nothereanymore

See, Moms are always right!! You are doing great: (To prove your Mom right) A. You're wearing the same T-Shirt and now its hanging. (First clue) B. Your stomach is leaner on the sides C. Your stomach is smaller in front D. Your breasts are smaller E. You have a more difined neck F. Your thighs are smaller G. Your arms are smaller Great job and you're looking awesome! Congrats! Lisa

Mom's are always right - but I can't see your pictures - can you add them again? (I want to see - love the ones you have in the Gallery)!

You really shouldn't eat and drink - even peanuts, and I know its hard sometimes when you're in that social setting!! You most likely are perfectly fine so don't worry - one time shouldn't hurt, just don't do it again! What I do is take a little drink ahead of time and then just eat a few to fit in. I really can’t eat a lot since I get so thirsty – if I get killer thirsty I will suck on a small ice cube just to quell the thirst, but not enough to stretch my band.

Its hard, there’s a good chance you are too tight, however you also may be swollen due to PBing. I would recommend you put yourself on liquids for 3 days to give your band a break. Then test it, eat some really moist protein, small bits and chew 30 times. Don’t push it, ¼ of chopped protein would be the max. See how you do, if you are still PBing you will most likely need an unfil. Also avoid salts, is it that time of the month, and are you stressing – all of these things can cause your band to tighten. I've thought I was too tight before, did this and ended up fine - but be careful - if you are you want to go in for an unfill as soon as possible. Take care, I hope it all works out for you!

Hey Dianna - I did an old post about this that I need to go find - I'll add it on to my reply in a moment! OK, I have way too many posts!! And you're a lot like many of us, we were bad eaters too! -I have completely changed how I eat and how my family eats. My husband has lost 20 pounds since I received my band. And I now have 2 boys back in the house for summer!! They love the food, I often shop at Trader Joes and I'm a bit of a health addict now. It was bad - I was just like you and I worked for Doctors who were really into healthy eating - I had nutritionists and Doctors who worked for me and here I was a junk food junky that weighed close to 300 pounds! The band really helped me change my life - I can now focus on being healthy and it takes less time than driving to fast food and cost less when you think of gas these days! Best, Lisa With working full time, one teenager still in and out of the house, and a grandbaby on the way I stay pretty busy. One of the ways I make sure to eat the right foods is to prepare it ahead of time. I use a lot of the fit and fresh smart products, you'll find that most people complain that they are too small, but they are actually just a little too big for us (some pieces). However they work great and allow you to really organize your food. This is my favorite http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp...amp;catid=91473 I have 3 and I stack them up filled with precooked meats (chicken breasts grilled on my GF grill is always in at least one) chopped up veggies, fruits, beans, whatever I can think up to put in there for a quick grab. I just take a few of the containers to work and have for lunch. And then use part for dinner. I spent part of my day on Sunday thinking about my menu and organizing my food. I organize them by meats, veggies, fruits, carbs.

Were I go I cannot eat 4 hours prior to the fill. I can drink water and I do try to keep myself really hydrated so I don't retain any water. Its really easy so don’t stress out, since stress can cause our bands to tighten, and we will not get a good fill. At first I would use breathing exercises to relax, now its just so easy its not a big deal at all and I look forward to going because I love the girls at the office. Here are my tips:  Don’t eat salty food within 48 hours – you don’t want to retain water.  Try to schedule later in the day if possible we generally are tighter in the mornings  Try not to schedule around that time of the month – again we generally are tighter.  Don’t let anything stress you out – this is your time to be really relaxed and in control of your emotions – since they can cause tightness to our bands.  Drink and stay hydrated prior to you fill Good luck and congrats on getting your first fill! I'm sure there will be more great tips - we're such an awesome group! Lisa

Jennifer, hope you're resting and getting better! I too would like to hear from you and make sure all is well.

I know, I know - but your pants have shrunk!! You have just got to come to terms with your body type - you most likely build muscle fast - there is absolutely no way you are gaining fat!!!! I need you to say three times: I am a smaller person today!! I am a smaller person today!! I am a smaller person today!! OK, I’m going to wave my magic want…… (did it) and guess what!! You are a smaller person!! That’s all you need to care about this week! Let the rest go, and love yourself for remaining true and doing such a great job – I’m really proud of you!! Lisa

Many people did pack instant broth and packs of protein water, I liked the soup at the hotel! And my favorite restaurant is the one by the pool - love their food! My biggest miss before I received my band was understanding the emotional changes that occurs. Do read lapband for life, most of us have some sort of addiction to food and with the band you are limited to what you can eat. (Unless you decide to go totally bonkers and eat through it – then you are jeopardizing your health as well as your band). Understand that right now you are in the decision stage, and that’s hard enough as you can see by the emotions you are going through now. Then you get the band, and luckily (it really is lucky) we do have the liquid faze that really teaches us how to limit our food. We then go on and learn how to eat with the band, your emotions my be out of wack for a while, mine were and I believe my body craved food for my emotions and I couldn’t feed it anymore. So just understand ahead of time that this is part of our changes for the good. After a while it becomes our way of life and you are actually seeing the benefits to your health and how you look. You then start seeing how people treat you differently and you’ll receive compliments galore. You will have good days and bad days, but I wouldn’t trade my band for anything – it’s the best thing I ever did for myself! Check out my before and after’s: http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?auto...um&album=42 I would never want to go back to the big unhappy person with health issues that I was before I received my band. Congrats, you're going to do great - get ready for your new you!

I was like that, it does get better - I always make sure to remove any glasses from my eating area. I'm out of the habit now and I don't think I'd like to drink and eat at the same time - that would seem odd. On average if we are consistent with our changes it takes 3 months to change an old habit and create a new one. So stay strong and you'll get there. And don't be too hard on yourselves, just think about all of the bad habits we are changing right now and be proud!! It will all come together and we’ll all be thin little minnies sitting pretty in our bathing suits next summer! (OK I'm already there and it’s awesome)!!!! So keep strong!!

I haven't, I know of some who joined the ones with the packaged of food for ease of eating. Once I got going, I realized I didn’t need to spend the extra money and since I eat so little most of the food would have gone to waist. Since the beginning I've done what Michelle is doing - I've organized and packaged my own food in small containers. It really helps and I set aside time on Sunday to do it. (I haven't done this for the last 8 months, since its so ingrained in who I am now that I don't have to pre organize, but at first I did, or I may have failed).

I had my surgery in 2006 so don't have my packet any longer but have your husband find your packet that was sent home with you, there should be some cell phone number in there - including Dr. Ortiz.

You don't have to have hair to meet a bunch of lap band girls!!

Please try to get your husband to the pharmacy (ask your pharmacist for OTC medication to stop you from throwing up) or better yet call your doctor and try to get a script of medication to stop you from throwing up. I hope you feel better soon!

I'm going out there in a couple of weeks - we should all meet up. I have a family member that owns Ish Saloon out in Ahwatukee so I will be in that area. (The best cut and color anywhere, I fly out there to get my hair done as well as for business). Lets set something up!

That's cause we're twins - and have the same body, and the mind obviously - you beat me though!

Hey you! Hmmm, I have a feeling that you know how to succeed more than anyone does, if it feels like you're not full have a conversation with your Doctor. I'm surprised he would do that..... Best, Lisa

I would say submit mentally to your band. You are adding something that will change how you eat, so it will change your life. You need to understand that you have made a commitment – study the doctor’s corner and set yourself on the path to succeed. Understand that if you have an eating problem, it will be hard, but you will overcome everything and succeed and become the new and more healthy and beautiful you!! Congrats on you decision and can’t wait to welcome you to bandland! Lisa (OK, Cathy and I are starting to sound alike).....

Hey Sharon, Most of us have been banded by Dr. Ortiz since this is his website. He is awesome; you might want to check his credentials out on http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com/ if you haven't received your band yet - he's my doctor and I'm thrilled with my results. (opps - sorry now I see your banded date - my bad)... However we have many band sisters and brothers that have been banded by others that have joined us here. If you don't have any luck finding one of his pt's here you should try www.lapbandtalk.com. Good luck! Lisa

That's great!! You've done extremely well to bring it down that fast - congratulations! I bet they were really impressed with you at the club!

Wowzer!! What a difference and the little sex kitten is coming out in you!! What a cute pose - you are so adorable. (And you look a lot lighter than 210)!! You're so cute, in your first picture you look like your not happy to have the picture taking, and now you're like "pose" bring it one and send me a copy!!! You go girl!

Hey Julie, Look up and click on Gallery, (see the picture of the camera) you'll find her - she's the second one up! And she looks awesome - great job - someone please get this girl some clothes and I agree you are smaller than you think!!! I'm so excited for you! You are super spectacular!! Lisa

Send me your address Michelle and I'll get them to you - no need to pay for shipping - I've got it covered!

You'll be there before you know it - it happens fast! (Trust me on this one) I'll save them for you - I'm a bit of a clothes horse and since I work in an office setting where I have to dress up at times - but love casual I have a lot of everything! And I hardly wore most of them - once you start moving you can loose sizes in a couple of weeks - 10's went buy so fast for me that I have some pants I've never worn! Cute Liz Claiborne!!