tootsie_lou

You are freakin' hilarious--thanks for the laugh!!

UPDATE: As of Friday, April 10 the training day at the new provider has been rescheduled for May 9, 2009.

Wow, Dana!! Great post--thanks for all the good information! I'm printing this out for a friend. Thank you!

Bravo!!! And congratulations! You are an inspiration! Diana

I'm sorry, I misled with the "five days on fluids" thing. Here are the guidelines directly from the website:: Days One & Two: Liquid Protein low-carb protein shakes, broth, clear or cream soups, sugar-free gelatin and pudding. Day 3: Soft Protein canned fish (tuna or salmon) eggs, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy. Day 4: Firm Protein ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, fresh salmon or halibut. Day 5: Solid Protein white meat poultry, beef steak, pork, lamb, wild game Good luck! I believe you are going to like the results when you give this plan an honest try. Kaye She (Kaye Bailey--author of the website) doesn't give permission to eat veggies with the protein. I did the 5-days as she prescribes. The week does go by fast however. I hope this helps.

Hey Angie!! We got Dr Ortiz's book from Amazon.com. It looks like they have at least one for you. His book is definitely geared toward the decision/pre-banded stage of this whole experience. Here is a link to Amazon: Amazon.com--Lap-band for Life, by Dr. Ariel Ortiz You will find many friends on this forum. We're all rootin' for ya!! Diana

Hey all south Florida folks looking for a fill--just found out that a new Fill Centers USA provider is coming to Southwest Ranches (in Broward county) starting April 18, 2009. This provider location will not be one that uses fluoro. The Clinic Name and Address is: American Walk-In 6870 Dykes Rd Southwest Ranches, FL 33331 The "training day" is Saturday, April 18 and you get a $50 discount. As of yesterday (3/19/09) there were still appointments left. Just puttin' it out there. Diana

Hi FAbi! Congratulations, lady!! I hear you about the soreness. Know that you'll get to feeling more comfortable soon. Take it slow and just dream of how you'll be prancing up and down the south Florida beaches in your bikini!! Hang in there. Diana

Robbyn--were you able to get a full refund from your (now former) doctor?

Have any of you tried the "5-day pouch test"? It is five days on liquids to sort of reset your pouch, especially if the "no restriction" demon surfaces. 5-day Pouch Test I have done this and it helps with refocusing on the "tool" aspect of the lap-band. (Dana--I think you're great! Always posting something worth thinking about. Thanks for doing that) Diana

Hey Dana! I did the "kick-start challenge" and I lost 4.8 lbs. I think it was because I drank no less than 3 Adkins Advantage shakes per day. I am going to try this protein powder, mainly because of your endorsement (thank you!), and because it is whey protein and not soy. I seriously had gas pain last week, and I am sure it is because of the soy in the shakes (especially the chocolate ones--waaah). I love the Adkin's shakes because they are delicious and pre-made, so the convenience of being able to take them to work is another reason why I chose them. Thanks again for sharing the information. Can't wait to hear about a good loss this week. Diana

Fabi-- Hang in there, honey. Your fears are the same as many here. Know that you are in the best of hands. They will make sure you have a great experience. Many are praying for you! Diana

Jennelle--There are more than a few who have read your post(s) and got a tear in their eye. You may never know how many you have influenced by starting this thread. Thank you for doing that. God bless you--stay strong, fierce and unstoppable!! Diana

Thank you Darlene! You put it perfectly and probably have spoken for more of us than you know.

Hey Ashley-- Regarding the fill charge(s), when we to OCC for our first fill, they were offering a package that included the Lucerne, van ride from the SD airport, and fill itself. I'm sorry but I can't remember the exact breakdown. I will tell you that I went to a Fill Centers USA provider for my second fill, and there was an inital fee for being a first time patient (app. $400, including the fill w/flouro), and each additonal fill will be about $150. We would love to go back to TJ for all of our fills, but it isn't very practical when you live far away. Good luck on everything and make sure to keep us updated. Diana

Robbyn-- I know if you went to Dr Ortiz that you wouldn't be sorry. Of course, nearly all of us here are partial because we love him and his super team. I surely don't think it could hurt to thoroughly check it out. They really care and will make sure you have an awesome experience. Bummer on the 6-8 weeks to find out what went wrong with the medicine. I really feel for you. I know how excited we were to get this done, and to go through all of it to not get it sounds heart-breaking. Hang in there! Diana

Yippee and Wahoo, Carrie! Go, girl!! (Thank you for posting your pictures--they are so compelling!--Great job!) Diana

Hey Lindsay! Thank goodness your home where you can relax. I know what you mean about the plane ride. I thought I was going to explode. Thankfully the seat in between my daughter and I was empty, because I kept shifting (and complaining) so much that I'm sure I would have gotten a punch in the face by anyone having to sit there--haha. I hope you are feeling more comfortable. Hang in there, kid. Glad you're OK. Diana

Hey Robbyn-- I just read the ordeal that you went through without getting your lap-band. Man, sorry sorry sorry. Thank goodness you are all right. Rocky Balboa, heh? Have you been doing the "Adrienne" thing? (haha-sorry) TV cooking show?!! How cool!! I have a gallon of milk in my refrigerator right now that states "Reduced fat". The milkfat % is listed as 2%. I hope this helps. Diana

That looks like it could be a picture of your younger sister! So pretty!! Way to go girl!! Diana

Hey Jenn-- I hear you on so many levels. Apparently I used to (pre-lapband) wolf my food down in three bites or something. After the post-op liquid phase I had a devil of a time getting the hang of eating slow. I thought I couldn't eat anything because it all would get stuck. I was always the first one done eating before, and still now, I sometimes rush--and then I pay for it. At one point I actually got mad (at the food-haha)! Figured it was time to sit down and reread some post-fill info and get with it already. I've been doing OK since then. I hope you do well with your new fill. Sometime would you mind sharing your local fill doctor's info? I've been to St Pete and really love the lady there, but the trip is sort of a killer (my second fill I did it by myself--ugh). So glad you did well. Hopefully now your weight loss will really start to take off (gees, no pun intended there--haha) Diana

Hey Tibbie-- Good luck, girl! And make sure you keep us posted on how well you do! Diana

Hey Mom! So glad everything went well. Our best to you and your daughter!! We can't wait for the updates. Diana

So hey TG-- how did it go?

Hey Robyn! We'll all be thinking of you tomorrow. Good luck! :good2: Diana