Littleroo27

I'm so sorry to hear that!!! Your stomach is partially IN your diaphram? Does that cause any problems? The only thing I can think of is that you can't hiccup, lol. What a bummer

As I'm sure you have all heard by now, the airlines are now requiring you to throw away all liquids before boarding flights unless you put it in your checked luggage. This does include OTC pain relievers!!! I have seen a lot of people on this board mention liquid tylenol and though I would suggest that you ask the doctor for a prescription version so that they will let you take it on the plane with you. Nothing worse then being half way through your flight and hitting turbulance with no drugs, lol. If you do have OTC stuff, get an official doctor's note stating that it is a necessary thing for you to have on the plane.

That's awesome!!! Congratulations on losing the weight and deciding on the surgery. I know how it feels - I lost 75 lbs and kept most of it off for 4 years. Then I started dating this wonderful person and gained it ALL back!!!!! *head desk* I kind of took the extreme other route as far as telling people. I will gladly tell you why I'm working a 2nd job, exactly why the surgery entails, what the risks are, why I'm going to Dr. Ortiz instead of to Scripps Hospital, etc, etc. I have all the stats, percentages, risks, details down pat that anyone could possibly think to ask, lol. I know it won't compare to actually having the surgery and learning all the little things, like what exactly will make me PB and how to control emotional hunger, etc, but I'm all about educating others on the condition. I'm the same way with my IBS, and I'm glad for it. I've helped several people improve their symptoms because of excellent informational sources I know about that they would have not found had I been all shy about it. but I totally understand not telling the family. I think the only reason I'm okay with doing it is that I'm here in Sunny San Diego and they are all back in Hotter then Hades Kansas (well, actually they are on a cruise in Hawaii Lucky suckers). My mom has agreed to come with me when I have it done, as she speaks fluent Spanish, but other then that, this is MY journey and MY choice. My father, who hates doctors and prescriptions and lives by the mantra "walk it off" has actually told me he was proud of me for how much I am willing to do to make this happen. All of the research I have done, as well as the new 2nd job just to be able to pay for the surgery debt. I figured he would be my biggest nay sayer and he has been wonderfully supportive, because he knows that I know what I'm doing. I love unexpected warm fuzzies. And somehow my post to say "yay you!" had turned into some insane rambly thing. This is what happens when you're bored at work! Anyway, um, YAY YOU!!! I know nothing about shopping in TJ, but if you decide to shop on this side of the border, go to Fashion Valley! You'll get lots of walking in, and it's an outside HUGE mall, so you can shop and enjoy the lovely weather There is also the zoo (I can get through half of it on a good day) and Sea World.

From what I've heard, that is true, but I think some people have trouble getting enough protein in their regular diet or are too restricted in the morning. My nutritionist said I should use the shakes as a supplement after banding to make sure I got enough protein in my diet. But you would use it either as a small snack or maybe breakfast, not so much with a regular meal.

SWEET!!!!! *glomps you*

Is there any milk or milk protein in it?

Stupid milk protein. So hard to find good stuff without some form of milk in it!!! The Opti Fast ready to drink shakes would work, but they are SOOOOO expensive! I am glad that you found something though. I am already starting my collection of "tried once" protein powders. UGH.

I have not been banded yet, but I can give you my reasons for picking him as the person who will do it. 1) I read "Lap-Band For Life." Dr. Ortiz obviously knows what he's talking about. It was very informative and I think that every pre-bander should read it before having the procedure done. It pretty much answered any question I could have possibly had for my doctor. 2) I was doing pre-op appointments at Scripps in La Jolla, CA, which I liked just fine, but the surgery there is $18,000, plus the required pre-op doctor's appointments (I can't wait to get THAT bill!!!) and the fills are nearly $500 each (and that does not include fills under X-Ray!!!) 3) I do live in San Diego, so for me, Dr. Ortiz would be nearly as local as going to Scripps. I just have to deal with crossing the border. Also, I did e-mail Dr. Kuri and never heard back from anyone. I figured if they don't care enough to respond, I am not going to pursue them!

Well, for both of you, I always have Monday off for my 2nd job, so if either of you are coming down alone and want someone to hang out with or just help you navigate the airport, let me know :-D I know you will pretty much be going to the hospital and then to the hotel - most likely to have a panic attack before falling asleep (okay, that's MY plan!), but if you do want someone around to bug, I'm here!!!

Lanie, Don't know if you've traveled to San Diego or not, but the airport is a breeze to get through. Your driver can meet you at the other side of security, usually by bagage claim. I only live 5 miles from the airport and know the area fairly well. If it gets close to your date and you're nervous, Let me know!

I noticed in your profile that you are only 4 days older then me - we will be going through this journey at about the same point in our lives. I have yet to set a surgery date (still working on getting an appointment to go visit the clinic), but am hopeful it will be sometime befor my next birthday

I haven't heard anyone in any forum, or even at the Scripps orientation meetings, ask anything about chewing gum. I know that it can cause you to swallow air, which is not good due to possible build up of pressure (gas = ugh!). I already try not to chew too much because of my IBS problems. But would it be helpful during that time before and after eating when you can't drink anything, or would the saliva you swallow be enough to cause the same problems as drinking after eating? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On a completely different note, about three weeks ago I started a part time job at as a grocery store bagger in order to save up some money for the surgery and have discovered that it's one heck of a workout and diet plan! I've been on my feet for 25-30 hours each week and barely ever standing still. I bag groceries, including lifting heavy bottles of water and cartons of soda and beer. For at least one hour each shift I am out in the parking lot pushing carts in (and when you get about 5-8 of those, they get heavy!!!). I walk around the store showing customers where things are, cleaning up messes, and putting things back on the shelf. If I could find a pedometer that actually counted my fat steps, I'm sure I would FINALLY be meeting that 10,000 step goal. On top of that, since I'm not always at home on my butt in front of the computer, I'm eating probably 1/4 of what I normally do on days that I work. Even after I get home, I'm too tired to walk to the fridge, lol!!! I haven't lost too much weight yet, but I was happy to see a lb gone this morning. Hopefully once my body stops being so sore that I walk like a 90 year old granny, I will finally feel some increased strength in my muscles and maybe even increased stamina. My goal is to save up about $1000 pre-op just for unexpected contingencies (putting the surgery itself on a credit card), and also lose enough weight that I'm at least below 300 again (which is only 12 lbs and totally doable). I'd really love to be at 280 before the surgery, but one step at a time, yeah?

*pokes post* Go away! *DELETE* *DELETE* Maaaaannnn!!!! I'm sorry I ever started this monster!

Ugh, this is the hardest pre-op part for me. I'm trying to get into the habbit NOW so that I won't be all futzed up after surgery. I drink water all day long, especially during a meal. To help deal with the dry mouth part, I would suggest going to your local pharmacy. They should have several options for people suffering from dry mouth (I've had to do this with anti-depressants in the past). They have a toothpaste, a mouthwash, and also a gel that you kinda rub on your tongue and teeth (it doesn't taste bad). It helps keep your mouth from drying out and helps protect your teeth and gums from reduced saliva. Hope this helps!

Hey, my 2000 Ford Taurus is going to be dragging me around until it falls apart, LOL!!! But, you're right, it's totally worth it.

I haven't gotten the band yet, but I too have found that the best deal was with my credit card. The best my bank would do was 8.9% with a co-signer and surgery loans was 17% APR, while my credit card is fixed at 7.9% APR.

Unfortunately, Harvard would not provide me with any information without Dr. Ortiz' approval, but Yale made good, so that's okay! Thanks for your post and I can promise that I will keep posting (way too much) on the board

It's like running into a Catholic church and screaming "The Pope is a fraud!" *snorfle* I would so do that!!! LMAO Sorry, that just made me crack up, but you're right. I would probably get stoned. Although this issue has really been settled since I originally posted it, I did want to say that the person who said everything actually is from TJ, so she doesn't have the same stigmas attached to out of country surgery as most people from the US do. I have also done the liquid diet thing before - Opti-Fast 800. My tummy was not thrilled with the all liquid thing and my IBS tried really hard to act up, but I think if it's only for a month I can handle it. I will just have to be sure to mix in some soluble fiber supplements. As for doing the all liquid thing, I can do that just fine. My problem is moderation - all or nothing. It's like telling an alcoholic to only have three beers a day. Yeah, like THAT'S gonna happen!!! I've already tried not eating bread or anything "sticky" for a week to see if my tummy would be okay, and it was. What I still need to do is get into not drinking water after I eat. I drink water all day long, so that is going to be very hard for me.

Thanks very much for your well worded post. I was rather afraid I was going to get yelled at again, lol. Having continued to do research, as well as seeing all of the responses here, I am 99% sure that Dr. Ortiz will be doing my procedure. At this point, I just need to visit the clinic and set the date

If you go to www.sdcommute.com you can plan trips via city bus or trolley from anywhere in the city down to the border. I've used the website many times and find it very helpful. If you click on "trip planner" you can enter your starting address and then your end location and they will tell you how to get there the fastest / least walking, etc. I ended up taking the trolley to ComiCon at the convention center over the weekend and it was so nice not to have to worry about parking or traffic. I just parked at my office and bought a round trip ticket for $2.50! Gotta love public transportation.

I think generally if you have a fever or are ill when you are having the surgery, they will consider postponing it. Besides, who the heck wants to sneeze or cough with abdominal inciscions??? MEEP!!!! I wouldn't worry too much though, if you are two weeks out. Even if you do get a cold, you should be far enough through it by the surgery to not cause a problem. Try taking some Zycam

I would second this. The trolley to the border is super easy. If you stay in downtown it's $2.50 for a round trip trolley ticket.

I just resent the e-mail. If you do not get it, please let me know.

I was just in CV last night! I'm down there almost every weekend, but live in the Hillcrest area. Perhaps some time after your trip we could meet up and talk about your experiences. I'm lucky that I live here and my parents are all still back in KS, so they can't constantly see and judge my results.

Depends where you go and who you see. Dr. Ortiz is, I believe, $9,700. Scripps hospital in San Diego is $18,000.