DScheidle

It sounds like your cruise is still 2 months away, so maybe this will work out if you talk with the friend. Although instead of holding her to it, you may want to find a replacement travel buddy. I know how those "Single Supplements" are onboard a cruise. Maybe your friend will suddenly realize that turning 60 isn't much of a difference than being 59 years and 364 days old. Comfort her and tell her she still has at least 30-40 more years left (I believe we are all living to be 90 or so), so if the age is a factor, she shouldn't spend the last 1/3 of her life depressed. One of my businesses is a travel agency, and I have to tell you I have more 65+ clients traveling than I do younger than 65. Of course the over 65 crowd is predominately Cruise-takers, whereas the younger crowd is tours and land packages. I have a lady that takes a similar itinerary out of San Diego (to Mexico) on whatever ship I can find. She's 95 and walks with a walker, and travels by herself. (Yes I hate the fact she spends $1100 for an inside cabin) But Helen doesn't worry about the itinerary, she never gets off the ship. She just loves to socialize with new people. Somewhere I read an article that has me thinking about my senior years. If I ever have to sel my home and move into an Independant Living community, I'm just going to start cruising non-stop. After all, you get new neighbors every 7-10 days, your meals are prepared for you, and it's cheaper than most independant living communities...where can you live and eat for $60-70 a day? Have fun on your cruise!

Barbara465, Thank you for reiterating what I said in my post, even if you did not agree with all of it. As I said at the opening of my post: "The episodes you are hearing about here are not normal. In fact the lap band is different for EVERYONE. Take these posts as a guide and realize they are somone else's experience, and it may not ever happen to you. For example, I have NEVER had the recurring complications that some bandsters have had. I have PBed a total of FOUR times in 3 months since I was banded. The first two times was before my first fill, and I contribute them to not paying attention to HOW I was eating (too fast, big bites, and too fast). I had no problems after my first fill, but Since my second fill on October 5th, it has happened twice more, and this I can contribute to what I was eating (and probably not chewing enough too)." Let's face it ... the lapband results CAN NOT be classified as NORMAL. Everyone is different, for more reasons we can count. The psycological and physical effects of Depression, Stress, Bi-polar, OCD, Menapause (to name a few) create differences in each of us... and let's face it, the fact that I am male, changes the equation too. There is NO NORMAL. You yourself have posted how you would have a problem with scrambled eggs one day, but not the day before. This is a prime example of "not normal". But I can guarantee you, someone, somewhere read your post and put down "eggs" on their "never to eat again" list. To some, that just made their choice for them about not going through this procedure...well I would have to say it's their loss. It's been 4 months, and I have to be honest with you all... thanks to some problems you folks have had with certain foods, I have been cautious with them. For example, I don't eat pasta (unless it's angelhair pasta), I haven't tried to eat bagels (that alone is a crime against my jewish heritage), rice, and forget bread (unless it's Multigrain). But those are MY choices based upon what I've read, and what I've experienced. My post NEVER, EVER said anything about others having these problems due to eating the wrong way, or wrong things to eat. I said I contribute MY problems to what I ate or how I ate it. No one should take offense to that. (And a special thanks to Barbara12375, who commented the same). In Closing, I must say it again...nothing about this is normal, nor are the results...EACH of us carves out our own success in this journey. And we all must realize that what works one day, may not work the next... BUT it doesn't mean that something is wrong. Best of luck to all!

Kym, The episodes you are hearing about here are not normal. In fact the lap band is different for EVERYONE. Take these posts as a guide and realize they are somone else's experience, and it may not ever happen to you. For example, I have NEVER had the recurring complications that some bandsters have had. I have PBed a total of FOUR times in 3 months since I was banded. The first two times was before my first fill, and I contribute them to not paying attention to HOW I was eating (too fast, big bites, and too fast). I had no problems after my first fill, but Since my second fill on October 5th, it has happened twice more, and this I can contribute to what I was eating (and probably not chewing enough too). If you pay attention to what you did, and how to prevent it you will start retraining yourself for healthy and better eating habits. Some people have posted their concerns about calorie intake, and the truth is - if you consult with YOUR nutritionist and doctor, you may find it suprising that a low calorie intake is better for you for weight loss. I've heard some people say on here that less than 1000 calories is not healthy, but in reality under a doctor's monitoring you can have an intake of 400 calories a day and lose weight without compromising health. Kaiser's Optifast program is a prime example. Unfortunately it doesn't help keep the weight off, since once the program is over (and they don't teach healty easting) you gain the weight back. I know because it happened to me. Which is why DIET is a four-letter word...it's only temporary. The process of using the lapband is a tool to change your way of eating. If you aren't going to use it in that manner, don't put yourself through the procedure. I see Sharon Osborne is having her Band removed because she can't deal with the psycological issues. I think it's a problem for her since she doesn't have the support network that we have here online. Best of luck!

Hey all, I can't believe it's been two months since I posted, but I have been reading the posts on this board (since they get dumped on a dailiy basis to my email). I feel bad for many who have been having problems - but you aren't alone. Since my first fill on August 10th, I have only lost about 7 lbs. I really don't think I got enough. I am scheduled for another fill on October 5th, so I'll let you know how that goes. My schedule keeps me busy to the point I have FAILED to get my exercise in. The most exercise I get is the hikes through the airports when I travel. In the past two months I have spent a week in Florida, and 10 days in New York. I was elated to see that during my trip to New York (which included a 5 day cruise to Canada) I didn't gain any weight - what a plus! It also blew me away that before that trip I went out to several stores to get some short pants. Well the bad news was, I couldn't find anything that fit at a regular store (they top out around 42 inch waist) and the Big and Tall Stores start around 46-48 inches. So no new clothes for me. So what could I do? I went home and went through stuff in the back of my closet (the stuff I haven't been able to wear for about 2 years) and I found 3 pairs of jeans, 4 pairs of slacks and about 3 or 4 pairs of shorts...that fit just fine! Woo Hoo! Since I travel a lot by plane, I have to admit, traveling without using an extention belt is a plus! And with my weight loss, I don't have sleep apnea anymore, so I don't have an extra carry-on (my C-PAP machine), so I travel lighter in more ways than one. I have to admit that I get better results and drop weight when I make sure I get my Water in, AND my Protein. During my last fill I spoke with the nutritionist and asked about how much protein I should eat. She said the minimum was 60 grams. So I make sure I eat at least two Protein Bars each day. Each bar is 30 grams, so even if I don't get other protein, I still make that goal. I also make sure I drink at least three 5 oz cans of V-8 juice for 3 of my 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day. I notice that with my water, protein and V-8 I have more energy than I have in the past year or two, so I think with all this energy I should start implementing exercise. maybe that will break the barrier. I do know from past weight loss programs I have plateaued at around 290, which is why I haven't stressed that I didn't drop any during September, but this is a new month and the scales are moving down again.

Hey all it's been a while since I was online...(damn busy work schedule). I have a lot of catching up reading to do BUT - Janelle - I have my first fill set for August 10th - are you coming down??? I have been doing well with my water between 64 and 96 oz a day... what is the amount for the challenge? I've been on solid foods for two weeks and haven't lost anything since I started solids, but this weekend I dropped 5 lbs! What a great feeling that I am losing again.:clap2: BTW - for a June 2007 reunion - I live in Southern California, and if anyone needs help with travel plans - drop your friendly, weight-losing travel agent a note:biggrin1:

Janelle, Watch what you do! The doctor said not to do anything that would require excessive use of your stomach muscles, until after 3 weeks. The stitches are only holding the port in place until the scar tissue develops around the port holding it to the muscle. I'm very careful about my movements, and I'm not getting on my excercise bike, until after my 3 weeks are up.... My exericise is currently limited to walking ONLY, until day 22:) I'm going to talk to Dr. Ortiz's office to see about scheduling my first fill for the week of August 7th. Here I am at Day 10 and I'm down 24 lbs since surgery! Woo Hoo! Over the last 5 days I've seen my weight loss slow to about 1-2 lbs a day, but even at 1 lb. a day, I might find myself about 60 lbs. down by my first fill. But I'll be happy with 40-50 (so if I gain once I get on solids I won't be disappointed).

OFPS, If you want to check out doctors in the US that do fills for patients that had the lapband surgery in Mexico, check out www.FillCentersUSA.com. The site was put together just for the reason that people may not be able or willing to return to their doctor in Mexico for after-care. One word of warning though - If you get the surgery done in Mexico, go back to the doctor for at least your first fill. US doctors don't perform fills the same way so they creep up on the "sweet spot", whereas the doctors in Mexico, work from the ideals that you need to get to the sweet spot within 2 or 3 fills. They also use floro to do the job which is better than the "guessing" that the US doctors do using the palpitation method. Good luck in your decision!

Hey all, just a note - I seem to notice with me that my weight loss slows considerably when I don't get my fluids. If you are experiencing a slow weight loss or even a gain while in the liquid phase, you may want to look at your Water intake. Doctors have pointed out that that other fluids - juices, tea, coffee, etc. are NOT water. Things such as Propel, Gatorade and similar products are water and serve the same purpose. Since yesterday, I only lost a pound when I have been averaging 2 pounds a day for the last days. The only thing I did different was add about 2 cups of non-fat yogurt (since yesterday was the day to add them), but my Fluid intake dropped to 32 oz, 12 oz of juice, and 6 oz of gatorade. So I shorted myself by 32 oz at a minimum, and I didn't lose the extra pound. Today I'm going to put it to the test by making sure I get my water in. Although a pound is not bad - I'm at Day # 9 and have lost 23 lbs. A pound a day means 30 lbs a month. WoW! Still great!

Laura, The reason why Dr. Miranda will tell you no protein drinks after you start solids is because they won't stay in the pouch created by the band. Fluids are supposed to go right past the band, which is why we aren't supposed to drink while we eat...the fluid will wash the food right past the band and THAT is how we can cheat the band! You're day is coming... Good Luck!

Stella, The reason some people are told one of the steps is mushies, and others are not are due to the different doctors and their experience. You and I have a doctor with over 3000 lap band surgeries behind him, and I'm sure that he has been though the phase where he looked at mushies as a step, but found liquids for the first 21 days - with the exception of Jello and Yogurt to have the best success for weight loss and lack of complications. To prove this point, I would like to point out that the subject of fills is greatly debated too on this board. I see that many people have had numerous fills because the doctor they chose is a US doctor. In his book, Dr. Ortiz points out that US doctors like to creep up on the sweet spot, whereas he and many like him want patients to get to their sweet spot sooner with the minimum amount of fills or adjustments. He believes that the sweet spot can be found within 2-3 adjustments. Both of these situations point out major differences in doctors, and results and this is probably why some people have slow weight loss as well. For everyone's sake - follow YOUR doctors advice. I hate to point out that YOU made the choice of your doctor, and now you have to live with his/her direction on your aftercare - even if it's not what you expected. I don't like to play the pessamist, but I really do believe that this is why the costs are higher in the US, for the surgery and the fills. Whether you self-pay or have insurance, the US doctors get money EVERY time they see you... so why one perform 2 or 3 fills, when you can stretch it out for a year with 8 or 10 fills? And this is probably why some insurance companies don't provide coverage for this type of surgery, unless its a life or death situation. Most of the time I'm proud to be a citizen of the US, but when we get on the subject of health care, I have to admit, it's NOT one of the best examples of what make America great. I don't mind people or businesses making a profit - but NOT on matters of health or life/death. Sorry to have jumped up on the soap box there, but it does bear mentioning. BY THE WAY - I'm 5 days post-op (Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, MX) and I'm down 19 lbs - YES NINETEEN POUNDS! I hope that tomorrow I find myself under the 300 lb mark! Woo Hoo!.

Well Folks, I am 24 hours POST OP, and things are going great! Ok, so it feels like I was kicked in my left side by a horse (Hmm, since I've never been kicked by a horse, I'm guessing a bit). The staff kept me going, and I slept reasonably well last night except for on my left side. In the past hours I drank 2 Capri Suns (which they gave me)and 2 16oz bottles of water. All bodily functions are normal, so I guess I just have to heal. The best part of all this experience is that I actually got to meet some of the people in my online support group... Janelle, Barbara, and Janet...such great people! We went though it all together ! Now I'm just waiting for my family to join me for the weekend. As soon as they get here, I'll get online again from my laptop... woohoo free wireless here! Thanks for all the good wishes. Darrin

Well I got checked into the Lucerna around 1:30, and boy this is better than the hotel I stayed in when I spent New Years here 20 years ago! You might have gotten a better room... in the tower. I got a ground floor room across the pool from the main building. If you get this message tonight, give me a holler in Room 715... but not too late because if I'm up, I drink (water of course) and I really don't want to drink after 10 tonight...so I'm planning to be in bed by then:D If you on't get this message then I'll meet you in the lobby by 8am...don't be late! Your friend in the battle for weight loss! Darrin

Janelle, It looks like I will be meeting up with you at Dr. Ortiz's office! I'm scheduled for the 22nd, so I will be doing my pre-op testing tomorrow, and spending tomorrow night at the Lucerne. I know of another person coming from Oregon, named Barbara...so the three of us will be spending a few days together! I look forward to seeing you there. Darrin San Diego, CA

Angela - I'm up for that!, as if you didn't know from my earlier post. Darrin

Wow, only two weeks until my surgery (on the 22nd) I am getting more excited, than worried. I'm leaving on Saturday for a vacation which I hope will take my mind off my anxiety... when I come back I will be only 3 days away! Best wishes to all my fellow bandsters... Looking forward to moving to the "Losing" team.:think Darrin San Diego, CA

Penni and Angela, Maybe we should start a Southern California Support Group...we can meet once a month or something like that??? I live in San Diego.... and while I am not banded until June 22nd... I know I could use some support and provide a little. Darrin

Pat, The fact that you are wanting to do something different is a step in the right direction. I have been technically overweight since I was 16. Even today if I get to 185 lbs, I would still be in excess of 25 BMI - but would I be happy? In the last 3 years I have been through the Kaiser Optifast Program - which I lost 50 lbs - but the couselling to me was I crock. We spent each week talking about why we eat (emotions and stuff like that), but I don't eat like that. food is not what make me feel different, I just ate too much. Next I went to Sharp's HMR program - NOW I got the couselling I needed... portion control and better eating. I am comfortable with what I learned will help me maintain any weight loss, but now I need to lose it. I was resigned to the fact I would go through the Bypass or RNY, but when I read about (and met the doctor) about lap band, I felt better about my decision. With Bypass and RNY, you need to take Vitamins for the rest of your life, and have to watch what you eat, since some of those things you like will cause you to become ill. Lap-Band doesn't have those restrictions - Yes you will need to eat more sensibly, and in smaller portions, but your body will still get the nutrients and vitamins from your food intake. Good luck in your decision. Darrin

Hi All, just found out about this site from a post at ObesityHelp.com. I am scheduled to have lap-band surgery next month with Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana. It's close by and fits my budget. I was impressed that he trained many of the Inamed Heath doctors on this side of the border.