ackovach

Hi, We all sound similar. I am fighting uncontrollable high blood pressure for 3 years. I have a sweet little 3 year old son. I just want live today and be around for him to grow up. I want to have another child. For the past 3 years, I have set so many weight loss goals and have gotten nowhere.... the scales would not move in the right direction. On June 25, I saw the lap band commercial. I brought it up to my friend that had recently lost 70 pounds over the last year. At that time she told me she had done and about Dr. Ortiz. I researched some more that day. And had my surgery scheduled for August 1 within the next 24 hours. I just knew this was for me. I needed this kind of help. So now my journey is just beginning. I am so hopeful. I have lost 10 pounds since my surgery on August 1. I am desperate to get my life back. I know this will work. I know I have to help it work.

Hi, I am heading into day 7. I am struggling. Seems like a liquid mountain to climb. and I scare myself about much I think about the different food I can have in 14 days. However, I have lost 10 pounds since surgery (6 -7 days). I hope it is the kind of pounds that stay off. Hopefully losing the weight will motivate me into not binging once I get on solids.

HI, Friday will be day 7 since surgery. I have stuck to the liquid phase for 7 days now. I have been living on broth, tomato soup or broccoli cheese very diluted with broth. I probably had 2 x as much drinkable yogurt on 2 days than recommended. This morning I was reading over the post-op care. On page 2, it say only 1/2 a cup at a time. I know I have drank more than 1/2 cup at a time. Also, I take a ton of blood pressure medicine. I have cut them to tiny bits. I crushed them up for the 1st 3 days (yuk). I finished the pain medication on Tuesday night. So... getting to the point....... I have this lump growing in my chest. Feels like a knot. It really will not go away. It really is not painful, just different. So now I am freaked out the my band is slipping or pouch stretch from the medication. Or that I already have something stuck like a pill. Anyone else feel this lump after 6 or 7 days post op? Could it be that the pain medication has totally worn off now?

Hi, I have the exact same thing going on, except we have only 1 child. It is really hurtful. I try not to let it bother me and just keep smiling. I really don't know we can do except grin and bear it.

Hi everyone, Can I hurt my band by having too much broth or liquids? I don't feel full while drinking, but later I get a really full feeling. Can that damage my band or make it slip? Did anyone experience the same thing?

another bra option would be one that fastens in the front. My incision is right at my bra line though, so just be prepared for that. I am extremely short waisted.

Hi, I just got back. I suggest packing as light as possible and take a friend to help you with luggage. I had my husband and he was a life saver. Also, large bottle of mylanta gasx strips sugar-free gum A starbuck coffee cup and lid plus stir sticks. Handy on airplane & airport. I used the lid as a strainer. I ended up having the Airport California Pizza split pea soup. I had to remove the barley & carrots and then dilute it to clear. Chicken & beef boullion cubes (may want crush them to help them dissolve quickly) eye mask to block light pillow & blanket for plane shirt that be worn without bra for trip home loose fitting pants chapstick

Oh my gosh.... I just read my after surgery post..... I was so out of it. I know I did not make much sense. I never had much pain. Just a little gas and upset stomach. I slept so good at the center and hotel. I got home from TJ around 6:30 am today (Monday). The red-eye flight from San Diego to Atlanta was a killer. Plus we had to wait in the airport for 6 hours because the hotel made us check out by 2:30 pm. I was really upset by that. Also, I could not get in touch with anyone at the OCC on Sunday to attempt making travel changes. I kept getting busy signals or an answering service that spoke 1 sentence in English, "The center is closed today, call back on Monday". I was very frustrated. My Spanish is horrible, but I am going to change that by my next trip. Maybe is was just me. But I did not think the folks working at the Lucerne hotel were that nice either. There were a couple of folks that were very helpful, like Alonso. But I got the impression that the rest could really care less. I think part of it was the language barrier or just plain indifference. It was all minor things. The hotel is nice and clean. We had a beautiful pool view. The driver from the OCC was extremely nice and helpful. Other than that, I am very happy with the OCC. I want to go back to TJ for my first fill and have Dr. Ortiz do the follow-up. And I am very happy that I chose Dr. Ortiz and his clinic. My husband and I did some shopping at the "avenue". I bought some very nice turquoise pieces & fake designer purses. That was a lot of fun. I would not recommend a female to that that adventure alone though. The weather was great in TJ. We sat by the pool some. Also, the food at the hotel was way too tempting. They had a Sunday brunch that looked amazing. The night before my surgery I had ceviche & lasagna at the Rivoli. My husband had a tuscan chicken dinner. It was all very good. It is very hard to kick my love of food habit. In the back of my mind, I feel deprived that I could not have the Sunday brunch. But being a hot mom is much more enticing than a taco. I met some very nice folks from states who were having surgery or getting fills.

I was banded at 9 am on 8/1. So I am almost at 4 days. I use progresso tomato soups and added 2 cans of water and 1 chicken boullion cube. And continue to add water til I can see through it. This cuts the sodium, calories and makes it a clear liquid. I did this with split pea soup & broccoli cheese. I also run it through a strainer before pouring in my cup. If I drink one of these every hour or so, I stay pretty satisfied.

Hi all, I was banded this morning. I am moving around. pain.... what pain???? no pain at all. I also had a hiatal hernia repair while I in lapband surgery. May weight was not where I thought it was, please they took an inch. I thought I ws 5'4"m Dr. Miranda say 5'3". My bmi went up like 3 points just because of that 1 darn inch. Everyone here is super nice. And very clean. I am so excited about this. I just know this is the tool that I needed. I was not ever nervous about the actual surgery. I was mostly neverous about the iv, and that was a piece of cake too. No gas pains yet. Do those come later? Thanks to you for all sharing our stories and keeping us informed.

Here I go........ I am getting nervous now. I most fearful about getting an iv. They always have a hard time with me. And I am fearful of the pain. But I keep saying that it can't be that bad since most of you love your band!!!! I will check in from the "otherside".

The fill center in Roswell Georgia does Saturdays.

So far I must be the only the surgery for this Friday. Maybe they band me on Thursday instead!!!!! I saw a post where that happened for someone.

Hi everyone!!! I get banded on Friday. And I am totally obsessing & planning about the changes I am making in my life to make the band work for me. I eat on the run SO much. So I have started a list of quickies...... What do you guys do when you don't have enough time to plan? Here are a few of my ideas: Small Wendy's Chili Boars head low sodium turkey thin slices Tuna or chicken salad baked tilapia

thank you for getting this back in the mix. It is wonderful information and very motivating. I can do this and want to do this. I want to be one of those people who only eat for nourishment, not for comfort. I get banded on 8/1. 2 days away!!! I am SO EXCITED.

Hi, How are things going for you? I get banded at the occ on aug 1. amy

Hi, I hope you are feeling well today. I get banded on Friday. I have been suffering in the pre-opt diet too. It is SO darn hard!!!! I will check in after my surgery to see how you are doing!!! Amy

I get banded on Friday and have been struggling with the pre-opt diet. I already feel like a failure.... again. I am losing something everyday. I just hope it is enough........ My weight fluctuates so much, I never know how much I actually weigh. In 1995 (25 yrs old), I weighed 140-145. I thought I was huge. This is where my cycle dieting cycle/binge cycle started. I am a emotional eater. I think I punish myself with food, I take revenge on other with food, I sedate with food, I relax with food, you name it and food fixes it for me....... It all started with a horrible relationship in my 20's, to mom getting cancer, dying in a car wreck, meeting my biological mother, being outright rejected because I was "big girl" at 175. On and on, food has been a way to soothe and hurt myself. I know to be successful with the lapband I have to get control of this. When I got married on May of 2003, I weighed about 170 and felt pretty good about myself. I thought I was headed in the right direction. But on my honeymoon, my husband and I got into a stupid fight and he called me a fat a55. I fell apart. It totally crushed me. I still have not forgiven him. I got on the binge express and did not stop til I weighed about 218. It took me about 2 years to gain 60 pounds. I just can not believe I did that to myself. I was so depressed and mad at him. So here we are today........ he is like my food watch dog. I think if he asks me one more what are you eating my head will explode!!! He means well. But my programming is all screwed up. When he asks, "are you suppose to eat that?", I want to smack him. It is very irrational. He is very supportive and wants me to have this surgery. He does not want anyone to know. He is embarrassed about the I way look now. He did not want me to go to his company party this past Christmas because I did not look the way he wanted. When it comes down to, I know I am more pissed off at myself than him. But I want to blame him. I don't know what all this means for me. All I know is physically, I get so hungry. I am praying that I can make this work for me. I want to be successful. I want to feel pretty again. This is my first blog........ don't really know what a blog is....... Good night!

I have 1 wonderful, healthy little boy that is almost 3 years old. He came 8 weeks early because of high blood pressure. He weighed 2lbs 13oz at birth. Being a premie is such a risk for the child. I really want another child, but must get in control of my blood pressure. So I am starting this journey with the lap band to enable me to be a healthy mom for the child I have & for the child I want. Female 38 years old Height: 5'4" Decision weight: 229, on 1 blood pressure medication, labetalol 7/14/2008, Dr visit blood pressure 190/102, started 2nd blood pressure medication, procardia xl 7/16/2008, Emergency room visit 150/80, pumped full of stuff to make me feel better 7/18/2008, Dr visit blood pressure 160/102, started 3rd medication (diuretic). ER visit because of high blood pressure & migraine. I was put on a diuretic and lost about 6 pounds water in 3 days. I am doing th pre-opt diet #2 for 3 weeks instead of 2. Current Weight: 219 Preopt weight: Band date: 8/1/2008 First Fill: 9/13/2008 at Fill Center USA, Roswell, Ga. Goal weight: 130

Hi, I know that really ticks you off. It ticks me off!!! Some people just do not care about their impact on others. In their minds, they are perfect and are the standard to be held to. Makes me sick that anyone would treat you that way. What was her point? Just letting you know how superior she is or was she full of herself she thought you would go have the band removed??? lol Shame on her. You are an inspiration for me and for many others. You took your life back the day you had your surgery. Don't let some jack-a55 upset you.

Hi, Does the occ & hotel have wireless internet? Just wondering if I need to take my cables.

You are such an inspiration!!!

My best friend was banded by Dr. O about a year ago. She did not tell me about her band until I brought up that I was looking into it. I remember thinking how strange her eating habits were over the past year, but I was very proud of her for losing 50 pounds. Her journey really helped me see that I can do this too. I could not believe how well she kept that secret!!! For me, I have told my 2 managers & the Human resources person since I am going on medical leave for this. My husband, brother, 1 co-worker & band buddy all know. I have spontaneous urges to blurt it out to anyone I am talking to. I really, really want to tell everyone, but I have the fear of being judged.

I totally can not stick to this preopt diet. Everyday I start off good til I get home, then blow it. I have very low energy and I am hungry all the time. I am getting over 50 gram of protein. How did you do it? My surgery is next Friday and I am terrified about the preopt and post opt diet. I also tried dry chewing some moist, roasted chicken just to see what it is like. I was gagging.......

Hi, Just wondering who will be in TJ the same time I am. Amy