nothereanymore

I was always told to go on liquids for 24 hours after a fill, (Three days after your first fill) I think you're fine, however if you were just throwing up you most likely want to go on liquids for a few days to make sure you don’t have any swelling. Also if you don't have any make sure to pick up some anti nausea medication - it really helps so you don't throw up if you get the flu bug. Plus I always get the flu shot now - its really hard on your band when you throw up. Take care, take it easy you're most likely just fine! And Kimmy is the super star – I had 9 fills with my VG band… I’m a bad girl…. Not what Dr Ortiz says to do. She's doing exactly what he recommends, follow her guidance.

Isn't that a great feeling! I love it! OK, I'm always asked and I'm very honest about this - but I just received an angry post since someone was upset that I talked about it. So this is fair warning. I've lost over 100 pounds, (close to 130 from my high). I did have extra skin; I had an extended tummy tuck, breast lift and aug. I’m 46, so for the younger girls who aren’t as big you may be able to wait and see what your skin does – I had no hope….. I had over a foot of skin was taken from my tummy, I had what was called an apron. My scar goes around my back and is two inches apart. I also had a lift, and since I had lost so much weight and I’m use the girls being more ample I had an aug performed later. Many of my friends went to Cosmo and I would have gone there, I did find a PS closer to home that was reasonable and does great work. You should check out Dolittles blog - he just had one done at Cosmo. Its been a long road, I'm happy I did the PS along with the weight loss - but the weight loss was the most important part, it was going to kill me if I didn't take care of it.

For me, no, I have a problem with my relation ship with food. (We have issues….. its very sad) If I could have, I would have divorced food years ago. I’ve done very well with my band and it’s been over 2 years to date. It’s taught me just as much about myself and dealing with my emotional attachment to food, as it has about how to eat food with a band. The emotional hunger is gone, but I know it has just as much to do with the fact that I have a pouch the size of a small fist as it does to what I’ve learned over the past 2 + years. I would worry that once it was removed and the football size stomach was put in charge again, it would be game over. I’d love to think that I was so strong and together that I would succeed – however at my age and after dieting as many years as I have – I’m smart enough to not bet on those odds. I may change my mind someday; you never know - but I haven’t met anyone who’s had it removed. I’ve met a few that had slips after a few years and had to have it replaced. Its interesting - I totally respect the fact that they can do this and I'd love to know their success rate and the outcome. Lisa One more thing I'm adding - I've removed close to half of the fluid from my band, however if I ever needed to really cut back and loose some weight I'd just go in and get another fill. This is really the reason why I chose lap band over GB, you are in control of your band - you decide if you need to have it tight or loose or whatever. You can't do that with GB and you can't do it if you remove it. So after thinking harder I've come to the conclusion that I most likely wont ever change my mind.. Best,

Great job, this is when it gets fun. You won't believe how fast the changes will come - its pretty cool. I wish I had done what you just did - I have candid bad pictures of me and they work - but the ones like you just took are really cool to track your upcoming weight loss. And Kimmy is right on, make sure to measure everything as well, sometimes we loose more inches than pounds and if you know where you started you’ll be happier if you don’t loose weight but you can see if you lost some inches. (Wished I did that as well) I have no clue how many inches I lost..... Congrats, the journey begins!

Its an odd ride with the band sometimes, I would go back and forth - but always down, up a little bit, stabilize, down more - it was a roller coaster ride sometimes. But the great thing is I never went up to any previous highs. I would always have to change things up like add in new exercise or protein shakes at different times of the day. You might have been eating too little to loose - that can happen sometimes. There’s so much we don’t know about our new lifestyle. I know that I am trying to get to the point were I am stable however to do that I can only half as much as what a “normal” person eats. I don’t know if it’s due to all of the dieting I’ve done or that I was morbidly obese – but I get the feeling I’m really going to have to work at this with continued diet and exercise my whole life. The great thing is now at least I can control it when I focus and I’m not able to go to the eating extremes like I use too, those days are done. Getting into 12's is awesome, and you haven't even been banded 4 months! Keep getting ride of the clothes - I'm telling you that works for me! (Its the mental thing) We’ve got the Holidays upon us, this will be my third – they can be hard sometimes but we’ll make it through! Take care, Lisa

I actually already ended up gaining too much back and now need to take off a few. But I'm more focused on exercise and loosing the inches slowly now. But my weight gain is just a little and it means my smallest pants are tight - since I always get rid of anything too big. I don’t have any pants bigger than a 6 now so I leave myself no choice, I can't grow out of my clothes. I got rid of all my big girls on purpose, I’m not leaving me an out (except for my favorite size 22’s for memory sake) I'd rather go naked. To be honest, it doesn't feel like I could ever get really big again - I don't think I could ever eat that much. Its not like it use to be. Unless I get rid of my band which isn't happening.

I had part of my fill removed since I hit my goal weight, and actually ended up getting too thin looking. I needed to gain some weight back. Figuring out maintenance is interesting.

Stormy, you know this is just a great post. It’s so true and from the heart, focused on what has meaning. Thank you for putting things into perspective for me. Lisa

I've had it for over 2 years now, but I know some people who don't get it that bad. So its really hit and miss!

CindyLou, is that pain you're getting gas? Or is it a burning sensation? I'm wondering why its going up your throat. (Its most likely gas and will go away in a week - its just hitting you unusually hard) Take care!

Yep, its horrible and it doesn't go away. (Comes up at the most inappropriate situations). I thought when I had part of my fill removed it would at least lesson a bit, it doesn’t…. But I’d take that over being obese any day!

I agree with CindyLou, I would do both. Meeting up with the group in Portland was so much fun. It was great to finally be able to meet people face to face and talk. The bonding was strong because you could have immediate back and forth discussions. Try both and if you don’t like something you can focus on the one that benefits you the most. Best, Lisa

Hello, I flew back for my first fill, to check on everything and make sure I was good, then I had the rest in WA state in Olympia. I just wore a loose dress I already had on the way home with comfy flats. Just think of trying to keep everything tight away from your stitches. I did wear a bra, some don't - comfy and loose, no underwire. Good luck! Lisa

Congrats, I've had my band for over 2 years and I'm learning the maintenance program. I’ve lost over 130 pounds and trying to get to that perfect weight. So far I’ve been too skinny, and now I just looked at some pictures of me that I hate and I feel I need to lose 10 to 15 more pounds. But truthfully based on how I eat now, I can even fathom how I’d ever gain my weight back like I use to. I have the VG band (the big one) and had it filled to 6.5 cc’s – since I’m on maintenance I had it unfilled to under 4.5’s, its working fine. If I want to loose more weight I just add in exercise and cut back – (which I’m doing right now). Its lifelong - it’s not easy - it’s a tool that you have to work to succeed and you need to add in exercise if you want to move at a consistent pace. Good luck and again, congrats on your decision to get the band. (I'm from the very beautiful Northwest town of Snoqualmie WA) Best, Lisa

I've never done it - I've been banded for over 2 years and I know my pouch works. (I can still only eat small amounts) http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html However one thing I'd like to note - you will find a lot of things like this on the big wide web. If it’s not from a source that I know is credible, (Universities, Hospitals etc) I generally don’t post these types of things, unless its calories or such. On many things people just post out there in the great wide web, its hard to truly check people credentials, remember - you don't have to tell the truth online - no ones checking your background. And I'm not saying this doesn't work - but many fads go around on the web and I personally just stay away from them.

You really need to focus on not using your stomach muscles. Sweep in small spurts, focusing on using your arms. Be careful with raking - it feels like you are using your stomach muscles - stop. Racquetball has a lot of twisting of the abs and you use your torso – but truthfully, you can sweep and rake in small spurts without much ab movement. But make your brother pick up the leaves and bag them for you. What I did was really listen to my body, if I was tired or soar I stopped and I didn't do any heavy lifting or bending. Take care, take it easy - a bit of a dirty house is livable compared to damaging your band!

WOW Dolittle, you are looken hot in your new photo!!

Wow, the dress is killer on you, and Justin has been one of the most successful bandstars that I've ever heard of. He looks awesome, and his weight loss is such an incredible accomplishment! He needs to go out there and show it off – he was cute before, but is a very, very good looking guy now! Get ready to start beating off the women! Lisa

Michelle, You look absolutely stunning - congrats, you’ve done so well and are such a great inspiration! You’ll be to your 100 goal before you know it – can you believe it! Now go out and have some fun in that beautiful dress! Best, Lisa

We are such a great community, in observance of Veteran’s Day and Remembrance Day I would like to thank all of those that served our great Countries, and their families. We are thinking of you today and are so thankful for all that you have done for us. Moms and Dads of those great Veterans’ and solders’ serving, a special thought and prayer goes out to you today. God Bless, Lisa

Portland was sooo much fun! First a train ride with Cara, (did you know she use to model and has won contest for being beautiful and sexy) She’s beautiful, smart, fun – witty and honest with her feedback. Then Linda picked us up at the train station in Portland. She’s sexy and beautiful, with a sparkle and sweetness that just shines from within her. She truly cares about everyone and watches out for all of us. We then headed out to the luncheon; we met Stormy and her family. Her son is a beautiful blonde little boy who loves to have his picture taken. He was really good at the gathering. And Charlie is awesome, he has a sparkle in his eyes and a great smile, (I think he had fun by the looks of it). Stormy is very pretty and watches everything that happens to make sure we were all having a good time – Thank you so much Stormy!! You and your sister really made this a special event! Julie is sweet in real life as she is online, (but I think she has a little partier girl inside of her trying to get out) One of these days I’m going to help her with that….. Pammie….. What can you say about Pammie, when you look up fun in the dictionary there’s a picture of here right next to the definition. She’s a riot!! (Her brother and husband are cute, her brother is a jockey and you can tell he’s as much trouble as Pammie is)! Donna is sweet and caring, crissicles is beautiful and to all those I missed, thank you so much for your company it was soo much fun. As for later in the night…. What happens in Portland stays in Portland. Though I will mention that we went to the mall, (bought some things at Fredericks of Hollywood). Met up with Mindy, who is awesome, sweet, smart and I’m telling you that girl has the best legs! We then went to a bar and hung out with the red hat ladies, they are friggen party animals!! (I do think that one lady with the rhinestone dress should buy the rhinestone nipple covers from Fredericks, it would go so well with her outfit) I thought we were bad!! We listen to the red hat lady song. Then Linda made up a lap band lady song. I think it went… We use to be fatty,,, fatty,,, fatty, then we got bandy,,, bandy,,, bandy,,, now we are sexy,,, sexy,,, sexy… Something like that – (Linda correct me if I’m wrong). We dance, drank just a little and had a great time hanging out! Cara and Linda a special thanks goes to both of you girls from me, you are so special and thank you for taking such good care of me! Can’t wait to do it again! Thanks so much it was great meeting you all! Luv ya! Lisa (Oh and simply put, nipple shields are so you can go braless, but you don't have headlights.....) What will they think of next!!

I have to jump in, you are looking so beautiful, congrats!!! I love your pictures and how happy you look in your new body and can't wait to see how you look when you reach your goal! Great job, you are incredible!! Lisa

Hello and welcome, This can be a fun and exciting journey, and it can be difficult, scary (if you don’t understand the changes you need to make) and agonizing (if you’re not loosing the weight you think you should). We're here to share your good times and celebrate with you, and support you during the difficult times and help however we can. Welcome to the forum and congrats on how well you've been doing! Best, Lisa