nothereanymore

You're a wonderful daughter who's done her job. You've forgiven, provided love and support. Now its time to let go, and follow Dawns advice. They may have done harmful things to you in the past, and you were a child and had no control over it and couldn't say no. Now you are an adult and you can stop the pain and hurt, in a loving and thoughtful way, different from them. I hope you can find the love and strength to let go, and to live and love yourself. Its one of the important steps we bandsters have to do to succeed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Congrats on your success, its such a learning process that we all have to go through! Have fun on your vaca, love that you're loving life!!

One important note for us lap band pts. It’s very important that you go to a doctor that is experienced with bandsters. They have to be very careful with our port and cannot move the skin past its placement or pull too hard down on the skin for tightness. I talked to many PS before finding mine through Pammie, and the reason I decided on him was he flat out told me I would not be happy with a normal tummy tuck, due to my high weight lose I needed to go further back, (Pammie has a normal tummy tuck, I have extended) I also needed lippo on my back and sides to give me curves (Pammie has natural curves) So ask question, go to more than one and talk to people who used him/her. I actually called the hospital were he operated out of and talked to a nurse, she said that he was great, and that most of the nurses had used him for their personal surgeries. (I know that’s true because for every single one of my surgeries I either had a nurse before me or after me, this last time the nurse who called me for my pre hospital check up went in right after me). good luck - glad I did this!

What a journey you are on, I'm so happy that you have settled on the path that is best for you and your family - which includes him since he is the father of your children. I'm very impressed and proud of the position you have taken. I know its hard, and you’ll have good and bad days, but you’re such a special spirit, you’ll be fine. I'm excited to watch the changes that are coming your way; I know and understand the ones that will happen on the outside, you will turn into a thin beautiful young woman, with so much more energy and confidence that I don't know if you can really even fathom it right now. But you also have the changes that are coming on the inside; you're going to focus on you and finding who you are again. It sounds like you've been so focused on him, that you lost you. What a perfect time to get your band, to work on the outside and inside at the same time will be difficult, buts it’s meant to be. Stays strong, focused on you and your family, but do it in the right way; you are a beautiful young mother on the start of an amazing journey! Let yourself enjoy it! (But know that there will be tears as well, its OK, you'll be fine). Best, Lisa

I love to dance too!! Can't wait, looken forward to this!! (I don't drink and drive either, drink and cab is the best route to go and if we're sharing one it should be pretty cheap)! Hold me back...... I'm bringing my sexy mama clothes..... Karoke here I come!

I'll I'm going to say is I'm so glad I didn't wait. I love the way I look!! Love it, Love it, love it!! I don't think I could have taken another year of hating my body. Plus it looks great. Happy as a clam and I didn't loose all my weight, or wait a year.

I was like you, just start working out, and it does go down, my arms look OK now as long as I don't do the queen wave, which in my life is very seldom needed. I'll post some pictures soon, I rarely wear sleeves these days and strapless dresses are my fav and honestly they look fine. (I really thought I'd have to have the surgery as well, but I was like you and hated the thought of the scar) glad I didn't because I'm fine now! (Its not like they get stretch marks or anything like tummies, the more fat that goes out and the more you exercise the better they get)

Russ, it sounds as if your fill isn't there yet. Here's a good test, make sure you're eating in the right order. Take 1/4 cup of chopped chicken - eat slow, chew each bite 30 times 1/4 cup of chopped cooked veggies - eat slow, chew each bite 30 times 1/4 cup of chopped fruit - eat slow, chew each bite 30 times 1/4 cup of (something that's a carb - I could never make it here or finish the fruit but if you can....) eat slow, chew each bite 30 times Make sure you're not drinking during your meal and an hour after. If you can make eat all this and you're still hungry, you most likely need to be a little bit tighter. You should eat small amounts in a normal meal time and stop eating when you're done. We can all eat more if we eat over a long period of time. • Remember to all • we do hit plateaus • it takes us a while to figure this out • it is different for everyone. We have to work at this and its a pain in the ass sometimes. It took me 19 months to reach my goal, I go up and down a bit, sometimes it because I’m working out and building muscle, sometimes its just my weird body. But the trick is getting the right fill, I had 3 before I really understood what it was all about. I focused on portion control, and had a good understanding of my caloric intake, my protein intake and my exercise. (I did learn fast that if I didn’t exercise I’d hit plateaus much more often). I became a much more positive person, and focused on the inside as well as the outside, I could be a bit gruff and negative, still am, just not as much and most importantly – I learned to like myself. Good luck, you might want to look for a fill provider closer to you, there are many CA bandsters on this board so ask them about fills, or if you’re near Seattle we have a few in this area.

What I would like to know is how are you doing 18+ months post op? Great, lost over 125 pounds Have you kept the weight off? Yes Do you still get PBing? Very seldom (Stress, period) Do you still feel restriction? Yes, but I had much of my fill removed so it is lighter, Do you still get fills? No Have you had any problems where you needed to have the band removed? No Do you see yourself removing the band in the future? No Have you gone back to your old eating habits? No Has your "new tummy, pouch" stretched, and if so does getting fills help? No – I still eat small amounts, its just my life now If you could do it over again would you, even with all the complications that you may have had? Didn’t have any complications, so yes Has your body wanted to reject the band, was it something that you were able to over come? Nope, never heard of this OK, here’s the other side of what we forget, I lost a lot of weight, had skin, had extended tummy tuck, (What they call a body lift in Mexico) lippo, breast lift, then due to continued weight loss had augmentation to get me back to a C, but opps somehow became a small D. (I like them very much though) I have peels and fills, and take really good care of my face to make sure I don’t loose the weight and end up looking old. Most people who haven't seen me during my weight loose have no idea who I am and (I did this yesterday) I have to convince them its me. Pretty odd sometimes! If I can get my scanner to work I'd post my pictures of me during our last cruise - I just feel like a different person going from a size 22 to a size 4/6 pants, 8 dress.

Linda, let me know where you are staying and I'll book a room at the same hotel. We can carpool, also do you want to meet up for the drive down?

I'm hoping to make it a weekend, I haven't been to Portland in a while and I'd like to see the town, plus its only a 3 hour trip, but both ways' that's 6 and this girl wants to have some fun!

Congrats, and my heart goes out to you and your hubby. Such a scary thing! You know you have good karma when it all works out right and you're earning double karma points by taking in a 16 year old, I've raised 3 boys and that is such a hard age! There have been times when I wished I had someone like you to help me out, sometimes they wont listen to you but will listen to others, she has to be so happy she has you to help! Take care and keep up the great work, you are looking awesome! Lisa

German girls are so naughty some times, especially when it comes to beer! Good job spitting it out, I’ve done that with so many things in the last couple of years, its pretty funny when you think about it. Champaign, wines that I didn’t know were bubbly, food that was too fibrous and I knew it would never go down…. I think we should design a little lap band bucket to have on hand, we can make them cute, silver and engraved with our initials…. Just kidding, I always take little bites and sips so a napkin does me fine, (or the garbage if I’m home) still very gross when you think about it….

I'm in, but I don't want to drive alone - Cara, you're coming in my car (please) and anyone one else from the this neck of the woods who wants to meet up. I'm a safe driver!! And I wont drive the TT so we wont be squished! Pammie, you want to join us? Cara already has a bunk mate....

I'm not going to guess about anything and I’m not a Doc either, but I remembered Becky's post about feeling that she had ripped something and it felt like stitches and I remember being very worried for her. I also remember that she had problems with fills and eating. LoriBecky may be correct that it could have started slipping early on, and then slipped down during her pregnancy, or it may have been on too low. I can't say, but I'm so glad she's better and praying for a safe birth of her child. Here's a history of Becky's posts, I really think there were warning signs that something had happened early on: http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?act=...sult_type=posts Stormy you most likely are fine, we all go through the stages were we are worried that we did something or something’s not right the first part of our journeys and it continues throughout - if something does keep bothering you please go in and have them check you out. Becky, take care and hope all goes well for you! Stay strong!

Here's my recommendation. I get your lifestyle on the run, its a pain to have a band when you live like this. But the truth is you could be doing long term damage to your band, and stretching out your pouch if you continue to eat like this, as well as putting your health in jeopardy if you cause yourself to slip or erosion. Try to start your day with heavy protein shake in the am, it really helps to curve the cravings. Stock your car with food that you can eat as a bandster. When I'm traveling I always have beef jerky around - because its protein I can only eat a little and it takes so long to chew that it kicks my cravings. I’ll go to trader joes and get those good for me wheat crackers and some dried fruit and the veggies cut up. They fill you up and are good for you! Try to stop the cycle Trudy, you worked so hard to get your band, just push yourself a little bit harder, you’ll be able to succeed, you know you can! Its hard to break those habits but its part of what we bandsters have to do to have long term success. Get on the bandster bus and get ready for that bikini next summer!!! Best, Lisa

Becky, Thank you so much for telling your story. I remember your posts and it did seem like you've had problems with your band from the beginning. I think the lesson for us is just like you said, to find good aftercare, but also to really listen to our bodies and if we think something is wrong get in ASAP to have it looked at. Listen to that little voice and learn from other's experiences. It doesn’t mean this isn’t the right fit, for most of us it is, myself included. Things can and will go wrong and we need to make sure we think about it and are prepared, whether its having the money in the bank for emergency flights to the center, or finding an aftercare facility that has doctor care that can and will support us if needed. I hope all goes well for you in the future, blessings for your new addition! Lisa

Sorry to gloat, but there is light at the end of the tunnel! This German girl is going to participate... I'll let my beer sit a bit, (just a bit) have a small sip, let is sit on my tough and then go down, eat a bit of bratwurst and enjoy life..... (I'm almost at 2 years, and I've hit my goal, so I'm OK to do this and its been a long time coming).....

Welcome to our group, and congrats on your decision to get the band! Lisa

I'd do it again in a second, its a big amount of $$ but the improvements to your life really out way the cost. Its hard to explain, when I think of how much I lost, it was almost half of me, the same weight as my sister...... I know I'll live longer, I've moved up in my job, I make more money, (paid for my surgery a many times over) I'm healthier, happier and can so much more in life. I can hardly believe the person I am now compared to who I use to be. Its really not the same, not even close. Good luck and congrats on your decision! Lisa

Jessica, On other note I'll add, at this time the lap band is very new - I don't know a lot of studies out there that have long term research behind it to show us what is actually correct. There are many “beliefs” however whenever I’ve asked for the studies no one seems to have them. Its based on their experience with their group of people – to be honest Dr. Ortiz has one of the largest groups and I do trust his findings. (He also works with doctors worldwide) I eat all veggies, including what are considered the problematic ones (meats, fruits - whatever) I chop them up into small bites and steam them - then chew 30 times per our guidelines. If you chew something 30 times - its going to be water and most likely not problematic. And I was told to keep my potions small. That's the trick, you do that you'll be succesful. Best, Lisa

Hello Vix, You'll make it - I know its bad, I've had two knee surgeries to date, one sister had knee replacement and the other broke hers in 27 places - they thought they might have to actually amputate her leg - they didn't, she made it and she's doing great. Its painful, but you're right staying positive and another note - keeping the pain meds low is key along with physical therapy once you're able. (From what I've seen it’s the people who get stuck on the pain meds who end up doing badly). Here’s a big Hug for you – take care and stay strong! Lisa

Most went to Dr. Ortiz for the experience and we paid for the surgery. The costs do not outline aftercare fees, we don't pay for them - they aren't included from what I understood. I considered this when making my decision, in the US they do and you pay for them upfront - it’s generally a year and the average cost in my area is $17,999 which includes fills. My decision to go to Dr Ortiz was based on his performance. I decided to go locally for my fills, I researched, talked to other bandsters and found a place that would work with me on my fills. They have been very supportive and if there’s any problems with my fills I go to them. Its difficult, they have different beliefs in how you should be filled, I have 9 small fills, at an average of $300 for 9 fills I’ve paid an additional $3700 for fills/support in the US, I used the forum for my online support system, and to be honest I’ve never called on the OCC. If there was an emergency like what happened to Julie, I’m pretty darn angry that she didn’t have any follow up, I expect that. Personally I’d do some ass kinking at the clinic, there’s nothing that pisses me off more than poor performance and lack of care. Just general aftercare, I don’t believe its part of the program, it could be something they offer at a higher cost, but at the price they are charging don’t expect it – I would say you would most likely be in the higher price range and you should expect to pay for it. Just my thought - Julie I'm glad you're better - take it slow and keep on trucken girl, you're doin awesome!

What no alcohol..... Someone should have told me sooner!! I don’t drink carbonated drinks but I do drink alcohol, watch my glasses and calories, I still like to live life and love my glass of red wine!! (I still lost almost 130 pounds so if you’re careful and watch what you drink you’ll be fine) and red wine has very important antioxidants! I would only have 1 to 2 glasses a week when I was in my weight loss period, it was a life saver when eating out, when most did the appetizers I focused on my glass of wine and socialized. You need to continue to live life and enjoy, just do it in a thoughtful fashion that still allows you to loose weight and be aware that alcohol hits us harder, so don’t drink as much as you use too! And use you can defiz drinks, but they taste bad so I wouldn't even bother.... Wine (4 fl oz) Calories Beaujolais 95 Bordeaux, red 95 Burgundy, red 95 Burgundy, white 90 Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Chablis 85 Champagne, dry 105 Champagne, pink 100 Chardonnay 90 Chianti 100 Liebfraumilch 85 Madeira 160 Marsala 80 Merlot 95 Mosell 100 Muscatel 160 Port, ruby 185 Port, white 170 Reisling 90 Rhone 95 Rose 95 Sangria 115 Sauterne 115 Sauvignon Blanc 80 Tokay 165 Zinfandel, red 90 Zinfandel, white 80

But I like yours much better, especially the Great Dane description!!