JWH

I will go to NYC but I will not go to NJ. I have ridden the ferry, it is very nice but it is still better to be in town for the cost and trouble of traveling across country. I do not want to shell out for :laugh:the expense of going across country to not be in NYC. I will pay up to $300 per night for a hotel room. I am more interested in activities such as Broadway shows, museums, sight seeing and shopping with a group than a whole lot of meetings. I will not attend a class on nutrition but I would attend an exercise class and/or yoga class and a meditation class. It is doubtful I would attend a panel on anything unless it were lipo and plastic surgery. Cosmetics, beauty gizmos, all of that would be fun. I would be interested in small groups that are very issue specific, such as weight loss or banding for people over 50. I hate big dinners where they give out awards and people give speeches so I would not attend an event with a compulsory dinner (one where the price of the dinner is included in the conference price). I hope this input was helpful.

Hi Raynie, Just call them and schedule it. They have an 800 number. Jess

Hello All! I have been so involved with a project due this week that I get up early and work until I fall back into bed at night. I am sorry I haven't kept up with the boards. I am so sorry to read you had trouble. How awful! I'm glad you reversed it right away. That is exactly what I am afraid will happen to me. I have set my first banding date for after New Years. I get motion sickness. I know I will need very little fill and many days until I no longer feel nauseous. Since I started eating real food, the weight loss has slowed to about 2 pounds a week. Of course, all exercise has stopped recently because I am so busy. I am working the diet religiously. I hope the weight loss goes up again after this week when I am back to regular exercise. It's amazing to me how much better I feel now than I did almost four weeks ago! I am eating less than I used to, and I am still losing weight. Woo-hoo! Hang in there gang, we will all be in great shape. Jess _____________________ Banded Oct. 6th Dr. Ortiz Tijuana Start 250, surgery 235, today 222

Hi Gang! It's official! Today I only have 99 more pounds to lose! woo-hoo! I no longer have over 100 pounds to lose! I'm so psyched. Jess ____________ Banded )ct. 6th Dr. Ortiz Tijuana, Mexico

The hunger drove me crazy the first two weeks. I am now 3 weeks out and unless I skip a meal, I am not hungry. I think it is because I am eating more calories. I do not go over 1200 calories. That's my ceiling. It has made a huge difference, though, in my energy level and it has reduced my hunger considerably. I am also keeping it high Pro, veggies and no breads or cereals. That has helped a lot, too. Hang in there new bandees, it does get better, I promise. Jess ______________ banded Oct. 6th Dr. Ortiz Tijuana

Hi All! How is everyone? The boards are kind of quiet, is there a lot of gas going around? Hang in there, it does get better. My heating pad was tremendously helpful for that for me. And so was walking around. I am so excited! I have two more pounds to lose and then I will have less than 100 pounds total to lose! Which is kind of sad when you think about it, but I am thrilled nonetheless. Take care everybody, Jess

The follow up on my chest pain is: I did call my doctor and it is normal. I wonder how long it takes to stop hurting. Good news: cleared to swim! Yea! I watched Biggest Loser last night and I was very impressed by the woman who was ousted. She has lost 88 pounds to date and looks phenomenal. She has also run two triathalons. WOW. Someday that will be me, well, maybe not the triathalons. Have you all heard Sharon Osbourne is removing her lapband? Jess __________________ Banded Oct. 6th Dr. Ortiz Tijuana

Mary, Congrats! And how great you have no gas pains! Consider yourself very fortunate. Speaking of gas, decaf can give people gas. Call you doctor's office. Jess

Hello October Bandees! I have a question for the early bandees, does anyone who was banded at the beginning of the month still have pain? I do. I am assuming this is normal. I discovered if I use the Better than Boullion chicken and a spoonful of organic babyfood mixed vegetables it makes a yummy soup for the early liquid days. I also discovered Unsweetened Chocolate Almond milk. This stuff is great! A little sweetner and it's 45 calories for a nice treat. Protein can be added to make a protein shake as well. I get mushy food at the end of this week! Yea! Good luck to all our upcoming bandees and congrats to the ones who have made it through. Jess

Hi Purtynailz, Usually 8 hours before surgery the patient gets nothing, not even water. With Dr. Ortiz I was told to stop eating and drinking by midnight the night before. Hope this helps Jess

Hello All! Boy , I'm away for a day or two and I miss a lot! 38 of us banded so far and more on the way? Is that right? Wow! Quick post for me today. Ok, skin beginning to get loose, not really pretty. Plus, it'll get worse. My weight loss has slowed down, but I am feeling better. A lot better! Jess

Hi All! I am very excited to see weight loss and progress from everyone! Way to go! Good job Joanne! Today I had kind of a bad day. No energy, just needed to sit and be still. Kind of depressed even though I'm losing weight because I can't move around like I want to. Oh, well, it's surgery, so this shouldn't surprise me. The good news is the pain is much, much less.