Kayla

Has anyone from Arkansas found a good Dr for fills? I am being banded in octoberbut would like to go ahead and start getting prepared for the post op care.

Hey! I'm from Clarksville and my whole family has had it done. I don't know of any fill doctor as we go back to the OCC when we need a fill. But just wanted to wish you the best of luck!!!

Been through the border many times! You are completely safe =)

That is SOOO amazing Debbie!!!! WAY TO GO!!!!!

Thanks you all!!!

I am so excited and I also enjoy hearing how well you guys are doing!

PS: I will definitely tell you all of my experience with the OCC so we can compare notes I shall make another post about my experience once I return back home!

Ps: no no not a rider hehe I live on a farm but there just cows!

Oh and we have a big english mastiff that is practically as big as a horse hahaha

Thanks again for everything!!

Hi Cheryl! Thanks so much for your tips!! I will gather a list of questions for Dr. Miranda!

I'm currently in Houston and the next flight is to San Diego!!

Soooo excited!!

Hi Kayla,

I asked my General Practioner Dr. about it ( I tan in a tanning bed three times/week) He suggested putting zinc oxide on the incision sites to prevent burning and to prevent any darkening of the scars. I went back to tanning at three weeks in a stand-up booth.

I was banded in mid Oct of this year and it took just over a month for me to be comfortable enough to lay down and get up easily from one of the clamshell style beds. If you choose to use a stand-up bed then of course the getting up and down issue isn't a concern.

Hope this is of some help to you!

Good luck with your surgery. It's not a difficult proceedure and the recovery time and discomfort is easier than giving birth!! LOL

Cheers,

Cheryl

Cheryl,

Yes of course this is of help to me!!! Thank you very much Thank you for the support and tips!

You are doing GREAT on your weight loss! What do you eat on a normal every day basis??

I'm so ready and my motto is "TO FEEL GREAT, LOOK GREAT, AND BE HEALTHY"

SUPER SUPER Excited! Not even nervous LOL

Hey Kayla--I don't think there is any problem with tanning after surgery. I would cover any of your incisions with a little surgical tape just to help make sure they don't get darker. To be safe though, I would ask while you are there getting your surgery.

Okay, I will definitely ask them as well!!

Thanks for your insights!!

I received two sessions of tanning for Christmas. I have not used them yet.

Does anyone know if it is okay to tan once I am back from being banded? Or is their a time limit??

Any help or comments would be appreciated

Thanks!!!

Hey Kayla!

Congratulations on 13 lbs lost. Good girl! And on vacay, no less. Have a blast in TJ -- we'll all be waiting to find out how it all went. All the best!!

Hi tootsie lou! Thanks a lot!! I appreciate it very much

Hi Everyone! Well, tomorrow I will be flying to San Diego and then off to Tijuana for the surgery on Monday. I was very worried because for the past 8 days, I have been on vacation. Some of you might can relate to me that being on vacation and trying to diet is VERY hard. I was very surprised and happy to find out that this morning I've lost another pound...so I'm down 13 pounds!!

Wish me luck as Monday is my surgery!! My dad is also having the lap band done on Monday as well and my mom will be coming with us too.

Hope all of you are doing well!

PS: I'll keep everyone posted!! Can't wait to be a bandster!!

Janice, Congratulations on your weight loss and updating us on your first fill! I will be going for my first fill in March for the check up and such! I will be banded on Monday!!! The day is almost here

Keep up the great work!!!!

YAY! Good to hear from you! Keep us updated! I've been thinking about you today as I know it is your surgery day!!! Can't wait to hear how it went Soon, I'll officially be a bandster too

Heyyyy! Tomorrow is the day! I definitely will be thinking about you! Keep me posted and updated on how it went and your progress! I will let you know how we do on Monday! The threee amigos will help each other hahaha

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Hey everyone,

I am currently 19 years old, and weigh a wopping 265 pounds. According to my BMI and such, i am a little over 40, and as far is insurance is concerned and stuff, i am all set to go.

I just made my first appointment with Dr. Billy in Ventura County, Ca, and can't wait. My goal is to just get below 200, so about 65 pounds.

#1. Will I have a lot of excess skin from this?

#2. My mom has gotten the surgery done, and a LOT of her food gets stuck right before the band. Does a lot of people have this problem?

Personally, i cannot wait..I've always wanted to just look in the mirror and say to myself that i am not fat. I am hoping a year from now i will be able to achieve this.

Any testimonials and such are much appreciated.

Hello! Nice to find someone else 19 on here. I am 19 years old as well and will be having the lap band surgery on January 11th at the OCC in Mexico though! I started at 282 but am down to 270 right now since I've been on a preop diet!

Keep us updated and welcome to the forum!!

The things that I took with me to TJ in my suitcase that I was glad I packed:

1. Benefiber & Crystal Light drink mix (They have bottled water at the hotel)

2. Bigelow Vanilla Chai Tea Bags (mmmmmmmm!)

3. Mishima Miso Soup packets (just mix with 1 cup hot water and you are in heaven)

4. (I know...random thought) Heating pad & magazines & book

Bogiesmom,

I just had to comment about a list you posted haha I LOVE the Hungry Girl recipe book. I just bought the one that has 200 recipes under 200 calories about a week ago. I LOVE the recipes I've found in it.

I didn't know you liked it too!!

1. Got rid of friends who only brought me down and made new friends.

2. Grandmother died in 2004.

3. A dog that was given to my family the year I was born died (also my best friend as a kid)

4. Graduated high school in 2008

5. Realized that to make it through life, you have to keep a positive attitude and be optimistic about the situation

6. Became closer with God and know that whatever happens to us always has a reason behind it...maybe we do not know it or don't understand why it happens but God knows!

7. Made the decision to have the lap band surgery done by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico (December 2009)

8. Traveled to many countries in Central America (Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala)

9. In 2008, I dealt with a whole bunch of drama that started to change the person that I knew. I did not even know who I was anymore. I was psychologically and emotionally messed up due to two people in my life. They put a lot of drama in my life. Thanks God that I got out of that situation and realized that I did not need them in my life. But as I look back at it all, God provided me the strength to make it through it all. Now, I am a much stronger person than I ever was before.

10. Completed enough credits in 2009 to make me a junior in college...when I am "technically" a sophomore Taking college classes early in high school has paid off!!

Good news is I am on vacation in Hawaii. The bad news is I had to get a complete unfill the day I left. From Christmas Eve until boxing Day, I could hardly swallow my spit again:( Since I have been down that road before, I got my doc to take ALL of the fluid out. I was freaking that I would be so far from home, totally dehydrated, and in a potentially dangerous situation. Perhaps a slight unfill would have been enough but I wasn't willing to take my chances and ruin my vacation.

That said, I'm enjoying myself eating things I normally can't (pineapple, tried a pig cooked in the ground at a luau, and I'm going to have sushi today for the first time in a year). I expect I will gain a few pounds but my mom (normal weight) reminded me that "normal" people DO gain weight on holidays and then get back on track when they get home. So, I will get a small fill again when I get home and try not to dwell too much on the weight stuff while on vacation. I'll report the damage on the 12th. Happy New Year.

Sabrina:)

Enjoy your vacation in Hawaii!!!! Happy New Year to you as well!

PS: I'm on pre-op and have accidentally cheated twice already... :/ I am supposed to weigh tomorrow but will be on vacation..and was too scared to weigh today! Surgery is less than 2 weeks away and I've already lost 12 out of the 15 I'm supposed to lose so hopefully I can get those last pounds off!!

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?

Blackberrychik,

I have not personally had the lap band surgery yet. I will be having it done in less than 2 weeks. But, as far as I can see, it all depends on each person individually with the results. You will go on a 21 day liquid phase right after having the lap band implemented. This will help your body adjust to the new lap band. Then you gradually work your way up to the solid phase. Dr. Ortiz from the OCC has written a book that explains the lap-band surgery so well. It's called Lap Band for Life. You should definitely check it out. I can't answer any of your other questions since I have not had it yet but I wish you the best of luck!!!

I just had my first visit with a lap band doctor (not at OCC). I thought my appointment was to see if I would qualify and ask questions, etc. He walked in asking me if I was excited and told me that it is sometimes a process with the insurance but it eventually all comes through in the end. I asked about foods I would never be able to eat again and he said bread and hot dogs basically. I know he can't sit and list every food, but it did not sound like that huge of a sacrifice. I liked him alot, but I kind of felt like I a was visiting with a salesman. He did talk about smaller portions and eating right, but can those be the only absolute no foods forever? I had read all the brochures and several websites on it and I feel like he was sort of glossing it over.

Give it to me straight.

Monyac,

I would have had the lap band surgery done earlier like last year if insurance would have paid. I went through a hospital in our capital city and they wanted me to go through all of these tests (stress test, sleep apnia, etc). I decided to call insurance because I was already qualified for the surgery and to have to pay more for all of these exams was a little ridiculous. Once the phone call was made, they said that insurance would not pay for any of the tests nor the surgery. The OCC's price is almost 4 times cheaper than what they were going to charge to do the surgery. I haven't personally had the surgery yet. I will be having it in less than 2 weeks at the OCC on January 11th. So, there are many others who will be able to give you more information. But, I wanted to let you know what I went through. The OCC has been super super nice and also the people on this forum. If you have any questions whatsoever, the OCC and the people on this forum are always so helpful to answer any questions you might have. I'll keep you posted once I've had the surgery and get on the solid phase as to what I can and can't eat.

You can do this my friend!!! I have faith in you! Just keep your head up high!

You might want to try beef broth! Add a little lime juice to it and it is pretty darn good! I'm already practicing eating that liquid stuff!

Just a tip!

Hang in there!!

3 Musts for Effective Food Journaling

December 4, 2009 | by Brett Blumenthal

Many people count calories when they are trying to lose weight. Doing so can be very helpful, and often, can lead to greater and more sustainable weight loss. In a study done by Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, those participants who kept a food diary lost almost twice the amount of weight of those who did not journal. Further, those who kept a diary managed to keep the weight off.

What really makes a food journal successful? Obviously, recording what you eat and how much of it you eat is definitely an important component to track. But is that enough? I’d argue…no. Tracking your caloric intake is undeniably important, but it doesn’t necessarily tackle the emotional side of the food intake equation. Many of us use food as a form of comfort…whether it be to fill a void…to alleviate emotional pain…to calm nervousness…or to offset boredom. In order to create sustainable lifestyle changes, knowing what triggers you to eat is arguably, just as important.

Mindfulness of the hows, whys, whats and whens of your food consumption promotes balance, choice and acceptance of what is. To practice this mindfulness, keep a journal to document how you feel physically AND mentally…before, during and after meals and snacks. Here are the three components you should track in your journal:

1.What You Eat. Document what and how much you eat. This will help you identify those foods that are most gratifying and filling as they apply to actual hunger as well as emotional triggers. It will also enable you to determine how balanced your snacks and meals are. Include calories of what you ate as well.

2.Appetite. Evaluate your appetite on a scale of 0 to 5: 0 represents “extremely hungry,” 5 extremely full. Whenever possible, strive never to be a 0 or a 5. If hunger sets in, aim for a rating no lower than 1; after you have eaten, you shouldn’t be fuller than a 4.

3.Physical and Emotional Status. When you get hungry and while you are eating, tune into your physical and emotional state. What were you doing when you became hungry? Were you thinking about anything in particular? Were you stressed? Depressed? Happy? Relaxed? Bored? Note your feelings in order to understand what triggers your eating. Are you really hungry? Are you using food to fill an empty void? Is food an automatic “go-to” when celebrating? Noting these feelings will help you distinguish between real hunger and emotional hunger.

Here is a chart of what your journal should look like:

Date & Time

What did I eat / drink?

Caloric Value

How did I feel before/during/after eating? (0 – 5)

What was I doing?

What was I thinking?

How was I feeling?

Bogiesmom,

Thanks so much for posting this!! It will come in handy for me! You've been a life saver!!

Well, I am having my surgery done on January 11th so as someone else on the forum said "Thin in 2010". I don't know how my progress on losing weight will be until I've had the surgery and such but I'm hoping to lose at least 50 pounds by August of this coming year. Another one of my goals is make sure I always exercise once a day because excercise is the key to success! I have been struggling with my weight for all of my life so finally I am doing something for myself and my health!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! LOVE AND HUGS TO ALL OF YOU. Leaving for the airport right now.

Congratulations Steph!! Keep us posted on your progress!!

Kayla,

Thank you.

You are doing great for your pre-op. I struggled too like Angie did with the Pre-op.

The Doctor gave me an 11 pound loss when I first saw him and gained 4 pounds by the month after. Ugh.. It was hard, especially when you think you are doing it right and you still gain. But then I cut out all the sodas, bread, rice and pasta (and I only ate whole wheat/grains) and actually increased my workouts and did the protein drinks for breakfast and lunch with a sensible dinner and Voila, I was ready for surgery.

Keep up the good work.

Hugs,

Kristi

Yes, I have cut out all sodas, pastas, and bread. I am only drinking water. I try to do the two shakes and one lean cuisine meal a day. Sometimes it is hard especially during this time of the year. I went Christmas shopping on Friday and it was difficult because we went out of town. So when I went out to eat, I had a delicious grilled chicken pecan salad. Even though those pecans and ranch dressing weren't the best, it was better than what I would have normally ate. I can't believe I'm losing as much as I am because I thought that during the holidays it would be harder and also because I'm out of college for Christmas break right now so I am not doing something constantly to keep me busy!!

You keep up the great work as well!! I love when people post before and after pictures!!

PS: I have "before" pictures but they are not so nice haha so I will eventually post them when I have some "after" pictures to show