nothereanymore

Its hard, that's why its called Banster Hell, you'll make it through. And no hamburger for you!! Sorry, unless you're past 21 days. I stayed away from wine for the first few months. And normally with surgery doc's don't want you on it for a while. I just wanted to loose the damn weight and knew that the first 3 months was my best opportunity to loose the most weight – I now do a small glass of red wine a few times a week – the alcohol hits us harder so be careful and you don’t need a full glass. Its only 3 weeks of your life and then get ready for the new you!! Don’t jeopardize your band by eating solids – your band can slip and personally that wouldn’t be very smart for a little bit of beef craving – get some beef broth and get through it. (If you're in the liquid faze pudding isn't allowed) You'll make it - go to the doctor's corner and watch Dr. Ortiz's film and read his doc’s. Buy into it and wrap your mind around it!! You're a banster chick now and you'll going to be really hot in no time! I’m glad I followed the rules – wearing a size 6, from a size 22 kicks ass and there’s no way I’d trade it for anything!! Take care and go stomp on a hamburger or something!! Lisa

Here's some information about donating skin: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006052228382 Best, Lisa

I'll be honest, I have no clue about you or your husband and I'm not going to make any assumptions/decisions/recommendations in regards to a married or relationship based on what someone writes when they're upset. As a very strong person who's been married almost 28 years, all I'll say is please go speak to someone professional to get some help and guidance and if at all possible bring him with you. Good luck.

This is something that has to be approved and managed by your plastic surgeon – (its not like we can take our "skin" with us and truck it down to the burn center). You might want to discuss with your PS before your surgery to discuss this option.

If your surgery is performed by Dr Ortiz you are provided with a wallet card that includes needed information (including what type of band you have).

Congrats on your success!! Its great when we hit that sweet spot! Get that gym membership going fast if you can - its really fun once you start and get in the habit and more fun to watch your clothes fit better and the scale go down! That’s when we really see the change in our body – (its amazing how you can actually sculpt it and change your body with muscle). You doing great – keep it up! I'm proud of you too!! Lisa

Congrats on your decision! I was banded in Oct of 06 and it was the best decision I ever made next to marrying my husband and having children. My only regret is that I didn't know about this and make the decision sooner. I’m done with my journey and learning how to manage and maintain my weight, so far so good – no issues. I’m excited for you to begin your journey, with 5 children you need all the energy you can gather and being obese is not easy, it saps a lot of our energy, physically and mentally – so I’m so happy for your that you’ve made the decision to change – it will not only benefit you, but your family! Your photo is beautiful, and I’m sure you'll add new ones along the way as you loose the weight, its fun to watch us change, like butterflies!! We can help you with the unknowns, so don't worry - we're your support team, your lapband community here to help each other succeed! Take care and keep dreaming and soon it will all be a reality! Don't be afraid of the unknowns, just get ready to welcome your new future and your new you!! Best, Lisa

I’m going to be perfectly honest – I’m to the point were I miss absolutely nothing! I'm so over missing anything and feeling so good now, but I’m smart and I do treat myself – I’ll have a bite if this or a drink of that – in small amounts and I feel like a million bucks! Here’s what I don’t miss - I don’t miss being huge, my feet hurting – walking down the stairs gripping the banister, my knees giving out and looking forward to getting over 300 pounds which I know would have happened! (My pants going up my ass..) Sorry - I'm such a baaaadd player on this one! And I ran into two people I’ve known for years today and they had no clue who I was - had to pull out my drivers license - now I know why I haven't changed the picture yet!! There’s absolutely nothing I miss – life is just too damn good!!

You are looking marvelous and I love that color on you! Wowzer!! Congratulations!!

I was all excited - thought I'd see some WillTLeggs, but no - just a blank page.....

Hello Paula, Glad you're back and sorry for your hardships! We're here to support you so keep strong! Best, Lisa

I've had one of those before, and you're right to avoid putting water or any liquid on top of stuck food. From my understanding that's one way we can stretch our bands. I generally just stick to liquids for 3 days – then do what you’re doing, soften my foods – I will boil my chicken like I’m making a soup in chicken broth and just nibble at the softest meat (I like the meat in the wings). I stay away from the breasts since they can be stringy. My band has always loosened up, I think its between going to liquids and giving the band a break to allow the swelling to go down – and I always loose a few pounds extra when I’m tight and have to do this process.

This emotional eating and dealing with it has been such a part of finding out who I am. I did the same thing - I struggled with my emotions and realized I was having such a hard time because I couldn't "eat" my problems away. And that was such a difficult and wonderful time – because it made me address the issues and if I didn’t deal with it – there’s a good chance I would go back to being obese since this is most likely what made me obese in the first place. I did have to find other channels, one was to talk about what was bothering me – with whoever was involved and not hold it in. And I had to do it in the right way – but I wasn’t going to be that person that people could push things on anymore. If theres something that bothers me – I let people know – in a nice way and we deal with it. I’m a much more confidant and happy person because of this. I'm aslo much better at saying no, when needed. I also use exercise to channel my emotions – breathing exercise – I walk and contemplate… Life is much better now that I can’t eat through my emotions and have learned to deal with them – eating through them never fixed anything! Best, Lisa

I have a VG band and it is the bigger one. You really can't go by what other people add - its trying to fit around your stomach tight enough to restrict food - unless your an exact copy of me - and loose the same way - how much fill I receive will not be relevant to how much fill you need to be restricted. I received 6 cc in nine fills over 20 months. (I just had some removed sine I'm now in maintenance mode) When you go in talk to the nurse and if you’re ever not restricted enough after a fill you may just need to go in for a adjustment – call them up and see what their adjustment policy is – some have reduced prices or are free if its within a certain time frame - mine is within a week. Also if you have it done in Mexico that’s why its good to stay the night and test it out. Best, Lisa

Hello Aaron, Welcome to our forum - its a great place to get support, you will not find another one like us out there! We’ve got such a great group of diverse people here working together to succeed with our bands. Congrats on starting your new journey! Lisa

My family is into this stuff - its like anything - if you do everything right, never eat anything bad for you and at the proper amounts - you're good!! But if you don't, doing a colon cleanse is considered to some like taking vitamins or protein, your fixing something that you may be missing. Also many naturalist and nutritionist believe that disease begins in the colon. So they generally believe you should do it once or twice a year. I think what that stuff is the mucus that forms along your colon wall, and yes I believe we all have some form of it. Gross!! You can do really easy colon cleanse by just eating fruits and veggies for a week. the one I listed is more like a scrub. The other one from that site seems like way too much work for me – but like I said, I have a sister that loves it. (But she also likes to talk about her poops so it fits….) Now if you ask most doctors, they are not too into it, but they're getting better - the blend of naturalist and doctors is become more prevalent. (sorry for the gross out)!!

This is pretty heavy duty – I strongly recommend you talk to your doctor first – especially if you have any medical conditions. And if he’s not into Naturopathic he may not approve. (My niece is an acupuncturist and very into natural and Chinese medicine, this is from her). Try at your own risk. Eat fruit in the morning and for lunch (no regular food) keep it light too. 2:00 stop eating (you can drink water only) 4:00 Take a teaspoon Epson salt, and a ½ cup of water 6:00 Take a teaspoon Epson salt, and a ½ cup of water 8:00 Take a teaspoon Epson salt, and a ½ cup of water After you take your last dose of Epson salt and water you will then take (also I wait at least a half hour): 1 Cup of pink grapefruit juice 1 Cup of extra virgin organic olive oil (Shake together in a cocktail shaker or jar to mix together) and drink (I have to sip - it takes a while to get down) For those who have problems with protein, this will most likely be unbearable. And if anyone dares to try it stay close to the toilet the next day. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. (My legal statement) My sister is a big believer and uses this brand – I may try it: http://www.drnatura.com/colonix_program.ph...CFR4vagodrXQ-kQ (forewarning - the pictures on that site are graphic.....)

I do them every few 3 to 4 months depending on needs... WARNING WARNING WARNING Make sure if you do a colon cleansing you are close to a restroom at all times You're not out in public If you are out at someone else’s house either make sure they love you with no conditions or you are trying to get rid of them as a friend anyhow..... Just follow the directions, most will tell you when you should start taking them and when you're going to start seeing "results". I generally start taking before the weekend so I'm home on the weekend when its working. (I take a home method, but its pretty gross and I wouldn't recommend it). I'd recommend just starting with the over the counter products. Best, Lisa

You absolutely should be happy - you're getting smaller and she's getting bigger!! Congrats! You're looking awesome and what a cutie your daughter is! Best, Lisa

Congrats - that's awesome - 10 pounds!! So glad to hear you're doing do great!! Keep up the great attitude, and thanks for letting us know how you did! Best, Lisa

I don't know why they would recommend that - personally I would never lie to the border guards and you’re most likely (we never stopped going in) not going to be asked on the way in, only one the way back and there could be a chance that it is evident you had surgery and if you lie, they may spot it and wonder why which could to a delay in your entry back to the states.

Hey Grace, Sorry to hear you had a bad day and hope you start feeling better fast! Just remember you had surgery only 8 days ago, we're going to have blah and bad feelings days. Keep an eye on the yogurt, you may want to go to the store and buy some fresh product - and not mix with lemonade - I would guess it would make it curdle in your tummy. Congrats on the official notice!! And go get some rest so you can feel better! (To be on the safe side make sure you have some OTC nausea medication on hand and take it if needed) Lisa

Congrats! I am so impressed with your progress - you are doing a great job! You are Looking Beautiful Girl!!

Another point - take a look at some of the pictures that people posting thinking that they didn't look like they had lost weight.... They looked awesome and we could see it, it was sooo obvious!! Sometimes its hard to see the weight loss in yourself - thats why its smart to listen to others.