nothereanymore

Looks like Dr. Ortiz put out a statement for success today. http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?show...amp;#entry31257

Hey Claudia, If you did a flouro fill they can tell if you stretched your pouch. And normally the way to get it back to size is...... to go on a liquid diet for a few days! (Sorry)! But if they didn't see a problem during your fill you're most likely fine! (let your doctor know what you did so he can take a look). Just get back on the wagon (or on it for the first time) and start following the program. It’s really not that hard. Listen to your body; it really does know what we need to be healthy and you can tell, once you start feeding it the right things you wont crave the bad. And what the band really does is make it so we're not soooo hungry so we can make right food decisions, and I'm not talking about that emotional hunger - I'm talking about the true one. Focus on trying to eat your protein first, followed by veggies, fruits and then your carbs. Get yourself in the habit and know its going to be just a little bit difficult the first few months – but you can do it! Remember small amounts!! Drink lots of water throughout your day (but not at meals) and throw in some flavored no calorie powered mix if needed. Take care, you’ll do great and don’t beat yourself up too much! You're going to make another mistake - I make them all the time but have survived! Best, Lisa

I generally don't respond to these types of issues, but unfortunately this is getting a bit personal and aggressive. My suggestion is we just walk away from this post and let it settle down. Thanks, Lisa

Hey Lisa, I went by myself, and met some really great people. Everyone from the guys at the hotel, to Dr Ortiz's mom, too the others having their surgery were wonderful and supportive. I was fine, made some new friends and it was a positive experience. So if you meet someone from the board or if go it alone you’ll be fine! Congrats on your decision! Lisa

Give him a call, he's really good a taking great care of us even though he is far away. If its warm and draining you want to be careful, it may be nothing - but it could be the start of an infection - best not to take chances.

(Its both) OK, you've learned why many with the band can't loose weight. Many foods that are bad for you can slide through the band with no problem. (Unless I'm pretty tight) That's why we eat protein first - why I always have protein cooked, cubed and organized in my fridge (along with veggies and fruits) - it fights off the need to eat the bad for you stuff that many times will have no restriction at all. I've said this before, I know many people that can't loose weight with the band and most likely will never will - if they continue to cheat it by eating fatning bad for you foods that will slip through. Get that stuff out of your house if at all possible! Get back on track, if needed I would go back and get another fill as soon as possible and focus on eating heavy protein first to fill up and follow the program. But if you eat the right way and are full - just eat the right way. Its hard, you have to break your bad habits and its doesn't happen overnight. Good luck and go kick those cookies butte's and eat some tuna!

Lets start with plastic surgery, some (mainly young) people have skin that is very elastic and will bounce back and look awesome after major weight loss. You just need to lose most of the weight and see what you look like, and if you have too much skin, meet with a good plastic surgeon to discuss your options. (Most of the time there is no magic unless you are younger and it never shrinks like magic even with exercise). But everyone is different so you never know. Also, every insurance company is different – you need to work with yours, find out their requirements needed for reimbursement and then work with Dr. Ortiz’s team to see if they can help you provide all of the necessary documents. Generally you'll do most of the work as far as documenting the logs and such. Good luck!

Its great to get the extra protein, however make sure if you are in the pre surgery diet stages you talk to one of the Dr's first about taking something with Hoodia in it. You don't want your surgery cancelled not realizing you are taking something that could jeopardize your opportunity.

Amber, love your life story and you look incredible! Congrats - isn't it amazing how it not only changes you physically, but mentally as well! There are so many ups to getting the lap band! Go girl!

You can generally tell if a fills not right on within a week, and many places will give you discounted or free adjustments if made within the first week. I've never had an unfill but I have an adjustment to tighten and paid a discounted price. (It was just a pain since its over an hours drive for me)

Wow, look at your beautful cheek bones! Congrats!

It’s interesting, this is what its like for me: Since my stomach is now higher; my full feeling is now higher. If you eat the right amount you will feel light pressure in the upper part of your stomach. Eat too much and it’s pretty uncomfortable. I have to walk around and move to get the food to go down and feel better. It is more like pressure, since I’ve had my band for over 19 months now in my head that pressure tells me I’m full. And I’ve learned to listen to it. And they are right, if you are eating too much - or you are feeling hungry more often you may need a new fill. (If my fill is good, my hunger goes down) Best, Lisa

It’s hard; you could be doing everything right and just need a tweak to your fill. But I’d test it out first. Make sure you are eating 3 meals; really focus on breaking them up to the right food groups and eat in the correct order- when I first started here's an example of what I'd have: Breakfast Scrambled egg whites (little over 1/4 cup) 1/4 cup of chopped veggies sautéed 1/4 cup of chopped fruit dry wheat toast Lunch 1/4 cup of tuna 1/4 cup of chopped veggies 1/4 cup of chopped fruit whole wheat crackers. Dinner 1/4 cup of baked chicken breast 1/4 cup of chopped veggies steamed 1/4 cup of chopped fruit whole wheat toast Don't drink right before you eat and an hour after. If you’re eating three small meals you might find you don’t get hungry, especially if they contain all of your food groups. I’d find I couldn’t eat as much as I listed but I’d always try to eat a little bit of each group. Don’t drink juice, focus on water. If you're eating like this and your fill is good, there's a good chance you wont even need a snack - but if you do make sure its healthy and good for you. We end up eating so little that we need to make sure that what we use for fuel is the good stuff. Getting in the habit of eating right (and breaking all of our bad habits) takes about 3 months of consistent behavior change. (And you should find that since you have the band, you have the time to think about what you're putting in your mouth). You’re most likely doing all these things right, so if you are, its time for a tweak to your fill. Also if you aren’t really try to start exercising at least 30 minutes per day.

Part of what I like about the band is I'm not as hungry. Can you tell if you are dealing with emotional hunger or is your band not tight enough? I know first when its time for another fill due to how hungry I'm feeling. But if its emotional hunger, you really need to battle that one out. And its a hard one to fight! But I know you can do it! Exercising and getting out of the house is a great one - I use to go down to the mall and start trying on anything in the next smallest size I could wear - that's always a motivator!

I love Hollywood! Have a fun journey and congrats!

Congrats! It really is a fun journey, glad you're on your way! If you can please give Dr. Ortiz a hug for me and let him know I lost my 120 pound goal he set for me! Best! Lisa

For me I can't eat sandwiches, and really focus on eating my food separate - try that for a week and see what happens. (protein, veggies, fruits, carbs) And it is super important to get your protein. (Even though it’s a small sandwich - its difficult to eat food that is mixed. And also the reason we focus on eating our protein first is it fills us up fast) You'll be fine - at first it is trial and error, then education. But we do need to focus on following the lap band program if we want to succeed. I know three people who don't follow and none have lost a significant amount of weight. Also make sure you aren’t drinking while you eat or after and watch those liquid calories! Take care,

I've never had that - I give the OCC a call.

Good luck Sue, you'll do great - I'm really proud of you! You've got the your first step of your journey at hand! Best, Lisa

I already had thin hair and I've been using the Nioxin hair products and trying to keep up with my protein. My hair has stayed the same - even a bit shinier. (I was scared to death I would go bald) Skin tone, if you're young you may be fine - if you're older. Hmmmmm - there's a reason I've had to visit the plastic surgeon a few times.....

Stop being paranoid, getting gassy is normal. Also, you've had surgery so you really don't want to twist or turn too much, not because you'll slip your band, but because you have stitches in there! Just take it easy! Take care, take a deep breath and you'll do fine! Get ready for the new you!

I have over the counter Emetrol for Nausea and prescription Promethazine. Both are good and both are in liqued form. If I even think I might be getting the flu or an upset stomach I take the Emetrol (I have a bottle in my purse and at home) it settles the stomach, if I know I've got the flu I switch to Promethazine. Its stronger. Let your doctor know you have the lap band and you should be able to get a script for Promethazine.