chako_lady

I did it!!! 104 ounces of water! I do feel water logged, a bit soggy...LOL I find it much easier to drink water when it is so hot out. I am going to keep trying to drink this much every day! Good luck to the rest of you!

Pinkylee, What a great idea! I would love to be a part of your challenge. I just bought a container that is 72 oz as a way of pushing myself to drink more water. I used to drink a lot more before surgery, but since I can't drink before or after meals I find it harder to get the 72 oz down. I also find I lose more weight when I drink more! I weighed this morning and I am at my lowest weight so far! Feels so good to see the scale reading lower numbers. I feel fortunate to be losing before my first fill. Of course I would like to be dropping faster, but I am happy with losing instead of gaining! Come on everyone, join the H20 challenge!!! We can beat this weight thing, soon it will be in our past!!!

Hi everyone! I haven't posted in a while so thought I had better take a few minutes and say a few words. I am doing great. my scars are healing nicely and all the steri-strips and sticky goop is gone. Mr Dr didn't do stitches. They "super glued" them. I am putting Vit E oil on them everyday just to help. I have been on solids for over a week now (although I wasn't supposed to until yesterday). All my hunger is in my head. I have no restriction though and I have to wait until the middle of August for a fill. So I do the Atkins diet with small portions, and try to drink LOTS of water. I walk at least 5 days a week for about 40 mins each and try to keep as active as possible. Thanks everyone for continuing to post. It sure helps to know how everyone is doing and that I'm not alone. Have a super weekend and don't forget to exercise and drink water!!!

Socal, I think the reason some of us don't lose much weight right after surgery is from the swelling and retaining of water. I have only lost 7 #'s and I am following the diet quite closely (well, I did have a serving of potato soup yesterday). I even bought low carb yougurt. So, I think when we start on reg food and our bodies don't think we are starving them anymore, the weight will start coming off. Don't get discouraged!

Melissa Lee, Thanks for your reassurance. I too have been walking and getting rid of gas. Good Job on the 2-3 miles. Do you do that in a day or all at once? I am lucky to be able to walk for 15 mins at once, then my abdomen starts hurting. So, I have been walking 2-3 times a day and trying to increase by 2-5 mins each time. I am only 10 days post op and sometimes look 8 mos pregnant. I was hoping it might still be gas and swelling. I am not losing much weight either, that seems weird to me since I may be comsuming 400 calories a day, if that. Constipation has been a concern for me also because pre op I was very regular. But, then I think, what do I have to eliminate? For the past 10 days I've only had liquids. Does anyone have an exact amount of water we are supposed to drink each day? I know there is no way I can consume as much as I used to. I drank over 64 oz yesterday of just water. That doesn't include the apple juice or Propel. Is that enough? Thank you everyone for continuing to post and encouraging us...especially those banded the first part of the month...

My tummy gurgles a lot...but, I don't think it is because I am hungry. I am still having a bit of a problem with "wanting" food. I did have a few bites of Mac & Cheese today. I chewed it really well and it went down fine. I am fine as long as the food isn't around. I am only supposed to have clear liquids, 1 1/2 cups of yogurt and 30 gr of liquid protein a day until July 13th. Then I can start on solids. This has been a very long time to go without solids. I am really trying!!! I walked a lot today and drank more water (Darrin says you lose more weight if you drink more!). Still feel a little burning in my lower tummy. If I pulled a stitch, it must be healing. I worked very hard not to use my abdominal muscles today. Using my arms and legs more to stand up. I went to the health food store and bought a liquid vitamin that doesn't taste or smell as bad as the Centrum. I'm hoping along with it and adding protein to my diet I will get more energy! I know I already feel better, even with only losing 23 #'s. We are going to do this! And with a support team of 81, we can't fail. We should all make a guess on combined weight loss of our June crew! That would be fun. If everyone loses 50 #'s, that would be a 4050 # loss! Wow! Good luck everyone!!!

Darrin, I wasn't doing anything strenuous. I just stood up from sitting on my couch. I have been super careful today, but it still burns, and I had to sleep on my back last night. It is scarey. I wish I knew where my port was. None of my incisions are red, so I know they are fine! Wow! Congrats on the weight loss. I have only lost 7 pounds. I hear that men lose weight faster...But I am not discouraged. I am happy with any weight loss! I love the yogurt. Never thought I liked it so much!! I have found a couple low carb ones that are pretty good. I will have a protein shake for lunch and dinner. Since we can only have a few ounces at a time I will probably have to sip on them the rest of the day. What are you going to do? I have a good protein drink powder I bought at Costco. It is also low carb. I will be following a very low carb diet once I start solids. All the best to you and your family!

Help! I stood up today and felt this burning in my lower left part of my belly, about 2 inches and to the left of my largest incision. I wasn't doing anythig strenuous...just stood up. The area still hurts. Has anyone had this happen? Do you think I pulled one of the stiches on my port? I have been extra careful the rest of the day to use my legs to stand up!

My prayers are with you SoCal! Can't wait to hear from you after surgery! I to understand about that scale. I promised myself to only get on it on Sunday. Well, once I got home from surgery I was dying to know how much I lost so I pulled out the scale...same as the day I left. So the next morning, back on the scale down 2 #'s...thats more like it! I'm thinking I am only drinking clear liquids and maybe taking in 150 calories a day how can I not be losing weight? So every morning I have been on that stupid scale. Thank goodness it hasn't gotten the best of me. Today is my 1 week anniv and the scale says I have only lost 5#'s since the Tuesday prior to my surgery...I must really be retaining water. I do still feel a bit bloated! Today I get to add 1 1/2 cups yogurt to my diet! I've never been so excited to eat yogurt in my life! I believe once I get eating enough for my body to be happy...The weight will start pouring off! I'm not discouraged as I know this is going to work for me!!! Good luck to those getting banded today and to those tomorrow! Then we will all be banded. This has been a fun month and you have all been such good supporters! I am so blessed to have found this site and to have found all of you! Our journey has just begun! Here's to phenominal weight loss for all of us!:clap2:

Liz, Yes I took my laptop. Ask the desk clerk for the password for the wireless. It worked great for me. Was nice to be able to let everyone know I was OK and catch up on new posts. It was also my way of keeping in touch with family and friends since it cost me .79 a min to use my cell phone, and my pre-paid calling card was useless cause the hotel charges you to use them... I'm glad to know I'm not the only single overwieght chick on here!!! LOL This is actually probably easier to do being single as I don't have to really cook full meals every night for my kids. They sometimes just have a bowl of cereal or mac and cheese. Much less demanding than a man!!! Oh well, someday Mr. Right will come along... Good luck! Are you having surgery in Tijuana with Dr. Ortiz? If so you will not be sorry! Just walk the night before, as much as you can and don't eat the night before surgery!!! I haven't had any shoulder pain or severe gas.

SoCal, everything will go fine. Just resist eating prior to surgery. I think it really helps in your recovery process. Also, walk as soon as possible. I found I got light headed after walking once around the clinic, so the Dr gave me some medicine in my IV and bammo I was fine. I guess I had some kind of reaction to the anesthesia. The day I was released, I walked about 2 miles. I think it really helped cause I never got severe gas pains or shoulder pains. I haven't even needed the pain (Aleve) meds they gave me! I say Aleve, cause the pain meds they give are similar to Aleve. It is just one you put under your tongue and it dissolves. It does help with inflamation! I still have some bloating and I take Gas-X occasionally but nothing severe. I also never had any problems drinking. I can drink quite a bit at a time. I did however just read that we shouldn't drink more than a half cup of fluid at a time. Dr. Miranda, the nutritionalist is awesome. You will really like her. Ask lots of questions. She will tell you a lot of women get pregnant soon after this surgery. I wish I could remember why. If you remember maybe you can tell me! I'm not worried because I have had my tubes tied and I'm not married or in a relationship...but I thought it was interesting. My thoughts and prayers are with you! Can't wait to hear from you later this week. And yes, the rumours are true...Dr. Ortiz is very handsome as is Dr. Martinez:D

Hi everyone! and good luck to those being banded today! Today is my last day on clear liquids only! :clap2: Yeah! I haven't lost much weight this week, but I still think it is due to the swelling and retaining water. I think once I start getting some protein in my body it will be much happier and will stop thinking I am "starving" it. I haven't had any problems with shoulder pains, but I do burp a lot! I am still amazed that I haven't been hungry, and when I see food I tell myself I'm not hungry and I don't need it. So far it has worked. This has been the best thing I have ever done for myself! Dr. Ortiz is awesome. I highly recommend him and his staff. His Nutritionalist has her Phd! She must know what she is talking about when giving us a diet plan to follow. She has also worked with DR. Ortiz for quite a few years so knows a lot about the banding process. I too can't stress enough how important it is to follow the instructions given by your Dr. I do however feel that losing as much weight prior to surgery helps in your recovery. Not eating any solids 7 days prior to surgery and even doing a colon cleanse and a candida cleanse helps! Eating habits are definately going to change around my house! Maybe I can save my children from having to go through this surgery! Keep up the good work everyone! I can't wait to see how everyone here is doing in August after we have all had fills and really losing!!!

Just something I heard from some patients in Mexico coming in for a fill... They were saying that it is wise to go back to Mexico to your original Dr. for your first fill. First of all they know you from doing your surgery and second, they do it with flouroscopy and try to fill to where they feel will be your "sweet spot". I hear the American Dr.s like to do many "little" fills to work up to your "sweet spot". I am 4 days post op and feeling great. I would recommend Dr Ortiz and his crew in a heart beat. They were Awesome!!! Good luck to all of you!

Hi everyone, I am home! I am 4 days post op and feeling Great. My Dr has me on a complete clear liquid diet for 7 days. I'm not even hungry. I have been drinking, water, Propel (for vitamins etc,) broth, and now that I am home some SF jello and SF popcicles. I finally lost 2 lbs. I think it is because I retained water after surgery. With being in the car for 8 hrs straight 2 days in a row and in hot weather (up to 112) and just what surgery can do to you, my body has just been in shock. On day 8 I can add 3, 1/2 cup servings of LF yogurt, with no chunks. Then on day 10 I add protein drinks, at least 30g. Then starting day 22 SOLIDS, and NO more protein drinks ever. Of course with this I am supposed to be taking my vitamins, walking and always staying hydrated. So far this has been easy. I was also told NEVER to drink anything carbonated as this can cause the band to slip. Was anyone afraid to take the first bite of solid food? I have absolutely no restriction when it comes to drinkink clear liquids so I don't know if I have much restriction at all. Leila, thank you so much for reminding us that all those little calories add up, and that the band is a tool, not a guarantee to weight loss. Barbara, thank you again for keeping us posted with those being banded each week! You are awesome! Congrats to all those being banded this week! We have such an awesome support group here. Please don't leave just because you are banded...stay and share and continue to support. We all have a long journey ahead of us!

Hey Darrin what room are you in this time? Maybe we could meet and go for a walk this evening. I'm still in room 522, call if you would like.

Socalgal, You know I couldn't figure any rhyme or reason to how they picked the order. I know I had to wait so long cause one of the patients from the previous day was having problems urinating. It all worked out well though. I ended up getting the biggest room and wasnt even the last into surgery! You will love it there. I recomment Dr Ortiz and Martinez 110%. Everyone there is phenominal I am feeling great. I am just catching up on my e-mails, then I'm headed out to the pool hoping to get a little bit of sun. You will do just fine. I will try to post a few pics from the clinic this evening.

Good morning! I made it. I had ro sit in the lobby for 3 hours past everyon else and that as a bit nerve racking, but I was 4th inot surgery. If I can recall correctly I was in the OR at 3:23 and started waking up from the anethsesia about 4:28. I was up walking about an hour later. Only 1 trip around or I get dizzy. I slept well, not in much pain. The nurse already disconnected my IV this moning. I have been drinking water and capri Suns and have had a few popsicles. Hopong the sugar will help with the dizziness. Everyonce in a while I feel yhr gas in my stomach, have burped a bit of it out. I am ablr to drink water with no problem! Yeah!! To anyone coming to Mexico for DR. Ortiz~ His clinic is wonderful! I highly reccomend Him and his staff. It is very clean and comfortable. I am going to try and take a few pictures today and will post them, I will post a before pic when I get home~ Thanks again for all yoir thoughts and prayers, They have heloed!

Thanks Barbara! And Beacheegirl don't be scared! You will be amazed how well they take care of you here in Mexico. You won't want to go back to a Dr in the US again. They are so caring and so nice. Plus with all the prayers going out for you from this site alone should set you at ease! I'm almost there. Leaving right now so I can walk around the hotel a bit to shake any of the little nerves out...Keep those prayers going! I need lots of Angels in that surgery room with me! :amen: :angel:

Wow! Today is the day! Slept well, considering the bed here is much harder than I'm used to. Not to nervous other than the few thoughts that go through my head "what am I doing?" LOL I am glad I have made this decision. I do hope they take me first! Hqpe you don't all miss me too much, he he, but I'll be back here sometime Friday when they release me! Thanks again for all your prayers and support...but don't stop now!!! I'M GOING TO BE BANDED TODAY!!! :clap2:

Darrin, I tried to call 715 but it wouldn't go through. Are you sure of your room number. If you get this give me a call...Room 522.

Hi everyone, it is me again...Got picked up at the border...they messed up and we had to wait about an hour...no biggie. Got to Dr. Ortiz's clinic and they literally whisked me off to a room where I had to put "booties" on before I could enter. A lady drew my blood...she was GOOD! didn't even feel the needle. Then I went right to another room where I had to breathe into a machine, from there I went into another little room where I had to take my shirt and bra off and put a paper gown on. The same guy hooked me up to a bunch of wires to check my heart. From there I was met by the nutritionist who went over my post surgery meals. When I get home I will post there meal plan. The Hotel Lucerna is very nice. I'm up on the 5th floor, with a little balcony. It is very noisey outside as these people here don't know how to drive...lol. So they are always honking their horns... I will be picked up in the morning at 8 am along with several others I am sure. I am so excited to finally join the rest of you who have been banded!!!

SoCal...I will let you know how it works for me. I am leaving right now to head down to the Mexicoach parking. I opted to leave my car there as my insurance only covers me in the states. I'm not sure how much it will cost, but I don't feel comfortable having my car in Mexico. They are picking me up there, so it won't cost me anything to get to the hospital! Good luck and God Bless...Pray for me, this is really happening!!!! YEAH!!!

Lizzilo, I told everyone I was going to Mexico, but it seemed like they all were thinking I was crazy! I just explained to them that the Dr.s in Mexico have trained the American Dr.s, and that thousands of Americans are having it done there. I also tell them I have researched it extensively and am saving thousands of dollars. After all of that most everyone was OK. I am a few hours away from meeting the driver who is picking me up at the border. I'm a little nervous, but it has nothing to do with going into Mexico. Good luck to you and keep reading these postings. The people on here are wonderful and so insightful ans supportive. You may even find a few people who are or have had this done by the same Dr you are. I am going to Dr. Ortiz. and will be posting my experience with him later this week. See you Darrin and Barbara in a few hours!!!

We made it to Chula Vista by 9:00 pm...wow, 988 miles driven today. We are 7 miles from the border. Am getting excited and a bit more nervous. I think that is because I am pretty exhausted after a long day driving. Go in tomorrow morning for pre-op testing. Will be great to meet you Darren and Barbara! I'm almost there!!!! YEAH!!!

Good morning everyone! I myself am getting close also...I am finishing packing and getting ready to start my 2 day journey to Mexico! I too have a few butterflies, but I know I am doing the right thing. Got on the scale the final time this morning and I am down 15#'s and still have 2 days of the liquid diet!!! I just want to thank everyone for their posts. You have all been a help to me on this journey! God bless you all!