socalgal3

Well, I've had a tough time with fills, so I am currently unfilled. I will probably go for a fill within the next few weeks. When I was filled, I couldn't really eat breakfast. Maybe a protein shake. Then I would eat a Lean Cuisine or soup or some chicken salad for lunch. A snack of yogurt or string cheese. Dinner some fish and veggies, chili, etc. I think I am one of those people who has pretty good restriction without fill, but I am going to try .5 this time.

I just have to say, be very careful about being too tight. I procrastinated in getting an unfill and eventually ended up with a slip. PBing alot increases the chance of a slip. If you think you need an unfill, get an unfill. Don't feel guilty, feel like a failure or feel like you are wasting your surgeon's time! It is in your best interest to have the proper amount of fill.

What are your post-op instructions? 8 days post-op I was still on liquids. Be very careful not to eat solids too soon. GR8 is right that you have no restriction at this point, so you just need to be very careful in following the rules. As we always say, this is not a time to worry about weight loss, but a time to heal. Beware of head hunger! The sooner you make the changes in your eating habits, the easier they will be to follow down the road.

Like Nick's wife, I used Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. I was impressed with the cleanliness of the facility and had no problem with infection. I recovered quickly and was treated well by all of the staff. The only minor problem was when I awoke in the middle of the night and the night nurse knew little English. We managed with my broken Spanish and her broken English, so no issues. There are numerous bandsters here who have gone to Mexico and had great experiences. There are a few that have had nightmares, so just do your research!! Best of luck with your decision.

I take Liquid Health daily multiple and their liquid Calcium. Both taste great. I buy them at Henry's in Southern California, but they have a website too.

That's great! This is an exciting time for you and I'm glad to see you were immediately motivated to start making healthy changes to your life with exercise. Keep it up and best of luck on your upcoming surgery.

Have you spoken to your surgeon? If your port is inflamed(is it red or hot and noticeable to the eye?) you should! If you just feel it more, that is normal as you lose. The gas can definitely be related to the soda, so stay away from carbonation. Also, was the wine sparkling? Your period can make you tighter which may explain the PB. Go on liquids for a day because you may have irritated the stoma by PBing. Wait for your period to pass and then talk to your doc if the symptoms persist. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Gosh Lisa, you really have been through a lot this year. I'm glad your hubby came back and you are working things out! I'm glad your son is doing better as well. Hang in there! We all have our ups and downs and even though some of us have lower lows and higher highs, we have each other to lean on.

I'm sorry to hear about losing your band and about your husband. Hopefully, everything will work out for the best. You seem to have a great attitude in the face of adversity. Good thoughts are coming your way!

I drove myself home the day after! For both of my surgeries.

Do you have to pay to reserve a cabana by the pool?

Obviously exercise is key. I am guilty of not exercising as much as I should, so I can't point a finger at you, but I know it helps. Also, maybe salad with ranch and crackers aren't the best choices. More protein may be in order. By drinking, do you mean alcohol? Alcohol and any high calorie beverages go right through the band and can add pounds. Have you taken your measurements? Sometimes you don't see results on the scale, but the inches are disappearing! Hang in there! It's a journey as we say, with ups and downs. Focus on your achievements so far and rededicate yourself to success.

I'm glad you are home and getting better Regina! Welcome Mary! I am having a hard time being motivated. My bruises are pretty much healed from my accident and I was going to start exercising again and now I have a cold. It is in the beginning stages and I am just wiped out. I came home from work yesterday and slept for 2 hours! I can't really taste food, so I'm craving super salty and sweet foods. I did resist the temptation to go to McDonald's today. I kept trying to do liquids and I would do fine until the evenings when I was RAVENOUS. I need to go get a small fill soon, but I don't have $100 extra bucks or the time to get to Mexico right now. Anyway, just checking in. Oh! Barb- Is it the Bally's spa we are going to? I'll look it up online and see what they offer. I'm thinking massage..........

I had almonds, blueberries and broccoli today! Yay!

I also smell something fishy. But if all the stories about Betancourt weren't enough, the fact that they would approve Mya proves that they are purely about money and not about health. ABSURD!!

I was self-pay and experienced a slip. I still do not regret having my band. I have lost a good amount of weight even though I haven't reached my goal. The upside is that even when I haven't been at my best regarding eating and exercising, I have at least maintained my weight-not gained. As far as fills, that is a very personal thing. Some people are very successful with little or no fill. Some need to be filled and unfilled numerous times to achieve proper restriction. Also, it depends on your band size. 10cc bands require more fills before good restriction is found. There are many threads here about Band vs. Bypass. Do a search and read everyone's reasons and that may help. Good luck with your decision and welcome to LBT!!

I am so sorry that the band hasn't worked for you. I have read about your story since I've been with LBT. We have the same surgeon too. I have appreciated you sharing your struggles with us as we can all learn from other's experiences. I hope you won't be a stranger!

I liked the idea of slower weight loss(I'm a closet bandster so it's not so obvious with slower weight loss), no cutting of my intestines, lower cost, lower complication rate, control over fills, etc. I didn't qualify for GB anyway and would have had to gain to qualify-but I didn't want it anyway. Best of luck in your decision.

Welcome! I was banded a few days after you. LBT is all about support, so you came to the right place. We have a June thread for those banded in June 2006. You can't eat any meat or eggs? Maybe you are too tight. You should be able to eat those things. Bread is a tricky one for many. Losing 40 pounds is AWESOME and you are almost in ONEderland. Keep up the hard work!

If you have a 10cc band, it may take more fills to get your ideal level or restriction. 2cc in a 10cc band is alot different that 2cc in a 4cc band. Maybe verify with your surgeon what you have. I would think 1/2 a sandwich is ok, depending on the size of the bread and how much filling you put in.

I tell you, they gave me an Otter Pop at the hospital when I woke up and it was the BEST popsicle of my life! I was thirsty but I had no difficulty swallowing. Best of luck!

I have 3 days of liquids after the first fill and one day of liquids for subsequent fills. But, like others said, since you had a fill so soon after surgery, I would do my best to stay on liquids!

Oh my goodness Regina! I am SO GLAD that you are home and healing. What a scary experience for you and your family! You continue to be in my prayers! I hadn't been posting due to trying to settle everything with the insurance company, rental car company, DMV, etc. Good news is I got a "new" 2004 Mini Cooper today. It seems the latest kinks are over with at LBT, so hopefully we'll all get back into our regular mode of posting. I hope everyone is doing well. We sure have had our challenges and I'm so glad I had my surgery in June and met this GREAT group of people!

It's funny that you mention the gall bladder excuse, because I have a co-worker who recently came back from gall bladder surgery and I find myself watching her to see if she lost weight because people often mention that in this forum. I think she actually had it out though because she looks the same! Anyway, I am a closet bandster and I did worry alot and I think I stressed myself out and made it worse. I had to run to the bathroom several times when I first started to eat out because I was trying to "fit in" with others at the table. The best thing to do is order an appetizer or just a cup of soup. Or order something and ask for a doggy bag right away and put half of your order in before you even get started. Just tell people you had a big breakfast, you are watching what you eat, whatever! More of it is in our heads about what people think. They think of us alot less that we think they do! Where are you getting banded in TJ? Best of luck and welcome to LBT!

Carlene- My thoughts are with you! I am currently unfilled AGAIN and have already experienced a slip, so I totally understand. The head hunger is the hardest, so stay busy! You have made it through a week and YOU CAN DO IT til you are healed. You "old timers" are a very valuable part of this group and your experiences can teach us all. Thank you for sharing.