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Congratulation on your decision Shanalee! You are making the best decision ever, which I am sure you are already aware of. I think it is geat you and your hubby are doing it together. At least when you change your lifestyle, you will have someone there to change their's with you.

My fiance went with me to have my surgery. I was soo glad he was there, but he still eats the same and sometimes that bothers me, but I must remember, I made this decision for me! He has been very supportative which means alot to me.

I think all of us have felt alone in the beginning. Alot of us did not tell people what we are doing because we did not want to hear their lectures. You will do fine and I'm sure you will meet some great people. Make this alittle vacation and enjoy yourself.

Best of Luck to you,

I don't know if this will work for all, but has seemed to work for me. When I get stuck I will either consume more calories for a day or 2 or have less calories for a day or two to try to confuse my body. Maybe it is in my head, but seemed to help for me.

I am so sorry you are going thru this. The only medication I was on was for diabetes and I have stopped all diabetic meds and doing great. I just wanted to tell you that usually the first fill does not do much. Very few people will have restriction after the first fill. I was still able to eat bread and etc after my first and second fill. Don't feel like you are doing wrong, things will get better. I agree with you about talking to your doctor, maybe it is too soon to cut down on the Zoloft. You know your body best, so I would let the doctor know you need back on the old dose.

I wish you the best of luck. My thoughts are with you!

When Dr. Ortiz was on "The Doctor's" show last week, he mentioned that he had taught a pediatric doctor about lap band and that doctor has done 255 kids so far under the age of 18.

I would talk to your parents first, then go from there. If insurance does not pay, the Mexico would be another idea. Personally, I think Mexico is the best, but that is just my opinon.

I wish you the best of luck. You have your head on straight and thinking like a mature girl. Lap band is the safest way when diets do not work.

Don't worry. TJ is like anywhere else. We have crazy murders in the USA all the time. When I went for surgery, I felt very safe. We even went shopping on Revolution avenue. The main thing I was told was to not go out after dark. I felt so safe, that in May when I went back I took my 3 kids with me (I am a single parent). We rode the trolley to the border, walked across the border (wow what a long walk), then took a taxi to OCC. Never once did I feel scared. As a matter of fact, my kids and I did this twice. Then in July I went with a girl friend of mine and we did the same thing and also went shopping around town, NO problems at all. You will be fine. I think the news likes to really hit on other places in order to keep from telling all the bad stuff in the USA. Don't worry and have a GREAT time, I know my friends and I sure did. You will be very safe, just don't go out after dark. Best of luck with your band, YOU have made the BEST decision ever!!!

WOW, that is awesome. Way to go, 122# in just 10 months is very amazing. You have done a great job! Keep it up.

I have heard people talking on here about protein bullets, what are they? and where do you get them?

I had my lab work done a week ago and my protein is low. I know its because I have not been eating. I can usually only get about 2-3 small bites down and that is it. It all started when I ate chili and got terrible heartburn (not normal for me), so I ended up vomiting several times and pbing most of the day. since that I have not been able to eat. I called my doctor and they said just to do liquids a few days and call back if not better. Well things got alittle better, so I cancelled my appt. Now it's getting bad again, so will go in for an unfill next week I hope.

great job, keep up the good work. You'll be at your goal before you know it. At least you are losing a pound a week, that is still good!

I too have pain when I eat, but usually is after the second bite. I called my fill doctor today. I got a fill about a month ago and did ok, was eating about 5 bites a meal. Then this past weekend, I did great, ate about 10 bites or so (baby fingernail size) of steak, no problems. On Monday I tried to eat some chili and after 3 bites, I was hurting like HELL. I ended up vomiting and PB'ing for several hours, then felt better. Since then I have not been able to eat more than 2 bites without pain and pbing. My doctor instructed me to go back to clear fluids for 2 days, then slowly progress my food back and see how I do. She said if still having problems, then will need an unfill. I personally think alot of it is stress, but.............we need some food. You may want to try the liquids a few days again and if no result go back, or just call the doctor and talk to them.

Hope things get better for you.

WOW way to go Cathy, you look awesome and wow what a lot of inches you have lost. you should be VERY proud of yourself, you are doing great, Keep up the good work!!!

What all are you drinking during the day. I found that was my problem. I was consuming too many liquid calories. A 32 oz bottle of gatorade has 200 calories.

I dont really have much of an eating pattern. Every morning I eat my fat free yogurt with granola, then for lunch I just eat whatever the drug reps bring to our clinic, but watch my portions, then for supper, I usually have baked chicken or baked pork chops. I have learned alot about my band. In the beginning was I drinking way too many calories. Gatorade has 200 calories per 32 oz, so I found that G-2 only has 100 calories, then I found that snapple metabolism drinks only have 20 calories, so I mainly drink the snapple and water. If I get hungry during the day I will eat beef jerky which has 15 grams of protein in 1 ounce, so is filling and stays with me. I hope this helps.

My thoughts are with you Heide. I hope all works out for the best. No matter what happens, you need to remember, you did all you can do, the rest is in God's hands. Keep your chin up.

CONGRATS KIM

You look awesome. Way to Go!!!! Keep up the good work.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONA!!!

We are birthday and band buddies. Today is also my birthday. Hope you have a great birthday

Ute,

wow, you look great, what a difference. You are doing a great job, keep it up!!

Whoo Hoooo, way to go Denise. that is awesome. Keep up the good work

Wow, that is aweful. I feel so bad for you. I know how I was prior to my surgery, nervous and excited and etc. I am glad you are working with Lori, she is very helpful. I know you will not be disappointed at OCC. They are wonderful. I wish you luck with everything.

I just tried to do everything by the book, eat protein first, not drink with meals and exercise. I also learned alot about liquid calories, which I am sure helped a great deal. I must say that Dr. Ortiz's book "Lapband for Life" was very helpful also. I would encourage anybody who has not bought it to buy it and read it.

Thanks again for the encouragement and compliments

Hello Carla,

I am like alot of others on here, My fiancee did not want me to go to Mexico to have the lap band done. He told me just today that he was really worried about me going out of the country to do it, but now, he is happy I did it, and so am I. Like you, I am 5' 1 1/2" and when I decided to do the band, I was 245. I dieted until time for the band, knowing that I would not gain the weight back like all the times before as long as I continued to diet upto time to get the band. I agree with you, I lost weight with diets, but everytime I gained back what I lost and more!

I wish you luck with your decision. I hope all goes well with your consult with Dr. O.

Congrats on your weight loss, you are doing awesome. I am glad you joined the forum. This is a wonderful forum and it is so nice to be able to ask questions and have ALOT of support. I wish you the best. I'm glad you went back for an unfill and that things are going ok. Hang in there.

I think you can take it if it is a small pill, but to be on the safe side, I would check with OCC. I know Dr. Miranda will talk to you about your meds during your pre op.

Thank you all for all the great words of encouragement and compliments. I am working on getting some before and now pics.

Thanks again!!

Thank you both!

I really did not do before pics. I thought about it, but was soooo ashamed of my body. I will try to find some pics somewhere and will take some new pic's, then will ask for help on how to post them.

WAY TO GO ON YOUR JOURNEY OF WEIGHT LOSS. KEEP IT UP...........GREAT JOB