nothereanymore

It’s not even Christmas day and I feel like I’m with my family.... For some reason we always have tiffs around the holidays. Emotions are all stirred up, things are hectic, and sometimes conversations get heated. Just don’t take anything too personal and know we all care and love each other. Written conversations are taken wrong more than any other form of communication, especially if you’re a blunt person. Most likely leaving would only do you damage – these types of issues happen from time to time, sometimes we just need to let it go, not worry about it and do what makes us happy. Take care, happy holidays and love you all! Lisa

Sorry about this, these set backs can be a pain. At least you've got a little bit in there - I'd say bump up the exercise - you'll most likely eat more with that light fill around the holidays, but if you can just burn some extra calories through exercise you'll do fine and most likely loss some extra inches. (Plus I can never eat when I exercise hard - my band naturally tightens) Thoughts are with you – sending some extra light and love your way to get you through it! Lisa

Its great to hear everyone's feedback and I’m with you girls; just because we look different (better) it doesn’t mean that our problems are fixed. Sometimes it adds in more complex problems. It’s hard for me right now, I’m really struggling, the most interesting thing happens when you look different – most women – friggen hate me – with my friends – they loved me as the fat girl friend, but I can walk in a room and get glares now. Don’t get me wrong, I kind of understand why – since I’ve lost my weight and changed my body through exercise – I dress pretty dam sexy – because I like it, I worked hard for this body and it looks good. I just don’t think people should think of me differently (I’m the same person). My husband is not as happy with me as I thought he would be – seems he liked me bigger and less active. It’s pretty much throwing me into a tail spin… Interesting times, I wouldn’t change a thing – I love the new me – its just not everyone feels the same about me as I do…. I'll learn to adapt...

This really hit me and made me think about our forum, how we work to support each other and help each other succeed. I wanted to take a moment to thank each and everyone one of you for always being there for me - I don't know if I could have done this without you. One of the reasons for my success is that I did not isolate myself – I made sure to come to the forum for support, I did not always participate by posting, but I always kept up to date and checked in. I think it’s so important that we use this forum in a positive way to support each other and help one another succeed, with the understanding that all of our successes will be different and that's OK. We can’t do this alone; we are a Village and a strong community. Sometimes this path can be hard, but that's OK, we're here for each other! “It Takes a Village to Survive: "No one survives on their own, and no one thrives alone either. Yes, you might feel an excruciating loneliness after one of life’s hurtful blows. But we are simply not built to survive solo. Isolation will kill us, not protect us. We humans are social animals made for community. Even when family and friends annoy the hell out of us, they remain an essential part of our survivorship." by Jerry White

Congrats, you're doing great - sometimes we all need a little vaca - as long as get back on the "band wagon" we're fine. And three pounds, that will fall off in no time!

This was written as a symptom of obesity not as a symptom of having a lapband. However my guess would be if you do have bad acid reflux from anything you could have an increase in esophageal cancer. http://www.lapbypass.com/gastric-bypass-morbid-obesity/ Gastroesophageal reflux/Heartburn. Acid belongs in the stomach and seldom causes any problem when it stays there. When acid escapes into the esophagus through a weak or overloaded valve at the top of the stomach, the result is called gastroesophageal reflux, and "heartburn" and acid indigestion are common symptoms. Approximately 10-15% of patients with even mild sporadic symptoms of heartburn will develop a condition called Barrett's esophagus, which is a pre-malignant change in the lining membrane of the esophagus, a cause of esophageal cancer.

I'm a sexy grandma and so are you! Just sit back and enjoy it! (Its OK)!

I normally am one that goes back to the old habits as well. One thing I do now is focus on constantly creating new positive habits and trying new things to keep the excitement up. That’s why you’ll see me going organic, learning how to eat healthier or jumping into cross-fit or palates. This is the first time I’ve seen long-term change, I’ve been on this path for over 3 years now and I don’t see myself getting off it anytime for the rest of my life – its part of who I am now. Just keep at it and don’t ever stop! It feels so dam good to be in shape and healthy! (And you look pretty darn sexy too)! You will see results, they are not immediate - understand that it takes work. But it will happen if you keep at it! Lisa

Kim, you look amazing! Congrats your accomplishments! Your beauty really shines through and it is so nice to hear from you again! Please stick around - you're needed! Lisa

Stormy, I’ll let the moderators’ deal with your question. However I want to add that you are 100% correct, we all move at different rates and have our own personal struggles. Lord knows I’m going through some really difficult ones myself right now, that’s why I’m laying low for now. No one should ever judge anyone; karma has a good chance of coming back and biting you in the ass for that. Stay strong, you’re doing great – I’m proud of you – you’ve changed your life in such dramatic ways, you’re a friggen awesome/sexy pole dancer chic! (Come on now, who else wears that badge)?! We should be able to post anything here, (that’s appropriate to the site) as long as it’s not hurtful to others. We should understand that there will be different viewpoints and respect that – which you always have. Keep on trucken and posting – don’t give a rat’s ass about what others say – I think you’re doing great! Lisa

One thing that is important to note, this is a forum for patients of Dr Ortiz. Many doctors have different guidelines - based on how you addressed your question I wasn't sure if you were a patient of Dr Ortiz- and if not- please remember you could get the guidelines from us that we received from him, than what you would receive from your own doctor. It’s great for you to join our forum - we're happy to have you, but make sure you're listening and following your own doctors orders, people can get really confused if they are getting feedback that is different and it’s bound to happen if you have different doctors. Plus how they prepare you and what you were can differ as well. If you're a pt of Dr O, you're pre surgery diet depends on how much weight you need to lose before surgery. Paper G strings all the way and for me - not really nerves - more excitement! Best, Lisa

Carrie, congrats, you have done such a great job. I often think about all of us on this board, our ups and downs, and our struggles and the truth is I've had more fun watching your success and enjoy your posts - keep it up - its hard work you've done and you did it well - thanks so much for taking the time to share it with all of us! Lisa

It’s very scary, it can change who you are and you have to be very careful. I work hard to make sure I kept the real me and don’t lose what I liked about being a big girl, you look at people for who they are on the inside, not on the outside. The guy stuff, I sometimes have a hard time seeing it since I’m still not use to it – but as I get in better shape they seem to get bolder. It’s hard, and can make you feel as bad as it can make you feel good. I always think, would they have liked me as a big girl, and the answer is always no. It really makes me appreciate those who loved me as a big girl, and now as a thin one. What I’m having trouble with is the people who don’t like me now that I’m thinner – I’m now competition or something – before I was the safe “fat” girl. But it’s hard, I still think I’m ugly and fat most of the time – and it shocks me when someone is spending time trying to get my attention. I just looked at them like – what the hell is your issue?? And I’m very open about telling people that I lost 145 pounds, my favorite comeback was “what did you do with all of your extra skin” – I told him it was in a land fill somewhere….. He ran off….

Yaaaa - congrats on such a wonderful successful time with the band - you are totally rocking it!!!! Lisa

Hey Michelle, Welcome back, it’s great to hear from you - sorry about the tight band – that does happen to me from time to time – never yet gotten to your point (were I’m pbing water) – normally its due to traveling or stress and has always settled down. I still never went in for a complete unfill like I’ve always talked about – too scared. But should do it just to test out all the education I've done on eating in the last few years. Life seems to take us on round about roads sometimes. I’m really pushing the exercise – I’m not sure if it helps with the lose skin, unless I’m really building my muscle and getting bigger, but it’s interesting. My marriage is going through a turbulent time right now – we change so much, not only on the outside but on the inside that its hard to our love ones to take. (I think he'd rather have me fat and settled, I'm a bit of a wild card right now and I like to keep busy, not into hanging around the house, cooking and eating anymore) I’m so glad you found someone that loves you for who you are as well as who you use to be – that’s so important since we always will be that big girl on the inside, I’ve never lost her yet, she’s always with me. Take care and make sure to keep checking in! Lisa

On another note - I was told that if you drink on top of a stuck pouch you can take the chance of stretching out your stomach. (Just think about it, you poor liquid on top of something stuck where's it going to go). Not worth the chance - it’s a big no, no for us. The best thing to do is walk, and move your body. I know its hard - but it always works it way out, up or down...... Best, Lisa

Susan, My heart goes out to you - I'm so sorry. I know you'll be fine - you're such a strong person. Keep pretending you have the band and eat our style. I know you'll do great. My thoughts are with you - and prayers. Lisa

Thanks so much - I'm having so much fun - for all of you out there that haven't the decision - my only regret is I didn't do it sooner. Sometimes I think about how much life I misses being morbidly obese, and how it drained my emotions. There's friggen nothing I can't do now! Love ya! Lisa (Leaving for Halifax tonight - anyone want to meet up message me)

So I’ve done many things since losing my weight, my motto is “try anything once” (within reason). So here I am at a conference and the theme is western – and lo and behold they have a mechanical bull. You only live once folks, it was a blast! Yeee Haaa! http://sharing.theflip.com/session/23fa98d...0/video/7083779 Can you imagine me on that thing at almost 300 pounds - I don't know if you would have been able to see the bull under my girth - or if the poor thing would have been able to do its job... I'm having fun living life as a fit person! Lisa

Thanks for the compliments. I do really focus on exercise – I got into crossfit – which I think is like the P90x series, however I work out with a group that’s lead by a personal trainer. That’s how I build muscle – to lengthen and strengthen I do palates and yoga. I belong to a club were all of the classes are included in the monthly fee. (In between I do belly dancing, roller skating and if I’m traveling and only have access to a gym I’ll through in plain weights and cardio or just dance around my room). I think the most important piece of a successful exercise program is to “surprise” your body – I learned early on that if I just kept doing the same thing over and over again I’d hit plateaus, once I learned to mix it up I was able to really mold my body and the weight kept off at a steady stream. One note, our mental state really drives us – I use to hate myself and hated looking in the mirror – thought I was the biggest, ugliest woman on earth. Early on after getting my band every day when I wake up I look in the mirror and tell myself I’m beautiful and deserve to do something that will benefit my body and my soul. I think this has been an important part of my life – it was hard to get this into my head – I still have to do it daily, and still have problems seeing myself as anything different than the biggest ugliest girl out there. Sometimes I look in the mirror and I'm shocked by the person looking back, just as shocked as I was when I'd catch a view of myself when I was big. We all deserve the best, and just think if you give up one TV show a night and dedicate yourself to improving your body through exercise you can make some dramatic changes. There’s nothing that good on TV that should ever again keep us from doing this. Best, Lisa

Hey Debbie, The before (was taken the day before my surgery) I was 200 pounds. The after was taken over a year after my surgery (around 139). I’m 129 currently. Over 6 pounds of skin and fat were cut off – can’t remember how many were lippo’d. I did have an extended – my scar goes around my back and was about 2 inches apart – weird thing is that its now about 3 inches. I had my surgery on a Friday – took the following week off and was back to work on the next Monday – Dr Nyte said to take 10 days off – I counted that Friday of surgery as one of my days….. Because I had extended and lippo I paid 8k his prices have gone down considerably, his tummy tucks have been running $3950 on special. Thanks so much Debbie for the sweet words, it is hard sometimes to share these personal pictures – I’ve personally received some pretty hard mail before because of it, but I understand that it helps more than it annoys a few. My goal was to completely change myself before I hit 50, I really have been pushing the bar, sometime too much. I really did not like myself when I was big, I know some people are happy at a larger size but I was miserable. But we have to be careful - the same thing can happen if we get too skinny and I'm watching myself very carefully right now. I'm extremely muscular and tone - if you looked at me you would not know I was ever morbidly obese, unless you looked at my butte' that’s a hard place to build muscle. But I’m working on it. (Need some junk in my trunk) Best, Lisa

I really think it has to do with exercise - I struggle keeping my weight so it doesn't get to low - but I really am focused on making sure I work out consistently. It just all depends, the truth is this is a lifelong job keeping healthy and we most likely will never be able to fully stop being focused on it. Right now I do crossfit, weights, cardio, and Pilates. I try to do something different every day. Normally its 45 minutes to an hour - but if I miss it I feel like crap - and it did take me a while to get here. What I don't do anymore is watch much TV, hardly ever unless it’s having music on. (I exchanged working out for TV time) I hover between 127 and 131 from a high of 275 (weight high, there was a while there when I would not get on a scale and I know I weighed much higher....) Everyone I know that has hit their goal and stayed consistent had made exercise a big part of their life. It’s an interesting ride we're on. Each of us will do it differently - what works for me will not for others. Best, Lisa

Congrats on your upcoming surgery. I never had an unfill - however was tight right after surgery, and focused on eating soup and staying on liquids. I'm glad I didn't - I know many who gained after surgery - didn't want to go there. (Cara, hope you're doing better girl, take care)! (I've been traveling for a while - home for a week and then back off again - getting tired of airplanes....) Best, Lisa

No, you most likely did not - you would know it. Back when I first got my band there was a lady who was feeding her kids chicken, and mindlessly took a bite - she did slip her band and we all called her the chicken lady... You're lucky that frosting is really soft - it still could happen so keep an eye out for messages your band gives you - like you have a hard time getting liquids down, call the OCC and get ready for a talking too from Dr O. But you most likely are fine. Take care - lesson learned don't do it again please~ Lisa