simego

When you are released from the OCC, and then the hotel, does the shuttle take you back to San Diego? Will they take you to a hotel near the airport in San Diego, or only the airport? And I think I read somewhere that they go at 8 am and 1 pm; is that right? Thanks,

Congratulations Alana!! And Banded4life!!

Me, me, me...I am I am......

Hi Tadpole! We are about the same weight and similar goals. I am so apprehensive; not about surgery exactly, but living life with the band. How are you doing? Where are you from?

i have/had a lowish BMI when i decided to get the band and I'm really glad I did. I'm actually pretty athletic and workout 5-7 x a week. I just have a ridiculously hard time with portion control. I didn't understand why my weight ballooned suddenly when i stopped doing Atkins. But it did, i gained back the 20 lbs i lost and then 10 more just to twist the knife. I have always been really active and i felt it was VERY unfair that I would have to live my life on a diet to stay at a reasonable or healthy weight. Now with the band I don't have severe hunger issues. I know that if i've eaten my 3 meals and i'm wanting to snack it's head hunger and i'm invested in fighting that urge. I've tried EVERYTHING else and I was still backsliding into a very unhealthy place so I decided to put a stop to it.

So don't worry about people judging you. If you know nothing else will work I say go for it and never look back. You're doing this for your health and for your self.

Thank you Linda, Michelle, Lisa, Dita and (especially) Phoenix. Sorry if I forgot anyone! It's so helpful to hear from other people.

I think it is great that you have made the decision to do what is right for your health! Good for you! I too was pre-diabetic and struggled with issues ranging from PCOS to hypothyroidism all as a result of my excess weight I think you have made a great decision and will be happier because of it. Remember we are all here for you with support. I am a true believer that it doesn't matter how much a person has to lose, it is hard regardless. For me, I have about 100 left to go, but there have been times in my life when I was 50 pounds overweight or 20 pounds overweight. It doesn't change the feelings we have and in reality is the same struggle.

Kudos to you for making the first step!

Thank you to everyone who wrote. I feel better; I was afraid of being judged because I'm not severely overweight. But the struggle is the same, and I can see my future if I don't get a handle on this. Thanks everyone and keep up the good work and spirits!

I don't have a low bmi (yet), but I thought I would give an answer.

I struggled with the same thoughts prior to surgery. I kept thinking I could do it on my own. I lost 34 pounds in the 8 months prior to surgery and really changed my lifestyle for the better. My problem has always been keeping it off and getting past this point. For me, it was a no brainer to use the tool and have a real chance at success.

I am curious... How are you going to qualify for the surgery with such a low BMI? Is it because you are self pay? My doctor requires patients to be over 100 pounds overweight.

Good luck with your decision. Whatever you decide good luck!

Thanks and hi! I have about 50 pounds to lose and I am going to be self-pay with Dr. Ortiz. I am pre-diabetic and am fairly certain that within a couple of years I will have diabetes if I don't make some serious changes. I also agree with the next writer who said she doesn't want to lose it twice. Perhaps I could get the mental energy together to lose the weight (I doubt it) but I am completely certain I would never be able to maintain as I couldn't fight the head hunger constantly feeling the physical hunger.

I have decided to get the LapBand. It was a hard decision. Mostly because of my ego ... I keep thinking I can do it on my own. What's wrong with me etc. etc. All my friends are skinny (hey I live in LA!!). Anyway, if there are folks out there with starting BMIs around 30, I would love to talk with you and hear your experience. Thanks and good luck to all of us!

This year has been a memorable year, Jenn and Cassie on the Oprah show, The Lapband Forum has its largest gain in members and people have been making the big decision in their lifes by having lap band surgery. Lori and Carolyn have been busy booking surgeries and a lot of them will be coming to the OCC in July. Meet your bandster buddy here at the forum and get to know them before you get to the OCC. So, lets hear from the July surgery and fill patients.

Anyone getting banded July 23?

Anyone getting banded July 23?

Hi everyone, I am asking this question here because I wanted to know what people who are already banded have to say about my question, thanks so much.

I have been thinking about the lap band for a while. I have hesitated because I know I eat mostly out of non-physical reasons. (I obsess about food all the time.) My goal with the lap band is that once I cannot physically eat so much, I will just adapt to it simply because I have to. I know myself, and I will not allow myself to throw up or "eat around it" with soft foods or soda; those particular things are not challenges for me. I just want to know people's experience: once a person simply CANNOT physically overeat, does the head hunger (what I experience as obsessive thoughts about food) lessen? Thanks,

The bus/trolley route is real easy. Buy a $5 all day pass and you can go anywhere all day. $9 gets you a 2 day pass. The only bad thing is going back over to the USA at the border. It can be PITA sometimes, lots of people go back and forth, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are the worst. So allow yourself a lot of extra time to get back into the USA and back to the airport. Thursdays shouldn't be as bad as the other days I mentioned. I've done it the walk across a half dozen times. I like doing the walk and think of it as an adventure. LOL, If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

I am going to the OCC for the first time in ten days. I was planning to drive and leave my car at the Mexicoach and then take a cab. Is that a good plan? The coordinator said that USA auto insurance is not valid in Mexico. Thanks for advice,

Hey everyone - I'm new to this board - just found it today via google. My lapband surgery is scheduled for this coming up Tuesday, Oct 23. I'm so pumped up for this..... I'm looking for anyone to give me advice about what to expect mentally, physically, etc. I know that everyone has different experiences, so please tell me what all happened to you!

I'm so thankful this option is out there - I'm so excited to know that I will never be a Stage II diabetic, and will never have to have knee replacements - I'm just psyched up about this whole experience!

I start full liquids tomorrow - so any tips for pre-surgery liquids, I would love to hear those, too. Thank you all SO MUCH!!!

Jennifer

I am new to the boards, considering surgery. I just wanted to say good luck, you're probably doing the surgery right now. When you are able to, I would love to hear how it went.

Simone