Platinum

Solid foods is the key to loosing weight with the band. I had my surgery by Dr. Ortiz last Friday and he told me that people always think they need a fill so they won't be able to eat. He said that he wants me to be able to eat but to eat solid foods. The band will not restrict liquids or mushy type foods. His nutritionist told me to have a protein bar for breakfast instead of the shake. She said I would feel fuller longer. I don't know yet because I am still only 8 days post op. I know some people have a lot of restriction in the mornings and they might only be able to have a liquid for breakfast. You should be able to eat 1/3 of what you were eating before the surgery. If we eat too much, we can stretch the pouch. I know that seems open ended but it's an idea of how much to eat. Good luck to you all!

I found some Protein shakes at Akins (health food store) in all different flavors. My favorite is the Peanut Butter chocolate swirl!! I mixed 1 cup of skim milk and some ice cubes plus a small dab of real peanut butter and blended up into something real special!! I thought I was in heaven when I took a drink. I also like the Campbell Soups At Hand (sip cup style) in Velvety potato and Cream of Broccoli. They were both really good and I got pretty full off them. I also blended up some low fat Ravioli (1/2 can) and heated it up and ate it. It wasn't that bad. You just have to be creative with stuff. Add some real fruit to your Protein Shakes. I like to make them from the powder so that I can add stuff instead of buying the premixed kind. I am on day 8 of post op diet and I am feeling pretty good about it. The mental hunger kicks in when I cook dinner or smell food but I just have to be strong. Good luck!

I had surgery last Friday (9th of Feb) in Tijuana Mexico by Dr. Ortiz and I was back at work on Monday the 12th of Feb. I loved everything about Dr. Ortiz and his staff. They were all so wonderful. I would do it over again in a HEARTBEAT!! I live in Oklahoma City so the trip home was long. Your port incision is the one that is most tender so I felt a little bit uncomfortable when I had the window seat on the long flight home. You are still a little bit gassy so I had some cramps from that. It really wasn't that bad. The mental hunger kicks in when you are sitting at the airport smelling all the food so be prepared for that. I got a passion fruit tea from Starbucks while waiting for my flight. Also, remember to walk as much as possible the after your surgery. It really helps eliminate gas pains. My sister and I went shopping for 3 hours on the day after my surgery. I never had any gas pains in my shoulder and I think the walking helped. Good luck to you. So far, I am loving this band!!!

Thanks for the info. I joined the yahoo group and I started a new post so maybe I will get some hits there. However, I will call around to the local doctors and find out. Thanks.

I am a patient of Dr. Ortiz and we are on the liquid stage for 3-5 days and then to full liquids and then to mushies over a three week period for all three stages (anything through a straw, NO CHEW). I get to have solids after three weeks, not six weeks. Dr. Ortiz wrote the book "Lapband for Life" and he has performed over 4000 lapband procedures. I trust what he has told me but I guess every doctor is different. I plan to eat after my 3 week post op diet. Good luck to you all!

You should be able to have full liquids by now. Try Campbell's Soup in a sip cup and try Velvety Potato. I had some yesterday and was great and I got full off of less than 1/2 a can. Sip slow and enjoy!!! Try drinkable yogurts and protein shakes. They really help break the broth boreness!!!

I got banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. I would love to see him for my first fill but I may have to find someone closer. Any ideas for a fill doctor in the Oklahoma area?? How much??? What is your experience with having fills by the doc??? Any info would be appreciated!!!

Tonya, Where are you going for your fills? I want to go back to Dr. Ortiz for my first fill but I need some other options. Please advise.

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico on Feb. 9th and I am feeling great!! I was banded on Friday and back at work on Monday. I only feel some slight pain at my port site but don't have to take any pain pills. I didn't have any gas pain in my shoulder either. Saturday after surgery, my sister and I went shopping in Mexico. I felt great! I love Dr. Ortiz and everyone at the Obesity Control Center there in Mexico. I was nervous about it at first but he is highly qualified and has performed over 4000 lap band procedures. He even wrote a book called "Lapband For Life". The post op diet is going fine to me but I would like to start adding some Protein powder to my creamy foods. I bought some Iso Pure (Grape flavored) but it is horrible. Which flavor is best??? Dr. Ortiz charges $8,500 for the surgery and this includes your hotel stay for three nights at Lucerna (nice hotel). I flew into San Deigo on Thursday night and they sent a driver to me up and take me across the border. My sister was with me and there were two other girls from California in the van too. It was not scary at all!!! They drove us back to the airport on Sunday. There were six of us being banded that day. 3 women from California, 1 man from Florida, 1 man from Oregon and me from Oklahoma city. I would do it over again in a heart beat. They were fantastic! I don't have one negative thing to say about the whole experience. You should research his clinic at www.obesitycontrolcenter.com and you can check out his lapband forum at www.lapbandforum.com I am sure that you will be amazed with everyone's positive experience at this clinic. I read the message boards for 3 months before I decided to go there. I am really loving this band. I get full so fast and I really feel that the future is going to be BRIGHT!!!

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico and the cost was $8,500. I was banded last Friday and I was back at work the following Monday. It was a wonderful experience. He is one of the best band doctors around and has performed over 4000 band procedures. His clinic was great and everyone there was fabulous. You can research it for yourself at www.obesitycontrolcenter.com You can also check out www.lapbandforum.com for a lot of info from his patients. I met some wonderful people there getting banded the same day. Some from California, one from Florida and one from Oregon. I am from Oklahoma City. I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!!!

My doctor says that you are supposed to eat three meals per day with no Snacks. Up your Fiber and it will help you feel fuller longer. No drinks an hour after you eat. If you get hungry throughout the day, sip on flavored Water like Crystal Light with some added fiber supplement.

Cookie, I would seek medical attention. The doctor's office has seen many people struggle with the band. This band is not a cure all so don't feel bad that you have gained some weight back. Let them check your band out and give you a clean bill of health. It may not be the band at all. I would stay with Clear liquids until your doctor appointment. My doctor said that if something gets stuck, stop eating and wait until your next meal to eat again. However, I would go to the doctor if I were you. Who cares if they give you a hard time about the weight gain? We all make mistakes. Please get there and let them help resolve your problem. That way you can get back on track!

Hello Sunshine, I'm from Oklahoma City where the girls are pretty!!:mad: I was banded on Feb. 9th by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico (best band Dr. in the world....to me) and I am doing well on the post op diet. Head hunger is always an issue for me especially when I smell food. However, day by day I am learning to cope with it. I really feel great and think this is going to work for me. I won't be able to eat/chew food until March 2nd. I hope these new habits of watching what I put in my mouth carry over to that new phase. I just wanted to say "hello" to one Okie from another. :mad:

I cut & paste the whole URL info and then try to paste on my signature but it always says invalid. I guess I am not doing something right. Oh well, I will be fine without a ticker. Thanks anyway.

I am glad that you had a good experience in Mexico like me. Good luck to you. I wish I could figure out how to down load one of those tickers showing my weight loss. I can't figure it out!

Hey Skinnyrebel, I also lied to my co workers and told them that I was meeting my sister in San Deigo, which was true but we then went to Mexico for my surgery. I left that part out. I just didn't want anybody judging me for going to Mexico. I felt confident because I did my research so I did not want to hear any negative comments. They might wonder soon why I am only drinking for lunch instead of eating. Oh well, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I don't really have a follow up appointment except in 6 weeks when I might need a fill. I plan to go back to Dr. Ortiz for that appointment as I really trust him. Good luck to you! I hope you loose a lot of weight and watch out for that head hunger. Someone was popping popcorn today at work and it sure smelled good. It made me hungry for a minute but I just kept sippin on my broth!!:heh:

I am 4 days post op and feeling great!! No gas pains and no vomiting!! Trying to take the best care possible for my band. I am looking forward to the future!!!

I was banded on Feb. 9th by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. Oh my goodness this was such a great experience!!! I just loved his staff and everything else about his clinic. I am back at work today with a little bit of pain at my incisions. I'm sitting alot so I feel slightly uncomfortable but nothing that I can't deal with. The liquid diet is going good so far. However, I can start drinking yogurt tomorrow and then Protein shakes and other soft stuff by day 8. I think everything will be okay. The mental hunger is there when I smell food but I am trying to kick that habit. This band will help me do that since I CAN NOT CHEW anything until day 21. I am feeling great!! I don't plan to weight myself anytime soon. I want to feel the change in my clothes first. I might weigh myself after one month or at my first fill (if or when neccessary). Good luck to you!!!

I was banded on Friday by Dr. Ortiz and I am doing fabulous!!! The whole experience was wonderful and I would do it all over again if I had too. My post op diet is going good. Only great things are to come!!!:clap2:

I am doing great!! I was banded by Dr. Ortiz on Friday, Feb. 9th and I am back at work today. His office staff is superb and he is fantastic. I am so excited about my new future. The post op diet is going well!!!

:nervous I was banded on Friday, Feb.9th by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. Let me tell you ALL that this was a great experience. The people at the clinic are wonderful and Dr. Ortiz is superb!!! If you are a self pay, please do not hesitate to check out www.obesitycontrolcenter.com The total cost was $8500. I am back at work today and feel great! I have no gas pains in my shoulder the some people experienced. My port site is a little bit sore while sitting down for long period but nothing I can't deal with. I am so excited that everything went so well! There were five other people getting surgery the same day as me and all of them said only great things about the experience too. We all became really close and enjoyed eachother's company while in Mexico. I'm finally banded on I am doing fine on the post op diet. Right now I am drinking broth and Crystal Light. I have eaten popcicles and I feel great. Sitting in the airport was a little bit tough with all the food aroma but that was all mental hunger. I am learning to beat those urges with my new band in place. The future is bright!!!!:clap2:

Puddin', Tell me about your lower body lift. How long did it take you to recover? How much did it cost and where did you have it done? I look forward to hearing from you!

Puddin, You look great! Congratulations on your success. I am getting banded tomorrow by Dr. Ortiz. So, what's up with the body lift? How long did it take you to recover? How much did it cost and who did it for you? I know....so many questions. Thanks.

Hip Hip Horay for you!!! I am getting banded on Friday by Dr. Ortiz in Mexcio. I am so excited too. It's all surreal to me to think that I am going to have the tool that will help me get this weight off once and for all. Let us know how you are feeling afer your surgery. At least you have the inside track with you family support group. They've been through it already and can give you some good tips! Keep sippin' on that Water and broth!!!

Well, tomorrow is the big day!! I am so excited and I just can't hide it....okay, let me calm down. I'll let you all know how it goes in Mexico!