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My Journey from Band to Sleeve Revision

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This is why we lose weight

First, let me apologize if this post is too graphic, I just think its a fabulous way to educate you on a sleeve surgery. When I was at OCC the first week of December I had the amazing opportunity to observe several surgeries. One of them was a gastric sleeve surgery. We know that the sleeve surgery has fabulous results. Our OCC Sleeve patients get results similar to a gastric bypass surgery without all the risks and complications. And this is why...look at what is removed during this surgery. This picture is the removed portion of a stomach from a gastric sleeve surgery. Look at it... look at what it stretches out to when inflated. That is all space you can't fill anymore. AMAZING!! And look... even the part we remove is still AIR TIGHT. Remember, on the remaining stomach our surgeons go back and over suture over the staple line to prevent leaks and prevent stretching - but even this part, the part that is removed is totally air tight. Now that is a safe sleeve.   I know sometimes its hard after weight loss surgery to think about what we might be missing... the foods we can't eat (or eat much of) but I am SO thankful for this... because if I could be eating more, chances are I would be eating more... and I wouldn't feel this healthy, I wouldn't be wearing a size 4 jeans, and this would be a stressful time for me, thinking of how much weight I would gain between Thanksgivng and New Years... and I'm under control, my sleeve keeps me under control. So goodbye excess, stretchy, haven't missed you for a minute stomach.... hello healthy, portion controlled life!   Again, if this is too graphic, I'm sorry, but I can't think of a better way to share this - it was a huge eye opener for me, hope it is for you too!   Here are more pictures for those of you that can "stomach" it   http://www.occforum.com/gallery/album/336-sleeve-surgery-educational-a-little-graphic/   As always, if you have any questions you can reach me at lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com or 1-866-376-7849 ext. 81
PinkL8tyLori

PinkL8tyLori

2
 

Cheap, thin, and faux tanned... a retail therapy story

So, I had another very successful shopping trip to Goodwill this weekend. I got a pair of capri's, a pair of shorts, and 3 summer blouses for under $20. I also delivered another huge bag of clothes for donation. Its strange to be picking through through the clothes on the rack and see things you recognize from your closet, but in a good way! Sometimes you think, why did I hold onto this so long? Did that ACTUALLY fit me at one point? or the most common - what was I thinking? lol But anyway... its nice to donate your old clothes to a worthwhile cause, and fill your closet back up with really cute items, and a great price, I really recommend you consider this as you lose weight, don't spend too much money on clothes you won't be in for very long, and DO NOT HOLD ONTO YOUR OLD CLOTHES that are too big... not only does it take up valuable closet space, but don't give yourself an excuse to get back into them again.. stay on track and make your goal to get to or stay at a healthy weight!   OK... getting off my soapbox for a moment, I realized something today as I was getting dressed. When I was heavier (aka Fat - a word i disdain!) I always felt the need to compensate for my bigger self. Just because I was fat, I refused to be frumpy. I spent a lot of time accessorizing, or more time on my hair, or just being more "put together" - because I didn't want people to think that just because I was overweight, I was lazy, or that I didn't care about my appearance, so I tried really hard to look very pulled together.   As I got dressed today (its supposed to be 80ish here today) I pulled on a pair of capri's and one of my "new" summer shirts (ok... hawaiian, but that's not a bad thing, its really cute and yellow with soft blue flowers and palm frawns on it - shaddup!) I realized, I am perfectly confident to go out in just a pair of capri's, a sunny shirt, and flip flops. I even pulled my bangs away from my face and clipped them back - because I don't have to hide behind anything anymore (except my faux tan - I will be clutching my St Tropez faux tan with my dying breath - because I am an irish girl and "fish belly white" without it.) But... I do hope you see my point. I'm not hiding... i'm not disguising myself.   Are you still hiding and/or disguising yourself because you aren't happy with your weight? So I ask you why the weight? Why the wait? Why did I wait so long? I love my sleeve, even more then I loved my band! If I were starting over from today, first time weight loss surgery patient, I would not pass go, would not collect my $200 and would go STRAIGHT to the sleeve, I love it, have no complaints, and zero regrets (except the waiting part!)   What are you waiting for?     here's a link to my original blog post with my contact information with all my other blog entries... feel free to reach out and get in touch with me lori at obesitycontrolcenter dot com
PinkL8tyLori

PinkL8tyLori

2
 

My daughter's wedding... and not being afraid of the camera!

So... my daughter got married last month. It was a beautiful, intimate, very romantic and meaningful wedding. We had it at church in our smaller sanctuary - about 75 guests, we all sat at the reception tables for the wedding. My dad said a prayer. We had dancing and a dessert bar and a lovely cake baked by our friend and beautiful decorations (anybody want tips about a wedding on a budget... ask me!). Our brilliant photographer donated her time to us because she loves my daughter so much... let's just say blessings abounded... everywhere you looked and even when you weren't looking... a very joyous day.   One of the things I didn't have to worry about was camera angles. You all know what I'm talking about. When you aren't at your ideal weight (or are very far from it as I'd been for so long) the camera is not your friend. You try to find ways to hide behind other people, try to figure out the right angle... or just plain hide all together - you are a bobbing head from behind a group of people. That is not the case for me anymore, and I'm so thankful for my sleeve. I loved every picture, kept looking at myself like... hey - i look pretty good! I wasn't holding my breath as I scrolled through the pictures, afraid of what may be next. Now i'm not saying every picture is a keeper... they never are, but I wasn't embarrassed or ready to put any through the shredder... that's a first   If you aren't where you want to be for 2013 and are ready to make a change for the better and get back on track to a healthier you... you can email me at lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com or call 1-866-376-7849 ext. 81. Whether its a first time weight loss surgery or a rescue/revision surgery - we can help! Make 2013 the year when you don't hide anymore!    
 
PinkL8tyLori

PinkL8tyLori

3
 

Four, 4, vier, fire, cuatro, chetiri, quattro, yon, quatre... whatever language, its a size FOUR!

Four... no matter what language you say it in... I just fit into a pair of size FOUR jeans... yes, me! I love thrift store, bargain hunting. Its a huge thrill to me to find something that i love for less then $10. From my amazing, full length wool coat for $8.88, to my wool peacoat for $6.88 to my Ralph Lauren cords for $3.33 or my Stuart Weitzman pumps for $4.50... I love a bargin, but I have to admit, pulling those 4's off the endless jean rack and looking at them and thinking "no way" - to them sliding in and fitting me perfectly... shocker! Do I think every pair of size 4 pants will fit me... not necessarily. But I had someone tell me that my other jeans were looking too baggy on me - they were 6's...   Its time to do some more shopping... I just love my sleeve!!   The other nice thing about thrift store shopping... when something doesn't fit you anymore, it doesn't hurt so much because you spent so little on it, you can just put it back into the circle of life at the thrift store and find a new treasure... and it helps a good cause!!   My daughter is getting married this saturday, and my son leaves for London the day after Christmas to participate in the New Years parade there... so my next week will be crazy - so my guess is, this is my last post before Christmas so...   Merry Merry Christmas to everyone. Hold your loved ones close, make sure they know you love them. Be a blessing to all you come in contact with, and the best gift you can give yourself, is to help others in need!   Lori   You can read the rest of my blog posts about my journey from band to sleeve here: search for Lori's Blog at occforum or follow me on facebook! https://www.facebook.com/LoriOCCMedical
PinkL8tyLori

PinkL8tyLori

2
 

Babies after weightloss surgery (no! I'm not pregnant!)

I'm so sorry I haven't posted in awhile. We have been really busy at OCC and I've been really busy at home. Graduations, end of school, water polo season starting. Crazy train - woot woot!   I recently read this article about weight loss surgery and pregnancy and long term health of the child, and breaking the cycle of obesity in a family.   I had my weight loss surgery after I was done having kids, so I can't say I have first hand knowledge of this subject BUT... (and that's a big but) I will tell you that I have 3 kids. Two of my kids battle with their weight, the 3rd one, my last, hasn't ever had that battle. With my 3rd child, I was diagnosed with Gestational diabetes. I believe I had it with all 3, but it was only diagnosed in my 3rd pregnancy (after much urging on my part for more testing - all my babies weighed over 9 pounds, the 3rd weighed 10!) Since I was properly diagnosed with my 3rd, I cut out all sugar and most of my carbs during this pregnancy. Didn't gain much weight (yes, I was overweight already, but stayed pretty much the same weight throughout my pregnancy unlike the first 2) anyway, my eating habits were much different with my 3rd child. I do wonder if there is any correlation with my eating habits and my older 2 kids difficulty with their weight. So this article made a lot of sense to me. I don't think its just the weight loss surgery they talk about in this article, but the different eating habits that generally go along with a weight loss surgery.   So.... I wanted to share this. I get a lot of questions from younger women coming in for surgery about how weight loss surgery will affect a future pregnancy... as always, Dr. Ortiz would recommend you wait 1 - 2 years after having surgery to get pregnant, at least 12 months as that is when most of your weight loss will occur and you want to keep that momentum.   Here is the article: http://news.yahoo.com/moms-obesity-surgery-may-help-break-cycle-kids-192322482.html   As always, if you have any questions about weight loss surgery, or revision surgery you can always reach me at 1-866-376-7849 ext. 81 or lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com   Enjoy your weekend!
PinkL8tyLori

PinkL8tyLori

0
 

Awesome Sauce!

What a great week I had! Last week I got to spend 3 days at OCC, observe surgeries, learn more about the amazing advancements in surgical technique happening at OCC, meet with Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez and Lucia, spend time with the great staff there, record some videos...and the best part, the awesome sauce, I got to meet face to face with patients. I rarely get to do that, and I got to do that in spades this time. I was able to meet an entire family of patients, some that have already had surgery, and several coming in for the first time. What an amazing family this is! Originally 2 of the sisters came for surgery, truly they are sleeve sisters, and they have done so well, and were so pleased with their experience, that another sister came in October, and then more family members. Now think about this... I think we are all willing to put ourselves out there for surgery, but bringing your most prized possessions, your family, your sisters, daughters, sons, aunts, the things that mean the most to you, bringing them to Mexico for surgery... i think that says a LOT about Obesity Control Center! I was so inspired by this family and lucky enough to be taken into this group as a sleeve sister. I've been working with this family, praying for this family, rejoicing with this family, and now watching them succeed towards their goals.... did I say it enough... INSPIRING! So, thank you to my patients, you are truly the Awesome Sauce on the Burrito of Life! Thank you for letting me be part of your journey! As always, if you want to reach me you can call 1-866-376-7849 ext. 81 or email me lori at obesitycontrolcenter dot com
PinkL8tyLori

PinkL8tyLori

0
 

My Journey From Band To Sleeve Revision - From Someone Who Works With Dr. O

I thought I had already posted a blog over here, but I can't find it so I thought I'd start again.   I had my band to sleeve revision on 4/16/12 after having the band since 6/2006 and I haven't regretted it for a minute! Just as a disclaimer - I do work with Dr. Ortiz from Obesity Control Center - he was my band surgeon back in 2006 and of course I wouldn't have chosen any other doctor to perform my surgery. I choose him as my surgeon before I started working with him. In fact I asked to join his team after my wonderful experience as a patient. My experience during my surgery is WHY I work for him... I've had several offers from other patient brokers to come to work for them, but I honestly believe I already work for the BEST - so why would I work for anywhere else? I believe in him!   Instead of starting from scratch here, I thought I would just link you to my blog that i've already started on the OCCForum. This is not a sales pitch, otherwise I would do like so many other Patient Coordinators/Facilitators out here and speak to you with a fake name... that isn't how I roll!   So here is my journey so far from band to sleeve revision! I update pretty regularly, so feel free to follow me! Good luck everybody!   http://www.occforum.com/index.php?app=blog&module=display&section=blog&blogid=332
PinkL8tyLori

PinkL8tyLori

0
 

She believed she could... so she did...

new blog post! http://www.occforum.com/blog/332/entry-931-she-believed-she-could-so-she-did/   You can too!   lots of other posts too! take a peek and join the conversation!   http://www.occforum.com/blog/332-loris-blog/
PinkL8tyLori

PinkL8tyLori

0
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