take charge time

Hi; Welcome to a fellow British Columbian. I had the surgery in Tijuana with Dr. Ortiz as I wanted to do it as quick as possible and I also was a self pay so it cost me 8,000 to fly to San Diego and then after pick up have the surgery and fly back. If you are wanting it done in Vancouver the False Creek Surgery clinic costs around 16,000 but they have a very good reputation. I have lost 33 pounds and I wish it was more but I still lose a constant pound a week so I only have 38 more weeks to be at my chosen weight. If you are on the Island they have a support meeting once a month at the Vic general and it is really good to go and share your ups and downs. I wish you the best as you start your journey and remember one step at a time. :thumbup:

Hey :Jim here. sugery Dec. 2 in Mexico. 11 cc band-- first fill-- mexico---2CC.Second fill to 3 CC[-10 lbs.]--- last fill---- May 21 to 4.5 CC I have lost 33 lbs. since the start of the journey and I am ecstatic. I wanted the band to do the work which is the wrong concept. We work together! I am in control!! It only helps me to help myself. This I believe wholeheartedly! Night! JB

Hi I was banded in Mexico on Decc. 2 and have lost 22 lbs. so far. I had my first fill on Jan. 19 of 2CC in an 11CC band. I feel some restriction and have gotten stuck a few times but that was my own fault for not chewing. I would also like to see more of a weight loss and I am hoping that after my next fill I will hit the sweet spot. I am still very optimistic and I make better food choices [most of the time] due to being banded and trying to help the band do its job. I really do enjoy and feel inspired by this forum which I like to call Band of Brothers This includes you ladies of course. Tell me more about this Easter Challenge.:frown:

I noticed your post and I know that until you get a fill you have minimal restriction. I am not sure where you got your surgery but fills cost on average 100.00 and more if done under fluoroscopy. I had my surgery in Tijuana and i am going for my first fill back to Tijuana as they do it under fluoroscopy and i am hoping to get it right the first time. The cost to me is 100.00. There should be a doctor in your area that does fills if not your own. It appears you have done well in the loss department so far but I would recommend a fill to give yourself restriction and continue the journey. I would even be willing to lend you the cost of a fill if it would help. I am a Canadian on the west coast but I know we need to support each other. Feel free to mail me for any advice or help I can give. Good luck and hang in there!

Hi; I am a anadian who flew to San Diego and was picked up at the airport and taken to the Tijuana Marriot. The next day I went to see Dr. Ortiz [obesitycontrolcenter.com] and was given my evaluations and had surgery 2 hours later. The total price excluding airfare[300.00 from Seattle] was 7,000 US. Dr. Ortiz has performed over 5000 lap band operations and his clinic was top of the line. I stayed at the clinic overnight and another day at the Marriot [included]. I was taken back to San Diego airport [included]. I would highly recommend Dr. Ortiz and his staff and i am getting a fill under fluoro at the clinic in one week as it is 6 weeks since my banding. I have a 11 cc realize band. Please check out the website and make your decision. I would not have been able to afford the 12-15,000 that most other stateside surgeons charge so it was a viable option that I am very happy I took. I have lost 21 lbs since Nov. 15 including pre-op and I am looking forward to getting some restriction next Monday. I have used the last 6 weeks to teach myself how to eat [smaller bites and portions and chew! chew! chew!] I now have the tool and I am in charge! Good luck in whatever option you choose.

Hi Alicia there is a group of us on here called the December Delights. We are all being banded in December. Good luck! I was banded 5 days ago and very excited about everything except this liquid phase. Oh well it is only 2 weeks and well worth it. Good luck Find our forum and join in

Not to worry as your body is just healing from the trauma of the operation. Stick with it and once you have had your first fill and have some restriction you will be eating smaller meals and feeling full and as you lose more weight you have more energy so will be exercising more and losing more at the same time. The band is only a tool that helps you obtain satiety quicker thus not eating like you used to. It is tempting to think once you have been banded that the weight will fall off but there is a process that must be adhered to and the liquid only part is the toughest in my opinion. I was banded on Dec. 2 and hard as it is I am not going to waste all the money I spent and pain I have gone through to fail. Failure is not an option. One day at a time and before you know it we will have fills and restriction and eating small amounts of most of the food we love.

Hello all my fellow bandsters! I was banded on Dec. 2 by Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. Everything went very well and the only real problem was the bloated feeling for a couple of days. We have taken the first step on our journey and now have the tool to accomplish our goals. I have lost 16 pounds in the last 3 weeks and I already notice a difference in how my clothes fit. I highly recommend the sugar free jello with non flavored protein powder mixed in the cold water portion for a great snack. I also like the sugar free hot chocolate. I am tempted to try a little "real food" because that is what my body after 59 years tells me I need but I just fight the urge and project my mind forward to the days when my friends are all telling me how great I look. One day at a time and once we are through this phase and eating smaller portions of that real food it will all be worth it. Being a Mexican bandit I really appreciate all the support we give each other as this is all I have with my Dr. being 1500 miles away. I am planning on getting my fill in Tijuana around Jan. 15. Anyone want to meet up? Good luck to all those whose surgery is coming up. It is definitely worth it!:thumbup:

Hi Suzy! Wow I could not have said it better as my surgery day approaches. I too have started mourning the loss of food as I have known but I agree that my health and future will be the winners as I pass on the second helpings and double cheeseburgers. Life is choices and I know that we have made a wise one to take charge and get banded. The only part of my life I am not happy with is my weight and the limits it has placed on my activity levels and energy levels. Being a man I think we also have to put up with a bit more verbal abuse from our manly friends that do not have weight issues. I am being banded in Mexico and leave next Tuesday for there to be banded on Wednesday. I have a friend who was banded 7 weeks ago who is coming along for support. I believe I have done my due diligence on all aspects of this procedure and I am 100% committed to following the protocol for weight loss that the band helps with. I turn 60 in March and I am hoping to have lost 40+ pounds by then. I have not even told my family but will when they start remarking on how much better I am looking. Being banded in Mexico and living in Canada there are very few support areas to access, so I am thankful I have found this site to be able to converse with fellow bandsters. I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving and a successful surgery. Thanks to all for your current and future support. :biggrin:

Hi Peaches are you happy that you got banded and have you got any advice for a new guy about to start the journey?

Hi Peaches thanks for the encouragement I can use it. I live on Vancouver Island near Victoria. I was at a seminar for the False Creek Surgery Clinic a couple of weeks ago and there were only 13 people there. It is still kind of a new concept out this way. I am pumped to get into my old "skinny" clothes that i never threw away. I hope they are still in style. I am aware that not a lot of us men are on here but hey that is fine with me!

Hi Tbird best of luck and i will recommend the premier protein chocolate shakes they have 30 g. of protein and only 160 calories. I have 1 in the aAM and 1 for lunch and a lean cuisine for dinner. I also bought some sugar free popsicles for snacks. I am trying to stay under 750 cal. per day. Just take it one day at a time and keep the picture of a new you in your mind. It is 6 weeks of super willpower from pre- op till solid food but what is 6 weeks in your young life for a whole new you. I am not trying to sound like a pro as i am not banded till the 2 but we all need to support each other as we have a common goal. You:thumbup: go girl!

Hello fellow lap banders. I am set for surgery in Tijuana Mexico with Dr. Ortiz on Dec. 2. I am trying to get as much information and support before the surgery and found this forum. I started my pre-op diet today and I am using the Premier chocolate protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and a lean cuisine for dinner. I can substitue another protein shake [i can see these getting difficult to get down] as long as it is under 250 cal. Any recommendations? Thanks

As I am Dec. 2 I am on my pre-op now but I am just trying to take it 1 day at a time. I find if I think too far ahead I find it overwhelming. I have told very few people of my operation and will wait till they are all remarking on how great I am looking. I am hoping for this to happen by my 60 birthday at the beginning of March.

Hi everyone I am a 59 yr. old Canadian man going to Mexico for banding on Dec. 2. I hope you don't mind but i would like to use this as my support group. I am on my pre-op as of yesterday and I am wanting to catch up with my friend who was banded in September and has lost 38 lbs. so far.

Hi all you Dec. bandsters. I would like to join if possible. My date with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico is Dec. 2. I am a male and 59 with a BMI of 43. I sjust started my pre-op and I am using premier protein shakes but i know they will get old fast any good shakes that can be bought in Canada? Thanks :w00t: