JaniceBlack

Hey gang! I cruise blogs over at LBT and am a April Bunny for the April 2009 board. I would like to be your friend on that board too if you have a membership.

My screen name over there is AngieB2009.

My zip code is 68142.

State: Nebraska

Surgeon: Dr. Ortiz

ok, I'm a little slow over here...lol what is LBT?? Do you have the link ?

I was just wondering why people have to get little fills at a time? I know common sense says, because your body needs to adjust, but Ive clearly been following a lot of your guys stats, and notice that it isnt untill the 4th or 5th fill until you feel some restriction...I know everyone is different, but I think its a pain in the butt. I want 1 big one when I go for my first!!

Hi,

I wondered the same thing !

I had my first fill on Tuesday and asked Dr. So about that same question. He is at OCC and said that most of them are not going back to OCC or not having fills with an X-ray fluoroscope. He said that the most that I should need is three fills. I start back on solid foods tomorrow.

Janice

im on day 11 of post-op.. and i know im still healing.. all the glue hasn't even fallen off. so i know im still tender. but, since i went back to work the incision where the port is, hurts a little bit.. it goes and comes but it hurts. i used a hot patch last night and it really helped. is this normal or should i call the occ?

Hi,

I had the same pain and used a heating pad at night. It last a few about a week but all is good now. OCC on call doctor is told me to use the heating pad

Sounds like the fills so smoothly. I don't think I will be able to afford to get my fills at OCC, so I have to settle for someone closer to my area. I hope mine go as smoothly as yours!

It cost me $199 for the fill and pick up/drop off at airport. I booked my flight($139 round trip from Sacramento to San Diego) right after I got home from the surgery. It was way cheaper!!!

Thanks for the update. I am so glad that it went well for you. I have my appointment there in a month and can't wait. Are you feeling restriction yet?

Hi Steph,

I'm still on the liquid diet until tomorrow. I found out that on the second fill they want you to have the fill, either bring something to eat or order from the front desk, eat and they go back in to test your restriction level. Also, that 3 fills should be all that I need. I'm so excited.... I wanted to stick to weighing only on Wednesdays but I stepped on the scale morning. I lost another pound. Yea!! lol I know it only because of being on liquids but I'll talk all that I can.

I went back to OCC today for my first fill Yea!!

Everything went great!!! Dr. So really put me at ease and answered all my questions. It was very interesting watching as he put the needle into the port. He said "OK, you will feel a pinch" but NOTHING. (not sure if it really did not hurt or it was because I have so much fat there). He gave me 2.6 cc's (YEA)

I will be on a liquid diet for the next 3 days. I can drink water up to 5 minutes before eating and 30 minutes after. That's going to be so much easier!!!

My appointment was at 11am and my flight home was at 6:15pm I didn't know how long it would take so I booked the later fight home. It was so fast having the fill I I tried to change my flight but they wanted to charge me $100.00 so I said forget it. Well, the flight ended up being delayed until 6:45pm Thank goodness for iphones

:wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub:

Hi, Down 13 lbs since being banded !!!! Yea!!!

I am packed and ready to go. (Can hardly stand myself) We fly out in the morning to head to OCC -

watch out, here we come!

I just want to say THANK YOU to all of you. I could not have made this decision without you. Everyone here has been very gracious and I want to let you know how much it is appreciated. It is nice to have a place to come and to be a part of a group who is honest with the good and the bad. A place that is truly interested in your over all well being and a place of encouragement. I consider myself blessed to have a great bunch of people I now consider my buddies.

Thank you.....Hugs & Kisses!

** Pink ** You go girl ! Please let us know how your adventure at OCC goes! Congrats !!!!!

Thanks! My fill is 2/4/10. Please let me know how it goes for you. Are you going back to Dr. Ortiz for your fill?

I went back to OCC today for my first fill Yea!!

Everything went great!!! Dr. Marco So really put me at ease and answered all my questions. It was very interesting watching as he put the needle into the port. He said "OK, you will feel a pinch" but NOTHING. (not sure if it really did not hurt or it was because I have so much fat there). He gave me 2.6 cc's (YEA)

I will be on a liquid diet for the next 3 days. I can drink water up to 5 minutes before eating and 30 minutes after. That's going to be so much easier!!!

My appointment was at 11am and my flight home was at 6:15pm I didn't know how long it would take so I booked the later fight home. It was so fast having the fill I I tried to change my flight but they wanted to charge me $100.00 so I said forget it. Well, the flight ended up being delayed until 6:45pm Thank goodness for iphones

:wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub:

My big one, of course lose at least 20 pounds this year. I would say more but I am scarred of failure. Dont want to aim too high. I wanted to see what other people have on their list, here is my top 10:

1. Lose 20 pounds by Sept 2010

2. Stop paying for storage shed, clean that puppy out!

3. Get house organized

4 Get new living room furniture (two chairs)

5. Get more exersise, more than 2 x a week

6. Save up for new bed, time for adjustable bed, yowser..

7. Get credit cards paid off by Sept 2010

8. Refinance lapband bill

9. Find babysitter once a month for hubby time.

10.Work on journeling progress.

Hi,

I am taking my husbands advice and taking one day at a time. 12 step program........

OK, I'm worried... Lost 10 pounds on the liquid diet, but gained back 5 pounds the first 2 weeks of solids. Getting my first fill in February. I am scared that I might have expanded the pouch. I feel very little restriction now.

Hi, I go tomorrow for my first fill and I did the same thing! I lost 13 pounds on the liquid and gained 6 back. Things are looking better now and leveled out. I think its just going back on Solids and your body getting use to it. I have no restriction at all but keeping close tabs on what I am eating. It was very hard over the holidays but I feel so much better this week. I will keep you posted and please do the same with your journey. Don't give up!!!! The support here is wonderful

Janice

Hello everyone,

I have been wanting this surgery for 2 years now. Last fall I booked my surgery and then canceled because I was scared I would not make it through, some complication would happen and my family would never see me again. I am so torn I am now 260, 5'5 and I just find it physically uncomfortable to be at this weight. I also have high BP, cholesterol, and PCOS. I need help so badly but am so scared. Have you heard of anyone not making it through? What is the worst complication you have had?

Also I love to drink water I drink about 2-4 liters a day, will I still be able to do this? Thank you so much.

Penelope, Everyone is different and if this is something you would love to have done ...please do it. I had the same feelings of being scared and not being able to follow through. But I have been doing great and go next week for my first fill. I first lost 13 lbs and gained 6 back once I started on solid food. Now that my body is use to eating solids (and Holidays are over) I have been doing great!!! You are able to drink your water! Everyone at OCC is wonderful and the really put your mind at peace from the time they pick you up at the air port. Keep coming on this site and you will feel the warmth from all others that have been banded. YOU WILL NOT BE ALONE !!! Once you set the date please post it and you will have others there for you!!! I hope and pray that you have your chance to experience freedom with being banded.

I'll be coming to OCC for surgery this coming week. I don't want to venture out into Tijuana by myself. I'll be staying at the Marriott.

Is there a place to eat (before I start fasting prior to surgery) next to OCC or the hotel?

And, more importantly, is there a place very close by to pick up broth and juice for the clear liquids the 2 days after surgery while I'll still be in MX?

Thanks!

Hi, I stayed at the Mariott also and ate there. The food was wonderful!!!!!!! I had a turkey club and could not finish it!!! You will love the broth. I poured mine in the water bottles and drank them before heading to the airport. You will do great also, I'm heading down on Tuesday for my first fill and really looking forward to it. I gained 9 lbs once I started back on solid foods but have total loss so far is 10 lbs. I hope this fill will give me restriction.

Good luck and make sure you tell them you are from OCC and they will deliver your juice, water and broth to your room.

Janice

Thank you Angie!! You made my day!!! I love visiting this site so much and reading everyone's stories. It really helps me stay on track. You BRIGHTEN so many lives... thank you <3 <3

I did it. Made it through Christmas eating right and exercising. Result down 3.5 pounds. I am a happy girl

Debbie

YEA!!! congrats !!!

I have just found out that the insurance that I have through my employer does not cover any weightloss surgery, nor will they add it as a rider. I need to look into getting a new/second insurence. what company is inexpencive enough that I can have long enough to have the surgery. I can have the fills i guess covered by my insurence I am not sure when or what is going on, I may decided to switch completely. I need to make the descision before the new year.

thanks in advance!

I have Kaiser and I would have to jump through hoops and wait up over a year to have it done. I worked for WAMU/CHASE and lost my job. I received a transitional pay and used it to pay for my surgery. Kaiser will not pay for the fills either since I went outside of my insurance. It was worth every minute of it. I have to find a job right away but its ok...... I have never been able to stay home either and the last few months have been driving me crazy staying home. So if anyone out there knows of any openings in the Sacramento, CA area ... please let me know.

I AM SCHEDULED FOR A CONSULTATION WITH THE DR IN JANUARY FOR A LAP BAND. IM 4'11 AND RIGHT AT 200 LBS. DOES THE LAP BAND PROCEDURE PRODUCE SLOW RESULTS? FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS RECENTLY HAD IT DONE CAN YOU TELL ME THE PROCEDURE AS FAR AS HOW YOU FEEL AFTER AND THE DAY AFTER THAT? ARE YOU SORE? NAUSAU?

Hi, I am 52 years old and had the lap band done on Nov. 23rd 2009. I weighed 185lbs and the surgery went well. I was a little sore around the port area but able to move around with out a problem. I lost 13 lbs on the liquid diet and gained back 6 lbs once I went back on solid foods. I will have my first fill Jan 5th. The only issue I have had with eating is Turkey lunch meet. I have been lucky and order kids meals when we go out to dinner. It has been hard with the holidays and making cookies for family and friends but worth every minute of it!!! You will not regret having it done!!!!

Hey All,

Well, I will be leaving tomorrow to go to Texas for my Grammy's Funeral so I will not be on for a while.

I will be back on New Year's Eve and will catch up on New Year's Day.

I am not taking my laptop with me since it is having over-heating issues.

Will miss you all.

Hugs,

Kristi

Also I will be missing the Wednesday Weigh-in, since I won't be near my scale, but will post on the 1st, the morning after I get back.

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. My heart and prayers are with you at this time. Have a safe trip!

Janice

Hello Friends,

I was banded on Nov 20, and thought I was a weight-loss superstar when I lost 12 pounds after just 2 weeks. Then, my appetite started to increase, and now I can eat as much as I did before. I've maintained the weight loss, but am hoping to hear that I will feel restriction again after the first fill - scheduled on Jan 6. I've read many of you say you don't really start feeling restriction until the 3rd fill. Is this true? If not, how long will I feel restriction after the 1st fill???

Thanks for any advice,

Kat

I'm having my first fill Jan. 5th. I hope that I have more restriction. I have only felt restriction when eating turkey lunch meat. I stopped eating it because I would only eat a small piece and would feel sick.

Thank you everyone!! I walked 3.5 miles today and had coffee with the group! I felt so much better until I got home and everyone.. was eating cookies and pie..lol I'm like I can't get away from it and I can't ask them to not eat it. When my husband and I talked about the changes he was all excited and said he would be there for me 100%. He is but then he comes in eating crap and then offers me some. At first I'd say.. remember I can't have any..but now its really starting to upset me...like he is trying to make me fail. But I know that I have to move forward and think of myself for once and do it on my own and with the help of all you guys here. Thank you again!!! I plan on getting on line every day like I did at first to keep my mind focus on myself !!!

THANK YOU AGAIN <3

I have gain 6lbs since being on solid food. I'm having a hard time with not drinking an hour before eating and a hour after wards. Breakfast, lunch and dinner has really not been a problem. I can't wait for the holidays to be over with!!! I have made 12 dozen different cookies for family and friends and tried to stay away from them. I will be honest I have had way to many!!! I have my first fill Jan. 6th and I hope and pray that I have not screwed up my new life! All of you wonderful Lap Band Family have really been great with all my questions and I thank you for being there for me. I'm so so scared!!!!! I just want to cry!!!!

I am still trying to decide whether to get my first fill at the OCC or do it here locally. My goal is to have as few fills as possible. How many fills did you have and where did you get them?

Hi, I will be having my first fill on Jan. 6th and going back to OCC. I was told when looking into the band that the most fills you will need is 2 to 3 but I have noticed on that a lot of others have had more then that. That kinda scares me .... because of the cost.

Tomorrow I will be three days post op and I want to start back on my elliptical machine. I can not walk outside here because we have a lot of snow and many of the sidewalks still have ice. I was wondering if I put the elliptical on the lowest ramp setting and a very low resistance if that should be ok? If I can't do that then I have quite a few leslie Sansone workouts that I can try.

Did any of you do other exercise besides walking right off the bat? Thank you.

Hi,

I was told that I could start walking as soon as I felt up to it, but that I could not use my glider until 6 weeks from my surgery date.

Thank you everyone...

I like to chew gum while walking.

Good luck everyone! It is definitely worth it. The staff is great and it was pretty quick and for the most past not too painful. I am just a little sore but feeling pretty good overall.

Yea!!!! You are on your way! Congrats