La_madam

The Easter BUnny caught me yesterday. GRRRRRR!!!! I ate his butt and his ears. LOL!!! So I am staying even on the weight. Didn't gain but didn't lose either.

Hi Everyone, I just wanted ot share with you some very exciting news. I had sent my before and after pictures to Dr. Ortiz and his staff about a month ago just to show him my progress. 3 weeks ago I go an email from his office asking me if I would be interested in allowing Dr. Ortiz to use my pictures in an info-mercial he is in the process doing on the Lap Band. How awesome is that? He is very pleased with my success in the last year and thinks my pictures will be very motivating for others who are considering the surgery. Iam SO FLATTERED AND HONORED!!! I gave this great thought over the weeks and discussed it with my husband, family, friends and a few here on LBT and I am going to sign the release form they sent me and allow Dr. Ortiz to use my pictures Iam just 15 lbs from goal..amazing, who would of thunk in a year I would be down 85 pounds and from a size 22 to a 12 in pants and from a 2x/3x to an xl/l in shirts. I LOVE MY BAND!!! I just thought I would share my good news with all of you who have been so supportive to me for the last year.

It happens to me everytime I make an appointment to go get another fill..all of a sudden I have restriction...when prior to making my appointment I can eat a horse! Strangest thing!

Great Question..I am wondering the same thing but never knew how to word it..I will be waiting for the replies as well on this post!

Esmarelda..I live very close to you. I will email you and set something up so we can meet.

We all have days like this and anyone who tell you otherwise may not being truthful. I have had 3 fills and have great restriction but I still have bad days. I have my weekness.. it is chocolate. I'm human I make mistakes and do not beat myself up about it, tomorrow is a new day and I have this wonderful tool to help me, the good thing about all of this is, pre band I would be gaining when I binge on my chocolate and the scale movin' in the upward position , now when I binge I do not see upward movement with the scale so that I feel is a victory! At nighttime for me, I go as far away from the kitchen as I can get which is here in my room and I bring a 24 oz bottle of ice cold water ( ice cold water tightens me up) I drink all the water brush my teeth and it helps to not want to eat! Yes I may get up and Pee a few times in the night but it is worth it to me knowing I did not give in to my cravings for chocolate. Today is Easter, so I am eating the chocolate , it is everywhere in my house and you know what , I do not even feel guilty. Tomorrow is Monday , a new day and a new week. Some have said they are hungrier in the evenings I believe it to be true, since most bandsters are tight in the mornings and do not eat much during the day could be the reason or another reason is boredom, all day long we are at work, running errands , doing laundry, carpooling, taking care of kids, dogs, doing homework etc.. at night it is our down time, time for our minds to get the best of us. Get your self a hobby. I come to this site and others and read and post to occupy me also. Hang in there and know you are not alone

Vauren the feeling you have in your diaphram, I had also. My doctor told me it was from swelling making it feel like i had something stuck, it did go away at about 3-4 weeks post op. I felt like I always had to burp but couldnt cause it felt like something was stuck or blocking it, so I called Dr. Ortiz and he spoke with me a great lengths telling me not to worry, ity was from the surgery and the swelling and it would go away, he was correct, it did! Hang in there each day gets better and better! Good Luck to you

SOunds like it is official ..sounds like a PB to me. For me, some of my PB's have lasted longer then others, it depends on what I had eaten. Sometimes I have had more pain the other times. Each one has been different, I have had 5 official PB's in 1 year. I have learend though to chew like crazy and eat like a snail, I have not PBed in a while now, cant say I never will again but I am more aware now when I eat and how I eat. Eating and talking doesnt work for me, eating and driving doesnt work for me. You will find what foods work best for you and what situations work best for you. Good Luck

Congratulations on your new band, It is wonderful to hear you had a GREAT experience in Mexico! I too had an awesome experience in Mexico and would not change a thing and would do it over again in Mexico in a heartbeat. Best of Luck to you , I hope you have lots of success

Hi Roxanna Congratulations! I am SO happy to hear you had such an wonderful experience with Dr. Ortiz and his staff. I agree with everything you said in your post 100% He is a very caring Doctor as wel l as his entire staff. I love the fact that you can call him or Dr. Martienz anytime day or night on their cell phones and the actually answer it and take the time to answer any questions you have. You do not get that here in the U.S. It is great to hear that you and Jenna have become band sisters. I still kep in touch with the women I had surgery with, we all have become very good friends. That is awesome you got to videotape the entire thing, I never thought of doing that.Thanks for sharing your story with us and ..I wish you lots of succes with your new band

Happy Easter to everyone!

Sorry to hear what has happened Nancy..Be strong Thinking of you

Here is a helpful link about Fiber and how much we need daily, below the link is the article from the link if you do not wish to go to thesite. http://ks.essortment.com/fiberhealth_rvef.htm Fiber is important for health. This article will help you determine how much is needed and if you need to make a change in your daily intake. Fiber originates in plants and the use of fiber has been since ancient times. But it was not until recently that researchers began to realize how important fiber is in our daily diets. The western civilization is the worlds worst in fiber intake. Researchers estimate that the average person only takes in about twelve grams of fiber per day, while the body needs approximately twenty grams to help in reducing widespread illnesses and certain cancers. While some people choose to take large amounts of fiber drinks and other supplements, this is not recommended. It is recommended to intake fiber gradually throughout the day for best results. Most of the fiber that is indigestible comes from fruits, vegetables, dried Beans, cereals, grains, nuts and seeds. The outer part of grain has the most fiber content and is usually lost in processing. If you buy products like brown rice and whole-wheat bread these are higher in fiber than bleached (White) grain products. There are a few suggestions for increasing fiber intake from the foods that you already eat. Such as when eating potatoes, apples and other fruits and vegetables eat the skins, most fiber are in the peelings. Avoid using the bleached processed flours, use whole-wheat products. If you feel you are not getting enough fibers and make the decision to increase the amount of fiber you intake on a daily basis. It should be done gradually, not all at once. If large amounts are taking it can cause severe stomach complications. Symptoms could include stomach cramps, bloating, and an extreme case of gas or even bowel obstruction. There are consequences of consuming too many fibers also. Too many fibers can prevent the digestive system from absorbing valuable nutrients and minerals the body needs. If a well-balanced diet is followed this will provide as much and not too much fiber as the body needs.

What a beautiful smile she has. Blossom will surely be missed around here at LBT, she had such a sweet and caring way about her. Thanks Nana for bumping these pictures of her.

Nykee, you are doing just fine, you are only 5 weeks post op. How are you able to eat Pizza yet. I was banded by Ortiz a year ago and I was not allowed solids until 6 weeks post op, did he change his post op diet? You have not had a fill yet, once you get your fills and have good restriction, you will be on your way to weight loss, remember the first 6 weeks are for healing, any weight loss during this phase is a bonus, I'm sure Dr. Ortiz told you that didnt he? SO do not get down on your self, the band is designed to be inflated to work its best, you have no fill yet so of course you wont have much restriction, hang in there, you will notice a difference with your first fill, especially if you are going back to TJ to have Ortiz/ Martinez do your fills, they are very agressive on their fills. Dr. Ortiz use flouro and will fill you by how they see the baruim flowing through the band, they will not over fill you however you will have restriction, Do not be foolish and have it so tight you can not even swallow your own saliva, Ortiz and Maritenz will not let that happen anyways, he will most likely make you go and eat a meal after your fill before you head back home on an airplane to make sure you are not too tight. He did that for a friend of mine who lived in PA. With Good restriction, you will not be able to eat a whole piece of pizza, atleast for me it is that way. Hang in there Nykee

Great Pics , Chris and Robin & Leo and Vampy you all look fantastic! I would love to hear how any of you are doing this far out? Please post and update us if you are here

Shelly, Congratulation! I'm so happy for you. He sounds like a wonderful , loving caring man. I loved how he proposed to you I wish you both much happiness

Patti, I can hear the excitement in your voice.. I'm so happy for you. It only gets better and better Keep it up my friend , you are doing great

Kirsten, it doesnt sound like you are eating all that much..are you eating less then you did pre band? It is what you are eating is the problem in my opinion When you drink Water , are you waiting an hour between meals to eat, if you are drinking water too soon after you eat you are washing the solids thru the band which makes you hungry again quicker. Yougurt goes right through the band which is why you could be hungrier quicker. eggs are a soft Protein too which will not last as long as hard Proteins in your pouch, try hard proteins like chicken, steak, ground beef, chicken works the best for me in staying in my pouch the longest. You seems to be in the soft food syndrome, got to get out of that, soft foods go right through the band and offer not satisfaction from hunger. Protein also helps with hunger, by what you said you ate today, it does not look like you had much protein. Carbs crave carbs, so the Pasta probably made you crave more carbs like the yogurt... Try starting your day tomorrow with strictly protein and I bet you will notice a difference in your hunger level all day long. DOnt be doscouraged, change some of the things you are eating and see if that helps..good luck and hang in there

Great Job Lauren, 31 lbs does make a difference. Go pick up 31 lbs of dog food at the grocery store see how heavy it is, I do it al lthe time, it is kind of motivating to me to go and pick up 80lbs of dog food or 80 lbs period and see how far i have come , you're doing a great job! Congratulations

I still go out with my friends and eat..actually it makes them eat healthier and better when Iam with them so in a sense it is good for them. Plus they get jealous I get all of the attention now...my turn has finally come and I am enjoying every single second of it! How your friends are acting is out of pure envy or jealousy is how I see it. I have a co worker who out of 7 women is the only one who has not been supportive or encouraging, you know why? She is overweight, I am now smaller then her, I where a smaller size then her and now weigh less then her, she is jealous, Plain and simple ..all of my other co workers who are not overwieght have been so supportive and encouraging..Thats my take on it... You will know who your true firends are..the rest, kick to the curb!

Yes you all must go over there and read..it is such a great story! Why hasnt she posted over here her good news???

Alice only you know how you feel. , personally I think you are being a very responsible bandster, we have the rest of our lives to get to goal. Having . 2 removed can make a big difference in the foods you can eat but yet stil lgive you enough restriction to still lose weight.

I have yet to see it, it comes on at 8:00 pm here in California, it is my favorite show!

Scotty, good idea, save the moneyy, you will need it later to buy smaller clothes.