Sharbythesea

Hi All: Well, today is the day I start eating "real food" and I am a little afraid! Everything is going so good, down 17 lbs in 21 days, no PB's and NO hunger! I need to so shopping, and need some help on how you all started out. What do you have for breakfast? Thought I would have tuna for lunch, no bread, and maybe grilled chicken and veggies for dinner. Need all the help I can get! Thanks to all for your support and laughter, Lord knows we all need more of that!

Hi All: I was 62 when I got banded, will be 64 in a few days, and it is the best thing I have ever done for myself. It has been a learning experience, and has totally changed my life! I just have a very small amount of saline in my Band, 0.75cc, went up to 1.50cc, but had problems with PB's. I am only 25lbs from my goal and it is very slow losing now but easily within reach! Wishing you all continued succes on this Journey.

Darcey....so glad to hear you are doing fine with your new Band and sorry to hear about your Mother's sudden passing. I, also was going to Dr. Eubanks for my fills, but since a little over a year ago, I was notified that he would no longer take "International Patients" due to malpractice insurance increases, he could no longer afford it, and would cost too much to pass on to the patient. So, I have been going to Dr. Tesigni, in Coos Bay, his PA, Scott, does my fills and he is great...no problems, gets it on the first try. Wish you continued success on your Journey, and once all your emotional issues are behind you, the weight will start to really drop off. Just got the news today that our Daughter, who had the Band surgery a year and a half ago, now has to have the Band removed. Dr. O will be removing it tomorrow. Part of her stomach has come up thru the Band, and caused the Band to tighten....she is very disappointed but anxious to solve the problem and feel better....right now she can't eat, and is even having difficulty drinking liquids. Let's be good to our Bands!

Hi All: I am almost 64, had the surgery in October 04' when I was 62, and would do it all over again. I am 25lbs from my goal weight and feeling wonderful. My knees and feet love not having to carry around 75 extra pounds every day! I also wish that I would have had this option 15 years ago when I started to put all this weight on. I went to Mexico for my surgery (self-pay) and would recommend Dr. Ortiz to all.....I had a wonderful experience. I wish all of you continued success on this "Journey to good Helath" and remember to be good to your Band!

Hi There: Just wanted to tell you that I just went to Tersigni's office, for an emergency unfil. Had my surgery in Mexico 1 1/2 years ago, had not had a fill for 1 year, but got sick with a terrible cold, and the tissue swelled under the band making it suddenly tighter, couldn't drink or swallow...so called their office, and they took me and I would highly recommend them. The PA, Scott did my unfill and he was absolutely great..got it the first time, and he is the BEST! Please tell him that Sharon, from Bandon told you so. Have not met the Dr. yet, might not, as Scott does all the fills. Just went back in for my fill,( 4 weeks later) Scott did his majic and I am doing great, and looking forward to losing more weight. Wishing you much success on your journey.

I was 62 when I had the surgery, and I am now 15 months post-op and NO complications! Have lost 67lbs. and 2 fills (total 1.5cc), I eat about 1/3 of what I ued to eat. I don't eat any white flour, NO bread of any kind, and NO suger. Lots of meat and chicken, fruit and veggies and eggs. Still have a problem getting all my water in, but trying. I am quite restricted early in the day, so usually don't eat till after 10 AM. Get stuck now and then, but it is usually when I have waited too long to eat, and then I eat too fast and don't chew enough! I would do this again in a heartbeat! I can walk without pain in my knees and feet now, and just have more energy....and can wear a size 14-16 now, NO more plus sizes! If I can answer any more questions for you, please do not hesitate to email me.

Congratulations....isn't it great to feel restriction! Where did you go for your fill? I was going to Dr. Eubanks, in Portland, but he is no longer do them. I will be going down to So. Calif. for the Holidays, and will make a trip down to T.J to see Dr. Ortiz and Maritnez, but it would be nice to have someone up here in Oregon that I could go to.

I am 63 also, and had the surgery 1 year ago, and it is the best thing I have ever done for just me! I started at 265, am down 57lbs, feel great, gone off my BP meds, my knees and joints feel so much better now that they don't have to support all that weight. I went to Mexico for my surgery, had a great experience, loved my Dr's and would do it all over again in a heartbeat! My goal is to lose 100lbs, and I am more than half way now, am eating healthy food, and don't feel deprived! If I want something, I eat it, just a small amount satisfies me now. Hope this helps, good luck on your journey. You can email me if you have more questions.

I buy most of my clothes from HSN.com, almost all the designers on that site have plus size clothing. I buy a lot of Diane Gillman Designs, and I only buy when they are on clearance. Also, Coldwater Creek Outlet online, they have great sales, Just bot a beautiful red suede jacket, for fall, $109.00 on sale for $29.00.

Do you have any consignment stores in your area? They are a great source for nice clothes. I have gone from a size 22 down to a 18, and almost out of those now, and have been taking things in there to sell, and looking for smaller sizes to buy. And it is inexpensive! Good luck.

I am a retired VP with a major brokerage firm on Wall Street. I still dabble in the stockmarket, via on-line trading. What a wonderful diverse group of people all supporting each other in this "Wonderous Journey to A New Life of Good Health"

Heather: So glad to hear you liked Dr. Fitzpatric, as I am going to give her a call for my next fill. Dr. Eubanks has been my after care Dr., but as you know, he is not doing fills anymore. I live on the coast, in Bandon, so it is a 5 hr. drive up to Portland, but understand that she will be opening an office in Eugene in the near future, and that would be quite convenient for me. I went to her website and did read that she has the availability of fluro, if needed. My port is titled a bit, and a little hard to access, so would feel more comfortable with it. Wishing you continued success in this journey.

Mary and Paula, hope this is the answer you are looking for. I have been wearing Leggs-Body Beautiful, they are like a control pair of panty hose, without any feet. They come in thigh length and capri length, and work wonders! Cost $5.95 per pair. WalMart sells them, and they sell out all the time, so I buy several pair at a time. I am 5'6" and now weigh 220, and I have been buying the X-Large size and they really hold in the tummy and thigh bulge. Hope this helps.

Hi Shelley: I live in Oregon, and was banded 4 months ago, in Tijuana, due to the cost of the surgery here in the states. I had my first fill in January, in Portland, and since then I have found two other Dr's who will do fills for Mexico bandsters. I just had a friend who had the band done last week, here on the Oregon coast, and the cost was $12,000. It was day surgery, at the medical center, so she didn't have the huge hospital expense. I would not hesitate to go back down to Mexico, I loved my Dr, and his whole team, and in fact my daughter has just had surgery by Dr. Ortiz also. But by the time you factor in the plane fare and your fills, it might be cheaper to go here. My cost in Mexico (including tickets) was almost $11,000. Do lots of research, and if you would like more info, you can PM me.

Betty 54 Paula 43 Kelly 65 Becky 77 Carol 102 Alex 110 Nana~49 Rich 20 Larae 22 Maureen 73 Marie 56 Wyld Blu 73 Penni 54 Vera 60 Darcy 59 Kelly 39 michelle 135 mary 65.4 cindy 88 greg 77 Sharon 35 Total 1356.40

Hi All: I also just went to Dr. Eubanks, in Portland, for my first fill. I was totally impressed with him and his staff. Spent quite a bit of time with me, answering all my questions and making me feel very comfortable. Thank you Teresa for recommending him. I live a 1/2 hour from Dr. Tersigni, but when I called to check on prices, his were $200 more per fill than Eubanks. And Dr. Mirande, in Klamath falls, were $300 more than Eubanks! So be sure to do your research, talk to people who have had surgery by these Dr's., and check around to see who will do after care and the cost of same.

Thanks for all the suggestions. My first day went great, the scrambled egg went down just fine, no problem with the tuna, but by the time I ate my protein first, at dinner, I had no room left for the veggies or fruit. I am going to have to schedule all the water in there, drank 24oz before breakfast, and that is so hard for me, now I have 2 more bottles to go! Have to really watch the clock to make sure I stop early before meals, and after also. This has been such a positive experience for me, just wish I had not waited till I was 62 years old to do it!

Hi Mindi: I was banded the day before you, by Dr. Ortiz, and am doing great. Have lost 17lbs. and am not eating yet! Still on liquids, broth, jello, juices and yogurt. Will have my first "real food" in a few days, can't wait! I have had no problems yet, and hope that continues. What are you eating? Are you chewing really well? Can you feel your Port? I am not sure where mine is! Did you see that Dr. Ortiz' new book just came out, can't wait to get one.

Thanks so much for info, will really think about this, and probably go to Dr. Eubanks when time for a fill.

Hi Kathy and Teresa: I am also looking for a fill Dr. in Oregon. I was banded on 10-21-04, so not in need as yet. I was told of two, that would take "out of Country" patients: Dr. Mirande in Klamath Falls $450 per fill Dr. Tersigne In Coos Bay $350 per fill Have either of you heard anything about them? I know that Dr. Eubanks is quite a distance from me, but from your recommendations, he sounds wonderful and maybe I should think about that. I live in Bandon, right on the Ocean, so Coos Bay would be quite convenient for me, but would like to know a little about him first. Love this site, it has been so helpful to me since my surgery.

Hi All: I don't know that I had a "Moment", more like a "Movie" that kept playing over and over in my head! I am probably the "Old One" in the group, I am 62, retired and living on the Coast. This has been a life long dream to live by the ocean and walk on beach, now I have it, but can't walk! My legs and knees just can't take the 100 extra pounds! So, with the support of my husband, I finally made the decision to be Banded! So, I am really looking forward to the long walks, and enjoying my retirement in good health. I am so glad to read the stories from all you youg gals, who have taken charge of your lives and made a positive change!

Hi to All: I now have officially joined the group! I was banded on 10-21, in Mexico, by Dr. Ortiz. What a class act! From the moment we were picked up at the airport, till our trip back home, we were treated first class all the way. We were totally impressed with Dr. Ortiz and his team. I would highly recommend them to all. I am tired, but feeling good. I have bloating, tenderness, and of course GAS! I am walking around the house to help with that problem. I am drinking my fluids, but feel so full all the time, that it is hard to get all of it down. It still is uncomfortable to lay on my side, where the port is, and can't lay on my stomach yet. But I have to remember that this is only day 4 of post-op. Looking forward to the soft food stage! Ciao (chow) Sharon

Thank you all for your encouraging messages. This is day 5 post-op and I am feeling really good, drinking a little more today, and hopefully even more tomorrow! Have not been on the scales yet, going to wait till Thursday, 1 week.

Hi All: Well, the day is almost here! Fly down to San Diego in the morning, and surgery is scheduled for Thursday, and back home on Sunday. I am very excited, but nervous at the same time, I am sure you can all relate to that! I know I will have a lot of questions upon my return, so will say goodbye for now, and be in touch with all of you soon.

Hello to all: I am getting prepared for my upcoming surgery on the 21st. and would like some info on protein powders. Would like some ideas on what to buy. Got some Gatorade and chicken broth and apple juice. Also some Gas X. Will have a long plane ride back home, so want to be as comfortable as possible. Thanks to all for your support. Ciao, Sharbythesea