B2010

Man - I did a stupid thing. I ordered pizza for my son and his friend spending the night this past weekend. uuuggghhhh that was the worst fricking torture yet. I didn't eat any but it took all of my will power to refrain. It helped that my port area is still sore and that not a lot of times do I forget I have this band. I'm still getting used to the idea of having this foreign object in my body. I hope that it gets less weird Other than that - hunger has been ok. Again, still not as hard as the first 3 days but I have been feeling a little bit more tired these past couple of days. I've been sleeping really great thought (which I usually don't do). Not sure if that's because of lack of food or what. I was able to have the drinkable yogurt today and in 2 more days I'll be able to have a protein drink. the drinkable yogurt felt kind of heavy on my stomach - maybe because I wasn't used to the thickness - but I couldn't drink all that much of it. If they could just invent a drinkable pizza flavored substance lol I'd be skinny in no time I'm trying to drink more water but my stomach always feels full. Is this the band? I thought I wasn't supposed to feel this way yet. Well I guess it's a good thing. I haven't been able to drink a ton of juice but I've been drinking cranberry juice lately because the crystal light is getting old and i know my body needs the calories. My BM are pretty....well nasty. I don't really like having liquid as my BM but hey I guess it goes with the territory. I've been loosing about a pound a day since surgery. I think it took my body a few days in the beginning to shed the water I was retaining from after surgery - but I'm happy with the weight loss so far. I'm finally to my surgery decision weight which was 200. So now it's down to bigger and better things I feel like at this point in the process I'm just going through the motions. Not really thinking about what I'm going to eat my first day of solids - but just trying to get through it. This is a tough process. I'm proud of myself that I've made it so far.

You CAN do this. Trust me if I can anyone can! As much support as you need we're here! You're gonna be amazed at how much your focus in life changes and that is what this journey is all about!

I also didn't tell anyone for just that reason. People are misinformed and being fat in the United States is like a social death sentence - yet when you go about doing something about it people try to talk you out of it? wtf??? I'm happy with my decision to keep it alone. I didn't read the book but I'm going to check it out.

I really can't believe that I've made it now 6 days without food. It's crazy talk to me. Ok - so I was right the first 3 days were really kind of hell for me but day 6 - it's WAY easier. I don't have the hunger/gas pains that I was having for the first 3 days. Thank God because not sure how long I would have made it feeling like that. Looking back though I'm thinking it was more gas than anything - but I'm just grateful it's over. I'm even really surprised that I'm not that tired. I have been cleaning, and doing school work and working without a problem concentrating at all. physical check - my port is still a little sore and the site of my iv is tender to the touch too but I can tell it's getting better. I can stretch and not feel like my port is ripping away. Sounds gross - but that's kind of how it feels. So how have I been staying on liquids for 6 days? It's like a mental zone I think. There is something about knowing that I went through getting this procedure that has switched something in my mind. Like - hey - Bianca you've went to the extreme of getting this procedure done, going to Mexico alone, and committing to a liquid diet for 21 days....you don't have an option now to just give up. I used to be able to stay on a "diet" for like a day or not even a day until around 3pm and then I'd be starving and just say screw it - I'm already fat - another 2000 calories wont make me fatter. To be honest, one of my favorite fast food restaurants Burger King, hasn't even been a thought in my mind. I haven't even thought - I wish I could eat this or that. I've thought....how cheap is my food bill going to be and what will I spend the extra money on every month that I'm not gorging myself on food. hmmmmm maybe a pedicure. Geez what a relief - I feel like this lapband has given me freedom to finally live my life and I feel that way without being even close to the weight I want to be. I can sum it up in one word and that is hope. This procedure has given me hope that my efforts will pay off and I will be in a healthy physical and mental state. Oh one final thing - the time that I do feel a hunger pain is around the 2-3pm mark until about 5 or so. I usually have a few sugar free popsicles, some warm broth, and some juice. But for the rest of the day I'm just sipping on water, or crystal light and things are fine. God this is so amazing......i'm just in awe that i'm on day 6 - maybe I CAN do this

HI Chris, I just had my band put in on 3/15/10 at the OCC and even before the band is really doing "it's work" the fact that I have the band has really began changing my mentality towards food. Also, the mental challenges like the 21 day liquid phase following the procedure is something I never would have thought I could do.....but I'm doing it and I can't believe it!!!! I don't have any regrets so far. I think it was the right decision for me, and I have only told one person (oh and some random woman on the plane and not having to answer to everyones doubts and criticisms has helped me a lot too. I used to sit and eat and eat and eat without thought to calorie content. It's like food consumed my life day to day. I hated living in that cycle. Now it's like I have time to live because I can't just eat - I'm starting to re-prioritize my life and I really feel happy for the first time in a very long time. I wish you the best of luck with your decision - and if you are going to have the procedure done the OCC is the place to go.

lol......hilarious just picturing this happening

I actually live in Alaska so no not close at all. I had looked into doctors up here to get my fills done but honestly before I sent for surgery I had planned on going to a doctor locally that I had found. There are some topics on here to help find a list of fill doctors that will fill you if you were banded in Mexico. You can ask the moderator Dolittle for the list in your area. However, after going to the OCC and seeing how knowledgeable they are about the lapband and how thorough they are I'm planning on going back to OCC for fills. My trip was as follows: arrived San Diego on 3/14/10 relaxed in hotel, surgery 3/15/10 OCC, returned to hotel 3/16/10, flight left San Diego 3/17/10. The one day of rest on the 15th and 16th was plenty and I felt fine to fly on the 17th. I'm attaching a note that I just wrote to another friend of mine on here that is going for surgery on 4/15/10. Maybe it can answer some of your questions too. ----------------------- As for how I'm feeling. I'm feeling great. After the 3rd day of liquid diet it's gotten 90% easier for me to stay on the liquid phase of post op. Geez those first 3 days were really really hard. It definitely helps to know that if you eat or drink something that you will mess up the band. If I didn't have that hanging over my head, I don't think i'd be able to have made it. I think it may have been gas, but my stomach was saying "feed me" for sure. That has now subsided (Thank GOD!) Now it's a mental battle. I've been having to prepare my sons food and surprisingly it has been easier than I thought - but that sausage and eggs smelled sooooo good last night! I just keep telling myself that after this 21 days - it won't be so hard so I gotta put in my time now. I can say that you will definitely want to take things to drink after surgery. Things that are small and easy to pack. Special K protein water (probably saved my life the first 3 days), Full Bar water packets (they help you to feel full and ad some flavor to your water). Crystal Light packets ( I just bought the cheaper walmart version). Bullion cubes (because you will want something warm at some point). I didn't bring enough things to drink for the day after surgery but the hotel gives water and I ordered chicken broth and 2 apple juices the day after surgery. It was free too - didn't have to pay for it at check out so if you do order from the hotel after surgery make sure to tell them to add it to your room. Oh yea - one other thing. Don't give the hotel your credit card at check-in. They asked me for one but I didn't even bring a credit card with me so since the OCC is paying for it - don't give it to them because then you have no chance of getting charged for anything. Also - the hotel does have free wi-fi in the rooms As far as other things to bring...... I would say definitely bring a few tighter fitted tank tops for after surgery. I'm still wearing them daily and it feels better because after surgery you do get the sensation of the port "pulling away" I'm sure that's NOT what it's doing but it feels better to wear a fitted tank top because it feels like it holds everything in nicely. Especially on the plane ride it was much more comfortable. hmmm....what else. someone had said bring a heating pad - and I did but didn't find the need to use it. The hotel provides nice lotion, shampoo, soap etc but I still brought some of my own. Bring GAS-EX!!!!!!! I wasn't super gassy. I mean I burped a few times but my stomach was gurgling a lot and I think that this is what made me feel like I was hungry because now that I've been taking it daily I don't feel that way. Oh yea the beds at Lucerna and at the OCC are really comfortable. I didn't have any trouble falling asleep. Nice and quiet in both places. Ok i know this email was kind of all over the place just wanted to get all the important info in there. I see your surgery is on the 15th of April. I'm wondering if that would be too soon for me to get a fill but I'm going to email Dr.So and find out. It would be cool to go together! Also - just cause some people aren't posting on the April surgeries section - don't worry. No one responded and said they had a surgery on the the 15th of March either but there were 8 patients that got the procedure that day. pretty much all of them said they read the board but never posted. So - don't let that make you think you'll be alone cause I'm sure you won't be. Even the next day there were 3 patients going in - so - i'm so excited for you.....it'll be a great experience for you and a step in the right direction for a wonderfully healthy life! and you'll look HOT lol which is what i'm looking forward to myself. -Bianca

hmmmmm well right now on liquid phase water various crystal lights that I mix together for different flavors cranberry juice coffee with non-dairy creamer (thank God! we can have this) Full bar packets that you ad to bottled water Protein K water packet in pink lemonade sf popsicles that's about it. I like to mix different dry mixes. right now i'm drinking the protein water packet, with a full bar packet and a little crystal light apple flavored drink. (this drink will probably the rest of the work day)

Hi there! My bmi starting was 32 - I've heard people tell me over and over "you can do it on your own" well yea you know what - they are probably right at some level - but obviously I didn't have the will power to do it alone. I haven't been overweight my entire life and I really didn't want to spend the rest of my life battling this 50lbs that I want gone. Instead I wanted some help to live the life I want! And who knows better for yourself than YOU what YOU want for your life. I really feel like people around us (especially those that struggle with their own weight) are selfish when someone tries to better themselves. Even when I've lost weight before and on a diet - people have said "oh you're not THAT overweight you don't need to lose weight" I think deciding on whether to get the band or not has to be a decision that is all your own. I personally do get stressed, and swayed by what others think so I only told one person and he was surprisingly supportive. I really don't plan on telling anyone else - because I don't feel like I should have to explain or justify to anyone what my decisions are. As for my experience so far - the OCC is top notch. Everything you've read on this forum in spot on about the facility and the doctor. They are truly blessed and I believe have a true passion for the work they do. They know they are helping people and Dr. Ortiz runs a tight ship there. Everyone from the hotel staff, drivers, admin, nurses, and other doctors are the best of the best. You can take that they all take great pride in their work and the commitment that they have to their work. I went to TJ alone and I felt safe the entire time, and I felt well taken care of. I never really felt alone either because of other patients that I interacted with and because the staff was always very attentive. I'm on day 4 of my post-op liquid diet. I'm not going to lie the first 3 days have been hard. it's 10:30am on the 4day and I'm feeling much better with the hunger pains. I'm not sure if it's been actual hunger pains or gas but it's been hard. It's a mental battle at this point but I know it's the last one I will finally have with relationship to my weight. I finally have some help and I don't regret having had the lap band placed or having went to OCC. If you have any questions please let me know or you can always check out some of my other posts. I'll try to keep up on my blogs as time goes on so you can keep up with my progress. best of luck and I hope you find comfort in making the right decision for you and you alone! -Bianca

So I'm finding the liquid phase post-op is hard as hell. Luckily the fear of having a slipped band has kept me on course for the last 3 days, but this is probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I'm not sure if it's hunger pain, or gas, or what but at times my stomach feels like the worst hunger pains I've experienced ever. I'm on day 4 of clear liquids and so far (it's 9:30am) hunger pain has been minimal this morning. I'm hoping that getting passed the first 3 days was the hardest and that I will have some sort of relief for the days ahead. I can say that right now it's not a mentaldon't bother thing with me. The mental thought of not eating isn't really bothering me. I feel like I have so much time now . Even preparing my sons lunches and dinner haven't bothered me. I'm using this time to experiment with some healthier food options and my son is my little guinea pig lol. It's just the physical hunger that I faced - but like I've said so far (day 4) it's gotten easier and I'm hoping it will stay this way. It has certainly helped to read others testimonials stating that if "they could do the liquid phase - then anyone can" because that's pretty much how I feel. I guess the band has forced me into making this commitment to myself and my body. Yep - it's a mental tool for now. As for soreness - not too much, just in the port area as others have stated. But really just feels like I got a good upper cut in the gut I've only had a BM once since surgery - won't go into detail about what that was like but just happy that I had one. My stomach is still pretty bloated and sticking out a little more than usual. Still so happy about my decision - I won't lie though I'm a little weird-ed out about thinking I'm like a bionic woman now though with this device inside my body. So far I have fake boobs, the lap band, and a copper IUD. I wonder what archaeologists would think in 10,000 discovering my body. lol....wonder what type of conclusions they would come to about the life I lived. anyway - back to work talk to all of you later and again thanks so much for everyone's support. This forum is truly another huge tool for me and a great resource. -Bianca

The real question is will YOU love him when YOU'RE skinny? When you realize you deserve more and your confidence levels return will he be able to handle it? it's bullh*t that he disrespected you and told people about what is only YOUR business. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. The good thing about living day to day is that you don't have to solve the entirety of your relationship problems in one day. Things will be what they will be. I'm sure you love him, but at some point you have to love yourself too - and hopefully the lapband will aid you in doing this - and will help you to make the hard decisions that you've been putting off.

to swollen right now, gonna try not to weight until next wednesday.

hahahahahaha