Dianechef

That's exactly it!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

I am having a hard time getting down protein. Chicken gets stuck way too easy; even when I put bbq sauce & all kinds of stuff on it. I need some more foods to eat that can help me get more protein down. I know beans have protein, but I can only eat so much!! I think I saw a thread here once that listed a bunch of foods that had lots of protein. Anybody what thread that was & where I can find it?

I asked the EXACT same questions. I am now 9 weeks on the other side of being banded & I 100% agree with what has already been said. I can no longer numb myself with food. My entire life changed with this band & it isn't just about trying hard to change your habits. You simply HAVE to change your habits - the band forces you to. Yes, I can eat chocolate & ice cream. However, when you eat your protein & veggies first, you are STUFFED & cannot put anything else down. Work the band the way it's supposed to be & it will work for you!! I'm now down 30 lbs!!!! I don't feel deprived or left out. I simply eat less & feel fuller. That's what it's all about!!

It's been 9 weeks since my surgery. I live in AZ & had my surgery done in Mexico with Dr Ortiz. I felt very good about my decision & didn't feel I needed to let everyone know about where I was having my surgery because they just wouldn't understand. I told everyone I was traveling to San Diego & having the surgery near there. (Which is the absolute truth!!!!) 3 weeks ago I told my in-laws that I had my surgery done in Mexico. (I only told them because my 9 yr. old daughter mentioned it briefly.) They didn't speak to me at all after that. Last night they came over to our house for a very "special" conversation. They proceeded to tell me that I was a liar & a very dishonest person for not telling them I had my surgery done in Mexico. They were here for over 2 hrs. going on & on about it. I have felt so upset over this. I have had very good results with this weight loss surgery & would just LOVE for someone to be proud of me for doing something for myself. Why do people have to be so mean & hateful? This is my life & I am not required to tell ANYONE about my surgery, much less where I had it done. Why would my in-laws even get involved to the point that they have to come to my house & insult my integrity? I am a grown adult who can make decisions for myself. I hate my in-laws!!!

Okay, it's me here again. I've read all the great, informative, supportive, funny & entertaining posts. I'm still laughing that Greg actually sent his MIL a cemetary plot!! To answer some of the questions: No, they didn't pay for any of the surgery. I paid for it myself in cash. Yes, we have 3 children which whom they love & adore. YES, they are crazy. NO, my DH & his parents do not have a very good relationship. We pretty much go around them for the sake of the kids. These are their only grandkids & I wouldn't want to hold my kids back from getting to know their grandpa & grandma. My parents also know of the surgery being done in MX & were absolutely fine with it. No problems!! I just finished sending my in-laws an e-mail that wasn't very nice. (This so soooo unlike me.) I got out all my feelings & was very hurtful - I'm sure of it. I told them I would be okay if I never spoke to them again in my life. After reading what "giveyouthemoon" wrote, I am feeling very bad about writing the letter. I'm sure they were concerned, but they sure have a funny way of showing it!! I think I'll let the air clear for awhile & see how it all goes. Just a warning for those of you who plan on going to MX. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't tell a soul. I don't regret going to MX AT ALL!! I only regret telling people about it. Ugh.....

I worked out 30 min. at Curves!! I love that place!!

Hi Teresa, My husband went to Mexico with me & agreed that it was a great place to go. He has lived with his parents & knows they go overboard about a lot of things & is so easy to just push things to the side. He thinks they're a little crazy!!! At the 2 hr. meeting, I explained EVERYTHING to them. I told them I didn't want them to worry about us or to talk us out of it. They didn't care. They just kept saying over & over -"You deceived us & lied." By the way, my mother-in-law weighs over 400 lbs. You'd think she'd be a little understanding with the weight issue. I think that deep down she doesn't want me to lose weight because it would make her look worse. Any other Mexico Bandsters have someone get so upset at you having surgery in Mexico?!?

Jessiebear - you are so right about the fish bowl effect!! I told my family & friends about my surgery & they are ALWAYS watching everything I do. It's very annoying & it makes me wish I hadn't of told anyone & kept it to myself. I overheard one of my friends yesterday telling someone that she thought I should have lost more weight by now. She also said she saw me eating something she thought I shouldn't have & that's probably why I haven't had as much success. In hindsight, I really wish I would have kept the surgery to myself. I have done well & am thrilled with my results. (Lost 27 lbs in 2 months - that's good!!!) However, I feel like the world is against me sometimes only because I told too many people. I think everybody's situation is different. I know that telling family has been a very big benefit to some people. Not me.

I was filled at 6 weeks & it has worked perfectly!! I am losing weight steadily & have the perfect fill. Dr. Rodriguez hit the sweet spot the first time!!

YOU ARE WHAT I HOPE TO BE IN ONE YEAR!!! Thank you for the wonderful post and for inspiring us all. I love to hear great stories like this & it reminds me that I truly did make the right decision when I chose the band. Congratulations & keep going!! Nothing can stop you now!!

I have decided that for every 25 lbs. I lose, I will have a reward for myself. I need to lose a total of 100, so that makes 4 awards!! The problem is - I can't seem to come up with any except the last one!! When I reach my goal of 150, I've decided my award will be either a Breast Reduction/lift or Tummy Tuck. (or both!!) I'll need to wait & see when I get there what my body looks like. I just reached my first 25 lb goal today!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!! But, I still haven't decided what my reward is!! Have you rewarded yourself when you lose weight?!? If so, what was it?!? I need some help!!

My insurance was also Blue Cross/Blue Shield & I was turned down as well. I chose to go to Mexico where I paid $9500 for the entire procedure & that included the hotel stay & everything. (Did not include airfare, but I got a $29 ticket on southwest!) I live in AZ. I know they finance if you need that. I felt VERY, VERY well cared for in Mexico & do not regret going there for a moment. I used Dr. Ortiz at www.obesitycontrolcenter.com Your 2 little twin boys deserve a Mommy who is at her best!! How wonderful for you to adopt them!! I have 3 kids & besides wanting to be healthy for me, I knew I had to do this for them!! They need a Mom who is able to take care of them without huffing & puffing all the time. Don't give up hope. I've heard of others who have fought the insurance & won. However, it's a long process. There are still lots of options. Keep your chin up!!

I am trying to print all these yummy recipes out?!? I can't seem to figure out how to do it. Anybody know?!?

Hey Delarla, It worked!! There are over 767 posts on this thread!! HA!!!! I think I can speak for one of those religious people. I believe in God. God made our bodies & our bodies were made to have sex. I have read all of Delarla's previous posts & have not been offended. However, I truly have to say I don't have a clue what that rabbit thing is she was talking about?!?!?!?!?!? We are all so very different & that's a great thing!! I am not the type to talk about sex stuff publicly. Not sure why - It's just how I am. I am also not the type to talk about religion publicly. Both of those topics are just things I keep very close to my heart. If Delarla feels open & free about it - GO FOR IT!! If it's something I don't want to read, I would simply click on to another thread & not think a thing of it. We're all free to believe the way we wish & I respect everyone's opinion. It doesn't mean I agree with it & that's okay. There's probably something Delarla sells on her website that people like me need, but would never step foot in a real store to get it!! (Now, about those bunnies!!!!?!?!?!?!)

I am not sure if I am filled too tight or if this is really how the band is supposed to work?!?!?!? I have problems getting down normal food. chicken, salad, vegetables, eggs, apples, bananas.....healthy foods!! After about 5 bites, everything sits right at my band & it hurts!! I have never PB'd anything because I just stop eating from the pain. It's frustrating!! However, I can eat chocolate, Cookies, ice cream, even cake!! I rarley eat them or even have them aroud the house, but I know I CAN!! The store is just 1 min. away!! It's torture on me. It seems as if my band is working AGAINST me! I can't eat the good stuff, but all the bad stuff goes down very easy. HELP!! This is not why I got banded. I thought I was supposed to get full on the good stuff so that I wouldn't be hungry for the junk!!!! For those of you who have lost successful amounts of weight with the band, is this how you felt? I am trying to very hard, & feel like I'm hitting a brick wall!! I'm not giving up - I've done very well. It's been 9 weeks & I've lost 25 lbs! But, I've been sitting at 25 lbs for 3 weeks & that's when I had my first fill. I have a constant struggle in my head over eating all the bad stuff that doesn't cause me pain. Suggestions please!! I'm feeling like I may not be able to maintain the good attitude I've had so far. I just might explode real soon & give in to it all!!!

I just had lunch & drank a few sips of warm tea before eating. WOW!! It went down without pain!! HALLELUJAH!!!! Thank you Babs!! Thank you all for your wonderful tips & help. I can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vinesqueen! You are the best!!! I knew I'd lost a good amount of weight since surgery, but I had no idea it was higher then the average. I feel so much better!! I think I just need to continue what I'm doing & throw the damn scale away!!!!!!!!! I'm sure it all evens out down the road. I love this place. You all are so encouraging & helpful!!!!

Road Queen, You said your band is tight when it's hot. Hmmm...... I live in AZ & it's been 106 lately. I wonder if that has anything to do with it?!?!?!?! HA!!

I can eat only about a cup per meal! I chew, chew, chew & get full so fast. There are moments when I can eat more; for instance - I can have a full salad sometimes. Other times I can't! This is my first fill. Is this normal?

I was banded 7 weeks ago. I had my first fill last week. Before my fill, I had no restriction at all & could eat anything - although I chose not to. I've lost 20 lbs so far. I am having a hard time eating real food without PBing. I can't eat ANY bread, rice, biscuits, tortillas.......anything made with white flour. They cause very painful PB's even if I chew them to mush. I can get chicken, cooked carrots, eggs & green Beans to go down, but it takes me forever to eat just a few bites. After only a small portion, (3-4 tiny bites) I start to feel pressure in my chest & stop. I know If I eat one more bit, I'll be in severe pain. I ate a small portion of salad that went down yesterday. Today I tried salad again & I PB'd big time!!! I'm a little frustrated. I am supposed to go to dinner with my sister tonight & I am afraid to eat anything publicly!! I don't want to have to live in the bathroom the whole night or be in pain & can't enjoy the night. Is this normal after a fill? Will it eventually settle down & I can eat again or is really the way it's supposed to be?!?

Hey there!! Congratulations on your decision to have surgery Angel & to use Dr. Ortiz. I live in AZ too & had my surgery 6 weeks ago. I am from Gilbert. I contacted Inamed & they told me that Dr. Simpson would do fills for patients who had their surgery done in Mexico. I found out that Dr. Ortiz trained Dr. Simpson on the lapband surgery. If you look at the pictures on www.obesitycontrolcenter.com you will see pictures of Dr. Simpson & Dr. Ortiz together!! I went back to Dr. Martinez for my first fill & have not contacted Dr. Simpson at all for a fill. However, I wanted to have a name incase there was an emergency. Has anyone contacted Dr. Simpson personally & they told you no?!?! Now I'm getting curious. Good luck Angel!! You are welcome to contact me personally if you'd like. Dianechef@cox.net

I was banded July 15th & am down 23 pounds. Yeah!! I had my first fill 4 days ago & WOW!!! I am really learning what it means to chew, chew, chew!!! I haven't PB'd yet - but I've been close.

Okay, just had to post my 2 cents. You mentioned that you were a stay-at-home Mom & wanted to move on with your career... Dr. Phil says that stay-at-home Mom's work the same amount of hrs. as if you had 2 full-time jobs!! You are indeed WORKING!!! By the way, I am a proud stay-at-home Mom (3 kids!!) & I also teach piano lessons out of my home. (25 students!) I was banded 6 weeks ago & have lost 20 lbs!! YEAH!! 88 more to go!

It's been 2 weeks since my surgery in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz & I was very happy with my experience. I wouldn't have done it any other way. I felt very well taken care of & would do it again in a heart beat. He trained the doctors here in AZ so I knew I was in good hands!! BTW, I have lost 12 lbs! WAHOO!!!

Hello! Add me to the list. Dianechef banded 7/14