sparetire

The diamond ring on my pinky finger went flying off when I was talking with my mom. Never had that problem before. Good thing I found it back.

Oh that is horrible! There has been a recall of certain tomatoes here in Canada, my son works at McD's and they are not using them at all either. Apparantly it hit in the US but they are not taking any chances here.

I hope you feel better soon!

Cheryl,

I too have been discouraged and not getting any family support... I keep coming back to this forum and while I don't post very often, I read that others are in the same boat as me and I take comfort from all the responses from everyone. Esp Will...

I have added walking 5km and hitting the gym again for 5 days a week exercise and drinking 3L of water a day as per everyone's advise so we shall see where this takes me.

My problem is extreme hunger. my stomach is sometimes so empty that even with water in it it growls horribly and almost hurts. I am scheduled for a 2nd fill next week in Arlington so I am hoping to at least get over this feeling...

slow and steady we will reach the goal...together! :-h

Well, I was all ready to say I could make it until you changed it back to July 5. That's a big holiday weekend for our family, so I won't be there. Maybe another time.

Snowbird,

Diane and I (Val) are still coming down next week... we would love to meet with you!!! and anyone else who CAN make it....just let u know...

That's ok you guys, I understand the work thing....luckily i have Thurs/Fri's off from my regular job and making time from my 2nd and 3rd jobs. just keep your other plans... i would definately wait in order to meet some ppl if I thought I could, but I am going down out of desperation and depression. my sister doesn't even really need a fill yet, I think she is just going to support me.

I am on my way to TJ via Baton Rouge>Memphis>San Diego on Tuesday. I travel light, so I will NOT have a laptop, but I will check in at the hotel computers and see what is going on.

I have a full day and a half to work on getting my fill just right, so cross your fingers for me.

Hmmm.. have to be at the airport in 4 hours for a 6:15 am flight.. probably ought to go to bed..

Fingers and toes crossed for you! I can't wait to hear how this goes for you as I am in the same boat... Next week will be my 2nd fill.

I am so excited to possibly meet some of you!

Pammie, you are my idol so if you come, i would ask for your autograph!!!

Snowbird, you too!!!! I am in need of some deep deep inspiration!

ps good thing i didn't schedule this for this week as the mountain passes I have to drive are completely covered in snow! YES, I said the S-word...is that swearging?

Hello my lovely bandster buddies!!

How is everyone doing? Sorry I've been MIA, my laptop crashed so the only times I have been able to get online is when I can pry the desktop computer away from my hubby (he plays online poker) and usually I have work stuff to check on when I do have a few min online! I have been able to check in using my PDA while we have been driving around house hunting (we are in the process of looking for a new home, which is much more time consuming than I remember).

Let's see what else is new in my life? My son graduated from kindgergarden yesterday, which makes me feel kind of sad and a little bit old.. lol I was the room mom for his class so I spent a lot of time planning the ceremony and reception so I'm glad that part of it is over, I was good and avoided the cookies and cupcakes!! I also got my hair done again at the Kim Vo salon, it's a little bit lighter but it has a real summer feel to it so I like it...

On the weight loss front it seems that I am back on the right track, finally losing weight again... I was 191 yesterday when I weighed but it's THAT time of the month so I might actually be in the 180's when I am done with that, we will see on Monday... I honestly don't have much restriction, I have been able to eat bread which I couldn't do after my 1st fill, very weird but I got so used to not eating it and other things that I'm not eating it now. I'm guessing what happened was when I had those PB episodes right after my 2nd fill I got really swollen so I couldn't keep anything down so I decided to get a little unfill, I realize now that I should have kept it and just waited it out for the swelling to go down.. Lol for what I paid for my hair I could have almost made the trip down to TJ and paid for a fill but I'll probably go back in early/mid July!

Oh well I am still losing so that's good, I think right now it's mostly due to keeping up with 30-45 min of exercise 4 or 5 days a week, nothing extreme just some pilates videos some days and the treadmill on others. I saw that Lynnzz picked up the ball for a June exercise challenge (thaks sweetie, keep up the good work) I am going to be heading over to that post next to join up, I hope everyone else will too, when things aren't going great with my diet the best way to keep losing is to work out, even though I am still not at the point when I'm looking forward to it or enjoying working out I'm suffering through it... lol

I hope everyone is well, I've got a lot of reading and catching up to do so I better get crackin!!

LOVE YOU ALL!

Welcome back Michelle. You are doing sooooo good!!!

I have a belly ring and a nose ring, does anyone know if they make you take them out for the surgery? I am pretty sure I would have to take the belly ring out but I am not sure about the nose ring...

Thanks for your support!

I was allowed to keep mine. and my wedding rings because I couldn't get them off...

Hey all, I am booked to have surgery on the 26th of June. Does anyone know of where I can get my fills in BC? greatly appreciate your help

colleen

Depending on where you are located, there is Arlington, WA with Kitty,www.northwestfills.com (they also travel to Spokane, WA and other WA locations) and Calgary AB with Dr. Mitchell.

My sister and I will be going to Arlington, WA for our second fill in 2 weeks. We live in the Okanagan.

Hello Ladies!

1. Date.. July 5th

2. Restaurant - "Broosters" in Arlington, WA -so for those wanting to do a fill can still get one. http://www.nwsource.com/ae/scr/edb_vd.cfm?...n=615&s=nws

OR we could go for atmosphere and do Ivar's in Mukilteo, WA. http://www.ivars.net/Mukilteo_Home/mukilteo.html

I would like to finalize soon as we get everyone to say that the date is good and then decide where to eat (like good bandsters of course).

Hanna

Darn! My sister Diane and I are coming down from the interior of BC on Thurs June 19th. We decided to go to Arlington for our second fills...

Anyone want to meet with us? We are leaving here around 6am and have apts at 12:45 and 1pm with Kitty.

I went to TJ and saw our friendly Doctors. Dr. Romero is so nice and so handsome! He took out what I had in and I was surprised that he removed 1 cc. I had 1.2cc and .2 dissipated. Now I have 2 cc total and man can I feel it. I have to eat very slowly taking very small bites. If I don't give the bite time to go down and quickly chase it with another bite I am in trouble. I this is going to be hard. I haven't realized just how fast I have shoveled food in my mouth.

I finally made it under 230 this morning and I am so happy and motivated! I have started weight watchers online and have been counting points. I didn't realize that I was still eating more than 1200 calories a day. I am eating less now that I have 2 cc a lot less.

Maytee

Hi Maytee,

I am so glad you finally have a good fill.

I hope to go for my second fill in 2 week. Unfortunately going to TJ is just unrealistic financially so we will go to Arlington WA. i have heard good things about them.

ttys.

How long has everyone been waiting till their 2nd fill. I had my first fill on 5-16 and can still eat anything as long as I eat it slowly and chew it well. I don't really get a full feeling and only had a couple of pb'ing episodes because I was eating too fast. Not real impressed with what I am seeing yet and the weight loss has not been good...

INFO NEEDED

reneej

Hi Renee...

I am also feeling the same as you. I am getting myself so down about this all. My sister and I were banded at the same time and as of today she has lost 50lbs. she now weighs less than I do and is starting to look so fabulous.

I am planning to go for a second fill sometime in June, my first was the Apr 24. unfortunately I can't get back to TH due to the expense of coming from Canada...I hope to go to Arlington WA as they also have fluoro. I would have gone for another fill already but have to work for the next 3 weeks straight...

Hmmmmmmmmmm this post has me even more disappointed than before.......

I keep hearing that your first fill (in Tijuana) is not more than 2 cc's or something close to that. That the first is only slight. That it is your second fill that does the trick.

Well, I am spending a great deal of money to go back to the center for this first fill and it is sounding like it isn't going to be very helpful and that I'll need to go back yet again very soon after.

I want my first fill to do the trick, I don't want to wait any longer to have this work. Whats the difference in going to Mexico or having it done here when basically the first one is the same. I mean, yes, they use fluro, but if they use only a minimal amount the first fill, then it is basically the same as having a blind fill.

???????????????????

no, mine was 3 cc's and believe me, I CANNOT even fathom having another fill at this point. I am tight! i can only eat maybe about 1/2 a cup and the full feeling lasts all day. I am eating only because I know i have to. This likely will subside as the fat around my stomach goes but right now, it is a BEAUTY.... perfect! It also depends on which band you have... mine is the 10cc one. so I am less than half filled. if you have the 4 cc one and get almost 2cc, you will be almost half filled. This could also mean you would likely never need another fill. I spent alot of money to go back to TJ... almost $800 is what the plane cost was and it took 24 hours to get there. It is definately worth it!

Hi again all,

I will banded on May 26th and my new concern is will I be successful..... Long story short (hopefully).

I am turning 44 next month and I have gained and lost about 1000 pounds over the last 20 years. If you knew me, you would know that I am ALWAYS on a diet. It is embarrassing........ I have done every diet available, joined every program, etc...... I always lose,but after about 6 months I gain it all back and a lot more very quickly. I want to get off this merry go round so Lapband is my chance, I hope, for a normal life and a normal weight. I know I have to do my part and I am in the mindset that I am going to follow all the instructions given to me ( I am an all or nothing gal) I know it is a tool and it will be up to me to use it the way it is meant to be. Is there anyone out there with the same merry go round life of dieting that finally got off and is now normal with the Lapband??? I just want to be healthy.....

Thanks!!

LeaLove

Hi LeaLove

congrats on making the decision to get healthy. I too have these same fears as I will be 43 next month. I have also been on every diet there is and now with my band, i am having a hard time with the "dieting" mindset. I have to work at not counting calories, but at making healthy choices. I can tell you that with the band, with a fill, I can hardly eat anything without feeling immediately full. i have dropped approx 2 lbs since i was filled last week...

every once in awhile, like when I go to sleep thinking about it, I have this fear that it too will fail. i really enjoy this forum as the majority of dr Ortiz's patients have success, huge success and thus there is a more positive vibe here than on other forums. I think this is also the reason we chose to go back to TJ for our fills, despite the huge cost.

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

I also have the VG band and had 3 cc's put in. He tried 3.5 but that was too much so he took out .5cc. My sister got .8 cc's but he started with 1.2cc's. The measure carefully and check via fluoro as to how fast it goes through.

Hi there!!

I was just wondering if any of you have experienced a fill outside of TJ and then returned to TJ for a fill? Is there a difference in where and who does the fill? Or, are all fills created equal?

I have my banding May 7th, and am still contemplating where to go for fills. I live in South Florida so traveling back and forth to TJ could get expensive. Any suggestions?

Hi Jacqui,

I live in Canada and travelling to SD and TJ costs us about $800. We (my sister and I) were originally scheduled to go to Calgary AB here in Canada but it was going to be a blind fill. (apparantly all fills in Canada are done blind) After both of us read "The Lapband Handbook" we were a little paranoid about the whole "blind" part. we made a last minute decision to go to TJ and even though we had layovers in different cities (11.5 hrs in one) we did it. I think we will also plan to go back the next time due to the increased risks and after talking it over with Dr So. we just don't understand how they can even risk doing it blind. With the x-ray, everything is so precise. Doing the fill with fluoro is also important as your fill is also more precise.

Hey Girls,

I had my fill on Monday (2.1 CCs) I was a little disappointed because I felt very little restriction. Ah but now, 4 days later...yikes! Happy to have it though.

Any March 10 bandsters still checking the forum?

Kate

I'm here... just returned from getting our first fills.. we decided last minute to go to TJ again. how was your cruise?

I had a good fill, 3ccs and i feel restriction immediately. I just hope it doesn't loosen up.

WOW....huge drug war going on in TJ

Supposed to go for a fill on Thursday.....thank goodness I made transportation arrangements!!!!

My sister and I just returned on Sat from TJ (fill on Thurs)... we took the bus and trolley from the airport, to the border and walked across... took a cab to the clinic and then returned the same way. We felt safe the entire time, and judging from the border, they can't be too concerned. the only ones who were there were the cabbies offering rides to wherever you needed to go... never saw any policia...

The photo shows a standard LapBand made by Inamed Health. It consists of a ring of silicone which is placed around the very top of the stomach. On the inner surface of the ring is a balloon which is connected via a long thin tube to an access port which is buried deep under the skin just above and to the left of the umbilicus. If we pass a fine needle through the skin into the acess port we can inject saline into the balloon causing it to swell up and thus tighten on the stomach wall. This will give the patient a sense of satiety or lack of hunger. Even if they have not been eating they will feel less hunger and less interest in food. If the band is adjusted optimally, there is almost no interest in food or appetite for eating. When they do eat they quickly get a sense of fullness and do not feel inclined to eat more. The net result is that they eat 3 or less very small meals per day and feel quite satisfied with that.

Awesome Michelle. Great visual especially since my sister and I both have different bands...

Originally we had plans to have our first fill in Calgary Alberta... however, they do not offer the flouro and I am a nervous nelly... we just decided at the last minute, booked flights and fill apt today...

Anyhow, Anyone else going to be in TJ on Thurs? or heading into TJ? we (sister and I) are planning to take the bus and trolley to the border... cab from there to the clinic... just need to figure out a hotel on the route to stay at....anyone local able to direct me???

Hey Allcdngirl,

I know we've chatted before and live quite near each other. ...just in case you might be interested... There is a local doctor here (Ladner) who will do your fills.. He charges $400 for the first time and $75 each time after. I contacted his office before I had my surgery and they said that he was only taking new patients for a short time because he was going to start doing lap band surgery himself. If you are interested in having your fills down locally you'd have to contact him soon.

Hey Redhead

does that include fluoro? seems like a good deal...

I mean do we really even need a goal weight? Or will eventually our bodies just settle at a weight where it's comfortable?

Sorry for the idle rambling, I guess I am so used to failing on diets before and I know the band will help me not to fail this time but I don't want to be disappointed if I don't reach this lofty goal weight I have set for myself...

I think that everyone's goals will happen when they get there. For example, last night i watched the grand finale of biggest loser. I think that Ali and Mark both look horrible in the face. They look drawn and not near so friendly. I love that Alli won and that she has lost soooooo much, but I honestly think a couple of extra lbs in her face would do wonders... mark well... get rid of the beard and maybe he would look better (this coming from someone married to a beard)

I set my goal based on where I was happy. I will reevaluate that when i get there and based on my family's thoughts, since I can't see any changes in myself.... (I have lost 30lbs and can't figure out where)

I have also had this pain, off and on. It is worse after I finish my 3 days at work. I think sitting at a desk doesn't help it much. I have noticed it is getting better and less often now. I was banded 3/10, so just a bit before you. there is hope. sometimes i have pain in the morning so I think it may be the way I was sleeping. my insides pressing on it or something.

hth

:-h Hi All,

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

Hi Arlene,

In Dr. Ortiz's book, Dr. Miranda's guidlines say to have at least 8 glasses of water a day. The way I plan my day, I have a cup of coffee in the morning, make my 2 egg omelet (with salsa and ham or bacon) then wait 1 hour then start drinking from my 4 cup water mug. My goal is to finish this (along with more coffee) by 11:30 am. I then make my lunch, usually a salad with tuna, chicken or beef strips, wait 1 hour and then drink another mug of water before dinner. I now have had my 8 cups. After dinner, I will maybe have another 2 cups.

Drinking water is paramount to weight loss. It helps to flush toxins through the liver.

hth