Constance

Kirsten that's great! I sort of feel like a little toddler, learning how and what to eat. I'm still on liquids -- like an infant. But you're like eating like grown up! I glad it went well!

Yeah, I suppose either way I'm good, No restriction = hey, I can eat a little food before a fill. Restriction = cool, no need for fill. Trizzy, is that the Best Western? Was somebody saying it was sketchy? Not that I'm a Diva or anything about where I stay.

I still have 2 bottles in the fridge from the clear liquids phase. Just seeing the bottles makes me want to gag. I would rather drink my dog's pee! I even had a DREAM that I was cleaning up a puppy accident and in the dream I thought to myself "wait it's the 'tropcial' flavored Isopure!". Seriously.

I feel the same way - and I see we're both just a week out. I know it is a good thing to NOT need a fill. But there is a part of me that just wishes I could get the lack of restriction everyone is talking about so I could maybe have a little bread and more ' difficult ' foods before I get a fill. But that is the food addict in me talking. It would be great to not need a fill! I guess we should feel lucky Faybie. But I am preparing myself mentally to lose this post-op restriction and face a little gain. I know I know, it isn't about the weight loss yet -- but I'm impatient!

It'll be fine! I was so nervous and now I see what a huge waste of energy it was. It is no big deal at all. You will drift off to sleep and wake up feeling so much better than you think. Nothing scary! Remember why you are taking this step and that this is just a tiny part of the lifetime you'll enjoy with a healthier bod!

Hey guys, it sounds like for the most part everybody is doing good. Like, Mferra (same doc, same day) I'm only 5 days out. I feel like a total rookie compared to you guys! What a difference 20 days can make. Chrissie, that bagel...oh I'm so envious! Er, I mean, I'm so dissapointed in you. No No, seriously, it's ok. You don't even have restriction yet. It was a little splurge. Don't be too hard on yourself. Everyone keeps saying 'the band is a tool' but the tool hasn't been engaged yet -- so you're working on will power alone. And we ALL know how totally impossib;e the will power game can be. I kinda let me BC pill linger in my mouth too long before I took a swig of water. No it's all burny in my esophagus. I used to do this by accident pre-band too - but now I'm all hyper tuned in to everyting little thing trying to feel for the 'soft stop' and all. I'm sipping some warm water. Beat it, pill residue - get outta my esophagus!

So sorry to hear that. My thought sand prayers are with you Mr. Trish and Trish. We are here for support when she is ready and able!

Hey all, 2 days after surgery I'm feeling really good - just sleepy. I have a couple of questions. 1)My husband noted that some of my liquids weren't technically clear - like beef broth and I bought a drink that iIthought was clear but iht was opaque (I only had a few oz). It's ok, right? 2) Do you guys feel sort of a burpy sensation but nothing comes to the surface. I get it whether I've been eating or not. Like a gas rising in my chest -- and I have to take a breath to make it pass - but no burp payoff? sound right? 3) Sticky surgical glue removal and/or iodine removal ideas? Not that I'm hanging out in a bikini, but my shirt sticks to me. So far I can sip about 1/2 cup of liquid, a little more and I feel that tightness. I am hungry but not ravenous. My stomach has been growling most of the day. I guess this is all normal. I can't belive it's done! I'm so glad I took this step!

Hi all! I banded! still at the hotel in TJ. It was a great experience and I woudl reccomend Dr. Ortiz to anyone. There are 5 other women here so it has been nice to compare notes. I'm just a little sore - not even sore - just kind of an awareness. But overall I feel really good. I had a little beef broth and I feel some faint tightness in my chest. I think that is fullness? I was so terrified the night before. I was so close to just concelling the fear was so bad. But as soon as Mrs. Ortiz picked us up I felt totally at ease. Thanks for the support from all of you!

Trish I'm right there with you! I read these posts and think, 'mmm, yes, interesting'. Then it hits me ... I WILL BE DOING THIS ON THURSDAY! We can do it. Deep breaths, happy thoughts, and it be over before we know it!

I was thinking I would drink from one of the little skinny stir-straw, swizzle stick things post-op to keep me from chugging water. I will ask the doc if that is a bad idea. I'm with QUEEN, straws make me drink slower, personally.

I think you have an agenda here and I'm not sure why. There is already a thread about why people go to Mexico. Sure it is partially financial, but not my only motivation. Honestly, when I first read about Drs. Sanchez and Rumbaut in Monterrey while I was still pursuing insurance coverage, I thought "wow, it's too bad I can't go to these guys, they are ten times more experienced than a local surgeon." So yes, for me, money was a factor. Anyone who is self-pay will probably agree with that. But there is a doctor here in Denver who does the band for $9950 -- and I STILL opted to go to Mexico. That is the SAME price (with airfare) that my surgeon charges. I cared more about experience than location.

I'm currently on pre-op liquids and I use the GNC brand soy Protein. It tastes SO SO much better than the whey. It has 25 gr of protein per scoop and it 15$ for a med/lg tub. They have a buy 1 get one half off deal going pretty much all the time. There is a long standing debate on which is better, soy or whey. But personally, if I have to drink it 3-4 times a day, I'm going for taste. For mixing, I have this: http://blenderbottle.com/ It is THE BEST because it has a little whisk ball inside so you don't get the clumps on the bottom or have to shake until your arm breaks. I love it!

Yeah, it sucks, but you usually CAN find someone in your area. Here in Denver, there is even a radiologist who does fills -- and he's very popular. But I've often wondered if you were FROM another country if it would be different? Like if you were Mexican and banded in Mx or Italian and banded in Italy, and you moved to the US would it be different? Would they see you?

I'm not totally sure. But I think if you can get insurance to cover surgery after the fact, the surgeon would need to be "in network". So probably a Mexican doctor wouldn't be on that list. Although sometimes insurance will cover partial costs if you have a procedure out-of-network. But like I said, I'm not positive. You could certainly try submit a claim. For me Cigna denied me twice and I could have used someone locally (and paid out of pocket). But the experience and price in Mexico totally surpassed what I could find here. I have read about some bandsters having the procedure covered in the US but deciding to go to Mx. for more experienced surgeons.

I told my step-daughter who is 14. She is very mature and understands much more than I give her credit for. Ultimately keeping it from her would be acting like it is something I am ashamed about. I want her to understand that there is nothing WRONG with being heavy, and that I have made a decison to change my body. Getting surgery doesn't mean I have 'given up' or 'taken the easy way'. It is hard either way - to diet OR to get the band. I know, it is kind of awkward - even she said "Yeah, I bet it is hard for some people to tell their kids because they are someone the kids look up to, and then they go and do this drastic thing when the kids probably don't notice there is anything wrong" See! She is so smart! Anyway, I think it is better to be honest if you think your kids can handle it and understand. Probabaly if she were under 10 I would think twice, only because "surgery" can sound so scary to smaller kids.

I really feel for you! I wish I had words of wisdom...but I hope whatever it is passes and you feel better soon. That is really rough -- take care of yourself.

Do you mean you try some water firstto see if you're thirsty? Just checking if the "water test" was some new fullness measuring tool. ?

I have had the same fear/realization. I recognize that there is something internally that is soothed by totally stuffing myself. Terrible, but true. I try to imagine all the things in life that I *learned* that soothe me. Knitting, gardening, snowboarding...all of these I never knew aout, then I discovered them and they gave me joy/peace/something to do. So I guess I hope that with the vacancy food leaves, it can be replaced with something, or many things, that are also soothing. I'm nervous about it too! But I figure if so many foodies here on LBT have made it, we can do it too!

Just because Penni had a bad experience with specific surgeon does not mean one should assume every other surgeon in the entire country of Mexico is bad. I feel for anyone who has had a complication. But let's face it, if someone in Oregon said "oh my doctor is the worst". Would you say "Well screw Oregon, I will NEVER go there for surgery!" And that is just a state, Mexico is a huge country! Of course there are unskilled surgeons with shady ethics. You'll find that right here in the US too. I researched for literally hundreds of hours. The level of expertise and care from the top doctors in Mexico is very compelling. If you have to pay out of pocket you want the very best care your money can buy. For me, that means Mexico -- A surgeon with 10 times the experience and happy patients and at nearly half the price than my local doc.

Oh you guys that is so cool! I spoke with Kelly and she seems SO on the ball. I have a tinge of regret for not pursuing their services -- but I just couldn't take the possible 3 months wait and then another denial. Congrats you guys!!

I totally recc. trying SOY based protein powder as opposed to whey. It tastes so much better. Not bitter and chalky. Specifically, the GNC brand protein powder. It's 15$ for a pretty big canister. My only complaint is that it is a little sweet -- not fake sweet - just sweet.

Chrissie no need to beat yourself up! I think everybody feels this way. If we could just diet and say no to everything we wouldn't need to band right? After surgery you'll have some swelling and that should keep your hunger away, right? And you'll have the extra motivation of actuallu HAVING a band -- not just waiting for a band with an empty stomach. You're gonna rock!! No worries!