LisaBC

Thanks everyone for your responses.. I'm glad I finally have some restriction although it has been a learning process with the chewing and hoping things won't get stuck. This band is like meeting a few friend and learning about their quirks.

Hi All! I had my second fill approx 2 weeks ago. I am now at 6cc's in an 11cc band. Just wondering if it's normal for restriction to set in 2 weeks after a fill? I found with my first fill, I had restriction fairly soon after, but this time, it's almost like a delayed reaction. Is this normal? I'm not complaining! I actually know what it feels like now for the first time and getting full on a cup of food or less is a learning curve to say the least Thanks! Lisa

I had this as well.. it was a huge bruise and went away on it's own. Nothing to be too worried about!

Nicole1: like otaknam said above, they are all old enough and more than capable of making a meal or figuring out something for themselves to eat. I know how it can be as I have a 17 year old daughter and a 5 year old and a husband that think that I am responsible for making 3 square meals everyday and that my job is in the kitchen. The kitchen is the LAST place I need to be while I am on this weight loss journey. Tell them to grow up and fending for themselves will teach them responsibility and how to do something without having to depend on you 24/7! you really need to focus on getting yourself healthy and being a short order cook after working all day is not going to get you there. I have gone "on strike" several times and it usually gets the message across pretty fast that we are all in this family together and that I am not doing everything on my own. It's hard as a working mom to carve out time for yourself, I so understand that. I would stop on the way home for that ice tea or go window shopping on my way home before having to deal with family stress. You need to unwind and take time to "shift" roles to mom before you get there. Hang in there and put yourself FIRST for a change Lisa

Going for my first fill on Tuesday of next week.. Unsure of what to expect!!

Hi gang Just wondering if any fellow Canucks have gone to Dr. Peggy Burke in Calgary, AB for a fill and what your experience was like. thanks! Lisa

I was banded on Jan 26, so almost two and a half weeks out now. I have just started the last week of full liquids and I feel really good. I am down 25 pounds since starting the two week pre-op diet. The first week after surgery you will not have any physical hunger at all. That was very weird for me to not be eating but feeling very full all the time. During the second week, I started to feel a bit hungry. My incisions are almost all healed now and my energy is back. The first few days you will be very tired. I wish I had stayed an extra day or two longer before coming home to "real" life and taking care of kids etc. All in all, this was the best decision I have made for myself in years. I do advise you to make sure you have an aftercare doctor set up at home for fills etc before booking your surgery. Once you get home, you really are on your own. OCC has been awesome in answering my questions via email since surgery, but this forum has been my saving grace for information. Good luck in making your decision! Dr. Ortiz is wonderful and pretty easy on the eyes too Take care! Lisa

$5000 US

Dr Ortiz in Tijuana, Mexico! top notch all the way (this from a fellow Albertan)

I am from Calgary, AB and had lap band surgery in Tijuana, Mexico with Dr. Ortiz of the OCC 10 days ago. I checked things out before going down and found 2 doctors here in Calgary that will do fills for Mexican patients. Feel free to PM me if you would like any information! my experience was wonderful. I am so glad I went there.. I also spent alot less than what it would cost to have it done in Toronto with Slimband. take care!

I would have to agree... the first 2 or 3 days I was ready to eat my own shoe, but as the days went on, my body got used to the Protein shakes and smaller dinner portion very well. At the end of my two week pre-op, I found I wasn't even hungry anymore. It really is a mind over matter situation when you are doing the pre-op diet. Keep your eye on the prize! you can do this

to get off hypertension meds and feel healthy again!

Ok, I have to ask this just so I know if it's normal or not. I am 9 days post-op and on a liquid diet for 3 weeks (just started Soups today) and have been experiencing diarrhea since surgery. Is this normal? will it go away? Like I said, sorry for the TMI topic, but I am getting a bit worried and don't want to get dehydrated. Thanks! Lisa

I ate sugar free popsicles and drank water with Crystal Lite. The broth certainly gets old after a while.. thats for sure!

Thanks all!

I had my surgery on Thursday in Tijuana as well. I am experiencing the recovery pain as well but I feel I made a wonderful decision in going to OCC and having Dr. Ortiz perform my surgery. Top notch all the way!! my experience was very positive and I am glad I went there. I saved $12,000 having it done in Mexico and I do have several fill doctors available back here in Canada for my fills. good luck with your decision!

Just wondering when you already banded folks started feeling better and having no pain? I know everyone is different but I would just like to hear the average so I know this horrible feeling will pass. Thanks!!!

Thanks for the tip for the airport. I would never have thought of that. Feeling better today other than some pain in the port area. Hope the flight will go well today. Take care

Thanks everyone for the reassuring comments. I have a 6 hour flight home tomorrow so I hope I will feel a bit better for that. No pain, no gain.....right? Lol

That's so good to hear. I'm taking gas x and the pain meds the doc has prescribed but still feel awful. Its only been 12 hours since my surgery but at this point I'm asking myself what did I do? Congrats on your success so far. I am down 13 pounds from my pre op diet. Are you starting to feel hungry yet?

Just arrived at the Marriott hotel in Tijuana. Surgery tomorrow AM! Very impressed with everything so far. The driver from OCC that picked us up in San diego and the hotel itself are just great. Will post once I'm banded! See you all on the other side. Lisa

Thank you so much for the suggestions on what to bring from home. Im off to London drugs tonight! Hope you are feeling more comfortable now and that the flight and drive back home wasn't too painful or troublesome for you. Starting to really panic now but it's mind over matter I suppose. 24 hours from now I'll be there...changing my life forever in a positive way. Please keep me posted on how you are doing! Thinking of you! Lisa Ps. I'll be in Vancouver in march so maybe we could plan for a coffee and share our lapband stories.

I have been drinking the Premier ones from Costco as well.. No chalky, medicine taste. In fact they taste like a yummy chocolate shake!