WAgal banded on Feb 28th

[WAgal]

ok.. so now i can see all the pics .. you are sooo pretty and Dr. Ortiz is a hottie! Your info is all squished together and can't find the "add as friend button" lol

www.myspace.com/mindiluwho

Oh you are too kind!! Did you not see me lying down on the bed right before surgery? I look pretty gross there!!! Thanks though... I'll take compliments anytime... it encourages me more to get on with the goal!!!

Blessings,

Hanna

[WAgal]

Well I'll say ladies.....what about the rest of us.......remember us little us that gave yal all the answers BEFORE you got banded......hello

I am so excited for all of you. See, it was just the way we said it. =D>

Trust me it gets better...enjoy not being hungry cause that will change soon. We all need each other, so keep the posts coming! You all sound like your finding your way.

One question, how do you post the weight tracker on our posts??? Please let me know!

God is 4 You >

Monet,

Click on the tracker thingy you like... then it will lead you to a website to create your own. click and copy all of the code that it gives, pick the one for bb or postings. then you have to paste it along with your message.... so it looks like code when you are posting.. that's if I remember it correctly.

Hanna

[sparetire]

Monet,

Click on the tracker thingy you like... then it will lead you to a website to create your own. click and copy all of the code that it gives, pick the one for bb or postings. then you have to paste it along with your message.... so it looks like code when you are posting.. that's if I remember it correctly.

Hanna

OR put it in your signature. it automatically updates when you update your tracker.

val

[Kate]

Now I am getting scared. I am having such a hard time with the pre-op diet...darn scale won't budge. Is there such a thing as starvation mode? I have heard that when you limit your intake beyond a certain point, your body will go into starvation mode and hang onto every ounce it can. I found this when I didn't strictly follow herbalmagic plan, and ate less than what they recommended. after i bumped up my caloric intake just a touch, my weight went down again. is anyone worried about this during pre-op and post op? Or am i just paranoid?

I guess we all worry about this.

I'm so over this pre-op diet. I'm about to turn green and I seem stuck too. I've lost 9 lbs and I'm ready to gnaw my own arm off (God forgive me!).

Then just thinking about the weeks ahead is starting to scare me too. I sure hope there's an end to this hunger. That's the point, isn't it?

We can do this. It's right around the corner! Kate

[WAgal]

I guess we all worry about this.

I'm so over this pre-op diet. I'm about to turn green and I seem stuck too. I've lost 9 lbs and I'm ready to gnaw my own arm off (God forgive me!).

Then just thinking about the weeks ahead is starting to scare me too. I sure hope there's an end to this hunger. That's the point, isn't it?

We can do this. It's right around the corner! Kate

Girls... I empathize with you... I felt that way when I was doing the pre-op diet too. But guess what... when you are in our/my stage you're not hungry. So there's no hunger... it's in your head. You kinda have these food withdrawals I guess. You will be able to eat normally again but it just takes time to get there... mine in on the 18th of March.. I think...gotta check my paperwork. There are rewards... like right now the lbs. are dropping off. It's cool and you will be encouraged... we'll help you here!!!

Have a nice day ladies!!

Hanna

[WAgal]

OR put it in your signature. it automatically updates when you update your tracker.

val

Thanks Sparetire. I did this yesterday.. it's nice that it does the update automatically! Nice.. God4me, has this answered your question as to how to do it?

WAgal

[Kate]

Girls... I empathize with you... I felt that way when I was doing the pre-op diet too. But guess what... when you are in our/my stage you're not hungry. So there's no hunger... it's in your head. You kinda have these food withdrawals I guess. You will be able to eat normally again but it just takes time to get there... mine in on the 18th of March.. I think...gotta check my paperwork. There are rewards... like right now the lbs. are dropping off. It's cool and you will be encouraged... we'll help you here!!!

Have a nice day ladies!!

Hanna

Thanks, Hanna! It's encouraging to know I won't be feeling this hungry for too much longer. (And congrats to you on the pounds dropping off!)

I have really enjoyed reading all the posts from your group of bandsters. You've been so active and candid with your posts and I am sure many of us getting ready to go have appreciated your comments and encouragement.

I'm better today. We fly out tomorrow and I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the March 10th gang at the hotel Sunday afternoon.

I am READY!

Kate

[tootsie_lou]

Hi Hanna and all the gang!

We have already begun looking into our fill trip to the OCC. Because of circumstances we booked our original flights just before we left on 2/27 (and paid dearly for it). This time we are doing a little long range planning. Besides that, a considerable amount of healing has occurred in the last 8 days, so we can actually think about going back- haha. Alyssa is at 10 pounds lost already!! I am going at half her rate, I am at a little over 5 lbs lost.

I was thinking that I would have some of the dental work done that the dentist suggested--mainly replacing a couple of fillings she thought needed replaced. Does anyone know if you can have that type of work done and have the zoom whitening at the same time?

I hope everyone is well on their way to feeling better. I had a significant problem with the gas pain--and this may sound gross and terribly inappropriate, but I had no idea the lower half of my body could ever make some of the sounds it has made in the last week!! I mean really!! Luckily that is subsiding alot as each day passes. Stay well all!

Diana

[magpel]

What I've noticed is that when I start to feel hungry - get those hunger pains - they only last for a short while. So if you can just remember that the hungry pains go away within 20 minutes, you'll be able to hold off. Having a nice ice cold glass or water how some nice brewed tea really helps me. I started my solids last night. It was really strange eating. I was really nervous, too. I took small bites and chewed, chewed, chewed, and chewed! I ate a small amount and was full. The hard thing for me is drinking. I love to drink some water while I'm eating. I really have to work on that. I didn't drink anything during my meal, but it was there, just staring at me! It's almost worse than the way you have to eat, and how much you can eat. Isn't that funny.

Anyway, I'm going to keep it up. I'm sure I'll get used to not drinking while eating.

Good Luck!!

[WAgal]

Thanks, Hanna! It's encouraging to know I won't be feeling this hungry for too much longer. (And congrats to you on the pounds dropping off!)

I have really enjoyed reading all the posts from your group of bandsters. You've been so active and candid with your posts and I am sure many of us getting ready to go have appreciated your comments and encouragement.

I'm better today. We fly out tomorrow and I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the March 10th gang at the hotel Sunday afternoon.

I am READY!

Kate

Kate!

Yay!! Surgery date... I know how I couldn't wait until that day. Remember your positive attitude goes a long way while traveling there and your experience. Talk with as much or as little to people you are comfortable with that are going to be there for your surgery. You'll find they are all thinking the same thing you are... Ha Ha Ha!!! LOL. I remember talking to Mackenzie when she I first saw her doing her after surgery morning walk in the lobby, I actually talked to all patients that seemed willing to describe their experience and describe their pain if they were willing. Guess what? They were all willing! It helps to relax us and alleviate anxiety of the unexpected. I just hope I wasn't too annoying. Have a wonderful experience and I will be praying for you and the others.

Hanna =D>

[WAgal]

Hi Hanna and all the gang!

We have already begun looking into our fill trip to the OCC. Because of circumstances we booked our original flights just before we left on 2/27 (and paid dearly for it). This time we are doing a little long range planning. Besides that, a considerable amount of healing has occurred in the last 8 days, so we can actually think about going back- haha. Alyssa is at 10 pounds lost already!! I am going at half her rate, I am at a little over 5 lbs lost.

I was thinking that I would have some of the dental work done that the dentist suggested--mainly replacing a couple of fillings she thought needed replaced. Does anyone know if you can have that type of work done and have the zoom whitening at the same time?

I hope everyone is well on their way to feeling better. I had a significant problem with the gas pain--and this may sound gross and terribly inappropriate, but I had no idea the lower half of my body could ever make some of the sounds it has made in the last week!! I mean really!! Luckily that is subsiding alot as each day passes. Stay well all!

Diana

Diana,

The gas!!! LOL It is definitely the same here... Still having them. By the way today I stayed at the same weight. 178 so I guess I'm stabilizing. I also felt a hunger pang for the first time! Drank water and then bloated again. I had fillings fixed morning after surgery and have already talked about getting more work done. I did deep cleaning too, but I have a tooth to replace and we were kind of talking about having my bite fixed before an implant. I'll be seeing their Orthodontist specialist next time I come.. She was very gentle and no pain at all... maybe 'cause I was still on pain meds from surgery. The fillings she put on me are staying in place and looks better than the silver/mercury I had before. I hope this helps. I think there is a direct email address for the dentist on the obesitycontrolcenter.com site. Email her directly and ask. May the force continue to be with you! Again the "force" not to eat until we are suppose to anyways!

Hanna

[ZnewMe33]

HI Diana,

Hope you and your daughter are doing well... are you tired of the liquids yet? I sure am... I need some crunch in my mouth! hehe!...So I finally weighed myself, I've lost a total of 13lbs, I think on my pre-op I only lost like 7lbs, so since the surgery its been another 6lbs. This will probably be the month we all loose great amounts of weight, cause as soon as our 20th day hits and we can eat solids once again, the weight is not going to be coming off as easy.

So when is it that your coming for your 1st fill? I can probably meet you the day you come, let me know so I can call and make my appointment and maybe hang out with you two for a bit. I live 2hrs away so I won't be staying the night anywhere.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Zulma

"if you can't drink it... don't eat it"

Dr. Miranda

Hi God4me-

We were all saying when we were at the clinic how valuable the forum was to us, and everyone expressed amazement at how folks did it prior to the forum. Before the trip for surgery we were on the forum everyday devouring everything about this procedure. For us (me and teenage daughter), it really helped us prepare not only for the the procedure itself, but also with the details of traveling to Mexico. On behalf of all of us Newbie bandsters, thanks to all who made their way before us and have posted here to let the rest of us know what to expect. Your experience and posts have been invaluable!!

Blessings,

Diana

[Mackenzie]

Hi everyone! I was banded on 2/27 and I have lost 21 lbs so far- (including the 10 i lost during the preop) I should have lost 23 by now, but i think my body has gone into starvation mode bc i wasnt eating enough calories! i am SO SICK of liquids that i dont really want to drink/eat anymore....however, i am glad that we have to be on liquids for 21 days bc i think it cleanses our palates! when we go back to eating food (at least for me) i am going to change the way i cook and the foods i buy- i will still induldge in the occasionaly cookie or whatever, but ill be buying fat free/low fat food items. I have gotten so many compliments already on my weight loss i will never go back to being 313. I was fat, lost 80 lbs on my own- went to 188 and then gained it all back plus some. i will NEVER go thru this again. bc i was much happier when i was skinny...anyway this has gotten a bit off topic - but i hope everyone is well. IT IS SO HARD not eating! my friends and my hubby are going out to eat tonight and Im going to stay home bc it just doesnt sound fun to me since i cant eat- and its been rough as I know i have a food addiction ( i guess i am a bit scared to start EATING again bc i dont want to take advantage of the food) anyone else feel this way?

[WAgal]

What I've noticed is that when I start to feel hungry - get those hunger pains - they only last for a short while. So if you can just remember that the hungry pains go away within 20 minutes, you'll be able to hold off. Having a nice ice cold glass or water how some nice brewed tea really helps me. I started my solids last night. It was really strange eating. I was really nervous, too. I took small bites and chewed, chewed, chewed, and chewed! I ate a small amount and was full. The hard thing for me is drinking. I love to drink some water while I'm eating. I really have to work on that. I didn't drink anything during my meal, but it was there, just staring at me! It's almost worse than the way you have to eat, and how much you can eat. Isn't that funny.

Anyway, I'm going to keep it up. I'm sure I'll get used to not drinking while eating.

Good Luck!!

Magpel,

I can't wait to be where you are. I'm kinda scared too but so sick of drinking only, I'm with Mackenzie! My paperwork said to chew 30 times before you swallow. That reminds me of how I used to chew meat when I was kid. I practiced chewing before I got banded and the food is like mush before you get to swallow it. I didn't realize it either (again before being banded) that I drank so much while I was eating. It's definitely something I'm gonna have to work on. Right now I seem to be able to drink 1 cup per sitting before feeling bloated. I walk around and give myself another 30-60 mins. before I'll drink anything again. Dr. Miranda got back to me in an email I sent her about not putting ground turkey or chicken during your liquid diet stage. She said it's great about the lbs. dropping off but she is only concerned about the healing process right now. She said worry about loosing lbs. after the required healing period.

Just as a reminder ladies, we have to protect our friend (investment) the band, to be able to do it's thing so I'm following to the T what I'm suppose to with my diet. My dog has been having a field day, everyday after dinner since I've been giving him left overs. He is SO happy! Another realization ladies, during meals, when my little girls don't finish their food, I became the food disposal. I hate wasting food, uh then I guess, so I'd try to finish off what was not consumed. Terrible habit!! Now no more... since I can't the dog gets it. LOL... I will definitely not do that anymore... Fat habit #1 will be eliminated effective immediately (March 18th in my case). I definitely have been getting hunger pangs when I don't drink something w/in 2 hours. I'm off to drink water right now...

Keep posting Magpel.. I can at least hear about your experience while waiting to get to that point... specifically foods that go down fine and those that give you trouble!!

Hanna

[WAgal]

Good morning ladies! I just went out to breakfast!! Yeah with my family and sat down, had my slim fast and coffee then watch my family eat. That was hard!! It was also a good trial run to see if I could withstand it! It was actually nice that I didn't have to cook for my family this morning, it gave me a break. My kids and hubby were great, they sympathized with me but I kept telling them in 10 DAYS, I will be able to eat w/them. They are so cute... very concerned that Mommy might be miserable. Well I sort of am but hey... it's temporary. I kind of like the idea that I'm dropped some lbs. I am getting compliments from my sibblings where I posted on myspace. My sisters says I already look skinny. Wow, I thought, 'cause I still don't see it. Next year, definitely skinny jeans!!

Today's issues... worried 'cause I've only had two bowel movements since surgery.. that's umm 9 days!! I feel okay... lots of peeing. I hope you are all okay with my candidness about these posts. If you are not, please say so.. and I will definitely stop. My face pimples are disappering, thank God! I'm so much better today too as far as port area pain. Now I actually press and feel it right underneath. Still a strange idea to have an implant in me but happy with results so far. I'm going to check out LAFitness near my home to see if I can get going on the exercise more. I get lazy to walk sometimes 'cause it's so cold still here and it's already March! Want to get a regular exercise routine going so I can get toned as I loose. Anybody on tips of what they are doing for exercise????

Love life: I read a little something here about the umm ...resuming love making activity.. when after surgery can you? i'm afraid to reopen my sutures but hubby is getting frisky. anybody out there has an answer? should i be asking dr. ortiz about this.. it wasn't addressed during consult or after surgery.

Thanks again for all of you who contribute!!! I will return the favor in the future!!

Hanna

[lna228]

Hi everyone this is Linda from Florida!!

I just know have found time to post. I have been reading all of you accounts and have experienced some of the same experiences. Hannah I am with you there with the constipation. MOM is my friend. I am getting tired of liquids and counting the days until I can have solids. I am planning to go back to Dr. Ortiz for my first fill. Is anyone else?

Linda

[WAgal]

Hi everyone this is Linda from Florida!!

I just know have found time to post. I have been reading all of you accounts and have experienced some of the same experiences. Hannah I am with you there with the constipation. MOM is my friend. I am getting tired of liquids and counting the days until I can have solids. I am planning to go back to Dr. Ortiz for my first fill. Is anyone else?

Linda

Linda!! Yay... I'm finally glad to hear from you here! Great, we have Zulma, Diana & Alyssa, me and now you trying to do the fills together. Zulma is only a few hours drive and the rest of us are flying in. Okay... let's shoot for some dates and get coordinated. We can all be there to meet each other, maybe do lunch or coffee somewhere before we go in to do our fills? Our 6-8 weeks out would fall on April 10 - 24th. We all have different healing time so what about shooting in the middle like the April 17, that would be the 7th week. We'll all probably have diff. flight times since we're coming from all diff. parts of the country. I think it would be great to have Zulma with us! Yay, since she has an advantage, she can speak Spanish and I would feel better once we cross the border. Post back please... anyone else doing their fills about this time is welcome to join us!!! Wow.. I'm excited, we can have a mini reunion already! By the way, our pic from the restaurant is on myspace.. it's on the 2nd page of this section.. click and view us... It wasn't fair... I was in front and all of me is showing!!! LOL. I definitely will move in the back next time we take group pics!!! Cool..so please post back or leave me a message on myspace. Hey has anyone heard from Melody or Lisa or Stephanie???

Hanna =D>

[MamaMichelle]

Here's the pic for you Hannah- That way everyone can see it!

[WAgal]

Here's the pic for you Hannah- That way everyone can see it!

Thanks MamaMichele! I'm the one in the black looking very big!!! My daughter is the one on the left and she's 4 months pregnant, she was my companion for the surgery. See what I mean... I am definitely going to the back of the talbe next time for group pics!!! LOL!!

Hanna :-?

[scared]

I saw you your pictures on my space and I cant tell you how much they put me at ease... I believe I am making the right decision.

Thank you so much

I did have one question... Everyone has to walk across the border? with you luggage?. how long is it? is it dangerous? My mom is coming with me and she is 69yrs, so it is of great concern to me..

please get back to me soon. Scheduled for 4/11/08

Marilyn

[Mackenzie]

I saw you your pictures on my space and I cant tell you how much they put me at ease... I believe I am making the right decision.

Thank you so much

I did have one question... Everyone has to walk across the border? with you luggage?. how long is it? is it dangerous? My mom is coming with me and she is 69yrs, so it is of great concern to me..

please get back to me soon. Scheduled for 4/11/08

Marilyn

the driver drops you off RIGHT at the door pretty much-you just walk inside (15 feet) to show them your ID/passport, then another 15 feet or so to put your bag thru security...then you walk across the street to meet the driver in a parking lot- its not far at all- but i would suggest a wheel bag and pack pretty light!!! Its not dangerous at all you are at the US border with security/cops everywhere. It doesnt take long at all as you go thru an expedited line while you are in the car and inside of customs! No worries!

[WAgal]

I saw you your pictures on my space and I cant tell you how much they put me at ease... I believe I am making the right decision.

Thank you so much

I did have one question... Everyone has to walk across the border? with you luggage?. how long is it? is it dangerous? My mom is coming with me and she is 69yrs, so it is of great concern to me..

please get back to me soon. Scheduled for 4/11/08

Marilyn

Hello scared! I'm glad that you've been put at ease. We didn't have to get off the van on the way in but I think that you walk 15 feet or so to cross the border on your return trip to the airport. I crossed on foot with some bandster friends we met at the center. It was about a 20 min. wait slow walk/line waiting. Not too bad at all. I'm glad the pics. helped that was the purpose to answer some questions in your head about the process, what it looks like. I was where you are so you will be just fine.

Oh.. and yes w/your luggage and no it's not dangerous, it's routine. Francisco will be on the other side waiting for you.

[WAgal]

Our fill is in 2 days! Here's the plan. Here's the agenda so far.

April 17, Thursday- dinner @ 6pm, meet at Omni Hotel

suggestion for restaurant? ~Harbor House Restaurant at Seaport Village?

April 18, Friday - pick up by Zulma @ 8am lobby at Omni Hotel

April 18, Friday - return to border by 4:30 pm... Zulma and Michelle has to get home

If you have any suggestions as to the restaurant then please email me at ramilhanna@gmail.com, we can swap cell numbers via email.

See you soon.. very excited!!!!