LoriBecky

Please call one of the doctors, if you don't have the cell numbers anymore call me and I'll help you with that. It is most likely gas, but speaking with one of our doctors will put your mind at ease

Ok... this is what I do because it was from a chart I had (I put it all in Excel now - so it calculates it for me) I measure my neck, biceps, forearms, wrists, bust (fullest) under bust, waist, hips, thighs, calves & ankles, as long as you do it in the same place each time - you get an idea of your inches lost. I could probably measure more places, but this is what was on the chart I used to have, so that's what I use. Hope that helps I wouldn't go crazy and measure weekly - like I said I haven't done it for a year, but monthly may be good. Sometimes the inches are a better indicator of your loss than the scale, especially if you are exercising and doing strength training as muscle weighs more than fat! I haven't lost many pounds lately, but the inches keep coming off - may I just say this one more time... wooohooooooooooooo

If you watch a naturally thin person eat (and you can stop yourself from smacking the skinny... well you know) you'll notice that they don't drink much while they eat. When you have the band the reasons for not drinking while you are eating is fairly obvious, but the other side of that is, band or no band, when you drink a lot while you are eating you are diluting the food and it processes through your system faster... you get hungry sooner. I truly believe the band teaches us to eat the way we should have been eating all along. Chew your food well, slow down and don't drink while you are eating. It was a habit I really had to work hard at changing! If I'm at a restaurant I try to drink my water before my meal comes. I may take a small sip during my meal but otherwise, I don't drink at all until an hour after I've eaten. Now its just second nature. There are times, special occasions when I'm out, that I might order a drink with dinner - like wine or a margarita, then i'll have that - but that is rare.

I can take care of that for you BEFORE surgery too that way you can get reimbursement more quickly. I can also state it in a way that won't be specific on the type of surgery if you aren't telling your employer. Just let me know

If it would help you to have me send you a receipt for the $$ up front I can do that - just let me know

ummmmm vigorous no problem - this is ummmm - you know what - Lori is speechless - which is pretty unheard of LOL

call the doctor while I go poke out my minds eye LOL

(peeking around to see if Chelley is here... don't wanna get smacked) ok... I can't say this enough DRINK DRINK DRINK! You need to be taking in a MINIMUM of 64 ounces per day - at least 1/2 of that pure water! It makes a huge difference in the ummm outcome (pun intended!) Drink all day, just not while you are eating or for an hour after! If you really get backed up - you may want to try some milk of magnesia (make sure it doesn't interfer with any meds you are already taking)

I have been on restriction for a YEAR - no exercise because of a back problem that cleared up as I lost weight... then as I lost weight they discovered a very large hernia that I had repaired in March. I have just been released back to exercise - funny, first time i've EVER been excited about exercise! I'm trying to go on a power walk every morning (before it gets too hot) today, because I was sore, I went on a fast walk but not a power walk - but... I did get a "weet woo" from a construction worker - woohoo LOL Exercise not only makes us feel better, it helps with the weight loss and ummmm helps to put things back where they are supposed to be (yes, i'm talking about my derrier!) I also use the quiet time to pray and work on my poetry - so turn off the TV, leave the Ipod at home and get out and enjoy nature, even if it is just to walk to the corner and back!

We do take credits cards, we just take them through Paypal. Too many of our patients would come down, credit card in hand only to have their credit card company not accept the charge because it is a foreign country and that waves a red flag... then we have to cancel that patients surgery. Paypal is a safer, easier way to make your payments without having to give out your credit card number! We still sometimes have some credit card companies not allow the full amount to go through and our patients have to make several smaller payments over the course of several days. If you are speaking of Care Credit, no we don't take them because they don't take us. They won't finance surgeries performed outside of the U.S. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions

there is a toll free # to call for information on shipping charges from our estore - its run by Bariatric Advantage. I think it just depends on what you order! I think the Centrum Chewables are pretty good - but I bought the Target generic of the Centrum - Y I K E S!!! lol never again!

S E V E N T Y pounds but i'm more excited about the inches!!! As you all know I never post this stuff about myself because I want this forum to be about you guys - but what the heck... i'm excited

Ok my bandster buddies, this one is all about ME! Today is one day before my band anniversary, so I measured myself since I had done so the day before my surgery last year. :::::::::Drumroll please:::::::::::: I've lost 65 inches - SIXTY-FIVE INCHES this year - do I hear a roar from the crowd?!?!?!!? lol Thank you guys so much for your support and help in keeping me on track. I finally started really exercising this week (its been a year since I was allowed to exercise, too!!) so I'm hoping the inches keep coming off! I'll be at the clinic next Thursday (6/21) for my 2nd fill. I'm excited to meet those of you that will be there that day Love you guys!! - and I just have to say WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

From a health standpoint - yes, smoking does hurt you! You need to quit a MINIMUM of 2 weeks prior to surgery, more if you've smoked for a long time. I don't believe the smoking does damage to the band... but it certainly doesn't do you any good! Ok... stepping down off my soapbox

during the pre-op tomatoes aren't good - too much sugar - it is green salad - greens only!! I think it would be hilarious to bring Dr. Miranda a big trough of salad... but not sure you can get that across the border LOL oh well... you can just go to the Costco there in TJ! Yes, the fiber capsules do help with the hunger.... but if its head hunger you are dealing with you need to find a diversion... just come to the forum!!!

I add fiber daily into my diet because of IBS (irritable bowel) I use soluable fiber that dissolves completely in liquid (its tasteless and I add it to water or juice. We offer fiber on our website Estore or you can buy it at your local drug/discount store (Benefiber, Metamucil, etc) I believe you can also buy fiber in chewable form. If you have any issues with IBS - this is a great site and is where I purchase my fiber Help For IBS Good luck

That recommendation is for the PRE-OP DIET!!!

Dr. Romero does the fills

You guys are too funny of course all my patients know, and most of my family knows but most of my friends & acquiantences - NOPE they don't - unless I think the band would benefit them and then of course, I tell them. I didn't tell anybody before I went because I didn't want to hear the "Mexico.. are you crazy?!!?!?" I had done my research and knew Dr O was the best surgeon for the job, anywhere in the world!!! Then, because I was so impressed, I started working for him. So... semi-secret bandsters UNITE lol

No... its UP TO 4 pounds of greens per day prior to surgery. For snacking, salads, to help with hunger... you don't HAVE to eat it. I'm just cracking up - I can't imagine someone force feeding themselves 4 pounds of salad a day!!! I love you guys - you keep me smiling

do the chewables! We offer a great line of vitamins at our estore - specifically formulated for bandsters! here's the link: Estore Vitamins

Support & coordinate with other July Fill Patients here Here is the link to theBus/Trolley Info Just call the clinic 1-866-376-7849 ext. 2 to schedule your fill.

Congratulations If we haven't already spoken, I'm sure we will! If you have any questions let me know :-h

if only it were a 100 times LOl I'm just kidding Call me as often as you like, and yes, I'm planning on being at the clinic on the 21st of June... so batton down the hatches TJ here I come LOL I'll visit the surgery patients once they've had their happy juice IV and get them to tell me their secrets bwahahaha

I just answer questions about OCC and our practices - I have no idea how often other centers, or which centers, use the VG band. You may be able to find that out through some internet searches or on other forums There are actually other sized gastric bands out there besides the VG and standard band.