lovesMaui

I got a fill today at OCC and left to go home immediately after. This was my second fill. I went straight home after the first one too.

I did not take pills during the liquid phase but now can take them just fine.

Yes Susie I have had the same problems. I know what you are going through is so hard! There were days I cried because I didn't know how to handle life without food as a crutch. Please don't give up. I haven't been very strong in the past and have given up on dieting or rather given in to food. This is the first time in my life I have stuck with any lifestyle change. I feel so much better about myself. For me, I pray alot for strength and it helps. If I can do this, I know you can too. Stay strong and know that others understand how hard it is! It does get easier in time when you see your success on the scale!

You are lucky that you still like soup. I haven't touched the stuff since the liquid phase of post op. I got so sick of it. Your weight loss sounds great!

Goofy, I think what you had to go through is ridiculous! And to think you had to pay for it!

I don't have medical insurance, so no counseling, but do I wish I could go? You betcha!

Okay here's what happened to me. I had a fill last month. I live an hour from the border. My husband has gone across the border many, many, times for dental work. He thought we should pay the $100 for the fill and park at one of the pay to park places next to the border, then walk across and take a cab for $5.00 to the Surgery Center. I didn't want to do this because on the way home, the cab drops you off at a certain place and then you wait in a long, long, line to walk across the border back to San Diego. I didn't want to hassle it so we paid the $199.00 to be picked up in the OCC Van. I was surprised when the OCC driver picked us up in the Mexicoach parking lot in San Diego in a truck, not a van, but I didn't say anything nor did the driver. After the fill, on the way back to the border, we notice that the truck gets in the line that all people get in to cross the border, not the special line the van gets in. We asked the driver about this and he tells us that because he is in a truck and not the OCC Van, he has to cross the border like everyone else! He said earlier that day he waited in line 3 hours! Well we could have saved ourselves a $100 and taken ourselves across the border! We felt kind of deceived as we were never informed of any of this until the very end. Anyone else have this experience?

Honestly Momof4, I would swallow my pride and go back to the first doctor. I don't want you to get depressed. You will feel better after your fill. It does take a while to get it right. I have had one fill and I feel I can still eat more than I should. Best wishes to you!

I was just like you. I didn't feel restriction until the first fill. It took a lot of will power and discipline to only eat half of what I used to. Eat 3 small meals a day. Start with your protein, then veggies, then carbs. Best wishes!

Don't be so hard on yourself Erin. You deserve to live and enjoy life too. Now that you are home, you will get back on track and those 5 lbs. will come off. The important thing when we get off track, is that we get right back on. Trust me, we've all been there so you are not alone!

Dear Buffalot, I feel for you so much. I understand you wanting your privacy regarding your decision to have surgery. It is nobody's business unless you choose to share your decision. Your boss is DEAD WRONG!!! She is not behaving like a boss at all. It's not her right to say ANYTHING about why you are not at work. It's not ethical for her to discuss your private business with anyone! I love Sleevester's comment about common sense is not common. Haha. Your boss has NO common sense whatsoever! I have chosen not to share with anyone outside my immediate family that I had lap band surgery. I am a very private person and I too have listened to ignorant people's rants about why someone should not have this surgery. These people are not educated about the surgery. As I have lost weight, people have asked me how I did it. I tell them portion control and exercise. This is the truth without going into detail. Bottom line, this is your life and your body and your business. Don't feel bad for being private about your decision. I was anxious before surgery and scared too. It's okay to feel this way. You are going to do great. It is the best decision I have made and I don't regret it. Please don't let your boss get away with her wrongful behavior. Let us know how this turns out. Take care!

Wow 7cc's seems like a lot. How are you doing since then?

I'll shout with you Kevin! WOO HOO!!!! YAY!!!! YOU DID IT!!! You deserve to feel so good about yourself and what you've accomplished! I think's it's amazing and I am very happy for you!

Thank you for responding Dwayne and Petrafarmer! I can see what you mean because when I have taken sips with a meal, I feel I do eat more to get full. It is so hard to be strong when eating something spicy. It's also hard breaking a life long habit.

I personally would not take any chances. The requirement is that you must have a passport.

Hi, It's been almost 2 months since I've been banded. This whole journey has been has been one big learning process. Sometimes I feel like the further into this I get, the less I understand about it all. I read as much as I can and do call OCC if I have any questions. I am happy with my weight loss and was relieved at my first fill when Dr. So said the band looked good and was in a good place. I had 4.5 cc's put in. BUT, the thing I really struggle with is not drinking while eating. I have changed my eating habits drastically, I'm eating healthier, taking my time, chewing slower etc. However, I have taken sips during a meal and have even drank water after a meal. I have read all the tricks, like putting ice in a glass and only drinking whatever melts in the glass during my meal or sucking on an ice cube. I know it's going to take me being disciplined and JUST doing it, but here is my question. Why is it so bad to drink with a meal? I don't fully understand WHY I can not do this. Question #2. How do I know when I need my second fill? Thank you for any help/advice!

Shelby, Congratulations! You look amazing. Best wishes as you move forward with your goals! Your hard work has paid off!

I just went to Mexico one week ago today to get a fill from Dr. So. He told me to only fast 2 hours prior to the fill. I had breakfast that morning and didn't eat or drink for more like 3 hours before he fill and all was fine. It went very well. He said my band was in the perfect place at the right angle. I had 4.5cc's put in. I was exactly like you before the fill, no restriction unless I really over ate. I was very nervous about the fill and afraid it would hurt. It doesn't. It felt like a slight pinch and it's over before you know it. Anyway, best wishes with your fill!!

Eight lbs seems like such a small amount to gain for being 7 months pregnant. Anyway, I'm glad you got the unfill so you can get some important protein down for the baby.

Sorry you are going through this. I did not feel nauseous but I know someone who did so everyone kind of goes through this differently. Hope you feel better.

I met a new friend that was banded the same day as I was. She had very bad gas pains post op. All of the OCC doctors said that Gas X really doesn't work. She did put a heating pad on her tummy and that was NOT a good thing to do. It melted the glue from one of her incisions and it opened up! The OCC docs told her no warm pads on the tummy! Walking is what is recommended.

Widlee said "...well you know you are suppose to start your journey and knowing how to pick your food and eat healthy and drinking 45mins after you eat and all that jazz. pretty much you have to do this on your own... you gotta stop yourself from eating too much and picking the right foods, because when you do get your 1st fill and feel the restriction, it's gonna feel like you have no self control and constantly getting stuck and stuff... you really gotta practice your new lifestyle change." I very much agree with this. I felt no restriction after the 21 days of liquid. I have a high BMI. The 21 days of liquid was the hardest part of this journey for me. What I have learned from reading the Forum is that everyone is so different. I lost a lot of weight on liquids, about 20 lbs. in 21 days. I lost 9 more lbs during the next 3 weeks before my first fill. With no restriction, I had to concentrate on portion control big time. I had to eat healthy. I could eat all the foods bandsters say they have trouble with. I could eat bread, tortillas, mashed potatoes, rice, pizza etc. Even though I could eat these foods, I ate very, very, little of them because they are fattening. I had 4.5 cc's put in with my first fill. The first few days on solids, I slimed 3 times. Once on bread, once on organic pizza with a thin cracker like crust and once from not chewing chicken breast enough. Anyway, the term "Bandster Hell" refers to the 3 weeks following liquids before your first fill, when most bandsters feel no restriction.

Wait. I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying that contestants on this seaon of "The Biggest Loser" have previously had either Gastric Bypass Surgery or Lap Band Surgery? That goes against what the show stands for!