CaptainMaude

Hi,

I am also scheduled in Nov. I am new here and would love to hear everyones experiences advice etc...

I am scheduled on Nov 5th- I am excited and a little scared. There is so much info and I have so many questions.

I have two small children and I will be quite busy when I return home. How sore are you?

I was also wondering if anyone else was having problems when telling family that you chose Mexico? I am confident with my decision, but I sure have to do alot of explaining- so I stopped telling ANYONE.

Can anyone give me more info on the Pre-op diet? I am just in the process of getting all paperwork in and know very little about that part.

Also the smoking!!! It says you have to stop two weeks prior....any helpful hints or advice

Hello, No need to worry about being sore as two of us went shopping the next day!! And about telling people about Mexico, I did not. Nobody's business at all. I am one of those people who will not eat anything that expires in the same month but all my research led me to Dr O. Ultra professional, clean and very compassionate. I live in Florida and it sure beats anything here. The clinic and doctors are golden. I cannot help you with the smoking but good luck with that. As far as the liquid diet, I believe that the more you loose prior the better the banding will be. Less fat around the liver and less in your stomach and less likely to be sick after. I wanted everything to be just right so I was the best pre bandster ever! Good luck and visit the forum daily for your dose of courage!

four months since i was banded (july) and my wt loss has been steadily slowing--very frustrating and discouraging.

i started out great! 10lbs lost on the two week pre-op diet. i was pleasantly surprised (i had never lost that much weight per week before). one month post banding (august) i was disappointed to find that i had only lost another 10lbs. i was surprised that i had only lost half as much weight per week as before being banded. i was on the liquid diet for three of the four weeks. i hadn't cheated at all. and i had already begun light exercising.

two months post banding (sept)--down another 10lbs. again frustrated because i was being "good"--1200 cal/day or less and increasing exercise. this was also when i got my first fill. a demoralizing experience. i did return to the occ for the fill. the doctor (i don't recall his name) who did the fill wasn't very encouraging. when i told him that i could still eat the same way as before being banded, he said i just needed to follow the rules and not rely on feeling any restriction. that i should not wait to feel full before stopping eating. i should just stop when i had eaten about 1/3 of what i used to eat.

i got a 2.5cc fill in a 4cc band and felt no restriction???

i have been reading other people's post and most of you seem to experience increased weight loss after getting fills done. so i tried to stay optimistic--10lbs a month isn't huge weight loss, but it is steady and will eventually get me where i want to be (just slower than i wanted to get there).

month three--october. down 9 lbs. going to the gym regularly now. absolutely no change in the way i am able to eat. i did binge a couple of times since my last weigh-in (i weigh-in once a month).i am getting to the point now where my diets usually fail. i am getting no negative feed-back from my band--i can eat everything i've always been able to eat; in the amounts i've been able to eat with no discomfort????

month four--nov--today--down 5lbs.

so far i have lost 44lbs--i am actually over the half-way point--30lbs left to go. but, i am losing steam. i do have a second fill scheduled for the first week of dec. but, i am worried that i may still not get any resrtiction.

if i can't get to the point of feeling any restriction, than i know i will not only not reach my goal weight. i will eventually start regaining the weight i have already lost ):

for my height (5'10") and build my ideal weight would be 155. obese is defined as more than 20% above one's ideal weight. so for me, anything above 186 is obese. today i weighed in at 188. i am depressed that i haven't experienced restriction yet. i am depressed that i am still obese. i am depressed that when i tried on size 16 pants yesterday, they didn't fit.

and when i get depressed, guess what i turn to for comfort?? food!

anyway, really needed to vent.

pieinsky

Hooray, hooray you are doing so well!! Slow and steady is what I want. Less skin to sag, healthier and the way it is supposed to be done. I am not feeling restriction either and I am doing all the work but I believe that maybe we really are since we are losing. Sit back and look at your ole' self and the clothes that you wore and thank your lucky stars that you are not in the beginning stages of wondering if the band is for you. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!

Hi G:

First of all... :lb9:

Congrats on your super weight loss thus far. What an inspiration.

I had the same thing happen to me with my 2nd fill...almost exactly as you described yours. I went to the OCC, had the fill on Friday, wondered on Saturday if I should go back but could drink water a little so came home to Portland. By Tuesday I wasn't keeping ANYTHING down, went to a fill center 50 miles away and got unfilled. I was scared and boy was it mserable. I did lost some good weight then buth gained it back in 2 days as soon as I started eating again.

Anyway Welcome and this is where to come for support.

Thanks for sharing as we all are here for each other. This is our home away from home.

Come back daily for praise and a swat on the butt when needed. Welcome.

Hello friends, I will be flying in to San Diego airport on October 30th to going to the OCC for a fill. I also will be staying one night at the Lucerna and then back to the airport in the morning. Anyone want to share costs or need a fill/banding friend on those days? Email me or post and we will support each other!

i am also checking

Hello, I was wondering how your search has been for he Orlando area fill Dr's? I live about three hours away and will need any information that you get at the end of this month. Thanks in advance for sharing!!

There are a few must haves. But over all I would have BROUGHT LESS. I had so much to carry. I did not wear half the clothes I brought. I could have gotten away with 1 pair of shoes instead of 3. It was hard to carry everything back plus what I had bought. I did not have my husband there to help me carry everything. My friend and I both had surgery and we both wish we were not so well prepared. Most stuff is available. Just try to keep it easy for yourself on your way home. I did bring lots on 1's and 5's for tipping and I used them all.

I went by myself and did not take much. You will be so happy that you packed light. So far the list looks too big for me and the only thing that I needed were clothes. The hotel has your shampoo and lotion etc. Take your dinner; broth mix and leave evrything else home! After surgery you will not eat or drink hardly anything. Get on the plane and go home. I fasted a couple days prior so I did not need any over the counters such as GasX or metamucel. Be easy on yourself!! I did go shopping so I had room for lots. AGAIN..BE EASY ON YOURSELF!!

USE FLUORO!

I am 2 weeks post op and I am worried about everything that Jessica says also. However we must use common sense. Excessive worring will drive you nuts. The first fill, as some of you say, should be done with Fluro so that the Port can be found. I agree. We throw away so much money on foolish things, why not pay the extra bucks for yourself, for piece of mind. YOU ARE WORTH IT!! Just start now to watch the prices for flights and sign up for the airline email alerts and get your flight when it is the cheapest.

Remember, this will be tax deductible come April. So stop worriyng and look at all the great pics in here for inspiration. Especially Mamamichelle's!! First fill use FLURO!!

Yep...I tried a change of position and mine moves around too...lol. I didn't think of it either! Must be the drugs they gave us that day...they were "stronger than usual." lol

Also, I asked my physical therapist and she said she didn't know for sure but thought that she'd heard it happened with different types of laparoscope surgery. So, it might be a little bit of both!

Now let's not get carried away. On your OP REPORT it states that non absorbable sutures were used to hold the PORT in place so it cannot move too much. Four sutures for me. I think that we all are feeling maybe just a little too much, especially me! LOL

I am 4 weeks post op and I had the same question. From what people are telling me, that lump you feel right under the large incision is just scar tissue. Everyone has also said that Dr. Ortiz puts the port about an inch under the large incision. However, I feel two hard "things" one under and one above the incision. So I can't tell you really where the port is. I have determined that I will not really know that answer until I go for my first fill. But I understand that need to know where it is. It's weird having something in there and not really knowing where.

Thanks Jess and good luck to you..

I am two weeks post surgery and yesterday I cleaned off all of the suture glue. I was massaging some Jojoba Oil into my surgery cuts and noticeed that my port may be direcetly behind the big cut. I thought that it was suppose to be about an inch down from the big cut? Can you actually feel it or is it covered up with too much fat at this time? Am I feeling scar tissue? It feels really hard like a port. Please anyone who reads this please reply to let me know the location of your PORT. Please

LOL.... no man-boobs here. It's my tummy that set me off to Mexico.

I am two weeks post surgery and yesterday I cleaned off all of the suture glue. I was massaging some Jojoba Oil into my surgery cuts and noticeed that my port may be direcetly behind the big cut. I thought that it was suppose to be about an inch down from the big cut? Can you actually feel it or is it covered up with too much fat at this time? Am I feeling scar tissue? It feels really hard like a port. Please anyone who reads this please reply to let me know the location of your PORT. Please

Hi Friends, I am two weeks post surgery and yesterday I cleaned off all of the suture glue. I was massaging some Jojoba Oil into my surgery cuts and noticeed that my port may be direcetly behind the big cut. I thought that it was suppose to be about an inch down from the big cut? Can you actually feel it or is it covered up with too much fat at this time? Am I feeling scar tissue? It feels really hard like a port. Please anyone who reads this please reply to let me know the location of your PORT. Please.

Trying to post this over and over and I do not see it anywhere!

You are a knockout!! Congrats!!

I am two weeks post surgery and yesterday I cleaned off all of the suture glue. I was massaging some Jojoba Oil into my surgery cuts and noticeed that my port may be direcetly behind the big cut. I thought that it was suppose to be about an inch down from the big cut? Can you actually feel it or is it covered up with too much fat at this time? Am I feeling scar tissue? It feels really hard like a port. Please anyone who reads this please reply to let me know the location of your PORT. Please.

Hi Amy,

I don't know if your dates are flexible, but three of us are going to the OCC on October 13th for our second fills. Because we grouped together, the cost was only $130 ($100 for the fill & $30 for transportation). So, if you would like to join us let me know, we'd love to have you.

Have a great day!

I was told that the fills were free at the OCC if that is where you had your surgery. Who pays 100.00??

Hi , I am on day 8 of no BM. We seem to be all having the same problem. If I am not taking in any solids then would I have solid waste? I was on liquids prior to surgery and liquids after surgery so really, would I have a BM? I know that there are lots of RN's out there, we'd love it if you are chimmed in. = ) xoxoxox

I don't need to know how to break the rules. I can do enough damage without knowing........ YIKES.....

I agree!! I need to know all the positive stuff, the good for you foods!!

I don't need to know how to break the rules. I can do enough damage without knowing........ YIKES.....

I agree!! I need to know all the positive stuff, the good for you foods!!

Hi, I just wanted to ask a couple questions to get Doctors answers but I see that no Doctor has ever answered. I am hoping that they answer privately, hat would be of no value to others.

If they answered in the forum then maybe it would delete others from asking the same.

If they do not answer at all, then why give us false hope and even have this topic?

Seriously concerned.

When I can only hope that some smart person will help and maybe a private reply from a Dr.

Q. Are ther different size bands?

Q. Is there any fluid in it at all when you leave after first getting the band?

Q. Approximately what size opening does it leave into the stomach?

Q. What is the normal size opening?

Thanks, I hope!!!

Can someone tell me how to move the weight loss ticker. I have lost weight and want to post so bad but do not know how. ( :lb12: Thanks in advance!!

I think I have found it and will find out after I make this post.

Can someone tell me how to move the weight loss ticker. I have lost weight and want to post so bad but do not know how. ( :lb12: Thanks in advance!!

Thank you soooo much!! Why other bandsters would not come to this board I do not understand. Oh well, all of you have said some great things and I really, really, really appreciate it. I hope that some day that I will be able to help others as you all have helped me. I was so worried that no one would reply.....scarey. I am so excited about all of this My decision (deposit) to surgery date will only be about 18 days. I figure the quicker the better. Losing the weight in that short of time is a task but sooner the better to get on with my life. I have been fighting this battle for more years than some of you have been alive. The time is now! Thanks again because I would not have had the courage to go to Dr O if it was not for this forum. I would have never got the band in US because of the cost and all the stuff that they put you through. Never knew that I could love people that I never met but I reall y have a deep love for many of you. Thanks so much for the support and time that you put into "others'.

xoxoxox

I am getting close to my Band date and still have questions. Can some of you help? I have sent email to those that have answered before but I figure that they will get lost in spam.

So here are a few questions

If you carry on luggage can you take the powders for protein water and slimfast in your luggage or will TSA take them?

Do I have to take all of my stuff with me from the hotel when I go to surgery since I will not be going back to the hotel that night?

Any problem with the driver picking you up at the airport ....on SUNDAY?

I will be using one of the financial institutions that OCC has recommended ..........any problems with that that you know of ?

I will be traveling alone as I believe as some of you did. Also I was told by Carolyn from OCC that there were other surgeries the day that I picked but as of this day noone has said so on the forum, I am worried. I assummed that I would be meeting other OCC people at the airport to buddy with but now I am kinda worried. Would OCC fib about other surgeries that day? Are those with my surgery date just not on the forum? I wanted to pick a date that I had support from others and I was told that there were others. What are your thoughts about this ?

Thanks so much as you all have been a wealth of information.

Captain Maude

I absolutely HATE pb\slimming!! If I do it around my daughter, she's like "Oh my God Mom, are you gonna get sick?!!" "I can't stand that, I have to turn my head!!" [We were in the car.]

I don't do it very often, but it sucks, big time!

WHAT IS PB? PLEASE DO NOT USE INITIALS, NEWBEIES DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. POST LIKE YOU ARE TALKING TO A CHILD SO UNDERSTANDING WILL TAKE PLACE. PLEASE?

I don't come down until October, but Sept 19th is my birthday so i'll be thinking of you all! Exciting!!

Speaking of exciting...this is my first post!!! My trip seems a ways away, but it will come up before I know it. Getting my airline tickets this week before they go up anymore. Bleh gas prices!

Best of luck to everyone!!!

I am scheduled for September 8th. I am excited as can be and appreciate all of the great info on here. If anyone else is going to TJ on the same date give me a holler!!

No issues. I was banded 6/16, went diving 7/25 right before my first fill on 7/28. They remove all the gases (which do compress) during your first fill. Liquids (e.g. saline) do not compress afterwards.

I've had LASIK, too, also no issues.

Thanks, my friend.