La_madam

Welcome Back.. I hope you enjoyed your vacation July 19th is just around the corner, you must be getting so excited!

Way to go girlfriend!! WOO HOO. You must be so proud of yourself. I'm so proud of you;

Count me in...maybe you should do a thread "head Count For Vegas..or something like that to get as many of us to reply and committ.

hotels.com is only 82.00 a night for the Sahara Penni have you called any ofg the hotels to see if you can get a group rate? Sometimes this works if you have a certain number of rooms going to be booked. Just a thought.

Penni, that a good price for a weekend in Vegas. Fri thru Sun is usually alot more expensive then during the week and Sahara is the cheapest hotel on the strip that I can see on expedia .com If we put 2 to a room it can make it alot less for us. Roughly 100.00 per person for lodging if 2 to a room.

Hi Cindy Im sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time. I too am a sweet lover . I LOVE my chocolate and peanut butter. I have found a great substitue for it though..I buy the balance gold bars, they have 15 grams of protein and I kid you not they taste just like a candy bar. I usually buy the chocolate peanut butter or the triple chocolate chaos they are the best! It curbs my sweet tooth and is a better food choice then a real candy bar and Im getting vitamins and 15 grams of protein. I'm like Teresa I hate to exercise but have found that I enjoy the pool it does not hurt your joints nor do you sweat. One other thing I know to be true for me...the minute I eat carbs or sugar Im hungry all day long and never satisfied so I do my best to avoid carbs and sugar. Don't give up. You know it is possible. You lost before, you can do it again.TO get yourself back in the mood come here often, this site is awesome everyone here is so supportive and caring. When you have the urge to eat call me, come online to the site someone is always here. Don't give up!!! remember this is a journey, the weight did not come on overnight it wil ltake time to come off.

Darcy..I experienced the crying also but I do not think it was from the anasthesia..my therapist and I came to the conclusion it was becasue I had given up food. I no longer could eat for comfort or emotional reasons. My emotions ever since have been so strange. I cry much easier since being banded. Now I have to deal with my emitions insted of turning to food..just my story though. It does get better.

I could not guzzle the first week from my fill but now I can 3 weeks later

Im going Teresa..wouldnt miss it for nothing!

I wrote to Oprah'sshow in April right after she aired the gastric bypass show with Dr Ren, it was on right before my surgery and after speaking to my surgeon he loved the idea of me writing to her to do a show on the Lap Band and I got no response but now maybe with Jessi's book out I can try again and see if that works to get a reply.

Congratulations Penni..where you banded on the 6 of April too? 40 pounds is awesome..keep up the good work girl! Don't you just love your band? I love mine.. today is a great day! Ruthy I agree with Penni...this is the most friendliest site.. I love this place not only is it friendly it is knowledgable..supportive and we got some crazy funny members here too. You will be sure to get a good laugh along with tons of support!

Ruth.. I was banded exactly 3 months ago today and I have no regrets. I have lost 33 pounds. The band is the best decision I have ever made. I woulds do it all over again in a second! I highly reccomend it too...

Lisa, she had Dr Rodriguez. I had my surgery the day before her in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz at the Oasis and have had no problems. Her surgery was done at another hospital. I do not think she was in Tiajuana Mexico she was in a different part of Mexico. if you go to the introduction threads She did reply to the original thread so maybe go check it out and read what she wrote about who her doctor was and where her surgery was... "a different view" is the name of the thread. p.s. did you get my reply to your email?

Hi Roy Sounds like you have a great attitude and thats half the battle. Better food choices will help tremendously. have you ever tried fitday.com? It is acalorie tracking program and it really lets you see how much you have been eating. It tracks your Protein, fat, carbs, and calories. It does help. I wish you success on your new regimen .

I hope you have a "ghost band" so you will contuniue to keep coming here and offering us your wonderful wisdom and support. Glad to hear you are doing so good. Your attitude is awesome!

Dr Ortiz has a package deal it includes accomodations at the Lucerna hotel for 2 mnghts and 1-2 nights at the hospital that includes your spouse or traveling companion. He charges 100 for fills ..most of the mexica ndoctors offer package deals.

I was told by my doctor no exercise until I was on solid foods which was week 6 post op.

Whoa! I had ZERO bruisung. That looks so painful Darcy. Did your Dr. Say that was normal?

I had my surgery with Dr Ortiz at the Oasis on April 6th 2004 ..I had a pulmonoligist and a cardiologist on hand during my surgery. I met personally with both of them pprior to my surgery. They both were in the operating room well atleast until I was knocked out after that I dont know..Oasis was not up to the standards of the American hospitals but they did have bottled water everywhere in my room and is was very clean, the nurses were fabulous . Thanks for sharing your story with us Lori, I wish you all the best. I admire your attitude and courage.

Thanks for the update Sue..Donali has been on my mind all day long. Im happy to hear everything went ok, sorry to hear she is in pain. Please keep us posted if you hear anything more..

Thanks Lisa for the update on Donali..I have been thinking about her all day long! I'm happy to hear she is doing good and her sister is with her.

I went shopping to day for some summer clothes and I have not shopped since being banded 13 weeks ago. I'm the worst about trying on clothes..I absolutely hate it. I usually just go in to the store pick out what I like in the appropriate size 18-20 buy it and leave without ever trying it on. Well today I had to venture into the fitting room becasue of the 31 pounds I've lost. I was so happy to be able to fit into a 16 so I bought 3 pairs of shorts and 2 tops and even a bathing suit . Hubby gave me 100.00 to spend and I spent $100.42 . Felt pretty damn good !

Thank you for sharing your story, many of us here on the board did go to Mexico for our surgeries. I was banded on April 6th just one day before you were. I'm so sorryto hear al lthat you have gone through. Some of us also who went to Mexico have had problems, but none as serious as yours. I wish you all the best.

The band is the best decision I have ever made...For me the gastric bypass was not even an option. Good Luck with your decision

Im a newbie, just banded 13 weeks ago...I have yet to PB and I have had 1 fill so far. I have had a couple of times where I thought I was going to. I did not chew enough or took to big of a bite or ate too fast. ... Michelle