nothereanymore

Hello Carla, Your BMI is also over 35, which is high and what's really scary is that if you continue to gain weight, (which is what most of us did till we got a handle on it with the band), it will most likely keep climbing and not only affect how you feel about yourself - but affect your overall health. My BMI was 45 and I can only tell you that I was miserable and likely to die at a young age. I wish I had received the band earlier than I did - I'm sad that I missed out on so much in life and was so focused on being obese. My high was 275 that I know of – that’s my scale high – there were times when I would not get on a scale – I knew I weighed more than that. I shudder to think what I would weigh now if I didn’t receive the band in Oct of 2006, I’m sure I’d be in the mid 300’s. My husband was totally against the band – thought I could loose it on my own – I couldn’t and needed help. I did the band on my own, and wish I’d had more of his support. He is very supportive now and loves the new me and I know he’d most likely tell your husband to just do it, our happiness and health is worth it – it’s actually very little to spend in the scheme of life when it comes to supporting your loved one and giving them the gift of health and happiness. Take care, my thoughts are with you and I hope he gets on board if this is something you really want to do. Best, Lisa

1.I am on medicaid and medicare Can Medicaid and medicare Pay if I have the Lap Band surgery? Each State is different, I have never heard of them paying but you would do best to check your local program and go straight to the source (Medicaid and Medicare in your local area) 2. What do I have to expect before Lap Band Surgery? You will be expected to loose weight before your surgery, the Nutritionist will set your guidelines. Also see here for more information http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com/surgery.php 3. Do you Spend the Night in the Hospital After Lap Band Surgery? If your surgery is with Dr. Ortiz and since we are patients of his, yes. With other Doctors you may not be required to spend the night. 4. What do I have to expect after Lap Band Surgery? You will lead a different lifestyle, you will reduce the amount of food you eat and feel full sooner, you will not drink when eating and you will change your lifestyle and should loose the weight if you are following the rules. 5. Do you get sick a lot from Lap Band Surgery? Only if your band is too tight, or you’re not eating correctly. (Chewing your food 30 times and eating small amounts, while not drinking when eating) 6. Can you return to work the Next day after Lap Band Surgery? I couldn’t – I had my surgery Friday and returned to work on Tuesday. If you know the answers to these questions please message me. You should study up here: http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com/home.php And you can search below to find more answers to your questions. Best and good luck! Lisa

Understood and great point, its fun to have you on the forum and I look forward to a successful journey for you! Best, Lisa

That's so awesome - I'm so happy for you!! Congrats and can't wait to see your pictures!! You're going to reach your goal before you know it! Great job!! Lisa

Hello, Here's a link to a great list and conversation about this topic, for pre and post trip. http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?show...787&hl=List For me it as pretty simple since I knew I could buy anything I needed in Mexico. (I just brought my clothes and went shopping for some shampoo and conditioner) But others were way more organized than I! Congrats on your decision to get the band! Lisa

I'm just cracken up at this posting - you're doing great Trav, just amazing at how fast you are loosing!! And Taz - what do you mean it’s hard to relate to the women’s successes.... We want to look great in bikinis and cute little sexy sundresses – don’t you????? How’s that hard to relate too?

I’ll measure ¼ cup of chicken, (chopped into small bite size pieces), ¼ of veggies, (chopped into small bite size pieces), the same with fruit and carbs. I can normally only eat the protein, some veggies, a bit of fruit and hardly ever get to the carbs. If you can eat more than this you may need a fill. Stop drinking when you start eating and up to an hour after - or else you might as well not have the band. Liquids will push your food down and only eat three times a day and I add in one really heavy protein shake. (Isopure or something like that) to make sure I keep building muscle and burn fat. Focus on getting organized with your food - its part of what we need to do to be successful. We need to understand how food can work for us, or against us. For me its now mainly a way to keep my energy level up – its not how I keep myself happy or how I emotionally support myself – simply put, its fuel.

I love my wine, however I do drink much less than I use too. Its empty calories when you're on the quest to loose the weight its silly to over indulge. Here are my rules, only 2 to 3 small glasses per week. Before my meals, not after - that way I'm not pushing my food down with my wine. Keep track of these with the calories and understand that the alcohol hits us harder than they use too. You can still live your life – just be aware of how you’re living it and be careful! Lisa

Stormy, You have changed you're life and how you live it. You're eating less and at first its hard - our bodies all react differently. Don't push it and understand that you became an obese person by feeding yourself too much. When you eat 1/3 of the normal amount that you use to eat, sometimes our bodies will rebel at first and its hard. Make sure you're getting enough protein, start each day with a high protein shake to feed your muscles and your mind. It will help to keep that empty feeling in your stomach at bay and drink it before coffee which is hard on our stomachs. You don't sound like you have a slip, you sound like you need to regulate your body to eating less than normal. Take care and its not an easy ride but you're going to love it when you hit your goals! Lisa

Hey Lap band girl, Don’t be sad. First I’d like to know a little bit of history of your fills, and how much and what you’ve been eating. It’s not magic, you have to work at it and you need to make real lifestyle changes which include exercise and eating smaller amounts. (Start with ¼ cup each of protein, veggies, fruits and carbs – you should not be able to eat all of this if you have a good fill). Don’t drink while eating and add exercise into you life. Tell yourself everyday that you are beautiful and on the way to a new you!! So let’s start tomorrow like it’s the firs day of your new life with your band and also realize – you’re not doing badly, just not moving as fast as some. You’ve lost 35 pounds since March, that’s an average of 5 pounds per month – you can do better – but what would you have lost without the band? (Most likely nothing – you would have gained some). You may need another fill, and you need to look yourself in the mirror and have a real talk - about how and what you’ve been eating, and if you’ve made some real changes in to your life and added in exercise. So one gift I’m going to give you today and its very important – today is the first day of you’re new lap band life – look at who you are, and decide what you want to become – and become it. Get another fill if you need it, stay online for help, and get on the lap band program. No worries, you’re going to succeed – you have one post to start you on your way, you’ll have many more before you get there. Take care and get going on your journey to the new you! Lisa

Hey Jamie, Congrats on getting it done - step 2 is done!! (Step one is the pre op diet) Now you're on step 3, the liquid faze and banster hell as its lovingly known as. Find your paperwork and go through it - things do change - I couldn't have jello at first - just liquids and my broth helped to keep the hunger pains at bay. Good luck, this is pretty hard but you’ll make it! Lisa

At first I told people that I was on a lifestyle change to get healthy due to Doctors orders. No one really asks if you tell them its medical and private. Most are smart enough to know to stay away from that area.

Congrats - and I bought a belt hole puncher on amazon.com, that and alterations has saved me $$$ throughout my weight loss. I always buy my clothes tight, used girdles at first - then stopped wearing them when they fit, then you can have clothes altered (down) up to 2 sizes down. (Isn’t just sad how much faster guys loose the weight than the girls – life is just not fair)

You are sooo beautiful and amazing! It just seems like you were online trying to make the decision to get the band and now you're down 60 pounds! Congrats!! Love you! Lisa

Congrats, you look so happy and beautiful and I'm so jealous that your feet went down in size!! You looks so tiny I’ don’t know where your going to loose the rest of the weight from, unless your feet go down to a size 5! Great inspiration and wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing! Lisa

From what I understand I think it is a different band and it is newer. I looked at the study comparison on the Realize site and took it with a grain of salt. They don’t list were they were held and companies generally bump the numbers to their favor by comparing less comparable studies to themselves. I’m more of a fan of independent studies. Also for the lap band they have band replacements at 9 out of 299 for the lap band and 2 for theirs. If 9 out of 299 people had their bands replaced out of the thousands who have received the band from Dr. Ortiz – we’d be hearing about it on this board. I’ve only hear of a few out of the thousands of bands that Dr. Ortiz has done. So the numbers don’t make sense to me. It looks really commercial – it’s what I didn’t like about many of the bands providers. But the truth is if it keeps you from eating as much as normal it will most likely work for you. Looks like you're getting yours covered by insurance so I'd look to your doctor to guide you to the right choice. Remember, I personally choose Dr. Ortiz after allot of research and even soul searching. My husband wanted me to stay in the States. I don't care where the Doctor is as long as he provides me with the best chance of succeeding so the truth is you’re most likely going to get opinions here that are bias to Dr. Ortiz and the lap band system. It’s worked for many of us and why I personally am no longer a morbidly obese person. I’d go onto their website, see if you can find a forum like ours and look for the success stories to see if you believe it will really work for you. Try to talk to people who have received it personally. Best and good luck! Lisa

You'll have fun and things will change - and you're right some of us are taken - however I know many beautiful ladies on this forum are single! What’s odd for me is I’m clueless – as an old married lady I have a hard time seeing when people are checking me out or trying to pick me up. My friends are good enough to tell me after the event happens. But I’m starting to notice it more and more – and love telling my husband! (Who I think is the sexiest guy on the earth) I have to go out a lot for business, which often include cocktail parties. I don’t tell these strangers that I have the band – but if my server looks cool I’ll often clue them in and ask for help. Like making sure they understand I can’t eat all of my food and to clear my plate away when I signal – or else you’ll have the uncomfortable – “was every thing alright”?? response to the fact that you don’t eat everything or much of anything for that matter. I also let them know that I don’t drink a lot and to keep the water with lemon coming but my wine consumption will be slow. Most love to help and really are awesome, so you might think of working with your servers to help you out at first. Its amazing the way things change as you loose the weight. You’ll have fun!!

Hey Kimmy, I agree, you're most likely fine as long as you can get things past your pouch - however I recommend you go on liquids for 3 days. In case you have any swelling this will allow you to heal and not cause any damage. But (and I’m sure its not going to happen again) in cast you ever are in this situation again get some OTC Nauzene. People take it purposely for hangovers since it stops you from throwing up – but it works great for us for the flu or any type of stomach issue. (Like too much of a good thing)! I always have it on hand, where ever I go! Good luck, lesson learned, you'll be fine!! Lisa

Sorry for the episode but be careful with heaving - that’s one of the more common ways that we slip our bands. The same reason why we need anti nausea medication and why we try not to throw up.

Wow, you girls are doing great! And remember, we aren't on a race; we're on a journey to a healthier life. Sometimes it’s fast, sometimes slow - as long as we continue on our journey and we’re improving our lives - it doesn't really matter. I can promise you it will happen, unless you totally fall apart and don’t use your band. And I’m going to be honest, I’ve known some who have failed – but they own their own failure since they weren’t focused on the future. You're doing great! Best, Lisa One quick note – sushi is really hard for us and our bands.

Please go here: http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showforum=21 And watch Dr. O's videos. Best, Lisa

Misty, You look amazing! Congrats on your success –you really are such an inspiration! You’re almost done with your journey – isn’t that really incredible! Best, Lisa