MimIN

I wanted to echo HoosierDoula and say Dr. Chris Jones is fabulous! He has performed all my plastics post lapband weight loss (Breast implants, LBL, Lipo and an upcoming brachioplasty and medialthigh lift). Not only is he an amazingly talented surgeon he is also a wonderful person. I can't being to explain how much he has impacted my life; I love him to bits. I had lost a tad over 100lbs when I went to him for the LBL and was very bottom heavy despite all the weight I had lost so I understand the frustrations of clothing not fitting properly and wanting the your lower body to fit the rest. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a talented Surgeon that is experienced with bariatric patients.

Hi All! I am sorry I've been out of the loop for so long! I have had a lot going on, both good and well, not so good. How is everyone? I am sad and ashamed to report that I have had a total unfill due to pouch dialation. I started having really bad acid reflux and was unable to eat anything with substance for a few days and instead of going in right away I put it off 'hoping' it would rectify itself. I had a really bad attack one evening, the next day I was unable to keep anything down so made an emergency appt and drove to Cincinnati. Although I did not slip, it was close and I am not out of the woods yet. Total unfill for the next 4 weeks and then back to see how it looks. I was over-filled and I knew it and then stress seems to affect my band and it tightened right up. I've been at this almost 2 years, one would think I knew better! So now onto battle keeping the weight off. I am down to 163lbs and if I never lose another pound I will be happy but I fear I will gain. I rely far to heavily on my band:( Onto brighter things, my fiance and I have made the offical decision to have a destination wedding and have told family and friends to back off. We have had good reactions from everyone and suprisingly every one seems to be suportive. We will be taking a cruise in December through the Caribbean; our excuse is Wedding planning

You ladies are right and we should do what we want but I still want everyone to be happy with our decision. I don't want a traditional wedding with 200 guests, I just want something small with my closest friends and family but as people find out we picked a date (4-3-10) they have a lot of input to share... We may just run away and elope and tell everyone after - it's easier! On a different note I am down to 167lbs as of this morning. I still have 'pockets' of swelling but for the most part it is gone and I am finally back to feeling normal. I have not yet had the guts to try spinning but I am back to riding my bike, walking and working back upto running.

Bjean: awww thanks you made me blush :cursing: I'm glad to see you are back in action! I need to check out the protien you are using since you say it is good. I have been using Isopure (only powder I can stand) for a really long time and recently it started upsetting my stomach and I can't deal with it anymore. Karey: I am soooo sorry you have been hit with those bills, it is not fair! I like jjsmiles am from Canada and although I have lived in the US for almost 10 years I can't get use to the health system. Everything is overcharged here from cotton swabs to OR time - it's sad that they capitolize on those in need. $6000 for ER when you never used the ER is unbelievable. *hugs* On the bright side, you are ok! We can't forget that! Wedding plans are slow, just when I think I'm getting somewhere someone comes along and takes the air out of my sails. I really want to do a destination wedding in Aruba and then when everyone whined about how expensive and far it was I decided Arizona and that was too expensive so I said FINE VEGAS and well that is too cheesy apparently.... I am trying to make everyone else happy and forgetting about us - I need to get over that.

Holy crap I have missed a lot! Karey first and foremost, happy belated birthday! I am soooo sorry to hear of your slippage but I am so glad you are ok! How are you feeling? I think reading through all the posts has really given me a reality check; I have been pretty dang tight since my last fill and I am FINALLY losing but its just not worth the risk. I've made an appt for an unfill. I apologize I've been MIA - I have been working crazy hours and it seems that when I'm at work my head is spinning in every direction I forget to do the things I enjoy, like talking to y'all!

FINALLY, this swelling is starting to give! I am obsessed with the scale and am on it every day and today it reads 175! A far cry from the 193 just 2 weeks ago. :party:

I have a deskjob (IT) and I took a Wed through Sunday off returning the following Monday without much issue.

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz (Obesity Control Center) in Tijuana 9/2006 and I loved them so much my fiance was banded by him May of this year. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Ortiz and would recommend them in a heartbeat!

I had totally missed your post about Bjean, Karey. Gosh I hope she's ok!

Karey: I need this thread too, when I stay active on the forum I keep on track. The support is what I need! Renewed: I use to do the same thing and would lift the flap and think "wow if only this were gone" and I never could totally envision what it would be like without it because I had it so many years. I had an LBL at the end of November and it's the most amazing thing to have no tummy! Now I just need to get rid of these "love handles"!

Renewedhope: My favorite is the Java Mocha and Vanilla Bean. The Hazelnut is good but I didn't try the Cappuccino. You probably could microwave them but they are meant to be drank chilled, much like the Stackbucks fraps. I bought mine at my dr's office where they sell them individually. He has an estore but they aren't on there yet; if you emailed them and asked they may sell them to you individually ($4 each from him). The Band Doctor I am really bad on liquid calories because I love things like fraps and high surgar crud so these are an awesome replacement for my beloved starbucks!

I'm back! Thank you Karey for the PM, it sent me an email and kick my butt back in here. This swelling has been a major pain in the arse. I have had to wear compression garments from toe to boobs, cut out as much sodium as possible and drink drink drink Water.... I hate water :cool: I have also been referred to a lymphadema center and will start treatments next week. I am very suprised at how sore I still am, granted it has only been 3 weeks. On the scale I am showing 183lbs, 10lbs down but it is just Fluid loss. I am walking the neighborhood but physical activity promotes swelling - UGH! I miss the gym and my spinning class but there is no way I can do that right now. I went with my fiance on Wednesday for his first fill and while I was there I decided to get a small adjustment. I was able to eat quite a bit of food so now I'm back down to 2/3s a cup at a meal. We rid our house of all the junk and both are back ontrack. Karey: WOW, 8lbs already!! Congrats! Once I'm functioning normally I think I'm going to give the diet a try. Has anyone tried the Achiev One coffee drinks? I am a big fan of the store bought stackbucks fraps that have no nutritional value at all but they're goooood.... My Dr's office sells them and I bought a few and OMG they are awesome. They are non-fat 120 cal, 5 carbs and 20 grams of protien. It's my new morning drink.

Oh my Karey, it's terrible. I am sooo swollen and I have cankles! It is very uncomfortable. I have tried just about everything. My Dr wont give me a diuretic and over the counter isn't doing a thing. I have steadily shown a 2lb gain each morning. I should stay off the scale but it just amazes me that I had approx 8lbs removed yet I am showing a 21lb gain from day of surgery. I am looking forward to learn more about the HCG diet, it sounds interesting. Is it spendy? Julie: welcome and thanks for joining us! I too have a very fickle band and have been for more fills/unfills than I can count. It is so frustrating!

HI all! Today is the day! I am still quite swollen after my last dance with my surgeon but I am here and ready to lose this last bit! Before my last surgery (June 20th) I weighed 172lbs, TODAY I weighed in at 193lbs so that is what I am starting with :smile2:

I have a friend who swears the swelling and bruising only lasts a few days and in a week it looks fabulous so I wouldn't worry too much about the bruising being there for the wedding. It's amazing stuff, she is 42 and really has never 'looked' her age but now that she regularly gets botox and juvaderm she looks younger than I do 12 years her junior. I really REALLY want it now that I am noticing my nasolabials deepening and seeing fine lines. I wont be growing old gracefully, that I can guarantee!