Bandiva

The night before my surgery I started to panic. I was crying and very stressed so I called my husband. He tried to walk me through what I was upset about, he said don't worry about money, your health is worth it, don't worry about procedure, you have researched it and are confident in your choice, he said what else is there.... It was then I realized I was crying becuase I was mourning food as my best friend. I like eating a huge lasagne or whatever, I just don't like being fat. Now there is a bad combination! Now I realize I can have whatever I want AND have the satisfaction of eating and not feeling like a pig after. I have just realized I have to stay away from carbs, because they trigger grazing for me. Best of luck to you, and I wouldn't worry about being nervous, I think it is a good sign.

Hi Everyone. I have an appointment for monday jan 22 at 9am. I will fly in on Sunday the 21st. Is anyone else getting a fill that day? For those of you who have used the bus/trolley system, would you mind sharing your knowledge with me? I am thinking about doing this to say a few pesos! Thanks for your help. Victoria. ps...anyone know any good/inexpensive hotels near San Diego airport?

Thanks for the info on Dr. Neal. I live in Victoria, BC, so that is 'almost' Washington right? The Seattle 'Bash' looks like fun! Thanks again, I am going to call Dr. Neals office before I book my flight to TJ. Thanks. Victoria.

Clynn, thanks for the good advice! I will be going to TJ for my first fill in about a month. I appreciate your help. Are you going again soon?

Jelly...congrats on your banding. I hope you are doing well, let us know! Victoria.

Hello everyone. I seem to have gotten through the worst of it! I have introduced a few soft foods. I haven't lost weight in a couple of days, but I am trying to be patient because I know it stops and starts regularily and sometimes without rhyme or reason. I missed food around the new year because I was lonely and wanted to invite my old friend food over. (Take out). But I didn't and all is well! I am looking forward to getting a fill around the beginning of Feb. Hope everyone is doing well...have a fabulous day!

Hi. I had pain in my shoulder for a couple of days. Nothing terrible, just like I slept on it wrong or something. I think this is from the gas that they use to inflate your stomach from what I understand. Not everyone gets it. Other than that, somedays my incisions were a little tender, and sometimes my port 'pulls' but nothing that I can complain about. It was much less painful than I had anticipated. Best of luck to you! Victoria.

Audree...I am thinking of you. Hope you are doing great. Let me know how you are feeling. I just know you will have been pleasantly suprised. xoxo Everyone else...wishing you the best for your surgery and recovery...we are on such a great journey. My thoughts are with you. Victoria

Hi Everyone. I was banded Dec 18. I live in BC Canada. Let me just say, you have nothing to worry about, you are in the best possible hands. Everything exceeded my expectations. Congrats on your banding! Let me know if I can answer any questions for you.

Kecia...it sounds like you are doing great! Good luck with your surgery. The preop isn't too bad after the first few says. I made sure I wa getting lots of protien in my shakes to help combat hunger. You will both do great!

Hi Tatum. I wish I had done this as young as you. I had such low self esteem due to weight in my late teens that I made some terrible choices. I think the fact that you are doing this is great. Let me know if I can help you at all. You asked if it is hard....no it is not hard. Living as a fat person in a thin world is hard. Just tell yourself there are no other options but to do this the way it is intended. I am very proud of you. I hope you have a good support system to help you through this. It may sound weird, but as we loose weight and are really happy. sometimes 'issues' rear their ugly little heads and we need to deal with them. Surround yourself with awesome people - you deserve it.

Hi Debi. I agree with everything above. Stay calm and you will be just fine. When I talked to the nutritionist she said I could have a light supper the night before but not to eat or drink anything after midnight. I believe this includes gum etc. They are great there. I know someone else going that day-her name is Audree. She was supposed to be banded the same day as me but had something come up. She is really nice. The staff was so good. You have made the right decision in choosing Dr. Ortiz. Make sure you keep in touch - I will send you warm fuzzy thoughts the day of your surgery! Victoria.

I can relate to what you are saying Barbflorida. I loved my experience at the OCC. I am an evangelist for lap bands and I am preaching about Dr. Ortiz! They were so awesome there. My Dr. here in Canada was supportive, but felt a bypass is better than the lap band. Everyone can have an opinion - it doesn't mean he is right! Happy New Year Everyone!

Hello. I was banded by Dr. Otrtiz on Dec 18, 2006. I am so happy to have this new tool. I feel like I have been given a fresh start in life. I had a wonderful experience. I arrived on Sat night and was taken to the hotel. Everyone there was great. It was a peaceful place to stay and the staff was superfriendly and helpful. My companion and I went to Las Arcos (sp). It had live music, it was great to see all the people celebrating as families. Sunday morning I went shopping at the mall a few blocks from the hotel. (Plaza Rio I think) Prices were simaler to Canada, but it was really fun. The had some really nice higher end things that were fun to look at! Sunday afternoon I went to Revolution Ave. You HAVE to go there. I didn't spend a lot of money but it was a lot of fun and a great eye-opener to me! Who would have thought you could buy Viagra on the street? (hehe) The people were great, very friendly. Sunday night I had a lot of anxiety. Cried a lot because I was mourning giving up my old appetite, and I new I was leaving my former best/worst friend (food-bingeing) behind. I hate being fat but I really loved overeating....hmmm. Thant doesn't make much sense. Monday morning I went to the clinic. There were 5 of us. From the moment I arrived I did not have one little bit of anxiety. I could tell I was in good hands. I believe I was exactly where I was meant to be. Surgery was great, the staff were excellent and very skilled. I went back to the hotel Tuesday around noon. THEN...we hired a private tour guy to take us to the factory outlet mall in SanDiego. I shopped from 2:30 to 8:30 without a break! I didn't buy anything for myself but bought stuff for my hubby and sons (21 and 18) and I walked and walked and walked. Then we went back to the hotel. Wed AM I flew back to Canada, and I worked Thurs, Fri, Sat. The only negative thing about my experience was that I got a cold (probably on the plane). I wasn't consuming enough nutrition so my immune system was down. I highly recommend that everyone has chewable vitamins and actually takes them. I had some pain in my shoulder, but other than that I have been pain free. My incisions are TINY and are healing very nicely. The people at the OCC are definately my heroes. I can't wait to go back for my first fill! I hope long-winded itenary helps to reassure someone. I was far more worried than I needed to be. It was not nearly as difficult as I had anticipated. I am so happy with my decision, and for the record...I have lost 22 pounds so far! Happy New Year everyone!