nothereanymore

I fly a lot for my job and on some long flights - I don't get an unfill, but I know that I can get tight. I really watch my salt intake, drink lots of water, warm tea if needed and focus on chewing and eating really slow. No major issues to date, I just listen to the old band and let it rule. I don't think it’s mental, I think it has to do with the compression - we're so sensitive that we feel more with our bands than others. Just like your feet swell up (or mine do when I fly) I think our organs do as well and it can cause our bands to tighten.

When I exercise hard, and I'm really focused on building my stomach muscles I can sometimes get a pain - to me its saying to slow down - we are a little bit different than most with this tool inside of us. I’ve never had it long term, it’s like when I get a cramp in my calf. Doesn’t happen all the time – but I know its there.

Smiley, that's the best suggestion - simple and smart! Cristy, check back in and let us know how you're doing - we're thinking about you! Lisa

Dana, most of us are right there with you - and we're not trying to say you're not succeeding - we want to make sure you do! Some have seen others that fail and hurt themselves, and you are very special - we don't want you doing anything that would hamper your success. It’s not easy to step up to you - you're a strong willed person and we know that and we get that we're going to get bonked back sometimes - but we care about you and want you to succeed so its worth the bonk back. Take care and know that we get where you are and want you to reach you goals.

Linda, there's always new things we learn everyday from others, thanks for taking the time to post. I hope everything turns out OK for you - do come back and let us know how it went! We want to make sure you’ve been taken care of! All the best, Lisa

This is a very good post, and this response is only for Dr. Ortiz patients – (Dana, don’t take it personally its not directed at you either) K Remember one thing – if this person is from Washington, and their doctor is local – they are close to their doctor and may be able to wait. When you have surgery in Mexico, you don’t have the luxury of getting yourself to that point. Read and follow Dr. Ortiz’s guidelines, that’s why we went to him in the first place and we know that its difficult to find a fill doctor locally, its most likely not easy to find one to help for the price that we would get from Dr. Ortiz would take care of us if we did something that caused a slipped band – the goal is to not get yourself in this situation or even close to it. If you go down to the doctor’s corners – there’s a lot of great information. He’s our best expert and has more experience in this field that almost anyone else out there. Best, Lisa

I'm sorry but no it’s not what it’s about. I wish you luck but I continue to see posts from you about being too tight, not being able to eat, not losing weight….. My question is: are you succeeding with your band? Are you losing the weight? Being too tight will not only cause you to not lose the weight, it can cause the band to slip – and this can be very serious and since Pammie had a close friend who she watched this happen too, I believe that’s in the back of her mind. If you don't make it to Dr. Otiz in time, or something needs to be taken care of in the States, it can be very expensive. Not only that, but you just lost your band. You've had many senior bandstars who have been successful try to coach and help between this post and others. It’s your decision, you own it - the success and the failures and as Doctor Phil says, "is it worken for you"? It most be in one way or another.

Cristy, I have a family member that is bipolar, she gets so cranky since I sail through things and she doesn’t, but I believe that’s just part of who she is. She doesn’t deal with change as well and has to focus on regulating her moods. I would think getting the band would be very difficult for someone with bipolar, I know I was addicted to foods and ate through my emotions (I can't now with my band) I’m wondering if this is putting extra stain on you – you can’t eat food to help mask your emotions anymore so are you having a harder time regulating your moods? You’ll make it through and it will only better your life – I know it greatly improved mine! You’re taking control of your life right now, which is awesome, and once you get your band working for you with a fill, you can really focus on eating healthy. But you may have a tougher road than many of us – and I’m sure you’re aware of that. But you'll just have better rewards at the end of your journey! You’ll do fine and I’m proud of the steps you made – just be careful right now – I don’t like thinking that there may be something causing you the pain. Best, Lisa

Hello Cristy, I can't believe your Doctor (and since this is a forum for Dr. Ortiz - lets make it clear that it wasn't done by him or the OCC) didn't take the test fluid out of your band before closing. Are you sure that you are 100% OK, the truth is we don't hear a lot about people wanting to take their bands out - the first time I heard that was a couple of days ago and I've been on this board for 2.8 years. I would be concerned - unless you've had past experiences with surgeries and you know you don't deal well with pain. But to me it sounds like you have some sort of complication and I’d want a second opinion on that. Good luck and sorry about this! Lisa

Congrats Todd and Leanne! I'm from Washington as well, live in Snoqualmie and I've had my band since Oct 6 of 2006, lost 130 pounds and been doing great! I love the OCC and getting my band has been one of the best decisions I've made in my life! Its not easy, but its easier than not having it, at least for me. Good luck and here’s to an amazing start of your journey (to the both of you)!! Cheers!! Lisa

For me - its the "you ate too much" point. I try not to go there and since I've had much of my fill removed (and I'm better at knowing when to stop) I don't hit it too often anymore.

I have the V G band which holds 10 ccs and based on what I've heard they can put more into the bands - I know someone with the VG and has 11 ccs in it.

Congrats! What a wonderful, true life fairy tale! I hope all of the rest of your dreams come true as well!! You should be proud, you are amazing! Best, Lisa

Yep, Karen is right - mine keeps telling me to buy the silicone strips that you put on scars. (I use other things as well, I'm a product junky....) Mederma is a topical for scars, its suppose to make the scars appear softer and smoother.

Congrats! How fun to be halfway there - this is a great milestone for you - enjoy the rest of the ride - you're almost done!! (Can you believe it)! Lisa

Faith, I’m so sorry for your pain, I do hope it gets better quickly and my thoughts are with you. I think Pammie is right, I’d like you to go back and see the doctors. I do believe we’re all different, some have no pain, so have middle ground and some have a lot – but I’ve never heard any one say that if they could take it out themselves they would – that tells me that your pain is high up on your scale and that has me worried. Especially since you in the field and have a great understand of the process. I am so hoping that all goes well for you, however extreme pain can take over your life and emotions as you are seeing and I hate that you’re going through this. Take care, know that our thoughts are with you – and try and get yourself in for a check up if at all possible. Best, Lisa

Congrats, you deserve this and I'm so happy for you. It’s hard to explain what a difference it makes in our confidence - the changes can be dramatic. Clothes fit better – people who hadn’t really noticed how much weight we actually lost can now clearly see. The extra skin can be a hindrance, and its not fun to deal with, cutting it off is such a relief, you’re able to see the true you and all the work that you’ve done will really show and pay off in how you feel about yourself. All the best, you’re going in with the right attitude – you will do just great and it sounds like you picked the right PS! Lisa

I think everything on me shrank - including my head (I know for sure my nose, people think I've had a nose job - nope - it’s just not fat anymore) Take a look at my picture - it does look smaller to me - but unfortunately I didn't measure so no proof..... I'm pretty sure I had fat on my head, I remember feeling a fold on the back of my head from fat and being disgusted - but those days are just memories now and thank goodness to that! I know, anyone just getting the band now should measure their head before and then after - let’s see if it’s true! (And have some fun while we're at it)!

Sorry, Its often slow on the weekends, you should be happy but also understand that you may be a little bit sad as well. You most likely wont be able to eat like you use to and that can be missed - but you get over it when you start dropping the weight. There’s no way I could eat 2 slices of bread and barely can eat a bit - my band just doesn't like bread. The painful feeling may get worse - for many of use it’s the sign that we are done and need to stop eating - hopefully before we get to that point. My port is not dead - I can feel everything - but we're all different so don't worry, if you can't feel the needle all the more power to you - wish I couldn't feel it! Tips, stay calm - and try to not eat salty food before the trip - Dolittle has some great tips - search for his article bout fills. Best and hope it went well! Lisa

We don't eat much, so what we do eat needs to be high quality, good for you foods. Make sure you're taking your vitamins and supplements, here's a questionnaire to help you understand what you should take. It has the option to print to bring to your local store, so you don't have to buy online. https://www.drweil.com/drw/ecs/Va2/home.htm...;aparam=gateway We can be healthy and eat less; we just need to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves and eating right. Otherwise it is hard for us to fight the germs, and one thing I’m a freak about now is washing my hands, and making sure I don’t touch my face when I’m out with my hands – its how we spread the germs. Best, Lisa

I have totally changed my style, from my hair to my toes. I hid under my clothes, at a tight size 22 there was no way I wanted people to see me so I tried to dress in a manner that would not draw attention to me. I also had a hard time putting on shoes, and could not wear heels so I wore slip on shoes most of the time (no heel) My hair is cut close to my face, (I use to use my hair to hide my triple chin), longer with layers, more updated and I get my nails and toes done. I dress age appropriate, but I do have fun, my clothes are tighter – I’ve worked hard for this size 4/6 body and I’m showen it off! (The top is still an 8 – I’m good with that). I tuck in my shirts and wear belts (didn't do that for years). I’m much more in tuned with style, and often watch the same show and take learning’s from it. I got more into make-up, taking care of my skin and making sure I exercise so I look good. I’m proud of how I look and it shows. I never thought I could wear rich and skinny or seven jeans (I have to buy 29’s in those guys) and I don’t wear the “mommy” pants or high wasted – low wasted all the way with no muffin showing. And I almost always wear high heels, since my knees don’t hurt anymore from the extra weight I can wear them with no problem…. And my feet shrunk from a tight size 10.5 and my feet were wide and fat to a very nice can fit any shoe size 9.5. I work out now consistently and love my lululemon clothes; they are an investment I made in myself and feel great about wearing (size 4 in my yoga clothes....) I'm having lots of fun, but its OK, I wasted years being morbidly obese!

Stormy, there is a product that might work - call one of my Beauty Advisors, 1-800-669-0015 (Ask for Katie and let her know you're a friend of mine) She works from 9 to 5 PST. Just have a quick chat with her; I remember hearing about something that was new and good for dark circles. (It was either Darphin or Skyn Iceland, I'm not sure but there was something that I heard great results on) She can always go direct to the brands for help. If it doesn't work, you are close enough to Dr. Nyte - talk to either Pammie or I, we've both had great results and we have many friends who use him as well. Take care, Lisa

Congrats Karen! I am so happy for you!! Take it easy for a while and make sure you baby yourself! (You're going to just love them) Lisa

I can eat organic brown rice, its not sticky like the white and if I chew it in small quantities it goes down fine. Really process foods (breads, rice) even if we chew to mush they seem to go down and get re-stuck together in our pouch. Foods that aren’t processed (organics) seem to do better. We don’t eat as much and they don’t get as re-stuck as bleached and processed foods. (At least that’s my findings for me personally) I still eat sushi, just have my fish (veggies) and no rice (since sushi requires sticki rice)…. Its not as cool but they know me and that I can’t eat rice – I call the sushi bar before I come up and they have my special bandster sushi tray waiting for me.

Yaaaaa, that's great to hear! Here's to never having do deal with plateau's again, they are such a pain! (But they never stick around forever if you stay with it, so congrats)!! Lisa