trizzy

tombourn-- Are you going to go on the center van with 6jewels? She e-mailed me that she was going the same day as we are, and she had to take the van because her flight and fill times were so close--I believe she said she was going to e-mail you too. Just wanted to know what you were planning. I'm up for trolley/taxi or van--it doesn't really matter to me, just as long as I get there! lol Anyway, let me know your thoughts! Thanks, Trizzy Ivansmom--I hear you!! I have lost 20 pounds--but only because of the three week liquid diet!!! I haven't lost any since--but I think it is due to bad choices too, and not getting my fat a** out there and exercising!! I think you are about right in the price of the taxi's--and we took one when we were down for the surgery and they were very safe! Good luck to you!

Teeners---I am going for a fill on October 21st. I too am going alone, flying down from Oregon. My plane gets in around 9:30 am and then I am leaving that night. If you would like to share rides to and from with me and maybe Tombourn(???haven't heard back) I would love it! Post a reply and let me know if it works with you!

ClaireinCo---I hope you will be able to make it on the 21st!!! It would be so great to meet other Ortiz bandsters! I am hoping we can get a lot of people to come on that day--to help spread the cost--and to get to know one another!! I can't wait til my fill---I SOOOOO need the restriction!!!! Tombourn--did you ever reschedule your fill appt?? Let me know--the date looms near when we finally get our fill! YEE-HAW!!! Best of luck to us all!!!

Okay--I am flying down to San Diego on the 21st of October at 9:30 am. My fill is scheduled for 11:30 am, then I am flying out at 5:00pm that same night. Anyone else going around then? Tombourn--my plane doesn't get in til 9:27 am--if you want to hang around for me I would love to tag along with the trolley and taxi! If you don't --no worries!

I am planning on having a fill Oct 20th or 21st. If anyone else is having one around then maybe we can share a taxi, or meet up and have a drink. Don't know yet where I'm staying--but looking at the Americana. Please let me know if interested. Thanks!

Good luck and speedy recoveries to all who are being banded tomorrow!!! Hugs all around!

Dr Martinez told me I shouldn't really chew gum because of the air/saliva intake that goes along with it. And I would HATE to acccidentally swallow it--UGH!

MM--so glad to hear all went well!!!! Aren't they all so nice? Just wait til you have the ckn broth at the Lucerna--it is really good--but be prepared to only have about 10 spoonfulls!!!! CONGRATS!!!!

MM--good luck with your surgery! All will go well, NO FEAR! For everyone--Francisco meets you at the baggage claim with a sign with your name and Dr. Ortiz on it. he is really nice! Going back over the border was a breeze!! No wait for us--and all they did was check for our drivers license! Keep up the good work with the liquid diet!! I think it really helped for after--the only clear liquids for a week thing!! Although, after the surgery you really just aren't hungry, I just get thirsty!!! Good luck to everyone!!!

You can get it at www.unjury.com. I got a couple of each flavors of the trial packs to make sure I liked them. I haven't tried the unflavored yet--but I figure I'll be using that after the band. The chocolate was good--I thought it tasted just like Slim Fast--but the vanilla was really good! (WAY WAY WAY better than Slim Fast!) Good Luck--let me know if you like it too!

I am currently on the protein shakes/salad pre-op diet. I have found the Slim Fast Optima's to be pretty good--but the best tasting is Unjury!!! I don't really like vanilla anything---but the vanilla shake I had from them was FANTASTIC!! It also has 20g of protein and the Slim Fast's only have 10g. I am using more of the Slim Fast because it is cheaper and easier to get--Gotta love Wal-Mart!! As to being hungry---I really am not all that hungry! I thought I'd be eating my left arm by now--but being able to eat the salads really helps!!! I also think you have to have the mind set as well--I keep thinking about popping a couple of chips, or just taking ONE small bit of something won't hurt--but it will! I know myself well enough that just one of anything is never enough!! Hope this helps even a little bit-- Good luck to you!!!!

Hi Pammie! Congrats on a safe and successfull surgery! I can't wait to be doing the 'band-dance' too! Take care and hopefully you can post your pics on a new thread for this site!

Hey there! Olive Garden was SO delicious---and the beers after were just as good! I did have a hangover though, so that made saying goodbye a whole heck of a lot easier! lol What has been really hard is re-doing some rooms in our house and getting hot and thirsty and not being able to reach for a nice cold one. Let's see---one week liquid diet includes Coors Light right? lol I have actually been a very good girl ( SO FAR!) with the liquid/salad diet. Not really hungry, just want to eat--but I don't. So far I've lost about 3 pounds--only about 7 more to go to surgery! Well, thanks all for the encouragement--WE CAN DO IT!

I would like to know if the policy is VG band too. I would hope he would look at each individual before deciding to use the larger band. Maybe it is better? Lori--do you know?

Wow--that is a really good question! I didn't even think about having a tag with that information. What a great thing to have and to think about--I can't wait to see the replies too!

Hey there! I start my one week of liquids tomorrow so tonight my family and I are going out to the Olive Garden. I am going to eat so much bread and pasta it's sickening!! After that, my friends and I are going out to drink ALOT of beer! I hate to say goodbye to my dearly beloved Coors Light---and to my beloved Diet Coke as well; but after the hang-over I am going to have tomorrow I'm sure I'll be more than ready! Here's to hoping I can make it! (that's what I'm going to look like tomorrow morning!) lol

Hello August Banditos! My date is August 25th, and I'm just wondering why I decided to do it at the end of the month instead of at the beginning!! Getting nervous and excited, worried and elated. What an emotional roller coaster ride! I am from Oregon, my DH and I will be flying down on Thursday and I will be having surgery on Friday--going home Sunday the 27th. So far it looks like I'm the only one on this forum who will be there then. Anyone else? Buuuuelllerrr? Buuuelllerrr?

Good news! I told my super skinny friend today--and she said she was ok with the surgery thing--just not the Tijuana, Mexico thing! I was pretty impressed with how she handled it, and she said that she was thinking of getting a breast augmentation! Not quite the same thing I know--but the support is still there. She even offered to watch my kids while hubby and I are gone! I guess you never know who will be there to put you down, and who will be there to help you up. So glad I have most of the latter!!!

Cathy and Rid-- Thanks for the support!! I told my sister yesterday, and after having quite a few questions--she seemed to be on board with me. My mother, however, told me that if I have this surgery and die, she will tell my children that I was selfish and that's why I died. I know part of her was kidding and part of her was serious. Although my mother is being a pain in the a$$, everyone else seems pretty supportive (hubby and sis). I plan on telling my best friend of 30 years tomorrow and I know she is just going to FREAK! She has always been the tall, skinny girl, and just doesn't understand the whole problem with weight loss. I'm hoping she'll be supportive, but I sincerely doubt it! Wish me luck--and happy 4th to everyone!!!

Hey there, so glad about the cleanliness thing. (thank you Cathy!) I was sure that Ortiz and his clinic were clean--but you know all those people start their talking and you start having doubts! Also, as for the negative about Dr. Ortiz, the lap banders were saying they "heard" things from this or that person--can't remember the thread--but i would search for the name Ortiz and it would come up. Like I said--so many good things-that's why I chose him--but someone always has a bad thing to say about anything. And Darrin--ain't it grand that you're dad cares so much? My mom is in pure denial about the whole thing!!! I seriously told her I was getting the lap band in Mexico and she said no you're not and I kept trying to tell her that I already bought plane tickets for my husband and myself and she just refuses to believe me--I know she is just scared for me--but I will have her convinced soon! Best wishes!

I am getting banded towards the end of August. I am also going to Dr. Ortiz. I ordered his book, then read it in about a day. There was some good info and some stuff I skipped over. I am going to start seriously dieting after the 4th and hopefully lose at least 10 pounds before I have to go on the liquid diet for the week before surgery . I am SOOO not looking forward to that! I am also a member of the lapbandtalk and have searched high and low everywhere about Ortiz. There were some negative comments in there, but if there weren't, I would be suspicious because no one can please all of the people all of the time! I have heard WAY more good than bad though so I think I'm making a good decision. BTW--has anyone in your familly or friends given you grief about going to MEXICO to have the surgery? EVERYONE I have told has said--"you're going to MEXICO to have surgery? It is so dirty down there and they aren't as sterile as the US." Although I think it is a bunch of malarkey, did anyone else have concerns about cleanliness or sterility for their surgery?

hi there. I too am getting banded in August. I feel really nervous and really excited. I woul love to loose around 100 pounds as well. My bmi is 43 though--ouch! What day is your surgery scheduled for?

Hello out there. I am also an August bander. My surgery is scheduled for late August and already I am doing the "last dinner' routine and have started gaining weight! AHHHHH! In reply to the previous post--I will probably bring travelers checks or something of that sort--I feel safer that way. I will probably bring around $2-300 for me and my husband. You know we have to buy a lot of gifts for the kids! Well, safe journey to us all!