Details
31 year old director of marketing and analytics at an amazing design/marketing/advertising agency in Seattle. Married to the most wonderful husband any woman could ask for. 2 wild and crazy pooches. Live in South Seattle (upper rainier beach).
About This Blog
This blog is to document my lap band surgery and weight loss. Enjoy!
Hi Lise,
Congratulaions on your Banding today! I am very excited for you. This is quite q journey, and I myself am a “work in progress”.
I just wanted to say great job! I love this blog idea to track your new life journey in Bandlandia. I wish you the best in your future.
Take Care,
Wendy
Thank you!!!! Isn’t Dr M the BEST?!?! I’m so glad you have no regrets – I take it you are doing well with your weight loss journey? Made it through liquids and mushies to solid foods just fine? Healing up ok? No problems with your fills? Do tell do tell!!!
Great Blog! Dr M is the best….I now live in Savannah GA and miss NWWLS terribly, but LOVE living here…just wish I could have taken them all with me. Good luck and I will look forward to reading more of your journey!
Hello Lise,
Congrats on your banding. I love your blog. This is too cool! I, too, was just banded 2/29/08 in Texas . I had a low BMI but my Dr. still banded me since I was self pay and I had family history and lots of weight loss/gains. I am trying to adjust. The surgery wasn’t terrible and I highly recommend it. I have lost 12 lbs so far. 5 were preop diet and I have lost 7 since surgery. I think the weight loss can be contributed to drinking 1 protein shake a day (170 cal) and broth. I am hoping that when they move me to thick liquids tomorrow I will be able to keep losing. Of course, I think it will slow down a bit. Keep the blog going because it is helpful to us all!!! Good luck!
Shereen – do you ever take trips back to seattle? if so, you’ll have to come to one of the tuesday night support groups at nwwls!!! how long have you been in savannah – i’ve heard it’s beautiful there.
Grace – thank you thank you thank you. what was your bmi? mine was/is 37. I’ve not lost much weight yet…still feel really bloated from the surgery. 12 lbs is fantastic. you go!!! so glad the blog is helpful – that is my goal…although some of my friends probably think i’ve gone mad posting about MOM and problems going tinkle….ooh well – you only live once – and with the band, hopefully we’ll be living for a lot longer!
Congrats on your new journey. I was banded at NWWLS on 2/12 by Dr. Michaelson. The entire staff there is very supportive.
Hi Mike! I met Dr Michaelson at the seminar I attended – he was leading it. I really liked him. How have you done so far with your weight loss? You had your first fill yet? Did it hurt? Did they have trouble finding the port? Does it “work”? Well – I mean are you really full when you follow the rules? Can’t wait to hear from you – lise
Lise, It looks like your doing great. I’ve seen some of your posts on lapbandtalk and thought I would check out your blog. I am in Seattle also, but not banded yet. It is nice to read other people’s experiences. I am doing my 6 month diet for my insurance and will hopefully be banded by the Fall. I will be going to Dr. Srikanth in Federal Way. My insurance won’t let me go your surgeon. But I know someone else who had him and she loves him. Good Luck on your journey!
Shelly
Great job on the blog Shmoops! I just read through it and am very impressed! As usual, you have put your all in to it and it is a super wonderful, informational, and great looking site. I am so proud of you for following through with the lapband and documenting your journey for all to follow along with.
I love you more than the entire universe!
Love,
Hibby
Hi Shelly – YEAHHHH – I’m so happy for you! I saw Dr Montgomery today at my post-op and he is just fantastic. Thank you for writing – please keep me updated and feel free to ask any questions as your big day comes along!
Erik – I love you, too!!! You are the best husband anyone could ever wish for – thank you for all of your support and love. You are my hero!
Love,
Wiffy
Hi Lise, Your Aunt Mary and I were looking at your blog. Great idea. If you want to use your Mac Book Pro with Windows as well as Mac OSX I am sure you realize that this is possible.
I think your site may help some people. Way to go. Dave
Hi David & Mary!!! I didn’t know Phyllie told you about my blog – that’s soooo cool!!! I feel honored that you are reading it!!! I do know that I can use the mac with windows but I do not want to “taint” it or “infect” it with windows products…hehehehe. I can’t wait to see you soon – hopefully you won’t recognize me.
Liseeeee
You really have a great blog! Hey, I know the feeling of being “thin” and gaining all the weight back, plus! Just like you…I was 155lbs in 2006 after doing Jenny Craig. Then, of course, I gained all the weight back plus another 40+lbs.
I just went to a Lap Band seminar Thursday and will be seeing my surgeon (I’m in Jersey) on April 23rd. I’m hoping my insurance will pay! Good luck on your journey!
Nicole
PS. I love those modeling pictures or your pup!
Nicole: thank you – i’ve been having a blast blogging! And it’s good to know I’m not the only one who has gone down…then up only a little over a year later. The lap-band has already made me feel 100 times better because now I have a lifelong plan. I know you will feel the same!
Lise,
Hi there! I found you through lapbandtalk.com and absolutely love your blog. Your story is A LOT like mine– from the weight to lose, the great hubby, age group, puppies, etc… I live down in San Diego and am scheduled for banding on 4/14. I am going to vegas this weekend for my birthday and a final “tear it up” weekend because my pre-op diet starts on monday 3/31. My journey then begins… I am VERY excited of course, but I am also nervous. Your blog continues to support me and keep me focused on how easy it can be and how doable it is.
Thank You.
Deanna Potter
Hi Deanna! You are the exact reason I decided to start the blog – thank you so much for your comment. It helps me, as well to hear that there are others like me! So do tell, what kind of puppies do you have? I’m very jealous about the Vegas weekend. Believe it or not I’ve never been to Vegas…it all seems a bit overwhelming but you’ll have to tell me all about it. I think I might be more of a disneyland gal.
Thanks again for writing! Looking forward to hearing more from you.
This is really great. I was banded on March 10th. So we are pretty close on the date. Started eating regular food today. Enjoyed reading your daily life. You sound like a wonderful and creative person.
Wish you the best.
Mo
Hi Michelle: Thanks! Yes – we are VERY close on band dates! Where are you from? Can’t wait to hear more from you!
Lise
Love, love your website; I can tell you are in design. You are doing so great. Could I please have the weight loss excel tracker. Thanks.
Martha – thank thank thank you! Just sent you the tracker – enjoy!
Hi, You’re blog really helped me. I got banded on Monday and was super excited but I’m having a hard time with liquids. I got sick last night and I feel like the pain will never go away. But after reading your blog you have given me hope! I JUST WANT TO FEEL NORMAL AGAIN! The good thing is that I’ve already lost 13 pounds! Thanks again!
Hi Jenny! So glad I could be of help to you. Congrats on being banded. It’s no fun feeling sick – but you will be better in no time! And the pain will go away – I promise! 13 pounds is absolutely amazing … you are off to such a fantastic start – your new life is just beginning.
Lise,
Love your blog! Just banded 3/20/08 so still in the full liquid phase. Online while the family eats supper, kind of in that self absorbed statge where I’m totally obsessing with reading everything I can about bands and the people bandits. Just wanted to tell you keep up the good work. We love you!
Diane
Diane – Wow – you are a new bandster – welcome! So happy you are having fun reading the blog – just don’t laugh…i remember how it hurts to giggle when first banded! And thank you for your kind words – they make a huge difference to me and keep me so motivated!
Lise ~ congratulations on your success thus far! I’ve been visiting your site over the last month. I’m slated for banding in late October/early November depending on how soon I can wrap my dietician appointments and obtain ins. approval. But I’m very excited for you and excited for my own positive results.
I appreciate your humor and candor ~ reading some of the other postings on the lapband sites it sounds like many of the patients weren’t fully prepared for what they’d be going through. It sounds though, as if your hospital/care providers have been so helpful along the way. I’m confident mine will be too. I’m using Methodist Hospital in Minneapolis.
When you have a moment, would you please send me your tracker?
Thank you and continued success to you!!!!
M
Hi Lise,
I just wanted to tell you how very much I enjoy reading your blog!! I found the link in the lapbandtalk forum and I’ve visited your blog a couple times now. I really should document my sucess after banding! You are very inspiring and I love your positive attitude. I truly enjoy all the ideas and pictures and helpful links you’ve posted. I’m on the opposite coast from you in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, and I have some serious spring fever! We still have a lot of snow but I’m able to get out and walk again, and already I’m walking more often than I was before surgery! I was banded March 14, 2008
BTW, I too am a dog lover. My boy is 11 yrs. young (cept his hips are bad now 
) and he’s a handsome Akita/Chow mix.
Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing!!!
Meredith: Why thank you for your kind words on my success and thank you for writing – I LOVE comments! That’s fantastic that you are getting banded soon – I bet you are counting down the days! Believe it or not, I only heard about the band a few weeks before I actually got it but I’m definitely confident in my decision – I’m one of those quick decision makers (my husband and I were married only 3 months after we met – and now we’ve been married for over 3 wonderful years)! My best decisions have been made at a moments notice! I’ll be happy to send you the weight loss tracker – and please write back again! Lise
4evrwild: It’s so funny that you say I am positive – because I tend to think I’m one of the most sarcastic folks out there – but I’ll take the compliment!!! I’m actually jealous that you are in the snow – I am a cold weather girl…if it’s above 65 degrees I complain so maybe we could switch places! Did you know we are bandster twins? I was banded on March 4th as well? How are you doing with your weight loss? By the way – your boy sounds tooooo cute!
Truly you are inspiring. I know you seem frustrated right now but keep up the good work. Don’t let a slip up or regression to old habits get you down too much!! We all fall off our good wagon once in awhile, we can only put it behind us and move on. I guess you know by now, I”ve been there done that! I’m really a warm weather girl from FL but I’ve been living up in the north country for 9 years now. I too like it cooler. I like it below 80 but if in the 80′s I don’t want humidity!! It’s beautiful out today and 62 degrees!! That’s hot for this time of year here in upstate NY!! My weight loss is doing fine so far, I wanted to hit the 30 lbs mark but just missed it. I’m counting weight loss from my preop diet tho. From surgery date to yesterday, 4 1/2 wks, I’m down 20. I thot I’d loose a lil more these past two weeks cuz I’ve been out fast walking but……………..as we say on the way down to the FL Keys, “patience pays”………………………………….lol.
4evrwild: thank you so much! i’m actually doing much better after my rant last week. we all need a few of those every once in a while! you sound like you’re doing fantastic – that’s wonderful!!! 62 degrees sounds PERFECT! And I love upstate NY…how beautiful!
Lise,
I found your blog through some lapband links and I think it is great for you to share your experience. I was just banded in Mexico on april 23rd and of course am still in the liquid phase. Your blog has given me much insight for my days to come. I wish you continued success.
I also want to say that I love visiting Seattle. I live just south of Atlanta, GA and have visited Seattle a couple of times for seminars. You have a great city.
Hi Nancy! Liquid phase – definitely my favorite phase over mushies believe it or not! I love Seattle, too! Have lived here my whole life and will never leave – it is beautiful – even when it’s raining! Thank you for visiting the blog – please come back and comment often!
Lise,
Honestly, I have no idea how I even got to this blog, but so glad I did:-)
First of all congrats on your weight loss! I lost about 60lbs over a couple of years and I WISH that I could go back in time and regularly journal that progress. Whatever…it’s awesome to lose weight and everyone gets that. But it’s really hard to explain what the whole process is like along the way. So I think it’s excellent you’re blogging about it.
Two, I looked at your company’s website…really beautiful stuff. I’m a writer/producer at Comedy Central in NYC so I love checking out other group’s stuff, especially outside of New York! We’re so freaking self-absorbed sometimes;)
Anyway, good on you in all areas. And keep on writing!
-Sarah
Hi Sarah! Why thank you so much for your comments – I love to hear from my “readers”!!! And what a fun job you must have…want to swap for a day…or two?
Have you always lived in NY? I can only imagine how exciting that must be!
It is a fun job, but I always have this imaginary Life B in the Pacific Northwest…not that I’ve ever been. Who cares though?! It’ll be like a student exchange from marketing professionals!
And yes, I’m a New Yorker, but only 6 years in the city. I’m originally from far more rural Upstate NY. Love it here, but love it there too. Always caught in between;-)
Dear Lise,
I am writing fr Malaysia. I was banded a couple of days after u. but I didnt lose like you. I lost 8 lbs within the first few days of the op that too was because of the liquid diet. after that I have been eating normal without any problem. I only have 40lbs to lose but i did the banding anyway because of family history. My sister did sleeve gastrectamy and she looks really good now so i wanted the same. Now I have a 2,2ml fill and only now i am find it hard to eat what ever i want, a couple of bites and i am stuck the foods stays in the middle and i really suffer.
you have a great site and i only wish i have the time to read it daily. so i can see what is i am doing wrong.
anita
I love you website. I found you via the lapbandtalk website.
You are an inspiration!! keep up the good work.
I was banded in April – I have lost 27 pounds so far…. It is nice to see some one else from Washington…
Hope your going to whidbey this wknd. weather is suppose to be gorgeous!
Hey Lise,
Your blog inspired me to get my own!! I know it won’t be as utterly cool as yours, but I’m okay with that. I put a link up to your blog from mine also! gammazon.wordpress.com if you wanna check it out. I’m in the beginning stages…
Nikki
hi, my maiden name is diane lise. i was looking in google and saw your web page. my niece had lapband and she lost 87 lbs in less than a year. she looks great. e=mail me and let me know if you have any relitaves with the name lise. i only have my immediate family. diane
I really love your blog. I love your header!!! Good luck to you, God Bless!
Hi Lise!
Thank you for putting such time and care into this blog! I called NWWLS this week and already feel like family. I’m still researching and your candidness has been very helpful in my decision process. I am close to your age, in the Seattle area and also in marketing so I feel like our experiences might be similar. I have two cats instead of two dogs and a darling son instead of a darling husband though! I too will be self-pay so I was particularly interested in how fast this could be done.
Thanks again and congratulations on your journey!
Liz
Lise,
So proud of you….but concerned you are not eating green veggies. But I know you must be taking your vitimins.
My fill is still at 4cc….not losing any more lbs, but in a size 16 now. ( was 18-20). Still working out.
Going in the first of July for my next appt. ( fill)
Now girl, you go get some Mary Kay and perk up those hollow cheeks!!!
(* My daughter drives a pink caddy) *wink wink.
My trouble is slowing down and eating SLOW. Doing better on my not drinking during my meal.
Eating too much at a meal. ( About 1-2 cups volume of food.)
Not getting sick. But that’s a fraction of what I USED to take in, so I am happy so far.
Reply if you get the time!
Robbie
I love your blog. Congrats on the loss! Can I ask you how tall you are?
Hi,
I just found your site and i’m reading from the beginning. I’m just up to March 7, i’m so inspired by your blog that I now have no fears or doubts about my surgery. My insurance company just gave me the approval on June 26th the day after my 49th birthday. I’m very excited and can’t wait to get on with the process. I haven’t been given a date or contacted by my surgeon’s office. I’m going in next week for my cardiac consult because that’s the only thing I haven’t done yet. I didn’t want to go through that until I knew I was approved. It has been a very long process and my physician’s office staff is not very organized; however, I love my surgeon Dr. Marc Rickford. I’m rambling because I’m so excited and have so many thoughts going through my head. I’ll sign off know and read some for I’m really getting a lot from your blog. I read with pen and paper to make notes.
Thanks!! SLY of Capitol Heights, MD
Hi Lise, I have a question for you…when you got filled in early June and you thought it was too tight, did it just work itself out? I’m asking because I got another fill this morning and haven’t been able to eat or drink anything but water. It just feels too tight. Do you think it will settle? And how long does that take!? Thanks again for doing this blog, it’s real inspiration for me and a lot of people! -jenny
LISE,
WHERE ARE YOU? ARE YOU OK?????
ROBBIE
Hello Lise,
I see that you are still losing! Wow, you must be looking really hot…
I am coming along slowly but surely…have hit the 40 lb
loss mark! Yea! 5 months post opt. and now gettng the hang of it.
I am bouncing around the 200 mark…one day was 199.5 but today 200. I have went from a size 3x top and 18 bottom to a xL top and just bought a size 12 pair of jeans. They are a tad tight right now, but will be good in a couple of weeks. People are starting to notice my change. I haven’t really told anyone about the surgery, they just know I am on a healthy eating plan. I need to kick up up exercise program….one day at a time I remind myself!
I sure do miss you posting. It used to be the first thing I did when I turned on my computer. When you reach your goal, let us see some pictures before you say goodbye for good, ok?
We have been encouraged by your steady progress and you have inspired many people. I wish you the best and hope we hear from you soon.
Blessings~
Robbie
Hello Lise,
It’s me again…..MsRob.
I bet by the time you read this you will have hit your goal…Wow! I am so very proud of you!!! What does it FEEL like?????
Since the last time I posted above (9/28/08) I have dropped 14 more lbs. I am now at 186!! Still have 5.5 CC in my band.
Sometimes I can eat and other times I can’t…I am finding there are stuff I need to stay away from and it is really hard…(Bread ect.) Been trying to exercise some…hit and miss for me, but anything is better that nothing at all. These size 12 pants sure feel good.
Hope you are feeling better from the accident. Please post pictures of what you look like now and CELEBRATE! You deserve it.
hi
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good luck
Hello Again!
Just checking in on you. Miss your blog so much!
Since my last post, I have lost another 10 lbs or so….at 174-176 ( I keep bouncing around this week).
I have really been working on working out! Liking it better once I get started. I bought a size 8 pair of jeans last night….can you believe it?????? And they fit good! I am now in a size Large shirt. Was in 2x -3 x last April.
I am working on my upper tummy “tire roll”- ….that has always been my problem area. But the tire is getting smaller! I am trying to eat better food choices even if it is just a small amount.
My goal is 149. I hope to reach that sometime this summer. Hopefully by my birthday on June 11th. But I am also content if I kinda stay around where I am now because I feel good about my size. Pounds are not everything.
Lise, Let me know how you are doing. Just think of how far you have come. Don’t worry about if you had a set back or not. I know you will reach your goal. I have already bought a card for you! Just let me know when to mail it!!!
Take care,
Robbie
Lap Band…is that sort of like Rock Band but more portable? is there a Mac version?
Lise,
Ms. Robbie here again!
Still your biggest fan!!
I am now at 170 but it’s coming off in ounces instead of pounds….I guess you know how that is. My body does not want to lose any more weight. How can a person (me) eat so little and yet not lose weight? It baffles me.
I am still working out 3-4 or more times a week.
I am so proud of you….can you believe you are less than a half pound of your GOAL weight?????????
How does THAT feel??????
I am going to reach my first goal of 159 this summer and hold that for a while….I don’t want to be greedy.
I will be in a size 6 jeans by then…..that will be good enough for me. I already have people telling me not to lose any more…BUT…11 more to go. I am determined.
Take care. Let me hear from you, ok?
Lise,
Just happened upon your blog! Thanks for sharing your journey. It gives me hope! I’m scheduled for banding surgery on May 24th. Very nervous, but know it will be for the best! Please keep sharing – great to hear your insights and experiences.
All the best!
Kelly
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Warm Regards,
Sher Virg
You look absolutely fabulous! I’m 5’3 and 225 pounds and seriously considering the surgery after reading your blog!
Did you experience any hair loss or any other less than favorable side effects not typical of the surgery?
Thanks!
Lauren
Hi Lise! I just wanted to say thanks for all your postings! I am attending my seminar on April 5 2010 and cannot wait to begin this weight loss journey…… I found your posting after looking online for people who were around the same size as I am now (5’7, 230lbs).
I have to admit though – I’m a little sad that you stop blogging. Love reading all your posts! Take Care!
Hello, i’ve found this blog very interesting when I was considering the lap band. I’ve since had the procedure & am struggling to get enough protein in per day. My post-opt time us one week. Any helpful advise is appreciated
)