Sweet Weight Loss

[MikeyLikesIt]

Hi, everyone. It's been a hot minute since I've posted here and thought I'd reach out to everyone that's had surgery in the past or is anticipating approval and whoever is just doing research. I had surgery in 2007 with Dr. Ortiz. The clinic and the staff overall was excellent. No complaints. They really do care about your time with them down from the consult over the phone down to Dr. Ortizs' sweet mother transporting everyone to and from, ha!

Anyway I had surgery in August of 2007 have since them I've lost 97 lbs. I'm so close to reaching my 100 lb mark. I am hoping I'll reach it in the next couple weeks. I will post more later but just wanted to let everyone out there know who is having restriction problems not to ever give up, please! I am one of those people that took 7 fills, YES 7 fills for me to find restriction. At first I thought I had restriction at the 5th fill and that wasn't the case. At my 6th fill I lost 30 lbs within 2 months and with my last fill which was my 7th I've lost another 20 lbs within 3 weeks! Seriously that just tells everyone how much I needed it. So like I said I will post more later but just wanted to give you all an update where I stand and to get the word out there to please not give up if you haven't lost weight like you thought you were.

This lap band surgery is no joke, I don't care how much people that are on a roll of losing weight say it is, it's not EASY by any means. It's a complete life change and many who say they are ready for it might have a different picture of how life will be after the band and not realize it's super hard and doesn't come easy. With that said please be patient and know with time we all adjust and get use to the fact that we do have a little friend in our tummy that will help us through this journey AKA our band/weight loss! At one point in these past couple years I thought I was a complete failure and worthless for not losing more weight but I now have come to the conclusion everyone has different points where we "get it" and when we come to live with having this tool inside us to help us slowly but surely.

For those of us who are self pay and not thru our insurance remember although fills do cost money that fills are always an option when we aren't losing weight! We always have that option of getting another adjustment (fill)...don't ever forget that! I will be posting before and after pics soon! I wanna see all yours. Be good and keep me posted. It would really be nice to hear from those who had surgery with me on 08/27/07!!!!

Be good and don't ever give up. I'm here for you all.

[determination]

Thank you for the encouragement. I am almost 4 months out and am facing my first battle with wanting to binge. I guess I need a fill. I don't think I have lost since my second fill, one month ago. I know I am eating too much by lapband standards and sometimes eating the wrong stuff. Thanks again.

[Jnlebean]

Thank you for this post, I have been really down in the dumps about this band lately and have been struggling with was it worth it syndrome. I am trying to keep my head held high and take it one meal at a time. I have so much going on and the weight just sits there, I'm eating the wrong food and to much food and the cycle just goes on and on.

I am going to Curves, Running and training for a triathlon, you would like I should be happy. My last fill ended up being an unfill cause I now realize i should have told the dr. that it was the wrong food that made me PB not the fact that I was to tight. I am going back for a fill on April 23 and I cant wait!

So again THANK YOU for reminding me that this doesn't happen over night and its a long learning journey to the finish line!

Jenelle

[PAMMIE]

Hi, everyone. It's been a hot minute since I've posted here and thought I'd reach out to everyone that's had surgery in the past or is anticipating approval and whoever is just doing research. I had surgery in 2007 with Dr. Ortiz. The clinic and the staff overall was excellent. No complaints. They really do care about your time with them down from the consult over the phone down to Dr. Ortizs' sweet mother transporting everyone to and from, ha!

Anyway I had surgery in August of 2007 have since them I've lost 97 lbs. I'm so close to reaching my 100 lb mark. I am hoping I'll reach it in the next couple weeks. I will post more later but just wanted to let everyone out there know who is having restriction problems not to ever give up, please! I am one of those people that took 7 fills, YES 7 fills for me to find restriction. At first I thought I had restriction at the 5th fill and that wasn't the case. At my 6th fill I lost 30 lbs within 2 months and with my last fill which was my 7th I've lost another 20 lbs within 3 weeks! Seriously that just tells everyone how much I needed it. So like I said I will post more later but just wanted to give you all an update where I stand and to get the word out there to please not give up if you haven't lost weight like you thought you were.

This lap band surgery is no joke, I don't care how much people that are on a roll of losing weight say it is, it's not EASY by any means. It's a complete life change and many who say they are ready for it might have a different picture of how life will be after the band and not realize it's super hard and doesn't come easy. With that said please be patient and know with time we all adjust and get use to the fact that we do have a little friend in our tummy that will help us through this journey AKA our band/weight loss! At one point in these past couple years I thought I was a complete failure and worthless for not losing more weight but I now have come to the conclusion everyone has different points where we "get it" and when we come to live with having this tool inside us to help us slowly but surely.

For those of us who are self pay and not thru our insurance remember although fills do cost money that fills are always an option when we aren't losing weight! We always have that option of getting another adjustment (fill)...don't ever forget that! I will be posting before and after pics soon! I wanna see all yours. Be good and keep me posted. It would really be nice to hear from those who had surgery with me on 08/27/07!!!!

Be good and don't ever give up. I'm here for you all.

GOOD TO SEE YOU BACK MIKEY. IT DOES TAKE TIME BUT ONCE "YA GET IT", YA GOT IT

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THOSE PICTURES!!!

[Christy26]

Great post! I am one of the ones who is losing slower so its good to know it will eventually come off. I finally got a great fill and the scale is moving.

Again, thanks for your great inspiring post

[nothereanymore]

Great post and great job! We're all different - and thanks for pointing that out! Please stay on the board and keep posting – we need you here!

Congrats on your success!

[AshleyMarie]

Thank you for this post. I am 3 weeks out of surgery and start on solids tomorrow. I am very nervous to start eating again but you have helped me realize that I can do this. Thanks for the encouragement and congratulations with your weight loss!!!

[Singer]

What a great message - thank you Mikey for taking the time - I haven't been on the forum for SO long. I was banded in July 2007 and also had a wonderful experience with Dr. Ortiz - he thought it was interesting that I was a vocalist and actually sang to me as I went under - and it was good ! I have had my struggles with fills too - one of the issues for me has been medications - specifically anti-inflammatories - anyone else find this? When I take them I got unusual restriction - to the painful point...and I've had to take some prednisone - that was bad - had to go get an unfill...anyway I am med free now, will go get adjustment in 2 weeks I think. Hope to find that sweet spot once again.

You are so right, as are the folks that have replied - this was no magic bullet - but has been a great tool - using it in the most effective manner is a daily, per meal issue. Once I had my unfill I put on about 5 pounds - it's funny because I could feel it right away. Before, 5 pounds was like 'whatever'.... I don't use a scale anymore - ever - as I have found that numbers will drive my mood and that has not been mentally healthy for me...so I'm size and comfort aware and that is working. I started a size 20 and now am in 14's. I know I will never be that slim person I once was - but that's okay - I just want to be healthier and am moving in that direction.

Anyway, your post was just what I needed - being unfilled for a while has let me slip into some old habits - I recall so well that sweet spot !

Singer

[Jacklynrae]

Thank you so much for posting this. I have been in a rut for the past month and a half, but with your post I know that I will need to get my fill and keep at it. It isn't easy and I wish people understood that. So congratulations on your success and thanks for keeping me on the right track with my weight loss. Great Post!

Jacklyn

[mona-camille]

How nice to hear this. I thought I was the only one who had to get 7 fills. Never heard of anyone with 10 cc's in their band either, but thats me! It's just nice to hear I am not the only one, FINALLY!

[PAMMIE]

How nice to hear this. I thought I was the only one who had to get 7 fills. Never heard of anyone with 10 cc's in their band either, but thats me! It's just nice to hear I am not the only one, FINALLY!

I THINK MY SISSY'S AT 7 FILLS, YOU'RE NOT ALONE

SLOW AND EASY!!!

[jhawkchick75]

Thanks for the post! There are many on here that I see get frustrated very quickly after being banded and I think they need to hear this and know it is normal. I am now on fill #4 and although i'm losing, it is slow and I don't feel that restriction as much as others do. I don't let this get me down though. I am losing and that is what matters. I can't compare myself to others and just have to appreciate the successes I have had thus far. Never would I be where I am today without the band and I just appreciate that and enjoy my success!

Congrats on all your success - you are doing great!