ready2bthin

Hey ladies!! I just found this thread, and although I live between Denton and McKinney, I may come join ya'll!! Sounds like fun. I have some knee problems, but I do have rollerblades here that should fit me. If not, I will rent skates there. Do they allow rollerblades, too? Anyway, have to see what schedule allows for weekend. Sounds like SO MUCH FUN!!!

Dezadoo, I'm from Michigan and have been to Cedar Point several times, just not in recent years. I'd love to go back and try out some of those rides and let my kids experience this awesome park. Six flags is fun, but Cedar Point....ROCKS!!!

Originally Posted by mbprn 2 questions for all: 1.Does your significant other know how much you weigh-why or why not? 2.Most embarrassing fat moment you will never have happen to you again now that you are becoming skinny or thin or svelte or normal?? 1. My husband does know how much I weigh and so does my sister, my best friend, and maybe some others I've met on here. 2. I will put down some of my most embarrasing moments...not just one...a. getting on the batman ride at Six Flags. It is one of those rides where your feet hang and when the over the shoulder harness came down and then you have to buckle a seatbelt deal it was almost too tight. I told the guy just to push it in (the contraption against my stomach) so he could buckle it. It worked, but pretty embarrassing. Later, I learned they have one seat that is for "bigger people" and I got in that one and it worked better. b. I needed a seatbelt extender on an airplane. I always get a little stressed flying, as I wonder if the seatbelt will fit me or if I'm alone and don't have my kids sitting next to me and I will overflow some to someone else's seat. I've only needed the extension once, but a couple other times, it was a pretty tight fit. Michelle, You really keep me laughing on here!!! Thanks!!! Laughter is such great medicine. Biggirlpantiez: I agree...You can be the spokesmodel!!! Steph: You go girl!! All of you: We are on our way to being healthy and HOT and there will be those who can't stand it...jealousy, insecurity, or whatever...but then we will have those who are cheering us on that we can be thankful for...and we have each other on here to be honest with and to get encouragement. Thank you July crew!! These posts have helped me a great deal, along with some of the new friendships...

Well, gals (and guys) I'm on my 3rd day of liquids recovering from that sliming incident. I can't wait to EAT again. I've added protein, but I miss the food. Guess I've learned my lesson. Speaking of teenagers, I have 8 of them right now in the house. My daughter is having a slumber party and then I have 2 sons who are also teens. So far so good. We just watched "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" which I highly recommend (favorite movie) and now they are watching "Madea's Family Reunion". That Tyler Perry is one talented guy. So, I've dropped another couple pounds probably since I've been doing liquids. My tummy is feeling better, thankfully. Hope all of you have a great weekend. Miss hearing from some of you...JMO, KMO, Lizzilo....where are ya??

Hey Everyone!! I haven't posted in awhile as I've been busy preparing and welcoming our foreign exchange student. She is from South Korea and will stay with our family for the school year. She's the same age as my daughter, 16, and they are sharing a room and going to the same school. I had a terrible sliming experience on Monday when I tried to eat some deli turkey and roast beef too quickly and not paying attention. So, for these few days I've been back on liquids cuz my tummy hurt. I could kick myself for not thinking and getting into that predicament. Today I feel better but will proceed with liquids tomorrow and then start adding soft food. Well, I hope we can go back to that chatroom deal that Jen set up. I can't usually use this chat feature so that one is great. Glad everyone is doing well!!

I drink right up until my meal and then wait at least 90 minutes after the meal to drink. I'm a newbie, but I started this practice on my pre-op diet (low carb, low fat). I did have to have a sip of water, though when I ate at a Mexican restaurant and the pico de gallo was so HOT. I took a sip as my mouth was burning...lol. I then proceeded to scoop that stuff out of the dip I was eating (on mushies).

Welcome back Kari!! Missed our morning chats!! I had a nsv today (nonscale victory). Went to a friends house (haven't seen her in a couple weeks or so) and she told me "you are shrinking"..."I can see that you are losing".....Anybody out there have some nsv's to share? Baylor mom: I chose lapband as I felt it to be a safer surgery plus i ended up paying for it myself. my husband wouldn't have wanted me to have the gastric bypass and I agreed with him. KMO: Missed you on here!! Glad to see your posts!! Where is Lizzilo?

I would probably be available for a chat on Monday nights or Thursday nights, especially after 8:00 CST. And I still can't use the chat on here. Tried today and got on, but when I posted couldn't see the conversation. UGHHH. Jen, hang in there with the weightloss. Does sound like you may need a fill. I am starting to get hungrier and trying to "be good". I still have restriction, though, as I cannot eat as much. Just noticed that I'm hungry between meals. Bought some liquid vitamins yesterday at Vitamin Shoppe and wish I'd been taking them from the beginning, since I've been limited on vegetables. (they also have other stuff in them). I also bought some biotin (suggested by Kari) to help prevent hair loss. Haven't had any yet, but don't want my hair gone (there is a thread where they talked about this). I have stopped weighing every other day/every day and decided to just get on once a week. Have you measured Jen? I will measure every 4 weeks. My hubby made a nice chart for me to keep track.

There are many experienced and well known doctors in Mexico. Most that I've read about will give you their phone number for any problems, etc. Don't let one person's opinion (especially if they didn't even have the procedure done in Mexico) influence you. You must do your own research, interview your doctor, get recommendations (and not just from someone who works for the doctor), count the cost, decide if you will travel back to Mexico or find a local physician for follow up and fills. There may be some docs who won't see Mexican banded patients, but the smart ones will as they know that most Mexican doctors have more experience than they do. As a matter-of-fact, many U.S. docs have been proctored by Mexican doctors or the person who proctored them was. Again, do your homework, and be aware that this is a big business in Mexico and now the U.S. There are some that will spread untrue things to sway you to a particular doctor. Be aware of this. I recently learned this as I was looking into lapband. Also, there is a yahoo group for Mexicanbandsters. Join up there. There are people on that group from all the different doctors in Mexico. I've been banded just over 3 weeks with all going well. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions regarding my "Mexico experience".

I am mainly a stay at home mom, but I am also a licensed physical therapist assistant and will begin doing visits in patients' homes in Sept. I wanted to make sure I was totally healed and adjusted to my bandster way of eating, etc.

Sherrijo: I am going to always have my fills with fluro. I have heard too many stories of people needing port revisions, etc. I don't know when I'll be getting my first fill, but I'm returning to Dr. Rod in Mexico and he uses fluro. I will then determine if I want to continue to go back to him or find a local place. But, don't feel bad about wanting fluro. The doc should feel bad about POKING you 3 times!! I look at it this way.....I paid a lot of money for this band and I sure want to take care of it...ya know what I mean?

Leona: Happy Belated Birthday!!! Hope you had a Great day!!! Mark: We are happy to have you on the July thread...except you are DEFINITELY showing us up in the weightloss category...LOL!!! That is an advantage that you guys have over us ladies!! Keep up the great work and thanks for the compliment to all of us ladies!!!

Elisabeth, Can't say I had satan or his brother as a trainer, but I sure got a kick out of your post. You certainly have a way with words. I understand about the knees as i've gone through 3 surgeries on one (in past 25 years) and 1 surgery on the other. I try to do low impact stuff like swim and bike ride on a stationary recumbant bike (not one of those that hurt the behind).

Congratulations all you LOSERS...lol!! I'm a loser too!!! Never thought I'd be happy to be called that...but in the case of this deal....I will accept!! I have a question that I discussed with Kari and wanted to ask all of you. Are any of you experiencing a bad taste in your mouth? We are thinking it may be due to ketosis or something. Any input would be appreciated!! Also, Baylor Mom, hang in there and you might want to try your pool in the morning. I got in mine around 10 (i live near denton) and it felt great. Water was warm but the air wasn't too hot yet. I just moved around and tried to exercise some. I don't want to walk right now either cuz it's so HOT here in TX!! Hope this helps and keep on keeping on!!

Kari, Good for you!! That taco salad sounds yummy!!! Maybe in a few days, I'll try that. I did fine with cottage cheese and then last night had pinto beans and cheese from taco bell. Didn't eat the whole thing and felt okay, but later in the night I had a tummy ache. So, either my body and the beans didn't agree or I ate too much. I am also going lightly into this stage. Today was my measuring day. It's been 4 weeks since I started on pre-op. Well, I have lost 22 inches all over by body....YIPPEE!!! I measure from my neck and work down to measuring both feet, so this is total inches lost!! I'm around 15 lbs. down, as well! So ya'll make sure you MEASURE and if you haven't start now!!

CONGRATS OLIVE!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO JOIN YOU IN ONEDERLAND!!!

Dezadoo, I wondered the same thing about bowel movements. So, I just checked the lapband booklet and on page 13 it states, "There may be some reduction in the volume of your stools. That's normal after a decrease in food intake, because you eat less fiber. This should not cause severe problems. If difficulties do arise, check with your doctor. He or she may suggest you take a mild laxative and drink plenty of water for awhile. Drinking plenty of water is a good idea, anyway. Your needs will vary, but you should drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day." Hope that is helpful!!

Hey everyone, I was talking with my bandster friend who had her band put in right after the FDA approved it here in the states. I asked a question and she referred me to the booklet put out by the manufacturer of the lap-band system. http://www.allerganandinamed.com/pdf/health/94829-12_LB_Patient_Book.pdf On page 11, it gives the list of bandster rules. There is nothing said about not drinking right before meals. Funny thing is that I have had this booklet printed up since May...lol!!! Thought it might be helpful for those who don't have it or forgot they have it...like me...lol Jen, sorry about not playing BINGO. I am going to just have too much on my plate...lol...this next week. It's a great idea and for those who are playing...Have fun!! Do worms provide protein?? LOL!!

I say AMENto that Kari!!!

KMO: I am so glad that you are back!! After chatting with you, I didn't see you on here and wondered what had happened. Thank God that they found out what was going on and treated you!! It's been a rough start, and you've been a trooper!! 10 lbs. gone....hurrah!! Concerning the water before meals, I am allowed to drink right up to my meal and actually practiced this during my pre-op time. I'm thinking as KMO stated, that maybe some docs think it could cause one to feel too full so they don't get in enough food/nutrition in the meal. It didn't affect me like that, but of course, that was pre-band. I reread my stuff and called my doc's assistant to be sure during my "practice time". Baylor Mom: So happy to hear your band is okay. Sorry about the tests and what happened after....Hang in there!! Leona06: You are doing AWESOME!! And I can bet when you start walking in New York, you are going to drop those lbs./inches like crazy!! Really curious to hear about the fill, too, when you get it! Please report. I'm a little nervous about that part!! Coach Buckley: KUDOS to you for breaking 100 lbs!! I can't wait until that day!! Seems like you are healing well and continuing to drop that weight!! EVERYONE: All of you are such a support and help to me!! I feel like I have a bunch of new friends from all over and it is so totally awesome that we are in the same boat. Thanks for the encouragement and the openness to share about your experiences. This is sooo helpful!! WE ARE SUCCEEDING WITH OUR BANDS!!!

Mine seems to be in the middle more about half way between bra line and belly button. If I drew a straight line it would be just slightly left of the midline. At least that's where I think it is. I think I can feel it...lol. Guess I'll know at my first fill!!!

You can also look into a yahoo group called mexicanbandsters. They have lists of fill doctors for most states. It's in the "files section" I believe.

Welcome to the July Band Crew!! I have not had any trouble with a bra, but I will say that I am not very big on top My port is lower closer to my incision on my waist (i think). I think that I can actually feel my port when I push in. 3 of my incisions are waist level or close and 1 is up near my bra line. I usually go braless at home and can actually get away with this outside of home depending on my top. Some people say to try a sports bra. Maybe that will be more comfortable.

First off, what kind of aftercare are you talking about? I had my band done in Mexico (about a week ago) and I feel pretty good. I have soreness around port area but from what I'm reading, that is pretty typical. I plan on returning to my doc in Mexico for my first fill which will be at least 6-8 weeks out. I do know of other docs in the area that will do fills for those banded in Mexico. When I inquired with Dr. Ortiz's Office (first doctor I looked at), they told me of a Dr. Dobson in Grand Prairie. I know of a gal who had my doc (Dr. Jose Rodriguez) and she goes to Dr. Maese for fills. My patient advocate recommends Red River Radiology in Paris for fills. She said they have never had a patient return to them with port problems, etc. I do have a copy of my report in English, my band box with serial number.

I cut up an apple yesterday and made a smoothie with it, using milk, vanilla protein powder (probably would use water next time...) and an hour or so later I was relieved of constipation. So, maybe try blending up pieces of apple, add a little water and have fresh apple juice. I don't care for prune juice, so I was happy it worked.