CanadianBandster

thanks guys - I was looking on the OCC site. I tried amazon before and couldnt find it so thanks for the link - will order as soon as I get home from swimming/the gym!

grrrr - I have tried to order the book many times but its always sold out...anyone have one sitting around theyd like to get rid of?

yup - totally normal. I was banded on Dec 22/08 and still get sore sometimes. Sometimes I must sleep gimped lol cuz Ill wake up and ouch. Or after aquasize I am tender

hm- about drinking...the OCC doctors told me I can drink right up to my meal - then once you start eating dont drink for an hour - so Id double check on that one if I were you....otherwise - that could be a BIG reason you are having a hard time because yup - you are probably washing everything right though (I think). As for the other questions - Im going to let others answer - cuz I need a nap zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz had a long day of driving

I am like you zeus - easy going, friendly, tip good - that guy was just an ass. Figured I would take a shot at the other hotel...Ill let you guys know how it goes!

I too lost quickly before and have plateaued - I know its supposed to be slower for lower bmi - especially now...but I feel your pain! It is very frustrating! I have been stuck at 155 - actually going up a pound to 156 this week - grrrr...I have introduced swimming 5 times a week - plus back at the gym 4-5 days a week. Also - I realized I havent been drinking water - at all! So - today I went and bought some water bottles and mae myself drink 1.5 today and tomorrow my goal is to have at least 2 (which would be about 5-6 glasses). I noticed when I was losing good I was drinking a lot more water - I always have a hard time with this.. Any other suggestions from you guys? I am trying to have more protein too - and starting tomorrow I am going to track every morsel that goes into my mouth again - another thing I was doing before.

Youll have to be more specific in what you want to know...otherwise just read all the posts on this board - thats what I did before the surgery and learnt a lot!

okay - I had a HORRIBLE IV experience when I had my daughter - wow, I still cringe and actually have a hard time with needles now thanks to that episode... So - I get to the OCC and am FREAKING out - really....thats all I could think about was the damn IV - nevermind that they were about to perform surgery on me. The nurse took me back - I told her I was afraid. I looked away and started counting in my head - trying to relax...honestly.. it was the EASIEST IV I have ever HAD placed and I have had A LOT. So - Id just tell her to look away, try to relax, count or sing in her head - and it will be over before she knows it!

I think I am going to try that hotel dolittle - in a few weeks when I go back. Oh - one of the guys at the lucerna was such a jerk to us. He wouldnt even let our friends come up to our room to get us to go shopping. That actually happened twice - and he was NOT nice about it. Everyone else was great. But if I have to see that guy again - Ill snap....he was one of the rudest people I have ever met. Its too bad cuz I really liked the lucerna. I will try that other hotel - and if its not up to par, then back to the lucerna I will go - but its worth a try! Ill miss the chicken fajitas though lol

oh that sucks! yah - Im a stabbed zebra from my lapband, c-sections, gallbladder and BR scars and stretchmarks. My gallbladder pain was the worst pain IVe experienced in my life. They waited too long as well - kept just sending me home with pain killers so my gallbladder "fell apart" and became gangreous (not sure how to spell) - worst experience ever!

Thanks Darlene...damn though lol - cuz I was thinking of the mariott. I was NOT happy with the night guy at the Lucerna....grrrr - I still get angry thinking about the jerk.

Were u banded at the OCC? Sounds like u need a fill - but u didnt give much info so its hard to say! I would say something is definately up though - if you were banded at the OCC is there anyway you can go back for a fill?

I saw that this hotel is on the OCC site...anyone stay there before? http://www.caminoreal.com/tijuana_i/main.php

woooooooooooooooo hooooooooooo thats freaking amazing! I say hell ya celebrate! You sooooo deserve it!

okay - I am a mom but do not have kids who have had the surgery (my oldest is 4 years younger than yours). BUT if they were over weight - I would do this surgery in a heartbeat for them - at the OCC. You are doing a great thing! Wow - it would have been amazing to have this surgery 15 years ago when I was 15! Pre-op - I am lower BMI so I had two shakes and a small meal for 7 days only. I didnt find it that hard - but it was because I was so excited to have the surgery I really didnt care. Post-op 21 - Everyone is different. I was okay (but sick and tired of broth). Around day 19 I was really hungry. I admit a few times I resorted to chewing and spitting - the only way I would have made it through. I am actually finding the liquids phase after the fills much much more difficult Her thin friend doesnt know what she is talking about. She is young immature and knows nothing about the surgery. I feel more satisfied in my stomach now than I ever have my entire life -because now I actually feel satisfied. Before I was ALWAYS hungry. Now - its just learning not to eat just because my head tells me to...because 95% of the time I am NOT hungry. I also stop often to see if I am still hungry when I am eating - because I would keep going even though Im not hungry. I am slowly learning to stop for a few minutes and wait to see if I am full or not. Tijuana: I would not take my 11 year old there. Simply because she would be bored. If she were 15 I would. I go there with a girlfriend. We even go out. Yes - I know some think we are crazy. But we do....and we stay out late. I feel safe though. Honestly - its like any other city. I hear about cities here (and they are smaller than a lot in the states that have stuff going on), I live in Canada where I think it is safe. But have had 22 murders in one city near me and something like 17 in the next nearest....this year. So - really, if you stay in the better parts - I feel you will be fine and I wouldnt worry about. My friend was soooooooooooo worried about me while I was in surgery. She said in about 45 minutes from the time I went in they came out and told her all was good. My daughter had a surgery last year and I was FREAKING OUT! All you can do is sit and worry lol - I know from experience...and you will cry. But I assure you - it is well worth it! You are doing an amazing thing letting her have this surgery! Social Situations - I am in my 30's...I admit, only being 2 months post op - I do have a bit of a hard time going out. I try to avoid it....but I am slowly getting better with it because I am learning what I can and cant do. She will learn and in no time be back to normal. She will learn that she can do what she did before, just have to eat slower, smaller bites and portions. They are so smart at 15 its ridiculous - she will probably have an easier time than us older banders. We have twice as long as her eating horribly and learning a new way of life - I am stuck in my ways lol... I find my kids are much better at adapting. As for your doctor. I highly recommend talking to your doctore BEFORE she goes in. I was worried too and was surprised by how supportive she was. Even if the doctor isnt - at least they know about it and you will know what treatment they can provide. Do not go without having after care arranged. I dont know if u plan on going back to the occ - if so YAY, if not...arrange it BEFORE you go!!!! Any other questions? Hope I helped a little! You are an amazing mom for allowing her to do this so young so she can live her life to the fullest and not hide behind her being overweight. So many kids (including me) miss out on a lot of life experiences - and u - u are allowing her to live!

I didnt have problems burping - know thats not what you want to hear! I have the 4 cc band and got 2 cc on my first fill - he said Id probably need another in 4 weeks...its been two weeks today and I definately dont need one yet - I am on solids again due to some lovely pb sessions I had the same thing happen with the van. First they didnt even know if it would be available to pick me up - I had to call in the morning to see if it was available. Then - all our fill appointments were an hour and a half late...I was supposed to have my teeth whitened that day - but because the fills took so long they didnt have time to do my teeth.. Then I ended up waiting over an hour for the van - and it still wasnt there - but my friend who lives in TJ and was getting her fill just gave me a ride back to the hotel cuz I was sick of waiting. I was a little grouchy. Besides that they were great though

well congratulations! Hope it goes well! Keep us posted!

so this afternoon - I dont feel the restriction (crazy that it was that much) that I have been feeling lately. I am still going to do liquids - but YAY - it doesnt feel like I have something stuck in my throat grrr So - here is hoping!!

another happy patient here - again like the others said I am very glad I did it - and would do it again in a heartbeat The OCC is awesome! I love TJ and will be going back for all my fills - plus probably every two months to see all the friends Ive made there

OMG sneezing kills! Well it did - it gets better. I wouldnt worry about it too much I held a pillow to my guts if I felt one coming on it helps a lot

wow - if only it were bread that caused my problems...I cant eat squat liquids for me for a few more days to see if things get better!

just curious where u guys book your flights through? I always use expedia.ca (as Im in Canada) just wondering if there is another place to book u find cheaper?

thats awesome - you must be excited - I remember my belt bliss moment too a few weeks ago - savor it hee hee

I used to be severly anemic and didnt even think it could be it this time because when I was sick for all those years all I did was sleep never cold...but Im also 36 lbs lighter now...hm - doctors appointment tomorrow now I have to get that checked out!

Your questions are hard to answer since we are all so different...You can see my stats below how long it has taken me. I had my first fill saturday the 7th. I am 5'4...I wont need plastic surgery after BUT I had a tummy tuck and reduction 6 or 7 years ago so that helps...but my boobs are shrinking boooooo so Ill probably get implants next year. Keep reading the posts on here you will learn a lot - I think I went through everything on here before I had mine done best decision I have ever made!