PadresGrrl

I did Brite Smile, and had a couple "zingers" for a couple hours after. The dentist told me to take some advil or tylenol and that worked fine for me. I'm doing a whitening next month locally with a great deal I got on Groupon. It was just over $100. My experience is, it looks really good for a few months and then you just need to follow up. I got the trays, but just don't remember to do it....so I like the 'in and out' of light brightening.

THANK GOD I can eat sushi and rolls. Only ~one~ time I felt gacky/heartburn after eating a piece of a roll. I was so bummed, I thought I was done with sushi...but I tried it again a week or so later...chewed really well, ate really slow...and I was fine. I am fine with eggs...and all meat. I just go slow and chew chew chew. I'm usually really ok at night...the mornings I have to go ~really~ slow. Oh...I used to love salads for lunch...I have a problem with lettuce at lunch time, but not really for dinner...go figure...everyone is different.

Hey MMMgrrl! You know, 21 days of liquid seems ... well...really really hard...but you know, for me..day 5, 6, 7 were the only tough ones. I felt completely better from the procedure and just the 'habit' of eating kicked in, I really wanted to CHEW....my husband around day 14-15...somewhere around there...was like "I have no idea how you're doing this"...but it really wasn't hard....just push through the tough days...you might have a couple...but over all, it's really pretty much a breeze. Best of luck to YOU!!! ~Laura aka PadresGrrl

Hi Annie... It has been a bigger adjustment post fill, then after my 21 days. I have to be much more careful...you know...chew chew chew! And really go slow. If I eat anything too fast...and I don't gobble anything really...I get a really bad heartburn feeling...and I've had to ~get it out~ 4 or 5 times. It's not a dramatic event, but I really try to avoid it, because I don't want to slip my band. I've lost 3.5 pounds since my last post on 2/11. I find myself wishing it was more weight - faster....but you know...slow and steady is a good thing. I was talking to a grrlfriend today and she reminded me where I was...not ~that~ long ago....and where would I be in 6 months from now....and I realized, it really was pretty fast...and I should be stoked. I try not to trip on the scale too much....I just like getting into the 'next bracket' (I call it) I started in the 260's and now I'm in the 220's....those teens just seem so elusive...LOL! I need to figure out how to post pictures...anyway...I went off on a ramble....GOOD LUCK, hang tight...I'm SO GLAD I DID THIS! ~Laura

Hang in there MsIrvine!! You are in the worst of it right now...so, you know...it get's better from here I'm 8 days post first fill now...and down 40 lbs. Slow spots...but you'll do great during this time!! Congrats....!!

Well...technically, I walked back into the US, too...LOL! You'll get out of the OCC van to go through the check point. @ Lindsay, did you use OCC service or catch a cab...or? I drive a special numbered car, so I don't want to drive it out of the country, but I have considered renting a car approved for Mexico travel and just driving it there (easy since I live in San Diego County). I really paid attention and my driver really helped me with the way we were going, so that if I do drive I'd know right where to go. It's SO CLOSE! And SO EASY! LOL, I say that having been a passenger with a guy that drives that drive ~all the time~ Hugs to Bella...I promise...it's SO EASY, SO NICE and SO COMFORTABLE! If you're staying over at the Marriott, it's so nice...same quality, wonderful staff you'd expect at any higher end Marriott Everyone speaks beautiful English....it's just totally not scary and wonderful. My sister went with me (in hindsight, totally could've gone solo) and she was treated VERY well, too! The Marriott pool area is beautiful and it was a really nice place to just walk around...walking felt really good. Here's a head's up.....you are in Mexico....and 99% of the TV stations are in Spanish ...derrrrr, I never thought of it. Bring a couple DVD's and a laptop with you....you'll be glad you did Hope this helps!!

3cc fill...whoa! I can feel it! Down 1.5 lbs since Friday...and that puts me in the 220's...ok, ok, so it's 229...LOL...but I'm out of the 30's! I started in the 260's, pushing 270's...so I am stoked!

OMG!! Thank you so much CANUK for posting this!! I saw the web site on a previous post a couple months ago...and somebody closed all my screens and I hadn't written the name down. I searched through posts for awhile, but couldn't re-find it....YAY! I love this web site!! thankyouthankyouthankyou!

I guess I feel reassured that I'm at least not alone in this. However, I'm so sorry you girls had to hear any of this, too. I have also really noticed how people watch to see how much I eat. Sheesh, work your own plate!! LOL!! I'll post the next winner soon....

Bella, I just went down last Friday for my first fill. If you are having OCC pick you up and take you back over the border, it's just so easy There is a line to cross back into the US....it feels like forever, but it's really not that bad. The center is very close to the border, but traffic is traffic :/ They did ask me what I was bringing back into the country, and this time it was nothing. The first time I did have a couple prescriptions, but no one even asked. The security is kind of like the airport, but I feel more relaxed at the border than I do at the airport...LOL! The driver is very good and made me, both times - both ways, feels very relaxed and comfortable. Good luck...I remember feeling the feelings you have, and having others say "don't worry, it's very easy" but until you do it the first time...it can be a little unnerving. You'll be fine!!

no, it wasn't...just day 5, 6 & 7 were tough...really easy before and after that!!

Hey Everyone... So, I'm keeping a little list of some of the things (mean things) people have said to me. Not to dwell, but rather to digest it without needing to comfort myself with food later. The following have been said to me, to my face....omg...wow. Here's one: "A lot of people get slutty after they lose a lot of weight, we'll see what happens with you" WHOA?!?!!? Huh?!?! What? Here's a good one: "I didn't know you thought you were ugly" Huh? I never said I thought I was ugly, holy crap, I just want to fit into a pair of jeans right...!!! But, that's what THEY think. THEY think 'fat' is 'ugly'. They think 'fat' people who lose weight and finally aren't considered 'ugly' and feel good about themselves...finally, thanks to all the nasty comments hurled our way for so many years, well, are just naturally going to be 'slutty'.... Anyway, I wonder if any of you have heard some crazy stuff. I haven't kept my surgery a secret....now I get why others HAVE chosen that route :/ Oh, and I think YOU are HOT, just the way YOU are! Here's to feeling healthy and strong and rockin' a cute outfit...because you can!

Hey Shoppin!! I lost the link to this site...derrr! Glad to be back...it's surprisingly motivational!! I get my first fill on Friday (2/3/12)!! Can't wait!! We're going to Maui in May, so I have a new focused goal. I am stuck at -38 but I have ~not~ (sigh) been working out ...I know...I need to get going here! I have a 30 pound goal for 4 months...I know I can do it if I really focus and workout! I'm going to get back on WW, too. Hope you're doing good!!!

Hey....How are you doing? You are just a couple weeks ahead of me...did you get your first fill yet? Hoping you're hanging tough!

I'm just getting my first fill in a couple days...but I've lost almost 40 pounds since October 2011. Not too shabby!! I have had only ONE 'situation' ...hubby had KFC (yuck!) but it was all we had for dinner...so I pulled off the skin and started to eat....note, I have eaten chicken with no problems....but not this one. gag. The pre op diet went well, my surgery was a breeze!! And my post op was easy. Ok, day 5 & 6 were probably the hardest...liquid diet for 21 days seems like a really hard task, but really, for me, just days 5 & 6...I think because I felt FULLY recovered from the procedure and I just wanted something to chew. I hung in there and by day 7 I was rolling fine I'm planning on taking it really slow after my fill, but again, I have been able to eat anything....slowly and chewing really well. If I don't I get a 'heartburn' sensation that lasts for about 30 seconds. It's very uncomfortable, but it goes away fast and just reminds me to slow down and chew chew chew. Good luck with your decision...I would do it again it a heartbeat!

Feb 3...first fill. Banded 11/24/11. I can't wait to get my fill, I've been stuck at this weight for 3 weeks! And, I know I could be doing more. Just really looking forward to my adjustment!

@ shoppin4me08: OK, I start on 'solid food' tomorrow, too. Did you band? I thought we were to go right into 'regular' food, but you said 'soft food'. Hmmmm? You've blown past me on pounds dropped during the 21 days. Tomorrow morning will be my official weigh in for the 21 day diet. As of this morning, I was down 13.5 from surgery date (11/24, band) so...I'm guessing, it will be an even 14. But....almost 30 since I decided to do...YAY!! Honestly, of course I wish it was more, but I'm going in the right direction. Good luck Grrl!! I hope you can find something yummy that agrees with you Personally....I just want to eat a little sashemi and a salad. <fingerscrossed>

@ Goldilocks....so, how's it going? I'm a couple months behind you and would love to hear how you're doing!! I am starting back of food tomorrow, kinda nervous :/

this topic is months old, but I'll just throw in my 2 cents...I had success with Weight Watchers before my band...honestly, it was rough because I did feel hungry a lot of the time. My plan is to go back on my WW 'diet' now that I have the band. It is lifestyle...one of the reasons I feel off the WW bandwagon was simply out of laziness...you know, who has time to prepare a fresh healthy meal when you've had a long day at work...and then you hit the drive thru. I'm embarrassed by my past laziness. Look where it got me. Anyway...I have found the meeting I will go to, I will track all my food and exercise...and my hope is that with the band I won't feel the hunger as much and having gone with the extreme commitment of surgery, I will be dedicated to not just a diet to lose 40 pounds...but to a ~real~ lifestyle change, forever. And not quit at 40 pounds, but continue on to a healthy goal weight. I really love these message boards, they empower me everyday. Thanks!

Today is Day 21. I'm feeling like it went faster than I thought it would. Days 5, 6 and 7 were probably the hard days. Around Days, 12, 13, 14 & 15 I wasn't getting enough calories .... around 400-600 a day. Made that adjustment as soon as I realized what was going on. Over all, I lost 13.5 pounds in the last 20 days and really feel good. I'm down 26.6 from the day I made my appointment (10/27/11). I feel like tomorrow the real work starts. I'm excited and feeling empowered! Good luck to all of you....

I understand the cost factor. One thing I didn't really add in was my passport! It was ...hmmmm....about $160 because I needed to expedite. If you don't have a passport, and are even considering a trip out of the country, get it now, so you can avoid the additional cost. I also spent (not much) but around $150 for my vitamins & prescriptions while I was there. I feel so lucky to live so close, I really don't have the travel expenses. Obviously there is a savings for going to Mexico, but I can say my experience has been, I didn't lose out on my quality of care....they were amazing! SO GLAD I WENT TO OCC!

I got my band 11/24/11 247 (decision wt 260) Dr Ortiz this morning 12/7/11 236 Planning to fill in late January... So far, so good! I haven't had any problems....I'm a little nervous to eat solid foods because I've never experienced "stuck" and I'm afraid it will hurt, but I'm guessing that's normal. Other than walking, I haven't done any exercise because of my incisions, but almost all the tape is off now and they look really good. I'm planning on starting my elliptical workouts on Monday (maybe sooner if it feels ok). So, I'm loving it!

Awww...I understand how you feel. I'm thinking you have to be a patient to be on these boards, yes? Did you have surgery? I'm almost 30 years older than you and I just got it done...I don't know anything about thyroid problems, so I don't know what to say other than just saying you're not alone out there...

18!! WOW!!!! WTG!! However...so sorry you can't stomach the soups...I was going a little crazy without any flavor! And with that being said, I'm just down 11 since 11/24. When do you go to solid food? I think we're really close on dates...keep me posted...we can be 'date buddies'!! ~Laura

yeah, I'm not blowing it. Thanks...