nothereanymore

Holidays are one of the hardest. I had to go to a brunch today and for some reason my band was tighter than normal. I just took little pieces of a few things and nibbled. Luckily my club knows of my band so only charges me for a children’s fee. (I'd hate to pay $40 for a few bites) I am use to it, however I go through a "missing" stage once in a while. But I can say, I miss my big ol size 22 almost 300 pound body way more than I miss eating a ton of food that I'd regret an hour later.... I wore a beautiful size 8 lace dress that I purchased over a year ago. Its one of those dresses that is sleeveless (I can’t believe I wore my arms out in public) and it’s so clingy you can't wear a bra, and low and behold I didn't need one! (Breast lifts are the bombs) I had some pictures taken and can't wait to see them. (Normally I'm like, please don't take my picture and if you do don't show anyone)! Its hard sometimes, this is my second Mothers day were I couldn’t eat much, but I made up for it – I spent more time walking around talking to people, had a great time and felt like a million bucks. Wouldn’t trade it for the world! You'll make it through, and you will look and feel amazing! Happy Mothers Day! Lisa

No, I've lost pretty consistently and don't need anything else since I received the band. My personal feelings on this is that you have to be careful with OTC weight loss products. There are not a lot of studies to support them, many aren’t even tested and may cause long term damage. (That's why I got the band; I want something that works for me life long that will not cause side effects) I like how long they’ve been studying the band in Europe, we may be newer to it – but they’ve been using the band for a good period of time. Do you have the band and if you do, have you had consistent fills? I’m wondering what causes no weight loss in 9 months, I’ve had periods when I’m stuck, but not like that. I would be looking for other alternatives as well, just be careful. Sorry you’re having problems and good luck! Lisa

I love J.P. Patches, and girl you are looking HOT!! (And so is he still, how old is J.P., he's been around for ever)!? Better look out Pammie, Gertrude is going to be out to get you! (I heard she gets really jealous)! Lisa PS - your inbox is full and you can't get any emails!

Good luck with the pre op diet! I'm not sure about the meal choices - I would check the calorie and protein content along with sodium, as long as they are comparable you should be fine. Some lean cuisine meals have much higher calorie contents than others. I’m really into reading labels now, it’s amazing what a deference there is in like products! You'll be able to do all those things you wish for and more! I’ll be thinking about you and wishing you well! Congrats and best, Lisa

Congratulations! Wonderful news – I’m excited to see your new and improved "you" transition that starts now! It will be a fun journey! Get some rest and hope your trip home is easy and stress free!

I like the aspect of more social time with the ability for those who would like to attend classes, can. (I have to go to natural health conventions often and I'm actually going to be all about the fun and meeting people to talk on that one on one level....) But I'll go where ever and look forward to meeting everyone face to face! LL

My husband would say that I have the same thing - and its not that its a chemical imbalance for me - (it may be for your husband - I don't know) I'm eating better now, I keep up with my physicals and since I've had a couple of "additional" surgeries I’ve had to have blood work done and everything comes out great in my tests. Here’s what it is for me, when I was obese I would put up with more – I was insecure and unsure of myself. Loosing weight has given me more confidence and I will not put up with the same things I would have put up with before. And I love my husband to pieces, we’ve been married over 27 years but truthfully I am going to call on something if I don’t like it – and he may have to eat at the restaurant I want to eat at and I’m going to dress how I like and buy the car that I want. (Sorry if you don’t like it too bad). Now is this a good thing or a bad thing? Good for me in my view – sometimes bad for him – but he loves me and understands and he is becoming more patient and has learned not to fight it. Oh, and it’s the same at work – however in the work environment I’ve moved up the ladder quit a bit. Great for work, can cause issues in the home environment. You may want to sit down with him and ask him, my husband did this to me – and I have calmed things down a bit. Let him know that you’re feeling a change in him and ask what is causing it – he may not even know he’s doing it. (I did though….) Good luck! Lisa

I'll go where ever - just let me know the date and place! I like Vegas because I've heard that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and if we're going to get a bunch of lap band girls together it may get a little bit crazy, but I also like the idea of seeing the doctors - so you two talk and let us know what you decide.

There are foods that I couldn't eat one week, but could eat the next. So I always will try most things as long as its good and I've liked it in the past - (Not dried chicken though.....ick) I just start out with a really small bite and chew it good. I'm not missing out on any taste bud tantalizing tidbits that I know are good. (The cool thing about the band is you can’t eat much so you can have little bits of things without gaining weight) What I really notice now is I love food with really strong flavor, I like things with heavy herbs, lemon, and I cook with wine more, if I can only eat a small amount it better have flavor to it! Its a fickle thing this band...and its all about the chew....

After the week of liquids I could still eat very little and had to chew like crazy- it lasted a while and I think I lost about 20 to 25 pounds in 2 months with that fill. (thanks for the compliment)! I have the VG band which is the big one - I've had 9 fills, was banded 10/6/06 by Dr Ortiz, that averages about one every 60+ days. My high weight was 275 and I was 265 when I was banded. I still need to loose about 10 to 15 pounds - I'm been hovering at around the 150 mark and I'm actually 22 pounds less than I was in the picture which was taken in mid Jan. You have your ups and downs, it is learning how to better manage your eating. I'm not in maintenance yet, however I don't think I'll need another fill - when I reach my goal and if I continue to loose weight I may actually go in for an unfill. The only way I can keep my weight loss up is I keep my fills tight - and eat small meals, I also added in exercise and focus on the mental part of loosing the food addiction that I personally had. Its a struggle, and its not fast, remember its been over 18 months for me - but its a great tool since you remain healthy and its a constant reminder. Best, Lisa

When I have a fill I'm on liquids for 3 full days (I don't count the fill day). With the tight fill I stayed on liquids for a week. I did loose a lot of weight and I was very clean with what I ate, that most likely did loosen up the band a bit. But the truth is - I'd do whatever my doctor said. Take care and good luck! Lisa

I agree with calicat, something sounds off. Since you say you peebed kinda violently and then have been able to eat a lot more than before. You may have a leak, or you may have stretched your pouch. I'd get in and have your doctor see what's going on. (Now don't sweat it, you may be just fine and you're in one of those slow loose cycles - its good to have a professional opinion)

I have, but since you say you're sitting up I'm guessing you have heart burn and that's a pain. I kept myself really hydrated, no salty foods that could cause swelling, did not eat late and stuck to liquids for about a week. I then ate very small amounts and chewed like the dickens. Its hard since we are each different and you need to be careful so you don't end up getting sick or slipping your band.

Hello Effy, I had my nutritionist look at several shakes and they fit the kosher needs - based on manufacturing and how many brands are made in the same plant we believe this is a problem. However I remembered that revival soy is certified kosher (double check if you call since it’s been a while since I talked to Aaron). They have a multivitamin as well, if I remember right on this one it has an all-natural vegetable capsules so you should be able to crack it open and blend the contents in your shake. (Ask as well) http://www.revivalsoy.com/index.html?flash6=yes Best and good luck! Lisa

I'm so sorry, but I'm glad to see you still have a great sense of humor, that will get you through. I totally get what you are dealing with in regards to your emotional attachment to food and missing it, but trust me, that will go away. (Not 100%, but it does get your relationship with food gets much better since you will become the one in charge, and you learn to deal with it in other ways) We were given 5 pain pills for the trip home – I’m surprised you weren’t. Its hard right now, and really depending on how much weight you have to loose (you land I were the same weight at surgery time) you could have a long road ahead of you. (Its been over 18 months for me, but its gone by fast) It will get better and when the pounds start coming off and you start feeling better and seeing real results, you won’t regret your decision. Take care and stay strong and keep looking at the bright side! (And know we’re here to support you)! Lisa

Its really based on how hungry I feel, and how much I can fit while eating. I have pretty consistent weight loss, and as I loose weight my band loosens up. I generally go every 60 days. I did have tightness in my chest when I first had my band, but it went away. (I think it was sore muscles) And also I can only eat small amounts and I don't wait and then eat more - when I'm done, I' done and I walk away. I know someone who eats like that and her weight loss is minimum. At first I really measured and weighed my food and then tracked calories and proteins to have a good understanding of what I was putting into my body. I was not very good at working out so I did hire a personal trainer for a month to get a good idea of what it would take to loose weight and gain muscle. I now do it completely on my own and take fun classes to keep me motivated. Also I've heard often about the sweet spot, but never hit one, and since I'm almost done with my weight loss I don't think I'll need another. (I hope not) Good luck, it is different for everyone. (And par girl I'm a golfer also, and with my weight loss I thought I'd hit my drives shorter - actually since I can swing farther back and I'm more muscular I can actually hit it further)! Also and I've posted this before, but I love the fit and fresh smart portions products, this one is on sale and it includes food scale portion tray food scale, cutting board with folding legs and measuring cup, which helps you to understand how much you are actually eating. http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp...amp;catid=45532 Thanks, Lisa

For me it just became evident that something was happening. And I hate lying or trying to hide, I'm just am horrible at it. I finally decided that I would tell people that I was on the lap band diet. And then I hated telling people that I had it done in Mexico, but I owed so much to Dr. Ortiz and most people were asking because they wanted help, so I got over that as well. My goal is to be as open and honest as possible. I wish someone had told me, I’ve had so many sit down conversations with people about this and I truly believe in the product and the man behind it so my new goal is to share my success with others so if they need the procedure for themselves, a friend or a loved one they have the opportunity to learn about this option and hear it first hand from someone who's lived it.

Paula, You'll be fine - since I have the VG band I can fit a lot more in it and I was constantly hearing about people that could have 6 cc's fast - it took me 14 months to get to 6 cc's. (I think I’m the only girl with a VG band….) It was hard, I kept worrying but since I was loosing weight I finally hit the “what the heck stage” my organs are most likely bigger than others so I can’t fit as much in my band. I did fine; I think the most important piece is keeping up with your fills, when you start loosing weight at a consistent pace your band naturally loosens up. Just make sure to go back in for your next fill when you can start eating more and you're feel that hunger hitting you mentally. Best, Lisa

Have fun on your journey to a new you!

Its from retaining water, and that's why it happens to many at that time of the month. Some don't have this issue - I have a friend that doesn't seem to have a problem at all. (It can happen when you fly as well - I notice my band gets tighter) Its interesting.

I can only speak for myself, and I had a hard time after my banding. I have an emotional connection with food, if I didn't I most likely would not have been obese. I sometimes miss the option if I'm depressed to go and dive into my fridge and attack, make fudge brownie batter and just eat the darn batter. If you can't deal with your emotion through food, you have to learn to deal with them in other ways. And the truth is now I just deal with issues head on, and I'm more vocal. If I don't like something I say it, I'm stronger and more confidant. (But I often miss eating as much as I want, but I like being thin better) Eating out is hard, I have to go to functions and eat out often. I order sides or appetizers and a cup of soup. Some people know - some don't, but normally they don't ask. However you will get the constant "is everything alright" from the waiter. I'm use to it.

I agree, you should be fine. I generally go on a liquid diet for a few days (slim fast and soft soup) after I have this type of problem to make sure the issues don't continue. You can swell up after you vomit and you want to baby yourself for a few days. Best, Lisa

You are looking beautiful, I love how you are doing your photos! Congrats! Lisa

You look amazing! Great job! Isn't it just the best thing - I love the band! Its just the most incredible experience to watch yourself change into a different person! Congratulations! Lisa

Hey Cathy, I've had an extended tummy tuck, some call it a body lift but since my scar is not touching (2 inches apart from my back) my doctor does not consider it a body lift. You’ll find that some clinics call this a body lift, not my doctor – it has too touch and you have to have your butt lifted. (I had over 6 pounds of fat removed and 12 inches of skin from my front) This is important – I did my tummy tuck at 200 pounds, it really helped to loose more weight in other areas – as soon as I completed this, the weight lose really kicked in. I’ve had liposuction on my back and sides (at the same time as my tummy tuck and it still looks great) and just had a breast lift. (I’m now 150 pounds). On the light side, I’ve been very up to date on my face. I’ve had juvederm http://juvedermusa.com/what_is_juvederm/what_is.aspx in the creases around my mouth and in my lips. Botox http://www.botoxcosmetic.com/ in my forehead. I have had a series of Vitalize Peels, (I’m on my fifth peel, almost done). This gets rid of the light wrinkles. Lets be honest, if you are older an you loose a lot of weight you are most likely going to look older than your natural age. This is due to the fact that you are loosing fat, all over – when you loose it in your face – it’s a problem. (Love to loose it in my thighs – sucks in the face) I’ve been making sure to keep up with all areas as I loose the fat. For those youngsters in the 20’s and 30’s you should be fine. However us older girls there’s nothing worse than loosing the weight and looking worse than when you started. Based on my research I planned for this and knew I’d need a tummy tuck (didn’t plan for an extended with lippo, but love the look). Knew I’d need a breast lift, but I really need a lower face lift even with all of my other work and I’m saving for this now. You may need to add a lift to your breasts, I don't have anything added but if I continue to loose, I may need it as well. It’s something to think about and something I planned for. One thing I have to add that is very unfair. Skinny, better looking people make more money than obese people. As I’ve lost the weight, I’ve moved up faster and make a lot more $$. Its helped me to better afford the needed extras. Sad, but true. As an added FYI, Pammie and I use the same Doctor for our work, Dr. Nyte in Maple Valley WA. (thanks again Pammie)! Best, Lisa