nothereanymore

Hey Paula, from my experience - things will change... There's nothing like a girl that's been kept in the dark to long - once we loose the weight and come "into the light" its like "look out hubby". My poor guy doesn't know what hit him.... Except when he opens up the credit card bill and see's the Victoria Secret charges....

It sounds like you're not eating enough; remember broth and things like it have very little calories. I'd make a big bowel of chicken, onion or beef soup and just eat the broth (Lots of herbs, spices and veggies for the nutriants. (I hated those plain boxes or cans). I'd have one for lunch and dinner and in between if needed. (And save the extra for later meals) I know this is the hard part - but you can make it through. And you'll find techniques - like one of the things I missed was chewing and I'd start chewing my broth. You’re going to have some growling, your stomach is shirking, but I think you need to eat (sip) a little bit more and make sure its really good for you. Also if it gets bad and you think you’re going to cheat (on solids) make yourself go for a walk, come back and have a cup of tea or broth. Take care! Lisa

will T, you can have a poster, however we expect you to be in the picture in one of those little speedo things!

Lu Lu, awesome go girl! I think when we all get together for the band camp for those of us daring enough take a group picture in bikinis and send it to Dr. Ortiz! Poster size!! I’m in!

Mine feels more like half a golf ball now, and I can really feel it. But luckily can't see it, we have the low density? that Dr Ortiz uses and I've seen people with the other and they can actually stick out and show. (And my stomach is pretty darn flat so I’m surprised I can’t see the thing) Never thought I'd say that.....

I also think it has to do with all of the advertising and marketing we see everyday. How often do we see thin beautiful people eating and drinking a ton of high fattening food, looking gorgeous? You see that often enough, you want to go out to eat and then the portions are huge, it’s almost like we are being trained to be obese. And I’m not saying we don’t own our own obesity, we do, but generally from an early age we are being taught that food is fun, a reward, comfort and we can eat all we want. There’s a reason why so many people in the US are obese and why the change has really occurred within the last 30 years. I’m thrilled to have found a tool that works for me, (I pray that it continues to work and I continue to work at it) I really hope that we can cure this disease, and I truly believe it is one before it really takes over our children’s lives.

From my understanding there are no long term studies to address the life of the band since it is so new, however based on what they are seeing and the new products it could and should last for life. Its been used in Europe since 78/80, and they have more data. If you search the web you'll find good and bad information with no formal studies, I'm not really interested in this information. (Bad on the band is more GB doctors saying the band is bad, no studies attatched). Here's a couple of studies: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/63973.php http://gastricbypass.netfirms.com/agbstudies.htm I'd be interested in knowing if there are any long term studies about the average life of the band. However based on what I’ve read and even what Dr Ortiz has said, it should last a lifetime as long as we don’t have complications. That's why I choose it. Best, Lisa

Karen is right on. Most of the studies that I have read find it is true with a % of GBP's, however I haven't seen any studies that show the same results for lap band patients. One of the reasons is that the lap band is adjustable. Right now I'm almost done loosing my weight, it’s been with me since 6/6/06 and I've lost over 120 pounds. I actually booking my unfill, which means I'll loosen my band to go into maintenance mode. If I start gaining again I'll go back in to have it tighten. I manage my band, it doesn't manage me. I'd like to see the studies the Doctor mentions where we gain weight back, my guess is that he is generalizing for weight loss patients and cannot support his claims with data about the band. But the truth is if we mismanage our bands, we can and will gain weight back. You need to take care of it and also be true to it. Which means eating appropriately. Good luck with your decision! Lisa

That is so awesome, don't let your husband talk to mine, since he would give him fair warning! And one recomendation - only buy things really tight - don't buy to fit because you'll only get a couple weeks out of them!! Congrats and have fun, but get ready to spend $$! Hey that makes me think of something - have we ever thought of doing a clothes exchange in our local areas? A good way to get together and meet each other and share our now too small clothes! Lets talk! Lisa

Hey, hope you are feeling better. Make sure you are getting enough protein. Its really hard at first and without it we can feel super drained, and prone to headaches. Make sure you have water with you and you drink constantly. I,m always sipping on herb tea, makes me feel better and helps to get all of the liquids in. I remember reading on a previous post that someone put their protein mix in yogurt. That’s a great idea; I wish I had known that earlier! Take care and hope you feel better! Lisa

Hope you’re not too uncomfortable! That's a long time to still feel like your soup is stuck. I haven't experienced or heard of that on soup. Quick question, have you tried going for a walk? Whenever I have that stuck feeling it really helps if I get moving. (It gets things moving again and I'm able to burp, which we really need to do). I’m sure Dr Ortiz is in with his surgeries and it’s his birthday so you may have a little bit of a wait. Take care and let us know if walking clears it! Best, Lisa

Happy Birthday Dr. Ortiz! And what can we give a man that has given so much to others? I'm really not sure; I know that at my previous weight, based on statistics, I most likely would have died at a much younger age. Before my surgery my BMI was 45, which is considered severely obese, I’m now a 24, which is considered healthy. So he’s given me extra time to spend with my loved ones, and time to enjoy life. I feel better, I don’t hurt and I enjoy life so much more! Thank you so much, I hope you have the best birthday ever and all of your wishes come true! (Since you made so many others come true you deserve it)! Best wishes! Lisa

Hey Amber, Don't be afraid, this is the start of the new you! Do take baby steps, and check out Anita's posting right below. She's right with you on eating real food. There are some great ideas there http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=6567 and I know you'll do great. If you haven't yet you might want to go to the store to stock up on some things. I like soft moist food, but what could be moist to me could be a show stopper to others. So its really baby steps, taking small bits and chewing really well. Also even if you can eat more, don't, stop at what would be 1/3 of your normal intake. During the liquid faze you shrank your stomach, and before your first fill, you may or may not be able to eat much. You'll see that we're all different. But do try solids, don't go back to hamburgers, that would most likely stretch your pouch. And know that you’re a strong person, you’ve had surgery, traveled to Mexico to have it done by the best doctor, and you’ve only eating liquids for the last three weeks, hey nothing can stop you from reaching your goals now! Go girl, have fun and conquer! Lisa

I had to keep a log and I would have small snacks if I was getting hungry. I like apple chips, which are low calorie and hit the spot. And everyone else is right on, I do have chips but they are low calorie and mainly the rice chips. Skinny cows are low calorie ice cream, and I love the fudgecycles. If I needed to have some type of snack food, my goal was to not only loose weight, but to be healthy (I've got my kids and husband eating like this now and you'll see his weight loss in the pictures as well - which is pretty good, since I heard that spouses of people with diet surgery often gain since they'll eat our extra food) I created an eating log that adds up my calories per meal. Here's an example, its organized by calories by protein, veggies, fruits and carbs - that way I don't forget to eat something. If anyone needs a copy just send me your email address and I'll get one out to you. Its really good at first to help you understand and actually see what you are eating. Most times I was having a hard time getting to 1000 calories. (and a side bar that adds up the protein, I was really trying to make sure I got enough) I also kept a water area, I was like you - worried I wouldn't get enough. I keep a bottle of water with me everywhere I go and drink all the time. Lisa Eating Log Day 1 Breakfast Calories Protein exercise notes Total 0 0 Lunch Calories Protein Daily Water Total 0 0 0 Dinner Calories Protein *Protein *Veggies *Fruits *Carbs Total 0 0

I have and so have many others. It's super easy, also you'll most likely meet people on the board who are traveling on the same date. You'll be fine, congrats on your decision! Best, Lisa

Argh, good luck and sorry about this! I can't believe you can see you port! Take care!

That's awesome! Welcome and Congrats!

Breakfast is the hardest. I love boiled eggs so I'd through one into boil as I was getting ready for work. It would fill me up pretty fast. I generally have a few boiled in my fridge, good for quick protein. I always have stir fried veggies cooked and ready to heat up in the microwave. (I put in soft boiled little red tomatoes, red/green peppers, onions, garlic and carrots – cook a pan ahead of time and use it for almost every meal) And I buy those little all natural fruit cups that stay in your fridge. I also buy the egg whites and its takes a couple of minutes to whip them up. I like to make it so meals are easy, otherwise I mess up. I now love trader Joes, I always have mini toasts on hand (wheat, not white) and have those for my whole grains toast in the morning (they are a bit like croutons, but really dry so we can keep them down). Also, and this is cheating, sometimes I can be really tight in the am and can’t eat or I have that feeling that I need more protein, I have been known to sneak in a protein shake….. But I didn’t’ do this at first – I really did focus on trying to create the habit of eating by the rules. Try buying those small plastic containers (tiny ones) from the grocery store and put protein in one, veggies and fruit in the other and pack some whole week crackers. I'd just cook some meat up, cut it up and fill up 3 with protein, and so forth. You'd have your lunch ready for the next few days... No soup for you! (Right now try to focus on solids) Cereal, I just never did, couldn't figure out how to make it into protein, veggies, fruits, carbs. If you can let me know. (Now I am a bit neurotic about following the rules, others will have cereal, my guess is with the milk it would flow down to easily) I work at least 60 hours per week, my kids are older but 2 are still at home so I get that this can be hard. Try to set some time to organize your food (and it looks like you did) and you’ll be more prone to success. Good luck! Lisa

Hey congrats on step one - thinking about doing the surgery! It is scary, we are adding something to our body and for me - it changed who I was. (For the better). But since I've already been through it and I'm almost done with my weight loss its pretty darn cool. I had my surgery Friday and was back to work by Tuesday. But I have a sit behind the desk job where not too much action occurs except for typing on a keyboard and making calls. I was also close to home, family and doctors if needed. (It wasn't needed, I felt really good really fast, but each person is different and some take longer to recover) You may need to organize your time off better, but the people that could help you figure it out is the team here. Lori is really good; you can reach her on this board. I know that people who do heavy lifting get the band and from what I see they go back to work quicker than I would expect. Its a pretty simple surgery for Dr. Ortiz, he's one of the top in this field, so you would be in really good hands. Good luck! Lisa

It can take a few weeks for your first fill to settle and for you to get use to it. You should try a variety of protein if possible, from very moist salmon, to chicken thighs (dark meat). Here's what I do so I can eat it at first. Take a couple legs with thighs (just pull the skin off) and boil in chicken broth with some good herds. Then shred it and chop, and take very small bites, only put a tablespoon on your plate to start, (So this will last you a while if no one else is in your home to eat) it is dark meat but we eat so little and sometimes the white is too dry at first. I switch over to breasts later once I'm not soo tight. When I’m boiling my chicken I’ll also through in some veggies to cook. Again, when your eating just a tablespoon of each - fruits and your whole wheat grain. Everything in small amounts and I chop up well to not forget to chew! (Remember, you're not making soup, just cooking in a manner to keep your food moist) This cooks really fast and you only use one small pan so easy clean up and its really good for you too. As you go along you’ll find that sometimes you can eat something and the next day you can’t – it can be fickle. So keep trying things, one small bite normally will tell you. But really try to stay away from those bad for you carbs. Even if you take one small bite of protein you know you won’t be able to eat them so take a bite of protein. Its tough, you’ll find your way to work it, just understand its a learning process! Best, Lisa

Congrats, you are doing awesome! Its amazing how a great fill can really kick start you on the program! Wait to see yourself in 3 weeks! I bet you’ll see a big difference and it will be time for a little bit of clothes shopping! That happens often to me, I've been told that a small amount can dissipate (it doesn’t mean you have a hole in your band) I could be wrong but based on my conversation sometimes a little bit evaporates.

If you go to the home page and scroll down to the bottom there’s a new area called Doctor's corner. I think it’s awesome!

Don't worry about the chips, you don't have to be sorry. I'm so sorry for you bad night and wish I could make it better! I lost my best friend a few years ago and I know how hard this is. Also helping your mom get through this is wonderful but I also know it can also cause extra stress. Take it easy, and know we're thinking about you and understand! Take care and try to get some good rest tonight!

I know, I wish I had that information before. Were I go for fills they recommend a fill up to every 8 weeks with the VG band and say its normal. They give very small amounts and have come back as you loose weight. (at $375 a pop I think I could have saved a boat load of $$ by going back to the OC for my fills)

I feel for you and can't believe you're doing so much so soon!! Did you cut down on coffee? I had a killer headache but soon realized I didn't drink any coffee and finally figured out that’s what caused it and had a quick cup. If you are near a store try "head on" it actually works, and good for us since its something we don't have to swallow! Most likely you are over exhausted, take a deep breath and know you're not going to be your normal self. Try some deep breathing, in through your nose and out through your mouth to cleanse your body and relax. Think positive thoughts and get yourself through this trip. Sorry for your pain! Lisa