labella

Just wondering if anyone has experienced the barium emptying too slow from esophagas via floro If so, what causes this? I do not have any reflux or burning ...... jst slow emptying resulting in no fill #3. Advised to take pepto to sooth the esophagas and revisit next month. thank you for your help. Labella

Hoping some of the older bandsters can answer a few questions. Recently I went to have my 3rd fill and Dr. So said my esophagas was swollen ...and wanted me to wait for another fill. What causes this??and How are you losing the mid section subcutaneous fat?? I have lost inches but not too much in lbs in 9 months. Can someone share a typical day menu please. Thanks for you help... Labella

Stayed at the Lucerna twice and both times we were pleased and we are particular. Everyone there was very accommodating, the computers were easily accessible and the food in the restaurant was excellent. I was not able to eat other than the creamed spinach soup which was awesome. The food and the cappuccinos were excellent as my husband and some friends enjoyed! There is also an excellent taco stand just down the street on the same side as the Lucerna. The broth there is delicious served with chopped cilantro. They know the stand at th e front desk...no crossing the street just around the corner....go out and turn right then right again. Close ...convenient....and nice. Actually I will be at tthe OCC tomorrow for a fill. All the best with your surgery and stay. The OCC is exceptional. Labella

There are two computers in the lobby of the Lucerna and you can log on to email and stay in touch with home. I don't see the need to bring yours at all. There is also one at the OCC in the recovery area near the nurses station you can use as well. Less is best and the Lucerna is excellent. Best to you ..the OCC is exeptional! Labella

Louisem San diego is a lovely place to stay. We prefer to stay away from the Gaslamp are as it is not out cup of tea. The Hilton Hotel by the Hyatt and the convention center is always a good choice. We were just there on the 12th floor and found the public transportation a plus. Seaport village is close and the buses are reliable and easy. The trolly takes you right to the border and then a $5.00 cab ride to OCC and back. Write the address down for the cabbie. We googled hotwire and for $100.00 plus you are in a great location. The weather was perfect. Good Luck. Labella

Faith My empathy with your agony and expectations and can say that it will" pass in time." I too, an very sensitive to pain and the like and had ahoulder pain for months which I treated with massage and cold compresses. I took 800 ml ibiuprofen daily crushed mixed with tylenol for many weeks until the pain finally subsided. I experienced the gas issue since my surgery in Dec. It is now getting better and less active but still there. Hopefully with digestive enzymes this too will pass. My port is high but tolerable for me. I, too, thought the pain would never cease, however it did. I am so pleased that mine has healed those sensitive symptoms and my body has responded quite well to everything. My weight and inches loss has been so wonderful and the restriction is perfect. I have had two fills at the OCC. The doctors and the staff are exceptional and time has a way of healing us. The doctors are there for you and unless you have an infection or the like, I trust you will in time be pleased with your decision. This was not a breeze for me, however, I pampered and slowly but surely I feel like mysef these days. Wishing you patience and feeling better with "baby steps" Labella

Sounds like you are doing quite excellent. Such a nice report. It is encouraging to know you are not in too much discomfort. I had my boobs done 2 decades ago and I love them still. Just curious as to what kind of implants you had and how were they inserted. Over the muscle or under. I am amazed at your comments as well as your non discomfort levels. The procedures have changed over the years and your sounds perfect! Enjoy them! Labella

Thank you for sharing your "Secrets to Success" and Congratulations to you. This is indeed quite a journey which I have much respect for. Would you be kind enough to share what is precisely really small portions that you consume? and possibly a typical day menu? I have just had my second fill and feel I am at my sweet spot. I do not have a lot of weight to loose, however, I believe in your motto. The spicy chocolate to start the day sounds like a winner to me. To your success! Labella

You will be "very well" taken care of at the OCC. The doctors and staff are "concerned professionals" and treat you right. They were there for my every sigh..... From the moment you arrive at the airport....the clinic...the Lucerna.....all outstanding! Wishing you all the best. Labella

Enjoy the Journey. The staff at OCC is the "Ultimate." You are in the best of hands and will be very well taken care of. I visited them today for my second fill. Keep us informed. Awesome as ever! Labella

I hear your concern. I was banned on 12 11 and it took me 4weeks to feel better and that was at 75-80%. The discomfort is different for all of us and it took me much longer than most to feel even 85% where I am today. Bending not good and sitting for any length and sleeping on the port side is still sensitive and I cannot do that still. I took ibuprofen 400 mg every day 2-3X until a week ago, now just once a day at night. Hope you feel much better soon. It is a healing process and it does take time. Labella

This was posted by someone and I have found it to be quite helpful. I am still learning. Banned 12 11 08 OCC Good Luck on the awesome journey! Hope this helps. Labella In order to fuel your body for fat burning... you need to eat a healthy protein breakfast. Planning ahead gives us one less thing to have to figure out. Eat the same thing every morning for this week. This is a key to success... if you have set meals that you always make, you don't have to make the good choices off the top of your head. For example, if I know that every morning will be a yogurt with Kay's Apple Cinnamon Protein Cereal blended in and I have 7 cartons of Dannon Light and Fit in the fridge... there is NO room for straying. This is how we do it. Breakfast...250 calories and 15-20 grams protein...choose one and do it everyday this coming week! [/size][/font] • Protein drink, protein shake, ready to drink protein • Egg and Morningstar Farm sausage patty or a regular Brown & Serve sausage link • Ricotta, cottage cheese, yogurt and fruit with a spoonful of Whey Gourmet tasty protein powder swirled in there (maybe a few sliced almonds) • Two cheese sticks • Muscle Milk Protein Chocolate Pudding cup • Breakfast Vitamins: 1 Bariatric Advantage Chewable Multi Formula plus 1 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenge with food Mid morning protein supplement... a 100 calorie, 15-20 gram protein boost • AchievONE protein latte, Nectar fruity protein drink, Worldwide Pure Protein ready-to-drink shake, Extreme Smoothie ready-to-drink shake • Mozarella stick • Dannon Light and Fit yogurt • 1/2 Power Crunch protein wafer bar, or 1/2 Revival Peanut Butter Paradise protein bar • Coffee with Labrada ready-to-drink Vanilla Cream protein and DaVinci sugar free Caramel syrup • Muscle Milk Chocolate Protein Pudding Cup • bag of Revival Oh My Apple Pie Protein Crisps Lunch...300-350 calories and 15-20 grams of protein consisting of food you prepare for and take to the office. Don't leave what you eat at your desk to chance. PLAN YOUR LUNCH. You'll burn more calories digesting your midday meal because protein is more difficult to break down than carbohydrates or fat and it will stay with you longer into your day. • Roast deli turkey rolled up. Use a little salsa or ranch for dipping sauce, or roll up with hummus or whole grain mustard, or wasabi mustard. (MAYO is 100 calories per TEASPOON as are all fats, so measure and use as little as possible or substitute mustard or salsa-based moistening agents) • 1/2 cup tuna salad or ricotta or cottage cheese on top of a slice of tomato • Shredded salmon or deli meat blended with shredded lettuce, baby tomatoes, and lower fat dressing • NO crackers, no rolls, no chips, no tortillas, no low carb wraps • Lunch Vitamins: 1 Bariatric Advantage B-12 plus 1 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenge with food Mid-afternoon protein supplement...a 100 calorie, 15-20 gram protein boost • AchievONE protein latte, Nectar fruity protein drink, Worldwide Pure Protein ready-to-drink shake, Extreme Smoothie ready-to-drink shake • Mozarella stick • Dannon Light and Fit yogurt • 1/2 Power Crunch protein wafer bar, or 1/2 Revival Peanut Butter Paradise protein bar • Coffee with Labrada ready-to-drink Vanilla Cream protein and DaVinci sugar free Caramel syrup • Muscle Milk Chocolate Protein Pudding Cup Supper...a target of 300-400 calories and 20 grams of protein consisting of lean protein and a small salad or lower carb vegetable. Make this a standard meal comprised of grilled, pan sauteed, or baked protein such as fish, chicken, or egg... with different bottled sauces or jar salsas to moisten and a small salad. • Pan sauteed shrimp, with a little bottled salsa to moisten • Grilled or pan sauteed turkey burger • Baked salmon • Broiled tilapia filet • Two egg omelet - saute a few mushrooms, red peppers, spinach, onion, and add cheese • All protein served with a tossed chopped salad of romaine lettuce, sliced grape tomatoes, cucumber cubes, and tossed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. (1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon balsamic... toss in a big bowl to coat entire salad. If you make a bigger salad, use 3 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon vinegar... be sure to season with salt and pepper!) You can use different salad ingredients for variety... sliced olives, cubed cukes, sliced grape tomatoes, chopped artichoke hearts. Sometimes, I just have sliced grape tomatoes and red onion... or tomato and avocado and spoon it on to pan sauteed shrimp with salt and pepper... easy and fast. • Supper Vitamins: 1 Bariatric Advantage Chewable Multi Formula plus 1 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenge with food No bread, no potato, no rice, no pasta, no tortilla, no wraps, no low carb bread, no crackers. If you are an evening snacker as I am... use either your mid morning or mid afternoon supplement as an 8-9pm supplement so you will not mindlessly snack. Give yourself permission to have one of the 100 calorie supplement foods listed as a planned eating event. Bedtime: 1 Bariatric Advantage Passion Fruit Chewable Iron