DisasterWalking73

What I great idea for a thread - because I sure do have some stuff to confess after this weekend! Well, my surgery will be the 29th and the OCC has asked me to lose 12 lbs. So, I decided to start two weeks ago, giving myself a total of 4 weeks pre-op to lose the weight. The first week went very well - I stuck to plan (decided on Atkins induction) and lost 7 lbs. Last week, not so much. My daughter and I both caught swine flu (it's epidemic at her school - 8 confirmed cases in her class alone) so my diet went out the window. Although, having the flu, I didn't actually gain any weight, but unfortunately didn't lose any more either. Then there was last night... *sigh* So, we'd done our full courses of Tamiflu and were celebrating our recovery, along with a good friend's birthday. At the birthday party, I ate a full dinner (BarBque, Mac and Cheese, potato salad), a generous piece of the birthday cake (chocolate/bacon cake - yep, you read that right - complete with candied-bacon topping) and... ahem... four pomegranate martinis. *hangs head* Soooooo... I have not been on the scale to assess the damage, frankly, I'm scared to get on. But, luckily, I still have a full two weeks before my surgery (17 days, actually) so I'm just gonna get back on the horse and re-start my pre-op diet. Time to get serious! Glad to hear the rest of you are doing well! -- Deena p.s. - I've been meaning to ask, RevyD - what brand of shakes are you using? I've tried a couple of different kinds so far and am having trouble finding one I can stomach - anybody have any reccomendations?

What an exciting time for you! Best of luck with your surgery - oh, and let me chime in that I'm also planning on bringing a laptop.

Yay! Go, you - that's awesome! =D>

Hi, Sdalaq - we're being banded on the same date! Are you staying at the Marriott or Lucerna? How is everbody doing on their pre-op diets? I'm doing ok, I did not officially have to start until next week, but decided to start last week just to be safe. I'd down about 7 lbs so far (out of 12 they're asking me to lose) - so I can't complain!

Hi, Soon2Bslim! I don't have exactly the same surgery date as you do, but I am being banded on Sept. 29th - so I'm sure I'll see you there. Are you coming with a companion or by yourself? I'll be by myself - I'm at the Lucerna right now but am considering switching, since it seems like more OCC bandsters will be at the Marriott - I haven't decided yet. Best of luck to you in your new life!

Thank you for sharing, ladies - it has made me feel like this is more do-able. I can definitely see myself doing the take-bigger-bites-but-only-swallow-a-little-at-a-time thing. That is more along the lines of the way I eat now (although, I'm sure the initial bite will still have to be quite a bit smaller). I'm excited - Sept. 29th is getting closer and closer!

I don't know for sure (wish I could be of more help) - but I have heard the same thing myself. Oh, and by the way - good luck!

ODave - I know exactly where you're coming from! I have two girls, 5 and 10 and it is hard to leave them for a few days even at this age, and I remember when they were babies - it was even harder still. We are rarely apart, and they are my little darlings. But, (and this is what I keep telling myself) you'll be back before you know it, and this is a great long-term investment in your future with your child - think of all the things you'll be able to do and doors that will open when you're healthier. Hopefully, for both of us, it'll be well worth it.

Ok, so in my ongoing effort to find every possible thing there might be to worry about (and then worry about it), I've come up with this: I don't think I can take bites the size of a standard pencil eraser. I just don't see how I'm going to do that - I take huge bites now. I'm trying to gradually pair down the size of my bites and chew thoroughly, but I don't think I'm ever going to be able to stick with the "pencil eraser" size - that's barely enough to even taste the food! Anyway, give me some feedback here - what size bites actually work for you - the dreaded pencil eraser, or can you go up to say, the size of a die (as in, pair of dice) - as long as good chewing is involved? One Australian doc's website says your bites should be about half the size they are now, chewed 20 times - or right after a fill, about a quarter of the size they are now - is this realistic?

Best of luck to you, Andy - I'm going to be banded on the 29th of this month. I will be excited to see your progress!

All I can say is WOW. You look like a whole new person - and 20 years younger, I might add! WTG! =D>

What great progress! Your pics are just lovely - and so are you! Keep up the great work!

Oh, AngieB - that is one hideous animal! Wow - and Snowbird, that's awesome that your insurance paid for Dr. Ortiz! If you don't mind my asking, who do you have? - Deena

Hi, Dolittle - thanks for your reply. In light of my past experiences with pharmaceutical companies, I know that newer doesn't always equal better. I know some drugs and procedures have been "improved" only to have patients later request they be returned to the original - this has happened to me before. I've often wondered why it takes American doctors 4-5 fills to accomplish what the OCC can in 1 or 2 - seems a higher cc band size would be the explanation. That's definitely not something I'd be interested in - the fewer fills, the better. I saw an American surgeon speak recently and he sort of tried to put the fear of God into anyone about going to Mexico, saying they can't offer the latest technology, the older bands have higher rates of slippage, erosion, etc... That's really what I'm mostly concerned about. Like I said, though, my experience with pharmaceutical companies is that sometimes the advertising and marketing is very different from the reality. -- Deena

That is such a great feeling - being able to shop in the "regular" clothes! Congratulations - you've worked hard and you deserve it! =D>

Deena from the Tampa Bay Area - Florida Age: 36 Gender: F Band Date: scheduled for 09/29 Height: 5'6" Highest weight: 252 Start of Pre-op diet: 252 Current Weight: not sure - this is my third day on pre-op, but I'm not going to weigh for a week! Goal Weight: 137 (or wherever I look and feel good!)

Don't joke about El Chupacabra - that's real! But I hear he prefers the Marriott to the Lucerna, so I'll be alright... But, seriously - the "no lap band, just a port" story has the ring of an urban legend to me. I'd be interested to hear if she actually knows the person, or if it happened to "a friend of a friend."

Hi, Dolittle - do you have any info on which "model" the Allergan lap bands currently in use at the OCC are? I've heard it's not the AP - is it the VG? Thanks for any info.

Hi, everybody - I was hoping to get your opinion on something. I was reading another Lap Band board today, and someone had posted something called "Things to know before you get banded in Mexico" - or something to that order. A lot of the stuff was pretty common sense, like "research the surgeon's record, make sure you have aftercare/fills available locally" etc... But one thing was brought up that I'd heard once before - at an informational seminar given here in Florida by Dr. Lee Grossbard (who was banded by and proctored by Dr. Ortiz) - he mentioned that one downside of going to Mexico is that the Docs there do not have access to the "latest generation" Inamed band - the AP system. He said it is a superior, lower-pressure system with many improvements and lower complications than the old system (the VG, I believe? He kept referring to it as "the old band - that the surgeons in Mexico use - although he said he himself has this "old band"). Anyhoo, this "Things to Know" post I was reading today echoed the same sentiments - now, I know a lot of this is marketing and Dr. Grossbard has a vested interest in people getting their surgery through him, not going to Mexico. But, as you've probably guessed, I've scared myself a little here. Of course, like anyone, I want the best technology with the lowest possible chance of complications. I also like everything I've read/heard about Dr. Ortiz and really want him to do my surgery - I believe he's the best. So, opinions please. -- Deena

Thanks, guys! This is a great board and you all make me feel very welcome - I am looking forward to keeping everyone posted on my progress and watching yours as well. Day one of Atkins induction went pretty well, all things considered (some very stressful stuff going on today - swine flu outbreak at my older daughter's school, and my younger daughter's pre-k announcing that she will actually not be able to attend due to when her birthday falls - even though she's already been going for a week (!) - very frustrating) But, anyway, there are some things we can't change - so I'm focusing on the good stuff that I can. Can't wait to get into ketosis so I stop craving Diet Coke, though!

Hi, everybody! I feel a little silly posting this, as I've been posting on this board for a month or two now - but, what the heck. Today I started my pre-op diet (surgery is at the OCC on Sept. 29th) - so I feel like an official bandster now! My name is Deena - I'm 36, I'm a stay-at-home mom to my two darling little girls and am starting a master's program in library science next Fall (2010) - it's a long wait to start, but they are full for Fall and Spring - so I just have to keep myself occupied until then! I do have a question for y'all though (I'm from the South, can you tell?) - Carolyn told me I could do option 2 or 3 of the pre-op diets - 2 being the shakes and one meal, three being Atkins induction. Did anyone do Atkins induction? I've got four weeks - so I decided to do this for the first 2, then switch to shakes if I'm not getting good results (I need to lose 12 lbs). Anyone done that? How were your results? Well, thanks for all the info and support - I very much look forward to talking to you all in the future! -- Deena

Hi, Red - well, I'll let you know! It seems like Sept. 29th can't come soon enough - I'm starting my pre-op diet tomorrow. Did anyone try the three weeks Atkins induction option? What were your results? - Deena

Shelby - you look beautiful! I would be thrilled with your results - what an inspiration!

Jessica - congratulations on your great results with the pre-op diet! Which option did you use, if you don't mind me asking. I have four weeks until surgery, and I'm planning to do Atkins induction for the first 2-3 weeks, then shakes the last week. What I heard from the OCC is in agreement with the previous poster - that, if you are travelling with a companion, you keep your same room at the Lucerna or Marriott the whole time, and your companion stays there (at no additional charge), the night you are at the OCC. Although, I've also heard the OCC rooms feature a hospital bed and a double bed for companions - so I'm not sure the purpose of that. Anyone? Anyway, best of luck on your journey, sounds like you're off to a fantastic start! Oh, and I know what you mean about leaving the kids - it's so hard! I have a 10-yr old and 5-yr old, ,and it is still tough, even when they are older! Don't worry, though - they will be fine and you will return a much healthier mama! -- Deena

Hi, Elle - nice to meet you! I'm Deena and I'm going to be banded at the OCC on Sept. 29th - good luck and congratulations on your success so far!