Apple Blossom

I just finished planning my fill. It's going to cost me $100 for the fill, $106 for the flight (Southwest summer bargain), and whatever method I decide on for border crossing, either $65 or $130, so, the cost is less than $350 and it will be under flouro by the "awesome" staff at OCC. I am doing a 1 day trip. I didn't consider a fill center simply b/c my surgery was so great that I want to return to the same place. Judy

Mona, Your after band instructions are a little different from Dr. Ortiz's so I don't really know how to advise you there, but I was banded the same day as you and the burping is a small issue for me also. I am being very patient and not forcing anything out. I noticed that if I tip forward just a little it seems to help. They are very small though. I am feeling less pressure today so I think the gas is just about out. Remember to keep walking. I did some mild housework tonight. I feel better since. Judy down 5 lbs since surgery 7/9 16 since pre op diet 45-50 to go

Frosty, I hope you get a chance to read my testimonial in the July thread. I have ALWAYS bruised and have often been a muti-poke patient. My stick at OCC was the best EVER. A single try, I barely felt it and I am NOT bruised. I have the tiniest little pin prick left...4 days later. I have never had comparable treatment here in the US. The staff is very gentle. Judy 5 lbs down since surgery 4 days ago 16 since pre-op 45-50 to go

Hi all, I'm back home. All in all it was a totally wonderful trip as I previously posted. I am pretty tired and a bit tender tonight but I still call this a minor surgery. I watered some plants in the yard when I got home and I walked around quite a bit to try and get rid of some of the pressure in my upper stomach....gas I suppose. It's managable and not as bad as I had anticipated. I enjoyed meeting the others who were banded the same day as I was. I also met Nicole, who was on for today. I know she's in good care. Hello to Judy(lady558) and Lena! I hope the two of you made it home by now also. To those of you who have dates coming up- please look forward to them... you're going to appreciate your decision soon. If I would have known how great my care was going to be I would have relaxed and enjoyed the wait. Oh, I got Zoom teeth whitening while I was there also, the day after surgery and my teeth are so white! There was not a sales pitch for it but I noticed the flyers on the table and another lady getting banded was a dental hygentist. When she shared the price at home... I decided to get it done. Judy Banded July 9

Thanks for asking! I am doing just fine, although I am NOT yet banded. I did not have the personal support that I needed. I must say that the support I receive from all of you has been wonderful and very much appreciated. Thank you. I also caught a virus and was going to be evaluated for possible postponement upon arrival. I broke down when I tried to kiss my kids goodbye. Thankfully it was very early morning and they were still sleeping. My husband suggested I don't go and that was all it took to head back home for a personal re-evaluation period. I opted out about an hour before my plane was to take off. Since then, we went on vacation and I decided to reschedule. I WILL be banded on July 9, and I won't be going alone. My Mom is supportive, especially since having been diagnosed with diabetes this past month. It is disappointing news, but the timing of the diagnosis it intriguing to me. I discovered that I was not quite as independent as I thought. I don't have a huge amount of weight to lose so I was in some denial of the necessity. My Mom's diagnosis reminds me of reality. She has never been more than 30 lbs overweight. I have yo yo'd much more than she has. I have a better mindset now. Judy To be banded July 9

Haha Kevin....I should have thought twice about "ladies" when I typed it! Thanks for jumping in and offering support. Feeling empowered will be a very welcome change. I had a good cry this morning and poured my heart all over my husband....he's so great. I am as ready as I wll get. My flight leaves at 7 in the morning.... Judy

Aww, Kimber, I'm sorry about your sister. I am so happy for you having having a friend and being banded together. I'd love to meet up. I need to figure out the private message deal. I'll try and figure it out. Judy To be Banded June 6

Good for you Rachelle. Keep yourself first and don't let your faith lessen. Turn the other cheek on his inability to understand the grief of weight. Great job on your loss also! =D> Judy To be Banded June 6

I'm sorry Pammie. This battle is very very emotional. You haven't caused this problem. It sounds like she's going to need more support than ever in the next few months. Thanks for the reminder also. Judy To be Banded June 6

Hi Kimber, I'm going in on the 6th. We'll pass at the Hotel on the 7th. Maybe we can meet for a cup of water lol. Judy To be banded June 6

Thanks Pammie! Looking forward to the results. So far so GREAT! Judy To Be Banded in 3 days

Update, update on the liquid vitamin supplement I "thought" would be good. Lifetime, Life's Basics. I tried it yesterday. I wanted to make sure it was tolerable. First off, it was green, like grass and a tiny bit clumpy. I figured, oh well, green is healthy. It didn't smell too good, but I figured oh well, it's vitamins. Down the hatch. Whoaaaaa-Wow-Ding-Ding-Ding. I thought I was going to thow up. It was positively the foulest substance that has ever touched my mouth. My face must have been something to see! I could not get the stinking flavor out of my mouth. I drank water, rinsed my mouth,drank more and rinsed more. I finally gargled with Scope, but I was still breathing the stuff for many minutes. Blech. I have since ordered the Bariatric Vitaband wafers. They won't get here until I'm in TJ, but they will be here when I return. Maybe my husband will try them for me first...lol. I'm thankful I tried the Life's Basics it ahead of time. Thank you so much for the protein shake recommendations. Judy To be banded in 3 days

Welcome Linda. I understand the sadness. I hope you come across my message about it. I can relate. Hugs to you. I cannot speak from experience since I am not yet banded, but I have read message boards across the internet every chance I get and I have found that these foods are out for sure in the beginning, but as time goes by and you get used to the band, maybe a year or so, some of these are fine so long as you've learned how to properly chew and not over eat. The one I believe I'll miss the most is popcorn. I love it and I have't found anyone who can tolerate it (nor have I asked in specific) I've read of many who eat potatoes and breads that aren't too soft. Everybodys list seems to be a bit different on what "they" can or cannot tolerate. Congratulations on losing 23 lbs on your own so far. Keep up the great work. Judy To be Banded June 6

Ahhh, the liquid diet. I LOVE how the weight if flying off. It's really not as tough as I thought it would be. I have hunger pangs through the night and in the morning, but the day time is okay. Thanks for the Congrats. Judy To be Banded June 6

Hi Fortune, I will be banded on June 6th. I feel confident that we are going to be in good care. That doesn't completely take away my fear of surgery just because it is surgery and it's not "down the street". I hope you make some calls and do some last mintue checks to put your mind at ease. I called Inamed not expecting to get much if any information from them, and to my surprise, I learned quite a bit about Dr. Ortiz's qualifications. They do not give referrals, but my mind is at ease. I'm not sure if we will pass each other or not since I'll go back to the hotel as you go to the hospital, but I look forward to meeting you if we do. I'm planning on using message boards for support. Best Wishes! Judy To be Banded June 6

Thank you Lori. I have definately learned that about you and Carolyn. You're great! Judy To be Banded June 6

Good Luck on your surgery. I bet you'll look marvelous!!! Congratulations. Judy To be Banded June 6

What's your favorite brand and flavor protein drink? There are so many to chose from! I bought a couple different packets at the health foods store today and my husband already has a bucket of Apex high protein drink mix from the gym. A single scoop of that has 23 g protein- mixed w/1 cup milk it's 215 calories. It's vanilla and better than I expected, but I think there's still better out there. I'd like to discover the best tasting drink pre-op so that I'm not experimenting post-op! I also bought a liquid vitamin. Lifetime Brand called Life's Basics. It has many, many nutrients in it, but it was very high in C & B vitamins. I'm feeling the urge to get everything bought so I can pack and do a whirlwind cleaning of the house. It's like nesting! I was thinking to myself as I shopped about how horrid Geritol used to taste as a child!!! I decided on pineapple coconut flavor. I also remembered a field trip w/my sons class to a local science center . They did an experiment eating Jelly Belly's with their nose plugged. It was impossible to know what flavor was in your mouth. This lesson might come in handy <g>. Getting back to topic...do you have a protein drink or vitamin recommendation? Judy To be Banded June 6

Bless you for your kind words! Perspective is so versatile. I need to remember that. Thanks. Judy To be Banded June 6

Congratulations Karmel. It sounds like you are doing so well! Your faith is strong. Judy To be Banded June 6

Hi Ladies, I'm feeling isolated right now. I read about so much excitement over the surgery and I understand it. Success will be a dream come true. Sometimes for a brief moment I feel it too, but I know the feeling is the feeling of hope. I am expecting a long adjustment period and I am scared of it. I don't want to PB, vomit or get something stuck. I'm afraid of slippage or erosion, yet I want to go through with it because I have yo-yo'd massivly for 20+ years now. I am sick and tired of the cycle. I cannot tell my family outside of my husband. It would be far worse to tell than not tell. I wish I could. My children are young. I want them to know how to be healthy because of my example. I have shown them yo-yo'ing instead. ( I am just so darn sad. My husband is staying behind to work and I got my babysitter for the kids while he is at work since this has to be confidential. I have a very dear friend who had gastric by-pass surgery and she is unable to go with me. She is the only single person outside of my husband who will ever know of this surgery....if I can pull it off. I feel so disappointed in myself that I have been unable to conquer my weight battles. I have tried many times to accept myself the way I am and I cannot. I MUST be thin. I hope and pray that this will be the tool to control my hunger and master healthful eating without taking all enjoyment of food away. My determination is strong. My emotions are weak. Anybody else feeling this way? Judy To be Banded June 6

Hi Ashlee, best wishes to you. My date is June 6th. Is there anyone else with this date? Judy

Judy, Thank you very much for the link and access code to this video. It was great. It clarified several questions I had and helped me compile a list of questions I still want answered. I appreciate you sharing your journey. It's helpful to me. Judy -great name