VLP

Well folks.....as all of us do, I have a very busy life. I don't post here often because of mine but I just had to today as I've reached a milestone of sorts. I've FINALLY broken through the 200 pound barrier! I am proud to say that as of today, I weigh less than 200#..& I never thought I'd say out loud or in public that I weigh 198.5 pounds! I've successfully lost 85.5# since my journey began back in 2006 & I'm so pleased! :thumbup: All the best to everyone!

:myscared:Hi all... I had a very strange thing happen to me last night & I wanted to put it out there for comment. I was banded on July 27, 2006 & have been on the post-op diet as required by my surgeon---& doing very well on it, too. This week is the week for going back to a regular diet of solids so last night I decided to give it a try. I became VERY emotional about the whole thing & I can't really put my finger on why:noidea:. I don't know which I am: a. Afraid of I'll eat everything I can lay my hands on;:hungry: b. Afraid of regaining the weight I've lost to date;:funscale: c. So thankful to finally be able to eat "real" food again:clap2:; d. Afraid of not being able to stop eating; e. I'm just food phobic; f. Afraid I'll physically hurt myself by eating; g. I'm just a nut case:crazy:. My 1st fill is on Sept 9th. :help:

Since my banding a year ago, I've lost 71 pounds. Do I regret having surgery? HELL NO!!! I'm loving every minute of it! :clap2::cheer2: Good luck to you!

Hi all!!!!!!!! I'm don't post here often. I just wanted to commemorate my 1 year banding anniversary by acknowledging my success (71# to date) & by shouting WOO-HOOOOOOO! :whoo::clap2: Hope everyone is doing well & experiencing wonderful successes too!

Y'all, I am happy to announce the passing of my 51st pound lost---I'm so glad to say that I am now finally a member of the 50+ club! I'm down 3 sizes & can proudly say that I'm in a 22 (there was a time in my life when being that size would've embarrassed the hell out of me..) :whoo: :wow2: :cheer2: All the best to everyone this new year & in the months & years to come...we're off to a great start!

Oh wow.....so sorry to hear about Dr. Sanchez..how tragic! I just really do not understand how human beings can do such horrible things to other human beings. So sorry about sending the cartoon in the middle of this sadness....that was really in poor taste. I just didn't realize what had been posted previous to mine.

I can't believe I was doing it wrong all these years. We must get the word out!

It's been a little while since I posted...seems from the recent posts that everyone is doing very well. I've been on vacation & although I was thrilled to have the time off, I was also terrified of what the end result would be when added to THE eating :hungry: holiday of the year. We just returned from a 15 day Hawaiian cruise...lord, there was excellent food everywhere 24/7. & then came home to Thanksgiving feasts. & you know what? Somehow with all that, I STILL managed to lose 2 pounds. I am completely amazed & truly thankful for what the band has helped me accomplish to date. We are ALL truly blessed to have come so far... Take care everyone!

Ladies, I am so sorry to hear how rotten things have been. Life can totally suck sometimes. I remember when I was caring for my mother during the final days of her life (she died from lung cancer...so all you smokers out there---QUIT!) My mother & I lived 3000 miles apart---my home was on the west coast & my mother's on the east. I was (am) fortunate enough to work for a great company that allowed me to go back east to care for my mother for the last 3-1/2 months of her life. I was able to telecommute the whole time--which was a great distraction. During that time, I had NO help even with family (my sister, several cousins, & my mother's sister) living within 30 minutes of my mother & never ONCE did anyone offer to help in any way...not even to give me a short break from the 24/7 job I was doing. Family can be so awful sometimes & they will never know the precious moments they missed. Do y'all mind if I interject a little bit of a feel-good moment? Most of you are finally beginning to feel good about clothes shopping for yourselves again. Me? I've NEVER liked to shop....I know..very ungirly-like. But what I DID take pleasure in today was going to the tailor & having THREE---yes THREE---pairs of my business slacks taken in!!!!! I've lost enough to have 4-6 INCHES taken out of the seat & waist & another 2" taken from side seams in the legs. I was at the point of trying to roll up them up at the waist just so they didn't look so droopy...& I could take them off completely without undoing the buttons & zippers. This is MY equivalent to shopping for new clothes during this transitional period. High Fives to me---& to ALL of us for being brave enough to go down this bumpy road! :clap2:

Hey y'all----join the LBT chat tonight!

Well, I was feeling a bit discouraged because ever since I went on solid food a week ago, I haven't lost an ounce. So I was pretty down (& I likely have unrealistic expectations.):think UNTIL-- I was just told by a co-worker that I am "looking quite svelt." Now, I'm a LONG way from being svelte, but it was a wonderful compliment just the same. :clap2: Hope all of you have a fantastic week....mine has started off very nicely.

:myscared:Hi all... I had a very strange thing happen to me last night & I wanted to put it out there for comment. I was banded on July 27, 2006 & have been on the post-op diet as required by my surgeon---& doing very well on it, too. This week is the week for going back to a regular diet of solids so last night I decided to give it a try. I became VERY emotional about the whole thing & I can't really put my finger on why:noidea:. I don't know which I am: a. Afraid of I'll eat everything I can lay my hands on;:hungry: b. Afraid of regaining the weight I've lost to date;:funscale: c. So thankful to finally be able to eat "real" food again:clap2:; d. Afraid of not being able to stop eating; e. I'm just food phobic; f. Afraid I'll physically hurt myself by eating; g. I'm just a nut case:crazy:. My 1st fill is on Sept 9th. :help:

I was just banded by Dr Ortiz in Tiajuana MX on July 27th & my experience has been extremely positive. The hotel (the Lucerna) is very comfortable---granite & tile everywhere, great food in the restaurants (that "Last Meal" is a very important meal to enjoy!), and a very professional & attentive staff. EVERYONE at Dr. Ortiz's office, no exception, is caring, considerate, & most importantly, very experienced & very skilled. (& Dr. Ortiz & Martinez are very easy on the eyes, if I may say so....:dance: LOL) His staff is so very caring....even his mom gets involved! She acts as a liason & shuttle driver to get patients from the border to the hotel & from the hotel to the surgical facility & back. I had surgery on Thursday & went home two days later (Saturday)---with 5-hour stop at the San Diego Zoo...walked around all day with no trouble at all. I paid $8500 for my procedure & would do it again. My trip wasn't too bad since I live in Orange CA which is only a 2 hour drive one way. They are close enough for me to get my fills there which is great because they only use fluoroscopy. I would choose Dr. Ortiz again & again (hopefully there won't be a need for "again & again"!)

:update: :update: :update: :update: :update: :update: :update: :update: :update: Just checking in....I had surgery on Thursday & came home yesterday (Saturday)---with a 5-hour stop at the San Diego Zoo...walked around all day with no trouble at all. Still a little sore, but haven't had any real issues to speak of---no hunger pains, no gas, no side effects from anything. All in all, this has been a great experience so far!

Hi All!! It's all very nice here...the doctors & staff have been awesome! Surgery went off yesterday without a hitch. :clap2: I left the hospital this morning & spent some time napping:notagree in my hotel room, then we went to the mall to walk around a bit & had dinner :hungry: here in the hotel. I'm just a little sore & have had NO issues with gas...maybe I'll be One Of The Fortunate Few (any Delbert fans out there???) that won't have any real trouble to speak of. We leave in the morning to go back home--can't wait to see our "kids" (4 Pekingese & a Pug.) All of you that are about to be banded---good luck & take care of yourself....you'll be oh so fine!

Well, tomorrow is Band Day---the next step in regaining control of the beast within. I think I've done pretty well for myself pre-band. Lost 14 pounds to get here (reminds me---I should update my ticker.....) I'm not nervous, the pre-op exam went without a hitch (well, except for the fact that they couldn't find a vein in the crook of my elbow to draw blood from so they had to get it from my hand...:huggie: ) Surgery it at 9am, so y'all wish me luck!

Well, tomorrow is Band Day---the next step in regaining control of the beast within. I think I've done pretty well for myself pre-band. Lost 14 pounds to get here. I'm not nervous, the pre-op exam went without a hitch (well, except for the fact that they couldn't find a vein in the crook of my elbow to draw blood from so they had to get it from my hand...:huggie: ) So, y'all wish me luck!

Hi all----I'm new to the group & as you can see from my signature, I am to be banded this coming week. I'm excited & a little bit anxious, too. I'm in Orange CA & will be banded by Dr. Ortiz in TJ. Here's my official "before" picture.

I'm new to the group & having the procedure on July 27th. I live in Orange CA.