housecatgirl

haha...love the fact that you are 23 and drooling....soooooo cool

Ohhhh...those red ones are soooo cute. That's my favorite color, too. Thanks, I'll check em out.

I think it all depends on the person. Different calorie counts work for different people.

Hey June crew, I know I've been mia for awhile. Lots of stuff going on in my life so it's been hard to find time for everything. I see some of you are going to Curves and I just wanted to say it really worked wonders for me. I posted some new pics today...please check them out. I don't want to come on here to brag about my weight loss, I just really hope to inspire and share what works for me. You can see my pics by doing a search by housecatgirl.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your kind words. Lap Dancer...I want some thigh high platform boots...haha...where can I find em

I've always been pretty good with scars going away for the most part. You can see them more in person but I do have to point them out. If you look closely at the first shot you'll see a little white spot where my port is. You can't see it in the second shot at all. I tan alot which some say is not good for scars but it seems to help mine. I also use good lotion from bath and body works (True Blue). I have alot of freckles too which helps disquise the scars.

I've lost 50 lbs but it has slowed way down for the past few months. I only eat about 600-800 cal per day and I drink alot more water now than I ever did. I exercise at least once per day for min. of 45 minutes and sometimes twice per day. I LOVE Curves and I also have an eliptical machine at home.

Thanks! If you look closely there is a little white mark where my port is. The other scars I can't even find anymore.

Hi everyone, Well, I'm about 15 lbs to goal and hubby took some photos yesterday. I'm not here to brag but I do hope to inspire.:welldoneclap: I have worked hard and come a long way. Most of you know it hasn't been easy with all my fills and unfills but I am happy to report I think I finally have the right level of restriction.:eek: I learned that there is no magic and the band is only a tool. I also learned it's at least 50% exercise. Anyway, I will post better photos when I finally reach my goal...

Hi everyone, It's been awhile since I posted but I still read often.:welldoneclap: I am about 15 lbs to goal. Here are my before and afters...

You're doing great Audree. When do you go for your first fill? I cleaned out my closet the other day and donated 6 bags of old clothes. I've gone from 10/12 to 3/4!! I am almost to goal but I've been stuck for about 3 months. I need a kick in the ass but it gets really hard when you get close and everyone is telling you look so good.

I have decided to train to run a ½ marathon. I joined a really great group called ‘Team in Training’. They have professionals that train you on various endurance events. Anyway, I am contacting everyone I know to ask for their support. I was wondering if you all could do me a really big favor and pass my website link along to people that you think might be interested in making a small contribution to this great cause. Here’s the link: http://www.active.com/donate/tntors/LauraWang Thanks! Laura

Mine is Antonio "Band"eras. I think it must be a guy for all the hell it's given me. It has also given me it's share of pleasure though considering the weight loss.

Dr. Ortiz takes alot into consideration. He doesn't just band anyone. Like babygotback said, you have to have been a yo-yo dieter and tried to control your weight on your own. He also asked me about my family history which is overweight with comorbilities...it was only a matter of time before I was headed in that direction, too.

Hey Audree, glad to see you had a sucessful surgery.

For the past couple of months I have not had any issues with my band. I was able to eat what I thought was a bandster portion of food with out Pb'ing. Anyway, I scheduled an appointment for a fill a couple of weeks ago for today. This past weekend I was Pb'ing like crazy. I know I should have done liquids for at least 24 hours after the first Pb but I decided to be stupid and keep trying. Of course, every time I tried (thinking I felt OK) I'd Pb again.:guess So, I showed up for my fill appointment today after having pb'd my coffee this morning and of course a fill was not in the cards for me. It was determined that my pouch was dilated and my band had to be completely emptied.:think I was also told that my band may be slipped and I may need another surgery. The docs were very optomistic and told me everything is probably fine and I just need a 3-week "rest". I go back for a small fill in 3-weeks. In the meantime I was told liquids for 3 days and Pepto or Malox 3X a day for 10 days. That seems excessive since the label says not to take it more than 2 days. Anyone else experience this? Any advice? I feel so stupid. I know I caused this by over eating when I could because my band was loose enough and then streching my pouch. I am beggining to think I don't have the willpower to make this work like it's supposed to. If I am too tight I lose but it's because I physically can't eat anything w/o pb'ing...with that I risk slipping my band and If I am too loose I end up dilating my pouch.:tired I know the only happy medium is to do what I am supposed to do and eat small meals with a properly restricted band but that is alot easier said than done for me. Thanks for listening...(reading):welldone:

mykidsrock really rocks!! Thanks so much for the Texas guy ornament, beautiful Mikasa crystal wine stopper and motivational key clip charm with the angel holding a butterfly. This was an obviously well thought out gift. How did she know I love butterflies and wine?? I love it all!! Thanks so much!

still nothing here...I must've been a bad girl this year.:think

It's sorta a combination of both. My husband is shooting a Nutcracker Performance there Sat. and Sun. but the rest of the time we'll be exploring. I can't wait!! I love Cape!

Hi everyone, I am off to Cape Cod until next Wednesday. I will have limited (if any) internet access while I'm gone. I'll miss you guys!!:grouphug:

I'm in.=) I've lost about 40 lbs. in about 4 months. Unfortunately, the loss has come to a halt in the last month. I started at around a BMI of 35. I was too tight for a couple of months. I don't recommend losing like that since you risk slipping your band. Luckily, my band is fine.

You are one hip "old lady" if you are wearing that outfit!! Looks great!

I use the liquid available at Costco or Sam's Club...it's yummy black cherry flavored.

Tell your family....there will be alot of ruined Christmas' if you die from obesity and they think it's because they said you'd ruin Christmas by getting a surgery that may save your life!! Seriously though I agree 100% of what has been said already...I was up and around the next day and felt totally fine a week later!

Hi, My BMI was around 35. It has been a tuff road for me but I am glad I got the band. I was too tight for a few months which is when I lost the most weight but I don't recommend doing it that way for obvious reasons. I do have exercise...sometimes 2X a day. Now that my band isn't too tight I do have to control what I eat and can eat anything (just less) for the most part. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more specefic questions. You can also PM me. Oh, I was also banded by Dr. Ortiz. He and his staff are wonderful!