Mel

Hello everyone, I will have my surgery on the 19th. I have been praying for this day to come soon and here it is, one more week. =D> I have approximately 95 lbs to lose. So far doing ok on the pre-op but I do agree that this liquid diet suck . Good luck to all of you. I am glad to hear that they have the internet there to contact the family

God Bless all of you on this journey :-h :-h :-h

Sally

Hi-

Just wanted all to know that working with Dr. Ortiz was a freat experience. Everyone was very accommodating and kind. You mett all the staff from the drivers to the surgeon and everyone in between. They all made time to stop and talk and explain. It was great. The surgery itself went smoothly, my worst vomplaint is that I still feel a little nauseous-1 day post-op. Pain not bad, but they medicate you with Fentanyl and TRamadol.....the hardest is to walk, walk, walk. It helps gets the gas out. The other patients that arrived were supportive of eachother and looked out after one another. Good place to be!!

I did it,

Melissa

RELAX MELISSA!!! I HATE AND I MEAN HATE NEEDLES. WHEN I SAW THAT THING I WASN'T ANY TO HAPPY ABOUT IT. I THOUGHT "WHAT THE HELL DID I GET MYSELF INTO LOL". BUT, AFTER HAVING MY FIRST FILL, FEELING RESTRICTION, LOSING WEIGHT, IT'S ALLLLLLL WORTH IT AND THEN SOME

YOU'LL DO GREAT!!! THE SURGERY IS A BREEZE!!!

PS IT REALLY DOESN'T HURT, THAT HUGE NEEDLE, IT JUST LOOKS HORRID WE WERE JOKING, LAUGHING, HAVING A GOOD TIME BACK IN MX THAT AFTERNOON

I all!!! Good, I will let you know how it goes! I am HERE!! Surgery tomorrow!!

Melissa

Hi all-

I just read all the posts here.....BSN how are you doing? Did you get the band removed or did Dr. Ortiz fix it? I too have decided to do this surgery without telling anyone. I am a single parent and very close to my parents, but this has been a very difficult decision and a deeply personal one. When I decided to do it, it was like admitting that I had a major problem that I could not fix. I am a "fix it" person and that distresses me. Yes, I have lost my 100 lbs before, only to gain it back.....you know the yo yo. I chose to make this a permanent decision and something that will keep me under control for the rest of my life. I am scared...I go for surgery tomorrow. I fly to Southern California for school every six weeks, so I just extended my trip to include the surgery, telling all that I had to take an extra class. I feel horrible about lying, but also afraid of someone trying to talk me out of this decision, or making me feel ashamed of this decision. I want to be proud of what I have chosen for myself. I hope it goes well.....because as everyone else on this board, we have have invested a lot of time, hopes, and money into this decision.

I will let you know how the surgery goes!!

Melissa

I am so afraid that they are going to tell me I have to postpone my surgery because I didn't lose enough weight. Since Feb.16th I've lost 15lbs but they want more. If someone has been turned down because of this please tell me your experience. Good luck!

Stacy

Stacy and Ginger-

It is our big day!!! I will be there today for pre-op stuff, guess I will meet you then. Surgery tomorrow...(gulp!). I am nervous now.

Melissa

I had the surgery on a Tuesday and went back to work the following Monday. Mobility isn't an issue but you should go easy on the heavy lifting as you will have stitches in your abdominal muscles. Also you should work hard on keeping your protein intake up during the clear liquid stage which will help keep your energy levels up.

Good luck!

Thank you!! I go to OCC today and now I am getting scared. I looked at the pics listed on this website of the OCC from a former pt. I shouldn't have. I am a nurse, but the big needle sticking out of her stomach made me a bit queasy......

Melissa

Hi all!

Sorta just stumbled on this site and just had to join! I'm in the very earliest stages of getting a Lap Band. My local hospital (south eastern WI) has a bariatric program. In January I attended the info meeting (a requirement) but since my insurance doesn't cover surgery for weight loss and I'm not rich, I put everything away (I was going with Mom, who may or may not have the surgery -- she has the good insurance).

And then in the course of life, it got back to my fairly well-off grandfather that I'm in a place in my life where I'm unhappy with my weight, not having success in losing anything (just gained 5 pounds in the last month) and wanting to do things that my weight impedes (running marathons, mountain biking, very physical things like that -- things I really want to do). Well, Grandpa is a sweet person and is willing to foot the bill for me!

I turned in my "application/info sheet" and have spoken to the program coordinator. She feels that I am a good candidate. My first appointment with her, the surgeon and the dietician is this coming Monday (March 12). Then I have 2 appointments in the coming week with a psychologist (take the MMPI, and ensure that I'm not too much of a looney ). I have an empty account set up with the hospital to take my money, and arrangements have been made for me to get the money to put into the account.

So I don't have a surgery date yet. I suppose I could be turned down for some reason (certainly not my weight, but who knows!) But the coordinator says that I should expect the surgery within 4-6 weeks of the first appointment -- which puts me around mid April.

Weird and freaky -- that how I'm feeling. I really want to change my life. I'm willing to go through this. I'm scared but excited. I'm glad this support network is here.

Just wanted to say "hi" right now. More later, I hope.

Bec

Well, Bec-

I will have to let you know how it goes...my big day is Monday!!! Excited and scared at the same time!!

Melissa

Hello. I am not exactly sure how to make posts, but I will try. My surgery with Dr Ortiz is scheduled for 3/11. I am sooooooo nervous and don't really know what to expect. I read his book and am excited to get it over with at the same time.

Heather-

I will be there on 3/11 but for my pre-op, actual surgery on 3/12.....

Hope to see you there though!!

Melissa

Hi-

I am going for surgery on 3/12 in Tijuana. I plan on returning to work as a nurse shortly after. Am I being unreasonable? How much time did everyone take off for work? Do you have to limit activity, lifting etc? I am not one to stay still........

Melissa

Stacy-

I guess I will see you in Tijuana on the 12th as I too will be getting surgery that day. I do understand the need to splurge one last time, but am so worried about losing the 5% of my body weight that I have been religious on the pre-op diet. I don't want to get there and they tell me to go home because I did not lose enough. I don't ever remember my stomach growling and hurting at the same time.

The emotional component is the worst. I feel like I am losing a friend.....Dairy Queen ice cream, McDonald's, steaks...oh you know. They have been with me during all my emotionally stressing times. I am sad to see them leave me, but hope that I can replace them with the healthier me, and perhaps even enjoy hiking, swimming (and a swim suit) without being ashamed. I am looking forward to my new life!

Melissa

Hi all !!

My surgery is all scheduled for March 12th!!! I can hardly wait! The start of 100 pounds lighter.

Melissa