bubs

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You give me the strength to stick to it and keep trying. You are an inspiration. Pam

Thank you for this post. If I had to count calories for another year I think I will shoot myself. I've had five fills and have been stuck at the same weight for 4 months. I am going to try your plan and I think it will work for me. 3 diet meals a day isn't working and neither is Weight Watchers. I need to shake things up and I think you are right about all the low fat, sugar free stuff. I gave up butter and cheese, sugars, and almost everything else I love and I'm suck around 250 pounds on diet foods and lean cuisine. Dieting is expensive...doesn't make sense does it? Thank you again and I will let you know if it works for me. Pam

WWW.THEBANDMD.COM

Hi, It is a blind fill but they hit it first time each time. They suck the fluid back out into the needle and measure it before putting back in and adding more. They do over a thousand a year I was told and are very good at it. I am grateful to have such a great back up to Dr O after reading some horror stories about fills on this site. A lot of Drs won't touch you if you didn't get banded there so I am doubly thankful. Pam

Thank you, good info to know in case the cabbie doesn't know where to go. I will take everyone's advice and walk over the border and take a cab. even though hubby would rather drive. On the way back we just have the cab take us to the border and do the whole thing in reverse? I know itn takes a lot longer to get back into the USA than it does to get into TJ. If we want to go shopping from the clinic on Revolution is a cab the best bet? I know we took some kind of bus from the hotel when I was banded. Any ideas? Pam

Thank you again...this sounds like a more workable idea. My husband is not a big fan of bus rides and at 71 he is not about to change. Only your second fill and you've lost so much already. This will be #4 for me and I was banded on 7/21. I've only lost about 25 since then not including my pre op diet. Tou've done awesome! Pam

Thanks you so very much! To ride the mexicoach bus do we need exact fare and in dollars or pessos? What about the taxi? Is not speaking any Spanish a problem? We have driven in Mexico before. We drove to Ensenada so I don't mind driving there. OCC has a secure parking garage I know. Have you ever done that. What about walking over the border and taking a cab? I'm trying to figure out all my options. Pam (bubs)

Has anyone driven over the border to the clinic? If it cost to much we may have to that for my fill on the 16th. What do I need to know and do? Any other ideas? I don't have much time to decide. Bubs

Hi, I'm sorry I didn't answer this sooner. For some reason my reply notices went to spam file...not sure why. Here is the info for Dr Billy. Dr.Helmuth T.Billy 3200 Telegraph Road Ventura,CA. 93003 Office(805)676-9100 ext.109 Fax (805) 676-9110 fax I highly recomend them as the next best choice to TJ and Dr O. I will be going to see Dr O for my 4th fill since I will be vacioning in So Cal the week of the 14th. A week in a beach front condo was our xmas gift from my daughter. 45 mins north of San Diego so TJ here I come. Good luck

Hi, it's been awhile since I posted and my surgery with Dr O was 7/21. I just wanted to let anyone in CA know there is a great option for a fill in CA if you can't make it to TJ like me. In Ventura there is a Dr H. Billy who is also a trainer/proctor for the lab band companies. His office does about 1000 fills a year and they are all very very nice people. He spends a lot of time talking with you and did my fill so fast and painless I was totally and very pleasantly surprised. He charges $300 and that covers your first 2 fills. After that if you need more they are $150 each. If you need one in less than 30 days it is free. He also is reachable 24 hours a day like Dr O. I have had 2 fills and both were a piece of cake and the second one seems to be working. There is a nutritionist on staff also as part of their service. This was the best choice for me since the drive was 1 3/4 hours instead of 7+ each way. I didn't need to get a hotel room or rent a car since my 1992 isn't my first choice for a drive that long. My budget just can't take the extra cost of TJ trip since I used our savings for the surgery. I hope this helps someone as good fill drs are scarce.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. What great ideas. I am going hunting for some fun small dishes to use. I have been so bad this last week I can't stand myself. Your post helped me get hold of myself and get back on track. The only exception is my dog is also on a diet. LOL.

K- Kick old habits like drinking with your meals.

Don't beat yourself up. We all make mistakes. You did it and it's done and in the past. Today is a new day and just try again to be better. I also didn't make it three weeks on liquids and was beating myself up till I read your post and realized that the advice I am giving you applies to me, too. Why is it always easier to forgive others their mistakes than ourselves? Helping you is helping me...tomorrow is a new start for both of us. I also called and made an appointment for a fill since my old appetite has returned in full force. Hopefully 8/29 will be my fill day and until then I will work on my willpower. There are so many good people on the forum who will help you get back on track. Just remember to err is human and to forgive is divine. Forgive yourself and just think how great you will look and feel if you just hang in there. Pam

Only 7? I gained 8 after 4 days...went to the bathroom, weighed again and gained 2 more. I was sending out SOS's to the forum...it's normal for a lot of people but still quite a shock! It is 10 days since being banded and I'm down to 8 pounbds less than the day I was banded. Hang in there..it will go away plus some. My highest weight was 297, before pre op diet...283, at banding 273 and now 265. It is worth every red cent I paid out of our savings. Even my husband has done a 180 and is now behind me all the way. Pam

Does your mom have part D medicare? If she doesn't she should. That should pay for a lot of her medications. Also a lot of drug companies have plans where she can get it for free if she qualifies. Check at the nearest senior center or the front of the phonebook for elder help numbers to get your mom the help she needs. Just remember you have to take care of yourself to help your mom. You are no good to anyone if you don't. Pam