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Hello,

Well I guess it depends on what you plan on doing while in TJ. Some of us on the forum went shopping. Others, like myself stayed in the hotel. The OCC special "food" post op at the hotel is part of you package. So you can plan accordingly. I brought along some extra cash just in case but did not use too much of it since I didn't feel much like shopping.

Hi!,

Thanks for the post...I live up in the Bay Area but decided early on that I would go to OCC for fills unless I found an MD who does floro. I appreciate your comments and story because sometimes if the rules aren't followed (like protein first), it's a waste of time and money. I totally agree with what you are doing now and after my second fill two weeks ago, notice that if I follow the rules I am pretty full and satisfied. Now I am just figuring out an approximate calorie level so I don't throw my body into starvation mode?? Hmmm. The protein first makes a very big difference for me and once I got that figured out I do pretty well...like all new habits, sometimes I forget, and then I get hungry faster. I am not a big meat fan and would like to do more alternative proteins...what do you do? Thanks again.

Hi all,

Is there a recommended calorie target range? I know that too little with throw your body into starvation mode, and how much is too much? I am just wondering...

So hey,

When do you feel the liquid thing? Early in the AM? with cold drinks? At my last fill I felt this in the office and we talked about the AM and cold liquid tightening up the band....so almost a week to the day I have the same feelings you describe but only in the AM or with ice/cold drinks, and it just seems to take a bit longer to get through the "funnel" other than that I am fine....so I'm thinking its ok..for myself.

Hi all,

Well part of my job is to do Zoom whitening...so my comments: If your teeth tend to be sensitive already, this procedure can make them more so..let the Dentist know before they start..you can also start using Sensodyne before the procedure this to will help. Otherwise most people take to the procedure with good results, they are not permanent. I myself go the tray route, but if you get a good deal in TJ go for it..

Hi Everyone,

Love the latest race! your dog is super cute. Thanks all for the Epsom Salt tip..is there a brand name? I don't have a Walmart near me but I do have have a Target?? I like the leg soak idea, and the potassium is one I figured out on my own after two nights of leg cramps..love your comments about the running--not sure if I will ever do that with my age and heart issues -- but race walking and swimming are some goals. Keep up the great tips and pictures it gives me hope and motivation...

Hi,

Learning to be able to live with the band at parties has been one of my best successes. I have had about 4 graduations, two holidays, and two showers since March. I have gone to each of these with the mind set that I will only eat what I really like and only enough to satisfy me. With this in mind I managed to forgo my usual mindless eating and successfully managed not to overeat..one of the many new gifts from my band. Now I just had my second fill on Monday and have entered a whole new level of ristriction...this week has been a bit interesting because some food is no longer compatible with my band and new level of restriction. Whole wheat bread being one of them. I have been researching WLS surgery with some new books and other sites because I too was having problems my last fill with energy levels. What I learned is I needed vitamins, which I have now added, and my protein level was not at the recommended level for me, another energy sapping problem. Also, the water thing is huge..both my MD and Cardio Doc have been on me to drink more water..which I have also added. Since this time, about a month, I feel a whole lot better. I have also added walking two miles three times a week to work, and my water aerobics two times a week, along with my morning Yoga stretch. I did not add the exercise until my flagging energy was back on track..it seems like so much to remember everyday but so worth it in the end..Good Luck!

Hey, Hold on...

Ok, so I have a third view...First off, YOU come first, always!!!..its called self care and love...it took me a long time to figure it out...a bit about me..I am 49 and lost my husband two years ago..childhood sweetheart, I loved him, stayed through sickness and in health, and lost myself along the way. Now I was opposite. I was bulimic throughout his 10 years of illness and all the stress, anger, emotions that his illness and raising two kids caused. A Dr. told me at counseling that I was not a "true" bulimic just angry and that binge/purge was my way to handel it. Well counseling was out I found my way..my way. Now my husbands death was awful, left me alone, I miss him often, loved him to the end, but in another way was the best thing to happen FOR me--the real me--of course, I am not sure what that looks like right now, but until I do there is no room for anyone else...Now is your chance..love yourself, address your health, think on the whole vomiting issue, and know that since I have been banded I have not purged/vomited or been even close to the cycle a wonderful gift on its own. Of course it's made life hard in that I have to look to myself, feel emotions, and deal with life..but so much better. Some say the act of vomiting is a way to expel anger you may not even know you carry. For me this was true..I agree with the finding ways to address emotions..there are a lot of good books out there and I have worked my way through a lot of them. Any guy who cannot be there for you emotionally, and love and communicate with you is not for you..or me. Make sure the next one loves you for you...band, emotions, health and all..its called self care and self love...

Hang in there your strong...you have to be to have already accomplished so much.

Hi all,

Just had my second fill at the OCC...I can tell a big difference right off..I feel the restriction now baby!

Thanks so much for posting this. I have a ways to go before I reach the point of PS, but I am thinking for sure a tummy tuck and I guess I will have to see what I am left with after WL. I look forward to reading more from you.

Hi,

I am going Monday for my second fill..since they pick you up and take you right to the OCC I'm guessing we should be ok..it will be interesting to see what anyone else thinks..

Hi,

For 25 years I have been on heart meds for a hereditary contion..I was pretty worried since the pill is a healthy size. After surgery I was told to cut the pill in half for the first week..after that so far so good..but I do have a pill splitter if I need it..as for vitamins I take a liquid multi--just easier to get down and on my stomach which is pretty sensitive to vitamins..so far so good there to..as everything take it slow and see how your body does.

Hi all,

Having my second fill on Monday June 14th..can't wait to start another phase of this wonderful process...goals after this fill will be:

1. Sit down, eat slow in a relaxing place (which I have found out is not work at lunch time).

2. Narrow down my food choices to things I like and the band can tolerate.

3. Continue my exercise

4. More work on the emotional eating.

5. Figure out what I can drink socially that isn't alcohol, or bubbly, but IS served at a bar....hmmm...

Great posts,

I have enjoyed reading them because I have only had one fill and am eating about half of what I can usually eat..going for a third fill on Monday hoping to reach the third way mark in my eating. Even though I have still been working with the band on this journey..sticking to high protein, lower carbs..and the emotional adjustment work..by biggest issue. It's funny because before the band I never let myself get to to point of hunger/growling stomach, now I can let my stomach growl..yes the more muted comment is right on for me..and say "wow, I can have a growling stomach and not die from hunger" a whole new world for me. This is for sure a journey and although I falter I get up and continue, and my life is already so much better than it was..

Hello,

My personal thought on this (having to go through a similar process) is that before you move on to the next "phase" as I call it, you become comfortable with your currant one..and the habit of chewing your food well..otherwise I would imagine another fill will make it worse for you...I am going for my second fill next week, now that I am comfortable with my first fill and the chewing issue.

Hi,

I was banded at the end of March then had my first fill the first week of May..that fill felt like some restriction for a while, and did help keep me on my toes with my eating because I did not want to "BP" which after reading about on this forum I am terrified of..so far so good. I have over indulged a few times past the amount of comfort but no where near were I did before and although uncomfortable, I am also happy because I know the band helped stopped me from binging and has since it was placed. I guess what I am saying is aside from looking for restriction, look for other ways in which the band has helped you overall. For me it has helped me not to overeat or binge, it has made me face my compulsive eating demons, it has helped me to learn that I can go to party's have a good time and not worry about the food, "will I get some before the person in front of me eats it all," that I can get out and walk without fear of failing, I can eat what I want like a "normal" person and still loose weight (who cares how slow this is a new life baby), and most important I can feel "feelings" and survive without my drug of choice - Food. Now next week I go for my second fill which I am somewhat afraid of because I will be "upping" the level, and with that a whole new set of learning will come...for me each level has been perfect because it has given my brain a chance to adjust with my body...Hang in there we are all here on the same road and many have great advice and feedback.

Thanks for posting...hmmm I think a new job is in the future..

Great job...I so like reading about everyone's positives...I hope some day to do something similar the Breast Cancer 3 day is a goal, as well as something for liver cancer, I lost my husband two years ago to that...for now I am happy just being able to get out and walk at 40 pounds less than I used to. I can tell the difference with my breathing and stamina. What do you suggest for sore legs? I always seem to get them after a 2-3 mile walk..or can I just figure they will get stronger? Love your pictures!

Hi,

Somewhere in this forum is another thread dedicated to those of us with scale "issues" I found it very funny and the comments put everything in perspective. I was banded in March of this year and for a while was a scale addict myself...the scale is a machine so why do we give it the power to dictate our lives? One of the comments in the thread also had a YouTube site with some scale comments..maybe put in scale in the search box and see if you can find the thread. But at one point in the last couple of months I made up my mind not to weigh myself every day, only once a week or even once every two weeks...but instead as you mention go by how I feel and what my cloths are doing. Even better, the comments I am beginning to get. All of those things are much more positive mentally. We put out big money toward a major change in our lives...part of that change for me was old habits being thrown out...No more dieting, no more mental games with the scale, no more excuses for not exercising..it's hard but very worth it..Good Luck..we are all on the same journey just at different points..

Hi,

What hotel are you staying at? The driver or concierge should be able to direct you..I know there was a mall around our hotel that everyone went to..I didn't go for it but they made killer deals.

Hi again,

Well, the OCC will give you pain meds that you place under your tongue, they seem to work pretty good. After that your own your own. I found bringing along Tylenol extra strength rapid release also helped for the times I needed a bit more but really after the third day I was fine as long as I didn't roll on the wounds in my sleep. If you look at our ticker's you will see the website along the top or bottom..they are free go check em out. I will be down at the OCC on June 14th with my daughter for our second fills...

Hi Misty,

You can doooo ittt! I found the meal in the middle of the day a great help too, also chicken or beef broth for those tough in between times...Conradulations on starting your new life!

Hi,

I have to say although not in such strong terms..that I agree with you. But, the staff treated me wonderful at each hotel. My take on the Marriott was it was too big, and businesslike, while the Lucerna was a much more agreeable and relaxing place..bascially what you thought. I tried each one, the Marriott with my daughter when she was banded, myself at the Lucerna. we both liked the Lucerna more..

Hi Kevin,

I was nervous my first fill because I just didn't want the band to be off...the fill itself was easy (as you must know by now). I'm heading down with my daughter in two weeks for my second fill...Now that one I'm nervous about because that is where you should be heading in the "restriction" phase..I have some restriction now but not 3/4 meal worth...hope all is well..

Hi,

As mentioned, you will be safe, well taken care of, and very happy when your done. My daughter and I are going down on the 14th for our second fills. The longest I waited was 45 minutes mid day on Friday..this can vary..otherwise..piece of cake!