Hi! My name is Holly. I was banded on 11/24/04 by Dr.Ortiz in Mexico. I just was there yesterday to get my first fill. I have lost 16 pounds so far. I am looking forward to moving on down. I am a teacher in northeastern Ohio. I am not sure yet how to work everything at this site. Hopefully I will get the hang of it. Anyway, I am glad to be here and would be happy to get an advice from the veterans!

Thanks,

Holly (pennybear)

Just play around with everything, it really is easy once you aren't scared of trying things out. You will find lots of support here, and lots of caring people. I'm glad you got to meet Michelle, she is a sweetie!

Hi, Holly, we look forward to getting to know you better here. If you met Michelle, then you've already met one of our Star Bandsters. She's a great gal and has done an amazing job on her weight loss!

Hi Holly

Welcome! Glad to hearyou made your flight on time

Welcome Holly!!! Just jump right in!! very friendly people here..

Good Job on your 16lbs lost!!!

Welcome Holly! No advice yet, still waiting to be banded but can't wait to follow your journey...

~Christina~

Hi Holly

I'm new here too. Just banded on 1/12/05. I live on Long Island. Not too many people from around here on the boards, but everyone is so informative and friendly. I've been coming around here for months prior to my band. It is great to hear real life advise as apposed to text book stuff. I have had many concerns and questions answered here and want to personally thank everyone. I am trying to figure out how to post a new thread or start a new thread but I can't. Some of you guys asked me to tell you something about myself to get to know me which I think is fair since I feel like I know many of you already. I'm 41 years old, a stay at home mom (substance abuse counselor by night) with 3 sons ages 7,10,13 and my husband who is an engineer. We were highschool sweethearts and will be married 17 years next month. I guess my weight issues started 13 years ago after I had my first son and stress, hormones, bad choices added 100 extra pounds to my body. I've been up and down numerous times and just didn't want to play that game any more so I opted for the band. I figured once I lose the weight, having the band will help me keep it off, unlike all the other times when I have gained the weight back. So I did it. It has been a week and I feel much better than I did right after surgery. I've had 3 c-sections, and I handled them like a pro so I thought this was a snap but it was harder than I thought and I got sick from Vicodin the day after surgery and was sick for 2 days after that. Now I am getting ready to go to the store and to the doctor for my week check up. What a difference. I am still hungry but am sticking to the full liquids of yogurt, Protein drinks, pudding (fat-free/sugar free), carnation instant Breakfast with skim is good and once in a while a spoon of Peanut Butter. Eat that real slow. Anyway, I am looking forward to my first fill. Have a great support system at home and am excited about doing the things I used to do. I hope everyone who is newly banded is doing well. It does get better each day right? Glad to be on this journey with so many good people. Thanks for making me feel welcome and for all of your help.

My name is Lori, by the way. My oldest son and my husband used the name qwuinner for their fantasy football team and I kind of liked it. Our last name is Quinn. Get it? hahaha

Well, take care everyone. and thanks again

Welcome Holly

Good Luck on your new Journey

Hi, Lori, you're a "Baby" Bandster! Congratulations! It sounds like you've got a great outlook and things are going just how they're supposed to. Look forward to getting to know you better on here!

Welcome to Holly and Lori

Next, Holly how did you come up with pennybear for your name? My real name is Penni and I collect stuffed bears. How cool is that??

Lori sorry my kids step mom is Lori so I will refrain from the association of that name. Good luck and best wishes.

Welcome, Lori and Holly!!!! Glad you found us!

Hiya Holly and Lori, I'm pretty new too but its a great place full of wonderful advice, I've got two boys and three girls so life's never boring in my house.

Helenxx.

Hello My Name Is Trina And Iam Waiting For Insurance Approval For My Lap Band . My Question Is Has Anyone Had There Lapband Long Term? If So How Long And How Is It Going Now? Iam New To This Site And Hoping To Learn Alot.

Welcome Trina. I think you'll get more responses if you first begin by introducing yourself in the Introductions thread of this form. Tell us a bit about who you are and how you came to find us, etc. There are many longer term bandsters, of course, the band is relatively new in the US, but it's been in place for about 10 years in other parts of the world. I do know some people here in the states who have had theirs up to 6 yrs. I've only been banded since May 2003 and was re-banded in July, 2004, so I'm not a great case study, but I'd do it again once a year if my body and my insurance would go for it and that's what it took. I wish you much success!

Holly and Lori,

Welcome aboard! It's great to see that you're both doing well!

welcome Holly, Trina and Lori!