Mackenzie

I agree, i dont think the band is cure, but for me it was a way for me to really think about what i was doing to myself. MY dad was an alcoholic for years and just quit cold turkey, so maybe its in my blood! haha

I will be really shocked if anyone of this forum says that they became obese from being hungry all the time!!! I ate so much, i was never really hungry- i just NEEDED to eat! I also ate when i was bored, happy, sad, tired... etc! I realize that I have a food addiction- and even though i may be "going thru a recovery program" i will always be an addict- just like someone addicted to drugs or alcohol- you always have to be aware for your problem so that it doesnt take over again. You wonder now what you will do instead of eating on the time, but you will figure it out. Take the pre-op and post-op diet time to really thing about what youre feeling when you REALLY want to eat. Its hard, ive said that before..its really hard! I had a few slip ups- but I learned from them. THere were times I would cheat on the pre-op diet and a little voice would say "no dont" but i would push that voice out of my mind right away... as time when on i started to differentiate bw physcial hunger and mental hunger and ive worked on that every day. I still have times (esp. around 3-4-5pm) when I NEED to eat..but really i just WANT to. You will find what works for you, but just know that it isnt easy, but to know that food doesnt control your life is worth the struggle. I could go on and on with examples of when food has controlled my life, and it is really crazy. Now, I have cut it by probably 90% - and now I deal with my issues and i try my best not to give into the temptations which is getting a little easier every day. Good luck! remember that we are all here for anyone to talk to !!!

i totally felt that way! for me it happend SO fast- i saw the oprah show and before it was over my surgery was scheduled!!! I didnt even believe it was happening when i was taken into the OR! It is crazy!!! and here I am, almost 3 months post op- and sometimes still dont believe it!

Ok i was banded on 2/27 (started my pre-op diet on 2/14) 1. I have lost 32 lbs to date (22 since banding) 2. 1 fill on 4/10 (5 cc's)- next is sch for 6/5 3. Tips for success..... I dont think that Im really there yet to be able to give tips~Im still learning about me and my band and what works best for me! ask me that in a few months! I will add- that Im going on a cruise Sept 27th and I wish to lose about 33ish more pounds before then!!!!!! So im going to get back into working out- my diet has been pretty good- but i know i can make some improvments and I am doing that! >

just give up diet coke!!!!! i was a big fan of DC_ but since ive given it up, i feel sooo much better!!!!!!

Thats what we are here for! The hotel gives you bottled water for free- personally i wouldnt drink the water in mexico.... The occ will give you all you need when you are at the OCC - after you are on your own- the hotel has "banded friendly" menu with broth and hot teas - i didnt bring anything but my vitamins- i know that some people on here brought juice, bullion cubes and water. I liked the broth at the Lucerna. Clothes wise, bring comfy clothes!

350 a fill?!?!! that is CRAAZZY expensive!!! i go to st pete fill center and i love it!

you will leave the OCC so early that it will be silly for him to come back there for you in the AM. My husband didnt mind-he was pretty bored at the occ bc i was out of it! haha hopefully yours will feel the same good luck!

just be very careful about lifting things! you dont want to tear anything inside that dr.ortiz did!

s/o is significant other- I would start the pre op diet asap so you can maximize your weight loss like mamamichelle got a chance to do! I know i wouldve if i had time! Whoever goes with you will stay at the hotel the night of your surgery while you stay at the occ- and fyi- the occ beds are more comfy then the hotel- and they have satellite TV which is amazing! hhaha good luck!

the OCC has a phone in the main office and also in each room you will be able to call the US free of charge- watch out using your cell phone- my didnt work in TJ but the fees are pretty crazy if it does so I would check with your carrier first! The OCC and the Lucerna have computers you can use- I just watched TV the whole time after surgery but I did get on the computer at the hotel a few times.

I was checked serveral times that night while i was at the OCC. Personally - I would stay the night. My husband went back to the hotel and ate dinner with a bunch of people who were getting banded the next day. The hotel is nice and very safe. I was more comfortable at the occ then at the hotel since they had satelite TV and the bed was comfy. THe next morning one of the drs. come in and check on you one last time and give you another anti-nasuea does. Before you go home they dont check on you- but are just a phone call away if you need them. IT was a great expierence! Good luck!

if you are nervous about the needle- dont be! the appt is easy and fun! I went to a fill center in st. pete, FL and they actually numbed me with a spray.. if you are nervous about what you will and will not be able to eat after -then i could understand that! its a whoooole different ball game with the fill. dont be nervous though- its not a big deal!

thanks everyone! Yeah diet coke was hard for me to give up too- i would drink about 4 or 5 a day and not think twice. No i drink water, crystal light and propel. I dont miss it- but I do miss beer. Now if i do drink i have vodka, water with a splash of cranberry juice-its actually pretty good. I dont think I will go back to diet coke- or any soda for that matter- but I will have an occasional beer once in a while! I appreciate everyone's comments- I am just a worrier by nature! haha

good job this month michelle! Even though the numbers arent as big as before, you can still tell a HUGE difference! I wish i wouldve taken pics!!! Way to go! =D>

why is alcohol bad for the band?

I just wanted to see if we could get a list going of things that are bad for your band. I know a few....but am so paranoid about hurting my band!!! So lets here what you all know is bad for our "new best friends" hahaha

i live in sarasota and i go to the st.pete one- the fluro is free and the nurse is AWESOME!!!!! she does unfills for free too (and they numb you i didnt feel a thing)

i have a 10cc band and got 5ccs put in on my first fill

i can NOT wait for my second fill june 5th- i can still eat whatever i want-i just want to be a little tighter!!!!

based on your weight now.. i think its like 40something grams... i find if pretty hard since we arent supposed to eat a lot- and we arent supposed to drink liquids with calories.... looooots of chicken!

im going back to working out tomorrow- i started this week the same way i ended it and im not happy about it! haha thanks michelle

youll have a few SMALL incision scars- but to me it wasnt even an issue since my stomach hasnt seen the light of day in YEARS!!!! hahah

Exercising is awesome, once youve done it for a while! haha that is the problem! The only thing I can suggest is start off with 2 or 3 days a week that way you dont burn yourself out. Doing it with a friend is a good idea bc you can keep eachother motivated, just remember if you dont do it you are only hurting yourself- i struggle with this myself. The more that you lose the more motivated you get- before you know it we wont be able to get enough of the gym! for rewards, pick out a shirt that you really like and if you work out 4 days out of the week you can buy it do the same with a pedicure etc

aww thank you! i am MORE than happy to help you with anything you need!!!! that made my night girl, thank you! >