tnm75

Good job!

I was just banded on December 3... last week. But, I just scheduled my first fill for Friday, January 16. I will fly in that day and fly out on Saturday, January 17. Hope to see some of you there! Kristy

Hi Sarah! You're doing great! I stepped on the scale this morning. It's been quite evil to me. But, I'm down 24 pounds. 20 pre-op and 4 post-op. I can't even choke down the broth right now. Last night I was so nauseous that I emailed my boss and took today off. I'm planning on going back tomorrow. However, I have a sitting job unlike you. I met someone on the day that I flew out. She had lost 17 pounds during pre-op and post-op... when she started solids, she gained back 4 pounds, so she immediately set-up for her first fill exactly six weeks post-op. She said the shot for the fill felt like getting a flu shot. Maybe I'll see you in TJ in January. I'm going to see about scheduling my first fill for January 16. I want to get it scheduled so that I can purchase an airline ticket immediately for a lower cost. Hugs, Kristy

SheRee, I thought I responded to one of your posts. Perhaps it's lost in cyberland. Umph! I just got back from TJ on Saturday. I had a wonderful experience. And, I'm doing really well. The OCC is wonderful. The staff, nurses and doctors are amazing and some of the best that I've ever experienced. You'll do great! Keep us posted and keep asking questions. Kristy

Thanks for the reminder!

Judi, I'm with you on the cold room. I tried to turn on the heat and got cold air. Keep warm. Good luck with your surgery. I can't wait to hear how it goes! Kristy

Oh my goodness... I think of the word broth and I feel as though I am going to throw-up. And, it's only been 5 days... and in those 5 days I haven't drank a large amount. I don't know if it's the thought of so much of it. Or, if I'm hungry and that's where the nauseous feelings are coming from. My mom made homemade french onion soup today and sent me home with a jar full of the broth. It was good, but it took me about 30 minutes to get it down. Not because of restriction, but because I felt like throwing up. All in my head? Most likely. Kristy

LOL... no hole! Thank goodness. Not sure exactly how to explain it. It was about a mile or two passed the Tijuana airport. It seemed to be where all of the factory workers crossed. When we got to the other side, we had to flip a U in order to hit the 5.

That's great! I got so excited to hear of such weight losses! Keep it up! Kristy

Yay! You did it. I'm so happy for you. Here we go... another chapter in our lives! Kristy

I've noticed that taking really deep breaths helps the pain that I have in my shoulder. Kristy

SheRee, I just got back from Mexico last night. I went by myself. And, it wasn't even an issue. As for the doctors, nurses and staff at the OCC... you will NEVER find a place with better bedside manners. They treat you like a human being rather than just another person. The pre-op diet isn't that bad. I did cheat on my pre-op diet at Thanksgiving. I had a very small plate with my family. I was sure to join into the conversation so that I ate slower. My scale was even good to me because I lost a pound! Good luck. You can do it! Remember to come here for support on those days that are difficult or you have a question that is driving you nuts. This is my "safe place" as I make my way on this journey. Kristy

I'm not speaking from the "banded" point-of-view, but from a "weight-loss" point-of-view. About eight years ago I lost 115 pounds and I was down to 160. Most days I still felt fat, even though I remember people telling me that I looked amazing. I truly believe that as we venture on this journey that not only do we need to focus on our weight-loss, but we also need to focus on our body image. Your weight-loss is AMAZING! Keep up the good work and remind yourself daily of what you have accomplished! Kristy

Okay... I told myself that I was not going to weigh myself during the 21 post-op. But, what was the first thing that I did when I got home? Yeah... I weighed myself. And, I weighed exactly what I did the day that I flew out for my surgery. Umph! Is this normal.? Is there swelling? Fluctuation? Something that I don't know about? I mean this was after four full days on liquids! Perhaps I need to throw my scale out the window for awhile. Kristy

I'm home. Interesting border crossing! Carlos took me to an "unknown" boarder crossing far away from the "normal" one. Can I just say, "Ouch!" Back roads, tons of speed bumps, this way, that way... ugh, I was miserable and it was the first time that I really experienced pain associated with my surgery. Get to the "unknown" boarder crossing and walk right through. Suitcase, purse, nothing was even checked at the boarder. Works for me! Walked out and had to stand and wait for Carlos to get to the other side of the boarder for approximately 45 minutes. Dropped off at the airport and had a LONG wait for my plane. Upgraded to first class and wanted to scream at the attendants to just leave me alone! No, I don't want orange juice. No, I don't want a cup of nuts. No, I don't want to join everyone for lunch. I fell asleep and awoke to a bowl of nuts by my water. Grr! Finally landed. Somehow lost my boarding pass for my second flight. Boarding in 10 minutes and I was freaking out. Thankfully the ticket agent at the gate was a God-send and she printed me a new boarding pass without making me go out and back through security. I would have never made my flight. My sister and nieces picked me up for the hour'ish drive home. We stopped at Applebee's for dinner where I ordered French onion soup. I took the cheese, bread and onions out and you would have all laughed. There was like two teaspoons of broth in the bottom of the bowl. Umph! Then I had to sit through a two hour program that my nieces "just had to see" for the Christmas community thing that they do every year. It is 10 o'clock. I'm home. And, I'm going to bed. I did, however, come home to a warm house, rearranged furniture, a clean puppy and my Christmas tree lightening up my window. I love my sister! I sent her home in my car... I'll get it back tomorrow. But, there was no-way-no-how that I was going back outside tonight. I miss the warm Mexico weather. It's cold here! Kristy

Thanks everyone! I'm so happy to be an official bandster! Kristy

Anne, I'm doing well. I just got back to the hotel from doing some evening shopping. I came back and walked across the street to get some Gatorade and some popcicles. Yikers... the traffic is nuts! Say a little prayer before venturing into the crosswalk! No lie! Crazy I tell you. I fly out tomorrow. My flight leaves at 11:24 and Francisco will be picking me up at the hotel at 7 o'clock AM. I upgraded my first leg to first class. But, my second leg is on a itsy-bitsy-teeny-tiny plane... I hope all goes will. I land in Durango at 4:43 and then have about an hour drive home. My sister will be waiting for me at the airport. All-in-all my experience has been wonderful. I find that if I take DEEP breathes the pain is extremely minimal thus far. Kristy

I will know more tomorrow after I fly home. But, I went ahead an upgraded to a first-class seat on the way home. And, I will be checking my bag the entire trip. My last leg is on a itsy-bitsy-teeny-tiny plane, so that may not make for the most pleasant last hour of my flight home. But, I'll let you know. Kristy

Completely normal! But, the staff is amazing and will put you at ease. Goodluck. I hope to meet you before I fly out in the morning! Kristy

How sweet! He loves you... whata keeper! Kristy

Arlene, I'm not from Utah (New Mexico here!), but I'm in the area a lot. My sister lives in Sandy. I would love to catch up with you sometime! Kristy

Yay Sarah! I'm so happy for you! It's been great talking to you and getting to know you! Kristy

I got up this morning at 3 o'clock. Left my house at 4 o'clock. I walked in the Durango airport as they were closing the ticketing counter and already boarding the plane... ack! I was able to make the flight, thank goodness. I had an extremely short layover in Denver which made my walk to the opposite end of the terminal a quick one. I landed in San Diego where Francisco was holding a sign with my name on it. I did not have to get out at the board. Paper work, done. Payment, done. Meeting with Dr. Miranda, done. LOST 20 POUNDS ON MY PRE-OP DIET! Heart and lungs tested. Now getting off of the table thinking that I'm going to go have Mexican food and was told Dr. Ortiz wanted to do my surgery today rather than tomorrow. I said okay and I joined the band-wagon a day early! I'm feeling really great. I have a little pain near the biggest opening. I "feel" no restriction when I drink anything, so I hope all is okay. Is this normal? Anyhoo, I'm going to head back to my room and see if I can find something on television. Thanks for all of the advice and support during this process. The wealth of information that I have been given is priceless! I also met Sarah. We sat and talked about things for quite awile. It's going to be great to talk to someone that I "know" and that was banded on the same day. Thanks, Kristy

Great news! I am so happy for you! Kristy

Shanna-Lee, Congratulations! I'm glad things went well... and, my... what an interesting offer while shopping! Kristy