nothereanymore

I still eat beef - I'm just really careful and I also will go on a liquid only diet for a few days if I have a PB episode.

Congrats - that is so awesome!! You should be really proud of yourself, you are a super star!!

For me, food is no longer a reward, its fuel and a job, like exercising or anything else I need to do to remain healthy, its required maintenance. Its pretty much a chore for me to eat and once you chew your food 30 times per bite its no longer a fun rewarding experience, its an exercise. (And most likely burns calories as well) I have a hard time remembering when I use to use food as something to make me feel good - that time is gone.....

Hey congrats and welcome to you're new world - you're going to have struggles, successes, blessings, curses - but all in all its going to be a great ride and you are changing your old life for a better new healthy one! Glad to have you officially join us! Lisa

That is so awesome - you just made my day - I am so proud and happy for you!! Congrats and big hugs for you!! Lisa

Isn’t it amazing how much ignorance there is in the world? I love Mexico; I know there are good things and bad things there. (I'm a teeny bit Latino American and my new grandson is mostly Latino American) We landed on Plymouth Rock, I'm everything.... I love the US – I also know there are good things and bad things here. (I’m a proud DAR and we have a lot of history in this Country). One important thing – I know that in the US we don’t have a run on all of the best doctors or knowledge in the medical field. I’m a smart lady and I respectfully acknowledge that many Countries have more experience in certain fields than we do. A perfect example is the lap band – since it wasn’t approved in the States for 10 years after its first use throughout Europe I grudgingly understand that they have more experience and knowledge about this procedure than we do. Dr. Ortiz has proctored many of the Doctors in the US, and I respect his knowledge – whenever someone makes assumptions without research I consider them an idiot. So unfortunately the nurse you dealt with is an idiot in my book. Drop them like a hot rock and move on. Stupidity is something that I have no tolerance for and I would be afraid to have them looking after my needs. Best, Lisa

Hmmm, Interesting question, I would never reconsider it, one of the best decisions I’ve ever made - but then I haven't had many of these problems. (So the truth is we don't all have these problems). Have I been tight before, yes - was I able to manage it - yes. Have I lost over 125 pounds - yes. Has it always been easy - no - its a tool and you have to work it and learn how to work it. How you manage your tool is up to you - the truth is we are the operators and own how we operate it. I'm fit, healthy, thin, and happier and look damn good for someone who just became a Grandma today! I will most likely live a much longer life since I am no longer obese and enjoy the time with my children!. Loosing weight isn’t easy no matter what path you take – but this one is easier than most and did the job better than any of the other paths I’ve taken and I’ll be two years on 10/6/08. Good luck with your decision and remember, many people come to the forum because they need help and advice. Many don't use it since they don't need it, they are successfully plugging along and we never hear from them. There are thousands that have received the band from Dr. Ortiz - how many are actively using this forum - a pretty small % considering how many have actually been banded. Best and good luck with your decision. Lisa

The truth is it does help, but its not the cure-all. For many of us our food additions are mainly bad habits we've built over the years to cover our emotions. You can't eat as much unless you really work at it and nibble all day. Most of us don't have the time or energy for that. Also when you get the band you're on liquids for 21 days - its step one in breaking the cycle of eating for your emotions and its generally a difficult time for us. Banstar hell as its known. My two year anniversary with the band is 10/6, I don’t think of food in the same way. I enjoy eating but just smaller amounts, I use exercise and deal directly with my emotions and don’t use food anymore. I’ve broken the emotional eating habits and the truth is it took a while. But it’s a great freedom, almost as good as being a thin healthy person. It’s a great tool, I personally am very thankful for it – its changed my life for the better. But it’s a tool you have to use and work at all the time – it can’t do the job on its own unless you’ve made a commitment to make it work. Best, Lisa

I also know many who have had GBS and not one has kept the weight off. More positives - we can adjust our tool, and we haven't changed the overall make-up of our bodies. They have changed their body and many have stretched out their stomachs and are back to being obese. Since I'm now on maintenance I've removed much of the liquid from my band and I know can eat more, however still less than before - I also am keeping the good habits I made over the last 23 months. If I start to gain weight back, I'll simply go in for a fill and get an adjustment to help me eat less. I’m very comfortable and confidant with my choice. I am very sorry for her problems and will pray for her and her family. Best, Lisa

I was told that at two years it is recommended to have an upper GI endoscopy and look for erosion or any other complications.

I'll help plan a fun night out - I don't live in San Diego but I have family there and they always tell me its a fun place to visit! (Evette have you ever heard of the band Honey Bucket)? We need to make sure we have at least one night to cut loose!

Bill, Tracy, You most likely should go in for an un-fill. But also remember what makes us tight - it’s the swelling. Whether its caused by continued BPing, TOM, stress, certain foods or whatever – if you can’t control those (meditating, no salty foods, chewing, eating slow, lots of water, whatever) you need help. Tracy, try not to eat at least an hour before bed time, and then before bed cap it with some soothing warm herb tea to help you sleep and make sure your pouch is clear. (you may already do this - just checking) Remember, in addition if we loose weight our bands loosen. So Bill this is for you. You may want to try going on a low calorie liquid diet for a few days to try and reduce the swelling. If you start with a high protein shake in the AM to keep you energy level up, what this can do is allow the swelling to go down and you will most likely drop some weight which will also help loosen the band – try to stop the bad food choices, the truth is they are most likely hurting your energy level – they help for a short time and then you have the plunge which is the worse thing you can do. I know its hard, I know its a pain - but if you're not going to go in for an un-fill you need to make sure you allow the swelling to go down and do whatever possible to stop having things come back up. Such as starting your morning with warm tea, and with every meal if needed. Tracy you're had the band for a long time, have you had the two year check up where they do the thorough check up to see if you've had any erosions or other problems? Take care, Lisa

I still eat it. I cut it up into really small bites and chew 30 times. I don't have problems with anything as long as I eat like this. I even eat rice (brown) just take tiny bites and chew, chew, chew. The only thing I don't eat is white bread - its horrible to chew (taste icky after 30 chews) and seems to get stuck back together once you swallow it down! Try things that you like and that are good for you - just take small bites (only eat a small amount) and chew each bite 30 times. Some days we can eat something - some days we can't! But I always give it a go if its healthy and good! I think one of the reasons we loose so much weight is all the chewing we do burns extra calories!!

Hey Sassy, Just think of it like this.... Today is the first day of your new program, and its easy, all you have to do is start by eating your protein first. Small amounts chewed well. Go out to the deli and buy some chicken, beef, ham - some tuna can's anything protein, chop up small amounts for each meal, about a 1/4 cup, then pick up one of those bags of mixed veggies, add 1/4 cup of those to your meal, eat a few, a little bit of fruit, and you might not have room for carbs (if you do you may need a tighter fill). Eat only three meals a day, drink lots of water, but don't drink when eating! You can do it and then go in your room and dance to the radio for 30 minutes each night. Try it for 30 days - see if there's a change in your body and if so keep it up! Good luck and have a fun journey! Lisa

You are looking awesome, you can really see the changes!! Congrats to my twin!! Lisa

Great job Alana, that's awesome - you should be very proud of yourself!! I get the hard times, and mood swings but you made it through it! (And so did your husband so give him a big kiss)!! Have fun in Nova Scotia, I'm out in Halifax often and love it! You'll have fun watching for the whales! (I love the five fishermans but its way too much food for us)! You made it through the hardest part, now keep strong until you get your first fill! You're going to do great! Best, Lisa

I agree with everything said, and I want to add one more thing. I always think myself thin, no matter what. I always make sure to visualize and tell myself that I am thin and more beautiful everyday. I really do, and its hard, most of us have spent years not liking ourselves and we put ourselves down more than anyone else ever could. I use to hate looking in the mirror and would cringe if I needed to buy something to wear. I think one of the reasons I made it was that I stopped the negative thinking and focused on the positive. I thought myself thin – and I think beautiful as well because I now think I’m a beautiful sexy lady, and I could never say that before. But I started thinking like that right after I received my band. I just got back from a cruise, rarely wore a bra, and had a bathing suit or a sexy evening dress on everyday. (And I think another bandstar could confirm)…. And I don’t know if I looked all that good – buy damn if I didn’t feel great!! Best, Lisa

Great job, you are looking so awesome, your hair, your cute outfit - everything!! You can tell when we start feeling good about ourselves; we generally change more than our bodies! Congrats! Lisa

Good luck Stormy, my thoughts are prayers are with you. I hope for all the best and that it works out, whatever the outcome you'll do fine. I can tell you're a very strong person and good things are coming! Best, Lisa

That's the best!! (I had to copy Pammie - I'm on vaca mode and can't think and I knew she wouldn't mind) But yours is awesome!

I lost: 5 bags of 25 pounds of dog food. 6.5 pounds of butter cut off my tummy and around to my back. 2 cubes lippo’d off my sides and back. .25 pounds of skin removed from my breasts - .5 pounds of inserts added under the muscle back to my breasts (You forgot to add those Pammie)!! All of that to take my body from here: http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?auto...=si&img=405 To here: http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?auto...=si&img=432 I'll give up the bags of dog food anyday!

The pre op diet for me was pretty easy, 2 opti slim fast shakes and a lean cuisine for just over a week. (I jumped into a cancelation spot and lost 10 pounds in 10 days). I took my vitamins and didn’t’ have any issues, I wasn’t loopy and I have the type of job that I have to be on my toes mentally. I hold the position of Director and with a large group of people reporting to me in two continents (hundreds)– my brain better be able to keep it together. I choose the lap band because it has less affects, it is slower in the weight loss but its easier on you physically and mentally. The liquid diet didn’t bother me either; I drank juice and low calorie protein drinks, took my liquid vitamins and lots of home cooked broth and again no issues. If anything I felt better since I wasn’t eating all of the crap that I normally eat. I had my surgery Friday and I was back to work by Tuesday. (The day after the surgery I was out shopping and going to the museum and art show) (One note, everyone is different – my doctors can get really PO’d at me since I can get up and function normally really fast, a lot of it has to do with your physical and mental personality) I think the hardest part for me was loosing the mental need for my food. I ate to cover emotions and since I couldn’t eat them away anymore I had to find other outlets. Started exorcizing, being honest about my needs and opinions and got better at saying no. But this can get you in trouble if you’re not careful. I can’t say anything bad about it, I feel so much better. I earn much more as a thin person than as a fat one, I’m treated differently (I don’t like this but it’s the truth). My feet and knees don’t hurt – in fact nothing much does and I use to have a hard time walking down stairs due to the pain. I’d grip the railing to make it down. I do eat smaller amounts, and if I start feeling weak or mind groggy I always have protein shakes with high vitamin content and sip it down. You get really good at listening to your body and its needs or it can cause you trouble. I’m taking off for the Caribbean today so hopefully I get a chance to wear my new bikini. I’m 46 and haven’t looked or felt this good since my 20’s! Good luck with your decision, but I would recommend giving them your phone number, they really are knowledgeable and can help with your questions since most are like us and received the lap band from Dr Ortiz. Lisa

Hey!! Congrats Kim - that's awesome! Glad you're home and get some rest!

Congrats, the pain is normal, I had to walk it off and take gas x as well. You'll do fine - you're on your way to the new you! Have fun!

I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pool - I mean it has no nutritional value, high calories and most likely a part of what got you to the point of why you had to get the band in the first place. We can't eat much - and what we eat needs to have good nutritional value. You're on the start of a new you - don't blow it by going back to old bad habits. Take this as an opportunity to start new good ones. (I know you most likely wont per your last post - at this point I'm just nagging). Sorry, I am a little bit cranky, I have someone I know who got the band before I did, and she is still huge and doesn't get it. She does stuff like this and then wonders why she can't loose the weight. I just saw her yesterday and she's even bigger than before the band. You make the decision, but you know what's good and bad for you and you know what your weaknesses are. If this is something that is a point of weakness - don't do it. Its something that you can cheat with, its crap and its not worth it. Lisa