pinkfordyone

Hey Ladies, I can not say enough about by experience....it has been life changing. It is the best thing I have ever done or myself. I also looked at Dr. Dr. Rodriguez, but when I found out my own doctor and her sister went to Dr. Ortiz, I was sold. She could not say enough about Dr. O and the clinic. I also did LOTS of research on Dr. O and found him to be the best choice for me. Like Jill said, (by the way I was banded with Jill in Jan.) he has done tons of surgeries and help developed the band. I also send tons of questions to them and they answered each and everyone of the. He has a very good track record - I asked questions like...infection rate, fatality rate, percent of slippage, etc. All were the right answers. I have had 1 fill at OCC and have lost about 48lbs now. I researched the band for about 4 year before I actually got the opportunity to do it. With that said....I was ready...in the head. My mind was made up that I was going to do this thing. That has always been my battlefield...making my mind up to do it. I have had an easy time changing my mindset and following the rules. Now that is a miracle! The surgery, clinic and meeting some great people along the way, has been great!!! Hope this helps!

I must be behind the eight ball...figures! Laser Lipo? I will have to look into that one. Curious on procedure and cost, as well. Good Luck!!

Congrats and welcome to "Band Land". 1. Clear liquids - I wouldn't think Clamato and/or tomato juice would be the best right now. 2. Itchy incision - Man, I remember that, mine itched like crazy. I did call OCC about that... they told me not to put anything on them until the glue came off...by itself. 3. Heart burn & gas - Gas X and walk, walk, walk! 4. Fiber - Please call Dr. Miranda, I have seen several different things. I was advised not to take fiber during that phase. Hang in there....it gets easier as you go. Keep asking questions, we are all here to help each other!

I can do Friday, too. Makes no never mind to me. Didn't weight in last week, so I've lost 4.6lbs. in the last 15 days. Whoop, Whoop! I am 5.4lbs away from hitting 50. (I can taste it!) Everyone have a blessed week!

I will second, third and fourth that! Would do it all over in a heart beat. I has been the best thing I could have ever done for myself. Love My Band!!!

4 cc's at OCC's

BrownEyedGirl: I totally just thought of something....we went to the movies on Wednesday nigth and I didn't have anything. Didn't even think of it...."Holy Moly Batman" how stinkin cool is that. Thanks for the reminder.

I just realized that yesterday was your "band date"...Congrats! I hope you are doing well. Just wanted to throw in my two cents worth. Make up your mind that you are going to do this to the very best of your ability and stick to the plan they give you. You can do it! Remember it's a time of healing, strength and success for the future. When you make it through 21 days of liquids....girl you can do anything!! Hold your head up high and pat yourself on the back and "Go FOR It"! Can't wait to see how well you do! Welcome to "BandLand"!

There is something that does stands out, though. I can't say I feel "full" but I'm not hungry either. I didn't even finish my food but I probably could eat more but not out of hunger, just cuz I could. At the same time I could have eaten far less. After I was done I remembered what Dr. O said about testing my band to see how little I can eat. I wish I had. Now about not feeling full. I really thought about this and what I'm not feeling is "engorged". I have a sense of fullness up top but I don't have that full feeling all the way down past my belly button. I sense that I never will and I'm totally fine with that. I'm not hungry at all but that "full" sensation, that really just borders on discomfort, is not there. You took the words right out of my mouth. That is exactly the way I feel and just didn't know quite how to put it. When I finally had the opportunity to get banded, I was sooooo ready,(especially after 4 years of waiting) that my head was in the right place....Thank you, Lord!!! For me, that was the trick. After my surgery, I too felt full and the 21 days of liquids were not a problem for me at all. I can honestly say even up to this point, I have had very few days where I have been hungry. Our definition of "full" is now what we used to call "satisfaction" and not of "engorged". That's what I though "full" was too. The band has been the best thing I could have ever done for myself. I have learned a lot about myself and the way I think of food. It is now for nutrition and health, not something to do because I'm bored, not a drug to feel better or a friend who is always there. I love having my band and the new outlook it has given me. Thank you for posting!!

Baaahahaahaa...girl that is funny. I guess we all have "OCC hernia" now. Love it! Thanks I needed that!

Hey guys, I guess I'll add my two cents worth. I too have the larger band and have continued to lose weight. I did my homework, and as far as I'm concerned picked the best Doctor I could. He has excellent credentials and an excellent record. I went into surgery with full trust that he was the doctor for me. At that point, the decisions (which band) I needed was up to him. I have followed the rules of OCC from the very being and still up to this point have not had bread, rice and the few other things they said could cause trouble. I just decided to stay away, since those are my weakness anyway. I had my first fill on Jan. 24th and really can't tell if I have much restriction. But I have not "tested" it either. I do know that I can not eat as much as I was and for that is has been a success for me. Dr. So did tell me that for every 20lbs. your body would plateau and sometimes that could last for 2 months or so. I am in no hurry to get fills and I am trying to let my body and the client walk my through the process. Dr. Miranda told me if I had any questions or plateaued and needed some help to move pass to just get her a call. That is what they are there for. I have tried WW several times in the past and followed it to the letter....and gained weight each time. I think WW is a great program but it does not work for everyone. There must be something about it that my body just doesn't respond to. I will be honest....I am not following a "diet". I am eating (for the first time in my life) properly. Protein, veggies and fruit. I do not count, write down and keep track....I know, I know. This is a life time change for me and not a "diet". I know that I would not continue to keep track for very long. I have made a conscious decision to pay attention to what I am putting in my mouth. It is my choices that are going to determine my success or not. I am very thankful that I now have something that will work with me instead of working my butt off and getting no where.

Well, I'm up 1.8 lbs this week. Bummer!! I know its from a lack of drinking...water that is. So, this week my goal it to drown myself and get those 2 back off-fa-fa! As Angie said....ya get want ya give!

Hey Linsey, your right! Call a local "all natural" store and the organic coconut oil was about 20 bucks. Found some at Wal-Mart for $10 actually in the vitamin section-not labeled for the skin, but for consumption. I have been using it for my skin for about a week now and love it. I have never been a "lotion" person because of my oily skin. Couldn't stand the way it would sit wet feeling on my skin. This stuff is awesome. It actually soaks in and doesn't feel oily or greasy. My skin is so smooth feeling. I have read up on it and it seems to have lots of good quality's. I guess only time will tell if it does anything (elastic wise) for my skin.

that sounds like a great idea....and a fun one!!

I didn't have any hunger either. I think the trick is to keep sipping on something all day. If your full of liquids you don't get hungry. I did ask someone on here and they told me you can't over do liquids-just try to take smaller sips than normal. I love coffee and something hot worked great for me. Everyone is different and will react differently. At first your body is healing so its not to worried about food. Just my experience! Your going to do great. Make up your mind going into this thing that you are going to do it and do it right....that's the battle!!

Does anyone use coconut oil for their skin. When I was at OCC for my first fill Dr. Miranda told me to use a good moisturizing lotion with something in it for elasticity or cellulite. Have been looking around on the internet and came across Virgin Coconut Oil for the skin. Sounds great, but everything always does. Would like to know what you guys think or what you use. Most of what I've seen in the stores have been for the face and neck, and are in small little jars. Girl I need something that comes in a bucket.

Yes...love ya! Don't worry, your in good company. Heeheeheee

Good afternoon gang! Had my first fill a week ago and I'm down 3lbs. Whoop Whoop! 38.8 down total-can't wait to hit 40lbs. down and see the 220's. Thanks to everyone here for all the support.

WoW.....and double WoW! You look fantastic. We are all so proud of you!