Mariposa Bella

Suki, from my experience, I have lost very slowly, I started at 190 and wanted to lose about 50-55 lbs, I thought surely it will be fast since I don't have as much to lose. But I was hit with a slap on the face, it has been a year since I was banded and I am still not at goal. I was down to 146 right after my tt and lipo and have gained back to 159, yuck! Will I ever win this weight loss battle?? I went without a fill for a long time due to the recover time from the ps, but I got filled this week and I think I over did it. I have been suffering with horrible acid reflux and I am so miserable. I had gotten a fill last week from 1.5cc's up to 2cc's and felt nothing, and went back on Wednesday and got an additional .75 cc's so I'm up to a total of 2.75 cc's and I'm too tight and now its tough luck for me. My doctor is out of town for the holidays and I'm stuck with too tight of a fill, it really sucks, but its all my fault. I didn't have to do any pre-op diets so I continued to eat normally until my surgery date so I did enjoy some of my favorite foods. Its normal, so don't be so hard on yourself. Good luck on your upcoming surgery. I'm here if you need me.

I went back for another fill, thinking that I didn't have any restriction since my fill last week, and so I drove out to Miami again and got another .75cc's so I'm up to 2.75cc's. Well anyways, I don't feel like I'm too restricted but I made the mistake of eating posole (Any Mexicans out there will now what I'm talking about) its a shredded pork stew, with hominy corn that is really spicy cause of all the ancho & chilli peppers I put in it. It was really good, knowing that I had just been filled I ate the broth only, well I woke up in the middle of the night, with it coming back into my throat. It was so gross and hurt. I stayed up all night with this heartburn that is killing me, I finally just sat up in bed and slept that way, cause everytime I layed down it would come back up. I feel horrible. It has been all day and I'm still burping it and can't get rid of the hurt. Do you think the fill has aggravated my acid reflux??? I am so miserable, I had brocalli n cheese soup for lunch and had no problems, but I can't get rid of this acid that is killing away at me.. Any ideas??? Has anyone ever had such a problem after a fill. I don't think I'm overfilled since I have been able to eat without a problem. Oh God, I hate this. Well if you have any advice, please share.

HI everyone. Well, I have been thinking alot about starting my own business, problem is I don't know what, I really don't have a clue as to what I could do. I live in a small rural town and I am clueless as to what would work. I don't want a restaurant type business, these are the hardest to run, so come on help me come up with some ideas. I know you at one point in you life have dreamed of having your own little business, so come on give me some ideas. Keep in mind, I live in a small rural town (large hispanic pop), I am bilingual and have been a real estate closer/law office assistant, a bilingual tutor for ESOL students in high school and an executive assistant, I am terrible organized and have good managing qualities. So okay, help me, give me some ideas. Esetla

$6500 in Mexico. The ps was very qualified, I checked out his credentials with the Mexican Board of Plastic Surgeons, doesn't have one complain against him, the surgery was done in a private hospital in Reynosa that was very clean (very imptortant) and has and ICU unit, just in case, and the care I received was top notch. I am fluent in Spanish so the communicating was no problem for me. And one of the major reasons I chose him because he is only 5 miles from the US border, in my mind I figured that if there were any complications it would be easier for my family to take me to a US hospital. But I had no complications (thank God) and the surgery went very well. The tt was awesome, my stomach muslces were sore, but the lipo on my back and breasts was a little more uncomfortable and having the drain in was a pain in the butt. But overall it was not bad, the day after when they took off the bandages to clean me and I saw how big the cut was, I freaked out, just cause of the reality of the whole thing hit me, but after I calmed down I was fine and I am 100% satisfied with the results, especilly my back, just imagine no bra overhang, hooray!!!!!!

Oh, I thought of having my boobs done, but they still look pretty good in a bra, now when the bra comes off that's a whole other story, maybe later when they don't look good in a good bra, I'll reconsider.

Done did it, I had a tummy tuck and body liposculpture. I had my upper and lower back, arms, sides of breasts, fat from between arm and breast, inner and outer thighs, lower buttocks and then they injected some of the fat into my buttocks to make them look rounder and into my right hip bone area where there was a huge fatless hole. So it was pretty major, and I am recovering fine from all of it.

Welcome to LBT, you will find that this site is filled with wonderful, awesome people and advice. Good luck in your new journey and yes, we will all conquer the fat monster and reach our goals.

Yep, we all agree, its a no brainer, I'd definitely wait, have it paid for and be safer, yep that's what I'd do.

Hi Roger, sorry but i hadn't spotted you post, I was banded just over a year ago and can honestly tell you this was the best thing I have ever done for myself. Because I am a lower bmi, I had to go to Mexico to have my surgery. I started at a weight of 190 lbs and have a goal of 137. Being as short as I am, I have always struggled with my weight and have yo-yo dieted since a very early age. Many times, I had lost 30-=40 lbs only to gain them back again, well then I met a lady that had the lapband and I decided this was for me. The surgery itself was less than I expected, after the surgery I had some discomfort, but I wasn't in any pain. The discomfort I felt was due to the anesthisia gas, so my shoulder was sore, but other than that, the incisions themselves were so small that they were a little sore, but not at all painful. I stayed in the hospital overnight and went home the following day. It is very, very important to follow the diet instructions, do not think you can cheat, that is the biggest mistake a bandster can make. Three days after my surgery, while I was supposed to be on liquids, I ate a bite of solid food and that irritated my band and made me get very tight, I had problems keeping fluids down and well it was a mess, but this complication would not have happened if I had followed the dr's instructions to a tee.. So don't be afraid, I have heard many good things about your doctor and you will do just fine. I had my surgery on a Thursday, flew back to Florida on Saturday and was back to work on Tuesday (I have a desk job), so it was quite fine. I did try to rest when ever possible, I was a little tired probably more to the traveling part. Don't worry everything will be just fine, please be very careful to follow your doctors orders and get ready to start your new life. This board is full of wonderful, caring people that can offer such a wonderful support system. We are here for you, let me know if you have any specific questions regarding your surgery. When is your surgery and your starting weight? Don't stress out and good luck.

Definitely turquoise or light blue, those are my two favorites. But vinesqueen is right, because brown is a neutral it goes with just about anything, the hot IN color to match with brown right now is turquoise, I just bought a shirt that is brown with a turq. lace trim at the neckline and at the bottom and it is just beautiful.. I love it. So think outside the box and forget about a boring cream, do turquoise...

Hey there, I finally was able to make my fill appt, but I am disappointed that I don't feel the restriction. He took my fill out, there was 1.5 cc's and he filled me up to 2 cc's, I hate that he is so conservative w/ his fills at $300 a pop, I want to get my monies worth, I'm calling today to schedule another appt. Wish me luck.

For me it just got stitched back into place, the surgeon said that sucker won't ever flip again. Piece of cake

No, I didn't get to see his new assistant? I only got to see Emilio and he is not at all good looking, so What's up with that?? What does he look like, but hey I have no complaints, Dr. Gomez is so good looking. He even looked in my panties, he, heee... Well sort of, he asked if he could see my tt scar and of course being as shy as I am I showed him. There were 3 ladies there that day that I spoke to in the lobby, one had just had a tt two weeks prior and one was having her fill removed for her tt on Friday so he made a comment that maybe he was in the wrong business and maybe he should be doing tt. Well, I am going to go ahead and reschedule another fill, so if it kicks in by then, I'll cancel it.. When is your next fill?? Oh, I almost forgot I hadn't been filled since March, then in July I got my tt and body liposculpture and my Dr said no fills for four mo, so that my body could recover from all that surgery, so that is why it was that long. Well talk to you later, I'm off for a holiday weekend. So check in on MOnday.

There is nothing to be scared about, this happens, sometimes the stitches that hold it in place pop and there goes your port, but it is nothing of concern. My port was flipped and I had it repaired in July, so its back into place, no big deal.. So don't stress out and good luck. email me if you have any questions.

38 pounds is really great, I have been banded a year and have only lost 31 lbs, so you are doing just fabulous. I too am addicted to the sugar monster, I've tried killing him a few times, he goes off and then I guess he recovers and comes back to hunt me.. Just remember that having a band is not being on a diet, its a lifestyle change, of modification. You don't have to eliminate the foods just eat less of them.. I personally don't see myself as a failure due to my slow weight loss, I see myself 30 lbs thinner (flatter stomach from tt) and just am so happy that the weight has not come back in a year. I hadn't been able to get an adjustment since March, due to the plastic surgery recovery period, but I can honestly tell you that this is so worth it. I had a fill yesterday and I still haven't noticed any difference in tightness, I had 1.5 cc's and he increased me to 2cc's, I think he needs to be more agressive with his fills, but because I'm so far away (3 hr drive) he would rather take it slow. So I guess I have to go with the flow.. Well good luck and don't get discouraged because you are doing just wonderful. Take care.

I just realized today is my one year bandiversary---Wow, it has been a year, how time flys. I am disappointed that I have gained 8-10 lbs in the last two months, but hey, I have been under some major stress, first my mom, then problems w/ my son and then this stupid Hurricane Wilma. Just so stressed. I am currently weighing about 157-158 so that's not bad at all...I hadn't been able to get a fill on my ps recommendations, and now that I can have one I've had to reschedule my fill now three times, but I'm scheduled to go on Tuesday, hope I can make it. I'm heading to Mx next month for Cmas vacation, wonder if I should just wait cause out there it's only $100 and here I have to pay $300--problem is, that if I get my fill now, I'll probably look awesome come vacation and then I can get another fill on the way back in Jan, and that will probably be enough to get to goal... then I'll be jumping for joy... I can't complain though this year has been quite good, My mom is healthy, my son is doing good in school, I have a wonderful husband and kids and hey my Bianca made the A honor roll. I have all of you and I truly do appreciate being part of this band family. I had my tt and my lipo and if I must say so myself I look pretty good, yep I do... It is hard to realize though how easy it is to go back to our old habits, since I haven't had restriction the sugar monster has been at my side all the time and I can't get rid of him.. Can one of you kill him and keep him away from me??? Help... I need to start excersising cause I haven't been and I need too... It is so hard to get motivated when you are so stressed out.. So who is going to challenge me to lose 10 lbs by mid Dec, so I can look awesome for vacation// any takers??? Come on, challenge me on... Well, just wanted to share w/ you that today is my bandiversary and wanted to tell you how I could have never survived this first year w/ out all of you, my wonderful band family.. Lots of hugs going your way...

I didn't know, but I'll look into it, and get it done. Well I'm off for the weekend, I'll check in w/ you guys on Monday. Have a wonderful time, I'm busy getting ready for my baby sister's baby shower next week, we weren't going to do anything, because I don't know any of her friends and stuff (she lives in another town), but we decided to do a little family baby shower for her to help her out (she is scheduled to have her C-section on the 21st of this month and she doesn't have any baby stuff, yet). Her husband is such a mean f*#%er--I hate him, she is two weeks away from having her first born a baby girl (so excited) and she had to leave home because he is so mean to her. Did I tell you all how much I hate him... Well, I'm also getting ready for my mom to come over here, she is flying in next Sat, so I'm sure looking forward to seeing her. Well have a wonderful weekend. Talk to you ladies next week and thanks for congratulating me on my bandiversary. What would I do without ya'll. I don't know, I'd guess I'd be a bigger mess than what I am.... Loves ya.

Awww, thanks girls, I can't tell you how much I wished I could get some pictures to show you guys, but I am picture incompetant, I don't own a digital camera or any type of camera, I usually buy the disposable kind, sorry.. Hey how about I take some pics w/ a disposable camera, have them developed and mail them to you Penni and then you can post them for me... Can we do that??? About the challenge, I accept, lets get going, that's all the motivation I needed, ten pounds kiss my butt goodbye...

sorry about you losing your band, how did you discover your band had eroded??? Hope all goes well, and so happy that your insurance is picking up the tab. There's your silver lining.

I came across this article and thought some of the ideas on saving a little cash are wonderful, just wanted to share. http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Savinganddebt/Savemoney/P132570.asp

You guys are crazy, just crazy!! So funny.

Plateau, did someone say my name.... Well, I was down to 146 after my tt and lipo, but since I was unable to get a fill for 4 months (on ps recommendation) I am up to 156, I have been loose for a while and have been taking full advantage of it by enjoying some forbidden foods. Luckily, with the band you can restart your weightloss by getting an adjustment or I'm hoping anyways... I am scheduled for a fill w/ Dr. Gomez in Miami on Oct. 25, so wish me luck. I have also commited to start walking w/ a friend, instead of staying to watch our girls during cheerleading practice we are going to walk, so hopefully w/ the fill and the excercise I will be headed towards my goal.. My husband told me last week during dinner (full bite of food going in my mouth), "So how much weight have you put on, its starting to show", I felt so horrible, I need a good-butt kicking from all of you, so please ---bending over, start the butt kicking!!!! We are planning to go to Mexico for three weeks in December so I would like to be at 140-145,cheer me on, cheer me on...

You look beautiful, I will keep your baby in my prayers, good luck and please keep us posted on how you all are doing.

LMAO---You guys are too much, I personally think mine is disgusting, so I never let my hubby see it in the light, if I think its gross, maybe he will too.

Sounds like you all are doing just wonderful, I have been at a stand still for a while, but I'm also in need of a fill, which I'm scheduled for on the 25th. I have gained about 4-5 lbs in the last month, but it has been an unusually stressful time for me. My mom went through a cancer scare (she's fine, thank God) and my three year old got booted from daycare. So I have been totally stressed and I've been eating like crazy, I have a love affair with sweets, so it gets worse in times of stress. I hadn't been abel to get a fill cause my ps suggested I wait 3-4 months to recover from all the survery I had. I am fitting into size 10 clothes, so that is awesome for me. My husband took me dancing on Friday and I looked so damn good, it took a while for me to realize it, kept running back to the full lenght mirror, cause I thought maybe those clothes were too small for me. I wore an INC size 8 shirt and a pair of low cut Guess jeans in a size 31, so, it was kind of unreal to me. My sister who babysat for us, finally told me, you look great, you need to stop thinking you are fat cause your not... I still see myself as overweight, when will this go away??? I do need to start excercising both for mind and body sake... So cheer me on and help me get motivated. Any of you Miami people want to meet on the 25th??? Let me know. Glad to hear all of you are doing wonderful, so keep up the good work and sorry this is so long, but I needed this today..