Lannae

I too have only told a couple of people, one being my boss as I need time off to get a fill done, then my other co worker who had the procedure done with me, and my husband that is it. For me, its my journey and there is the odd person who I know will pick me apart, or look me over, and right now, I dont want it, maybe once I get down a bit more and feel more stronger and confident, which is getting there, then I will, but right now...nah..love my friends but not there yet..maybe the odd friend who I see is struggling. Its up to you, you dont have to tell anyone, or everyone!! Good luck!!

H Brenda I do not have them all listed, but just scroll through here on the pages, they should be all listed on the first page. good luck!! Not sure which doctor you are going with, but wish you all the best, I had Dr.Ortiz and am so happy!!

I agree you do need to stop listening to others, sort of speak...I know most mean well but you live with your body, if you take fluid out, do you think you have the control to not over eat, and eat healthy, and is this really what you want..or are you ok with what you are eating and feel good, feel in control..if so, then so be it!! I just want to get to a weight that I can easily maintain, and feel in control with.. I think you have done amazing and look fantastic! Good luck, I enjoy reading your posts!!

good luck to you, I really think you have made the right choice...Very good hands, very proffesional!!!

For alot of people you dont feel anything until after the 2 -3 fill, for me it is the second, it was like night and day what I could eat, and for my friend it is her 3 she is feeling more, I know it can be pricy but worth saving for, and book another fill!! good luck!

Did you find any pills? and have you started to take them... For others, yes it is normal to shed, I always shed, and with long thick hair sometimes it would be alot but never really thought about it or noticed it..since being banded however, the word shedding is times 3, if you dont have it is hard to describe the amount, or the feeling of what the heck is going on, and if it keeps up what will I have left..I do know it will go away, but there is a diffrence between what is normal and what is weightloss related..and I know this now...ugh..hope it stops soon!!!

I know what you mean, none of my friends know either, but I am surprised as to how many never questioned my eating habits..One I do drink, but remember not to drink and eat! If eating, just move the food around, try to not eat bread. I just told my friends I am on a diet, and I hated it, and that was fine, once I had to excuse myself as I was feeling a bit stuck..but no one questioned anything..It is a great thing to be prepared, but I think we over think things too...Enjoy your time!!!

I had the exact same thing..GAS!!! Yes walk, and water bottle, it does go away, but it was terrible and yet normal, hope this makes you feel better!!!

I agree with everyone, only my husband knows and a couple of friends. I realize it is something is probably just weighing on your heart, and wanting to share something so important with him, as it is with my friends, I WANT to tell them and to share something so personal with them, but right now, I am not ready..its your call...

I lost big after each fill, then slowww but its still a loss. Good luck!!!!

p.s he is in his 40s.

I too rambled something embarressing, to him and another doc, I think I told them how beautiful they were...and well, its so true!! I have to say the most friendly faces, and funny!!! Loved them, I told him he has to have a reunion because I wanted to come back and meet others!! I still think he should organize one, that would be so fun!! P.S yes the Soup is very good. It was sad though we sat down in the restaurant and when he found out we were DR.Ortiz patients, he came and took our menu, forks,knives, and all cutlery away..It was just sad..lol.. I truly am so happy..

I agree, it can happen fast,I feel pressure, then sometimes I have to just go and spit, your mouth will start making more suliva in order to get unclogged. Then sometimes sliming. I try now to take smaller bites, (lessons learned) and also stop between bites a bit more, that seems to help, so not I will just get uncomfortable in the chest area. Sometimes it has seem to last for an hour and other times just a couple of min, if it does continue then I will also make some hot tea, it seems to help loosen things up, and relax the band a bit.. It sucks no matter what!! but it stops me from over eating that is for sure!!

Yup.my hair has been falling out in clumps as well!!! Some days not as much, but it is still freaky!! I have lots of hair but still, wow... I have started to take Biotin, but the walmart in canada where I live only has 1000.grr..so I talked to my doctor and she also recommended OMEGA 3-6-9. 6 tablets a day..ugh..but I will do it!! I also talked to the pharmicist regarding getting a larger dose of Biotin in, otherwise I would have to take 7pills a day..lol Anyways, I too hope it slows down, I was banded in early march,and so far down 45pds..good luck!

way to go!!! Keep up the hard work girl!!

yay!!! Great goal!! I know what you mean about functions!! Every weekend there seems to be some sort of function!!So just slow down, talk between bites, if anyone mentions that is not alot of food, just say, that you ate a huge amount of something before you came, but to be honest, alot of times, nobody notices..If you get stuck, just excuse yourself, walk it off, pretend you have to make a call,etc..lol..good luck!!!!! I feel so great!!!

ugh..I was gassy too, what helped for me was walking, just moving..It will go away,, so will the pain, I promise.. This site has been awesome for me, just a life savor. Only my husband and one friend knows (who also had the band) that is it, so this place is great to come and post anything, to find out what some foods people can eat, what foods to avoid, fills, what to expect, just anything!! As for hunger pains,everyone is so diffrent, I know I after a bit I was hungry, remember you have the band but you do not have any fills yet, so you may be hungry, but try to drink Water first, then if you really need to eat, make the Protein choice,I always have Protein shakes on hand. Dont ever feel alone because wow, you are not!! Each day is a new learning experience, but make as many posts as you feel you need to!!! YOu will do awesome!!!

Welcome Laura!!! I too was a self payer, went to Mexico, and I will never look back, wish you the best!!!!yay!!

Sorry I missed this!! I hope it all went well, as I am sure it did..I too am from alberta, and did the 6hr flight, ugh!! but so worth it!! good luck!!

Me too!!! Dr.Ortiz as awesome!!! I think for me, reading some of the articles, and hey if Oprah likes him, he must be good.lol (and cute) What will happen is the co ordinator will call you, ask her anything, pain, size of scars, food, pre op diet, what ever. YOU have to be completely comfortable with this. Once you decide and arrive in San Diego a van will pick you up, you will watch a short video on the way there, they will take you to the hotel, depending on how long you are staying, this is what happend for me, the hotel was gorgeous and was organized with the hospital regarding the food plan, and any extra needs. Fantastic! Then went for my pre op, they talk to you about the band, weight loss, foods to eat, and not to eat, take your blood, weight etc..all the normal stuff..Surgery day- hospital is extremely clean, and calming, the doctors come and meet you personally, and make you feel relaxed. You have the surgery, everyone is amazing, you come out of surgery, yes it is all this fast, they make you walk so the gas does not build up. If you feel good, about 4hrs later, they return you to the hotel, the hotel will make sure you get your popsicles and plain soup, lol..and relax..The nurses were fantastic!!! I dont know what else to say, but it was just the best decision I have done, and it took me 6 friggen years to finally jump into it, 6 yrs!!! lol!!! I get regular emails too!! If you need to know anything else, dont hesitate to contact me...Im just happy!!!! lol!!!

I too went to Mexico and live in the middle of know where lol.. Dr.Ortiz was my doctor and his price was $5000.oo, best thing I have ever done. I was banded the first week of march and had a fill just a few weeks ago, and have lost 45pds. I feel so fantastic!!! best decision ever!! I looked at a few doctors, and chose Dr.Ortiz, he was on Oprah a couple of times and I like what I read about him. The coordinator will also give you advice and even doctors that will do fills, and to be honest, there are still doctors out there that will do it, even if you get it done in Canada some doctors will not touch it if they did not do it. all the best to you!!! Not sure where you live, but if it is in alberta let me know, I have a few doctors that will do it!!

I understand, I had my second fill and now I have to learn what foods really work well with the band, and some days I can eat chicken and just seems normal, next day instantly stuck and only soup works. I know that drinking a hot tea helps loosen things up a bit, and for me that seems good other than that, like someone else said above I just try to work with the flo..good luck!

I had my surgery on a friday and flew 6hrs on sunday to return to work on monday..it was not that bad, if you can take off an extra couple of days try to, just to relax, but if you cant, you should be fine..good luck, best choice ever!!!!!

Not always true Ms73, I was banded in Mexico in March and have found three in AB, I use the one in Calgary..I would not have changed a thing!

I use to know the feeling, I was so sick of things, I either wanted to cry, scream, hide, or just give up..but I had my surgery in march, and now down over 40pds, keep the focus, get through it and you are right next year will be a way diffrent story, that is a given!!!