nothereanymore

You can't see it... But I'm doing the Happy Dance for you!!!! Congrats that is so awesome!!!! You Rock!! Lisa

Awesome post and philosophy. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this down in words. You not only lost your weight in a healthy manner, you are teaching others how too, great job! Lisa

OK, so here I go again saying things that sometimes you may not want to hear – sometimes when we do a bunch of weird things to our body – it ends up doing some strange things back. I’m just from the outside looking in and it seems to me that you’re doing things that people do that don’t have the band do, stop and think what is the band about – it’s about being consistent, eating healthy smaller meals. (The exercise part is right on – awesome job – that’s one of the hardest to do). Have you noticed that most of the experienced bansters that have lost the weight and have had successes already are the ones trying to get people to stop doing these off diet things? I’d recommend that you go back to basics, throw the scale away (if its making you obsess), give yourself a pep talk everyday, your mental attitude has a lot to do with you weight loss. You’re a beautiful women on the way to a new you – just get back to basics. I’m doing my “get ready for the summer bikini body” and just by cutting out some things, eating healthy and normal adding in more exercise I lost more than 15 pounds in one month, I lost the pounds I added on during the winter plus some. I’m thinner than I’ve ever been and feel great. I’m getting my body analyses done next week to see how much I’ve been able to change. (and the truth is the less weight we have to lose the harder it is). I eat three small healthy meals, and only eat when I’m hungry. In fact I wait until I’m hungry to eat – that’s my big rule – and we sometimes need to understand what hungry means with our band. You might say you’re doing all of this and its not working, and I agree then get a doctors check, but be honest with yourself about what you are doing. That is sometimes the hardest thing to do. You have the same amount of weight to lose that I did, and normally when you’re as big as we are it does come off faster. This is just my input – don’t know if you wanted that or not. But take care and know it will get better. Lisa

Many of us are either doing maintenance or getting ready to start. I know I've been working on it for close to a year now. Just learning how to live healthy and maintain my weight. I thought this was a great article. I have stayed around my goal weight; I go up during the winters for vacation, business travel and the Holidays. But I’m learning that this is normal and if you eat to much one day, you just eat less the next day. Life is good! How To Maintain Your Weight Loss by Gabriela Cretan I'm sure you heard it before: "Ninety-five percent of all dieters gain the weight back." There is little evidence to back this up. Many dieters can - and do - keep the weight off. Recent research surveyed 1,310 people who had all lost a significant amount of weight. The survey was taken at a point that was one year after weight loss had already occurred. Overall, 59 percent were still close to their weight of a year before -- which in all cases was at least 10 percent lower than their heaviest all-time weight. Another 8 percent weighed less than they did a year earlier. A third of the subject regained a "significant amount of weight". The National Weight Control Registry also looks at what successful weight maintainers (people who lost at least 30 pounds and kept it off for at least a year) have in common. They have published their results in a number of articles. The Keys to Maintaining Weight Loss From the above research.  Exercise - Those who continued on with exercise were much more likely to maintain their loss.  Not Sedentary - Hours spent in front of the computer or TV were closely correlate with regain.  Lost weight slowly - Regainers were more likely to be those who had lost large amounts of weight in short periods of time. From the Weight Control Registry (via):  They watch portion sizes.  Four in five eat breakfast every day of the week.  Most are physically active, with walking being their most common form of activity.  They actually find pleasure in their healthier lifestyle. Take care, just think, even those who aren't on maintenance now will be soon - how cool is that! Best, Lisa

It also depends on where you are putting them. Are you putting them under the muscle or on top and just in the breast tissue? You really want to talk to your PS about the details, your body, from how much fat you have in your breast, where you should put them ect. Never go in with your mind made up - go in open minded and make the decision based on your personal needs. Its a life changing process and its really cool, its amazing how changing how we look under our clothes can change how we feel about ourselves.

For those that Washington State is close (if you're in Vancouver) Dr Nyte in Maple Valley does a great job and is very reasonable. The Extended Tummy Tuck is $6,950 (includes hip tuck with liposuction) This is what I had and its almost a body lift – but not quite, the scar does go all the way around but doesn't touch. Here are his specials: Tummy Tuck...............................3,950 3 Area Liposuction......................3,950 Saline Breast Augmentation........3,950 Silicone Breast Augmentation.....4,950 Breast Lift...................................3,950 (a 300 dollar anesthesia fee may apply) A few of us on the forum have used him – he is really good. And if you do more than one procedure he normally gives a discount.

That sounds good, and make sure you stay on with us, a big part of our success stories is the support we recieve on the board. You're in a good group.

Congrats!! I'm so excited for you - this is going to be just awesome!! My thoughts will be with you! Lisa

Donna, make sure you're getting enough protein and fat - you can also add the below supplements to your diet, as well as Biotin as Darlene mentioned. I am a big believer in the PHYTO Phytophanere. But its pretty pricey - I checked to see if it was going on sale but its not at this time. You might try the Biotin with the Primrose and Omega 3. This is from my nutritionist who works for me, he's a nutritionist for the some pretty well-known doctors. “1200 calorie diet; 40-50 grams of protein. Higher end of the range if regular strenuous exercise. 30-40 grams of fat. The goal would be to avoid a fatty acid or a protein deficiency—getting even the minimal above should do the trick. Some people need to take a fatty acid supplement—Evening Primrose Oil, Omega 3 oils for example. “

Here it is - this is his latest: “1200 calorie diet; 40-50 grams of protein. Higher end of the range if regular strenuous exercise. 30-40 grams of fat. The goal would be to avoid a fatty acid or a protein deficiency—getting even the minimal above should do the trick. Some people need to take a fatty acid supplement—Evening Primrose Oil, Omega 3 oils for example. “ Best, Lisa

Hey Danah, Protein shakes are not considered a clear liquid, so not approve right now (Its been 2 and a half years since I’ve been banded so if anything has changed someone jump in). You really want to try and take a liquid supplement; Costco has a great on that's pretty inexpensive. And that protein water is good to make you feel whole again, also no blended foods. I have never heard of anyone slipping their band due to severe coughing, and Dr. Ortiz puts his in darn good. So I wouldn’t worry too much about that one. And yes its normal not to have a BM, prune juice helps and it’s actually really good for you so it may make you feel better. It’s also normal to have very liquidy BMs once you start. (I’ve been drinking prune juice for the last month and it works great, BMs are an issue for us and a constant discussion on the board so no worries) Best, Lisa

I've got the extended tummy tuck which is like Dolittles, the scar goes all around my back and is just two inches apart. The scar is not pretty but its low enough that I can hide it. I also did lippo on my back and sides to give me curves – I’ve seen some that are really straight when you reach around the back with your scar and I didn’t want that look. I like girly curves and did end up with them. I'll take the scar any day over the apron..... Not pretty..... I actually love my scar now that I think about it - its kind of like my badge at this point.....

Donna, I get it online - send me your email address and I'll send you the information. We're not supposed to post stores or other links on the forum or the post might get deleted.

I had one of my nutritionist put that together for me - I'll pick it up from him tomorrow and re post. I'm really out of the diet part of it now and more focused on just eating real food with maintenance and its got me in a new mind set. (I also just walked in the door from crossfit training and it was painful..... My mind is mush) its 45 minutes of extreme workout and by the end I thought I was going to keel over.... But I made it!

I've been using PHYTO Phytophanere, (it’s a supplement) it has a 4.5 star rating out of 5. I really like it - not cheap but worth every penny. When you add on our lifestyle changes along with menopause - your hair gets scary..... I also use the other PHYTO hair thinning treatment products like the shampoo and revitalizing lotion – I love this line.

Hey Danah, I had my surgery on Friday and was back to work on Tuesday, I'm not going to lie, it was hard, but it was doable. And I was tired, I went out and bought some protein water from GNC to help and I made sure to take my liquid supplements. That will help with your energy level. We're always afraid of the unknown, but just think, thousands of Dr Ortiz patients have gone before you and we all made it through and very few have complications, the ones I know of that had complications were people who ate during the liquid stage. It’s normal to worry but also remember, worry does take energy and makes us more tired so try and manage it, and focus on what's coming down the road for you. Don't cry, you're on your way to change your life! This is going to be awesome! Take care! Lisa

Actually, I like this post best; this is exactly what this forum is about. Different opinions but everyone talking about, and taking out of it what works best for them. Without getting personal or doing the High School thing. I always tell people that we're a large group with differing opinions - but that's what makes us so damn cool. So awesome post, thank you for your reply. Best, Lisa

I'm like Dolittle, (but just a bit younger) I had to have surgery to correct. My arms did come back - not perfect but livable. It very personal, the best is to consult with a plastic surgeon for advice if you believe you might need it. Mine was very honest and it gave me time to start saving my funds. Good luck! Lisa

You're not doing anything wrong, you're in bandster hell and that happens. If you are following the rules, you'll succeed - I agree that you may need to stay off the scale for a while. Take care and you'll do find! Lisa

Welcome to the century club!! Congrats, isn't it so cool, you went beyond your goal!! I guess you never know where the end of the road is until you get there and you had a wonderful journey! Thank you for sharing! Lisa

Misty, You are awesome and so beautiful, congrats - it’s been fun watching your journey, you are amazing. Thank you so much for your post – you are a true inspiration! All the best, Lisa

Dana, I really agree with Karen, and to be honest, (I'm not trying to be mean) but it’s not great nutritional advice and goes against what the OCC recommends. You can follow it, and you most likely will lose weight, but it’s not something we can sustain long term. Part of what I am doing is learning how to eat right long term for good health. Drinking 4 to 5 of these a day, that’s also (if I remember right) up to 100 grams of protein a day. This seems a bit high to me. (And I use to be like Karen, I had my one protein shake in the AM since I had a hard time eating solids in the morning). And my son’s a personal trainer and use to do things like this, but later took another class on nutrition (which I pushed him to do) and stopped it, he is focused on real food, not to the extent of what I am, but he’s getting there and I’m really proud of him. Based on something that happened to a family member I have cut Splenda completely out of my diet. (And after learning more from Dr. Mark, I completely believe it was a great idea). And, you wont find Splenda in Dr. Weil’s restaurant, there’s a reason for that. We don't eat that much so I eat real sugar, honey or anything natural in small amounts. There are going to be some pretty cool studies coming out in the next few years about what all the fake food is doing to us - most likely a big culprit in what is making people in the States obese. Let alone what all the chemicals are doing to our bodies. Sorry if I sound like I'm on a soap box, I really do want to help. http://www.womentowomen.com/nutritionandwe...ss/splenda.aspx We all have to make our own decisions and whatever you decide you’ll have our support. Take care, Lisa

Hey Angie, Welcome, and lets start here, its not your battle, this is your life and an opportunity to start anew. Your surgery was just the beginning and the truth is you are in the middle of bandster hell, so we know where you are coming from. I’m sorry you don’t have their understanding, the truth is I’m married with 3 boys, when I first got my band I had my two older boys still at home, I didn’t ask that they change their diet – I just removed their food as part of my new lifestyle (and watched them eat it). We can’t eat it and succeed and the truth is we can only change ourselves not them. And this is your time now, an amazing time just for you. And we all know how hard it is to pass up those things; however we also made the decision that we were making a change, and you have to realize that you most likely have an addiction to many of the foods you see them eat (I did) and that makes it even harder. You really just have to stay strong for yourself and keep up the hard work, many of us bought goal dresses or something to keep us on track. Once you make a firm change for a few months it does get easier, and once you have a couple of fills under your belt you'll feel differantly, but you do have to keep going even when its hard and you aren't at your sweet spot yet. I’ve lost over 130 pounds, if I can do this anyone can. Set your sites on your goal and keep up the hard work, you’ve come so far already and your new you is just around the corner! So go have a nice stern talk to yourself and imagine what you're going to look like and how your life will change, all the new things you can do once you lose the weight! It’s incredible! One important thing, don't let others influence you, or allow them to change how you feel about yourself - that's what got a lot of us big in the first place - own your future - its yours just waiting for you! You’ll be able to do it!! Best, Lisa

Hello Kim, I had my first fill at the OCC, it was important to me since I wanted the people who put my band in to take a look and make sure everything was functioning as should be. I then did the rest of my fills in Olympia at Pacific Surgical. However on that note I know many who never went back to the OCC, for me going back to the OCC was my personal preference. All the best, Lisa

Great job Carrie - your friend gave great advice. We've had the scale discussion here before - I'm one that tries to stay away from it at home (unless I can tell by my clothes that I need to check on myself) and leave the scale weighing for when I'm either with my doc's or my personal trainer. I'm most likely more focused on food now than I have ever been, but just because I'm trying to become educated about it and have a better understanding of how it affects my overall health, not about eating it all the time (thank goodness). One thing I found is that we really need learn how to listen to our bodies; we do need to be careful as with as little that we eat, it can cause problems. So make sure you're in tune with how you are feeling and focus on getting out and enjoying life! (You'll know if you need certain foods just by how you feel). All the best, Lisa