joy3

I am a racquetball lover and was banded on 10-23. Does anyone know how long i have to wait until i can play agian?

I lost 17 lbs. 7 on the pre and 10 on the post. My sister who had the lapband done in march just gave me all her jeans which are size 14 and I can fit in all of them Comfortably. before I left I could get in them so I’m really excited about that. Size 12 here I come

YA!! i made it through the 3 weeks of soup. Today i get to eat real food I don't really have any cravings i just want to chew!!

Shelby i hear you on the soup!! I hope i don't have to eat it agian until after my first fill which will be dec 5th. I really just want to eat PIZZA.

Hey trav i know just what you are going through i have 3 more days until i can eat real food agian. I don't really have any cravings, I really just miss chewing food (i know that sounds crazy).

my BMI was right at 30 and i was banded on 10-23-08 so you should be just fine. I was a little worried that they would say no but they didn't even questions me. Good luck

Shelby

that is so funny that you treated yourself to ice cream because I did the same thing! I’m so glad we are half way through the creamy soup stage. And I also hear you on the bad breath. I feel bad for my husband but I keep telling him in the long run he’ll have a skinny and healthy wife so he can’t complain. I just keep popping mints and brushing my teeth. I just wanted to let you know that I found something great to add to your diet, you might already have it but cream of wheat or malt-o-meal is awesome I just make it really runny. It’s a nice change when your are sick of soup.

I will be getting my first fill on Dec 6th so see you there!!

I just recently returned from being banded at the occ, here is a list that I think is a must.

1. Gas-x strips I would start on those right after surgery.

2. Don’t wear an under wire bra no one told me that and it was painful after surgery because it rubs the incision.

3. I just brought 2 pairs of comfortable pants, 2 T-shirts, and my toiletries.

4. This is something I learned while there. There is a little brown food stand around the corner from the hotel that has excellent beef broth. I think I went there 2 times and it’s really cheap.

I was banded on 10/23 at the occ.

Just wondering if you have any suggestions on things I can eat. I have been eating the same things for 3 days and its getting boring. What have you been eating.

Hi I was banded the same day as you. I know just what you are go through. My gas pain is in my left shoulder and some times it is so bad you could cut my shoulder off and I wouldn’t care. As for the port site, mine is still really sore. But can’t complain because I’m down 8 lbs sense surgery! Take care

1)How old are you?30

2) Have you been overweight your whole life or did you gain weight as a result of pregnancies, surgeries... or whatever

I was never over weight until I started birth control after my first baby about 8 years ago.

3) How many times have you lost and gained (approximate times and how much on average). I have lost the same 20lbs at least 5 times but 2 years ago I lost 50 lbs on Atkins and gained 30 back.

4) After lap band surgery has your weight been coming off easier than when you dieted before?I haven't been banded yet I go in 10-23 so i will let you know

5) What is your average weekly weight loss? don't know yet i hope it will be 2-3lbs

Ok so I can’t believe I leave for the occ tomorrow. I am scared out of my mind!! Chicken broth here I come.

I might try that because i seem to be really hunger between 2 and 3 if i can keep myself busy through that time i do really well. It's just a hard time because that is when my kids get home from school and they are ready for an after school snack, so i am in the kitchen. See you next week!!

I love the 5 sleeps, that is how my 3 year old tells time. I did much better today i'm not as starving.

Hi Joy,

When I was on my preop diet, I had use Metamucil capsules that Dr. Miranda had us on. Have you taken these? It sure curbed my hunger pains for sure! I took one at 10am and then one at 3pm...

I had my surgery last week, and just finished yesterday on my 'clear liquid' stage, and today is my first day on 'creamy soups'! Woo hoo!. I am progression up! LOL

Hope to hear about your surgery afterwards...congrats on your decision to be banded - you won't regreat this!!

Jude =)

Jazzy,

Thanks, I will for sure try the Metamucil and see if that helps. I will keep you updated after surgery. I'm glad to hear you are doing well, it gives me hope!!

I was just wondering how everyone is doing on their pre-opt diets. I am starving!!! I think it is because I have been running at night, I usually run anywhere from 1 to 3 miles.

Hi everyone!

I have decided against the lapband surgery. I have requested my deposit back!

The entire time since I chose the lapband I had this nagging doubt in the back of my head. Now that I have canceled, it is the same- Can I do this on my own etc...

Guess I need some feedback from some neutral people that have dealt with weight issues.

Teyann,

I know exactly how you feel. In April, 4 of my family members went to the OCC to be banded and asked me if I wanted to go (which I declined). Now 6 months later they are all down 40lbs or more and here I am the same weight I was when they went in. I am schedule for my band Oct 23 and wish I had gone in 6 months ago. I thought I could do it on my own. I really don’t have a hard time getting the weight off its keeping it off that is the problem. I hope this helps with your decision. I wish I would have gone in 6 months ago and I would be that much farther ahead.

I'm 5'10 250... It is good to see so many women genetically blessed with height!

I'm getting banded 10/24 ,, soooo close!

sue

Hope to see you in TJ.

I thought I would give you a little information on how my experience went. I flew into San Diego from NY at around 9:40 pm. The driver was not there only because my flight was early( suppose to arrive at 10 pm). I waited about 10-15 minutes and started to panic but sure enough about five after 10 he was there with his little sign OCC. A short drive around 20 minutes and we were in Mexico.

The hotel was nice looking and the service was friendly. Don't worry about the language barrier most speak english also.

My room was on the ground floor. I got in and it smelled a little mildewy but once I put the AC on it left. I would compare the room to a Holiday inn room. They have TV with English Channels too. The weather was nice but got a little chilly at night. Bring a sweater if you are traveling during this time.

At 7am the next morning everyone was in the lobby ready to head over to the OCC. I met Lindsay, Lisa, Mark, Casey and others. We all got along from the moment we met. The driver takes only the surgery patients first over not there family members. He returns for them the second trip around. But families be prepared!!! You will stay at the OCC till 4pm all day. They offer you menus to have lunch delivered in but thats it. Patients and family members can use the phone free of charge anytime. You just dial 84 or 85 or 86 first till you hear a dial tone and then dail as if you were calling from the states.

Once you get there you go through a series of test ( some patients do this the day before if you arrive early enough)

First you go through the nutrition part, then you get an IV put in either in your hand or arm. Then you go for a lung test and an EKG. The front desk will also take a quick photo of you for ID puropose.

Then you wait and wait and wait till its your turn to go through the doors behind the waiting area. You are assigned to a room were you get changed into a lovely thong and gown. The nurses will give you an antibiotic shot first then a dramamine shot. Also then put on these white tight stocking to prevent clotting. The Doctor comes in and talks to you about the surgery. You are then given a pill that you put under your tongue for relaxation. The last shot you get before you go in is a blood thinner shot. They give it to you right in your stomach. Ouch it hurt alittle.

I was wheel chaired into the surgery room and jumped on the table and then next thing I knew I was back in my room with the oxygen mask on. I pushed it away and the nurses helped me get into another cloth gown because they change gowns when they do the actual surgery (paper gown). The nurse walks you around the hall twice and then you get to suck on ice cubes. Then back to bed for alittle while for rest.

The rooms are very pretty with a suede bedspread and matching blinds. Nice decor and comfortable. The have a LCD TV on the wall which has alot of channels to watch in English. Then most of the day is spent resting. Sipping water and walking.

They have two computers you can use near the desk to email or brows the internet. I checked my flight schedule and did my early check in there before I left the OCC. If you have surgery on Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs you will leave the OCC around 7:30-8am Fridays surgeries you get to sleep till 9 am. The receptionist gives you some relaxation pills for pain and you have some broth.

The driver brings you back to your hotel room and you are free to do what ever you like. I went shopping and did alot of walking that was Saturday. I rested most of the evening and had to get up at 3am for my 8am flight!!! Ouch that hurt. The driver picked us up at 4am and had to bring others over for a 6:50 am flight and wouldnt have been able to get me back later so I had to leave early!!!! I waited at the airport for 3 hours. Be prepared with water and protein mixes. Crossing the border at 4am isnt fun. We had all the druck people trying to get back into the US infront of us. But it was quick and easy. They looked at our ID and asked why we were in Mexico and asked if we bought anything. Then we walked alittle ways and jumped back into the van and headed to the airport.

I was in alittle pain I guess more soreness but other wise I felt fine. I have been drinking alot of water which helps with constipation. I did get alot of gas on the plane home poor passengers next to me. It was more of a rumble no smell FYI sorry. TMI Okay I think thats it. I hope it helps anyone reading. I packed really light only two outfits and that was it other then toiletries.

Kim thank you so much that was very helpful. That is good information for people like me who are anticipating surgery. A little nervous but really excited.

Hi

I'm 5'8 and started at 250lbs.

I was banded nearly 8 mths ago and have lost 78lbs.

I have 3cc in a 4cc band right now.

Good luck.

Thanks so much for your responses. It helps to know where I need to be weight wise. I have been fairly small like size 3/4 until my just before my second child. I really want to get back to that size. With hard work anything is possible! You guys are great keep up the good work!!!!

Our flight gets in at 6:15 on Wednesday night we are flying American. My mom and I are staying at another hotel Wed night and then heading over to the Lucerna for the rest. We go back on Sunday morning. That would be fine with me if they ask me to go ahead and have surgery on Thursday. That would be one more day i'm there after surgery which makes me feel better since when I go home i'm basically on my own.

I can't wait! I still can't believe it is almost here! I feel like i've been waiting forever!

I am going in for surgery on Thursday 23rd hope to see you there!

ME! I'm 5'10" weighed 245 at the beginning of July. Banded on July 29, had first fill on September 22. Have been consistently dropping since the fill and am thrilled to death with the results so far. Very small amount of hunger, and as the weight is coming off, it makes you even more excited to keep truckin'!!! You can see in my signature where I'm at n ow. It's been a great self esteem booster. I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I am getting so excited I will be getting banded on Oct 23 with Dr. Ortiz. Did the OCC help you decide on a goal weight? Or did you do that on your own.

JOY3

I am looking for any one who started with a similar build. I am 5'9 225lbs. Please let me know how long you have been banded, how much you have lost, what size band you have ect. Anything you can tell me will be helpful!!

Thanks,

JOY3