Maytee

More to ask... sorry...

Food.. I cannot tell if I am getting enough protein. I am using a salad plate and dividing portions like Dr. Miranda said, and I stop eating when I think I am comfortable. Then, I am fine for about 2 hours, and I start to feel ravenous. I don't think it is head hunger, because it happens most of the time. I cannot tell if I am stopping too soon because I think I should stop, or if I have had enough for the meal. I have been very tired, and think it might be because of less protein and trying to get in my water.. dehydrated.

A problem magnified by this is constipation. I am using benefibre in my coffee, eating fruit and veggies at every meal, and walking for 30 minutes when my knees allow it. I am to the miserable point... suppositories are a flop, and I have resorted to a stool softener, which still hasn't worked. I don't know how to get enough solid fiber without using medication to resolve the issue.

I am feeling very thirsty, tired, and whiney today..... sorry

I had a small problem with constipation so I called my Dr. and She recomended Mirilax in poweder form. It's a stool softener that totaly dissolves in water. You take it for 7 days and now all is regular again.

Maytee

I wonder if anybody could answer a few questions for me. I am wanting to go back to Dr. Ortiz for my first fill. I have been told that the fill is free, but the fluroscopy cost. I also was told that we have to pay to be picked up at the airport to go have this done. Is this true? Does anybody know how much it cost for the fluroscopy and the ride to the clinic?

Tanya

I plan on renting a car. Its 30 more dollars to get the special insurance to go into Mexico. OCC is just over the border just after the first stop light. My husband has to work in San Diego that week and I am going to tag along. His work is paying for the rental and I fly free with him. So for me it will be very cheap!

I do think the deal for 299 is worth it if you want to make a little vacation out of it.

Good luck!

Maytee

I remember Dr. Miranda saying to me to wait 30 before food and 30 min after. It works for me. That has been one of my biggest struggles, not eating and drinking at the same time. The thought of never really eating hot spicy food is sad.

Oh well, I do at time have to eat ice or take a couple of sips if water because it drives me crazy. I do sympathize with watching the clock about when to drink and when not to drink.

Mayt ee

How important is it to have your first fill at the clinic? What kinds of things can happen if I go somewhere else. With any procedure in any city there are risks, whether it is at OCC or a Fill Center or at your local Dr. I don't think going anywhere else is really that much of an issue, but many Drs. won't treat patients banded in Mexico so be sure to check!!

Does anyone know why they can't do a fill when its done. They install the band inside of you unfilled because the swelling from the surgery will give you plenty of restriction for 2-3 weeks (for some people it's longer) once the swelling is gone most people lose all restriction and some can eat as much as they did before surgery. The fill is what really kicks you into weigh loss mode because that's where you get all the restriction!!

Do you still get really full even if you don't have it filled? I guess I'm just a little confused on the purpose of the fill. See above about fills, fullness with no fill is rare but some people may never need a fill, others may need 3-5 fills in their first year. I believe I read somewhere the average was 2-4 a year?

Thanks for that info. I have been struggling with the fact that I can almost eat just as much as I have before. It makes sense, I have my first fill scheduled for May 5th at OCC and I can't wait to get it.

Maytee

Flipped ports do happen but the are not particularly common. They are also not an emergency situation so you don't have to rush anywhere in order to get it fixed. Getting your port fixed or even replaced is an outpatient procedure that OCC is capable of doing and will probably do for free or at a reduced charge if it wasn't because of something you did. They won't even put you to sleep, though you may want to turn your head depending on how squeamish you are. If I ever need my port repaired, I want to bring this with me because it will be impossible for me to freak out if this is in the room at the same time, though they may have to sedate me a bit to stop me laughing.

http://www.amazon.com/Palisades-Toys-Distr...6847&sr=8-5

Anywho, I do recommend going to OCC for at least your first fill as they can have a look and make sure everything is hunky-dory in there. I went back for my first fill, but have gone to local doctors for subsequent fills.

Clynn,

I see you have had an unfill. Why?

Maytee

I am sorry sweetie!

The combination of food and wine was probably just too much on your belly. >

I am getting my first fill on May 5th. I am very excited and a little afraid of getting it filled. I have hardly had any problem with any food. I am really chewing my food so maybe that is what is making the difference for me. I have only lost 15 lbs since being banded on March 11th. I have started working out doing cardio to get my metabolism going. What are you doing to keep your weight loss going?

Maytee

I have had steak recently at a wedding. I haven't had any problems as long as I chew it every well. I had a problem with the piece of wedding cake I ate. It felt like a lump of glue going down my throat. The hardest thing for me is not eating and drinking together.

Maytee

Thanks for the info I have it ready to Tivo! I do find it very hard to chew everything to death. I understand it but it's harder that it sounds.

Maytee

We had AC in our room and it was freezing. We had to keep it on the lowest setting at night and off during the day. We where on the third floor. It was great!

>

If you have gas now just wait until after the surgery. I had no idea I would become a professional burper! Holy Cow! For me it doesn't matter if I use a straw or not. Burping changes, it's a lot stronger and more of it. If this is the worst of it I can handle it. I wouldn't change the fact that I am happy to start to live a healthier life style.

Maytee

Oh Girl,

I am afraid of the same thing. I have been on liquids cheating a little bit and not feeling much. I can't wait to get my first fill. I know that we will be afters once we get our fills. Count your calories and don't lose faith. It took a long time for us to get fat so it's going to take some time for us to get skinny. I have faith in you!

>

Maytee

When I was there March 11th we used the credit card at the hotel and took about 200 with us. If you go to nice place to eat they do take credit. We really didn't spend much after the surgery. Your going to be on liquids so your Hubby won't need to much cash. Bring money if you want to go shopping for fake hand bags or keep sakes. It's a lot safer than you think. A taxi to the main tourist shopping area from the hotel was $5.00.

Good luck!

Getting the Lap-Band done is the best thing I have done for my self. I am so happy!

Cool thanks for the info its great!

I posted these instructions before but it was buried in another thread so here it is for those who still want to add a ticker!

Here is how to make the weight loss tickers (for those who are still trying):

First visit this link (I suggest doing it in a separate window)

http://www.tickerfactory.com/ezticker/tick...gner.php?type=3

Select your ticker ruler- click next

Select your ticker slider- click next

Enter in your weight information and create a pin- click next

Use Ctrl+C to cut the text from the first box (aka the bbCode box)

Return to the lapbandforum.com site by clicking on this link to Edit your signature:

http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?act=UserCP&CODE=22

Use Ctrl+V to paste the ticker info into the signature box

Click- Update my signature and you should see the ticker image at the top of that page,

if you see just text something is wrong!

Hope this helps!