RiverBaby

Sorry for the delay in posting a response. Yes, I went back to OCC (I live about 2 hours away). Well, when I said I had good restriction.....that only lasted about a week. Argh! So frustrating! I just went and had my 2nd fill and It feels better. It's been 4 weeks and I'm still feeling what I think is restriction, but I haven't lost any further. It's quite confusing to feel like you are eating less, but the scale still stays the same. I guess it's better than gaining

Yep, I too have the gurgling. I call it the "Draino effect". This is the first time I have felt restriction. Sometimes, I feel like I am over-filled (especially the morning), but then later in the day I feel great. I had surgery October 14, 2010 and I'm only down 20lbs. So I hope this is finally the feeling that everybody has gloated about This is the start of the beginning! Yah!

I just wanted to leave an update from my last fill on January 27, 2011 (Thursday). I had an appt at 9:30 am, but didn't get seen by the doctor until close to 10:30 (he was running late that day). It was a quick fill and I was out the door about 10 minutes later. I once again took a cab (they had to call one for me, as they are no longer waiting outside). The super nice cab driver drove me to the spot that they usually drop people off (they can't get much closer as they will get stuck in the main border crossing line). He even told me, "Wow, lucky you...no line! I couldn't believe it! NO LINE AT ALL! I was totally shocked! I walked right up to the border, went through the revolving gate doors and got in the border inspector line. There was maybe 5 people in front of me and the whole time, I was thinking to myself..."is this how it's supposed to be? Is this normal?". Then I was thinking of the people that were stuck in the shuttle that wouldn't make it across for hours. So I hope this helps people make a decision whether to take the shuttle or cab. Some people may think that it is scary walking across alone, but it wasn't for me. Yes, I may have been the only blonde girl walking across the border at the time, but there were certainly plenty of tourists all around me and I never felt scared. @Lil2LoseLot2Gain I usually park at the Border Station parking. The first lot on the right when you exit the freeway. Yes, it's the same lot as the Mexicoach pick up. Also, another tip: If you prepay the parking attendant it's $1 cheaper.

I have the lap band and haven't been very pleased with the results. I know I've only had it for 3 months and I'm going to be getting my 2nd fill this week. If I had it to do over again, I would have selected the gastric plication. As soon as I can save up more money, I am having this damn band removed and going the plication route. I hate fills, stuck food, pb'ing and sliming! I associate my lap band with having my jaw wired shut. Sometimes you can't eat, but you are starving! I hate that feeling!

The cab was only $5. I am going to get another fill this week, so I will definitely be going by cab. I felt completely safe and secure (I was by myself). You just pick up a cab outside OCC and the cab will take you to the end of the line at the border. You just exit the cab and hop in line. I will be bringing a book to read while in line, plus make sure you have comfy shoes. Maybe the shuttle has been better for other people, but not for me. I prefer to get the early appointment of the day so I can make it back across the border before the line gets too long. If you wait until later in the day, I heard it gets longer.

This is just a FYI for those that are interested in taking a cab instead of waiting for the shuttle. The day after my surgery, the shuttle was going to take a group back over the border at 11 am, I was done at 9am and didn't want to wait around. I took a cab to the border and got in line. Yes, it was a long line but I did it anyway. It took me 2 hours to finally cross over the border, so I told myself that next time I would wait for the shuttle because I thought that it was shorter. Wrong decision! I went in for my first fill at 9am on December 3rd(friday), I was done about 9:30ish and decided to just wait for the shuttle (stupid decision). The shuttle arrived late and we didn't leave until close to 11:30. We got to the TJ border and the shuttle driver said the line was really long so he decided to go to the other nearby border crossing (Otay-Mesa), that line was shorter. We still had to exit the shuttle van and stand in line! We made it across in about 1 1/2 hours, than we had to wait another 30-45 minutes for the shuttle driver to make it across. Then drive another 20 minutes to where are cars were parked (TJ border). I finally made it to my car around 2pm! All in all, I will never take the shuttle again (even though the driver was super nice). I know it's not the shuttle driver's fault as they can't predict the lines, but it is waaaaay more quicker and easier to just take a cab to the border yourself. The line will be long, but it is much quicker than the shuttle.

I just posted this under October Surgeries and Fills, but I can't figure out how to delete this.....oh well

Hi All, I had my surgery October 14/15 and was looking to see if anyone was around that was there at the same time. I just got my first fill (5.5) on December 3 and their was a few people there that I remember. I just would like to see how everyone was doing? Give updates please. I haven't done too well as far as losing weight. I'm only down about 8lbs since surgery, but my first fill was fantastic. I have great restriction! Kari

Hi All, I had my surgery October 14/15 and was looking to see if anyone was around that was there at the same time. I just got my first fill (5.5) on December 3 and their was a few people there that I remember. I just would like to see how everyone was doing? Give updates please. I haven't done too well as far as losing weight. I'm only down about 8lbs since surgery, but my first fill was fantastic. I have great restriction! Kari

I have surgery tomorrow (Oct 14) and super excited... I was also wondering about the restriction right after surgery. I've seen some people post that they felt a restriction after surgery and thus never needed a fill. Did these patients have a high starting BMI? Higher BMI means the band would offer more restriction from the start, right? I have a lower BMI (35) and was just wondering if anyone out there who started with a low BMI felt restriction right after surgery? I hate having to wait 6-8 weeks for a fill to start seeing results.

I'm scheduled for Oct 14th! Yahoo! I'm excited, nervous and scared....I'm driving down by myself!!! Yikes