bandmama

Thanks!

Turns out I was all freaked out for nothing. I weighed in at the OCC at 230! And that was after takinf (a small) part in the christmas noms and enjoying a bit of the local noms (no alcohol or flour tortillas) I was super thrilled that I could keep the ten off through the holidays! Thanks for your support!

Good luck with your surgery out your outcome. It is definitaly worth it!

Hey Guys!

I know that we are suppose to loose between 1-2 pounds per week. I was wonder if everyone really looses this each week? I feel like I am in platues all but a week and half a month and then I will loose around 5-6 pounds. I count EVERYTHING that goes into my mouth, not obessing, just aware. I am currently doing P90X vidoes which are SO hard. (think I'm gonna hide them from Hubby ) We are on week 3, 6 days a week, anywhere from 1 hour to 1 hour and half a day, depending on which day you are on. As far as my food, I still have to be careful on the food I eat so that I dont get stuck and I am eating still around the same amount, some days more, some days less. Just wondering if it is not time for that little bit of a fill?

Carrie

Carrie, it sounds like you are turning fat into muscle, and muscle weights more than fat. I actually haven't lost weight in 5 weeks. I'm staying on the same food plan as I've always been on. I received my second fill on Saturday to see if I can get a jump start but nothing yet. I was even on liquids for three days and didn't shed a pound. I do know that I have lost several inches in the past 5 weeks because I have pants and shirts that I try on weekly and I could not get into a pair of jeans before and now I fit them comfortable. Just hang in there and keep up the good work!

My girlfriend and I did it last week, and it was fine. We caught the bus at the airport, switched to the trolley downtown, walked over the border and took a cab to the OCC. It was 5$ for an all day bus pass and 5$ for the cab. It took a little longer than we thought- about 2 hours from when we landed to when we arrived for our fills, but 10$ compared to 100$ is definately worth it!!

Did you take the yellow cabs at the border crossing?

I am going down to OCC on Saturday for my second fill. In the past I have always paid OCC for round trip transfers from the airport to OCC. This time I thought I would be adventurous and try it myself. I have the bus and train schedule. I can catch the bus right at the airport and then transfer to the train straight to the border. I then need to cross the border and take a taxi to OCC. Has anyone done this on their own before? Is anyone else going to OCC on Saturday morning. My appt. is scheduled for 11:30 am. Please if anyone has any insight or comments please let me know.

The OCC and hotels are very safe. I am traveling down on May 30 for my second fill, and I'm traveling alone. I was there about a month ago and again I traveled alone. I felt very safe and had no problems. Don't let anyone scare you, if they haven't been to the OCC and the area then they shouldn't tell you that it is unsafe. Anything can happen anywhere.

I have to agree with everyone, Dr. Ortiz and OCC was great. I too was very nervous about traveling to TJ for surgery. The OCC meet me at the airport, they were waiting for me in the baggage claim area. I was greeted and taken care of from the airport on. I traveled with my mother and we picked up another couple on the way. We all loaded into the van and drove to the border. Crossing was a piece of cake, no problem. The driver re-assured us that everything would be fine and the OCC was in a better part of town, minutes from the border and across the street from the police station. We were then taken to the OCC for labs and then taken to the Marriott. Everything was very well planned out and smooth traveling. I was very impressed with the OCC, doctors, and nurses. They made you feel very welcome and at home. One of the doctors came in and explained everything to us, the proceedure, aftercare, asked if we had any questions or concerns. They were very caring and personable. The nurses after surgery treated me like I was a queen. If you are considering having surgery then I wouldn't hesitate about going to OCC.

Oh sorry Robyn, I didn't completely read your stats. You just started your pre-opt diet....I thought you were on your post-opt. My bad!!!

You just had surgery? If so OCC asks that you stay on liquids for 21 days. The first 4-7 is clear liquids only. It is not until day 15 that you add protein shakes. It is totally worth the wait. You paid too much money to risk damage to you band. I know the first 21 days is hard but hand in there..

Okay it is 930pm and i want to munch! just had my fill on friday so am not supposed to yet, not even sure what i want but i want something, even on a normal night when i get this way don't know what to use am afraid to start but sometimes am actually hungry!

If you like beef jerky that is what I snack on. It is low calorie and high protein. I also eat low fat string cheese and the tiny stick prezels. This seemd to help. If I'm craving sweets I eat fat free chocolate pudding.

My daughter was banded on 3-09 and had her first fill at OCC on Friday (1.6 CC). Today she returned to eating solids after the required 3 days of liquids. She is depressed because she says she feels nothing...no restriction, no fullness, just normal! The fill doctor (I dont know which doctor it was, but young and dreamy of course!) said it could take 2 or 3 weeks to feel any restriction. Ive never heard that before...anyone have any experience with this wait? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

I just got my first fill on Saturday. My first experience with food was early this morning. I scrambled two eggs and could only get down two bites. I had to through the rest away because it felt like it was stuck. After about 20 minutes I drank a large Java City coffee and that went down fine. I just now ate a breakfast bar and didn't have any problem with that going down. I think it depends on the time of day. I now know that I can not eat first thing in the morning. I need to drink something hot first to losen up my band. Since this is her first fill and first experience eating I would wait a week to see how she fills and if her band tightens up during the day.

On Saturday after my fill until this morning I didn't feel any restriction either. I was able to drink soups and protien shakes and I actually felt hungry. It wasn't until this morning that things changed.

I just received the following email message from the U.S. Consulate General Tijuana regarding a recent flu outbreak. It includes prevention tips from the Center for Disease Control.

I was just in TJ on Saturday for my first fill. It was fine. You didn't see anyone wearing masks or coughing. I just went to OCC and back, I didn't go shopping. OCC is so clean that you don't have to worry about the clinic. I wouln't worry or cancel any appointments.

I was just checking to see if anyone out there was banded at OCC on March 12th. I was banded then and I was just checking to see how everyone was doing and to say "Hello". I will be getting my first fill at OCC on Saturday, April 25th. Is anyone out there going to OCC on Saturday. I'm flying into San Diego airport at 8:30 am.

Hi Everyone. I hate to rehash old topics but after many searches I still dont think I have a good understanding of what I should expect. I was banded 3/31/09 and started solids this week. I initally had a pretty significant weight loss on clear liquids which leveled off a bit on creamy liquids and is now going the other way on solids. As a "professional" dieter for the past 35 years I understand a lot about nutrition, exercise, and variations in weight during periods of near fasting (sustained execution of this knowledge is an entirely different matter..lol). So, I am not hugely suprised that I have been gaining almost a pound a day since begining solids and exercise again. I am curious however to hear how other faired during this time. I seem to be able to eat what I want as I am sure the swelling has subsided and I have little to no restriction, but have I have limited it to under a 1000 calories a day of low carb high protien food. I am walking 3 miles a day and doing a little weight training to slow the loss of muscle mass. Because I am in southern CA at my six week point I have scheduled my first fill for 5/11. The math (left brain analysis) says that this trend is unsustainable as my basal calorie needs far exceed my caloric intake,,,and although I know this, it is still hard to stay off that darn scale...lol! Anyway feedback from the more experiemced bandsters on this period of our journey would be appreciated...btw I love this forum! The experience shared and dedicated posting of many of you really helps me stay motivated and excited about this life changing event. Thank You!

I understand your concern and frustration. I too lost most of my weight in the first two weeks of the liquid phase. When I started adding cream soups I actually gained a pound. I was very frustrated becasue I knew I wasn't taking in that many calories to gain weight. Once I started solids I actually started loosing again. Some days I felt bloated. I weighed myself every morning and this became frustrating because some days my weight would vary within 2-3 pounds. This stopped after the first month. I don't know what was going on but it was definitely strange. I am scheduled for my first fill on Saturday, April 25th, and I sure do need it. I haven't lost any weight in two weeks but I haven't gained any either. (this is good) I can eat almost everything. I have absolutely no restriction and my appitite is back to where it was before surgery. I'm very hungry in the evening hours. I'm new to this band but I do LOVE IT! I am very excited about getting my first fill and I'm looking forward in loosing more weight and inches.

I totally agree with everyone here! I had a lower BMI and my physician here in the US (Kaiser) would not consider me for lapband surgery. I was very frustrated because my primary doctor told me that I should loose weight because diabetes and heart disease run in my family. I tried to argue the fact but got no where. I then decided to have the surgery done by Dr. Ortiz. I was very concerned and scared to travel to Mexico. I have to say it was the BEST decision I made. I love Dr. Ortiz and his staff. I was treated better by his staff then I've been treated in the US. They are actually fabulous! I'm going back down to TJ on Saturday for my first fill. I'm very excited!

I had my surgery on a March 12 (Thursday) and I went back to work on Monday. I also am at a desk most of the day. It does help getting up and walking around every hour. I didn't have much gas (farting) I just had shoulder pain from the C0 gas. I found that if I try to keep moving it was much better. I was tired but nothing that you can't handle. If I was to do it over again I would have taken a few extra days just to rest and relax to re-gain more energy but I didn't have any issues with going back to work so soon.

Good luck and I’m sure you will do fine. As long as you don't do anything to strenuous you'll be fine.

I will be at OCC on April 25 for my first fill. My surgery date was March 12.

Just wanted to say hi.. My name is Jannice I'm in So. Cali 34 yr old mom to Bianca a 4 year old drama Queen.

I was banded on March 31st 2009 and I'm already down 17 lbs ...

Glad to be here and can't wait to chat

That is great! I was banded at OCC on March 12th. I just starting eating normal food a few days ago. I've been watching what I eat since I do not have any restriction in my band. It is going real good. I don't feel hungry except in my head.

I posted this on the Doctor's Corner but I am also going to post here in the General Discussions.

Has anyone experienced a rash or hives after being banded. I's 15 days post-op and I broke out in hives on my lower back and on the back of my arms. I though it was caused by something I drank, because I am not eating solids. The problem is I can't figure what it could be. I haven't drank anything new or anything that my body hasn't had before. I did take Miralax but have discontined using it for the last 5-6 days. I was just wondering if anyone else has ever experienced anything of this nature? I am praying that I'm not allergic to the material the band is made of.

Has anyone experienced a rash or hives after being banded. I's 15 days post-op and I broke out in hives on my lower back and on the back of my arms. I though it was caused by something I drank, because I am not eating solids. The problem is I can't figure what it could be. I haven't drank anything new or anything that my body hasn't had before. I did take Miralax but have discontined using it for the last 5-6 days. I was just wondering if anyone else has ever experienced anything of this nature? I am praying that I'm not allergic to the material the band is made of.

I just got back from TJ last night. It was absolutely safe. No problems at all, it was a piece of cake. You have nothing to worry about. I was very worried when I left San Diego but it was for nothing. We took a cab to Revolution Ave to do some light shopping was we felt very safe. OCC is GREAT!

I have my appointment on March 4. I'm very nervous but my boyfriend even more so, mostly about Tijuana which his (oh so helpful) family keep pointing out is full of shootings and drug problems etc. Despite it all he's still up for the trip and I'm so excited at the thought that my weight roller coaster will be over!

How did your trip to Tijuana go. I leave tomorrow March 12. I've also very concerned and scared.

Hi I'm new to the forum...new to all of this actually. My name is Krista and I'm 35, a mother of a 2 year old and 4 year old girls, from Toronto Canada. I am booked for surgery for March 17 09, and I am very excited to be taking this step, and feel very good about doing this at The Obesity Control Center itself. I am travelling on my brother in law's points so I'm flying into L.A and driving a rental car to San Diego to be picked up. Now I am hearing frightening things about travelling to boarder towns, with Tijuana listed ...that there is huge unrest due to gang wars. I've never thought twice about travelling to Mexico before....i've gotten spooked, and I'm hoping to hear from people who have just RECENTLY been. What was your experience crossing the boarder and being in Tijuana like?

Hi I'm new to the forum...new to all of this actually. My name is Krista and I'm 35, a mother of a 2 year old and 4 year old girls, from Toronto Canada. I am booked for surgery for March 17 09, and I am very excited to be taking this step, and feel very good about doing this at The Obesity Control Center itself. I am travelling on my brother in law's points so I'm flying into L.A and driving a rental car to San Diego to be picked up. Now I am hearing frightening things about travelling to boarder towns, with Tijuana listed ...that there is huge unrest due to gang wars. I've never thought twice about travelling to Mexico before....i've gotten spooked, and I'm hoping to hear from people who have just RECENTLY been. What was your experience crossing the boarder and being in Tijuana like?