becca2

Thanks everyone! I don't know what I'd do without the great advice I get from this forum!

Best decision I ever made, period. The band is not magic, but if you follow the rules (chew well, don't drink with meals, get some exercise, etc) you will have success. I feel like I now have a "helping hand" with my weight loss and for the first time, I now have Hope that I will finally be able to keep off the weight that I lose. The OCC was fabulous and far exceeded my expectations. They take really good care of you from the time they pick you up at the airport and through the surgery process. TJ also was not what I expected. It was lovely. Our hotel was beautiful and had exceptional service. I could not have asked for a better experience.

Best of luck to you in your weight loss journey!

Good Luck!

I am so sorry to hear about your mom. You are in my prayers.

I had my first fill today. I wasn't able to go back to OCC right now, but went to a doc about an hour away who uses flouroscopy for fills. I had a 4cc fill in a 10cc band and am wondering what to expect. Since my surgery, I have been able to eat whatever. Do you usually feel a difference after the first fill, or does it take more? I'm on liquids for 48 hours currently. I know everyone is different, but does 4cc sound right for a first fill? When I was at the OCC, I met a lady having her first fill - she was given 5cc and felt that it was conservative. Yikes! any advice would be helpful. P.S. It was awesome to see the band!

I used an on-line financing company that the OCC recommended. It took about a week or so to hear back from them, so don't worry. No problems with it - percentage rate varies depending on your credit, but I got a fair rate. Good luck!

Ha! I love it!

!!!!!!Congratulations!!!!!!!! You are awesome and such an inspiration!!!!!

What is this "tomatoe pie" I keep reading about? I love tomatoes and I love pie, so I just gotta know!

Thanks for your post. I am coming up on my first fill and am very curious about fill levels and restriction. Right now it feels like I could eat a house with no trouble and I've been fighting head-hunger. When I stick to my healthy eating plan, I'm satisfied, but when I haven't its worried me that I haven't had problems with any kind of food, or even amount, really. Looking forward to this fill with anticipation, excitement, and a little worry about restriction.

Keep up your awesome work!

Even Superman was Clark Kent some of the time.

Started Pre op diet today. 12 more days till i get my band. traveled all day for work and didnt get supper till 8 oclock and let me tell you a lean cuisine and salad never tasted so good lol

I remember those times! Good luck to you!

Just added my two cents....or should I say, 2 miles!

VERY interesting article. Thanks for sharing - it explains a lot!!!!

I'm so excited that I just had to share. Today I was able to fit into my old favorite levi's - so perfect and comfortable - that I haven't been able to wear in 10 years. It feels so great! It was just the shot in the arm that I needed right now to keep me going until my first fill. Although I still look like Ginormica to everyone else (except hubby), I feel like a 'ten'! Anyone else with a small success to share?

You will be fine going alone. The doormen at your hotel will help you with the taxi and tell the driver where to take you. The mall is as safe as any in the U.S. and I was able to find a few great toys for my son - taxi ride was $5.00 - arranged in advance with the taxi driver. I had no trouble finding a taxi for a return trip no matter where I went.

Good luck and best wishes!

The paper g-string was definitly a surprise! Maybe it's so patients can have a good laugh before surgery - I know we did!

The Lucerna provided everything I needed. They have a special menu for OCC patients - at no charge for you! Plenty of juice and chicken broth - they'll even bring it to your room if you're not in the mood to go to the restaurant.

Ha! You sound like me! I was 41 and 300+ when I made the best decision of my life. Oddly enough, I felt a little guilty for doing something of this magnitude for myself but I am so glad I made the decision. I was banded at the OCC on April 23rd and am doing fabulously! They took great care of me and all my problems. The surgery went better than I could have imagined - I was up shopping in TJ all day the day after surgery!

Good luck to you!

Thank you for sharing that. It really helps. Your success is amazing!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!! You are an inspiration!

I decided today not to weigh myself for two months. I had my surgery on May 10th, but the scale isn't showing me anything positive. I feel like the scale is my enemy and I will not let it stop me. In order to keep focus, I decided to use my clothing as a guide. Last week I lost 9lbs according to the scale. This week I have gained eleven pounds. I have exercised more this week than last week, and my liquid diet hasn't changed much. Therefore, I should have lost weight or at least maintained my weight.

I am not going to allow the enemy to win (the scale). I am mentally prepared for this diet and will continue my exercise routine. Each week I plan on increasing my walk and time on the treadmill, until my 90 days are up. At this point, the aerobic classes and personal trainer will become my best friend, next to my husband.

The war is on and I will prevail...over that @#$% scale!

P.S. These forums are such an inspiration and the best support. Reading other people's struggles and rewards helps me tremendously.

Oddly enough, I did not lose much weight on the post-op liquid diet either, despite walking every day. I lost 20 lbs on the pre-op diet, and when I was able to eat solids again, the weight started to come off again. Keep your chin up. You will prevail!

Research is definitely key..it seems the cost's can vary from $500 - $1000. Here in NorCal the first visit would have cost me $700. It is actually less expensive, and for me, more peace of mind to go back to OCC. I have not had my first fill yet..I am going Friday, so I am excited to "see" how things are looking. I have heard if done correctly you should only need about three fills..that's the number I'm going for..and if it's the OCC then all the better. My only concern is if I need an unfill. My daughter had her first fill with OCC about a month ago and has been fine. Once she graduates college she wants to get her second fill. In the mean time I will keep exploring my emergency options. But some of the suggestions here have been great.

How was your first fill at the OCC? I will be going at the end of June. Any problems?

Good info. I am from Omaha and considering this surgery in Mexico, it is $17500 in Omaha but $6500 in Mexico. I am sooo nervous about having the surgery in Mexico. Can I ask what other kind of research you did to decide to have this surgery by Dr. Ortiz? I really need to do this and want to make sure I do ALL my research. Thanks

Dr. Ortiz and the OCC were awesome. I could not have asked for a better experience. I found Dr. Ortiz's book very helpful - you can get it on Amazon. One of the local Dr's I talked to ($18,500 for lap band) recommended his book!

Hi,

I keep reading about sip, sip, sipping and I'm wondering how things work with water and drinking as much as we need. I am an avid water drinker and since getting off of the liquid diet I haven't really had much restriction at all. I am not sure if I'm supposed to be sipping water or is it okay to drink a lot at one time. I know that liquids will go through but if I drink 2 cups of water after I've had a fill, is that going to go right through or will it cause problems with the pouch since its so much water at once? I am SO used to just guzzling my water, especially if I am hot or exercising. I love how I can come on this website and really get great answers from people who have been through it all and really 'know' how things work. I am certainly a work in progress and I'm looking forward to continuing my journey especially after my first fill.

Debbie

Thank you for asking the question, and thanks to the responders. I am also a "guzzler" and have been drinking a lot of water quickly since I've been back on solids (I really miss drinking water with my meals). I'm going to try to slow it down so I won't be shocked after my first fill. I can't say that I feel much restriction so far, but the band has given me hope: I'm actually sticking to healthy eating and (a little) exercise!