Phoenix

1/2 of a cheeseburger, extra ketchup and pickles, no fries. I didn't have room.

The scars really won't be noticeable. Not any worse than my tomboy scars on my knees and elbows I have 4 tiny lines that are 1 cm long. The port incision is 4 cm long. It will look like a thin scratch when I'm in a bikini again....Which is next year. Dr. O was a plastic surgeon resident. He does pretty work. I'm olive skinned and tan easily. He noticed the dark spot on my knee where there used to be a mole 2 years ago. He said that I shouldn't let the sun on my incisions for a year or they'll turn into dark lines. It's tankinis this year. Diet Coke is the hardest. I miss it, I steal sips of my husband's, but only small sips and only one or two. I switched to tea in the afternoons at the office. If Dairy Queen made a 4 oz banana split, wouldn't we all be in heaven? I'll have to suffice with a bite or two from whatever the kids order. --and hopefully they'll share. If I want a glass of wine on Friday or Saturday, I have one. Not with food though. It's either half hour before or an hour after. Alcohol affects me differently now. Hard to explain, but maybe it's because my stomach is empty and it has to go from one litte stomach to the other. Since there's no restriction in my band yet, besides Diet Coke, I don't know yet know what I've given up for good. Some people can't manage breads/rice/steak/chicken/pizza/apples/broccoli/asperagus/melon/etc again. Some can. I'll admit that two weeks before being banded, I sort of had a "last supper" syndrome. I drank plenty of Diet Coke, had sourdough bread, plenty of baby spinach, salads, asperagus, sushi -- whatever I didn't think I could manage again. I gained 3 pounds, but the 3 week liquids only diet after surgery took care of them. Good luck with your decision. If it's right for you, "No" is every bit as correct as "Yes".

Here's what I told my friends. I haven't had my first fill yet and haven't lost much weight yet. It will happen. It's not about losing the weight. It's about the backslide afterwards: Funny thing is that I eat correctly. I don't do fried foods, high fat, high sugar, etc. I didn't gain the weight overnight. I gained it over nine months (DD now 13) and have had it ever since. I didn't lose a pound on South Beach and was on it faithfully for two months. I eat that way anyway. My weight has varied 20 pounds since she was born. Ten up and ten down. It is what it is. What I am unwilling to do is get to a healthy weight twice. I worked for Nutri/System for two years in college. I've watched people at the office drop weight using WW, N/S, Atkins, Provida, the Cookie Diet, etc and do a great job of it --- for a while ---until it came back on again. Not enough people succeed at keeping it off. No reason to think I'm atypical. So, I've decided to make it hard to gain it back again. And that means giving up Diet Coke, things that my new stomach decides it can't manage and large portions of anything. Permant change with hardware. It won't be easy at all. You don't indulge because you can't indulge. For pretty much ever. It's hard to live and let live when others are taking on the same task. From their perspective it's like they read the 1000 page novel and I bought the Cliff's Notes. From my perspective the difference is that later, they can have a banana split or whatever on occasion but I can have dinner or a glass of wine. Not both. It would feel like cheating if I hadn't tried so many different diets that didn't work for me. The last one was Medifast and my skin errupted with soy protein intolerance.

Waving hand! My first consult was with Dr. Simpson. Hope you're up and about very soon!

Nothing that I'd call 911 about. Just wanted to know whether or not it was safe to go back into the water. I live in Phoenix. It's hotter than Hades. I was banded on the 16th and all the dermabond has long ago fallen off. Is it safe to go back into the water? The answer?: "Yes" Like I said, it isn't life gripping, but hey! I got an answer and it was fast! No complaints here.

And now that I see your face, add a pregnancy test to the list

I agree with the others, your calorie intake is too low. If you aim between 800 to 1000 calories a day, the weight will come off quickly. Below that, you're in starvation mode. Especially while healing. Your determination and diligence are remarkable!

Depends mostly on insurance. My policy excludes weight loss surgery specifically. If you're self pay, BMI at 3 of the 4 consults I had was 30. No co-morbity requirements. If you're jumping thru the insurance hoops, BMI of 35 with a co-morbidity was generally the threshhold.

Congratulations, that's so inspiring! =D>

First fill scheduled on the 29th. Good luck to everyone getting banded!

This isn't a band issue, you fainted. It's a blood sugar/electrolyte issue. If you're on meds for High blood pressure and/or diabetes, it's time for re-evaluation. Please call your local Dr and tell them that you've lost weight and that you fainted.

I've scheduled my 1st fill on July 29th. Happy to "meet" you! I'm flying in and out the same day. Appointment is at 10:30.

Are we allowed to lift more than 10 pounds? I'm *certain* I've lifted more than 10 -- hell my briefcase and purse together have to be more than that -- but I've got some 50# boxes waiting for me to put them away.

I get the not eating and drinking rule...but does that mean that cold cereal is verboten? Were most of you able to eat breads and rice before you got your first (or 2nd) fill? Thanks!

You can buy them by the case at Costco. Same ones!

Two Muscle Milk Light ready to drink shakes Two Propel One Fuze One Swanson Broth Total 460 calories and 6 pounds! If I didn't want most of them COLD, I'd carry them all around with me all day and drop a pound or two by the end of the week

Congratulations! 22 pounds is AMAZING.

Congratulations on your progress. I have another freaking WEEK of liquids and I'll admit I've made friends with the blender. Must have low fat cream of mushroom soup...with the mushrooms smoothed out into puree. Lobster sounds divine. Good choice! I think I'll visit a sushi bar for my first day.

SWEET! Congratulations!

Not that they're NEW or anything, but I kept plenty of clothes that are a size 8 -- the last time I liked my body. Presently, I'm a 14, easing my way back into a closet full of 12s. For those of you in "in between" clothes, I highly recommend consignment stores.

Now you're just being silly! You're not headed to rural Mongolia. You will *literally* be four miles south of San Diego. Plenty of blondes in California, plenty of people in TJ at all times. You will not be in the boonies. Pretend for a tiny minute that you're headed to Myrtle Beach. You'll see the Pacific Ocean from the SD airport. Same attitudes, really. Stay in populated areas, away from mean drunks and have a good time. You won't even need Pesos. If you're in Restaurant Row, you'll be as safe as you are in Myrtle Beach, even at night. Cab rides are $5 always. Always have a $5 bill in your hand when you hail one and you're fine. The OCC driver will pick you up at baggage collection and transport you right to the Lucerna. If you want a taxi, it's easy to get one. OCC will pick you up the morning of your surgery, will take your family/friends back to the Lucerna while you spend the night, and will return you there, too.

Hi Everyone, New here, but catching the tail end of June! I was banded by Dr. O on the 16th and have scheduled my first fill for the 29th of July. Looking forward to solid food next week.

I'm having my first fill on July 29th! Glad I'll have some company. I live in Phoenix, so I'll fly in and out on the same day. I did figure out cheap transportation to the border crossing at San Ysidro. Looking forward to meeting you! Linda