Kim2BSlim

That is great! I am glad you got to speak to him. =D>

I would like to lose 100 lbs but will settle with 80. LOL I am really excited about this whole journey. I am SO ready to start it.

It sounds like you have went about this the right way..good luck on your journey! =D>

How neat that ya'll are having surgery the same day. Good luck to both of you! :-h

Thanks dolittle! =D>

I agree with the others too. I think that you should try to lose it on your own if you think you can. This is a last resort for me after years of dieting and having a thyroid problem that messes with my weight.

Good luck to you with your decision and we will be here when you need support either way. >

Good Luck! I can't wait to hear about your experience!

Can you still get in a tanning bed after you have been banded? Of course, not right away but after the healing time?

Thanks so much to everyone!

I was reading in Dr. Ortiz' book where he said some people do not need a fill right away or even for the first year. I had read elsewhere that the band has no restriction until you get a fill. My question is..after you are banded and before you get a fill, does food slip through your band? It seems to me that the band would restrict you in the beginning without a fill. Am I way off?

I am glad you get to stay with family! Good luck with your surgery!

Oh yes! The more the merrier! Oh Darlene, we will be flying into San Diego the 26th at around 3pm just so you can be on the lookout for us!

I have the same exact situation as you. My BMI is 38 and I don't have any other co-morbid conditions so after considering it for awhile I decided to be banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. Good luck with your decision!!

I will arrive March 26th! I am sure I will see you there! >

THANKS!!! I'D LOVE TO TAG ALONG!! HOPE I DO AS WELL AFTER SURGERY AS ALOT OF BANDSTERS DO.... I SURE DO LOVE TO SHOP! =D>

We love to shop too! Also, maybe you can calm our fears since you will be post-op! LOL

I am sorry, I should have been more clear. Do I need a Dr. for aftercare from surgery to check me and stuff or does the aftercare just consist of fills?

Congrats on your weight loss!! Do you mind me asking how much Dr. Ortiz charged you when your band slipped? I am really concerned I am gonna get myself in a pickle moneywise if something happens to mine. I have been saving for a long time for this surgery. Thank you!

hahahaha- yeah its a chore! the smoking wasnt tooo bad- i think my brain was consumed with the food. If you dont own a scale (like me) buy one! it will give you a little motivation with every pound lost! And my tip for the smoking, do with it what you want, dont put yourself in a situation that you know you would want to smoke! For the first weekend i stayed home away from my friends and bars bc i knew i would want to smoke! this weekend I went to a friends house for a few hours and then went home, very proud that i didnt have a beer or a cigarette! I dont know how much you smoked...i probably smoked like a pack and 1/2 a week...so i wasnt a heavy smoker...really only on the weekends! good luck. i will post about my surgery next weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ps i did the slim fast optima shakes- the cappicino delight i really enjoy! i bought 2 more cases for my post op diet. and you maaaay want to start the pre op a little early to leave room for slip ups bc God knows I had them ;o)

Thanks for the tips! I am a pack a day smoker so it is gonna be tough on me. The only times I have quit before was during my pregnancies. I am hoping my pre-op diet goes well. I need to lose 9-10 lbs before March 28th so we will see. I also bought some of those Slim Fast shakes. I am gonna start them soon. This is all so scary and exciting!!

Good luck to you! How exciting that your surgery is so close! I can't wait to hear about your experience. >

I have a food addiction also. I am very scared about the pre-op diet as well as quitting smoking. Can I really quit smoking AND eating at the same time? LOL What have I gotten myself into? hahaha

Hello! Myself and three of my friends are being banded the exact same day by Dr. Martinez! That is so cool that you are too.

I have a three year old myself, as well as a one year old. I guess we will just have to be very careful about picking them up!

I have found a local Dr that will do my aftercare.

My question is do I need to go with the first Dr? Is there alot of aftercare or should I just line up a Dr to do fills?

Also, how many fills do you usually need in the first year? I know everyone is different, but typically how many?

I have so many people screaming at me to NOT go to Mexico. I have researched this so much and I cannot get people to understand that I am not going to some crazy Dr. that is gonna take my organs out and sell them. LOL

Anyway, I guess I am just scared. I know in my heart that this is what's right.

People have also told me that US Doctors "will not touch you" if you have complications and were banded in Mexico. I have a Dr lined up to do fills, but am worried about if something goes wrong, then what will I do?

There are 4 of us coming to have it done. Myself, my bestfriend, my Aunt and another girl we know. You are more than welcome to tag along with us!

Darlene~

I will arrive the 26th..perhaps we will get to meet!

I hear ya! I am gonna add them to mine too! >