Phoenix

There is a light. I've seen it. And it's 7 months away. We can do anything for 7 months.

THANK YOU. That's what I just said, only you said it way better.

Jann is dead on it. If I were Carolyn Hax, she'd tell you to tell your friends what you need: "I need your support. Trust that I've done my homework. Trust that I'm doing what is right for me. Support me, please." You're on a good path. You've made good decisions. We're all here to support you until your friends come around. And they will. Or they'll show colors you'd rather not see. Either way, you're the better for it. Linda

Some meds are prescribed by patient weight. Some meds are prescribed by the current levels of hormone in the patient's body and bolstered to get within "normal" limits. The hormones your brain need to function are generally not weight based, but based on your body's ability to make or metabolize current hormones. Zoloft falls into the 2nd category, but one of the upsides of weight loss is a sense of increased control and increased happiness. A decrease in dosage is related to that.

Compared to the others out there, it's a 10. I buy it from drugstore.com and use the GNC card. Mix into water, milk or yogurt. I also put a scoop of vanilla into oatmeal. I also have a vanilla flavor Isopure and can't choke it down. From Costco, you can get the premade Muscle Milk lite in the paper can. Way better than the Pure Protein kind, but the Pure Protein is tolerable, too.

You can Google murder and violence in Phoenix, Seattle, Washington DC, Kansas City, .... and you'll find it. I'm not aware of anyone on this forum ever having issues with safety. I've walked over the border alone. And back, alone. I won't say it isn't a concern, but it's not anything to dwell on.

Dr. Ortiz was a Plastic Surgery resident. He noticed a yucky dark scar where I once had a mole. I'm olive skinned and tan easily. He told me that I need to keep my scars out of the sun for at least a year or they would be the same dark, yucky color as the sploch near my knee. I wish the dermatologist who took off the mole would have told me that.... Linda

Congratulations on your success!

Not for this trip to Mexico, but yes, you should get them updated. You're going 4 miles south of the border, and 18 miles south of the San Diego airport. They have Costco and Starbucks. You'll live.

I think she's wasting her energy worrying about the food and water. I go to Mexico frequently and have never had more than a mild case of the runs. If you're in Rancho, you're driving. Take a couple of bottles of water and buy a couple more when you run out. The food is fine, but avoid ice and lettuce. Ironically, it's not like any of us would die if we did get sick and lose 20 pounds.

I'm so very happy for you!

liquids didn't feel much different, but food should. (what's up with the hottie bariatric surgeons?)

So, today Aunt Flo paid me a visit. I noted that the last four days I was tighter than I was last weekend. Last Sunday I'd decided I needed a fill. Yesterday I was happy I hadn't gotten one. Tonight everything is fine again. I think you're just in your 28 day cycle.

I've done it, but I'm in Phoenix. From SD, it will be a tough run. AM flight to SD, plan 2 hours to get over the border, 2 at center, 2 to get back... you certainly won't always need all that time, but you do have to plan for it. 6 hour pad, 2 hour airport wait, PM flight out. 8 hour window. Doable. It's a lot to ask, really it depends on flight schedules. I'm also figuring that you'll do the trolley and shuttle to a taxi. Otherwise, you'll also have to calculate in the OCC shuttle schedule.

I'll waive at you all on my "blink and she's gone" trip Thursday. Taking an auditor to an office he wants to visit. I'll be back solo next year.

I would be angry, too, at $$ spent on a consult. But. Even here you read about people on a plateau, but their bodies continue to shrink. There's some merit there. Get to your goal, even out, then take the skin off. Maybe your waist will be 2" smaller if your skin is tighter than it would be if you had a TT now and still had loose skin. It's worth a few months at goal if you get to be a size 8 instead of a 10, right? That said, the money out of pocket for a TT shouldn't be spent beforehand on a consult. I doubt I'd go back to that PS.

Pizza doesn't trouble me, but dry chicken and tough bread (e.g. English Muffins) sure do! Watermelon was a killer, too. We all have our trouble foods...it just sucks having to find out which are troublesome in our bodies. Good suggestion about papaya enzymes, thanks! I'll have to pick some up. Linda

There are a zillion testimonials on this board. About the surgery, they're all well deserved. I have met Diamond Jim on this board. He and I were banded the same day. Other than that, I swear that I have not met another soul on this board, but if they were banded at the OCC, their experiences are almost identical to mine. You did not just shell out $500 hard earned dollars to never be seen again. It went as downpayment to hold your spot in a very clean, safe, real location with serious professionals who are trustworthy and will do brilliant lap band placement. You're going 20 miles away from the San Diego airport. 15 miles from downtown San Diego. They will pick you up at the airport and depending on time of day, take you to the Lucerna (a nice hotel -- Doubletree standards) or to the clinic. You will go to a new clinic. It's built just for bariatric surgery, lasik downstairs and some dentistry. This is good news. There are no sick people to need attention while you're in surgery or to leave infectious diseases behind. It's not Nip/Tuck impressive with all kinds of artwork, but the rooms are comfortable, up to date, clean and safe. Flat screen TVs have cable and movie channels. You'll be able to make phone calls. I've had 2 c-sections and the OR area is cleaner and more up to date than either of the hospitals. Dr. Ortiz is (yes, smoking hot) one of the best in the business on the planet. No fooling. So are his staff members. They'll take care of you and shuttle your support crew back and forth from the Lucerna. You'll be in good hands the whole time. And when you get home, you still have your support crew and you have us.

I'm glad you can keep the liquids down. You've gotten great advice from Clynn, I hope you follow it. Chicken has been evil for me lately, too. Dry Chicken is a band killer.

Google/Yahoo "lap band slip" and *ahem* once you're on solids check the symptoms against your own reality. When you get your first fill, do, please, make sure it's under fluoro so they can see the band, your pouch and give you honest feedback.

Hello and welcome. Why don't we start with the location you're typing from?

Not allowing myself to drink during and immediately after eating. I've never stopped wanting to, and in the desert, you're just plain thirsty!

Mine worked. Make sure you do the #228 thing before you go. I'm "in" too.

No, your real friends will still be your friends. They'll cheer you on, even if they're feeling a little jealous or frightened for you. Those that were just pretending to be friends will snipe at you, pull you down, talk behind your back and hope you fail. "Mad if you succeed?" Seriously? At something good? What a waste of energy that kind of anger is. Mad if you succeed making pipe bombs maybe, but at getting to a healthy weight? Wow. That's messed up. You're better off leaving those crabs in the pot and finding new friends.

Some day I'll join you in that TSV!!! Congratulations!!!!