LisaFromCali

Hi C,

Aye mujer, the insurance is the tricky part...you have to either have the high BMI or have a lower BMI with some kind of co-morbidity like high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. I am 5' 6" and at the time of my surgery I was 225 and wore a size 18. I didn't qualify on the high BMI, but I did qualify on a lower BMI and my high blood pressure. I have been on high blood pressure pills for about 3 years now.

It is hard to lose the weight and keep it off.

If you don't qualify for the surgery, I tell you what I did years ago that helped me lose weight. I tried it again before the surgery, but now that I'm older the weight didn't come off as well. I hired a nutritionist and a personal trainer. It's expensive, but if you aren't that heavy and you don't have any co-morbidities, maybe it will be a great investment for you.

Good luck hermana!

Hi C!

Nice to meet you! My name is Lisa and I was banded in Nov. 08'. How about you?

Hi Kasi!

I'm glad to meet you and I hope the pounds start to melt away on us all!

I read you have PCOS, I have a relative with the same condition and I wanted to actually ask you a question. I understand PCOS can be a very complicated condition, so forgive me if the question sounds ignorent.

Is the act of drinking alcohol, regularly, 2-3 drinks a day approximately, affect in some way a woman's PCOS if she is trying to get pregnant?

Let me know if you happen to know....thanks!

And good luck on your journey, hermana, I was banded about the same time as you, 11/12/08, so it will be cool to share regarding our progress!

Buena suerte!!!

Lisa

Hi Lisa! I am healing pretty well, still can feel my port a lot, but other than that I'm good. Actually, I eat anything I want already. And, unfortunately, I do. I have almost no restriction. I do feel a little stuck sometimes when I take too big of a bite or I do not chew enough, but as far as food types, I can eat anything.

I have lost about 17 pounds since surgery, but I have probably gaind 5-7 back. I get my first fill Dec. 30th, about a week from now, so I looking forward to that!

How are you doing? When did you get banded? I'm sorry if I've already asked you, I don't have a very good memory. How about the weight loss, is it still coming off?

It was great hearing from you, girl! Type you soon!

Hey Laura---are you eating like a mad woman, because I am! I can't stop! I have to get a grip, I have no restriction and I am eating horribly...I get my first fill Dec 30, which is going to be 7 weeks after surgery. Hope you are not eating everything at arms length! Let me know how you are recovering sista!

Hi Tracie! I just wanted to tell you how beautiful you look in your avatar picture---lookin hot mamma! Keep up the great work! Meanwhile, I am 3 weeks post op and eating EVERYTHING IN SIGHT! OMG! I get my first fill in 4 weeks and I REALLY need it!

Good look sista'!

You look wonderful!

My gas it totally gone, Trina! I went to work and that did for me, I was on my feet all day (I teach) and I didn't have anymore gas problems! I'm sooooo relieved, but I could see how everytime one gets a fill the problems start up again until we adjust. Do you have the Lap Band or the Realize Band?

Nikki--the gas is horrible for me too, mujer! I don't mind the rumbling in my stomach or even the burping, but I get this pressure in my chest from the gas everytime I eat or drink something. How is it affecting you? I am going to see my surgeon in a few days and I'm going to ask him, so I will let you know what he says ok. Sure, let's email each other, it would be great to keep in contact--my email address is lisafromcali@live.com

The surgery went well for me, the hospital stay was cool, but the days at home have been tough with the gas. I hope this gets better!!!

Chat with you soon!

HI liiteweighttrina!

I am seven days out of surgery and feeling a lot better today. I hope I don't gross you out, but I wanted to ask talk to you about it since you've been two months out now---I still have trouble with I guess they are air bubbles or gas? Everytime I eat or drink something, I feel pressure in my chest and I can literally feel the pressure either rising up from my chest so I can burp or traveling down into my intestines where they make all kinds of noise and soon I have to pass gas.

Is there anything I can do to NOT have that pain in my chest?

Thanks for your PI and your response, chica.

Much love---Lisa

Time will fly by and it will be your turn before you know it! I actually get banded this Friday, Nov. 14th. I'm ready to get this done and overwith. Wish me luck! Don't worry too much about the liquid diet you will be on two weeks before surgery, it isn't that bad once you get past the first 3-4 days. Just try NOT to cheat those days, because I think it makes a difference on how much easier or difficult the days after those first days will be. Good luck sista'!

24 pounds is great! Today I go for my post op, my surgery is on Friday, Nov. 14th. I'm so EXCITED! I know weight loss is going to go significantly slow with the Realize band I'm getting, but I am ok with that...I'm super afraid of having too much saggy skin from sudden weight loss, I'd rather lose it slowly and workout, so that my body has enough time to keep up and become more firm as I lose the weight. Wish me luck sista'!!!

Hey Marisol! I know, I am still learning how to navigate all the different features of this site, so don't worry about it. I am from Bakersfield...I've moved around a bit in the valley, but now I'm in Bakersfield, because most of my family is here...How about you? Where are you from? Where are you in your journey? Banded yet or no? I get banded on Friday, Nov. 14th---I'm so excited!!! Let me know how your doing!

Lisa

Hey Nikki!

I am getting banded on Nov. 14th, too!!! I cheated a little in the beginning of my pre-op diet with soup and sandwiches and almonds, but I jumped on track completely on day 4 of the diet.

It is super hard. I hear you on that. My surgery was initially scheduled for Nov. 18th, but my surgeon moved it up to Nov. 14th, because he wants to put a Realize band in me, instead of the Lap band.

Which are you getting?

And, really try to stop cheating, think about it in terms of days down and how many days you have to go. I cross out the days in my agenda. That kind of helps.

Lisa

Hi Lulu!

I LOVE LABS!

One of the many set backs to renting is not having dogs...labs make my heart melt...I love them!

How's your journey coming along thus far?

Lisa

Hi Missy!

How's your journey coming along thus far?

Lisa

Hi Laura! I get banded Nov. 14th, I'm so excited! How are you doing? Has the ab pain lessened?

Lisa

Hi Trina! How's it going in your journey thus far?

Lisa

Hey girl! Nice to meet you, my name is Lisa and I am from Bakersfield...I know, I don't know how I handle the summers here either...but, all my family is nearby, so it's a little hard to leave...3 weeks post-op, CONGRATULATIONS! How's it going? I'm actually getting banded Nov. 18th, and let me tell you, I am ready to shoot someone at close range, I am going nuts with this liquids only thing 2 weeks before surgery. I'm on day two of the 2 week liquid diet and I've cheated both days! AHHH!!! I had a cup of soup in the evening of day 1 and I had a little more than a 6 inch Subway sandwich with chips and a soda...I was at an evening training from 3-7pm (I'm a teacher) and they brought in the sandwiches for our dinner...I tried to go to my happy place in my head, but girl...those sandwiches just floated ever so gently right into my hands...I feel sooooo bad, but it tasted sooooo good...I have to STOP. Refocus. Any words of wisdom? I'm sorry to ramble!

Hi girlnextdoor! I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! Nov. 3rd is just around the corner! I was PM'ing you, because I wanted to ask you how the you are doing on the forsaken LIQUID ONLY diet? I am getting banded Nov. 18th and I'm already having a tough time staying true to 1 protein shake for breakfast and 1 for dinner, instead of food! How's it going? Any tips?

Thanks so much for your post!

Lisa

Greetings!

I ran into your post when I was in the Powder Room re: personal smell...I really agree with your post where you spoke about how you try to get your protein content more from food than from things like protein shakes. After reading books such as "Skinny Bitch" the title's a little strong, but it's an interesting book, because it talks about how our bodies do so much better when we nourish ourselves with real food, which includes food with the least amount of processing, additives, preservatives, refined sugars, etc. Just plain old fresh organic vegs, fruits, protein (they really push tofu, beans and things of that nature as a protein, but I love seafood). AnyWHO...I wanted to post you a message to ask you how soon after your surgery did you try to get the majority of your protein content from real food versus protein suppliments. Because, I too feel that too much of something cannot be good, besides, I really do not like this odor coming from my flower, I think that is a red flag my body is sending me, because of all the protein suppliments I'm taking now as per my doc (1 shake for breakfast and dinner, regular food lunch). And, perhaps what resources if any do you use to help you make sure you take in the appropriate amount of protein your body needs. I hope my questions make sense, because I think I may be thinking faster than I'm typing.

I would love your feedback---thank you for your time!

Lisa

Hey mstrina27,

saw your post in pre-op questions, my surgery is Nov.18th and I am pretty nervous about the 2 weeks pre-op liquid diet. Are you going to eventually have to do that, too? Or is THIS your pre-op diet, the 2 shakes and 1 meal plan. Because, I am also doing the 2 shakes 1 meal thing and I am getting freakin' worn out...I feel so tired at the end of the day and I want to eat EVERYTHING! I'm going to develop an eating disorder if this surgery date doesn't hurry up and get here! DIOS MIO---HELP US!!!

Hi gracie78! So you are getting banded on Oct. 29? I am getting banded on Nov. 18th...Wanted to ask you about how you are doing on the 2 wk pre op diet---you are on ALL liquids, right? I'm nervous about those 2 weeks and they are coming up for me...how's it going? Have you tried to stay clear of heavy artilery and post offices?

Hi Marisol! My name is Lisa...do you happen to be a Latina? I thought it would be fun to start a Latina Support Group, but I haven't met another Latina on our site yet...If you would, please let me know...THANKS!!!