Red

Someone said the Lucerna is within walking distance to the OCC. Can anybody give me directions? Appreciate it!

I've been banded for over 2 years now. I allowed myself plenty of rest after my surgery and found that sleeping with a heating pad helped a lot. I got that shoulder pain once or twice in the early days, but haven't had it since. The port pain took the longest to go away but you really do need to not try to do too much too soon. It is surgery, allow yourself healing time. I'm doing really well. I'm at my goal weight, not depressed anymore and can do anything I could do before, including sleeping on my stomach.

Most of all, I have gotten to know my band, what it likes, what it doesn't. I also rely on the signs my body gives me when I'm eating and I know how to interpret them. If I start getting certain signals, I stop eating. Over the last 2 years, I have experienced most of the things everyone has, throwing up, sliming...all of that. At first it scared me, but now I understand what is happening and it isn't a big deal the occasional times that happens. For me, this band has been the answer to my weight problems that have haunted me my entire life. I am so grateful for it. My sister-in-law was so inspired by my weight losss that she is going to have it done in October. I will be with her because I really believe in the band.

I will be accompaying my sister-in-law to the OCC who has decided to get banded after seeing what it has done for me. She is scheduled for October 21st and is soooo excited!

I have 6.5 cc's in my 11cc band. In the 2 years I've had my band, I had 2 fills and then had .5cc taken out because I felt too tight. I've been at 6.5ccs for over a year and am comfortable. I agree with what B2010 said about having more flexibility with the 11cc band. I lost 60 pounds and am now140Lbs and a size 8..this was the best decision of my life. I'm feel so much more in control now. Soon I will be accompanying my sister-in-law to Mexico to be banded at OCC.

So how much is it for fills at the OCC? Do you drive across the border or do you pay for the OCC transport? How much is the OCC transport? How long does it take? I'm leaning toward the OCC for fills because even at the nearby Fill Center it will cost about $800 the first visit and $300-400 for each additional fill...yikes!...hope they get it right the first few times!

I guess I am majorly spoiled. I live max 2 hours from the border. Just today I went to the OCC for a check-up because I am approaching my 1 year bandiversary and last week I had some throwing up issues that made me worry for the safety of my band. I drove down, parked at the USA side of the border, walked across, got a taxi($5) that took @ 5 minutes to the OCC. I had my consultation and Flueroscopy with Dr. So and everything checked out perfect. They called me a taxi which took me back to the border ($5)and I walked through customs, back to my car. It is SO easy that I can't imagine paying for the OCC to pick you up anywhere unless it is your first time. I'm not being judgemental! I know the first time is overwhelming. But after that, just realize that you don't have to spend big bucks to go back after your surgery! Just let me know if I can help!

Thank you everyone for your input. It feels good not to be alone through this process. So many people just don't get it. Everyone just says, "So if you want to lose weight, why don't you just eat less?" So much easier said than done. I've lost and gained enough weight to know I need something more permanent to make it happen. Thanks for all your support and good luck to all of you as well.

Yoyo dieting just doesn't cut it. I wish I would have been able to get a band when I was in my 20's! It has been so great for me to have this tool. Sometimes I had good will power, but I couldn't always control my eating. This keeps me consistent and I know I will never be fat again. I also tell everyone how I lost my weight and that I got banded in Mexico, but I always explain just who Dr. Ortiz is, how he actually instructs other surgeons how to do this procedure, how he has been on Oprah and that his facility and staff and their care is better than anything I've ever experienced here. That shuts them up.

I feel some restriction in the mornings. but I'm able to eat about half of what I used to eat. I still think I am able to eat more before I get full. I can eat bread again and sushi. I just want to know if i should start thinking about getting another fill soon. I haven't been loosing much but I have been working out. I feel better and I can see and feel a difference, I just don't see it in the scale, but like I said before, I'm ok with that. I just want to remain at a good restriction level. Did anyone go back for a fill because they were still able to eat alot of food, but had yo-yo restriction? I don't want to overfill... I just want to get to my sweet spot. Thanx!

Congrats on your weight loss! I don't know when you were banded or how many fills you've had, but I have a 10cc band and got my first fill (4cc's) about 6 weeks after my surgery. I went back 2 months after that for 3ccs more, but went back after a couple of weeks because it was too tight and everything hurt. They took out .5 ccs and now I'm at my sweet spot. Sounds to me like you might want to get a fill. Even a small one makes a big difference. I can eat maybe a third of what I could before and have to avoid certain foods (dense, dry meat for example). I did hit a plateau that lasted forever, but am now losing again.

I wouldn't be surprised if my pouch is stretched too...I can eat tons and was doing well with willpower until this week. Kids are out of school and I have no routine and I'm beinmg a very bad girl. I go to Mexico MOnday for port revision and I'm sure they'll have a good look when they are in there! I hope I'm okay so I can start having fills again.

Sabrina:)

Port revision? Are they moving it to a different location? I've been curious about that!

I was banded at OCC because my insurance wouldn't cover my surgery. But I have a very good friend in Lodi, CA, near Sacramento, that can have hers covered by her insurance. I was just wondering if anyone had their surgery done in that area and who did the surgery? Thank you!

Is there any of you bandsters that have hypothyroidism? Has this slowed down your weight loss any? Will the band still work for me?

I have Hypothyroidism and it doesn't impact my weight loss. Cheetos do. But I am slowly but surely getting to goal. You can do it!

It seems like i have hit a plateau and i am only 2 weeks into post op diet. I am happy at the 28 lbs i have lost don't get me wrong it just seems strange

Dwayne, a piece of advice that I got from the OCC that I have lived by is "don't be a slave to the scale". I weigh myself MAYBE once a MONTH. Just focus on living your life. The weight WILL come off, but not overnite. I am coming up on my 1 year bandiversary and am almost to goal. But I hit a plateau at one stage that lasted months. I just kept going and now I'm losing once again. Hang in there, Dwayne! It WORKS!

So I'm going on 17 days post op I've lost 18 #s! Wooohoo I've been starting to eat like mashed potatoes, had a hotdog w-no skin drenched in ketchup! No issues I sometimes get the "burp" which is an indication I'm full- the problem is I have to literaly remove whatever it is I'm eating cuz I feel like I could just keep going especially if I don't burp. I'm scared I will eat too much-havent pb or slimed yet? Does that only happen once u reach restriction? Or am I doing such a great job w eating tiny bites n chewing well enough? Is it normal to b able to eat now n feel like u could eat a lot-i haven't been help me please I was a little scatterbrain w getting my issues out but I know u guys understand thnk u

To answer your question about restriction..after my 21 days was up, I found I could eat anything. Nothing changed for me until my second fill. Then I truly understood how the band is a tool, and you will too, once you get to your ideal restriction. Now I am unable to eat like I used to, which is the whole idea. When you reach the proper restriction, you should only be able to eat about a third of what you used to eat before the band. But start practicing that now, even though you don't have any restriction. Good luck!

I too started out with a lower BMI than some. I only had a total of @60 lbs to lose, but couldn't do it myself, so I was banded with the 11cc band last July. I lost slowly, but consistently until December, then hit a major stall. I have 6.5ccs after 2 fills and 1 slight unfill. Only today, almost 3 months later, has the scale gone down another 3 pounds. HALLILUJAH! It is frustrating, but I believe the people with lower BMIs lose much slower. I am very happy I got banded as it helps me tremendously to eat much less than I used to. I have 25 pounds to go and I know I will get there eventually. So hang in there. Walk or dance or find something you like to do that gets you moving. Work with the band. It works if you work it! Best of success to all.

DEBBIE!!! Those before and after photos are inspirational!!!!!!!!!!!! You look BEAUTIFUL!

Ditto on Dr. Miranda. I waited until 6:15 and then gave up. I was really looking forward to it. I'll catch it on the forum though.

I tuned into the webinar last night. It was a little garbled at the beginning and towards the end, but I really got a lot out of it. I had been questioning whether or not I was restricted enough, and the presentation helped me realize what to look for. I think I'm fine. It also re-inspired me and I have a new determination to give up some bad habits and renew my committment to weight loss.

I am so happy that this will be a monthly event and can't wait to hear what Dr. Miranda has to say on Thursday night. Thanks OCC for coming up with this! I think a lot of OCC patients have just sort of been out there feeling like they have questions but are somewhat afraid to make that phone call to get their questions answered. I don't think I've ever felt free to call my doctor in the US. I mean, I could, but one would just be told to make an appointment to go in. It is very novel to me to have my doctor's cell phone number, like Dr. O provides! Interesting!

Anyway, if some of you missed the presentation, sign up for the one on Thursday night with Dr. Miranda. I think you'll get a lot out of it!

I have had 2 fills, the first one 4cc's, the second one 3cc's and then a little unfill. I didn't feel very restricted until that second fill, which after a few days, was more than I could live with. I'm pretty good right now, but am able to eat more than I think I should. I am anxious to hear what Dr. Ortiz has to say about restriction tonight on the webinar!

Hi Goodguy..and congrats on your banding!

Dr. So is the one I've talked the most to at the OCC. He told me to just focus on eating a third of what I used to eat. Nobody at the OCC ever said "eat a cup of food" or "eat this many calories". I just posted a comment under Jhawk's "Dairy" post that is from an article I read on what is a good, balanced diet. I'll post it here for you. Not everyone can eat the same things with the band, but I think it is good advice all the same:

Myth: Starches are fattening and should be limited when trying to lose weight.

Fact: Many foods high in starch, like bread, rice, pasta, cereals, beans, fruits, and some vegetables (like potatoes and yams) are low in fat and calories. They become high in fat and calories when eaten in large portion sizes or when covered with high-fat toppings like butter, sour cream, or mayonnaise. Foods high in starch (also called complex carbohydrates) are an important source of energy for your body.

Tip: A healthy eating plan is one that:

■Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.

■Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.

■Is low in saturated fats, trans fat, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

Hey Jhawk!

This is part of an article I read:

[Myth: Starches are fattening and should be limited when trying to lose weight.

Fact: Many foods high in starch, like bread, rice, pasta, cereals, beans, fruits, and some vegetables (like potatoes and yams) are low in fat and calories. They become high in fat and calories when eaten in large portion sizes or when covered with high-fat toppings like butter, sour cream, or mayonnaise. Foods high in starch (also called complex carbohydrates) are an important source of energy for your body.

Tip: A healthy eating plan is one that:

■Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.

■Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.

■Is low in saturated fats, trans fat, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.]

There is a lot of research that confirms low fat dairy can actually help us lose weight. I buy lactose-free milk because I can be negatively affected by regular milk, and I eat eggs once or twice a week. They say it is better to get your calcium from the real thing rather than supplements, because they are doing studies that indicate there may be a link between calcium supplements and heart related issues in older women (like me!). However, the verdict is still out on that. So anyway, not preaching! Just thought you might want to consider NOT giving up dairy. I can't. I'm addicted to it

Thanks Angie. I will encourage her to check with whoever she banks with. It probably won't be easy in this economy to get a loan for anything!

Hey all!

I had lunch (or tried to) with a girlfriend I hadn't seen in awhile. She was so excited for me and called me "skinny"

Wow, did that ever feel good. She feels very depressed about having gained some weight (she weighs about 212, she says) and has always been interested in the band. I've told her all about the OCC as she would not qualify for insurance coverage in the US. I was wondering if any of you financed your surgery and if so, could you recommend any place in particular that you had a good experience with? Thanks!

Red

PREGNANT I havent been on here much lately, but figured I would come share the news with those of you who care lol. I am almost 9 weeks. I actually had just booked a fill when I found out lol - so far so good I am having a bit of a hard time with not having enough restriction - but I have been so nausious that it is probably a good thing!

What beautiful news! Congratulations!

I am exactly like you with the wine! I have made such significant changes but i'm not willing to give up everything. I'll have some wine or crystal light and vodka sometimes and i'm sure if I laid off that i'd lose more, but I still want to have a life. I know if I would reduce my dairy intake I could lose this last bit too but again i've given up bread, rice, beer and a lot of fried foods and so I want my dairy damnit!

I know if I kick up my workout routine it will help. Since my brother's accident in Oct i've been on my own so working out has been just left of impossible. But he comes home this week so no excuses getting back on track! I've got about 10-15 to get to goal and want that off by this summer.

LONG LIVE DAIRY...and WINE!! Ha ha!

Red i'm like you. I can eat tons less than I used to but i'm amazed at folks that can just do a few bites and be done. I have had that happen now and again but not on a regular basis. I know I shouldn't go much tighter though b/c most stuff is out at breakfast and depending on the day I get some stuff stuck or get the gurgles really bad at lunch. For the most part dinner goes down OK but if I try to eat too fast I do get sick from time to time.

Each time I get a fill it takes me a while to readjust. But like I said I eat way way less than I used to so i'll take it!

Yep Jhawk, I pretty much don't eat during the day except every morning around 10AM, I eat some Simply Asian brand rice noodle soup, about 250 calories and low in fat. The rest of my calories are consumed at night. I sometimes can eat a lot of something, but sometimes, like last night when I was trying to eat some fresh Snow Crab and a small amount of salad, it just wouldn't work. I think I was eating too fast, so I got the pain in my chest that just makes me put the fork down immediately. I know that if I drank less wine in the evening, I would probably lose faster, and less carbs, but I don't want to give up EVERYTHING I like. I look fine now, but do want to lose 20 to 30 more pounds. I still have a gut but am into size 10 pants, so I'm feeling pretty good about that, and know that eventually the weight will come off. I'm not going to rush myself. I'm glad I'm not the only one who eats more than a cup of food! Thanks for sharing that!!

Reading some of the comments has got me to wondering what I should bring to make the experience easier. One person wrote about putting on pajamas to go to the surgery center in. What should I bring with me for my surgery and stay at the center? Should I wear only pajamas there? What will I be wearing overnight? Their gown? Then maybe I should wear a comfortable sweat suit.

I've heard about gas afterward and someone took Gas-X. Isn't that a pill? Is gas an issue after surgery and is there something liquid I should bring for it? Should I bring liquid Tylenol.

I know I'll think of another question as soon as I post this. LP

Hi there...I'm excited for you!

I wore the OCC gown to sleep in, but I took 2 excercise syle outfits with me, one for the day before, and one to wear home. They were stretchy and comfortable. I didn't experience a lot of gas so I didn't need to take anything. A couple of days after I got home, I did get that infamous shoulder pain from gas, which was very painful, but I just walked a lot. That is the key! Also when recuperating, my heating pad was my best friend. It gave me a lot of relief from a variety of aches and pains!

Even 14 months in to this, I'm still trying to figure out how much I should be able to eat. If I eat the way lap-band surgeons recommend (hard protein, then veggies, then MAYBE a starch) I can only get in a couple bites and I am done.

If I eat softer foods (soup, shakes, beans etc) I can eat about a cup of food.

Here is the thing, when I have less fill and I CAN tolerate the hard proteins, I am also able to eat much larger portions...and I do. I'd say I have lost my weight 90% bandpower and 10% will-power. If I had more willpower, I would have done it without surgery. I only stop eating because if I don't, it hurts. Period.

Has anyone found a happy medium with eating?

Sabrina:)

ps-I made and threw away the following this week:

baked salmon, chicken legs, turkey meatballs, pork chop.

Can anybody (successfully losing) eat these things? I just want to eat with my family again. Sigh.

Gosh, I can't tell you how much food I've had to toss because I couldn't eat it. But, when there is a food I CAN eat, I can eat way more than a cup of food. I know a lot of people on this forum say they can only eay a couple bites or a cup of food before getting "full". Well, I must be the only one that has NEVER, since being banded, felt full. I still get really hungry and can eat a lot, even though it is a lot less than I used to eat prior to getting banded. So I'm fine with that. I will just continue to lose slower than other people.