MoreThanJustaPrettyFace

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in 2012 and just got a revision (no problems, just not enough aftercare support in the states for the Mexican bandsters) to the sleeve on Thursday (March 7). I’m still sitting in the hotel recovering now and won’t be flying home until Monday night. If there’s anything in particular I can help with, please let me know.

even though I'm not done. It's been an exciting adventure, LBT! Just thought I'd check in and tell everyone that you can do it! Just keep the goal in mind and keep fighting for it.

I make dressings using greek yogurt. I'll add a packet of itallian seasoning.. or ranch seasoning.. that way i get some protein with the calories

Haha wow I never even noticed until I read this post, but yeah I am definitely able to tolerate heat better. I usually would be complaining about it and blasting the air conditioner. But I like being out in the sun now.... Funny!

Skip the soda.. I still drink on a pretty regular basis though. I just put crystal light in my vodka :-)

I've noticed that it's easier to lay on the floor if you put a pillow under your port. Mine is like 3 inches below my ribcage, to the side. I have a good amount of fat there, but it still hurts a little bit if I try to lay on the floor without extra padding.

Joyce, what kind of buffets have you used it at? I have one also, but I've never used it. My SO loves buffets but I never go with him. Haha

There are people on here that are in maintenance and don't get fills anymore. Personally, I think by that point I will have a strong hold on eating habits and my lifestyle will be so radically different from how it was before, that I won't need lifetime fills. I don't have "restriction" and I've lost half of my weight already. It's simply because I made a choice to pay out of pocket for this surgery, and that was my reality check. I make better food choices and am more active than I ever was. However, for many, that is not the case. It's different with everyone.

I was given the green light for spanx at 2 weeks out, as long as they weren't worn for long periods and they weren't tight enough to cause problems. I play competitive softball, so I wear my body shaper under my uniform. I don't like my tummy/chest flopping all over the place haha

I was just told a chewable multivit (since I'm a milk drinker). But I also take a sub-lingual B12, fiber gummies, and 5000mcg Biotin.

I completely agree with Mis. Get some anti-nausea pills ASAP!!! As bandsters, we want to avoid true vomiting at all costs.

Congratulations!

I feel it immediately also. But be sure to follow your doctors instructions as far as liquids/mushies after the fill... I failed to do that after my second and paid the price. My tummy got swollen and MAAAD at me so I was on liquids for three days, instead of one. Haha

I was banded March 27, 2012 so just over 3 months ago.. I'm at a halfway point of weight lost. 50 gone, 50 to go! I can't wait! But yeah, plateaus definitely happen. I've been stuck at 195.5 for a little while, but that's okay. It'll happen and I'm not stressing about it because I make the right choices and I'm active.

B: 3oz egg white and steak scramble (with peppers and onions) L: 2oz grilled chicken, two broccoli florets S: Magic Pop with LC cream cheese D: 2oz pork chop, side salad with salsa as dressing

I'll be there!

Hubba hubba. I've always been more attracted to older men. Lol. I'm sure my shrink would say I have daddy issues, but man is he attractive. His personality makes it even better. Haahahah. He was talking to me when I was waking up from a nap after surgery and I remember thinking "Yeah, I could wake up hearing this every day.." Lololol

Although don't do any waterpark food! You need to re-learn to eat after EVERY fill. If you can eat something now, there is no guarantee it will stay safe for you. It changes. My doctor has me on liquids the first day, then mushy the next. Solids after that.

I had double-header softball games immediately after both of my fills. It was fine. Just be careful and make sure you can handle gulping water. I chug mine, and it startled me at first to feel the water backing up. Haha.

I'm assuming that you mean POST-op? In that case, don't be worrying about weight loss 2 weeks out. Your body is still healing from surgery. 100 carbs is more than I eat. I don't necessarily track them religiously, but I've cut out all bread, rice, pastas, etc. I don't track anything really, I just kind of ballpark it. I'm around 80g Protein and probably 900-1000 calories. I don't drive myself nuts by counting everything. I just eat when I'm hungry, 2-3ounces of protein and then veggies if I have room. No processed food, artificial sweeteners, or anything like that. Just all natural, wholesome, clean food.

And I totally agree, scorpiolady. Ortiz is a studmuffin. Apparently I told him that I was in love with his face when they were wheeling me out of surgery. My boyfriend was cracking up and told me I even flirt when I'm incoherent. Haha

Also, the hospital pays for the hotel room and for as much broth and bottled Water as you want. The broth is DELICIOUS. And the guy that chauffeurs between the hospital and the hotel is suuuuper sweet. There's a Walmart and a shopping mall down the street from the hotel, so the day after surgery, my boyfriend and I walked down there to do some shopping. It's a little bit of a walk, but it helped with the gas pain A LOT. The GNC in the mall has Isopure which is clear Protein (allowed immediately after surgery) and helps with the hunger pains.

Whaaaaat?! Is this open to everyone? Is there a cost? I should go too!!

Yeah, that's completely normal. It helps a lot if you hold a pillow against your port area when you get up, sit down, or walk. That's what got me through the first couple weeks. But that pulling, pain, and tightness goes away. For me, it was around day 12.

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz. He's amazing, but you definitely have to be self-motivated since there aren't post-op appointments or check-ups. I'd go to Ortiz again if I had the choice. I researched him for over a year before I decided... He's been in the game for a looong time, and even trains American doctors.