deckedout

Dreikalina, I have had 3 fills and will try to let you know what my experience has been like. With my first fill, I had some restriction for the first few weeks. I did notice that I felt full up on the top part of my stomach, but sometimes my lower stomach would feel empty. I spent this time practicing bandster rules like not drinking while I ate and eating my protien first. When my portion size got bigger, I got my second fill. With this fill I PB'd for the first time. I would have this problem usually at lunch when I was busy talking with my coworkers and rushing to eat at the same time. I could get full on a lean cusine meal, but many times had to throw it away if I got stuck. I also gave up eating chicken breast because it was too dry and started eating thighs. When I noticed that I was still hungry after eating lunch, if I hadn't PBd, and was needing to eat a snack in the afternoon, I scheduled my next fill. I used this time to figure out what made my PB. I figured out that it was broccoli, rice, and any bread, along with eating too quickly. With this fill, I am finally feeling what everyone is talking about when they say look for Protein first. I find it difficult to get 1200 calories a day. There have been days where I only eat 500 and I have to search for something to eat in the evening to bring my calories up. Now I usually drink a Water in the morning because I am too tight to do anything else. When I loosen up, I eat a cottage double they have 11 grams of protein and about 1/3 cup of food or so. This usually keeps my full for about 4-5 hours, especially if I am busy. If I am just sitting around I'll think about food which makes my "head hungry" so I'll eat earlier. For lunch lately, since I am on winter break, I have been cooking up a piece of roast or prime rib, about 2-3 oz and eating that slowly. When I go back to work I will probably do the cottage doubles for lunch so that I don't have to worry about getting stuck. For dinner, I am usually not as tight, so I eat some meat (1-2 chicken thighs, 2-3 oz steak or roast, or 6 hot wings) about 2 tablespoons of veggies, and about 1tablespoon of a carb. In between every meal I drink water. Usually, if I start thinking I might be hungry, I ask myself If I have had water last or food last. If it was food, I drink bottle of water. If it was water, I'll eat something. If I eat too much, I really feel uncomfortable. If I keep eating past that point, I might PB. Usually, if I stop at feeling full, I'm fine. I don't like the feeling of being too full and it lasts, for me, about 30 minutes to an hour so it is torture. The bad thing is, some of the awful foods go down great and don't make you feel full at all. Christmas candy and Cookies will go right down, no matter how tight I am they slide right past the band. Cheetos wont get stuck either. And, those foods make you very hungry fast! So, I really try to stay away from them if at all possible. I am not good at moderation, so once I eat one, I've ate a dozen. I hope this helps.

Janice, I used to love to cook. Every year I would make 20 different kinds of Cookies and candy and give them away as gifts. I was always trying new recipes and even made my own bread and sweet rolls (NOT in a bread maker) However, as I put on the pounds, I was just too tired to put the effort into baking and cleaning up afterwards. This year, for the first time in 10 years, I baked Christmas cookies and candy. I made stuffed mushrooms and twice baked potatoes. I just had to throw out the mushrooms cause they didn't all get eaten and I didn't want to keep saving them. HOwever, they were fantastic and I made them. I ate 4! My family loved the cookies and I gave away a bunch of the candy. You can still cook after banding. As a matter of fact, you might find yourself cooking much cooler stuff than before because you don't worry that the recipe won't be enough, you can focus on the great quality ingredients instead of filling food.

Cool, tickerfactory now lets you add your BMI right to your ticker! Awesome. Now I don't have to keep searching for a BMI calculator every time I want to know!

Doctor Ortiz is fantasic! It was absolutely the best experience at a doctor's office that I have ever had. My DH is a cancer survivor so his veins are shot. THe nurse was able to do his blood work and get his IV going both times with just one stick! THat is amazing. Here he always has to ask for the best person with the needle they got and often they still have to stick him 2 or more times to get a good vein. When I was getting ready for surgery and they were putting my IV in, I had 2 nurses with me. One who did the blood work and the other who was rubbing my other arm and comforting me. It was really nice. When I went the the operating room, I was able to joke with the doctors. My surgery was before my hubbys and when he was done they came in and told me he was all done and that he did good. A nurse stayed right by my bed while I slept and at one point, when I thought I was wide awake, she told me just to close my eyes and I would fall back asleep, sure enough I did. Have you gone to Dr. Ortiz's website? Obesityhelp.com is the address, I think. I met a lot of different people on line, then when we were in the waiting room, we all talked. Seeing people in person whom I had talked to on the Internet was pretty cool. You made a really good decision going to Dr. Ortiz. My hubby had so much scar tissue from cancer surgery, Dr. Ortiz said they probably wouldn't have even been able to band him in the states. We set up our fills right here in town just because it is so expensive for us to fly back to San Diego plus hubby is really tall and flying is uncomfortable for him, so we haven't been back. However, probably we will go back this summer because our fill doctor doesn't have flora and wants us to have everything checked once a year. It just depends on if it would be cheaper to go there or to do it here or if we can fit it into our vacation plans. I am much shorter than you, so I really had more weight to lose than you do. I am only 5' 2" and really, when they measured at Dr. Ortiz's office they said I was like 5' 1 1 /2 " and I nearly cried, so I still say I'm 5' 2". But, with lower bmis ( Lavette Tye: BMI is Body Mass Index and is what the government and doctors now use to determine weight instead of the old weight tables. Normal BMI is 18- 25 Overweight is 25-30. Obese is over 30 but they even go obese 1, obese 2 and obese 3. I was obese 2 when I was banded, dh was obese 3 and has just moved to obese 2. I have just about hit overweight) it is really important to move every day. We bought bikes this summer, of course it is too rainy now to use them, so that is why I swim. I also took up hiking almost as soon as I got back. Actually, 2 days after surgery hubby and I spent the whole day at Sea World. The worst part of that was smelling all the lovely food smells and not being able to eat. Hope this helps, If you have any other questions feel free to ask!

Sherrie, I actually had the same thing happen only with prime rib. I really love it medum rare, but my band didn't like it. sio, I got a small piece of it cooked well, and a half a twiced baked potoate ond some salald. It some cases a victory, but at othe times it feel like a burdon. I had to "get rid of" a blockage at the beginning of dinner, evendantally I hadnt chewed enoughm but I was able to eat later. Kareoke was lots of fun. Really, more fun than eatin a lot of food would be. Plus, now we have enougt left overs to las a week at least!

Audree, You wanted to know how the band works for lower BMI bandsters. I will compare my weight loss to my husband's. His BMI was like 48 when he was banded. Mine was about 35. During the preop phase, I lost 10 lbs and my hubby lost 25. We walked EVERY day, at least 3 miles, and stuck to the liquid diet. We both were able to lose the 5% that we needed for surgery in about 2 weeks. ( I started a little early because I didn't think I could really lose the weight.) We were banded on July 11th. Since that time, our journeys have been very similar. When I hit a plateu, he usually hits one as well, and vise versa. The big difference is the amount of weight lost, but not the percentage of weight. He has lost, in 5 months, 16% of his weight. I have lost 15% of my weight. However, I swim 5 days a week and he is not really exercising yet. So, I guess that is the biggest difference. My weight loss has been slow. I do not average 1 lbs a week if I don't count the first few weeks. But, I have lost many inches, and even though I have only lost 4 lbs in the past 6 weeks, I have lost 1 inch in my thigh in just the last 3 weeks, so I believe I am putting on muscle. I also have lots of energy. I swim every morning, getting up at 510. I work from 730- 4 or so and still have energy to do things after work. Last year when I left work I would need to go home and relax because I was so tired. As a lower BMI bandster, it is really important not to focus as much on the weight. However, I do think that having lost 32 lbs in 5 months is pretty amazing, since I could never lose any wieght before. It seems I would just put it on. So, I would do it again in a heartbeat! I hope this helps.

Yea, I was pretty nervous. Originally, I told my husband NO WAY was he going, cause he was the only one going to get it done. Then, when I researched it, I found out that Dr. Ortiz had TRAINED the doctor who was going to be doing my husband's surgery. And, if we went to the TRAINER it was 1/2 the price of going to the student. So, I decided to have it done too. That way, I do all the research, and I can boss my DH around as much as I want, LOL. The clinic was great. Much better than where I go here for GP stuff. Everyone was really nice.

Hi Audree, Did you go for that walk? I am 41 (ugh) and married with three kids. A 21 year old daughter, and two boys, 18 and 15. I live in Vancouver Washington, which is right across the river from Portland. I teach 6th grade here. I was also banded by Ortiz, great choice, he is fantastic. the whole clinic is great. Itsuptome: be careful, my DH had made a great plan of how he was gonna lose the weight, he ended up really frustrated when he hit a plateu. He lost 24 lbs in the time I lost 8 and is more frustrated with the process than I am. Finally, he took down the charts. Remember the saying,, it isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle. That is especially true for bandsters. I have been swimming every day, but not losing any weight. Yesterday, I swam for 45 minutes and then played a basketball game, teachers against our girls' basketball team. I had actually dipped to 165 yesterday morning, but when I got home last night after that busy day I was starving. Plus, my 18 yo who is home from college left out a can of pringles sour cream and onion potato chips. I had consumed 200 calories before I'd even realized what I'd done. anyway, back up to 167 this morning and really sore from playing bball. I try to eat as much Protein as I can, and make sure that my Snacks are high protein. I can no longer eat broccolli because it makes me PB, and most of the lunches I eat have it, but I eat fruit and salad whenever I can. I still love my potatoes and noodles unfortunetly, but I can't each much rice and absolutely no bread.

Sorry, I hit a wrong button!:faint: Hello all, I started at a BMI of 35.8, self pay as my insurance wouldn't even band my husband who was a BMI of 46 and had 2 co-morbalities but since they were controlled by medication they didn't do anything. He would have had to have a BMI of 50, and even then they only do gastic bypass (yuck). Anyway, both hubby and I were banded in July of 06. I now have a BMI of 30.4 but have been stuck here for 7 weeks! I swim for about 40 minutes each day. Swimming laps. Today I went for 45 minutes and hit a mile. So, I am really working out. Here is what I ate today, Keep in mind that I need a fill and will have one on Saturday. Right now, I am using what little will power I have to keep from overeating: Breakfast: South Beach Protien bar: Calories 140 Protein 10 grams sugar-free carmel mocha (OKay I live in the PNW and it's what we do!) Calories 250 Portein 10 grams Lunch: Lean Cuisine Calories 280 protein 18 grams cheese stick calories 80 protein 7 grams Snack: Cottege cheese double calories 130 protein 11 grams Dinner: lasnagna Calories 500 (guess) protein 25 Total : Calories 1380 Protein:81 Wow, it has been a while since I added it all up. It looks pretty good on paper, but I haven't lost in a while, and I certainly struggle with not over eating. Exercising has come comparitivly easy since I started getting up at 510 and swimming BEFORE I go to work. I can't seem to get myself to do much after work. I'm a teacher, so I am fairly active during the day. I walk a lot, but that is about it. I hope that my fill on Saturday will set things off for me again. I want to go back to school in January saying that I am in the 150's. Conversly, my DH has lost 70 lbs, but still seems to struggle with the same things. We are both at a plateu right now. the difference is since our last fill in October, he has lost 26 lbs and I have lost 8!

Alexandra, I too have gone through the cancer thing with my hubby. He has been clear now for 7 years, but I remember the stress very clearly. Don't be so hard on yourself! When we face a stressful situtation like this one, it is nice to feel we have control of something, so eating is something we can at least be in control over, even if it is too much eating. If everything went as quickly with your husband's diagnoses as it did with my husband's you probably haven't even had a chance to take a breath. Now that things are returning to a more even keel, take some time for yourself. The focus has certainly been elsewhere for a while here. I spent a lot of time reading everything I could find about testicular cancer, which helped me understand things better, and time to myself just walking and thinking about things. Of course, I overate, but it was before banding. It is great that you are getting a fill which will help with some of that. But, don't be so hard on yourself. Sometimes, we just need to eat! Anyway, I'll pray for your hubby and you. And make sure to do something for yourself that you really enjoy, it helps to reduce the stress, which will help with the overeating.

I'm having the same thing. Swimming laps for 40 minutes 5 days a week, plus 3 days a week weight training and treadmill. I've been doing this for 8 weeks and have lost a total of 2 lbs! But, I feel much better and stronger. Plus, people keep telling me I look like I'm losing, so.. . Saturday, I get out the measuring tape. That will be my 5 month since measuring before banding, and 3 months since last recorded measurements. It is so much easier to jump on the scale.

Granny, Where are you going for your fills? Dr. Fitzpatrick says that if you can't keep water down, you are too tight! To change your ticker, go back to ticker factory and update it. Then copy the first group of code, the one that says for bb . go to your profile and click on edit signature. You'll have to delete the old ticker, I just highlight it and delete it. Then paste the code into the spot. It won't look like the ticker until you click on save and look at it again. It will just be messed up letters and numbers and stuff. YOur in Vancouver, WA right? I remember from when you were banded and drove back home. I'm here too and I was banded by Ortiz 2 days before you!

I am in Washington State also. DH and I went to Dr. Ortiz in TJ, MX. We live in Vancouver and get our fills by Dr. Fitzpatrick in Portland for follow ups and fills. Everything has been great for us. We both had surgery in July. Dh has lost 67 lbs and I have lost about 30.

Congrats Alexandra, It is sooo much fun to do those active things we haven't been able or willing to do in such a long time. I hope you aren't too sore. I went skiing yesterday for the first time in 25 years! No, I'm not any good at it, but I did manage to tumble my way around the slopes. DH who has lost 67 lbs since lapband was tearing up the slopes.

I'm not doing so well. 173.1 on 9/22/06!

Hubby needed to go back in on sept. 11 for additional fill, he could still eat too much. We had to take our son to college over the weekend so Hubby went to Eugene to get his fill. He is now up to 7.1 in a VG band. Dr. Fitzpatrick said if he was over full she would meet him in Portland VERY EARLY on Friday morning because we had to drive our DS to college and leave early in the morning because we were going all the way to cheney, WA almost 6 hours away. We didn't need it as DH feels his restricition is perfect, but just thought that she would accomidate her schedule to ours was fantastic, I plan on another fill aroound the 7th because I'm not losing weight, but DH only had to pay 30 for a refill, I'll be at 165 for mine because I had restriction but need a new fill. Hubby is really restricted and I can eat more than him! that is embarrassing.

I'm in too, I was 173.3 this AM.

This was my very first fill as well as my first time with Dr. Fitzpatrick. I believe she works in both locations. She told my DH that he could get his fill added to if it wasn't enough in Eugene, if he didn't mind the ride, or wait til she was in Portland again on Sept. 14.

I got the name of my fill doctor from Dr. Ortiz's office in Mexico. They were able to give me someone great who works less than half an hour away. Make sure to check with your Doctor's office, they should be able to give you names.

I just got my first fill today from Dr. Fitzpatrick, and she is great. Both my DH and I went together, and she talked with us for a long time about what we were experiencing and what to expect as we travel on this journey. DH went first for his fill. He has a VG band which holds 10CC. Dr. Fitzpatrick does not use a flouro machine, although she kind of hinted that she wouldn't mind getting one at some point. So she had DH drink some Water, "to remember what it feels like" then started filling him up. They talked out what he was feeling and when he felt the water back up, she took some out and worked with it until he could feel the water go through the band. Then she had him drink some gulps of water and sit and drink water while it was my turn. He ended up with a fill of 4.6 cc. Next it was my turn. She had me lay on the table, I was quite a bit nervous and my blood pressure showed it. She didn't numb me, but found the port in 1 poke (same with DH). Once the needle was in, she helped me sit up and then started the fill, mine was done exactly the same was as DH, except that I couldn't feel it go through the port as much as backing up in the back of my throat. I ended up with 1.6 cc in a 10 CM band which holds 4cc. Since Dr. Fitzpatrick is leaving town on Sunday, she said she didn't want to be worried about us, so she gave us her cell phone number and asked us to call tomorrow, even if we feel great, just so she wouldn't wonder, isn't that great! Also, we had our bands done in Mx by Dr. Ortiz, and she was VERY impressed with how well they were done. The ports were easy to find (right below the port scar on the left hand side) and very easy to access. She said she would have to write Dr. Ortiz a letter and let him know what a great job he did! Today, we are on Clear liquids and tomorrow we start mushies for one day, then on to solids. The whole appointment took 1 1/2 hours, which I had planned on because she wanted to get through with everything. The filling of the port part probably took 10 minutes for me and 15 for DH. I think the cost is very resonable, and the care is excellent. The first visit was 180 and follow-ups are 165, plus if you have any questions at all we are supposed to call. I think that is great, since she is so close and our surgeon is so far away. all in all, it was an excellent experience. Both DH and I are doing great tonight and the poke didn't hurt anywhere near as much as I thought it would!

I have an appointment with Dr. Fitzpatrick next Friday, at her Portand office. She also has an office in Eugene or Salem, I can't remember which. I was banded in MX by Dr. Ortiz and got her name from his office. The only problem I have already noticed is that when we (DH and I were both banded at the same time) tried to move up our fill appointment cause we can both eat A LOT, she wasn't going to be in that office for 2 weeks, I suppose she could have gone on vacation? Anyway, I'll let everyone know how it goes next week.

Okay, yesterday Sucked!:faint: I went and worked in my classroom for about 3 hours, discovered the desks they were supposed to order (due to growth) never got ordered, so I have 32 6th graders coming and NO desks! Yuck. They are going to get me some tables from the district warehouse, but they will be old and won't match anything in the building, at least until someone orders my desks. We have a brand new school and it is so pretty that EVERYONE wants to be in it. Anyway, did some BB work, they look nice, couldn't arrange desks, then came home and sat on my BUTT! DH now works for District Office so he went back yesterday and had ran around ALL day so he got his exercise but I didn't! I guess I can't count on him:mad: So, I better make sure to get out and do something today. Maybe I'll go ride me bike. Thanks for listening to my rant.

Who is back at school? Those who are back, how are you doing at keeping up your exercise routine? Those who aren't, like me, what kinds of plans have you made and when do you go back? I'll start. I go back on August 28. I plan to go to the gym from 6 to 7:30 PM at least four nights a week and continue to bike and hike on the weekends. :clap2: Come on all of you, we know this is a really tough time of year! Let's help each other!

I still have a couple of weeks before I have to go back, but I have already begun to worry. I don't think I can get up at 5, just don't think I would actually do it. DH and I are gonna try to go to the gym about 6. Is it better to exercise before you eat or after? I have one son who is leaving for college in the middle of Sept. and the other is 15, so he can wait to eat, but I need some sort of schedule. I want to walk during my prep, but we usually have meeting, plus once the Pacific Northwest rains start, I know I'll stop, my prep is first thing in the morning, 8-9 and I don't want to go the whole day with wet hair! I have always found the summer time to be great for taking off weight, but once school starts, I fall back into my bad habits. We get 30 minutes for lunch, that isn't easy to do, so I often grab something quick from the lunchroom. None of that stuff is heathly. What are you all doing for lunch? Jane

I am also extremely obsessed! Does anyone else notice that they lose weight AFTER a shower? Yep, .5 lbs sometimes. Also, a hot bath. Somedays I will take it anywhere I can get it. We did hide the scale today. It is too much of a disappointment when you exercise, eat right, drink your Water, and gain 2 lbs. :omg: now, unless I cheat, it is once a week, on Friday mornings. My DH says that way we will have worked all week and it is before the weekend! 2 weeks til my first fill, hopefully then the scale will take a swift dive. :nervous