crissicles

So i have some questions for you guys who've been to the OCC before...

1. What to pack? My mom is worried she'll have to carry my luggage on the way home. Plus i want to get in some serious TJ shopping so i know i'll need to leave some room. I know to pack light, and loose fitting clothes... but does anyone else have advice/thoughts on the subject??

2. Will we need cash? Does everyone in TJ accept american currency?

3. Is there anything you experieinced bandsters would reccomend doing or bringing? Like Gas-x strips or hitting up Revolution Ave for some knock off purses??? (The Sex in the City movie has me "shopping for lables")

Thanks!!

Just a suggestion but I brought little gifts for the people that were banded with me I gave them crystal light and bullion packets and a few other items , I have heard that they really came in handy... (not that you have to give gifts ) just that the packets could be useful , they supply bottled water for you and you can buy it anywhere, tea bags if your into caffine might be a thought the hotel only had coffee, tea was more soothing to me and tasted good and gas x liquid gels (little green gel ) worked the best for me as far as clothing quick easy and fuss free... and you have to walk back across the border a short distance so do pack light or have something with wheels to help with carring issues.... good luck to you your going to do great!!!! yeah for you your going to have an amazing time...Crissi :girl_dance:

I just started my pre op diet today. I am doing the slim fast shakes for breakfast and lunch and then lean cuisine or smart one for dinner.

My question is my shake I had for breakfast was 180 calories, my shake I had for lunch was 190 calories and all the lean cuisines and smart ones I bought have no more then 250 calories in them. So for the day I will have a total of 620 calories.... Is this going to affect my weight loss? I mean it just seems like I would go into starvation mode instead of losing weight ya know..

And plus I AM FREAKING STARVING!

HELP PLEASE!

During my pre-op period I think Dr. M said that you could have up to 4lbs of greens only greens, with the wishbone spritzers I used to have salads with my shakes made me feel like I was having a meal vs "just a shake" and some times for a sweet treat I would mix up some sugar free jello and fat free cool whip It has like no calories yummy..... hope this helps.... Crissi

I am just wondering how long this uncomfortable 'full' feeling is going to last? I feel like I am just stuffed full from the bottom of my abdomen clear un into my chest.... I have tried walking, phazyme, gas-x, drinking water to try and get rid of the bloat - NOTHING has worked. It is so uncomfortable! I feel so bloated and like I am constantly eating, but I am only eating at the most 800 calories per day. Am I supposed to be eating that many calories per day? I am finally in the drinkable yogurt stage and will be on day 7 tomorrow so able to have some creamy soup. I just want to know how long I am going to feel so darn bloated. To top it off I have not lost anything else so far.... weight fluctuating between 192 and 193 (surgery weight was 192 - RAH!!) so I am getting antsie to see that scale go down. I know... patience. Its just frustrating.

Sorry about all your bloating Carrie I suffured the same thing for the first 8 days.... Its horrible but it does finally pass gas x the little green liq gels worked for me it took a couple of doses though... hope things get better for you I think going back to work helped me I am on my feet all day so the walking does help .... bye for now crissi :girl_sigh:

So for about the past week, I have woken up in the early morning hours (between 4 and 5 am usually) with horrible tightness in my chest. It almost feels like bad heartburn, but a little different, plus there's no way I'm having heart burn on slim fast shakes and creamy broccoli and cheese soup. Anyway - it feels like crazy tight restriction and it feels a lot better if I sit or stand up. What is this about? Is something happening to me overnight that is making my band restrict? Anyone else heard of or experienced this??

Just thought I would put in my two cents the cheese and broccoli soup maybe giving you gas which can be trapped making it feel like your having a mini heartattack... Has happend to me several times since my banding... and also I have very tight restriciton in the AM so I drink a little hot tea.... but gasx has helped with the gas .... :girl_sigh:

I was banded on May 26th, and haven't lost any weight. I felt like I was starving a few of the first days. I'm not taking in more than 1000calories, at most. Thoughts? How long does the pain from the port incision last? Sometimes mine burns like mad. Did anyone need other medication besides the stuff they sent home with us? I've been taking ibuprofen to ease that burning pain.

Catfriend, I was also banded on the 26th (Crissi) I have been taking the liquid tylenol and that has helped me. my only problem was the gas the next day I was trapped in a car for more than 6hrs... so I suffered a bit .... other than that things have been going good .... things will for you tooo.... keep your chin up, yeah were in bandland!!!! :lb16: :girl_dance: crissi

:girl_dance: Hip hip hooray....I am finally with the band..... I was banded May 26th and as of this morning I have lost 10 pounds.... What a great experience thanks to all, hospital, hotel and forum..... for making my experience go smooth I havent heard from lea love but thanks for the support and conversations.... it made it that much easier to actually "know" someone there....I hope to hear from you soon .... also hello to everyone else there cedartown and a couple of others not on the forum... Yeah ..... for us....... :girl_haha:

te name='sunnee01' date='May 20 2008, 06:47 PM' post='29034']

Lillygirl,

There is a real risk for burns if you leave them in. I've even had patients remove clitoral and nipple rings. I would be ready to remove them.

Audrey :lb12: :lb12:

:lb18: Sorry but this is true I work in a pre surgical area and I make all my pt take off all jewlery not only for the burn risk but there are other factors such as swelling ,,, a ring can do nerve damage if it gets to tight and if it can not be cut off you could lose a finger or toe for that matter and with piercings when you are groggie(sp)or even under anesth. you won't know to say oowee so peircings can easily get snagged and ripped out so for you saftey it would be wise to remove them... and try to put them back in as soon as possible... :girl_sigh: Crissi

Hi! Like others I have been reading this forum for months and finally I am posting. I can't believe how a group of strangers from all over the country can be so supportive of each other and not even have met in person. Your journeys are so inspiring and I truly can relate to all of the emotions that are expressed. I'm excited and terrified. I keep doubting my decision, but then I made contact with Cathy and Evette on the forum and they are WONDERFUL. Just afraid that once again I will fail, but how can I with all of us cheering one another on? I have gotten more caring and support from this group of strangers than I have from my own friends/family. I think because we all know what it is like to be in a body that is just not you. I'm buried and sad and can't wait to emerge. I don't care if I lose 1lb a week...I want to do it safely and have it last. I know I can lose..I just can't keep it off.

My surgery is June 5th and Rene is picking me up June 4th. I'm not sure which hotel I'll be at...I imagine the new one. There is a slight chance I might go alone...but calicat reminds me I won't be alone! If you have the same dates, I look forward to meeting you!

Congratulations to everyone for your weight loss so far!

Christina

:-h :lb5:

Welcome Christina I am also sort of new to this forum and I am so glad that I have joined we will just miss each other I am scheduled for May 26th... I will also not be telling anyone of my surg.. Too much negitivity and they don't understand being overweight... and the constant scrutiny that comes with it...yet tell you you have such a pretty face (heart warming) enough of that... You will be so happy with your decision 6 years ago I was going to have this done in the states but learned over night that my insurance would no longer cover the surg.. I was devistated I was practacly an inch from getting it done it took me almost a year of pre-op preparing... so here I am finally going to make my dream happpen thanks to my wonderful loveing and understanding s/o who has helped finance me... He means the world to me... would love to hear back bye for now Crissi :cheerleader: yeah for us!!!

:-h :lb5: Well hello there somehow my reply got erased that I sent to you must have pressed the wrong button,,, I am also having my banding done that day and so is Shannon,,,, There is also a bandie going to have her fill done that day ....I am so excited only 2 more weeks.... Mon I am going to start my all shake diet I need to drop my last 6-7 pounds....So how are you doing with your pre weight loss... do you know what hotel your staying at... I would love to hear back from you Crissi :cheerleader: yeah for us....

I'll be flying in from Atlanta on May 25.Surgery on the 26th.

I'll be the "fat" one.

Hello Portland Ladies. Please keep in touch with me! Im Vancouver Wa and getting banded on the 29th of April. SO EXCITED!

Hello Nebs mom, I really think we should all try and set a date to get together and just meet .... There seems to be alot of us from Portland and V.C. people on here... That would be so much fun maybe we should think about it..... I get banded on May 26th ..... Cant wait well would love to hear back on what you think of trying to arrange something...Bye for now Crissi :-h :-?

Hi Everyone,

Please wish Brittany a Happy birthday. This Lap Band has been tuff on her. First she has to deal with Lap Band and then a few days later her boyfriend has to go to Oregon to work for a few months. So I thought if anyone has a moment you can drop her a quick pick me upper. I really appreciate it for those who do. Jenn

Member name: BrittB

:lb5:

Happy Birthday Britt... I know for a fact that all your boyfriend is probably thinking of is your sunshining smile ....( I live here in Oregon and it has been rainy) ...........So cheer up yeah its your Birthday...............Crissi :lb21:

anyone out here in the healthcare business? I am talking about patient care. I am a RN in a high level I acuity in a hospital that will undergo this procedure on may 23 and supposed to be back to work a week afterwards. any ideas how to get back to normal without chances of injuring myself? between kneeling, bending, lifting, pulling, running through the hallways, etc... you know what I am talking about. I have yet to tell anyone at work about the procedure. any suggestions, and therefore will be expected to perform at 100%. Thank God for the 3 days on and 4 off/week.thanks =D>

I too work at a hospital... and as you have opted not tell tell anyone at my work... I will have a complete week to recover and was just going to play the" fell on vacation may have bruised my rib going to try and be ginger" and just try and use beyond belief body mechanics....Crissi :girl_impossible: :girl_sigh: I'm having my surg on May 26th...

Sorry but my post didn't post.. Just wanted to drop a line and say congrats on your progress you are doing wonderful :girl_dance: you must be so happy ....one of my favorite sayings is" a quiet woman rarely makes history"so heres to you and letting us share in yours....Crissi

Here's the 2nd set (I had to change shorts because the other pair wouldn't stay up, lol)

Again click to see the bigger picture!

Anyone out there scheduled for Memorial Day, May 26th in TJ???

Hi Just saw your post I will be getting banded on May 26th also would love to chat with you so maybe we can "know" someone familiar when we get there... would love to hear back from you... Ill be driving up with my family who live in CA then me and my S/O will be dropped off at the airport He's going to stay with me once we get there so I won't have to go alone... well hope to hear from you....Crissi :cheerleader:

I'm just now trying to book for may 27 or 28th

HI just thought I would send you a little note Im going to be banded May 26th hopefully Ill run into you there Would love to meet someone that actually post on here till then.... Crissi

Hello Crissi and Welcome...I to depend on this forum for support so you are not alone...isn't great to feel you have friends all over for support...

I love that I have already have been welcomed by so many of you...thank you so much.... I am going to be totally dependent on this forum.... I have not told anyone but my family and S/O of my surgery so I love the fact that every one is so kind here...Crissi

Welcome Crissi.... Glad you joined us. I think you'll like it here. I've learned SO much from this forum. Denise >

Well thank you for the warm welcome I already love it here... I have learned so much already with just reading in from time to time ... this is just an amazing group you all should be soo proud of yourselves for not only your weight loss but for being such kind caring and responsive to everyone.... That is a main reason why I have limited the people I have told of my surgery and decided to join this group... This group is penominal ... Crissi

Welcome Crissi! I too am from the Portland area to be banded on May 14th! I'm not near as good about posting as some on here are but enjoy it just the same and love the support and knowledge you can gleen from everyone!

Good luck...!

I think we have several Oregonians on here; we should meet sometime and start a little support group! >

Caro

Well I think that would be great to meet up If this is planned I'm In.... Im from out side of portland on the west side I work in portland at a pretty prominant hospital.... I have only told my parents and my S/O of my surgery ...My S/O is actually paying for it.... ( Am I a Lucky in Love girl or what ) I would love to hear more from you I have been told of some fill places in and around Portland would love to talk to you and ask ??? 's about.... Crissi

Crissi

Welcome to the group from a fellow Bandster AND an Oregonian.

xoxo

>

Thanks so much for the warm welcome Im glad to hear from another OR person I guess there are quit a few of us.... I work in portland but live on the west side.... Crissi

Criss!!!

Congrats!!! Thanks for coming out and finally saying hello to all!!! Yay.. you'll find great support here! Blessings and congrats to life changing journey!

Hanna

Thank you so much Hanna for the Blessings I am just so excited to be apart of this group with being banded soon.... this is such a great group.... Crissi

Welcome to our group! You are gonna be so happy with your decision. >

Thank you so much for the warm welcome I can't wait for my surgery I am sooo excited...Crissi

Hi Crissi!! Welcome to our group. I will be banded this Friday, the 25th. I've learned a lot here also. I have shared openly my good and bad days and have received guidance and encouragement. I'm so glad that you are here and taking this journey with us. Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings and again, welcome!!

Well Wendy I wish you a Speedy recovery (Im in the medical proff. I ve learned not to say good luck) I'm so envious of you I can't wait till my date.... I can't wait to hear of your journey It has also been hard for me to lose the pre-op weight ... but I am focused thanks for the warm welcome... Crissi

HELLO!!! I HAVE NOT SET MY DATE YET. I AM WAITING FOR MY CHECK TO COME FROM MY 401K. I AM VERY HAPPY FOR YOU. I CAN NOT WAIT TO SET MY DATE. > > I CAN NOT WAIT TO HEAR HOW IT WENT. WHERE WILL YOU HAVE IT DONE? MOMONAMISSION

Hello there thanks so much for the response.... Im having mine done in TJ Im not sure by who Im going to have to find that out from what I hear no matter who I will be in great hands....wouldn't it be great if your money came in and your date was also mine !!!!! I havent heard of any other bands being done that day but but someone responded and said she was being filled that day so I can't wait to see if we meet there... Crissi