nothereanymore

It is a bit odd, but most of my friends and co-workers are really happy for me! My family is thrilled; I didn’t realize how worried about my weight they were until I lost it. People who know me and have for years, get that its still me. Its interesting how some people act, but I don’t really notice it too much, I think I’m just too old and to in love with my husband to care. For me it’s normally younger guys that didn’t know me and don’t know how old I am – I just pull out the line that I’ve been with my husband since the 70’s and I’m a happy grandma. That’ normally takes care of it, but desperate housewives has changed things for us, seem like the younger guys are totally into the older woman. Weird…… One funny moment, I was at happy hour with a co-worker and I actually had one of my sons friends try to pick me up, (my oldest is 28) when I told him who I was he nearly fell of the bar stool.. He had to leave the bar…… I traumatized him.

Yes, in a heartbeat, I would give up my car, my knickknacks, my make up and anything that wouldn’t affect my family to get it. Because I know it not only improved my life, it most likely saved my life. My kids are happier, (because I’m happier) my husband thinks he’s landed the jackpot and is now married to the most beautiful woman in the world (but he said that when I weighed almost 300 pounds – but now I get the feeling that he means it more). Everything is better and that’s sad to say, since it means I wasn’t living life to the fullest and wasted a lot of years being MO – my only regret is I didn’t do it sooner. It’s a chore, its not easy you have to work at it, and some of you with lower BMI’s or if you have medical conditions, you may lose the weight slower – but we all know the story about the tortes and the hare – who won that race. So don’t sweat it, your mental attitude is a great part of your success so try to be positive and I know that’s hard some days. But you will hit your sweet spot, you will reach your goals as long as you follow the program and keep plugging along. Its not how fast you get there – the important part is you just get there and reach your goals! We’re all different – but we can all succeed at this, and remember, we've got each other to help us along!

Heidi, You are my hero; you are an extremely strong, beautiful, motivated young woman. I am so amazed at your journey and everything you stood up to, to get your band and your struggles and triumphs along the way.. You don’t need any of us to come down and kick your butte’ you can do this in a heartbeat; just sit in front of your mirror and have a heart to heart with yourself. Today is a new day, so get going girl! Lisa

Hello Barb, Karen is right on, take care and hope you're able to get some liquids down! We're thinking about you and hoping for the best! And this is hard right now, but try not to stress about it - it will only make it worse. Worry and the band do not mix as we know....... Lisa

Carrie, You look awesome, the change is dramatic, your waistline is more prominent and as noted you are losing those pesky love handles and your stomach side view really tells it all – how many inches have you lost girl??!! My arms were the last to drop the weight - the stomach takes up so much energy to try to lose and your body focuses there first - once I lost a lot of my tummy weight my arms just shrank - and my were HUGE!! Yours are not at all like mine - the weight will just fall off them soon. Try to start lifting some small weights for your arms if you have time - it really helped me move mine along. Great job! Lisa

Thank you so much! This is such an amazing group of people, everyone has been my inspiration and I’m happy if I can help – Carrie and Jenelle , you both have done so well and can you believe how far you’ve come already - your goal is just around the corner – you’ll hit it in no time! I still have times when I can't believe I'm done with one part of the journey and on to another one - I see my refection in the mirror and I still have a hard time recognizing that it’s really me. Karen, I'm glad to hear you're a vegetarian, that’s a step I may be taking soon so I may have some questions coming up - and good job with starting the children on a healthy path at a young age - I wish I did that with mine! For the questions about the program it’s called Onvo, you work with Dr. Mark Adams who is a Naturopathic Physician (Harvard grad) and he teaches the fundamentals of whole body health and performance. He’s in Bellevue WA and it’s a cool program, so if someone is in WA and interested they should check it out. We’re not supposed to add links here so just search for Onvo in Bellevue WA and you’ll pull up the website. This is really a life changing program – its 4 weeks + of education on how to change your eating habits. And the books, meetings and education we get are meant to guide you to lifelong health changes. Unfortunately it’s not a diet that I can post, and I'm just starting out so my knowledge is pretty small at this time. Simply put we are eating only organic natural foods, no coffee, black tea, wine, sugar (sweets like honey or anything sweet for 30 days) grains or dairy. its weird my body is acting like when I quit smoking – I’m having a hard time right now but I can tell I am cleansing the toxins out of my body. You can add in whole wheat organic grains and organic milk and honey after 30 days. The focus is to eat things that have not been changed/processed, so no preservatives. And you can't eat anything fat free or diet - its been chemically changed. What they are finding is that with all the fat free and diet foods have so many chemicals it may be what’s making us obese. I’m drinking a lot of green or herbal tea (no juices only fresh fruit) and lots of water. (Especially now – since I’m detoxing, the headache is one for the books……). I love my sweets and even though I don’t eat a lot I still have my little treats and I’m paying for them now…… ouch! It’s like I have a big hangover! (Its amazing to me and he said this would happen, we laughed - not laughing now.....). So far I'm making it - and looking forward to the benefits I'll see soon! Best, Lisa

Congrats Shady - welcome to bandland!! Its awesome that you all banded together and are sticking together - it makes the ride so much easier! Get ready to make some positive changes! Lisa

I’m starting on a new path to changing my lifestyle one more time with my maintenance program.. I’m heading towards 50, in the middle of menopause and looking to improve my life in one more way – and I think maintenance is more than just trying to keep the weight off I think its an opportunity to improve my life with this awesome tool. (I'm totally going to get my moneys worth out of this band) The more I read about the chemicals in our foods and since I have the band – I’m more in tune with how food affects my body I’m more into getting them out of my system. Step one was getting the band and losing the weight. Step 2 was getting my PS done. Step 3 is working towards a new healthy me with my healthy maintenance program. I’ve been taking baby steps with the band – one great thing is since you don’t have the huge hunger you have more time to make good decisions on what you should eat. Now I’m going one step further by starting a strict program that is focused on removing the chemicals and focusing on natural foods. I can eat anything that doesn’t have a label (or if it does have a label only "real foods" are listed, like, beans, no additives only words we understand – but most foods should be fresh) I can eat things that can be caught, fished, picked or harvested. (However for the first month – no grains or dairy and sugars). Also no alcohol or coffee…… (And for those who know me know I love my coffee and wine – but wine I can drink again in 30 days in small quantities). I’m also on an exercise program that is constant and I’m bringing in more yoga into my routine. I’m looking to improve how I feel, look and live my life. I also believe much of the weight gain I have during maintenance, (the up and down I have right now) has to do with retaining water and a lot of that has to do with what we put into our body. And the chemicals are really supposed to cause havoc when you’re in the life change. Its amazing the changes I’ve made since getting my band – I don’t think I’d ever even think of doing this – would most likely have cracked a joke at it. But if I can get the band, lose over 100 pounds, go through PS and change my body and how I look, I can focus on improving my health in one more way. I think this is just one more way to improve myself and I’m so happy to have gotten the band which allowed me to step up and take on these other challenges and actually look forward to them! I love my band and for all of those on your journey - it is hard sometimes - but it is so worth it and we are all so blessed to have this tool that allows us to improve our lives! I've never looked forward to living like I do now - getting up is fun and everyday is an adventure!

I was totally on top of things in the beginning, and at first I wasn’t losing a lot of weight and then I realized I was taking in a ton of salt –and I was retaining water – a lot of those broth and soups we eat are really salty – once I got into the low salt and I added B-6 into my diet I started dropping more weight. (And I had to drink more water) I wasn't getting enough since we have to drink little sips through the day at first. You most likely are losing our bodies do a lot of weird things when we change so drastically and you’ll find that you have times when you don’t lose for a long period – then you drop 10 pounds quickly. I’m really focused on watching what I eat and also when I started eating solids I was really on top of measuring my food and teaching myself what amount was appropriate. Good luck – it’ll work for you – this is the hardest part!

I love the OCC, it was a great experience and I’m so happy I went to Dr. Ortiz. - I had my first fill at the OCC and the rest at Pacific Surgical Weight Loss Center in Olympia. I've been banded since 10/6/2006, and reached my weight goal last year and I’m working on maintenance these days. Good luck! Lisa

Alana, I'm so sorry, Dr Ortiz is so fast with our surgery and we are under for such a short while that his pts normally come out of surgery much better than even others who get the band and defiantly better than other surgeries. One quick question - I know you have a family history with gall bladder issues - however could the weight loss have anything to do with it as well? Thanks and hope you start feeling better soon! Lisa

Yaaaa Mona!! Awesome post - thank you so much!! I'm so glad that you went in and talked to them - it’s hard enough to do this and harder if we are working so hard and aren't seeing the results that some are – you’re such a super star – you always think of everyone else when ever you take something on. Take care and I hope you’re going to Las Vegas in April I’d love to see you! Lisa

I’ve been with my husband since 78, we married in 80. I’ve been fat and thin and spent a good chunk of that time obese and morbidly obese. He always loved me and I’m still with him, not interested in a divorce or becoming a stripper, I have to spend more time letting him know I love him, that’s were our marriage issues most likely come from, when men feel threatened at times it can send them into a tail spin and they are the ones more likely to go off path. On another note, I think those who become a stripper and fall into those lifestyles most likely continue to have low self esteem and need serious help. You change in confidence, there’s no question to it, but as humans we change as we grow old as well and we change as we become more experienced in life – in a marriage you just have to work it out. You get extra attention from other men, but my take is if you didn’t like me when I was fat, you’re attention means absolutely nothing to me. I have my same friends, not many were overweight when I was and some are now, that’s just life. You take what’s good, and leave the bad, and learn as much as you can from the experience. I think many people will think that we changed who we are inside as well because we act differant; the truth is this most likely who we truly are, we just hid it under 100 + extra pounds….

This happens often after surgery. It is really strange but it does go away. It drove me crazy! (And I had it with all of my follow up PS as well) Just hope you don't get a cold, its not pretty....... (I just realized you haven’t had surgery yet and you’re just on liquids – I thought you were on liquids after surgery. Just one note when I talked to my doctor about this he explained that with anesthesia some people who already have a heightened sense of smell really go on high alert after surgery – so girl if you haven’t had your surgery yet and your this way on liquids – watch out and really, really try not to get a cold. I’m totally serios I was gagging for 2 weeks).

Who did his surgery and how much in his 2 fills has he had put in (and what kind of band does he have) - good luck - you're on the OCC forum for patients of Dr. Ortiz, there's a reason we went to him. And I'll be honest, if he's eating reasonably there’s a medical reason why he's still gaining - or he's not eating reasonably. And there have been multiple examples on the board lately of this type of post - one post of a problem with lap band with another doctor. I'm looking forward to hearing back and getting more details.

Agreed, and make sure you'e walking to keep everything moving in the right direction!

Wow, girl, you are doing great - what a change and you are one sexy lady! Congrats! Lisa

Firecracker, I had my lift by Dr. Nyte and then the saline inserts added later - if you want to talk to me about it send me a PM and I'd be happy to talk. Best, Lisa

Kim, I am so proud of you; you’ve done such a great job! Once I hit maintenance my fill provider removed between a quarter and a third of my fill and told me to come back in for a check up in a year as well. She didn’t mention the .10 solution annually part or I might have missed it. And it’s almost time for me to go in so thanks for the reminder! Maintenance is interesting, some of us have had that weird tightening that you hear about and had to go in to remove much of the fill. (I haven't had any more of my fill removed yet, but I get really tight when I travel and can barely eat). I can go up and down about 10 pounds – I still think my body is trying to settle and doesn’t know where it wants to be at. After being overweight for so long it’s not sure how to handle being thin……. But the 10 pounds doesn’t seem to make a difference on my clothes size – they go from loose to tight. I no longer diet but I am really focused on healthy eating (still eating my smaller amounts), I’ve been taking classes and I’m just about to start a really cool program called Onvo, it teaches you to eat healthy and to live a healthy life. That’s been my main focus for the last year. Really on mind body and spirit, since we aren’t focused on the silly diets we end up with extra time on our hands….. And I’m glad; it’s been a pretty great year. (I’ve also studied different religions to have a better understanding of the world, just took Buddhism 101 last week – it was pretty cool). Its really trial and error, one thing I’m always aware of is not trying to stretch my pouch, I know many who have had a variety of WLS and gained the weight back since they went back to their old habits, I’m not going there!! Good luck and congrats again! Lisa

Make sure you’re getting enough water in; I was having problems with my skin and realized I wasn’t drinking enough water. Once I was hydrated it did clear up.

I know people who lost the weight and didn't need plastic surgery. Many are on this board. I did, but it was very obvious before I even lost the weight, I had an apron. Now is when you really need to focus on reaching your weight loss goals, with exercise and healthy living with your band. You’ll most likely know if it’s something you may need and then its time to schedule an appointment with a PS if you feel it’s an option for you. Remember this is just personal preference, it’s not a "must have" for most of us. (For some it is - with great weight loss if it is affecting their life, due to apron’s or back pain from heavy hanging skin). Good luck!

Congrats, you'll love the difference it makes - we're all so different in regards to pain so be prepared for the worst but understand that we all have different pain thresholds. I’m not some tough person but I hated the darn drain more than anything. When I walked into the doctors office to get it taken out I was walking in straight and the nurses were surprised – they told me that most walk in hunched – but I was in pain – but doable. Take care and you’ll do fine!

It’s a personal decision and we’re all so different. Its really based on your genetics, your age, how you feel about your body, how important it is to you, can you afford it and the last one is if a surgeon will allow you to have one. (My surgeon let my friend know it wasn’t the best option and there were other things that she could do). No one’s too fast or too slow (your doc will help you with that decision) no one out there knows (as Michelle put it so well) how we look under our clothes and in addition how that makes us feel. If you don’t want one or don’t need it that’s awesome, and more power to you – if you’re someone that can afford it, needs it and wants it – go for it. It’s like the lap band – so many of us on this board are lower BMI’s and truthfully you wouldn’t be able to get the band in the States. Does that mean you really shouldn’t have gotten one – no is my personal belief. If this is the option that works for you and something you wanted to improve your life and self worth – go for it. It’s the same with plastic surgery. It’s all up to you and your doctor. I personally love mine – its great to love your body and I’m happy if people can find other options that work for them – for me – I’ve never felt better. I’m like many – older and lost a lot of weight, nursed three boys and had ugly stretch marks. I was always focused on taking care of others and my PS was a way to give back to me. I’m glad I did, I have more confidence and love what I see. It’s a nice feeling. Its was just the finishing touch to the accomplishments I had with my band, the bow on the wrapped present and husband who said he didn’t care – loves the new me.