nothereanymore

I would not want to be a moderator on this forum for all the money in the world (OK, maybe for all……) Its hard for us when we’re sitting on this side of the fence, and we can’t see everything that’s happened or understand what others have done. (I think that’s the hardest part – most of us wouldn’t do or say or send emails to people and we don’t understand what could be so bad) But some of you know since you have been on the receiving end. And from what I’ve heard, some of the PMs are pretty disgusting. Most people on this board are kind and caring and will always do their best to not only succeed themselves but to help others succeed. Everyday, without fail, I see it and it amazes me and helps me to stay strong and continue to work hard. There are also people who are cruel and ignorant, and it shows in how they treat people, and I truly only feel sorry for them. Unfortunately the poor moderators have to deal with the whole lot of us. And I think we’re too old to have to be babysat and that’s what they have had to turn into - baby sitters. It really didn’t use to be like this – its just that a few have come on and set a bad tone – but that never lasts forever – people in general are good and caring and not into hurting others and the forum always gets back on track. Can you imagine if it wasn’t here for you when you where in your decision making stage? We really owe it to the newbies to get it back on track and pay if forward guys. I’m not going to blame the messenger – I’m blaming the person who can’t control their bodily functions and have enough class to control their emotions. This is a great site to come and learn about the lap band, about Dr. Ortiz and educate yourself on the program – I’m so glad it was here for me, I'd most likely be in the mid 300's by now and I’ll continue to use it, my hope is that we become a safe place, to vent, learn, gain knowledge with support, love and caring. Just imagine where you'd be today if you didn't get your band.... Its pretty scary for me to think like of that. Lisa

It was a great site before these were installed, we'll be fine with it gone. It was fun while it lasted and it is too bad its gone. Here’s what I’m going to do, I’ll just go to gmail and get myself a new email alias. A generic one that I’ll use to reach out to other bandsters only on this site. I can put it up in my post and then delete it if I don’t want it out there for all time and eternity. (So it can’t be picked up by people who can’t control them selves). Where theres a will, there's a way. Chad is there a problem doing something like this? Also we have a forum already that we can reactivate, we use to have group get together’s on Mondays and it was fun. Nothing stopping us from doing that again if we want too.

Agreed, congrats sawdawg and make sure to get your date on the calendar - many check there to see who is having surgery on the same day. Lisa

Hey SheRee, Congrats on getting banded - check your paperwork, sometimes the rules change and what could have been OK for us - may no longer be an option for you if they removed. Or someone who was just banded can you let us know what info you recieved. take care and you're doing great - its always hard this time of the year! Lisa

This is the hard part, but you'll make it! Here’s something I’ve done in similar situations when I don’t want people asking. (I can’t eat pizza anymore and it seems to arouse suspicion…..) Get a piece of pizza, pull the crust off – leave it on your plate and without anyone seeing throw the main part in the garbage – I am known for being able to wrap anything and everything in napkins to get rid of it if needed. Then fill your plate with salad and leave the crust on it as a prop. People see the crust and assume you already ate your pizza. With the cake - the same - take a piece so no one asks, cut most of it off and stick it in the garbage so you look like you ate it. Right now is the hardest part, its weird once you get the band (after a little while) its so much easier to do this, since after a while since you're no longer hungry for the bad stuff. Good luck! Lisa

Happy New Year! Thanks for all you do Moderators and to all of us bandsters, this year is going to be the best ever! With each others support we are going to make amazing transformations in 2009! All the best, Lisa

Hello, I'm so sorry about this!! Its hard to say if you hurt anything, to be safe please call the Doctor as quickly as possible. If you're a patient of Dr. Ortiz you should have his cell number in your pack. Take care and call quickly! Lisa

There's also a lot of bad press (and recalls) on diet pills - over the counter and prescription. That's why I'm so glad I have my band - it works better than any of these. http://www.usrecallnews.com/2008/12/danger...old-online.html

They didn't make you draw straws???? They made us draw straws and the person with the shortest one went last!!!

I’ll take a stab; I’m pretty good at deciphering Will T “If you look at older bandsters, at the bottom where the signature is, many have dates of fills.” This means that many of the tickers have fill dates and the first one you see is normally 6 weeks after surgery (as long as we can get in) the second within 6 months and so on.... You wont find a ticker on mine – I’m the anti ticker queen….. “There was a mistake.” This means you should be able to get a fill sooner than 6 months – (like you did at 6 weeks) the six month statement was a mistake, you can have a second before 6 months.... “The first fill is not advised within 6 weeks of the surgery.” This means that Dr. Ortiz generally recommends you to get your first fill 6 weeks after surgery, (Unless you have restriction and don’t need it) “My surgery was in April, and I've had fills within a 6 month period.” This means he didn’t wait 6 months and has had several fills within the 6 month time frame, most likely had the first right around 6 weeks if I remember correctly and his second 8 weeks after that..... or there abouts. Best, Lisa

Those of us with higher BMIs have to work harder to lose the weight - the extra fat gets in the way of the surgery and we are trying to shrink our liver (I think that's the right organ…..) You’ll be able to do it – just keep following the diet and it will drop off – if you don’t lose all you’ll most likely still get your band – its more important in regards to making it a safer and easier surgery.

I totally agree and here’s the question I’d ask yourself – did they help you lose your weight long term when you were taking them? If the answer is no (which it most likely is since you're getting the band) I wouldn’t use them, (and I personally wouldn’t) they are really hard on your body and you’re working to create life long healthy eating habits, diet pills don’t normally do that. I would strongly recommend you ask Dr. Ortiz when you see him and let him tell you what you should do – he’s the expert – not us. And this is about a prescription medication that should be taken by the direction of doctors.

Sorry for the downer reply however we are supposed to avoid liquid food and soup is one of them along with protein shakes and other liquid foods. I’m guilty of having both of these as well, but I limit intake of soups, I have a hard time limiting my protein shakes, in the AM I’m pretty tight and need the extra protein and vitamins to stay focused for work. (Its not what I’m suppose to do…...) And if you’re in question of something email or call the OCC– whenever I questioned something and found many different answers I just went straight to the source. One doc I use is the Patients Guide to Living with the Lap Band System – it was created by INAMED the manufacture of lap bands and I just use it as a guideline – Dr. Ortiz’s recommendations always come first. http://www.lapband.com/local/files/Living_w_LB.pdf Best, Lisa

Just stick to cardio and it should really help you burn some calories and lose faster. It takes a while to build muscle mass - if you started lifting weights it could affect you sooner – so hold off on that till you get your band. Drink lots of water and you'll keep your body from retaining water and that will help you lose faster as well. (Notice how fast they move the scale on the biggest loser – that would not happen without exercise). I personally prefer the gym, at first it was hard - I was the biggest girl in there with all these skinny minnies - however I knew that at some point I was going to be in better shape than most of them - now I am. It can either make you work harder – or deflate your ego – you need to know who you are and decide which program would better suit your personality. I'm big on adding in exercise - its made all the difference in the world to my weight loss and I love it now - (hated it as a big girl) Best and good luck! Lisa

You most likely want to read Dr. Ortiz's statement for success. He believes that woman should only receive a maximum of 2-3 fills. http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=6555 I wasn’t able to do this – I had my fills performed by another doctor and I have the VG band – but if you’re going to the OCC you may hit your sweet spot faster than those of us going to other doctors. Best, Lisa

My adjustments were not from the OCC, (I only did my first fill there) they were under flouro as well and I paid $100 for an adjustment if it was less then 2 weeks. So you can get a light fill under flouro - I learned to not get my fills in the AM when I was tight, never do it around my period, not eat salty food 24 hours before a fill and focus on being relaxed. I believe the OCC would do it for much less (If they'll do it) it can’t hurt to call. (They are often very careful on your fist fill – they don’t want to get you too tight). I know many who have gotten too tight of fills and into the habit of PBing and its bad news. It causes swelling and you can't lose weight, it’s a bad cycle that they try and keep you out of. You end up having to get an unfill and some have to go on liquids for a while. Not being hungry between meals is step one, but with a good fill you can only eat 1/3 of what you ate before - more than that is not possible.

I had a hard time getting 1200 calories at times as well. (If you can call Dr. Miranda and check to see what she says our calorie intake should be to verify). I think it would be interesting to see what she says about this. I took my supplements religiously since I couldn’t hit my caloric intake with just eating three meals a day – most days. And if I was feeling weak I would down some protein water or I would have a shake for breakfast. I really tried not to snack at first since that was my weakness and caused part of my weight problem - my goal was to try and break as many bad eating habits I had as possible and that was just one of them. Good luck! Lisa

What protein shakes are you using - I had to up mine to a higher protein shake to help curve the cravings. (look at the protein and see if you can find something higher) I love Shy's and Cindy's suggestions, here's mine: For TOM - I bought some of those sugar free no calorie sucker candies to help. The rule was I couldn’t bite them and had to suck them down to nothing (I was desperate – but it worked). Also, start pretending that you’re a size 10 thin person – and start looking at everything from this new point of view. Talk to yourself in the mirror – tell yourself you’re on a journey to a thin new you and that you’re beautiful and sexy. It’s amazing what happens when we change our view of ourselves. We can do anything! Here are some other things I did to get myself ready for the new me: - Get a new haircut (It’s amazing what this can do for you - and I'm not talking a trim - I'm talking something your new size 10 person would do) - Get your make up done at the department store - tell them to give you a totally new look and don’t give them directions. (Its free and a great way to learn some new tricks) - Go shopping and find yourself a goal dress (With everything on sale it’s a great time to buy one) Get it one size up from your goal size, you can always size it down but its fun to get into before your goal. - Do your nails in a bright new color Just do anything that will get you focused on your goal, getting down to the new you! Have some fun and try to keep your mind off food, but on the journey! Take care and stay strong! (Hi Shy)!

It really depends on how its affecting you - there are so many differing opinions on this one. If your weight fluctuates a lot and it affects you in a negative manner – try and hold off and find the time when your weight is most stable – (in the am or at night – we’re all different) and only weigh yourself then. If you like it – keep doing it – find what works best for you and then create a good habit and stay focused. We're all different - what works well for one person may not work for all. Find your fit and go for it - we're here to succeed in the best way for us!

Hey Cindy, Call them tomorrow and let them know - I have had fills with little or no restriction and went in for an adjustment within a week. If this is your first fill they may not adjust – but call to see. All the best, Lisa

That's so awesome - congrats you're doing great - I didn't lose as fast as some on the forum either and at times that can be frustrating. But just like you I kept plugging away – and remember you’re 7 months post op – in general people who are banded lose on average around 75 pounds the first year –so you’re right on target!! You go girl! Happy New Year!! (And the hard core exercise and dancing is really what made the dramatic change for me - add that in and you will be amazed at how fast you can change the shape of your body) Lisa

If your food hasn't left your pouch after and hour and your throw up frequently - that normally means you're too tight - not too lose. It can be just as hard to lose the weight with a band that’s too tight is one with a band that’s too lose. I'd call whoever did your fill and have a frank discussion with them.

The food is great - the restaurant by the pool if one of my favorites of all time.

I agree, call but to put your mind at ease - there have been some who are tight right off - its not too unusual so don't worry to much. And take bites the size of a pencil eraser, chew 30 times - measure your food - you may be surprised at how little we eat. Most of us don't have restriction right off the bat, but some do. And remember – the more you stress about something – the tighter you may get – stress affects the band. Best, Lisa