Iulizbug

I was banded on March 10th and am on my second fill. I definitely feel something on this one, felt NOTHING on my first fill. I know I will need one more though and hopefully that will be it and I will be at my sweet spot. I feel the beginning of restriction so things are getting better. You will get there too--we just have to remember to be patient at this. Good luck!!! ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ortiz 237/207/150 5'7'' 2.7 ccs in 10 cm band

I got fat b/c of hunger pains. I have always had an abnormally large appetite and do not get satisfied easily. My weight has fluctuated since I was a little girl but overall I have been heavy. The only time I wasn't heavy was in college b/c I took speed to not eat at all. But the side effects were not pretty and once I got off of the drug I re-gained all of my weight that I had lost plus an additional 90 lbs. My boyfriend and family have heatlhy appetites but they can get satisfied off of normal portions while I needed much much more. When I tried to stop eating when they did I would secretly binge eat about an hr later alone and in shame. That is why the lapband has been such a lifesaver for me. Even though I am not anywhere near goal I have lost over 30 lbs and am not starving all day. I look forward to reaching my sweet spot and not having to worry about gaining all of the weight back AGAIN when my will power runs out. My whole life the only way I could stay at a normal weight before the band is with extreme will-power and self control which made my life miserable. It feels so nice to go to sleep and not have painful hunger all night long keeping me up. I love my band!! ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ortiz 237/205/150 5'7''

I was banded on 03/10/06 and also went to Mexico for my surgery. I had lots of problems trying to get good aftercare here in Florida. I did try going to Dr.Grossard but like you mentioned, he is very picky about who he takes so I couldn't go there. I tried FillCenterUSA but had really lousy service and didn't feel comfortable having the nurse practicioner filling me. She didn't have any idea where my port was so that was the end of that. I eventually found Dr.Jessee in Largo, Florida and am pleased. She isn't cheap--$400 for a fill in her office plus your initial visit must be done with fluro for $550 but I believe it is worth it for a competent surgeon. I live in Tampa so it isn't that far for me to drive. It may be a stretch for you. Good luck with what you decide on. Just stay away from FillCentersUSA--it is cheaper but not worth the bad service. ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ortiz 237/205/150 5'7''

I am in!! I have been teetering b/w 208 and 212 for almost a month now. I have my second fill this afternoon so I am setting a goal to be under 200 by mid-June. Wish me luck on the fill! I felt no restriction from my first one so I am hoping this one is better. ~Liz` banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ortiz 237/209/150 5'7''

It is VERY easy to get frustrated and discouraged about not losing fast enough. We have to remember though that it usually takes bandsters 3-5 fills before we have proper restriction. That is when the fast losing usually takes place. Some people *(very few...definitely not me!!LOL..) can lose w/out a fill or with only one. I was banded on March 10th and have struggled to lose anything in the past month. My first fill didn't do anything for me, even though I was filled half-way up with 2ccs in my 4cc band. So I am trying to remain positve and patient. Patience is the one thing that we have to remember. Hang in there! From what I hear, after you reach your sweet spot it all becomes worth it! I have my 2nd fill tomorrow and am hoping for the best. ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 237/209/150 5'7''

LOLA GLITTER-HIPS...THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!! I ALWAYS KNEW MY HIPS WERE BIG.....LOL :kiss2: ~Liz banded 03/10/06 237/209/150 Dr.Ortiz

Try Dr.Ortiz--I had a bmi of 37 with no co-morbities and he took me no problem, where here in the states my insurance company wouldn't approve me. He is an excellent surgeon and his price is decent-$8,500 for everything but airfare to San diego. I would recommend him to anyone. Check out obesitycontrolcenter.com Good luck!! ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ariel Ortiz 237/208/150 5'7''

WAY TO GO GIRL!!!! I know what you mean about having less and less weight to go. I started out having to lose 90 lbs and now it is down to 60. Slow and steady but it is coming. Congrats again on your incredible loss! I hope to be where you are soon.:clap2: ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ortiz 237/209/150 5'7''

I paid $8,500 for everything except airfare. Fills are $100 for the first year. I spent about $500 so far for airfare and food as well. ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ortiz 237/208/150 5'7''

Kat will go tonight then Elliot. It will be b/w Chris and Taylor. I personally hope Taylor wins b/c of his personality. We will see...

Today I plan on swimming for an hr at the Y. Tomorrow will be weight training and Friday will be the elliptical and running. Maybe I will have Saturday off and have some wine. I know I will be pooped!:faint: ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr. Ortiz 237/210/150 5'7''

Try Papaya enzymes. They help me when I have food lodged/stuck to push it through your stoma at a much faster rate. It especially helps with meats for me. Unless you have too much food stuck, the enzymes will push the food down. If you have a big clog, then it will come back up. :help: You can get them at GNC or Vitamin World and they are relatively cheap and yummy. Hope this helps ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ortiz 237/210/150 5'7''

I was banded in TJ by Dr.Ortiz but am using Dr. Jessee for my aftercare. I originally tried going thru the fillcenterusa clinics but I got horrible treatment and the nurse practicioner didn't seem like she knew what she was doing. I have had one fill with Dr.Jessee three weeks ago and my second is scheduled for the 22nd of this month. She is very competent and friendly and I felt extremely comfortable with her. The only bad thing is that her fill price for went up from $200 to $400 as of May 1st this year. Your first fill is $550 and then the rest are $400. So she definitely isn't cheap but I still think it is better to go to somebody who is qualified. If you are a patient of hers and get your surgery done with her you may not have to pay anything at all for fills. She is also fairly agressive with her fills which is nice. I got 2ccs in my 10cm band so I am already half-way filled up. Good luck on your surgery! ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ariel Ortiz 237/210/150 5'7''

I had lipo done in July of '05 and would not recommend it unless you don't have very much fat to take out. I did it pre-op however and didn't realize that I was big enough for WLS at the time (220) 5'7''. I had full body liposuction on my stomach, flanks (back fat...), knees, upper thighs and chin. I had over 3 liters of fat taken out on my stomach which was the most significant and then my doctor just touched the other places up. I was very unhappy with my results on my back, b/c I wanted all of my back fat taken out as well as my tummy. The garmet is a pain in the butt and you have to wear it for at least 6 weeks which sucks. If you are near your ideal weight then I would go for it but my doctor made me believe that he could get all of the fat out in one operation. This simply isn't the case. Liposuction is for body contouring and touch ups, not for obese patients. In the end the surgeon was just after my money. I would not recommend it for it is very expensive (7 grand...) and I feel like I just pissed my money away when I could of used it then for my lapband. Now I know better....If you do decide to proceed, just keep in mind that the results the surgeon shows you are his "best results" and typical results are much less drastic and more subtle. I was expecting a good deal of my fat to disappear but was upset when I barely noticed a difference.:think Good luck with what you decide. ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr. Ortiz 237/210/150 5'7''

I love splenda to sweeten up healthy, low-carb high Protein cereals (Kashi-Go Lean) and cheddar rice cakes are good. I also always have beef or turkey Jerky on hand b/c it fills me up and is high in protein. Just make sure to chew it VERY well though or it can cause problems. Hope you get some more ideas!!:hungry: ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ortiz 237/210/150 5'7''

Wendy, You crack me up girl!!! Your little boy is soo inquisitive it is cute! Hope you are doing good...By the way--did anyone fall into the "bucket" over the weekend?? lol...:faint: I told my boyfriend and he about lost it he was laughing so hard!! I hope the hubby fixed the problem..take care girl!! ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ortiz 237/210/150 5'7''

Hi Amy, I live in Tampa as well and also am going to Dr.Jessee for aftercare. Isn't she the best? I was banded in TJ and felt that she was the best doctor around here. Her fills are a bit expensive but I beleive it is worth it. Good luck! ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ortiz 237/212/150 5'7''

Here goes: Breakfast-1 cup of Go lean Kashi cereal with 2 tablespoons Splenda--250 calories Snack-1 packet of low sugar oatmeal with water-120 calories Lunch-Southbeach Peanut chicken with veggies and noodles (Yum!!)-360 calories Dinner--? Maybe egg beaters with fat free cheese and seasonings--250 calories total--980 calories

Congratulations on your mini-goal!! :clap2: There is nothing silly about them--it is what will keep us motivated and will help us lose! If I were to think about how much weight I had to lose at the beginning of this journey, I no doubt would become extremely overwhelmed. 90 lbs to me sounds unrealistic!:faint: But when you look at it in terms of mini-goals, it begins to become attainable. Now I have 60 lbs which is much better! My next mini-goal is the Wonderful 199 mark. You can do it--you are doing it!! Keep up the great work~ ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ortiz 237/212/150 5'7''

I think you are doing FABULOUS!! 19 lbs in 3 weeks is WAY ahead of schedule!!:clap2: I am 7 weeks out and only 25 lbs out so you are doing way better than me! You lost so fast at the beginning, you may gain a few pounds only b/c your body needs to catch up and adjust to the rapid weight loss. Remember that any weight loss before you are properly restricted is bonus so you are doing awesome! I have to constently remind myself not to weight myself every day b/c when I gain even a pound I end up being mad the whole day!:confused: Like what was mentioned earlier, this is not a quick race, rather a journey so we need to learn to be patient. You will suceed in this--you are doing better than most. Keep the faith in yourself and keep doing what you are doing! Congratulations on your tremendous loss!!!:eek: ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ortiz 237/212/150 5'7''

So far, breakfast--bowl of Kashi Go Lean cereal with f.free milk- 300 calories snack--one packet of oatmeal--120 calories lunch--1/2 of lean cuisine chicken meal (PB'd on part..) -150 calories snack--f.free yogurt-150 calories dinner--? so far--720 calories and I am on my way to the pool to swim swim swim to burn some of 'em!!! ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ortiz 1 fill of 2cc on 04/24 237/211/150 5'7''

Tampa here....cheapest $2.79 ranging to $3.27!!:help: ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ariel Ortiz 237/211/150 5'7''

I am from Tampa FL and visit Orlando and Jacksonville frequently. I love to bike *(used to when I was thinner....) but right now I know I wouldn't make it very far!!!:faint:Give me a few more months though and I will be all for it!! ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr. Ariel Ortiz 237/210/150 5'7''

I can finally see Onderland in view. After not losing all week, I finally dropped 3 lbs this morning so I have had a great day!! 10 more lbs to go till Onderland!! Almost there:clap2:!!! ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 237/209/150 Dr.Ariel Ortiz 5'7''

Yes, it is too early to try anything solid, even if it is just a little bit. Try using some papaya enzymes--they always do the trick for me. Eat a few and your food just dissolve and push its way through your stoma. Lesson learned though--just wait a LITTLE bit longer before you try anything else solid. It happened to me too and I know it hurts! You can get the enzymes at GNC or Vitamin World and I always keep them on me just in case. Feel better soon!! ~Liz~ banded 03/10/06 Dr.Ariel Ortiz 237/209/150 5'7''