FurEllie

I am 100% for sure getting a breast life/reduction and depending on what my stomach looks like, a possible tuck. But the boobs are going to be redone - even if I WASN'T getting banded and losing weight.

I am paying about $8K with Dr. Ortiz not including plane fare.

March 5th for me!

My c-section scar and leg surgery scars I have are the same way.

unjury.com has chicken broth with 21 grams of protein: http://www.unjury.com/reg/nutrition.shtml

I am scheduled for March 5. I'm 5'0" and my highest has been 206. I'm working on getting that down to 200 or below before the surgery.

I'm flying home from surgery in Mexico, then flying back for the fill then flying to Europe - all in 2 months. I hope I don't beep!! My main concerns are comfort (wearing elastic pants) and gas on the plane, lol.

I've had stretch marks since I had my son 24 years ago. IME, they don't go away They fade and if you tan, you'll just see small lines where the stretch marks are, but I lost 50 pounds after the birth of my son (have gained 80 back) and they never "went away".

I hate to admit it, but I haven't started drinking them yet, lol. I'm enjoying my last month of pigging out I ordered a sample pack from unjury.com, one from bariatriceating.com and I have some EAS from who knows when. I just know I was looking in my pantry and found 2 large unopened bottles of vanilla and chocolate of the soy protein! I also want to head to GNC next week and try some of the Isopure RTD in bottles. Anyone used the Magic Bullet to mix the powder drinks with? I don't have one, but I have a crappy old blender that's big and I thought the Magic Bullet might be easier.

I'm self pay and paying $8K for Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. That includes 2 nights at a hotel and a ride from and back to the San Deigo airport. That doesn't include the plane ticket or fills. I will probably have my first fill there, but I'm looking at other options closer to home for long term fills.

Mine is March 5th also! Where are you going? I'll be in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz. I too am worried sick. I've been buying up all the Protein drinks I can find so I can start tasting them and see what works. I also want to make sure I have a stash ready for when I come home as I doubt I'm going to want to go out for a while. I have so many stretch marks from being pregnant, plus a c-section scar that I figure these new ones will just blend in

This is a great thread - thanks! I plan on having a lift/reduction after I get banded and lose at least 50% of the weight I want to lose. Right now I'm a 40DD but even when I was 80 pounds lighter I was a 38D. And after breastfeeding and age/gravity, it seems everything that has to do with sex is all in the same place!! I'd like a B+ cup or a small C. I'm short and big boobs just look goofy on me, even with the extra weight.

My flight from SAN to ATL is a little over 4 hours long. To be blunt, which end is the gas escaping from? I can control a burp here and there, but I really don't want to be stuck on a plane with the gas coming out the other end!! Or is it just gas that stays in the tummy until you take a Gas-X? My fellow passengers thank you for your advice :confused:

Out of curiousity, do you know how much the self pay is there? I have a $5K deductible with my insurance, then they pay 80%. Besides having to wait, it seems about the same for me to go to Mexico as it would be to get it done here, even if I was willing to wait for insurance to OK it. But I am curious what the fees are. My personal doctor said he heard $15-17K in the burbs (he works out of North Fulton Hospital).

I have seriously thought about that issue as I'm being banded in Mexico. I DO know that I'll go for my first fill back to Mexico and if I don't like the fill places around here that treat Mexican band patients, I'll head back to Mexico. Your health is all you have. I can't imagine going through this kind of procedure and then treating myself. Hopefully your $500 a month doctor will give you "attention" if you've done something to hurt yourself. Best of luck.

Didn't she have gastric bypass? Plus she had colon cancer, so I'm sure that would be an issue at some point. I haven't been my goal weight since I was in my 20's (45 now) and it's taken that long to get to this weight. So if I have to have it removed in 10 years and gain it all back in 20+ more, then I'll be happy with that

I have an aisle seat, lol. I guess apple juice and Water are all I'll be eating on the way there and back

Close - up in the mountains It's about a 2 hour drive to and from the airport so it's very nice that a friend is offering a sofa in DT ATL for the night Hopefully I won't need to take her up on it. Have you been banded? If so, where? Looking now for a doctor who will fill bands from Mexico. Lori from Dr. Oritiz's office gave me some numbers I think I found a guy in Woodstock which is only about 45 minutes away.

Thanks The surgery is Monday and for now, I'm scheduled to leave on Wed. I can stay additional nights in TJ or SD if needed and I have a friend in ATL picking me up from the airport who has offered to let me stay at her house Wed night if the trip was rough.

I'm not scheuduled until the first week of March and I'm already petrified, lol. Surgery is surgery. My goal now is to find a doctor who's close who will work on Mexico banded patients. I want to make sure I have a back up plan in case there's an emergency.

Mercy! Thanks for the info folks. This is going to be an interesting flight home

Yes, thank you Kat

Creamy Soups - the only ones I know of have bits in them (cream of broccoli, cream of mushroom, chicken, etc.). Do you have to strain these bits out or will they go down the tube after you're first banded and you're in the full liquid stage? I'm lazy and most of my soups are the Soup at Hand by Campbells. I love the tomato (which I've read will probably be too acidic) and the cream of broccoli. I can strain if needed, but that's SUCH a massive extra step :confused:

I had these after my c-section - they are "belts" but are made out of elastic. You really don't feel them at all. Getting used to having a pad when you're used to tampons would be the biggest issue, IMO, but I use pads WITH my tampons so I don't think I'll notice - if the need arises :confused: But speaking of bending over......I now have visions of wiping myself after using the toilet. OUCH! :omg:

What condition are you in 2 weeks after being banded? I'm considering doing it sooner rather than later, but have an important event coming up 2 weeks after the earliest time it could be scheduled with people who won't know I'm doing this (i.e. limiting my food/drink would be obvious if I'm only supposed be eating mashed foods). Any thoughts? :help: