crazycoolbutterfly

Ok, so I went to my PCP and got an upper GI series with follow thru and my band looks really good! The pouch looks good and doesn't seem to be any problems. As of today, I can hold liquids and eat creamy soups. SO things are getting better. I think I may have had a stomach virus, but I really don't know. I am going to the houston fill usa center and show them my pix from the GI and see what they think. One thing I noticed (and the radiologist) was that my band looked tight. Which is working and doing it's job, but for some reason it looked tighter than normal? And I haven't had a fill since July 30, so I am wondering what that means? I wonder if the cold weather effects the tightness of the band? Has anyone ever heard of that? I know that our menstrual cycle does for some of us, but cold weather? I could believe this because it does effect old muscle injuries and all surgeries. I have also read that stress, anxiety, excitement and of course strenous exercise tightens the band....maybe it's a combination of things. SO, after clear warm liquids for 3 days, this is what I am doing: 6 oz Hot coffee in morning (8am) 8 oz room temp water 6 oz protien shake 8 oz room temp water 4 oz hot creamy soup (11:30 am) 16 oz room temp water 6 oz protien shake 8 oz room temp water 2 oz brown rice, 2 oz creamy soup blended and hot (3:30pm) 8 oz room temp water 4 oz of blended creamy soup with veggies hot (6:30pm) 16 oz room temp water I wait about 30-45 min between each item, except for the creamy soups I wait 60 minutes then drink again. Technically I went back to the creamy stage, but it's working so I think I will do this for awhile. Let me know if you all have other suggestions. Thanks for your input

:lb10: WAY TO GO!!! isn't it amazing what you can do with a little help and support? As I was reading your story, I felt as if I was reading my own story in regards to age and husband. Thanks for the laugh, inspiration and update! Everything you mention is so TRUE :lb13:

Well thanks for the input ya'll. I still am not feeling well. I am going try a liquid diet for a few days, then see what happens?

Looks like it's going to be the last weekend in APRIL WHAT FUNNNNNNN

Houston: $349 first visit in houston: office visit w/o book or packet +$85 only WITHOUT fill due to unaccessible port $349 plus $80 if want Fluro Follow ups are like $85 without Fluro, otherwise $155 plus $80 for FLuro The last time I checked these prices were in August, so it may have changed?

Houston: $349 first visit in houston: office visit w/o book or packet +$85 only WITHOUT fill due to unaccessible port $349 plus $80 if want Fluro Follow ups are like $85 without Fluro, otherwise $85 plus $80 for FLuro The last time I checked these prices were in August, so it may have changed?

I have been reading through some of the postings and noticed that there have been some people experiencing problems with over fills and stuck foods. Lately, I have been nauseated and vomiting through out the day. HOWEVER I CAN eat without a problem very LATE at night. When I wake up, I have always had a "tighteness" that wears off about 2-3pm, so I usually start with a protein shake or yogurt. For lunch a salad, lean chili w/ beans, soft fish, or anything soft and mushy. And by dinner which would be about 7p I could eat chicken, or red meat, and steamed veggies. Now, it seems that I can NOT eat anything all day. No breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I drink water, but slowly and it can't be cold. I get that chest tightness and my heart feels like it's going to pop out of my chest. I can drink hot liquids, coffee, tea, broth- very slowly and a little at a time. WHAT's the deal? It started happening about 5 days ago. I just thought it was because of the weather or my menstrual cycle, because I have noticed that while on my cycle my band feels tighter. And when the weather is COLD out, my band feels tighter than usual. BUT after reading others posting, I am beginning to think that maybe I have something stuck. I had my second fill in July 30, 2008, so I don't think it is an overfill? I had thought about getting a third fill the beginning of this month, but I held off because I was going to wait two more weeks...and then this problem began. What do you think? Recommend? And if I do have something stuck, HOW do I get it unstuck? THANKS in advance for your responses and I hope to get over this SOON.

Thats AWESOME

Thanks for the info, I was thinking about getting them, but was unsure because no one has really given any reviews. Thanks again....

Hi! and Welcome When I made my decision I had 15 days to lose 15 pounds... I lost 12 but hey that was AWESOME... I immediately did the protien shake and weight watchers entrees like they recommend, and then I ordered the Optifast from the online store and I think that helped me more than anything. I still use Optifast today. I like their protien bars and shakes and entrees...not too crazy for the soup. I learned to actually enjoy water, lots of WATER. Also, I gave up the sodas completely, not even diet. And I STILL don't drink soda today. I also gave up breads, and yet it was a struggle and sometimes painful (after surgery it would get stuck), I finally overcame breads, tortillas, and cakes and even some pastas. So, GOOD LUCK and best wishes on your enLIGHTENing decision

here's a link with instructions to the T.... Post-Op diet instructions

My latest discoveries have been liquid supplements. First Drinkables-liquid supplement that provides 5 SERVINGS of over 40 fruits and veggies in 1 OZ !!!! That's right folks, I was at Sam's club looking around for vitamin boosts because it is difficult for me to eat all me recommended fruits/veggies DAILY, and I found this absolute wonderful supplement. I drink 1 OZ, which is 2 tablespoons, only 10 calories and get 5 servings of my daily recommended fruits/veggies! It is a berry flavor super mix available for $18 for a 30-60 day supply, that's less than $1.50 per serving- compared to a salad that is a savings of $2-$5 per serving!!! Sometimes I just take the 2 tablespoons and drink it like a straight shot, sometimes I mix 2 tablespoons with 2 tablespoons of my favorite drink -tea, berry juice, ...and it tastes even better. Secondly, FUZE came out with Black and Green Tea which provides antioxidants and Vitamins C, E, B3, B5, B6, B12 for only 30 calories per serving (there are 2 servings per bottle) AND if you are inclined to drink the entire bottle because it tastes very good, that's ok -- you just got yourself 2 SERVINGS of VEGGIES! How cool is that? Also available at Sam's club. Thought I would share the joy of getting your fruits/veggies quick, smoothly, and tasty.

Hi Vix, I'm catching this topic tonight and hope you are doing alright. I noticed that today was the big day and wishing you the best. I agree with most everyone who has posted, you are asking for his support, NOT his permission. I hope he is able to give that to you. Sometimes blessings are disguised. GOOD luck.

:lb14: :lb9: Glad to hear that your experience went well! They are AWESOME in TJ at the OCC. May your journey be fun "filled" and successful

Well this past Wednesday, I traveled to Austin to get my second fill. I was going to get it in Houston, which is only 45 minutes away from me, but I wanted to have it done with fluro. I paid $350 plus $83 a total of $430, not to mention gas and hotel which was about $225, so technically I spent about $650. And I WISH I would have went to Tijuana. Only because I felt like a NUMBER, while I was there. First of all, the center was nice, modern and friendly. When I went into the room, they handed me a folder which contained a book, procedure info, and legal terms. She says, read this later, and let me know if you have questions. Then, I signed four more forms regarding legal sanctions, terms and conditions, etc... The doctor which didn't even introduce herself, until I asked for her name, seemed MORE nervous than I was. So I called her on it and she said she wasnt nervous, just had a headache and the radiological vest she was wearing was too heave, that's why she seemed a little off. WHATEVER So, she began with the procedure and it was UNCOMFORTABLE. While using the fluro machine she took TWO times to get into my port, she made me hold my breath, tighten my stomach muscles, and took out about .6 cc from my band. She said that it was great, and I was doing well, my pouch wasn't stretched and I seemed to be doing very well. Then she inserted about .4 cc which gives me a total of 2.0 cc. While she inserted the fluid, I drank the liquid to check the tightness of my band, and since the tech forgot to strap my feet to the table, as she lifted the table to sit/stand me up, I was HOLDING ON FOR DEAR LIFE!!!! She took about 2 or 3 minutes making sure that everything looked good because the machine they used took photos and wasn't a live shot like in TJ. For heaven's sake, she has a needle in me and trying to move the table working against gravity! Anyway, afterwards she says thank you and have a nice day. I COULD NOT believe it!!!! The only reason I went to Austin was so that I would have to wait another 3 weeks to get a fill. It would have cost the SAME to go to TJ!!!! The only good thing now, is that when I go back -that is IF I go back I only have to pay $85 for fill WITHOUT fluro in Houston. Otherwise I would have to go back to Austin to get it with fluro. I thought this was a bunch of bullshit! THAT WAS IT...WTF? I paid all this money and $350 for what? A book that tells you about your pre-op and post-op (up to 8 weeks) and then what? It doesn't even tell you about 2nd, 3rd fills or even about 6months or annual updates. They just recommend information which I already knew because they told us at OCC. I think that we shouldn't have to pay all that money for a stupid book, and literature which is of NO use to me at this point! I should have only had to pay for the doctor visit and the fluro. Which technically should be covered by my insurance since it is a radiological exam. :ireful2: GOOD news is, I do feel a bit restricted already. I had 48 hours of liquids and finally ate solids for dinner today (Friday) and since I had spagetti and meatsauce I didnt have any problems eating, chewing or anything at all. I'm able to drink without having any difficulties, I just need to make sure and eat/drink because I don't have the hunger pangs, like I was getting before. Enough venting and writing for tonight. Thanks for reading and listening.

:lb21: :lb24: :lb21: :lb13: NICE job Paula!!!

thanks for responding... I will speak with them on Monday...

:lb9: Thanks for joining. Looking forward to reading your updates and may your journey be a fun "filled" success!!!

Hi everyone!!! I would like to know if any of ya'll have used the center in Houston? Any pricing info or insight to the center would be nice. I'm considering going to get my next fill there, but they don't use fluoro and I'm not sure how their patients stats are? Comments, suggestions and feedback would be greatly appreciated. Or if you are seeing another Dr in the Houston area, let me know name, number or email info, please. I'm still looking into TJ also, but considering Houston because it is much closer and plane tix are skyrocketing ridiculous- even with the 5% discount Continental offers. THANKS everyone in advance !

Time to do the CARLTON LOL OR : WAY TO GO, that's AWESOME for you

Article of the day for everyone! Enjoy Answers to nutrition questions

Good for you, that is pretty much how I did it. I called OCC, I started my pre-op diet that same day, and in about 15 days I was in TJ and everything went smoothly. This forum is always motivating, inspiring and hilarious - it's one of the reasons why I liked the OCC. Keep us posted

You guys are hilarious! Thanks for the tips and motivation. Trust me weighing in at 240, I don't look like -or feel like- a "normal" runner, but I'm in it for the fun and experience. I'm glad to hear you are doing well Brooke, I would like more info on those bars. I'm so happy for your progress! And thanks Alana for the tips on bras, I was at Target looking for some today, and thought " I need to come out with a bra line for women like me" Needless to say, I didn't find anything, so I will look into that link. And Paula, you are always making me laugh! I know what you mean, but, I figure that I was/am crazy enough to gain as much weight as I did BEFORE I took action and finally went through with the surgery - so what the heck! Well talk soon, ya'll take care

He will take you back to the airport, or within a five mile radius. I remember a couple of us needed to go to the trolley station and he dropped us off there, and one of us needed to go to the car rental division and he dropped her off there. I would assume as long it is along the way, I wouldnt see why there would be a problem with that? Francisco is really nice, send him my regards - that is if he remembers me- so many patients go in and out, I doubt it, but hey what the heck? Have you booked your surgery?