luv2bingo07

Hi Sufina and Portland neighbor! Congrats on your upcoming banding with Dr. Ortiz. You will have a wonderful time and if you went to his lapbandforum.com you will find many people have the same date as you and you can look forward to meeting great people and possibly friends. I was told before my banding(just had my one year bandiversary 5/21), that when I thought I had to load up on eating because I didn't think I was going to be able to eat like I used to after banding is totally wrong. You will be able to eat all or most foods that you know and love again but much less or not at all if they are unhealthy choices. You just have to listen to your band and the restriction you have and know what is good for you and know the difference between head hunger and real hunger. I lost 90lbs(not updated here), in my year of banding. I could have lost more, but only had two fills(with Dr. F), and made some bad choices in eating. I am very happy where I am right now and look forward to the continued shrinking me after a third fill soon. I so badly want to go back to TJ and have a fill, but financially that isn't going to happen yet. Good luck and have fun! Peace, Judy

I had my surgery done in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz. He told me my swelling would greatly improve or even go away after and during my weight loss and eating better. So far he is right! Not sure if it is a combination of weight loss(75lbs so far), eating better and less and the colder temps now. I am feeling so much better and lighter and of course, when my swelling is way down like it has been, that is a big part of it. :confused: Peace, Judy

HI Maureen, Mine started coming out in wads in the shower about a week or more ago and hasn't let up much. I put my hair back over the weekend and noticed the very bare spots above my temples on the sides. Really bummed me out. I guess it does have something to do with the surgery and happens months later. Very weird. Had many surgeries and this has never happened before. Good luck with your hair too my friend. They all are saying it does grow back and sometimes better than ever. ; ) Peace, Judy

Hey all, I am freaked out right now because in the last couple of weeks I have been losing ALOT of hair! I mean handfuls and throughout the day they drop here and there. What could be going on here? I think I am getting enough Protein every day and I drink at least a whole bottle of Vitamin Water every day. I don't get it and it's really freaking me out! More like getting depressing because the balding is showing right about my temples. :eek: Maybe a suggestion of some Vitamins or minerals I am missing and what kind to take if any? I hope someone out there can help me understand what might be going on and how to resolve it. My surgery was way back in MAY and now losing all my hair. :faint: Peace soon, Judy<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--fontc--><!--/fontc--> <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_15617--> -------------------- <!--sizeo:3--><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#800080--><!--/coloro-->Highest Weight Ever! - 396lbs 6'1" <!--coloro:#0000FF--><!--/coloro-->Before Pre-op Diet<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> - 375lbs <!--coloro:#0000FF--><!--/coloro-->Banding Date <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->- 5/21/07 - Dr. Ortiz/Dr. Martinez - 352lbs <!--coloro:#0000FF--><!--/coloro-->First Fill - 7/21/07 <!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#800080--><!--/coloro-->- 3.2cc<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#0000FF--><!--/coloro-->Post-op weight as of 9/3/07 <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->- 309bs<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#2F4F4F--><!--/coloro-->Current weight loss - 66lbs gone!<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--><!--/sizec-->

Update on Dr. appt. about my lump in chest. Turns out that since my weight loss, I WAS feeling the low end of the sternum which is mostly cartilage and soft tissue. When I would push on it and messing with it, I was making it inflamed and made it tender and sore. He offered an anti-inflammatory and I said I was happy to kick the naproxen after many years and I didn't want it. He said then you should just stop pushing on it and irritating it and should be fine. Ok...lol I was stressed all day because of work and this appt. I was thinking the worse possible news I would get from this. I was stressed over something at work and had a sharp pain in my chest. That just about put me over the edge..lol My BP was great, but I had a slight fever. I have been struggling with nasty constipation lately, but will soon get relief. I know TMI...tee hee Thanks for your help and concerns. Peace, Judy

Hi, I thought I would put my vote in as well. I only weigh myself once a month. I have read so many posts that people get so stressed, or frustrated about not losing or being plateued or whatever, that I decided after the first month or so after surgery that I won't touch the scale until the first week of every month. I have only been on twice a month once and it was good news, but there will be that time that I will get disgusted if I see gain or no loss. I noticed on the poll results that most people weigh everyday. Not a good thing. It should be taken in stride and when you feel good and clothes are fitting looser, then that is a good reason to get on the scale. Hey, I felt more stressed when I was on the pre-op diet and had to lose 36 lbs, but only lost 22 which was a great accomplishment. Good luck to all and enjoy the lighter side! Peace, Judy

Thanks for your reply jmcambra. I walk alot and have enough energy to do alot of things that I normally would poop out on. I also take in as Protein as I can every day to keep up my muscles and I read that you need that for your muscle to keep them from weakening. I am afraid to get too exerted because with my fibromyalgia, etc., I would probably suffer alot. I take pain meds every day, but sometimes not enough. I know also that no pain, no gain(muscle), so maybe if I pushed myself more a little every day, I would strengthen my muscles and joints to where it would be more of a benefit. Not sure about that, but will consider it. Peace, Judy

Thanks for the pat on the back about my weight loss. Yours is great too! Every pound makes a difference. I think I lost mine too fast because my arms are batwings and I have some sagging skin on my butt and thighs...lol Need to get serious about toning up, but with the pains I deal with later, I put it off. No pain, no gain right? LOL You are doing great with your crunch exercises. Congrats! :clap2: I would like to do some exercise like that, but my body wouldn't allow it. I have been PMing with WABB and I see my GP on thursday about the lump in my chest. Really a weird thing and not sure if it has always been there or if it just appeared after I lost weight. I will keep you posted. I think I have lost more up to now because I have more to lose? Not sure, but I really need another fill very soon. With a VG band, the normal first fill is 4cc and I only got 3.2cc. So, that didn't last more than a week or so. :rofl: Well, take care and I will keep you posted about my journey. Please feel free to keep me posted too. Peace, Judy

A sliding hiatal hernia was identified at this time. we proceeded to dissect diagphragmatic peritoneum at the level of the gastric angle of His uncovering left pillar, then proceeded to open pars flacida identifying right pillar ang its union with the left pillar, hiatus closure was performed utilizing two interrupted sutures(Ethibon 2-0). Under direct vision a retro gastric tunnel was created. Introduction of Greenstein instrument and exposure of the angle of His performed. The Lap-Band was pass in a retro-gastric fashion using the specified instrument...etc. The rest is about placing the band. Hope this explains some. Judy

Hey Julie, Long time no see! Way to go on your continued succesful weight loss! I am doing pretty good myself, but need another fill. Only had one so far. Still have a bad habit of grazing. But try to eat healthy. Have a question for ya. How do you eat? Are you at your sweet spot now? Ok, more than one question...lol I have the VG band and I was only able to get 3.2cc instead of the usual 4cc on the first fill. I knew after about a week or so that I needed more restriction. But I did have some at different times during the early part of the day. Right now and all through the solid food phase, I have not eaten any or very little hamburger. Don't like it anymore. It doesn't chew down enough, so why bother. yuck! Good to see ya again and able to pick your brain...lol I am so in awe of your success! Can you tell. Take care, Judy

Well, I can tell you one thing. I refuse to give up my Starbucks or any expresso drink. I have cut wayyyyyyyyyy back on Starbucks though, because of the high fat and/or calories. But when I do have it, it is always only a tall mocha light frappucino, or a tall nonfat, 2 pump mocha with whip sometimes. Usually only on the weekends though. But only once or twice and sometimes not at all. During the week I just have a nonfat, sugar free mocha at java man by my work. They are the ONLY ones that have sugar free mochas and Starbucks has NEVER had sugar free mochas. Something needs to change there. ya think? LOL Mocha my days! Judy

Please ignore my ticker...haven't updated it lately. Thanks! Judy

Hi all, I recently got my surgical reports faxed from OCC and saw that a Sliding hiatal hernia was found. I didn't know what that was until I researched it and found a pic of it. Prior to surgery, I was taking Prevacid for GERD. Haven't taken anymore since surgery which is great! I didn't see anything about the hernia needing or was repaired, but there was alot of medical terms in the report that even I couldn't figure out...LOL Now, since I have dropped weight, I have a bulging lump in the middle of my chest that is tender and achy at times and sometimes I have some reflux or heartburn, but not alot and short lived usually. Was this hernia repaired and/or could it have reoccured and caused that lump? I haven't taken anything at all for the heartburn I have occasionally. Just don't want to. I know that usually Dr. Ortiz repairs hiatal hernias, but not sure if this one needed repair or was repaired. Not even sure if that is what it is, but it's the only thing I can come up with ya know. Thanks for any replies in advance! Peace, Judy <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_15454--> -------------------- <!--sizeo:3--><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#800080--><!--/coloro-->Highest Weight Ever! - 396lbs 6'1" <!--coloro:#0000FF--><!--/coloro-->Before Pre-op Diet<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> - 375lbs <!--coloro:#0000FF--><!--/coloro-->Banding Date <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->- 5/21/07 - Dr. Ortiz/Dr. Martinez - 352lbs <!--coloro:#0000FF--><!--/coloro-->First Fill - 7/21/07 <!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#800080--><!--/coloro-->- 3.2cc<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#0000FF--><!--/coloro-->Post-op weight as of 8/4/07 <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->- 315bs<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#2F4F4F--><!--/coloro-->Current weight loss - 60lbs gone!<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--><!--/sizec--> <!-- THE POST -->

Hi , I have been wanting to post about this for awhile. Since I have dropped a good amount of weight(60lbs), my knees, legs and hips hurt alot more than usual. It seems so strange that doctors tell you before that your weight is wearing on your joints, so if you lost some weight, you would feel better. Yeah right! What the heck is going on here?! I have lost 60 lbs, and my knees(especially my right knee), has been more painful and popping and cracking more than ever. I have osteoarthritis in my hip too. I refuse to take those joint supplements because firstly, they take weeks to take affect, and secondly, they are expensive, and thirdly, it's just another pill to take and I am fed up with that. I am happy now that I don't need to take my Prevacid for GERD, and my naproxen for the arthritis(been on it for years and it just makes me swell), even though it helped before with the pain. Don't want to take it also because it can hurt the lining of my stomach and possibly the band. Stiffness in my knees are worse than ever too. Before I got serious about my weight and to get the band, I was told by my ortho doc that the next step on my right knee is arthroscopy. Hey, if it helps then I am all for it, but with the excess weight I was carrying, he wasn't too gung ho about it. Don't blame him because I wasn't very strong or sturdy then. That would be rough. So, I was wondering if anyone else has had to get other surgeries done after they lost weight enough to handle it? Thanks all for any replies. Peace, Judy <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_15455-->