The Redhead

Thanks Michelle. I've tried the Gas X but they didn't seem to do much but I liked the cinnamon taste. But the Phazyme really have helped. ...and so does doing housework. (I knew it had to be good for something). ...Seems every time I carry a load of clean laundry upstairs I'm always able to dislodge a big burp.

Hi Momonamission, My whole life I have walked on the safe side. I don't take a lot risks, always wear my seat belt, never (well rarely) speed, throw out everything when it reaches the 'best before' date, etc. I thought about weight surgery for years and I researched it for just about as long, but I was too scared to go through with it. However, when I came across the OCC site I kept getting drawn back to it. I lurked behind the forum just reading the posts before I finally outed myself. I have 2 kids and I'm a single mom. I knew the life I was leading (like you losing or to gain it back) was killing me. Also, the way my kids were eating was doing them no good. Shortly after my 47th birthday I realized I had gained back almost all of the 50 lbs that had taken me over a year to lose. I started thinking... so if I continue at this rate... what will I be like at 50? 60? 65? Fat, fatter, fatter yet? I decided to 'take a BIG risk' and just do it. I sent my deposit and believe me the thought of surgery 'in the infamous Tijuana' was nerve-wracking. I had my surgery at the OCC last Thursday. And you know what? The OCC is immaculate, the surgical and support staff are wonderful, the hotel was gorgeous and even Tijuana (other than the fact they drive like maniacs and there is quite a bit of poverty) was a lot of fun. I realized that this really wasn't a risk at all. It was a life decision. I know I made a wonderful decision to improve mine. AND... I have been telling everyone how wonderful Dr. Ortiz and the OCC is. hmmm.... too bad Dr. Ortiz doesn't offer 'bird dogs' or referral premiums for all the people I have recommended to him. Good luck with your life decision. Denise 'Living the dream'

My boobs weren't stuck but I was nicely dyed with the iodine up high on my chest bone. I have white, white skin and the lovely yellow stain was such a nice touch under my white V-neck T-shirt.

Hi Crazycoolbutterfly... I was there with you last Thursday. I am amazed at your great recall of the day and was happy to read your story because I think I missed out on quite a bit. The 'happy pill' they gave me absolutely sent me for a loop. I keep asking my boyfriend about time frames of that day but I'm wondering if he got a 'happy pill' too because he doesn't recall a lot about when things happened. I have no idea what time I went for surgery. LOL But the important thing is... we did have it and now we have a chance to start life anew. :lb16: Denise

Boy oh boy Kimmie, are you ever right about the scales being the Devil. When I arrived home from surgery I ran right upstairs and jumped right on the scales. My good mood crashed immediately. I had gained 7 lbs from the day I left. I was really depressed. Then I realized it was water retention but I was still upset. It's now 5 days post-op and the 7 lbs are gone as of this morning. ...but I'll be back on that scale tomorrow and hopefully I'll start to see a loss. I'm calling this my 'honeymoon period with the band'. I am consumed with it right now. Hopefully it will wean a bit in the next few months. Denise

I was at my family doctor today who wanted to see me post-op. First off, she said she was amazed at how good I looked, not because of a huge weight loss (which I haven't experienced YET). ...But because she said that a lot of people look tired and drawn following surgery. I told her that as far as surgeries go, this one was a breeze, except the shoulder pain. We discussed the trapped gas/shoulder pain and she said that the pain was not really in my shoulder, but that it is called 'referred pain'. She said that the pain is coming from the diaphragm, where the gas is trapped and the nerve endings travel up to your shoulder. She said it's similiar to menstrual cramps that you feel in your back. The pain really isn't in your back but the nerve endings travel there and you sometimes feel the pain there. ...or sometimes when you have appendicitis, you may feel it first around your belly button. And that's what I learned for today. 'Living the dream' Denise

Wooo Hooo Linda. :cheerleader: I'm glad everything went well for you. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :lb16:

Kim these are really cute. Thanks. :lb16: Denise

Hi. That is strange. Yes, my appointment is for 1:30 on May 29th. I arrive at 12:38 and Rene made me an appointment for me at 1:30 on the 29th. Then our flight back to Vegas is at 8:55 so we'll probably hang out in San Diego for a few hours. I hope I didn't get forgotten. I was 'missed' at the airport going down and waited almost 2 hours for a pick-up. When I arrived at the hotel they didn't have a reservation for me and wanted to give me a room with 2 double beds but I said no. Then going back I was supposed to get a phone call for pick-up time but didn't. I called that morning and they picked us up 1 1/2 hours later.

Yes, I told them. U.S. customs was good with it. As soon as I said it he let us through. The Canadian customs was pickier. She kept drilling me about Tijuana but let us through anyway. I was ready to lift my shirt right there and show her. LOL

Hi Allcdngirl and WestCoastGirl I just had my surgery last Thursday at the OCC. I live in Surrey. Nice to see some more Canucks on the forum. Denise

Hi everyone. I was banded on April 10th. I'm not sure where in the surgery line-up I was, because WOW, whatever they give you really knocked me for a loop!! I don't remember much from that night but I called my daughter at home and she told me I really sounded 'out of it'. ...that's putting it mildly. I had a huge weight gain from surgery date to my arrival home. But it's water retention and the flight back to Canada probably didn't help either. When I took off my pants that night I thought my legs had been replaced by tree trunks. No shape! I'm doing better each day and I'll feel WAY better if this damn shoulder pain would quit. AHHHH... life will be so much better once we get through post-op diet hell. Living the dream.... Denise

YES ME!!! I'm also booked for that day. My boyfriend and I are going to Vegas on May 26th and then we are flying over to San Diego on April 29th. I'll go for my fill and then we're flying back to Vegas around 8 pm that night. We leave Vegas for home the next evening! My fill appointment is for 1:30 on May 29th. Denise

Looking forward to hearing how you're doing in the coming months.

> Congratulations Lynna. My turn Thursday. I'm glad to hear everything went well. I'm looking forward to joining you (and all the wonderfully supportive people I've met on this forum) as an 'official bandster'. Take care of yourself, Denise

Glad to hear everything went well. I'll be watching your progress closely. I'm about the same stats as you and 2 days from the band behind you. Denise P.S. No sneaking extra pairs of those sexy panties home for your lingerie collection!!!!

Thanks Reneej, I'm glad to hear everything went good for you and the hospital was as wonderful as we have been hearing. I wish we could have met but you'll be gone just as I'm arriving. Stay in touch. Enjoy the popsicles. Denise

Thanks Cathy. I appreciate all your kind words and I love reading your emails. I'll be in your corner supporting you when the time comes. Cheers!!

Thanks Jacklynrae and Wendy. I appreciate your words of support. Looking forward to meeting you Wendy.

I'm scheduled for surgery on Thursday, April 10th. ...And I'm nervous, excited, scared... all rolled into one. I barely slept on Saturday night and woke up a lot last night. I can't wait to begin my 'downward trend'. Hmmm... need to start planning a new summer wardrobe. =D> > >

Hi Dixychick, I have been taking Meridia (to curb appetite) for quite some time. For me it worked great in the beginning. You might want to try it.

I'm glad to hear you're feeling a bit better Kimmie. Hope those liquids start going down easier and you're feeling 100% soon. Take care of yourself, Denise