linzchavez

where in fl are you going? ft. lauderdale has an amazing outlet mall....i can't remember the name, but i went there last december for a friends 30th bday. i didn't want to go to the mall but we did, of course the only place i could shop was lane bryant. i no longer shop at lane bryant and can't wait to go back now that i am in smaller sizes. aaahh!! it's called sawgrass mills! look it up if you are there!

I started in a size 22, i'm right now in a size 12. so, i'm already wearing smaller clothes... ***I want to wear a bathing suit without freaking about what others think (although I don't know if that will ever happen) ***I want to take a picture and see only ONE chin! :w00t: ***I want to go on a vacation and lay on the beach ***I want to look in the mirror and know that I look good ***Basically, I want better self esteem and I want to have FUN!!! I'm glad I'm losing the weight when I'm 28, I still have so much to do in my life, and I don't want to be an observer in life! :drool:

That is amazing!! I had my surgery about 3 1/2 months ago and I'm down 40 pounds...I need to step up my exercising...what types of food are you eating?

Hi All, I just got my 2nd fill yesterday afternoon. I am feeling so good! I absolutely LOVE my Dr., he is so encouraging & motivational...after having my appt yesterday I feel like I am ready to go full speed ahead to success! Yeah! :thumbup:

Hi everyone, I haven't been posting in a while, but I've been looking around to see how you all are doing! I just got my 2nd fill yesterday with Tom. He is so great...I walk out of there feeling completely encouraged and motivated!! It's just what I needed to get on track with exercising (which I personally) find really hard. Good luck to all of you-hopefully the weather will get better & more consistent and it will be easier to get outside and get some cardio!!

katye, you look absolutely gorgeous in these pictures--i love the suit and brown is totally in!!!

that's awesome--i've heard good things about dr. ortiz on LBT. and, if you have a friend in the area that is very convenient. congrats on doing this!! i couldn't be happier with the decision to do this...and especially in my 20's...by making this improvement in my life now, i'll be able to truly enjoy my future.

i've never actually been "skinny" but i look back at pictures from 10 years ago when i was a size 10...back then i thought i was too big, and what i wouldn't give to be there now...oh well, the grass is always green, right? badmamajama - so, are you still in your researching phase of the lapband? do you live near Mexico, that Dr. Ortiz is convenient for you?

in december i went to ft lauderdale for my friend's 30th bday. there is an amazing mall...called sawgrass mills...it's an outlet and has amazing stores...i think it's like 2 miles long or something...i went there and while my friends shopped, i bought....sunglasses...yup...sunglasses...i'd love to go back and be able to buy the cute clothes that i wish i could have fit in while i was there in december...i've never been much of a shopper...but, once i get to my goal i plan on breaking the bank!! :redface:

hey!! i have not had any alcohol to drink since my surgery. it's just a personal choice i've made because i know that mixed drinks tend to have a ton of calories. my nutritionist said that i should "waste calories" on liquid. i'm a Water & crystal light girl. i know this doesn't quite work if you are going out for drinks...but, i once saw or read (i can't remember) about a fun "faux cocktail" to have with girlfriends...you take a pitcher (for presentation purposes a clear glass pitcher is best) and then you fill it with water and slice some fruit, like strawberries, kiwi, etc, and put some at the top of the water...then you chill it for a while...then you poor the chilled water with the pretty sliced fruit into martini glasses and enjoy....they were really cute. i have yet to do this, but i've been wanting to!

i'm 5'2", my goal is to be around 120 pounds...i couldn't even tell you the last time i weighed 120 pounds...i'd like to be a size 8 or 6...don't remember when i was that size either... i'd like to be able to shop for clothes wherever i want, and not only at lane bryant...i mean, don't get me wrong...lane bryant has served me well thus far...but, i really want to wear cute stuff--the gap, old navy...damn, i may even wonder into hollister or something!! :redface: haha. ok, maybe not hollister...but i can't wait to get to my goal...my family & i are going on a trip to disneyworld in october, this will be our 3rd trip with the kids and i've yet to get in the pool with them...i want to get in a bathing suit, not care who's looking and make memories with my kids that they will never forget!

good evening everyone, i went in for my second fill today...i met tom for the first time. he was excellent...i have read about how you all thought he was great, so i was anxious to meet him. he has excellent "bed side manner" and he asks a lot of questions to get to know you...he gave me some pointers on exercise and not drinking liquids so quickly after eating. all in all, i walked out of my appointment feeling extremely encouraged. plus, i REALLY liked that i didn't have a med student in the room...sometimes i just don't like feeling like i'm on display for the students. anyway, i'm so glad i got to have a fill with him. talk to you all soon!

Hi! I was also self-pay. I took out a personal loan to finance mine. I got mine done in Denver and paid 9875. The fills are free for the first 3 months, and only $15 a fill after that. It's been great and I would never change it...I get my 2nd fill on 4/10 and can't wait to feel more restriction. Good luck with everything!!

Hi everyone, thanks to everyone for your support and concern regarding my husband...he is home, but we are going to many dr.'s appointments to determine what is wrong with him and why this happened. On a brighter note, I got up on Saturday and took and nice long brisk walk around my neighborhood, followed by cleaning my kitchen...I raked my lawn and my yard instantly looked 100 times better! Then, I helped my neighbor rake her lawn...and I raked a third neighbors lawn...it was great for arm toning, I think. Then yesterday I was out with the kids while they rode their bikes and we got our lawns aerated, which worked out well since I woke up to some wet "snow" this morning...not true snow of course, but I'm glad that it will be getting into the soil. I'm trying to concentrate on doing things for myself (like the walks, or the yardwork) that are productive and give me some "alone time". Sorry to babble out my weekend...but, I love it when I feel like I've done something and haven't just wasted my weekend away. I hope you all had good weekends too!!

Hi Everyone...I haven't posted in quite a while...my husband has been in the hospital and I'm completely stressed...I weighed myself this morning (I was so afraid to see what the scale said)...luckily I didn't gain any weight during this ordeal...I slipped into some emotional eating habits due to the stress...but then tried to watch 'The Biggest Loser' to remember my motivation and why I'm doing this...it's hard to think of yourself when so much other stuff is going on...but, I lost 1/2 pound and didn't gain so I'm feeling better about myself. My second fill appt is scheduled for 4/10, and it couldn't come soon enough. I am HUNGRY!! I've still been eating good, except for a few cheats around Easter...old habits die hard. Now I need to get my exercising under control and really get motivated to exercise more...OK, I feel better now...I feel like I just went to confession...weight off my shoulders...haha...

Hi everyone, I got my first fill yesterday...now I'm not feeling too hot...is this normal...I don't even want to THINK about food, because my stomach just doesn't feel "settled". Agh...Also, I got an elliptical on Friday...tried it out and lasted all of 2 minutes! I think it actually took me longer to get ready to get ON the elliptical, than I was able to last...and with only two minutes...my inner thighs are still hurting...wow...I used to be able to do 30+ minutes on the elliptical without a problem...I didn't realize just how out of shape I was...this whole experience is becoming very "eye opening". :tongue:

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I am going to call Dr. K's office :confused: I don't want to do anything too soon.

Hi everyone! I have a quick question...I was banded on 2/6, and I REALLY want to start using the elliptical...can I start exercising now??? I think Dr. K said 1 month...but it's pretty darn close...I'm still at 18 lbs weight loss but I'd like to jump start that. Thanks for your advice. Lindsay

Happy Friday, everyone! I am not creative when it comes to food...my Dr. told me I could start eating oatmeal, and pureed meats, etc...so I guess that's mushy foods...anyways...does anyone have any good ideas or suggestions for this stage? I have been eating oatmeal for Breakfast, a baked potato (mashed up) for lunch and pureed pinto Beans for dinner...I need/want some variety, but don't have a clue what to eat...Can anyone help? Thanks everyone!:tt2:

colorado :biggrin2:

Wow...I have really not been thinking outside of the box on food...thanks so much for the ideas! I really appreciate it...if I have to eat oatmeal one more time I think I might flip-haha!

Welcome Alicia! I too am pretty new to this...I started in December (researching) and was banded on 2/6/08. This forum is great because we are all working towards the same goals together. My friends don't have the same weight issues I do, so it's nice to communicate with others my age that are going through this--we can all help each other with motivation & inspiration!

ah, Viri--way to crush a girls (day) dreams...but, on a serious note...i'm also local to the area and would love to get together...i have yet to join my first support group meeting but can't wait to get to the one in March!

I was self-pay. My company didn't cover this, so that was my only option--but, like you, i did not want to wait for a 6 month monitored diet period. From the time of my first appt. with Dr. K I had surgery within a month.

Congratulations! 26 lbs is amazing! :biggrin2: