for lunch and dinner: 1 fried chicken leg or 1 thigh with small green salad child's burger from McDonalds with one of the buns off (this one I chew a million times) and about 10 fries small cup of clam chowder and crackers go down well with it terriyaki chicken and beef (chew well every piece and make sure it's moist or it comes back up) tilapia fillet fish (they come portioned is small sizes and I just cook w/salt pepper and a little butter or olive oil, really delicious fish and cheaper than halibut and cooks fast (2 1/2 mins each side)) cantaloupe, watermelon, pineapple, strawberries, most fruits seem okay for me (haven't tried apples yet, afraid to try still) fried rice (cilantro, bacon, scrambled eggs, garlic, a little soy sauce and LONG grain rice) all kinds of soup cioppino and all kinds of seafood so far. I love mussels with wine, garlic, lemon, butter broth... delicious and I didn't have any problems with it. thin crust pizza salads of all types I stay away from breads and apples, dry chicken and now sushi (the type of rice that's used here tend to be sticky and I guess pasty when it goes down) Food is still an adventure! As for portion, I stop when I feel full or gage my food by a one cup mound. If we're eating out I make sure to have room for dessert. My mind frame has become this: "It is advantageous for me to eat healthy food choices packed with flavor that I like but in cup portions now. If I want more I can certainly let another hour pass, drink my water then decide if I want to eat more of what I want. At least I have given myself the attitude that I'm not deprived... I'll eat if I want but no longer in one sitting and usually I'll be distracted before that hour comes around and next thing I know it's lunch or dinner time. Eat when you're hungry but let time pass in between and take small portion at a time." This is what I do that seems to be working so far and I'd love to hear what you guys do that seems to work for you. I like to have the ideas in advance so I can vary my routine of what I'm doing if I get in a rut. Have a wonderful weekend! Hanna:)

Bethany, yes call the 24/7 emergency number (usually it's Dr. Martinez) immediately. If you can only drink small amount for now then make sure it's like Gatorade to help with dehydration. CALLL...please CALL don't wait! Hanna

Have you tried to contact Dr. Miranda as to what you can supplement in your broth to keep you from having that hungry feeling? I guess we are all different. I had lots of grumbling too but it was gas! I just expelled a lot (gross I know). I think there were some ladies in the month of March that had the hunger too. Those ladies please post here and help out with how you remedied the situation. Hanna

Great to have you back on the forum and I'm so happy all went well with your family as well I'm surprised that you feel hungry though...you sure it's not head hunger? The gas (LOL) you'll have more and more of that then it does subside but I'm gassy now more that I've ever been before banded although not as much as before my first fill. Hanna

Thanks guys! I really needed comforting I can't believe I won't be able to eat it anymore. Maybe it's just me... maybe it won't happen to you guys. I read in a blog that sushi went down well with some but I also read that it doesn't go down well with others. I'm the others All is well though! I got scared so I just had clear broth for dinner. Hey.. the up news is I'll probably loose a lb. by tomorrow... just for not eating enough and actually gardening (my arm hurts) today! Yay the sun was out and it's suppose to be sunny again tomorrow. Enough 'bout me... I hope you guys are doing well and exercising. I still need an elliptical machine!!! Sears has what I want but can't deliver until 6 weeks! I gotta find another supplier where I can just pick it up myself. Have a super day tomorrow... my day is done for now.. I'm pooped! Hanna

Okay... add spicy tuna sushi as ones that don't go down well! I've been outside doing yard work all day since I posted earlier, it's almost 6pm here and I decided to eat a little snack since I was hungry. My daughter had left over sushi from lunch in the fridge and I love spicy tuna sushi! I chewed and chewed fine but I started feeling stuck after the second piece. My mouth started watering and I knew I was going to heave. The sushi came back up... all chewed up and gross! My band doesn't like sushi!!! I'm sad but relieved it's not lodged in my esophagus anymore. I keep making these gurgling sounds right now... really yucky.. NO MORE Sushi for me! Ordeal lasted 5 mins. I hope you guys are doing well with food choices.... Hanna

Okay.. just now I finished 30 mins of shoveling dirt around my front garden bed. That has to count for something. I just had to post and take a quick break and I'm going back now! This has to count for something right Michelle? Hanna

You're so funny! I feel that way too when my husband says dumb things like that... but what you have to remember is that rape is not about male hormones gone wacko all the time, it's sometimes about aggression being transferred to a weaker sex/individual. If you think about it this way then it's very realistic. You still made me laugh and that I thank you for!! Remember I'm laughing with you not at you!!! xoxoxo Hanna:)

try having an EAS protein drink to keep you full! the one with the highest protein will be the best to keep you from getting hungry during the hours. when things get crazy... try putting on music that relaxes you or one that makes you think of a happy memory. or... try putting on music that your children will sing and relax with... if they're happy and calm you will be too... all this in theory of course. good luck.. hanna:)

Hi Britt!! Happy Birthday!!! Wow! So are you 19 or 20? How are you doing? I pray all is well with you and your recovery stage. It's great to be having this journey with you and your family! hugs, A. Hanna (I can be your Aunt too, since I'm old enough! LOL!)

You're welcome Carrie!! :-h

1. weight loss -22lbs. 2. how many fills -1 fill, 1.7cc 3. your tips for success - tips... so far is to relax and don't get stressed before a fill. be excited about the weight loss during the recovery stage and then maintain by going back to the pre-op diet until your first fill (get that appointment in at exactly 6 weeks). but try.. try very hard not to be obsessing on the scale (I warn you 'cause I'm a freak about it and have now made up my mind to do it only once a week). the most you should weigh yourself is once a week and then do it at the same timeframe.. like if its 8am then keep it 8am every week. have a positive attitude and be creative and open to ideas of how you will exercise and get your body moving again. practice eating small amounts before your fill and chewing a lot and sitting down for the meal also not drinking after meals, you'll be making it easier on yourself later. those bouts of pb'ing are not fun at all! read, read and read some more to educate yourself on how this band is suppose to work for you and how to protect your band from slipping, it is an investment after all. relearn eating habits and cut out the old "BAD" habits. all this takes time and patience, don't ever give up! ask for people closest to you for support. i'm not successful yet but my band is working the way it's suppose to! i get on this forum to keep myself accountable and encouraged to fight the good fight. my health, happiness and well being for my kids, hubby, and self. if you decide to cheat.. that's okay.. we all have our moments of weakness... but after the cheating own up to the punishment by being good for the next few days and undo the effects of the "cheating" you had done. remember bad habits are hard to break but when we start practicing the good habits it will become second nature and then we will be well on our way to our successful journey. we are here for the long haul! love and blessings, Hanna

I love your innovative ideas Michelle, sign me up for the Bronze! But I have a big request! Can you send the NV sun towards my way?!!! It's been raining here and temps are high 40's! I need the sun and warmth! If our weather doesn't change soon I'm running away to Cali or maybe AZ, or NV... wherever it's warm!!! LOL!!! Does cleaning house like a madwoman count as exercise? Or chasing the kids around the house? LOL!!! That's my life!!! Kajsa is 4 today and we're off to get her ice cream cake at Coldstone... another temptation I know.. but I'm not much into ice cream so it's not a problem for me. Thanks SO much for this Michelle... it's just what I needed! xoxoxo, Hanna

Congrats McCracken.. and all the other ladies that will be banded together. Isn't it nice to meet people on the forum then be able to hook up there at TJ? Your surgery is just around the corner! Best wishes and have a great time! Hanna:)

send to rene@obesitycontrolcenter.com and to your patient coordinator.

Soda pop Alcohol These are the ones I know were told. Six month no pop our paperwork denotes but I've read that you can kiss pop goodbye as it will always not be a good choice for the bandster. Hanna

Blazn, Very nice hightlights! Maybe I should have just gone for a hair color. I dunno...I wanted change but I think maybe what I needed was a hair coloring (something other that black but dark) and cut. I'll try again in a few more weeks. I really can't wait until next year when the hair thing will go along with the body! These are the extra perks I feel very blessed with in adddition to ridding of the diabetes and hypertension. Woo whoooo! =D> Hanna

Nebsmom, Oh.. I know what you mean about leaving your baby and husband behind and it being hard. I had the same experience and my little girls are almost 4 and almost 5! I've just never been away from them before and the first time is always the hardest. Sweetie remember that you DO need that time to recover after surgery and the more rest you get the faster your recovery and the sooner you can resume to taking care of your family. A reminder too that when you return from surgery not to lift up anything heavy. It will be very hard but try not to lift your baby (if your baby is heavy) until your stitches are fully healed. Ask Dr. O and Dr. M about this and how long before you could. I had a bit of bleeding on my port cut because my 3 year old is so clingy and just wanted to be picked up, she weighs about 28-30 lbs. A mistake 'cause it did create some unnecessary added healing time to my recovery. I'll be praying for you this morning. For you and your family. OCC will take really good care of you! Blessings, Hanna

Holy guacamole Michelle! That's so expensive! I guess you picked the celebrity motherload! In 2002, I went to Vancouver BC for a perm and cut and paid $230 Canadian with tips. I thought that was very expensive but it was really nice! I was at the salon for almost 4 hours. They were great and I even got a scalp and shoulder massage. I was thinking of going back to the salon but at Nordstrom's here in Seattle. I heard it's very nice but wow... I don't think I want to spend that much and then some for maintenance! I better find out how much it costs for such services. I guess the results for your cut and coloring was great... Love your hair! Btw, how are you doing? I had weekend visitors, my brother, and it became a seafood eating frenzy. It was great to have him visit since it's been 8 years since he came out here. I was good... I was very good. I wanted to eat more but my band wouldn't let me. What a nice friend (my band) I have to remind me that I can't overdo it! Hanna

Hi Bandgroupie! I actually went to a mini reunion in the hometown I grew up at in Cali about 3 weeks ago. My sister and I decided to pamper ourselves with manicures and a massage (oh by the way... a massage is SOOOO great!) and then I decided to get my hair cut with some highlights. I would recommend you get a picture from a magazine that appeals to you then ask your stylist if they can create it and then ask their opinion if it will be flattering on your face. All in all it was fun having myself pampered for a few days and then the highlights went bad because I was put under a hairdryer and my girlfriend and I got to talking ... and talking ... what was suppose to be 8-10 mins became more like 15-18 mins. The moral of the lesson is DON'T talk when you are having your hair highlighted or permed where time is of the essence! You might end up with too light of a highlight or too tight of a curl. He he he he. Good luck on your new hairdo. xoxoxo, Hanna