KylisMommySara

Hey Jill! We haven't decided exactly when we are going back for my fill, but are thinking somewhere right around that time. We have to figure out when John can take a day off work--he won't let me go back alone lol. I agree, we did have a great "group" to support each other! Its good to see you've only got 20 pounds to go! That is so awesome! I have lost about 50 pounds since I started and am so happy so far! > Sara

I can completely understand where you are comming from. I actually lost alot of weight a number of years ago (very unhealthily) and WISH I had done lapband then to prevent me from getting where I am today! Thanks for sharing your perspective

Hey Maggie! Good to hear from you--I thought it was you I do break my pain meds into pieces and take them. It works well--there was one time I didn't break them far enough and well, lets just say it wasn't fun! I am doing great weight loss wise. I had loss 39 when I got there, and fully clothed the other day in jeans, hoodie, and shoes I was down another 6! (so subtract another 4-5 pounds or so) so I am very happy. I am so glad I haven't had the cough thing! I did catch a little bit of a stomach bug this weekend, and passed it on to Kyli today. Poor girl cried all night and was throwing up today. I thankfully didn't have the vomiting with it! Anyway--its good to hear that you are doing so well!

Hey Maggie I arrived on February 13, and had surgery on February 14. I do agree that there were a couple of people who had surgery the same day as me that surprised me that they were having the surgery, and my fiance and I discussed this and agreed that I wouldn't want people telling me that I was so far overweight that I should be having gastric bypass vs. lapband, so I was going to focus on my own success rather than picking apart someone else's decision for the surgery as well. I do agree, though, that if I were the weight of some of the people I saw scheduled for surgery, I wouldn't have been having the surgery. Anyway, on to my experience Overall I was very happy with my experience. I was very glad to have my fiance with me for support (I don't know how you did it alone). When we flew in to San Diego, Fransico was waiting for us. We then went to pick someone else up. Fransisco drove us to meet up with Mrs. Ortiz, as he had more people to pick up at the airport, so she met us somewhere just in the US and drove us to the center. She was very sweet and I was moved through the appointments at the center very quickly. Everyone was very friendly and accomodating. I enjoyed my appointment with the nutritionist. I had worked very hard prior to surgery to lose the 37 pounds they requested, and actually managed to lose 39. She answered my questions, and was very personable. Shortly before my appointments were finished, Fransisco came with a few other people and had our luggage. We didn't have to wait at all--Mrs. Ortiz was there to take us to our hotel. We were more than happy with our experience at the hotel. We did not have to check out of the hotel as my fiance was with me and was going to be staying at the hotel the night I was in the hospital. The restaraunt was very nice, and we took in some sights that afternoon. We were told to be ready between 7:30 and 7:45 (I think) the next morning to be picked up for surgery. There were a lot of people waiting and there wasn't enough room in the car so I stayed back with my fiance for the next pick up. When we got to the center, I was almost immediately taken back to my room to settle in. I guess I was fortunate enough to be the first patient. We met the doctors, and they were both very nice. They gave me a pill to help me relax before surgery, but had a hard time starting my IV (No fault of theirs--my veins ALWAYS do a disappearing act when I am in a hospital or am having surgery). They were very nice and ended up starting it prior to surgery. I started waking up following the surgery while I was still in the OR. I could still feel the tube down my throat, but they immediately took it out. I was able to hear them say that everything looked good--I was still tired but I wasn't so groggy that I couldn't remember anything. I liked this. After many of my other surgeries I always had such a hard time waking up from anesthesia and I hate that feeling, so it was good not to have that. The nurses were very friendly. I had a lot of pain following surgery due to issues with my back and neck. They were helpful in getting me pain medication the first time I needed it, however when my pain from surgery changed from being the gas pains to being definately muscular, I had to wait a number of hours before I could have anything. This was difficult beings that I am on prescribed pain medication and a muscle relaxer for my back and neck already. I couldn't swallow those and was in a lot of pain. I got up to walk frequently, and it definately did help for the gas pains. The following morning when I was woken up to get ready, I had gotten dressed, brushed my teeth, and called my parents to check on my daughter when the doctor was in to see me. I was then discharged and brought back to the hotel by Mrs. Ortiz. She was so helpful to us. We actually had to get my fiance's birth certificate Fed Ex'ed to a US address, but that it would still be able to get to us, due to some serious issues with getting it to us prior to leaving home. Rene was very helpful and gave us Dr. Ortiz's address and she brought us his birth certificate so that we could get back into the US (I told him I was going home regardless of whether he was with me or not --I missed my baby! ). We were called that evening and let know what time we needed to be ready to be picked up. I honestly can't even remember what time they told us, but we did have to wait a little while. We didn't mind though--John became best buddies with Alonso at the hotel and was getting to know him better. At the border we had to get out of the van with all of our luggage and walk across the border. We got misguided by a police officer and ended up walking waaaaay farther than we had to, but Fransisco was very patient and managed to find us Turns out we weren't the only ones to get lost--the other people with us did too, but they got found a lot sooner than we did. We got to the airport a couple hours early, but I took a nap in the chair. Since being home I have felt better every day. I still have a lot of pain in my port area, but I think that has to do with me sometimes overdoing it with my 15 month old daughter who is 24 pounds. I also found out the hard way that my body has become allergic to Iodine and got a HORRIBLE rash all over my torso, which hasn't been fun. Overall, I had a wonderful experience and we are planning on comming back for my first fill. I think that my experience was definately more pleasant for me beings I had a loved one with me. I can't imagine going through surgery and being alone for that time. I am very excited to go forth in this journey and become successful, and without Obesity Control Center, it wouldn't have been possible for me financially.

I am being banded on February 14. We arrive early on the 13th!

I am set for surgery on the 14th and will be there on the 13th! We may see each other! We would like to do some shopping too...Its my fiance and my anniversary the week before!