Teri

No neck massage for Kyle and I, and the only pic they took was the one that appears on your OCC card. :-? You must be one good lookin guy! LOL heheh Teri

Hello all! > Were back from OCC from experiencing our 1st fill. Took a long time getting across the border back to the U.S. Didnt think we were going to make our 3:40 flight, but had about 1/2 hour to spare!! It was a good thing the lines at secruity were not long. I had 2cc put in and Kyle had 1.8cc. Kyle went first and I happened to see the looooong needle. It was just a pinch, but I think in my mind, the pain felt worse since I was able to see that needle first. No big deal though, pretty simple process. Neat to see everything inside you working the way it should and how you can see the barium flowing through your band. Dr. Romero was funny, joking around with us. Now, were on the 3 day full liquid stage. So excited to arrive at this stage and have the band start workin. OCC was very busy. Lots of people getting fills. A lady we were talking with in the waiting room was getting her first fill AFTER 19 months of being banded. She had lost 140 pounds since her surgery and she still felt restriction so she did'nt need a fill. :-? AMAZING. Kyle and I were eating machines after our liquid stage. Eating everything again, so we needed this fill!!!!!!!! Hi to All of you from OCC. Happy Holidays. Teri

It's between Detroit and Ann Arbor, (Commerce Twp., Novi, Livonia area). Have been to Traverse City a few times! They have great fresh smoked fish! I was never a fish eater until I had some of that smoked Salmon, Whitefish, etc., although, have always loved King Crab, Lobster and Shrimp. Teri

"WEIGHT" to go Kim!!! This is Teri, I met you in the waiting room at Dr. Ortiz's. Good luck on losing even more!! Kyle and I fly out tonight and get our first fill is scheduled for Sat. We gained back some too. How long do they have you on liquids for? Happy losing, Teri =D>

LOL !!!!!!!! No, not the convertible mercedes, not yet anyway, Ward DID say if I lose the weight he would buy me one!!!!!!!!!!!! That was suppose to be my motivation for losing weight before I had the surgery, it didnt work. Since I'm not a car person. Although, he did splurge last year, and bought me a 4 and 1/4 carat!!!!! Am I spoiled or what!!! Life is good!!!!!!! Teri

You sound like a friend of mine who's specialty is drama, always comments negatively on things when she doesn't have all the facts. Just to satisfy a needy urge to be right all the time. :-? Listen, by having the surgery, I will have SAVED money. I have already spent, and would have continued to spend gobs of money, far more than the surgery, like most overwieght people in this country have done, only to continue to keep failing. Diet? sure, I've dieted, worked out, kept it off for a long while, just like you may do, but it will NOT last, if your in the 99% of the people who fail. If your not, GREAT for you!! =D> You remind me of Company's who stand to loose billions of dollars every year on marketing ploy's to come up with the next best "diet", (the one that will end ALL diets) because you know people will fail and you will gain, all from the greed of wanting to get wealthy from genuinely sincere people needing to loose wieght, all the while knowing the "next best diet" will fail them again and again. If diet is your answer, you need to jump on board with the greedy ones so you can collect your share. Don't waste your time here, when there is money to made. I know a lot of people who are specialists in creating drama!

Hi Debbie, Kyle and I will probably see you back at the Hotel if you go down to the resturant. We will be staying on the 15th, flying into San around 7:30pm and you will probably be released on the 15th. Our fill is on the 16th. If you spot us, feel free to come up to us, especially since you are alone. My son is 15, dark hair, streaked blonde, and I too have dark hair. Blessings to you with your surgery, your in good hands. Teri PS: To address your questions: Since my wedding ring cost as much as my car, I decided to leave it with my jewelers to have it checked over, since it was going to take a few days to get back anyway, worked out great!. The Hotel has bottled water in the room, and also at the resturants you can buy. We did tip everyone, generously, if you can afford to, it makes thier day. We took U.S. $, but they take credit cards everywhere. Pack light, sweats, and a jacket, it will be chilly.

Valenzuela Dental Group "B" Ave, Between 3rd & 4th St Phone: 011 52 658 517 7200 Los Algodones, MX We stay in Yuma, drive to the parking lot at the border and walk in. She is a perfectionist and recieved her education in the U.S. Most of her patients are U.S. citizins. Crowns are $150.00. Hope this helps. Teri

Hi Karen, Kyle and I arrive on Fri, Dec 15 at 7:30pm stay at the Lucerina Hotel, then our fill is on Sat Dec 16th at 1:30. The school gets funny about taking to much time off, the kids can only miss 9 days out of a semester, and because of surgery and other time off, dont want to chance it, besides, its hard to play catch up with homework, etc. once you miss it. We are flying STAND BY (our daughter is a flight attendent), so that is why I havent mentioned when we were going. HOWEVER, you are more then welcome to ride back with us, and anyone else, after the fill on Sat. as long as the driver is not hosting others (?????). Not sure about that, but i am sure they wouldnt mind. Teri

While I havent talked to my CPA yet, we are planning on writing the medical procedure off, for both my son and myself. We deduct dental procedures and they are done in Algadones, MX, travel, hotel, fuel, etc. anything related. We have dental and health INS here in the U.S. but have found a Dentist in MX, who is a perfectionist for a fraction of what it would cost here, EVEN with our INS.! My parents do the same, they have INS and thier INS CO. will pay for thier dental work in MX as well! They have to pay the Dentist first, then the Ins. Co. sends them a check for what they allow. Teri

Actually it was wonderful! all around. Thanks for asking! It was the first Thanksgiving I didnt kill my stomach from eating to much. Just ate enough, a little wine, 2 bites desserts, perfect day with family and friends, and felt great too. =D> Teri

Hi Cindy!! I emailed you back, not sure if you got it (the nite we were on line the same time), anywho, GOOD LUCK with your new fill. Let me know how it is. Were behind you in another 2 weeks. (Dec 16) then one week later flying to MI for the Holidays for a couple of weeks. When things slow down a bit, we need to hook up. Hi to Daren. Teri

Great of you to help out Kevin! Thanks to YOU for taking the time to keep things clean. Best of Luck with your new fill.!!!!!!! Teri

Bobby, I can honestly say, for my son and myself we are truly very HAPPY. We are newly banded and have not had a fill, so experiece is limited. BUT, were on solids and if the feeling of being full continues and the band works like it was intended to, this is a JOYOUS TOOL, to help accomplish the weight loss goal and even more so, the constant struggle of trying to keep it off will be a miracle to me. It has been so free-ing just the past few days since being on solids to know, I can still eat and enjoy food, and become literally so stuffed, but satisfied. There is a saying that I've heard or read about "guys in thier prime think about sex every 8 seconds"......I think about weight, food, losing, obssesing, eating, body, guilt, clothes fitting, planning, etc, every 8 seconds. It was a constant thing that drove me nuts!! Hopefully that type of nonsense is gone!! Very Understandable about you being nervous. I was SO nervous I thought my insides were going to break thru my skin and I was going to give myself a heart-attack! I hope with your decision you will have peace. Teri

Good Luck to you Kathy and happy shopping.

I know Kristi Ann, It is just amazing the feeling of fullness. I LOVE IT!!!!! Yesterday was Turkey Day and I actually took 1/3 of what I would have, and still had food left on my plate!!!!!!!! Stilled enjoyed the day, the food, the wine, was completly satisfied, and had a bite of pumpkin cheesecake and apple pie and was stuffed, stuffed stuffed!!! I hope it continues!!! Good Luck to you. TEri

Well, because it's still liquids until Wed, I feel I eat (drink) to much. Daily: At least 2 slim fasts, at least 2 cups soup, butternut squash, or pureed creamy (fat free milk) soup, water all day, watered down limeaid, a drinkable yogurt and maybe a sf/ff popsicle. But, I dont have a fill yet, not until Dec 16. Looking forward to eating solids soon. Especially Thanksgiving dinner. Do you have a hard time getting solid food down? Teri

Hi MimIN, You are doing terrific with your weight!!!!!!!! Wow!! Your more then half way there. I get a kick out of your posts from the surgery. Glad to read your doing well. Teri

Hi Jenn! Thank you for ALL the valuable information you shared about your daughter! It was truley helpful!!! I appreciated you taking the time to talk and answer all our questions. Your Cassie is beautiful and so very energetic and positive to talk to. Just by the phone conversation her confidence level is 100%. She is very sweet and thankful to you for allowing her to have the lapband. Thanks for being a pioneer, so to speak for the rest of the teens and parents. Teri

Cassie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You look gorgeous!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOSH!!!! This is Teri, I talked to you and your Mom on the phone for about an hour about the process, etc. about Kyle. He isnt here right now, but will be soooooooooooooo surprised!! You are so pretty and precious! Kyle has already lost 24 pounds and you can really start to tell. I cant believe how great you look!!!!! It has got to be a wonderful feeling. Your family IS beautiful!!!!!!!!! You all look terrific, thanks for sharing your pics. When we lose and are happy with the results, we will share pics too. Thanks again, Cassie! Teri

Hi Kevin, You were banded with a local friend of mine, Cindy. I have been reading your post's and you are so sensible. I was wondering why you are waiting to eat solids longer than Dr. Miranda request's? You were banded about 2 weeks before us. How can you wait?????? We are sooooooo looking forward to eating solids. It would be hard to imagine waiting another 2 weeks. Did you just decide on your own to wait? Thanks for posting. Teri

What is a typical eating day for you? I noticed your ticker has stayed the same for a long time and must be so discouraging, especially when your band buddy has been losing. It might be you are not eating enough, maybe to restricted? I say this only from experience when dieting. When I ate like a bird,(very tiny amounts) - (even though birds eat a LOT!) I never lost weight consistintly like I did when I ate balanced meals, because your body decides you are starving it and stores the fat. Just curious because my BMI was low also. I did do the pre-op diet and am still on liquids until Wed. What is your caloric intake daily? Do you eat balanced meals? Teri

Oh, your soooo sweet, thank you for all the wishes and hug! Glad to hear you are all losing to. How old are your daughters? Its great to know you would still do it in a heartbeat to, since were still in the liquid phase and havent experienced the band, so to speak. Wow, how wonderful that your daughter is off insulin!!! Teri

Hi Terri, this is Teri too. I did the same thing, ate pizza and beer and had 5 days to go. Hang in there, the pre op was harder for me than this liquid diet after. Only because the stomach is smaller and it cannot hold as much, so you get fuller faster and dont seem to think to much about food, cuz you know you CANT have it anyway. On the pre op, you rely on all the diet thinking, and its hard as hell. It's not easy, but its not for long. I was concerned about the liquids for 21 days!!!!! especially if I couldnt stick to the preop diet, but it hasnt been to bad. Just think about all the damn diets you've been on and know it will be behind you in no time. Best Wishes. Teri Surgery was Nov 1, so I still have a week or so left for solid food.