NinnyEd

I INTENDED to go swimming, we also got there early... but WARNING... the water is VERY cold! It was October when we were there.

I flew AA when I went out for my surgery. I could fit in the seats just fine and did not need even a seatbelt extender. I am 5'4 and was around 280 at the time.

I am at the 6 month mark right now... After being a raging "Pepsiholic" for years I am avoiding Pepsi like the plague (the fat under my skin is probably carbonated!)... I have tried a little diet Pepsi, I could not drink much because the burps were horrible, not really worth it.... So, I stick to tea (Gold Peak, made by Coke, is wonderful - btw) and the occasional glass of Moscato d'Asti is about the only slighly carbonated thing I drink.

Hi Donna! I was also considering Dr. Vitello for fills. I did some research, and while I have not heard anything bad about him, I decided not to use him for fills. The main reason is I contacted Inamed, the people who make our bands, and they said that Dr. Vitello does not place the bands and has never had the proctored training that ALL doctors who place the Inamed bad must take. That was the deal breaker for me.... If he is not trained in our band, I will not let him touch my band! I was right at 7 weeks when I got my first fill. I need another one now, but do not have the time to go to TJ, so I am looking locally also, if I find someone at a reasonable cost, I will let you know!

Hi Judy! I based my goal on how much I weighed when I got married 21 years ago.... I was perfect, not too skinny, but well within a healthy BMI. I did not get banded because I wanted to fit into a bikini.... I want to be healthy and be around to spoil my grandkids (when my kids have kids) rotten! What you could do to get a good goal weight is figure out what your weight would be at a heathy BMI. At 6'1 a weight of between 185 - 190 would give you a BMI of around 24 - 25. My goal is 145, which puts my BMI at 24.9. Under 25 is considered a healthy BMI. OR... you could just set smaller goals.... say 275 for your first 100 pounds... Good luck Judy!

When I was on the liquid phase, I lived on the Campbell's Select basil tomato soup... It was wonderful.... I will have to try the corn soup for breakfast... Since my fill last month, I generally have to eat mushies or protein shakes for breakfast, solids just do not work for breakfast right now.

Everyone is different... I had my surgery in late October (10 cc VG band), had my first fill of 4 cc's in early December. Did not have a whole lot of restriction afterwards, but I did loose weight. I got another fill in mid-March of 1 more cc. I still do not have a whole lot of restriction and my weight loss has, once again, stagnated. I am at this poind trying to decide to go back to TJ for a fill, or find a Fillcenter here in the States to have it done. It just gets SO expensive to fly to TJ for fills...

OK, my husband thinks I am weird.... When I accidently take too big of a bite or do not chew well enough, the weirdest thing happens.... I get the lumpy feeling in my lower throat/upper chest... A bit of sliming, and then I SNEEZE or feel like I have to sneeze.... Does that happen to anyone else, or is my husband right???

I feel your pain, I got the flu at around 12 days after my surgery, luckily my PCP prescribed me anti-nausea medication right away and I did not throw up AT ALL... I hope you feel better soon!

I went to TJ for both of the fills I have had so far.... The first time I got 4cc's in my VG band and the second time Dr. R added another cc to make me at 5 now! I have ok restriction, but I am pretty sure I am not at my "sweet spot" yet.

After your first fill it is three days. The fills after that it is just 24 hours.....

This is my favorite: 1/2 cup milk, water, or soy milk 1 scoop protein powder (I like vanilla the best) 1 little container of Jello Brand Sugar free pudding - any flavor (the pre-made pudding cups - NOT the powder) Just blend together... That is the base, to that you can blend in your favorite fruit like bananas and ice if you want. You can play around with the flavor combinations to find what you like. Since my fill last week, I have not been able to eat solids until later in the morning, so this is what I have for breakfast each morning!

I felt that way also.... You have to remember it has not even been a week since your surgery... I think I felt back to normal at about 10 days... Just give it a little time and make sure you are taking your liquid vitamins (I like Centrum)! Good luck!

Does anyone else want to be in TJ the week of the 19th of this month?? I desperately need a fill and that looks to be the only time that I can get off this month. I was hoping on coming in on the 19th and leaving the 20th... Anyone want to share the van cost??? Let me know!

The line I was speaking of was the WALKER line... It is REALLY long... The van goes through a special "bus" lane and takes a LOT less time!

The transportation is 130 and that covers both ways. It is a good idea to use OCC for transportation if time is important. You need to allow around 1 1/2 to 2 hours for the bus/trolley going INTO TJ and I would allow 3 or 4 coming back. It is not that it ALWAYS takes that long to come back, but if there is a looooooong line to get back into the States it could take quite a while! After waiting in line for almost 2 hours just to get past the border last time, I will be paying the 130 for transportation! Good luck with your fill! =D>

Raw carrots.... Oh well, no great loss... I guess I can survive not eating those. I was ok with popcorn until my first fill, since then it feels "funny" if I try to eat it, and that was only once. I have been lucky and never gotten into big trouble with anything and have never thrown up at all!

I got the flu bug that was going around here just 3 weeks after my surgery. I immediately called my PHP the instant I felt any nausea and she gave a script for and anti-nauseal medication that worked great, not one inicident. She told me to just keep it on hand just in case I need it again. Slippage is not super common, but it does happen and, from what I understand, you KNOW when there is a problem. I try and not worry about it. I took the small chance of a bad reaction to loose my weight. I would rather take the chance than to have the the heart problems/high blood pressure/diabetes that is waiting to jump me as I get older like it did the rest of my family! I have watched BOTH of my parents go through hell the past 5 years with weight related health issues, I do not want my kids to have to watch me in that state when I get to be in my 70's. As for vitamins.. I take liquid Centrum, the taste is not too bad.... Calcium, you could either cut the pills smaller or take the chewable kind.

I was told no ab work for three months after surgery. I also had to have a hiatal hernia fixed at the time Dr. O put my band in so I do not know if that matters or not. My paperwork says no strenous exercise for 3 weeks after surgery. I have not felt my band at all, ok, well other than when I eat. But otherwise I just feel "normal" no physical feeling at all. I can think of only one time when I tried to sleep on my stomach that I felt my port..

Hi Susan! I will be needing another fill by then for sure - what time is your fill? I will know for sure if I can go on the 19th by early January and will let you know! The flight I take usually comes in at 10:05 a.m. in terminal 2 so I could wait for you. What airline do you fly in on? Lynn

Hi Susan! I had my first fill this past Saturday (the 9th). I also decided to stay the night since it would just be too much to go down and come right back. I did the bus/trolley thing... One warning though... If you have any issues with walking or standing a long time... Just pay the 130 for OCC to escort you to and from the airport (you can split that rate if you find other people who arrive and leave at about the same time as you). THe hardest part was the two hour line coming back into the states... I stayed at the Lucerna (the Hotel where you will be recovering) and the rate is only 80 US dollars if you ask OCC to arrange it for you when you make your appointment for your fill. When were you thinking of going? I may be due for a fill in late February.... I will see how well this fill works and decide closer to the time... Lynn

Hi Melanie! I had horrid heartburn for many years... I had so many "tubings" it was not funny... and they always said that I did NOT have a hiatal hernia.... I took Prevacid for MANY years and it barely kept some control of it. When Dr. Ortiz went in to put my band in 6 weeks ago he found a wonderful hiatal hernia and was so kind to fix it on the spot... That was 6 1/2 weeks ago.... I have not had ONE SINGLE incident of heartburn since!!

I DID get the back rub and it was WONDERFUL!!!! It was as I sat up for the first time to walk (maybe 20 minutes after surgery) and I just wanted to KISS that wonderful nurse!!! Hmmm... I go in for my first fill this coming Saturday, maybe I can talk her into a massage then?? Nope, no pictures here either.... But I will take the massage....

I will be flying into San Diego on Friday, December 8th at 10:00 a.m. My fill appointment is Saturday at 12:30. I have decided that it is just as inexpensive to stay at the Lucerna (ony 79.00 if you have OCC arrange it for you) as any hotel in San Diego. So I am staying there Friday night. Anyone going to be there those two days and want to ride the trolley/take the cab thing together??