FurEllie

They have the small coffee makers in the rooms and usually give you a small basket of fruit (pear, apple and banana). Sometimes if you check in at a certain time and put the "Do not disturb" sign on your door, you'll miss the fruit (and chocolate mint!) delivery, but a quick call to the front desk fixes that. I've only eaten in one of the restaurants and gotten room service and TBH, never have had breakfast. But I'm 100% sure at least one restaurant in the hotel serves it as well as room service. There's also a little zippy mart type place across the road - if you're looking from the lobby out, it's approx 10:00 on the circle. There's also a Costco further down the road towards the back of the hotel. In case you were wondering, no power adapters needed - they use US voltage. So far everywhere I've gone they've taken USD and most of the time your bill will have both USD and Pesos amounts on it. The staff there is SO nice!!

I'm the odd one out - I had 1.5 and couldn't even keep water down Just got back and now have .8 - doesn't sound like much at ALL! So far I'm feeling "full" after eating small amounts but no trouble getting anything down. I'm going to sit on this for a month or so and see if I need more - surely I will since this seems like such a small amount. I've lost 22 pounds in 2.5 months. Not a lot but in reality, just got my first "real" fill so I figure that's 22 pounds I wouldn't have lost (and probably would have gained.....).

I bought some cheapie Fruit of the Loom sport bras at Walmart and wore baggy shirts for a couple of weeks after surgery. My underwire hit RIGHT at an incision so I waited to wear one. I was "hangin' low and wide" but I didn't care I can't remember how much $$ I took - I didn't go shopping and probably didn't spend more than $50. I just got back and didn't even think to take the 200 pesos I have with me from my last trip

I admit, I'm just 10 weeks post op and I've had a couple of carbonated beverages (and literally, a couple - 2). I didn't drink a lot nor did I have any problems. I haven't had a real fill yet (first one was too much) so that might change after tomorrow!!

Agree with the others - pack VERY light. You really don't need that much. Unless you're flying into MX directly, you can take whatever you normally take on an airplane. Since my recent trips have been 2 days, I haven't been taking more than a carry on. SO much easier. Just put your liquids in a separate bag for carry on and as other said, no more then 3oz. There are plenty of places to buy water/Gatorade/etc. inside the SD airport for your ride back. iPods and stuff are OK - I have a small video player I've taken down and I've seen several people with their laptops. Most cell companies require you to activate Mexico calling so if you haven't and want to use your cell, do that. You can also make free calls from the clinic

Lots of reading material, lol I read in the OCC, the hotel and the airport (they tend to get you there early). Also take some of the packets that go into water and liquid medications if you need them. And don't forget to take all the phone numbers of the OCC with you. Best of luck

True. I had 1.5cc for my first fill and it was too much and I had to be unfilled the next week. I'm going to see if he'll start at 1cc this Wed. After being overfilled, I think I'd rather be underfilled - less need to get down there ASAP, lol. Everyone is so different that there's just no way of telling until you have it done and see if it works or not!

I'm self employed also and have my own policy. Check with the laws in your state, but here in GA, my insurance company can't cancel me unless I lie to them about something (it's more legalese than that, lol). The only "emergency" situation I had was an unfill and I went to TJ for it so I don't know about if it would cover the ER visit. I would think they probably WOULDN'T, but the worse they could do - at least here - is not pay the bill. I eat bread all the time too - in fact had some last night. So far, it hasn't been an issue but I don't have a fill yet. I chew, chew, chew though - you will learn very quickly if your band wants you to chew more

OK, waiting to hear back from Rene but right now I'm flying in to SD at 11AM on the 16th, getting the fill, staying overnight and coming home at 12PM on the 17th if anyone wants to come with Teri - did you get your fill on the 9th? If so, how are things going? I'm a little paranoid since the overfill last month didn't kick in for a few days and then I had to get back down there ASAP, but hey - I'm getting to know all the workers at the SD airport and the drivers well, lol

Me. I told some of my family and waited until the day before I left. I really wasn't planning on telling them at all but then I realized if something happened in TJ, I'd probably need to call them and didn't want them to be surprised. In hindsight, BIG MISTAKE. Now everytime I hear from them it's "So, how much weight have you lost?". Apparently they think I'm going to lose 100 pounds the first month. They are quite disappointed when I tell them I've lost 20 pounds in 2 months. I told 2 friends - one who took me to and picked me up from the airport. She had gastric bypass 20+ years ago but has gained the weight back. She was very encouraging and I've given her my lapband books. She has several health problems and can probably get it done in the states with insurance. The other friend's husband was getting gastric bypass and she spends every second telling me lapband won't work (she references a friend of ours who had it done 4-5 years ago at a size 24. She hasn't had a fill "in years", and now "fluctuates between a 10 and 16". Personally if someone's a 24 and the highest they are now is a 16 with no fills, I think she'd doing pretty damn good). Of course her husband has lost more actual WEIGHT than I have, but will be out of work for 6 weeks and percentage wise, we've lost the same. But she doesn's see it that way. Frankly I'm a little tired of her pessimistic attitude. He did what was right for him (he had MULTIPLE medical problems and was told he wouldn't make it 2 more years (32) if he didn't lose weight ASAP) and I did what was right for me. She doesn't get that. No one else knows. Friends, other family members, neighbors, etc. all think I had a hiatal hernia removed - which I did so it's not a lie

Call the OCC and tell them what's going on. That's what I did with my first fill - seems it was too much and they made room for me immediately to get an unfill. They are EXTREMELY helpful and really your best bet for info.

The only thing I see is the Jello. Dr. Miranda was pretty clear about NOT eating Jello for your "clear" liquids period. The hotel staff is obviously very used to Dr. Ortiz's patients (and it's kinda funny looking around the lobby and knowing who is one - c'mon, let's admit we're all pretty much overweight American women )

I had my first fill (1.5cc) on April 16. Honestly felt little to no restriction until Wednesday and by Friday, I couldn't even keep water down Had a unfill the following Monday (completely since I was getting ready to leave the country on vacation - literally left the next day) and now of course NO restriction! I've heard others say it's taken up to 2 weeks to "feel a full". I'd sit back and see what happens over the next 2 weeks and go from there. One of the girls I was banded with went back with me on the 16th, got 1.7cc and feels hardly any restriction at all - it's all so personal!

Thank goodness the Immodium worked for the 4+ plane trip back (I'm sure it did nothing for the gas - I was asleep - sorry fellow passengers!) and the 2 hour drive home. Just get the TP with the aloe in it - I even bought some diaper rash cream!

I worried like CRAZY about it until after the surgery, lol. I honestly thought about cancelling all the way until I was knocked out. You have NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT! Seriously, it's one of the easiest things I've ever been through and even though I'm gaining some back after getting unfilled and going on vacation, I am SO glad I made this step to start losing weight - you will too!!

Well that bites - I wonder if they'd give me a free ride back if I lost enough money In looking over some, they are full for this coming weekend. Might have to take a trip elsewhere after the fill though I've also thought about staying at the beach in SD - but will probably wait to lose some more weight, lol.

Terri - PMing you now

Have you used them Pamela? Chattanooga is only about 2 hours from me - about the same time it takes to get to the ATL airport so it would be convenient if they are good

It does help and makes perfect sense! I know I'm not eating near as much protein now as I was when I was on the liquid portion after the band. I need to start adding my Unjury unflavored to more stuff. Thanks

If you're staying at the OCC hotel (Lucerna? Been there 3 times and still can't remember....), they have wireless access. They also have a computer in the lobby if you only need to check web based email and don't want to take a laptop.

I know this sounds crazy, but DO NOT LET YOURSELF EAT SWEETS FOR A FEW WEEKS! I did that right after my band being on the liquid diet. I found I no longer had the cravings. However, after I got overfilled and unfilled, I started eating sweets again and the intense cravings are back. Honestly I've always eaten a big meal, and then something sweet - just to satisfy me. I HAD to have sweets. I finally threw EVERYTHING sweet out of the house. Period. And this is from someone who can easily eat a box of chocolate, several Reese's, a complete pan of brownies - all at the same time! I remember when I did Atkins that they said the carb craving will go away after a certain period of time and honestly, it worked for me. Now I just need to get back to TJ, get a fill, get back on liquids for a few days and start eating healthy again. Now I know I just can't eat "some" sweets. Which really sucks, but I'd rather lose the weight. It's hardcore withdrawal though. If you have to have sweets, which seriously I may end up doing, buy 1 thing at a time, take a bite, then put it in the trash and cover it with Tabasco sauce, raw egg, cat poop from the litterbox - whatever you need to make sure you don't dive in there and eat the rest.

Walk, walk, walk and then walk some more. That was the best thing for me and my gas. GasX strips and Gaviscon (sp) help, but honestly, the walking was what helped me the most.

Since it bascially takes 2 days for me to get to TJ and back, I've considered staying a day or so enjoying the city that so far, except for a business trip several years ago, I've only seen the airport of. I saw on the TV that there are some casinos in SD - has anyone been to one? Any recommendations? Or I could save my money and just visit the zoo or something Obviously I'm looking for something that's a quick cab ride from the airport - I don't want to rent a car. Ideas?

Did you have any problems bringing it back over the border?

I will be getting a fill in May - not sure when yet, but the sooner the better - next week or the next - if anyone's interested in sharing a shuttle. I think Francisco is getting sick of me showing up at the airport - this will be 4 times in 2 months