Mariposa Bella

My doctor has me drink water in his presence while he is adjusting the fill, he makes sure that I can drink well, while still having some restriction. Your doctor will know, don't worry. And once you get home you might realize that you have too much or not enough restriction, so sometimes there is a need for adjustment. But I recommend from experience that you treat your fill as if you just had surgery and stay on liquids 2-3 days and then slowy move to mushies, then solids, from experience this is the best thing you can do for yourself after a fill. Trust me, I have learned the hard way. So don't forget.

Congratulations on getting your band. Rest up and sip, sip and sip some more.

No, oh I really want to see it. What channel did you see it on???

Bandit, don't be so tough on yourself, isn't that what you told me yesterday???? Well, you know what, sugar--any type of sweet is my weakness, and if I feel like having a piece of cake or pie one day, guess what, I eat it. This is about modification, right?? not depriving yourself of something, because you are only human and you will fail if you set your standards unrealistically high. So what, if you had pop tarts (by the way, yukkk! I don't like them) your not going to die, and listen, the fact that you have been so good and are starting to change your way of thinking and eating, is better than good. I went on an eating frenzie before banding, you know, got a last taste of everything... so there, you are doing better than what I did. (my dr didn't require any type of dieting beforehand, guess cause I was a lower bmi). So don't be so hard on yourself, okay...

I am an Administrative Assistant to a lady that is never here, so I very seldom have anything to do, the days are long here, so therefore I am hooked on this site. So I guess its an okay job, I get paid very well, get an insurance allowance of $400 a month, and best of all when I take time off, she never-ever docks my pay. And believe me with three kids, I take a lot of time off. Just last week I was off two days on a school field trip and tomorrow I'm off half a day, its survivor day at my daughters school, so we are doing that. And since my boss leaves on vacation tomorrow, I guess the next two weeks will be even quieter..... I worked for a real estate attorney before this job, but after my son was born I stayed home with him and my one year old daughter (yep, there one right after the other). After a year of that, I decided to come back to work, my husband thinks I need to go back to my field as a real estate closer or go to a title company and do that because i could be making lots more money, but I would rather stay here and be so available to my kids than go to a job, I'm going to have to quit because I can't take the time for them. So I truly do have a nice job, my boss is awesome and I make good money, so what more can I ask for, right??? Who else is going to let me take all that time off and let me run to pick up my daughter from school everyday and take her and my other daughter to dance and all that stuff I have to do.... I too have dreams of going back to school to finish getting my degree in elementary education, but my kids are so little 3, 4 and 9 and require so much time right now, that its on the back burner...Someday, I will finish my degree..

Hey there, I am in SW Fl and I too tried to find a doctor out here to do my fills, after much searching and no finding, I got lucky, really lucky and found Dr. Eddie Gomez, he recently moved his office from Coral GAbles to Miami. He takes patients banded in Mexico (which is my case) and didn't charge me any type of consult fee. He charged me $300 for my fill (without flouru) and if I want flouru its $600. I do mine without floru, and it is no problem. But he is really good, no need for flouru, my port is flipped and he still gets it on the first try, doesn't hurt one bit and if you decide you don't have enough of a fill or you have too much, he doesn't charge you extra to remove or add more if you contact them and let them know what is going on. This was my case and because I live 2 1/2 hours away I was unable to go back for two weeks and he still didn't charge me anymore. His assistants name is Emilio (really nice) so if you need to contact him here is his info. Oh and by the way, Dr. Gomez is super good looking, I am talking major hottie. My surgeon doesn't charge me for fills, but I'd have to fly to Mx and take the time of work, so its way cheaper and less time to go to Dr. Gomez. And the drive is not bad at all for me since I am not too far away. Maybe next time I come to Miami for my fill, we can meet, I am so excited to have a fellow bandster so close to me. Who is doing your surgery? Dr. Eddie Gomez 3661 S. Miami Avenue Suite 708 Mercy Professional Building Miami, FL 33133 305-285-5090

It is such a hard question. I wish I hadn't told as many people as I did. Some of their comments are just too stupid and their expectations are even more stupid than their comments. I initially told my husband, of course (feels me up alot, so he had to know, plus he gave up the mula$ for surgery). And then told my mother (who told her entire side of the family) and they are the ones that make the stupidest comments in the world like "Well when you finally lose the weight, we will know you didn't do it on your own, so how good of a victory can that be???" or "Well why haven't you lost that much weight, did you pay all that money for nothing??" or since my parents were having some money issues, "Gosh, you would think Estela would give you all money instead of wasting it on her surgery? Can you believe them, they are such idiots. I chose to tell my two best friends and one of them took it upon herself to tell one of my other friends, whom I wish would not know about this. So I was pretty upset with her, her comment was, "Well they are eventually going to find out? HOW was my answer... Some people just don't know when too sut up. Anyways, my boss doesn't know, had to lie to her and tell her that I had gall stone surgery, and I didn't tell my husbands family (my husbands choice) he didn't think they are educated enough on this and would hurt me with their idiot remarks. So I am very happy that I didn't tell them, but it was hard to keep this lie going. We vacactioned in Mexico a month after my surgery, so I was very limited to what I could eat and his mom kept trying to push me to eat some of those foods I couldn't eat. We told her that I had gall stone surgery so I had to stay on light foods and then she understood. The biggest thing for me, is making people understand you don't want a drink with your food, or worst of all that I can't drink soda (me, cokes #1 supporter), they just don't get it. All in all, I wish my mom's family and my best friend didn't know because they have been the most hurtful w/ their comments. Oh I almost forgot, my dad's family knows and surprisingly they have been awesome, very supportive and understanding. My dad especially, so I love them even more for loving me and respecting my decision. So this is my story on to tell or not to tell. The people who don't know ask how I'm losing my weight and I answer honestly,, by eating less. So I am not really lying, because its true, I am eating less.

Oh Brandi, I loved this one. Just loved it...

Where do you live? And where is this doctor located???

Christina, I understand everything your saying, and I've known all along that the band was the ONLY option for me, but I just had to vent, how I sometimes feel. So thank you again for reminding me, that I did chose wisely. I know that this band will work for me, I have successfully lost about 32 lbs and haven't gained it back, right?? So I just have to learn to have patience and soon enough the rest of the weight will come off. I love you guys.

Hey there, I am in SW Fl and I too tried to find a doctor out here to do my fills, after much searching and no finding, (some doctor in Clearwater wanted some outrageous (sp?) first time consult fee of $1000 and then $500-$750 per fill, but they said they couldn't take me as a patient because I was banded in Mexico. Well after much looking, I got lucky, really lucky and found Dr. Eddie Gomez, he recently moved his office from Coral GAbles to Miami. He takes patients banded in Mexico (which is my case) and didn't charge me any type of consult fee. He charged me $300 for my fill (without flouru) and if I want flouru its $600. I do mine without floru, and it is no problem. But he is really good, no need for flouru, my port is flipped and he still gets it on the first try, doesn't hurt one bit and if you decide you don't have enough of a fill or you have too much, he doesn't charge you extra to remove or add more if you contact them and let them know what is going on. This was my case and because I live 2 1/2 hours away I was unable to go back for two weeks and he still didn't charge me anymore. His assistants name is Emilio (really nice) so if you need to contact him here is his info. Oh and by the way, Dr. Gomez is super good looking, I am talking major hottie. It would be a 4-5 hr drive for you, but it might be worth it, to not have to take the time off to fly somewhere else. My surgeon doesn't charge me for fills, but I'd have to fly to Mx and take the time of work, so its way cheaper and less time to go to Dr. Gomez. And the drive is not bad at all. Dr. Eddie Gomez 3661 S. Miami Avenue Suite 708 Mercy Professional Building Miami, FL 33133 305-285-5090 Keep in touch!!

I'm so sorry to hear about you losing your job, but don't worry although it seems like tough times may be ahead, it might also bring more bigger better wonderful opportunities for you. There is a better job for you somewhere out there. So don't stress to much and know that we are here for you. Hope to hear from you soon. Are you banded? Or are you planning on getting banded, just curious???

Oh Bandit, I love you so much girl. Yes, I am having one of those days, having a hard time dealing with all the idiot remarks my family members are making comparing my cousin and I. I understand what you mean, but yes I am in a rut, and yes I have been eating good, well apart from those frozen coffee drinks (seem to be addicted to them lately). I honestly think that I was not eating enough for my body to burn anything off, I had been too tight and thank God I can finally eat better. So hopefully, this rut will end. I have been bad and not been walking like I should, there is just too much going on right now, with school year end, and dance recital coming up and all the extra practices and picture schedules, its hectic, but these are just excuses as always. Thanks for the kick in the butt, I will get back to my walking and I definitely should consider starting my weight training again, it was so good for me and I was starting to see results. but as always my life gets too hectic and I always put myself on the back burner for everyone else. Well, I truly do appreciate your post and definitely need the kick in the butt, its just hard sometimes. I will stop this bitching and get onto start focusing on becoming a skinny bitch that you will be proud to hate!!!!! LOL I guess I need to be happy that I have lost about 32 lbs and that I have maintained it off. My BMI is 28, so I guess I'm headed in the right direction. I went online today and did an ATkins diet profile and it says I need to consume 1200-1300 calories a day, does that sound right??? I probably don't consume that many, you would think I would be losing weight left and right. This is what I usually eat in a day. No Breakfast usually, I just drink a sweet tea For lunch today I had a sandwich w/ ham and cheese (first time I eat bread since I was banded in November, so I truly and excited that I can eat bread again) For dinner last night I had about 1/2 cup of black Beans, 1/2 cup of potatoes and 1/4 cup of pork steak meat. Oh and yesterday I had a frozen coffee drink w/ white chocolate. ( I know, I shouldn't do that) But that is what I eat in a typical day, so why aren't I losing, I don't eat enough, huh???? Any ideas on how I should modify my diet, please someone, kick me in the butt and set me straight....

Crap, I had already responded to this and I erased my message by mistake... My port sticks out, partly because of the weight loss, but mostly because it is flipped. I apparently lost one of the stitches and it will now need to be stitched back into place. It will however, cost me $1000 to fix, so I am putting it off for right now. (That is, until all your donations, start coming in, LOL) No, reallly it is not interfering with fills, so I will leave it alone for now. The area stays bruised because it pokes out, but it doesn't hurt. You can't really see it under my shirt if I am standing up, if I lay down it really pokes out, but oh well for $1000 it can poke out all it wants. So start sending all your extra change my way, we will start the poking out port fund... LOL he, h eee, well talk to you girls later.. Estela

I am happy for you, but sometimes I can't help but wonder, if rny isn't a better choice, because the results are so immediate, we always want a fast fix. I guess I was just hoping my weight would drop faster, I knew it wouldn't come off too fast, but I had no idea it would be this slow. My cousin just had rny last Monday and she has already lost 18 lbs, isn't that wonderful. She will be so skinny by the time I see her next month, and I will be stuck in my no weightloss plateau. What's even worse, I will have to face family members who criticised my decision to have this surgery and I guess they will throw it in my face that I haven't lost as much as Angie, man that is going to suck. Maybe I too should have had the rny??/ I would probably already weigh 100 by now, LOL I am truly happy for you Christina. Sorry about all the venting, but who else can I vent to but all of you...

I wish I could be losing that fast, I haven't lost a pound in forever, but then again, I'm not drinking my Water and I'm not excersising. Now I wonder if that has anything to do with it. Could be?? Why oh why can't I get motivated to excercise, I used to be so good at it. Any ideas to get me motivated??? I am planning to go on vacation next month, it would be nice if I could drop another 10-15 by the end of June, oh it would be nice... Congratulations on your weight loss. I lost 23 lbs the first month in a half and was so happy, thought it would all come off that easy, but it hasn't, keep up the good work.

I am so excited that there are more bandsters in Florida. I had my band surgery done in Nov. 4, 2004 and have lost about 32-34 lbs, I still have another 20 lbs to go and it is taking too long... I am in Southwest Florida and am so happy that there are more bandsters closer to me? Gigglegirl, who are you using for your fills? and how much are they? Who did your surgery? Sorry to be nosey.

Okay, okay, I hate everything about those skinny whores!!!! (Still wishing I was a skinny whore!!)

I know what you mean, I have a friend, who is just beautiful, tall and thin, not skinny, but muscular, great big, huge boobs (real ones) and to top it all off, she is the most beautiful human being, just as nice as can be, really caring and a truly, honest to goodness good friend. I love her, but sometimes I look at her and look at myself and think, why didn't God make us all the same body size??? Wouldn't that be nice, if we were all a perfect size 8, with beautiful firm breasts, firm muscular thighs and bottoms, oh boy, I sure am dreaming, aren't I?????? I remember when I was 16, I was chubby, but I had beautiful firm breasts (that wouldn't hang all the way down to my bellybutton when I took off my bra) and a nice flat stomach (with no stretch marks) and a nice shaped bottom, (without the cellutite) OH those were the days......

Hello Maggots, I haven't reported, because I have been really bad, too much going on to devote an hour just for myself. This is a busy time of season for me, my girls are getting ready for year end dance recital. My four year old is a tumble tyke and she is dancing the itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini (super cute) and my nine year old takes ballet/tap/jaz and baton, so whe will have four numbers this year, she has worked really hard all year and is doing really good. I'm so proud of both of them. And if that wasn't enough they have joined a competitive cheer team and are starting next week, so have been super busy w/ that. fundraising is mandatory, so I have been irritaing people asking for $. It is good excercise for them, and I like them to be involved in extra curricular activities, but it gets overwhelming sometimes. I am sure you all can relate. Well and I'm off to St. Augustine, FL for a field trip w/ my daughters school for two days, so I'll be doing a lot of sightseeing. So can I count that as my part of the challenge? Well I'm sorry to make this post so long, but I just had to let you all know what's going on w/ me and why I'm not keeping up w/ ya gals. Have a wonderful weekend, I'll be in touch on MOnday. Leaving in the am at 4:30, yikees.

Dont' worry the scale will move soon enough, we all have been there, I too am one of those compulsive weigher, at morning and night, I've finally stopped and only weigh myself about every three days, helps my mood more. I haven't lost anymore, but atleast I'm not gaining. Well good luck, as I am in the same boat.

I have been really bad----I havent' walked since Tuesday, the weather has been real bad here, too much rain to walk in. I guess I could use the treadmill, but I'd have to take off all the junk I have on top of it. ha, ha... I have been active though, a lot going on at work this week, I work in Economic Development and this has been a busy week, surveying all the business in the county for any needs and having a Year REview Strategis Meeting this afternoon. So I will check in with you Maggots on Monday. I promise to walk tonight and this weekend. Bye loves

LIsa Happy Bandiversary and yes you are a sexy thang!!!!!

well I have to say that even the forces that be, don't want me to excersise. WE have had tons of rain here in SW Florida the last two days and I wasn't able to walk yesterday and today doesn't look any better, but I have been eating well and have stayed a bit active, hope the weather clears and I can get back to my walking. Makes me feel so good when I do it. WEll my fellow campers I will report back. (((hugs to ya all)