Musiclover

I looked at the calendar again and my fill date is actually May 30th so that is 4 weeks and 3 days after my surgery. I guess I'll phone the fill doctor and see what he says.

I believe that is too soon. If you had surgery at Dr. Ortiz clinic, he would tell you to wait 6 weeks.

I did have my surgery with Dr. Ortiz and he did tell me that but I know a few others had it done at 5 weeks. I think I am pushing it at 4 weeks - I am going to call and reschedule I think. What if there isn't enough scar tissue and it slips the band - stress.

I had my surgery April 29th and I am having my fill done by a doctor in Vancouver. They booked me for May 27th but I am worried that is too soon to get a fill done. When did everyone else have their first fill?

Good job Nebs Mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't been losing much since the surgery, I was 188 on April 29th and I'm 185.2 now, still...not complaining because it is better than gaining.

I told a few people - and regret telling most of them. Now I am bombarded with "so how much have you lost?!?" and other questions that are none of their business. I only told a few friends because I wanted them to know why I was leaving town (I asked a few to be available for my children if they needed something) so they wouldn't think I was just taking a vacation without my kids or something. I also told a few friends who are overweight, in case they had any questions about it.

The only ones I don't regret telling are the overweight friends. Not a single one of them has made me feel embarrassed about it, while the thinner friends keep asking me why I just don't go on a diet again (I can always lose weight without much effort, my problem is not sabotaging myself and re-gaining it), and I don't want to get into all my mental/relationship issues with them.

I told people I was going on a shopping trip with my friend (couldn't think of what else would fly) and I have had a few 'must be nice' snide comments since I came back. I reassure myself that I wasn't being selfish because in actuality I was doing this so I can be around for my family for longer and be healthier but since I can't tell anyone else that I just smile and nod.

I chose not to tell people I was getting banded. The only people that know are my husband, a friend that came with me to TJ and another friend that first told me about the surgery. I have a few different reasons for not telling people; I didn't want to hear about the 'dangers' of getting surgery in Mexico or have all my skinny friends share once again how they stay skinny by not eating dessert for a few weeks (I have never eaten dessert my entire life) or by cutting out their morning pastry. I may tell a few close friends eventually but we'll see how the band works for me first. Please share your story.

I often wonder if the band is a poor choice for someone who doesn't eat very healthy. We are all getting the band because there is something wrong with our diet but for many of us it is that we eat healthy...just too much. If one ate only junk food and continued this after the band, I think they could probably get very ill/malnurished. It is a reminder to be sure to eat according to Dr. Miranda's guidelines so we ensure our health is utmost.

When I lose the weight I am looking forward to...

being a hot girl with a hot husband not the fat girl with the hot husband

playing with my kids at an inside playground and not worrying about getting stuck in a tube while chasing after them

proudly wearing a bathing suit and not worrying about what everyone is thinking/saying

being able to shop in a store that doesn't say 'plus' anywhere

I could go on...but that is enough for now.

I didn't even notice this contraption in the pre-op requirements but when I was at OCC for my surgery, they gave me one to take home. I have been using it a bit (not as much as I should) but my kids love it, they think I brought them back another toy.

Good morning GinaBallerina,

I think you are doing just amazing. =D> Losing 17 pounds is a huge accomplishment and must have been a lot of work, congratulations! I think you should keep working towards your goal of surgery in July and that including exercise as much as you can is going to make a big difference with your weight loss. Keep going girl!

Well it doesn't look good, she told me the same thing that the cut off was May 1st and I said " ok then why didn't you tell me that when I called you, why did you go ahead and fax me the forms to fill out?" She said she would ask the Dr. and get back to me but I don't see it happening. I did some research on the Dr. and Victoria and apparently he doesn't like to do fills for out of country bands either and if he does take you on it can take months to get a fill. My passport expires in a week so I am not going to be able to go to the States or MX for a fill. Grrrrrr. I guess I'm looking at Calgary.....Woopeeee, the phone just rang and Dr. Woodhead said that because the nurse had already sent me the forms that would take me on as a patient. Boy that was a close one.

I'm in Kelowna so Delta is still 3 hours away from here but better than 7 hours to Calgary or having to take the 'evil' ferry boat to Victoria. I'm going to call right now and I'll let you know what they say.

Hi.. if any of you are using Dr. Woodhead for fills, I need your help. I had spoken to the receptionist about getting Dr. Woodhead to do my fills, and she told me to call her when I was ready to book. I just called, and she said as of May 1st they are not doing them for anybody unless Dr. Woodhead does their surgery. I can't afford and don't want to keep having to go to Tijuana. I was hoping to find somewhere close to home in case I had difficulty or needed any "unfills". If you are a patient of Dr. Woodhead's any chance you might be able to see if he would be able to take me on?

Oh that is very, very bad news to me. I was going to use Dr. Woodhead for fills too! I had my surgery last Tuesday and was getting ready to fax in the forms and make my appt today for 6 weeks from now. That is so frustrating. Well there is a dr. in Victoria who is supposed to be very good and is cheaper than Dr. Woodhead (I heard $200 for initial and $75 after that) so maybe I will have to give that a try. I have also heard there is a Dr. in Calgary that does it, I'll have to do some research and figure out who it is and how much he charges.

1) How old are you? 35

2) I was skinny until I was in my 20's. Honestly never even thought about what I ate and didn't gain a pound. Stayed within 15 pounds of my goal weight until my mid 20's when I started taking the birth control shot (depo provera) then I gained 40 pounds in 4 years.

3) Before I got pregnant and 1 year after the birth of both my boys, I lost 20 pounds but it always comes back eventually.

4) I just had the surgery a week ago and with the liquid diet I have only lost 2 pounds, I lost 8 pounds on the pre-op diet though.

5) I haven't even scheduled my first fill yet but I'm hoping for a pound or two a week (isn't everybody?) I'll try and keep everybody updated.

Hi Nebs Mom,

I have been wondering how you have been feeling (for those of you reading, I was banded April 29th too). I have terrible shoulder pain from the gas; I have been popping gasx like it is candy! Besides that the actual incisions feel fine, I got home late last night so today is my first day back with my boys (mine are 30 and 35lbs so Dr. Ortiz said I couldn't lift them for 2 weeks, aggghhh) and I am feeling a little overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done because of this non stop gas pain. Once the pain goes away I think I will feel a lot better, my gas doesn't seem to be going anywhere, just rumbling around in there. I am hungry too but too scared to eat so I have only had broth and popsicles. My hubby bought some of the liquid yogurt for me but I'm still a little nervous to try it.

Hi Nebsmom,

I am getting banded on April 29th too. My friend and I arrive at lunch time (not that it will be lunch time for me ( ) on the 28th so we will see you at the hotel when you get there Monday night.

I was thinking I might just be looking on the wrong aisle too but today I looked the Canadian Special K site and they say nothing about the water at all. We only live a couple of hours from the border so maybe a drive over is in order. Thanks.

Has anybody found it in Canada? If so where? I have looked everywhere and can't seem to find it.

I'm wondering about the pre-op fasting too. I fly the same day I am getting pre-op done so I won't get to the clinic until 2 at the earliest so I am hoping I don't have to fast from midnight the night before as then I won't have had anything to eat or drink for 14+ hours.

My BMI was 33.6 when I registered and I have to do the pre-op diet so that 1.6 must make the difference. Makes me wish I would have lost a few pounds before registering as I am on the diet now and it is not my favorite. Though actually, it is going better than I anticipated...it is nice not having to cook for 2 weeks. =D>

Hi Nebsmom,

I am getting banded on April 29th too.

I will see you there!