nothereanymore

I'm telling you girls we need to start a clothes club - we are all going to go broke trying to keep up with our changing bodies (I did). I'm hoping I don't get any smaller because if I do my husband is going to leave me. I already donated my 22 and down and now all I have left are 8s and 10s I need to get rid of. Why don't we start a play it forward clothes club?? I'm mentioned this before and no one jumped on the band - but anyone ready now? Its like $10 bucks to ship a big box of clothes ground. I’d do it if someone wants my 8s and 10s and I know we have sisters out there who have some other sizes. Better than sitting in our closet looking like we might get back into them someday -(and on that note I said no way and cleared out any clothes as soon as they didn't fit - those days are over and never coming back - I'll go buck naked)!

Congrats - that's awesome - I use to look at weight loss in 50 bags of dog food - then I'd get a true feeling of what I really lost. When I'm in Costco (and mind you I don't have big dogs anymore - little yorkies) I'll pick up the bag and give it a look - really puts your weight loss in perspective.

Wow, great job - you're doing awesome!! You can really tell my your backside - that's how it was with me! (I swear we have the same body)! Congrats!

I'm 46, 5'6" and also have tried every diet and failed for about 20 years - my weight has been everywhere. My highest weight at the doctors was 275, my highest at home was more...... I'm around 140 pounds now, about to be a grammy (as soon as I finally don't look like one) It’s a tool and I manage it, it forces me to think about what I eat and gives me time to think about why I'm eating. Its a different lifestyle, you eat less but I know I'm now healthy, my primary doctor is very impressed with the changes - and I feel like a million bucks (my husband thinks I look like a million bucks now). I didn't want to go into my 50's as an obese woman, the health risks and loss of mobility scared the bajeezes out of me. I thought of this as my last chance to cure my disease, obesity. Good luck with your decision, I hope the best for you. Lisa

Perfect about the plateaus, however did want to clear up one thing about plastics. There are many plastic surgeons who now specialize in weight loss patients and understand how we loose weight and were. The procedures are planned around and during our weight loss. They do not wait until you've been at your weight for a few months - and have no problem doing the surgery before you hit your goals I can tell you I don’t look like Courtney and many of us have worked with plastic surgeons and done procedures during our weight loss (and some after - lift for me) depending on the procedure. When I talked to Dr. Ortez about plastic surgery the group he worked with recommended you loose last at least 75% of your weight. Many times the procedures will help you quickly reach your goals, for example a tummy tuck, you will have muscles tighten and they cut off the fat so you don’t have to loose it, and partnered with lippo it is a great procedure to have done before you loose all of your weight per my doctor and many plastic surgeons I met with before I decided on Dr. Nyte – and I can tell you one thing – I don’t look like Courtney, (I don’t think she ever had a weight problem – drug yes, obesity no ;-) My stomach looks great and I had the procedure at a higher weight than most would guess. Thank goodness I did - I'm thrilled with the results and it really help me reach my goals. Each should do their own research and decide what is best for them. Best, Lisa

It will happen and before you know it you'll be in the 170's. We often go through this; you are most likely loosing inches and as you know retaining water from your monthly. Don't sweat it (unless of course you want to throw in some exercise - that type of sweat is fine). This is part of many of our cycles, and many experience this all the time (not just talking about the monthly, I’m talking about plateaus overall) stick with the program and you will succeed. Its really that simple - and I do get the frustration, but have learned to not worry about it, the stress and worry of loosing weight- put on top of dealing with everyday life issues can cause problems with your band - if you tend to retain water from stress. Have confidence in yourself, and know if you are doing the right things the weight loss will come!

Congrats! 3 dress sizes is awesome - you're going to be a skinny minnie before too long!!

Yep it can and it sure did with you - congrats and don't fear the scale this weekend - be the scale!!

The best first step is to contact the OCC, the guidelines are different in Mexico. https://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com/cgi-bi...?section=public Start here, and you'll have all of your questions answered by the experts. Good luck! Lisa

Its not hard to loose the weight if you stick to the program, there are 3 other women at my work and I'm the only one who lost weight. (Michelle I'm surprised they gave her a fill at the OCC - I thought you weren't supposed to eat before a fill). Now we will have moments when we can’t follow, (work outings for example) but those should be the exception and not the rule and we should still only eat 30% of what we use too. I believe being consistent is very important during your weight loss period. As you go through life with the band you are going to find people who eat through their bands. I was told by a very prominent Doctor that true results of a successful diet is 2 to 3 years. That means you’ve lost the weight and have been successful on a maintenance program. I’m trying to figure out how to make my own maintenance program work – its hard, haven’t gained – but the fear is kicking in. Also, I’ve always thought that I have been on a diet – the lap band diet. We have different rules, if you really want to loose and change your body your going to have to eat healthier and exercise and follow the rules, the band is a tool and we decide how to use it to benefit us. Most important, my firm belief is that if we follow the guidelines provided by the OCC we will succeed, you'll get lots of varying information on this and other sites and it can be confusing. So try to stick to one program and I believe you have less chance of failing. If you have another doctor, follow their guidelines, we all choose our doctors for a reason. I’ll be honest – I didn’t choose Dr. Ortiz because he was less $$, I choose him because he was the best based on my research. If I was going to do this I wanted to succeed and going to him was my best opportunity.

I like the dutch chocolate Isopure - high protein low carb - 220 calories with 50 grams of protein with water, higher with milk (I use low fat high protein milk and add in the extra 90 calories so its still not bad)- really kicks in the weight loss due to the high protein and it has a good mix of vitamins and supplements to boot.

Congrats!! That's awesome - just think you're about 35% complete with your weight goal - great job! Go party like there's no tomorrow on that one!

Its been over 21 months and I can still feel my port "lump" - can't see it but can feel it under my skin. Scar tissue has formed around it (from what the nurse says) so it gets harder for her to poke with the needle. Dr Ortiz uses the low dimension ports with us so they sit lower under our skin – I’ve seen some US pt's and you can see their port – it sticks out actually – (they had the older ports that were bigger). I was always worried that after I lost the weight you might be able to see my port – nope – even wit an extended tummy tuck and lippo (and a 28 inch waist) I still can’t see it. Congrats on reaching the creamy soups faze - you're almost through it!

All I'm going to say is I wish I had done this at a much lower weight instead of getting to the point where my weight was 275 pounds. Congratulations on your decision, it’s your body – you know what’s right for you and over the years I've learned to not ask for permission – I now just ask for support. Best, Lisa

Fills can be fickle; I can be tight one week and loose the next. But if I do lose a lot of weight fast I can feel a significant difference in my fill. (It’s like when my clothes get to lose). Ride it out and you might try drinking a big glass of ice water before meals. Or since protein gives you that full feeling – try half a serving of a really icy one before meals. To give you that extra kick of protein and to tighten your band before a meal. I've had to ride out a fill that wasn't that great once - and you can find ways to trick your body. (I know its a pain) Best and good luck – I’m off to work! Lisa

Hey, I know a lot of Dr. Simpson's pt's - I'm from AZ and my family is still there so I’m out there about every other month at least. (I’ll be there in the next few weeks to enjoy the 110+ weather you’re having)!! The pt’s of Dr Simpson are very active and I’ve gotten together with a couple of them when I'm down there. (Friends of my sister) I’m sure you know about his message board, he actively participates himself! It’s a very fun group!! (Not as good as ours though) I’d be happy to get a few of the girls together (his other pts) and meet up with you when I’m out next. Welcome – what area of AZ are you from? Best, Lisa

It really does get easier, now my band just part of my new life (like my new body) and I don't even think about it. (I do think about my new body - I really like it much better than the old one....) and BATassbandita is right on, its really not a diet, its a lifestyle change. I only eat 1/3 of what I use too and I don’t even think about it. Most times I break it up into the appropriate food groups like we are suppose too, but if I'm out in a situation where I need to eat with others and its pizza or whatever - I just eat like everyone else does – only have smaller amounts. And I don't see this as cheating - its living life. If I can do it, and I did, I’ve lost all of my weight and I’m just getting on maintenance - anyone can do it. And I get the frustration, that does happen often especially in the first 90 days, remember many of us have an addiction to food, (at least I did) I was an emotional eater and with the band you can’t do that – you will need to find other ways to deal, just understand and try to forewarn your loved ones so they can support you and know its part of the healing process. Best, Lisa

I started drinking a small (1/3 glass of red wine) 30 minutes before dinner on the weekends 30 days after surgery. It was a bit hard at first, I was use to drinking my glass of wine with dinner, however now I am so use to pouring a small glass, relaxing and drinking it before dinner and I like it better. I taste the wine more, and enjoy the flavor.

Shoot, I never checked, but since I've lost so much weight I've become a bit of a thrill junkie in my old age. I've gone on every roller coaster, zip line (lots….) and anything daring that I can try. (Since I missed out on all of those things for so long when I was a big girl) I haven’t noticed anything out of the norm and its in place and working!

You're one of those lucky one's that is tight without a fill. It’s hard since we're all so different - however what you describe is how I feel with a good fill. I do drink my drinks slowly, and I get that full feeling very fast. I always describe to my friends as that feel like I just ate thanksgiving dinner. (You're most likely not stretching your band since you're eating small amounts). Since the tightness is increasing and you don’t have a fill, that is a bit different and I’d ask a few things. Is it near your time of the month? Are you stressed? Have you eaten salty food? Have you thrown up at all or anything that might cause swelling? These things can cause you to swell (retain water) and you can’t eat as much or drink as much. If its none of the above and you continue to get tighter – I would bring this up to your doctor to discuss. Take care Cathy!! Lisa

Congrats on getting banded! You're making sure you don't stretch your pouch, think about it only holding about a half cup so you're trying not to fill it up and put pressure on it. So you drink a little, (small sips) it should slid down past your band to your stomach - and drink a little bit more, small sips again and really think about how it feels - is it going down fast or can you fill it "fill up" your pouch. (if you can - stop and wait) We all have different bodies so each of us has a different experiance, you need to learn how yours reacts to everything from drinking to eating. I would wait about 10 minutes for each 1/2 cup when I first started - just to make sure my pouch was all clear. All the best and take it slow, you'll do great! Lisa

You will be soon and its going to happen fast so you better get them soon!!

Sandy (opps meant to say Erin)! is absolutely right, but remember - you always have us to help you along!! You're going to need support - we all did to make it through the hard times, and we'll be here for you!

Hello, It’s been a while for me, and I didn't have a medical condition however you will find postings of few who did. And from what I read they received a fast response and were taken care of. (There was a lady who ate chicken right after surgery and slipped her band – and just lately someone had a flipped port), When I left after my surgery I was given a packet with contact information - including Dr Ortiz's cell number and told to call if needed. It was never needed for me personally, but I did feel good and after reading all of the posts of people that were taken care of by the OCC I am very confidant in their "after" care. I'm sure some will reply as well, but I understand where you are at - my husband had the same questions. Best, Lisa