nothereanymore

I'm pretty simple; I just take nonfat black beans and add Pico de Gallo salsa to them. It’s my fast and cheap version. (If I need them to be “softer” I’ll blend some beans with chunky tomato sauce for extra broth). And add some extra hotness or non fat sour cream if I’m in the mood. I was so busy today I just had my usual Starbucks protein shake and that was it for today. I worked out for an hour – 20 minutes elliptical and 30 minutes weights, I’m doing it every day until vaca. Now I'm having that new frozen shrimp wonton soup from Costco. I love it, I drink a little bit of the broth first, (to kind of warm up my band) and then just eat a couple of the shrimps. This is really yummy to me right now and I’m totally into easy! I came home and my husband had put up the tree on his own – after 28 years of marriage this was the first time he did this! Life is good!

Great point Amber - I wasted 20 years! Don't do it! Congrats on taking your first step, (looking to make that change is step one), taking action is the next one! Don’t wait too long and I did this on my own, you sound like you’ve got it together and can do the same so good luck! Lisa

If its with Dr Ortiz, its pretty fast, around 20 minutes. (He said mine was less than 20 minutes). He has an amazing operating room and its totally organized. Pretty cool how is does it. That's why we generally feel pretty good when we wake up - we're not under very long.

Awesome post - I wish I had this info earlier! Thanks!

Good luck - what a great way to start the new year! Its awesome!! All the best and congrats on your decision! Lisa

Me too! For breakfast I had Starbucks add my protein shake into my Starbucks double shot. (Again....) For lunch I had bean soup, couldn’t eat it and took a bit of the corn tortilla and knew it wasn’t going good. I’m going to drink another protein shake and go work out for an hour. And just based on how my band is feeling I’m sticking to liquids for the rest of the day. Bummer – I hate it when this happens! Lisa

Soooo, you're right in the start of Bandstar Hell, it’s not fun - its damn hard and its when we have to work the hardest. From everything I’ve read its takes about 90 days to change habits and that was my personal experience as well. Sounds like what you’re dealing with is more the emotional hunger than the true one. You have to fight this with everything you’ve got. I can tell by your posts that you’re going to do great so put your boxing gloves on and get ready to go for the gold! Drink slowly, put notes around the kitchen if you have too, but you really need to take small sips. Starting the protein and creamy soup will help ease the pain. Stay strong, you’ll make it through – if we can do it you can! Best, Lisa

I've only done mine under fluoroscopy, however many here don't. I've known people who had fills under fluoroscopy and do the same, its too tight and they start PBing, they swell, and need an unfill. You really just need to pick yourself up and keep going. I’m not sure who your doctor is but I know many have the filled process as part of the surgery plan. Based on how you described that your surgeon does your fill, I’m guessing its part of the plan. Its really better to be a little bit loose and have to use some portion control than to be too tight and deal with what you dealt with. We all have ups and downs when we’re doing this. If you have the opportunity to get a fill under fluoroscopy please do, for me its better to know everything is alright. Just don't get too discouraged and know you can make this work - it does take a little bit of practice and you have to put some work into it! Lisa

First of all congratulations on the birth of your beautiful daughter! I’m sorry about the troubles you had, sounds like you had some swelling and it just got worse, it was very smart of you to get right into your doctor, there have been some who waited and that’s how you can slip your band. Now stop putting yourself down, you got pregnant, had a beautiful little girl, only gained 10 pounds and now you’re just up a few but going in for a fill – that’s great, there’s nothing wrong with that. Just think of your fill as the start to the new you!! We have a beautiful young lady on the board named Karenlynn, she also had to have her (I think most) of her filled removed during her pregnancy and had a little girl as well. She’s back on the “band” wagon now, and doing great. I think something she once wrote that hit me as being right on was that you have to be ready to loose and she’s right. I’m thinking you’re ready to loose now based on what you’re writing and how you’re feeling, and its meant to be. (Most likely its perfect timing and it’s never too late to start)!! So congrats, get your fill and get going! You're going to do great! All the best, Lisa

Hello Christy, I travel a lot and I've never had this happen to me, or heard of it happening to others. It must depend on the band you have. I can feel my port when I push down on it, but I can't see it (It doesn’t stick out) and that's pretty normal, however some will have their port re positioned after surgery if it sticks out after weight loss. All the best, Lisa

Welcome back! You’ve been missed and you do look gorgeous and lucky you that you don’t need a TT! For my breast lift my PS said I had to be stable, however he wouldn’t do the augs at the same time. So I had the lift I think a couple of months out after I hit my goal weight and inserts 3 months later. (My tt he did when I was still pretty big). They all are different, I went to mine since I knew many who had used him and loved his work. I go in for my three month check up on Tuesday for the augmentation. I’m loving how they look! Best, Lisa

Welcome to bandland Shana-Lee - let the journey begin! (Sounds like you already had an exciting first part) I wasn’t ever offered a deal like that either – but I had my surgery on my own. WOW, I'd be leaving fast too! Congrats!

For breakfast I had Starbucks add my protein shake into my Starbucks double shot. Lunch, ¼ chicken breast, slow cooked in broth and wine to keep it moist and a small Ceaser salad. (I cooked the chicken last night for my families dinner then fridged it in broth to keep it moist). I’m slow cooking a roast in red wine and beef broth, so tonight’s dinner will be simple – I’ll just throw in the veggies last minute and I’m good to go! I was on the stationary bike for 25 minutes then did 25 minutes of weights. I leave for Hawaii in 39 days so the countdown is on to get bikini ready! So I need this to keep me motivated!

Its so awesome to hear this, congrats and just think of what you're all going to look like by next Christmas! The changes will be dramatic! Kimberly, to change your avatar go to the upper left hand corner and click on My Controls. Once you’re there look to the left and you’ll see the menu. Go down to personal profile and click on Edit Avatar Settings You’re almost home free now; you can either choose an avatar from the gallery at the forum or add your own with a link to a site you hold you photo’s on, or directly from your computer. I generally upload from my computer. If you have photos’ store there just click on browse and go pick one up by clicking on it. Its pretty easy once you get in and start playing with it. Best, Lisa

I was banded over 2 years ago as well, and I’m the same, but only the larger one above my port pretty visible. But one good thing to note, as I’ve shrunk so has the scar. It’s much smaller and I’m starting cortisone treatments on it, hopefully that will make it so it’s not so raised. If I want to hide my scars I use a scar cover called color traition. It just improves the appearance if you want it with a bathing suit, they even have a spray so its semi water proof. I rarely use it, but there was an occasion when I didn’t want to deal with any questions and it hid my scars pretty well, lessons the appearance of stretch marks too.

Oh my gosh, you hit it on the nail, you do have a new body. This is step one to the new you, I'm telling you the changes will be dramatic, and I'm sorry about the pain and discomfort. I know it’s not easy, but the rewards will be amazing. Take care, know that you have changed your body, but its going to help you reach your goals in more ways than you know. If anyone asked me if I would take some pain and discomfort in exchange for the body I have now, absolutely yes – in a heartbeat. Step one to the new you – congrats! But now take it easy and get some rest! All my best and I'm proud of you!! Lisa

You've got a great list going on, the only thing I would remove is beans. I always remember, can you drink it from a straw and I'm not too sure about the beans. (And don't use a straw, just for guidance only it causes cause issues) You're almost there - congrats! Lisa

If you would have slipped you would know it by now - but make sure to keep liquids on hand. You're good and take care! Lisa

Hello Sarah, Its not filled so you don't have to worry at all. The size is dependant on the size of your organs. I'm a boned big girl, (I was 265 at the time of surgery) I wear size 10 shoes, based on that I received the VG band, it’s the bigger one. I know someone who weighed more than me and received the smaller band. They don’t know what size of band you’re going to receive until they get in and take a look and a little bit of water retention wont change it one way or the other. All the best and congrats on your decision! Lisa

I can weigh more now than I did before and be smaller, (I think Mona is right on our bones are heavier after being obese for so long) in addition many of us get into exercise and we're building muscle which is heavier. I’m 5’6” and I like myself between 145 and 150 best, I do want to get lower than 145 with exercise to see how much body sculpting I can get into. My weight changes now – up and down between 10 pounds, at times I’ll get as high as 155– it use to bug me since I really don’t eat all that much, but I think that’s just the way it is now. No matter what I can put on clothes and look and feel great – that’s what counts. At 150 I can wear size 6 pants, 8/10 tops which I find odd, my son's girl friend is a 6 and borrows my cloths and she weighs under 130 pounds - she only an inch shorter than me. I think the best thing to do is to not look at your weight, which is hard for me right now - I'm trying to get over it and just look at your body, the size and overall health of it, measure that by how active you can be. I get that you have to do it when you’re really focusing on the weight loss but at some point I think to be healthy, we need to stop focusing so much on it. I believe its part of what got me to being obese in the first place - just being so focused on the number of the scale and letting that affect how I felt about myself. Best, Lisa

Hey Steve, She's right, and you may want to talk to Dolittle on of our moderators, he just had a LBL and he had his repositioned then. I'm sure he's got some info as well. Congrats on your weight loss! Lisa

This is one of the best, its like: bandstar 101. Thanks for finding and posting! Lisa

Yaaa Stormy, isn't it a great feeling to have that control!! Congrats on doing so well, your first Thanksgiving and my third. Its funny I don't even think I eat different now till I look at everyone else’s plates, it kind of grosses me out to see how much everyone actually eats. I always mound it up in my head and imagine that size of food it my stomach. YUCK! Happy Thanksgiving! Lisa

Congrats, and welcome to your journey to find the new you! Take it easy and remember to walk and little sips, the pain will go away soon. (Try and take some pictures to post in the Gallery if you can)! You are now part of a small, select group that has this tool. Get ready for an amazing ride! All the best, Lisa

Hey Kimberly! They are the greatest! Mine are Ringo and Brutus, and they make me laugh every day! They do go great in pairs, but boy are they work! We love them dearly - but thank goodness for whoever invented the spotbot! Love them and they're trying so hard to get me to come to bed! Night! Lisa