sparetire

The resteraunt in the Lucerna offers a fabulous quesidilla... it was huge though and both my sister and felt we could have shared it. This was probably because we had also been on the shake pre-op and were not used to consuming so much. That being said, I think TammyLu also had the same thing... BTW, when we went to Mexico back in January, we were specifically told not to eat outside the resort and to stay away from the fruit. Just a thought... don't want to get sick on top of surgery.

Or if you had a hernia that had to be fixed (nothing to do with the fat around it). That is what I had and Dr Ortiz fixed it but had to use the VG. He also told me that I would probably only need 2 fills just like my sister, hers would be 1 cc or less and mine would be probably 2.4cc for the first and maybe one more like that. Of course (the disclaimer ha ha)I don't know this for sure as we have not gone for our fills yet. Thanks for the visual MamaMichelle... I was having a hard time explaining to my husband why I got a different one than my sister.

Hey Mary, I think we met you at the Lucerna! My sister Diane and I spoke with you the morning of our surgery. Glad to hear your band is ok, but I sure hope you can find out what the problem is. Thanks for all the reassurance > and for letting us "feel" your port One thing we noticed is that you don't have any real visible scarring. Do you know why that is? What can we do to prevent it? Thinking about you! >

I am on day 6 of clear liquids and oh my goodness, I think I am about to faint... can't wait til Monday when i can start having some thicker liquids and get some substance in me. Today I did take a chewable fibre tablet (benefibre?) and that has helped with the extreme hunger. I just feel like I am not getting enough calories. broth has 30 per cup and popsicles are only 50 at most. i suppose juices would be more, but i have the runs as it is and don't want to make that worse. anyways... you are not alone! on the upside... i am down 6lbs since surgery and as i said, that was on Monday...

We were interviewed by FOX tv when we were shopping in TJ last Tues (the day after surgery). We took a "hotel" cab and asked him to also refer the cab company to come back with. Didn't notice any violence or drug activty, and the questions were regarding "how safe did we feel, where we satisfied with police presence" etc... as I said, we were in a group, Kate and her hubby Norm (who got to sample all the Tequila that we couldn't) my Sis Diane and myself. I think if you are in a group, you are fine.

Tammy! I am so glad you figured out what the problem was. We were so worried about you! All the rest of us march 10ers are doing good I think. I know I am and Diane is too. Both of us are back to work tomorrow, Friday... ttys

Hello, Diane K here on Vals' laptop...Well here we are at the Lucerna...We had an uneventful trip besides some confusion about the time change in Canada and US but not in Mexico yet, so we were up at 3:30AM, jumped ahead, arrived early in SanDiego then jumped back an hour in TJ.LOL Everyone is very friendly and giving here a the hotel, very helpful. The bell boys jump to help you around etc, They told us that Dr Ortiz is the best refferral DR they have using the hotel. They did bring us a basket with some fruit in it, and we asked the maid inthe hall for more water bottles which she gave us. We're on the 5th floor with a lovely view out. The weather is great, warm during the day, so we did some tanning because everyone knows we're in Mexico "for a few days". We met with Kate and her husband by the pool this afternoon, and found ourselves sitting by Tammy and her mom for dinner. Great to start touching base with others in person. We're just settling in now and will try not to get too nervous. Ativan is sounding pretty good rigth about now. Usually I'm on the other side of these kinds of things-reassurring others and handing out the happy pills...So long for now. We,ll keep in touch. DianeK

giggles...

So, here we are on the eve of our departure... my li'l sis and I are leaving at 4am to catch our flight to San Diego via Vancouver BC. I am nervous, excited and on top of that it is the time change tonight... 1 hr less sleep. I have a million things to do yet, and have to make a card as it is my mom's birthday tomorrow and I won't be here. I am so glad to be here and get the support from you all > . I did my shopping today, including gasx strips, fleet suppositories etc... I want to be prepared. All I need to do is figure out which suitcase to bring. is there a blow dryer in the hotel? I have my tea bags, broth and crystal lite drink powders all ready to go... we should be good. So, to those arriving at the Lucerna tomorrow afternoon, I am the short, fat, dark one and my sister is the tall, fat blonde one. See you Soon!

HI all .... I am sooo excited...getting my bags packed today and all the laundry and house cleaning done...went up and got our passports out of the safe deposit box....YIPEEE!!!!!!!!!! I just cannot believe how time has flown. Just really happy and cannot wait to feel better! Hope to meet many of you there in the hotel or the clinic.... I am a short blonde and my dear hubby is 6'6" so we are not an easy couple to miss take care and see you soon.... krista YOu sound like me... kids need clothes for next week and darn it, they need food in the house. I put in a full week of work and I am just not used to it. I also had to finish making some wedding invites for my son and future dil. they need to be in the mail by MOnday. However, I will have a somewhat long flight to get excited... see you on Sunday!!!we arrive at 12:25 but have to go through customs when we get there. I am coming with my sister, the fat,short, dark one and my sis is the fat, tall, blonde one... talk about opposites... anyways... SEE YOU SOON...

We also have a long flight down and back... coming from Canada. On our way down, we are asking for the "emergency exits" as there is always a larger area there. On the way back, we won't be able to have them as you must be physically able to assist other ppl out of the plane. My hubby and I flew to Mexico in January and for some silly reason, the flight home seemed alot shorter. Not sure if that was because we were vacationing though or not...

OR put it in your signature. it automatically updates when you update your tracker. val

Kim, You are an inspiration to me! I love looking at ppl's before and after pictures. I can hardly wait. I started an online journaling blog so I can write my thoughts and keep a record of my journey, and I hope that when I am a year post-op I will be like you! You are my hero! I have not told many ppl what I am planning and those who do know while initially were in shock, are now very supportive. I am going to have a hard time being away from my kids for the few days, especially my new grandson... but I know it will be worth it! I have had my ups and downs with the separation anxiety with what others are referring to as their "first love" FOOD. Pre-op has been difficult and I have found that I was not eating(drinking) enough calories. As soon as I bumped it up a bit, the weight started coming off again. Countdown has started.... 3.5 days till my new birthday... band day... cheers,

No they aren't... we are arriving on a Sunday and the clinic is open mon-fri... sorry....

Hi Krista My sister Diane and I are scheduled for the 10th...we will maybe see you...we arrive on the 9th in San Diego, around noonish...can't believe how fast the time has gone by, even though we only had 2 weeks to wait. Hope to see some of you at the hotel!

My sister and I leave this coming Sunday! Surgery is Monday. Oh my goodness... I am freaking. I am having such a hard time with the pre-op and getting the scale to drop. I am really hoping that I will have lost enough weight by Monday. Yet, I am also excited. boy what a mixture of emotions... as I was driving home from work, I was thinking about life with the band. What if I am not able to stick to the diet plan what if I can't lose the weight. i know I shouldn't think like this but I am sure we all get these thoughts...

Now I am getting scared. I am having such a hard time with the pre-op diet...darn scale won't budge. Is there such a thing as starvation mode? I have heard that when you limit your intake beyond a certain point, your body will go into starvation mode and hang onto every ounce it can. I found this when I didn't strictly follow herbalmagic plan, and ate less than what they recommended. after i bumped up my caloric intake just a touch, my weight went down again. is anyone worried about this during pre-op and post op? Or am i just paranoid?

awesome, that is what I was looking for. I do ski now, and Diane is a very good and avid skier too. Iknow.. many ppl are surprised to hear that we ski since we don't look like we would do things like exercise. It is difficult as my knees end up hurting and I don't fit too well when there are 6 adults going up the chair, never mind trying to find ski pants that fit without altering them. I got fat by eating, the wrong foods, dieting too much and subsequently screwing up the metabolism by being lazy when I had all my babies... (6) so now i am a grandma and want to live long enough to see him grow as well as spend lots of active time with him. (secretly, i think i have been hiding behind my fat).

Ok, so what I feel up to could be things like water skiing, downhill skiing (almost extreme, like black diamond and double diamond) I think Diane is referring to the things they do now that even though she is overweight is still able to do because of the experience behind it. myself, I have been doing crunches and working out at the gym with a program and also ski as our family has season's passes. Will I be able to ski in april after being banded in March? Will we be able to do these things in a year from now? how about 1 month? don't get me wrong, I am not being sarcastic, just genuinely concerned about how much or how little to do or will i be limited to cardio workouts only. The port, do you feel it? is there concerns with the site, will it move with exercise or hamper exercise? I guess we should have researched more before doing this, but I know in my heart that I need to do this no matter what the cost against what I like to do now. Darn, I am not sure if I am even making any sense now. i started a journaling blog if anyone cares to read... http://lapbandval.blogspot.com

Yes please, I am curious about excercise and the gym after surgery. My plan is to see my trainer shortly after and work out a suitable "modified" program from what I am already doing. Some tips and recommendations about full workouts and modified would be great! I have also started a "journal" as I get myself ready to go to Mexico in just over a week now, if anyone would like to follow it, my blog is: http://lapbandval.blogspot.com

I am thinking of you! wishfully I am so anxious to get this done now... we are here waiting for your reports!

oh man... I am anxious to hear the rest... ok... you go take care of yourself first. don't overdo it. I will be patient. My feelings of apprehension are finally being neutralized. One question tho, what did you mean about the laughing? like laughing gas? I like it... had that only once with a surgery and was just telling my sis (who is being banded with me) that it was the best way to go under... let me know k?

Thanks for sharing your experience, I and my sister are looking forward to it yet also aprehensive. for her, it is the first time having any kind of surgery. Quick Question... what time did you arrive on the 26th that they were able to have you in the day before? Is this a normal occurance? Was your surgery in the evening? If so, i want that... the day I arrive LOL might as well get it over with...

And I am the Sister... :-h LOL ..I think Diane is back to work today (shiftwork) from the sounds of it, we will meet... I am so excited and I know Diane is too. yet nervous. Pre-op diet is going good, we have protein shakes from Herbalife and having lean cuisine or weight watchers for dinners. so far I am down 9lbs from Sunday and i was told to lose 15. just eating my salad as I type.

Thank you Mindy! yes, 2 weeks away and both of us are now feeling the nerves. We both started the liquid protein/lean meal on Sunday with anticipation that my husband would agree to this. so yes, we are well on our way...I am feeling very hungry though. I have been drinking quite abit of water, coffee (black), tea though... just to alleviate that feeling. Also go to the gym on a regular basis but just actually getting back this week as I have been sick with a sinus infection til last week. I hope to keep this up afterwards with adjustments of course. I will book an apt with my trainer when I get back, to explain what I did. He probably won't be happy but i feel this "my last chance". I just became a grandma and don't want my little grandson growing up with a fat oma...I want to live to see him grow up period.