julieburns

On the contrary!! It's just like a busy city in the states in the area within at least 5 miles of the hotel. I am sure if you drive out a ways (which driving in Mexico is a talent!!) then it can get dicey.

I wish you a safe journey home. So glad all is well!!

Thanks for asking this, I too wondered about what/where to get this.

I think the surgery video is great too, if you are wanting to know this type of stuff.

:lb10: :lb21: Glad you booked your surgery. You won't regret it. The shuttle is wonderful and will pick you up at the hotel to coincide with getting you to the airport on time. I think I was picked up about 3 hours before my departure time, if I am remembering right. You're doing the right thing by just reading as much as you can on this forum. It's a wealth of info. If you can't find what you need just ask. Start that pre-op diet today so you won't worry about losing the weight. You can do this!!

:lb25: I love this emoticon because it shows how we feel sometimes with the band and not losing weight. You will do this and you will lose more weight. Remember patience with yourself and some of the others posts say it all. I love the excerpt from Dr. Ortiz's book that sparetire posted. Copy it and post it to you fridge, mirror for a constant reminder of what this reality is. Also you could stick up some of the cute words and pics encouraging you to just do this!!! Hope this helps and hang in there.

Hi Grammy: I feel your desperation, i too felt that way. I'll try to answer your questions from my standpoint. I think this band is a radical lifestyle change. I believe very firmly this will work. I believe that's the attitude you must have in any "diet" for it to work well. What makes this different? I can only speak for myself but having had the band surgery 5 weeks ago I think what I've found most helpful is this forum. I also think the reality of the restriction, once you reach your "sweet" spot will absolutely decrease the amount of food you eat to 1/3 or so of what we used to take in. Mind you it's no miracle. You still have to make good food choices, exercise, drink water and follow a healthy plan. I believe for me this is my last effort to lose this 80-100 pounds forever. It does not happen overnight. I look at this as a 1-2 year process. I think the more informed you are and stay informed the more ift will work. I come to this forum DAILY to keep encouraged and on the right track. It works if you work it, not magically by itself. So I hope that helps. I am sure others will add much more insightful stuff but this is what is working for me!! :lb11:

Hi Stormy: I sent you a PM as I too am from Portland. I read your personal page and I think we may have some things in common. I would love to chat with you about the possibilities with your son and being banded together or not. I too have a wonderful husband who supports me in all I do. He isn't FAT but has lost weight (he needed to lose about 20lbs.) just to be supportive of me. Anyway I sent you my phone number so please don't hesitate to call me. I'd love to share my journey so far and see if I can't help you in some way figure out how/what to do with your son. Happy day. :lb9:

Hi Kim: I too am from PDX and was banded at the OCC in Mexico. I checked out the programs locally and all of them had sooo many hoops to jump through as well as the cost (unless you have insurance that will cover) are just too much. This is a great place to find out many answers to all those questions. I to have a hemangioma on my liver, a small one, and there was no problem with it and having the surgery. The OCC really has no hoops to jump through. Yes you do a pre-op diet and should try to lose 5% of your total body weight. just pick up the phone and call right now to start yourself on the road to a new you...You won't regret it!!

I second this!! You can do anything you set your mind to Lynzz.

Thanks for this informative post. It reminded me to just eat 4 ounces at a time.

Paula I wish you all the peace with this decision. I am sure you are stressing a bit, to put it mildly, and I hope you get a great fill experience . You deserve it. Hang in there. My thought are with you today and always.

All I can say is WOW, you are such a great writer. I loved reading each of your topics. It's like reading a chapter of my own life except you are much younger than I when you got your band. Keep it up and I can't wait to read your next topic.

So glad to know you're doing better.

What a great goal. :lb11:

Where do you find this great stuff Michelle? I look forward to you great informative and thought provoking posts. A sincere thanks for all you contribute to this forum.

:lb13: :lb10: :lb24: Forget about the scales and revel in this NSV!!

I love this forum and always find it so interesting to see how peoples opinions differ so vastly. As I was reading the article I found it humorous and took it for what it was maybe intended to be...a light hearted look at the crazy things we have done to lose weight. Maybe the author did not define/represent each diet correctly but I think the point was the ridiculousness of all of these crazy diets. Thanks Michelle for making me laugh yet another time with this post. It also made me think about how I am going about working my band in the proper way with no craziness!!

What a great topic. Thanks all for posting, all of you have helped affirm what it is we need to do to make this work!!

Don't forget your original paperwork, passport or birth certificate for coming back into the states, perhaps some packs of crystal light or protein powder but not absolutely necessary if you don't have on hand. That's all I can think of but I'm sure others have great ideas too!! Have a great time and relax and enjoy this wonderful new beginning. I have verizon and had no cell service down there, kinda a bummer. Also the calls to the US are very expensive from the hotel so call everyone you need to from the OCC.

Good to know.

I had oatmeal for breakfast, and wasn't hungry till dinner. I fixed salmon using a recipe posted here and it was delightful. I also fixed fresh broccoli and couldn't eat but a little bit of each. But each bite was soooo good.

Wish I'd of known. I may still get one for a treat. Thaks for the tip.

Hi Randy: :lb9: Glad you posted. Everything sounds pretty normal as to what you are experiencing. Were you banded at the OCC? If so I know all people have a variety of post-op courses. As each day passes it will get better. Take care and sip, sip , sip the fluids.