utahmom

Hi Everyone, Would like to know what you are eating on a daily basis. Some of you are talking about still having shakes once you are off of your liquid diet phase. I thought Dr. Miranada said when we start eating that we should not use the shakes. Getting confused and not losing weight since banded. I know this happens to alot of us, but I had no trouble losing pre op. Would love to hear what some of you are doing that you are really losing at a steady pace, even before getting filled. Also, how much exercise are you all doing? Thanks!

the fax number is a US number...

:lb4: Banded on 3/20, I've lost just about nothing since..... I have however lost inches rather than lbs. I think our bodies have to adjust as well as our minds. If I had any complaints about OCC, I would say that we should have more specific guidelines on how and what we eat after week 3. For example, should we concentrate on the amount of calories, protein and/or fiber? I have tried to get a response from Dr Miranda on this, to no avail! When I go for my fill on May 1st, I will try and pin her down for this info. Personally I have been concentrating on protein and I think that is why I have lost inches instead of pounds... eventually it will all work together (Ihope)!!! Most important, I feel great and have a much better self image. Last night before we went out, I must have changed clothes 5 times. Hubby laughed and said I have not done that in years...he actually smiled and said I must feel better about myself as I care how I look. THAT'S POSITIVE!!!! :lb21:

I began this journey by telling not a soul (except hubby and children). I even went so far as to swear them to secrecy. However, I changed my mind and ended up telling everyone. People had been commenting on how good I looked and I just blabbed. I got nothing but great responses and tons of support. Actually friends are now asking me about the procedure and facility so they can give the information to some of their other friends and relatives who need the surgery. I feel as I made the right decision for me.

Well, you can tell her that my husband is a family practice physician and he highly recommends OCC to his patients. He was very impressed with the care they take and give to their patients. They are very careful and will not operate if you have not followed their guidelines. Tell her to look up Dr Ortiz and she will find out how experienced he is. He is also the proctor for the company that manufactures the band. That means that he teaches other doctors how to do the procedure......all over the world.

I got through the postop diet with very few problems. I did however start eating about 3 days prior to target day. I have no problems with anything but bread and meat. Tried meat three times and it just will not go down. This week I will try ground beef. Go for first fill May 1st.

:lb13: Michelle, I think you are an amazing person and congratulations on this new milestone! I also want to thank you for your reply to my query on Protein, Calories and Fiber. Dr. Miranda has totally ignored my e-mail to her and you are the only one who really gave me the information I was looking for. I am sure I speak for all when I say your internet research skills and sharing of information is greatly appreciated. You are certainly an inspiration for all of us. I have a daughter in Summerlin, are you anywhere near her? Arlene

:lb14: Hi Everyone, Have any of you been given some guidelines as to your nutritional intake? PostOp, should we be counting calories, grams of protein or fiber, and if so, which one and how much? I cannot get Dr. Miranda to respond to this question. Getting my first fill May 1st, have only lost four pounds since banding, but losing inches. Any insight will be appreciated. I feel like I am missing something here, but don't quite know what. Arlene

Cardinal rule from OCC is you do not drink while you eat. Bread can be a problem, crackers or toast, corn tortillas seem to go down fine. Just remember small bites and chew, chew, chew.

Does it get better once you get your fill.....please say yes?

:dash1: :girl_impossible: :help: OMG...All I want to do is eat! I've done just fine since being banded, but all of a sudden two days ago, I lost my mind and can think of nothing else. I stay busy, go shopping with friends, play mah jongg, movies with hubby........and all I think of is what can I eat. I have had a terrible problem with beef, cannot eat it without getting stuck, what an awful feeling. Do really well with sea food, thank goodness I love fish!!! Any suggestions....please!!!!!

:-h Hi There Dimples, I will be at OCC on May 1st for my first fill. I will make sure to come and say hello to you since I will be there the majority of the day. I am flying in that morning from Salt Lake City and going home later that same day. I wanted to stay there for a few hours and make sure I was comfortable with my fill. Don't worry about anything, the procedure is a piece of cake and the OCC is a wonderful place. Arlene

Hello, I lived in Wellington from 1987 until 2 years ago, when we relocated to Park City, UT. I got banded March 20th and wish I'd of done it years ago. Unless I go prod for it, I am not aware of my port site. I'd be happy to share any information you think you need. Arlene (utahmom)

I set my goal at 135 and I have no reason for that. I truly feel that I will look my best at about 145-150. Just have to feel it out as it goes. Just so happy the scale is finally moving in the right direction!!!!

:lb14: Yes unfortunately, I was banded on March 20th and have only lost 4 pounds since then. Scheduled for a fill May 1st, however, I seem to be losing inches. suddenly all my clothes are getting very big. So do not worry, all of our bodies react differently to this procedure, but we will all soon be svelt and beautiful. Arlene

I weigh in every morning.... Can't wait for my fill on May 1st..... Have only lost 4 lbs post op...however, I've lost inches everywhere!

:lb14: Momonamission, I am alot older than most of my fellow band sisters. I researched the band for two years before making my decision. I kept thinking I could do it myself and gained and lost the same 20 pounds many times. My husband is a family practice physician and when I mentioned Mexico he about went nuts. However, I had made an arrangement with Carolyn, one of the OCC Coordinators to have Dr Ortiz call my husband. They spoke for about 30 minutes after which my husband said go ahead. He came with me and was very impressed with the doctors, the facility and how everything was handled. He has now referred several of his patients to Dr Ortiz, need I say more? Go for it, you will never regret the decision!!!! We live in Park City and although I cannot ski because of previous back surgeries, I do snowshoe and hike. And yes, it is awful having to have someone else do up your boots because you can't bend to do them. Arlene (utahmom)

It's so great when you start shrinking!!!!! I bought some size 3 tops at Chico's the other day and they actually fit, I hope they shrink a little when washed or I won't have time to enjoy them much. Congratulations to all my sister bandsters > My husband is so funny, he can't wait for me to have to buy a whole new wardrobe.

( Oh Wendy, I'm so sorry for you! Just think of how wonderful it will be to toss all your fat clothes! and then when you buy new clothing, they won't smell from cigarette smoke! Your life will be so much better and you will feel so healthy and good, especially when you look in the mirror!!!! Keep your head up and keep smiling and just think about how lucky you are that you will be able to have this surgery. Remember, more than half the people in this world don't make the amount of money in one year that this surgery costs. So, just keep thinking positive thoughts and how lucky you are, then you will do just fine! Arlene(utahmom)

July 31st is my birthday too!!! and its always a great day! Good Luck to you! Arlene (utahmom)

You certainly got that right!!!! It was an awful feeling. Was my one and only PBurp...hopefully my last. It is hard for my to remember small bites and really hard not to drink while eating, but I WILL LEARN!!!!!

I've heard good things about the fill center in Salt Lake City, but found it's cheaper for me to fly to San Diego and back the same day. Transportation from San Diego airport and back, plus the fill with flouro is $199.

:-h Hi All, I think everyones tolerance will be somewhat different. I actually had a piece of pizza last night with no problem except it took me as long to eat that one piece as it did for everyone else to finish the whole pie!!! I did have a problem with a chicken and rice dish and after two bites found something else to eat. But, for me the BIGGEST problem, pain, BP and sliming came from trying to eat on open face PB and J sandwich #-o oh well!! Looking forward to my first fill May 1st, as I keep thinking I may be eating too much right now. Not many guidelines to go by..also, exactly how much should we be drinking once we are on regular diet? Does anyone know as I am not clear on that. Thanx, Arlene

:-h You guys are too sweet!!! My hair has been white since I was in my 30's. Both of my daughters in their late 30's are turning white but they color their hair. I love my white hair, since I started my weight gain due to back problems in 1985, it's been my one great feature. I had major surgery in 2003 that really gave me back my life as I was about 6 months away from being wheelchair bound. So I've crossed major hurdles and am so excited about this current one. My whole life I was underweight and my weight has been my biggest nemesis. Very excited as I went to Chico's yesterday and actually bought some cute tops that fit, far cry from my 2X wardrobe....can't wait to toss all my fat clothes!!!!!YEAH..... Arlene >

Fill Center USA charges an initial fee of $349 plus $100 something for the flouro and fill. The fee after that is $85 per visit or they offer a $1300 package for one year. I am paying $199 for the fill and transportation at OCC. I am paying for my airfare with points, and also flying in and out the same day. If you need to stay overnight, OCC charge is $299 for everything. Hope this helps, good luck!!!