JenniferJS

Thanks guys...I was thinking fluid or scar tissue as well. J.

Hello! I have a grape-sized knot under the skin where the scar is between/below my breasts. I'm not sure what this is. I am going to email the OCC. It is not painful. It does not protrude. Any ideas?? Thanks, Jennifer

Oh wow Michelle...thanks for continuing to be here on the forum...you are truly inspiring for us new to bandland!

Oh how awesome! That is so exciting! And like Judi and a few others said...weighing less than your hubby/bf is so nice! I weigh more than my (ex!) bf and 'babydaddy' - lol - that makes me sick! I cannot wait to be thinner! And it's happening...

OMG...I LOVE THIS POST BELOW!!! I want to do everything OICU812 is doing!

Hi Edith - Jennifer here...we were banded on the 19th I remember you well - we were going to wait for Dr. Ortiz to band us, remember? I am in the same mindset you are...I want to eat. Actually, I'm just wanting more full liquids than I think I am allowed...my protein shake is 11 oz (and 10g protein - its the Slim Fast one). The paperwork says to get 30g of protein in a day during these 21 days. I thought that would mean maybe two shakes a day and some soup to get the full 30g of protein. However, I watched Dr. Ortiz's video of "why 21 days of liquids" and he says ONE protein shake a day. I wish they would explain this more. I have read my paperwork and read this forum like crazy! So far, on day 14 - I have had 1 protein shake (11oz) for breakfast, a 3 oz danactive for a snack, and before lunch I was starving and drank another protein shake. Now it is 1:30pm and I just finished a 7 oz liquid yogurt. I feel like a cow for "eating" all this. I am at work, so soup is not too convenient. I will want soup when I get home. Is this just TOO much? I'm worried. I guess I have been swollen from surgery inside and feeling great restriction from that (or so I read on here..) so to feel hungry now or like I can just drink normally versus sipping my protein shakes/soups/water - It worries me. Otherwise I feel GREAT. Anybody wanna pitch in? Thanks guys...you all are very helpful!

I thought I was scheduled with Dr. Ortiz. I was assigned to Dr. Martinez due to 'personal issues' that Dr. Ortiz had to attend to. I was VERY uncomfortable with that. Another patient said she would wait until later that night to have Dr. Ortiz do the surgery when he was finished handling his personal issues. I asked to wait as well. Dr. Martinez came in and reassured me that I was encouraged to wait if I wanted, but to look around and see all the patients he just finished banding...was I sure I wanted to wait? After about 10 minutes, I agreed to go with Dr. Martinez. I am pleased with his skill and bedside manner. The next day before being released, Dr. Ortiz came in to say a very quick hello. I have a feeling that Dr. Ortiz will be doing less and less of the surgeries and more and more paid speaking engagements, etc. That's my hunch. I may be wrong. I was very pleased overall with the care/facilities/staff/accommodations/etc. It was unnerving, however, to be 'surgeon swapped' - I had not even researched Dr. Martinez. All is well, thank God. Feel better!

Does gum cause gas? I know after surgery they said no gum...but does it matter now? I'm 2 weeks post op....hmm...just wondering.

1. Name: Jennifer S. 2. Location: Palm Beach County, FL 3. Age: 31 4. Band Date: 1/19/09 5. Married: Nerp! Had 2 long term relationships and a few years of single life recently 6. Children of the human or furry kind: 1 daughter (Savannah) - she is 6! Born the day after Christmas. 7. Hobby(ies): Photography 8. Work: Portrait Photographer (FT) and Ophthalmic Tech (PT) www.sampson-photography.com 9. What was the deciding factor(s) on getting banded: I'll be completely honest here - I dreaded running into anyone I knew while out and about. I stayed home and decined more invitations than I could ever count/recall. I consider myself attractive (face/feet/lol!) and personable but grossly overweight. I want to date, I want to be desired, I want to march into any place confidently as I did in the past. I was obese at 11 yrs old. But the last 20 years (exactly 20 yrs wow!) I have been up and down - gaining and losing the same 50-60lbs...sick of this!! The banding was not really for my health or any 'good' reason other than FEELING PRETTY AND BEING CONFIDENT...just keepin' it real! 10. Interesting factoids: I am a dynamic figure, often seen scaling walls and crushing ice. I have been known to remodel train stations on my lunch breaks, making them more efficient in the area of heat retention. I translate ethnic slurs for Cuban refugees, I write award-winning operas, I manage time efficiently. Occasionally, I tread water for three days in a row. I woo men with my sensuous and godlike trombone playing, I can pilot bicycles up severe inclines with unflagging speed, and I cook Thirty- Minute Brownies in twenty minutes. I am an expert in stucco, a veteran in love, and an outlaw in Peru. Using only a hoe and a large glass of water, I once single-handedly defended a small village in the Amazon Basin from a horde of ferocious army ants. I play bluegrass cell. I am the subject of numerous documentaries. When I'm bored, I build large suspension bridges in my yard. I enjoy urban hang gliding. On Wednesdays I repair electrical appliances free of charge. I am an abstract artist, a concrete analyst, and a ruthless bookie. Critics worldwide swoon over my original line of corduroy evening wear. I don't perspire. I am a private citizen, yet I receive fan mail. I have been caller number nine and have won the weekend passes. Children trust me. I can hurl tennis rackets at small moving objects with deadly accuracy. I once read Paradise Lost, Moby Dick, and David Copperfield in one day and still had time to refurbish an entire dining room that evening. I know the exact location of every food item in the supermarket. I have performed several covert operations for the CIA. I sleep once a week; when I do sleep, I sleep in a chair. While on vacation in Canada, I successfully negotiated with a group of terrorists who had seized a small bakery. The laws of physics do not apply to me. I dodge, I frolic, and my bills are all paid. On weekends, to let off steam, I participate in full-contact origami. Years ago I discovered the meaning of life but forgot to write it down. I have made extraordinary four course meals using only a mouli and a toaster oven. I breed prize winning clams. I have won bullfights in San Juan, cliff-diving competitions in Sri Lanka, and spelling bees at the Kremlin. I have played Hamlet, I have performed open-heart surgery, and I have spoken with Elvis. ** Loves: Some Democrats. A few Republicans. Intellectual and ghetto-lectual conversations. The word "audacity." Sarcasm. A strong cup of coffee. dpreview.com Fresh sheets. Good hair days. Naughty texts. Visual arts. Spiritual, uplifting, positive people. Firmly telling someone to eff off when appropriate. People who can get the paradox of the two above. Progress not perfection. Positive bank balances. Savannah's confident stroll to her classroom. New clients. Returning clients. Spontaneous I love you's. Working thru my character defects. Wit. Photoshop. ** Hates: Touching wet shower walls. General bitchery. Poor grammar. Missing my mouth while sipping what-ev. Cleaning my bathroom twice a week. Prejudice. Alarm clocks. Sweat-inducing fabrics. Body hair.

I have nothing to offer you... I'm soo sorry you are experiencing this, however! I will keep up on your progress...BE WELL! Jennifer

Hi there all I was banded by Dr. Martinez at the OCC on 1/19/09. A week and a half ago! I feel pretty good. I will post more and hopefully become part of this amazing forum and circle of friends! I need to make a ticker and taglines and such. Just wanted to jump in to this thread. I am a portrait photographer here in Palm Beach County, FL. However, I travel for clients often. I would love to do a Lap Band "special" if you will. I could offer a deeply discounted photo session if enough of you girls get together. I know everyone is spread out over the US and beyond but if anyone has any ideas on how to make this work (maybe the Vegas get together?? I could do the shoots at the hotel?) Just some thoughts...I'm here if anyone wants to chat more. My portfolio can be seen here: sampson-photography.com I have shot some tasteful boudoir photos and feel that I'm pretty good at it See them on my photography myspace page here: myspace.com/sampsonphotography (you have to add me to see my pictures - I may change that though). Be well, Jennifer

Hi there I work for an ophthalmologist part time (have done this for 10 yrs). I am thinking that you mean Iritis. The doctor isn't in today but I'm curious as to what his opinion would be on this subject. I was banded by Dr. Martinez at the OCC on 1/19/09. I too feel I will be much healthier like the other poster replied(vitamins, adequate protein, drastically better diet and increased mobility/exercise) but I also understand your concern regarding decreased immunity and having a foreign object inside you. I will look into this more (internet research and maybe ask the doc I work for)...thanks for bringing this up. Hope you are healing well. What drops did they give you? Jennifer (will create a ticker and taglines and stuff soon! I'm new!)