Liz1531

My doc had a few options. 1. Do Atkins (Strict!) for 3 weeks 2. Drink 2 Protein Shakes a day and have one lean cuisine for dinner. If you get hungry have salads with low cal dressing in between meals. Do this for 1-2 weeks. My doc requires losing 5% of body weight.

I always hate when companies I work for hand out shits and I'd have to ask for an XL. So embarresing when you work with skinny minnies! Give yourself a year from being banded and then the only talk about you will be how great you look!

I like the Atkins drinks. They're premade and have 15 grams protein per drink and no sugar. The strawberry and chocolate are good. They also have coffee flavors like mocha latte.

I wasn't numbed and I woke up and I swear I was still being stitched up. I tried to speak and say "Are you stitching me? It HURTS!" But, I think it can out all muffled because I had something in my mouth preventing me from speaking. I don't know if I had a blindfold on because I couldn't see anything. I just tried to talk for a minute and then next thing I knew I was waking up in my room. Really weird!

I wasn't given any instructions on this and we waiting oh... about 4 days. We were just very careful!

Hi Plumptuous! I am in San Diego and work in Escondido so not far from you. I've been looking for someone closer to me to chat with. How are things progressing for you?

I'm in San Diego. I'm surprised there are so many of us in SoCal.

I am eating liquids/some full liquids. I've started on creamy Soup, drinkable yogurt, and Protein shakes. These are all okay per my docs instructions. The only thing I had that's a no no is some refried Beans today. I had those after my tummy was hurting so that can't be it. I also just drank a whole carnation instead Breakfast drink and feel absolutely STUFFED! I've just had a lot of aches and pains and sometime (like right now) have a hard time breathing. Is pain while breathing anything you have experienced?

Ladies... my tummy hurts. Any advice please? My tummy is rumbling a lot and it hurts right in the middle in my upper abdomin. Is this gas? I'm so confused. I'm on Day 6 post op.

I was just banded last week and was told to only sip and not drink too much. Was that just right after surgery? Can I drink normally now? We're at record high temps and no air conditioning and I'm dying. I want to down bottles of ice cold water and am afraid. I'm also nursing my son still and need a LOT of water. What do I do? Right now every time I drink I get terrible gas pains in my shoulder. Help, help, help!

when you guys say gas pains, do you pass gas to relieve the pains? how does it get "relieved"? To relieve my gas pain I need to burp. Not just your normal burp either. It's like a deep belly burp and it feels so good after to take some pressure of my shoulder. I've been eating the Gas X tabs that dissolve on the tongue. I've had some pains that made me not want to breathe because it hurt so bad. I'm having mild pains now and just prayin for that good burp. I have had gas out the other end too, but not much. Just a poot here and there. Either way I'm always excited now when any kind of air is escaping...lol

I had my first protein shake today (only drank 1/2) and my tummy is hurting right now. Could this be from the milk? My tummy is hurting and I am having gas pains in the shoulder. Ow!

Hi everyone! I am still not sure about how much/how quickly I can drink but will take it easy until my first fill appointment and ask about it then. One of my scars is starting to itch!!! Agh!!!! I'm too scared to scratch it...lol. I couldn't believe it but I lost 5 pounds over the 4 day weekend. Wow! I'm not supposed to add my protein shakes until Friday (Atkins drinks) but I went ahead and did becuase I am desperate for the vitamins and protein. I'm still breastfeeding my son and my milk is disappearing so I had to do something since I can't eat healthier. How is every going for everyone else?

I have moved on from Phase I and have added creamy soups, liquid yogurt, and protein shakes. I felt to unhealthy to do all clear liquids. I am still breastfeeding my son and have notice a HUGE decrease in milk supply so I decided today that I must add on the protein shakes. My doc said okay to add the yogurt and soups on day 4 if I was doing really well on all clears. They said not to start my Atkins shakes (protein shakes) until day 7. I am going against there advice because I really feel this is what's best for my son right now.

I live in San Diego and just got done on 08/31. The couple traveling back with me stayed at Hotel Circle. It's a great central location. It's close to the zoo and also close to the airport and Sea World. Hotel Circle is just a street of the 8 Freeway that has tons of hotels. The couple I drove back with decided to go to the Zoo on Sunday (banded on Friday). I was walking around TJ the day after banding but I did get weak and dizzy easily and didn't go far. I would recommend going to the zoo because it's located at Balboa Park and there are TONS of museums and things to look at and see. It's free to roam around Balboa Park and the musuems are pretty cheap. I felt a little sore for two days in my tummy. The gas pains in my shoulder are the worst and have lessened as time goes on. I heard to lay down on my back when the pains are bad and this does seem to help. Also, Gas X is wonderful. The Lucerna in TJ is awesome! Way better than I expected. Here's a picture: (my room was on the 5th floor overlooking the pool)

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for your posts. I am officially one of you! I was banded last Thursday/Friday at 2am. So far I feel pretty good. I felt like doo doo the first two days being sore and having a lot of gas pains. My tummy feels fine now and just having a lot of gas pains in my shoulder. I really appreciate everyone's input. I was really wanting to back out and run.

Thanks! That does help. I have been drinking about 1/2 glass at a time and big swallows. I figured if it was too much I'd PB it back up right? It's so hot here (San Diego) and we have no air conditioning and live on the 2nd floor. Agh! We just had to have a heat wave the weekend I decided to get banded! I could about KILL for an ice cream cone right now!

Help help! I am so thirsty! How much can I drink at one time? Can I have a glass of water or only a few sips? So confused!

I almost had a panic attack this morning thinking about NO DIET COKE!!!!!!! I just had the surgery so it's fresh in my mind what Dr. Ortiz suggests. They say NO carbonated drinks for 6 month and even then drink maybe 1/2 and drink slow. Also, said to only have one every once in a while. I can't wait!

I wrote this the day after: Hello all. I am sitting in the Hotel Lucerna one day out from banding. I really didn't think it would happen and I thought maybe I would back out once I got to the OR. They gave me some pain meds and something to help me relax and I think I fell asleep on my own in the OR before the anestes. even gave me anything. I woke up as he was sewing me up (I think... I couldn't see anything and was VERY groggy). I tried to say it was hurting but had something in my mouth. It was over very quickly and I was back in recovery very soon. I saw Dr. Ortiz when I was wheeled into the OR but I don't think we spoke as I was quickly asleep. To start off my surgery was scheuled for 08/31 morning. On 08/30 the staff called and said not to eat after 2pm because I was having the surgery that night (Thursday). As it turns out mexican teachers were protesting at the border on Friday morning and that's why he wanted everyone done Thursday. The borders got shut down and doc thought once he got home to San Diego he wouldn't be able to get back. So I was the last patient Thursday night. I was done by 2am and calling my hubby at the hotel to say all went well. I was released the next morning around 11 and am going home today. The hotel is WAY better than I expected. The staff are wonderful, the rooms are clean, the food is excellent (my hubby says) and the broth is great. Also, the pool is awesome! Bring a bathing suit. My room is directly behind the pool on the 5th floor. The balcony is great to sit and get some air while eating broth. The staff at Dr. Ortiz's was wonderful. They are all VERY sweet and patient. They offered help many times when I didn't even need it. If you are going in expect to be pretty sore for about two days. My gas pains have gone away a lot and now I'm just sore on my tummy. Remember walk, walk, walk! ...Today is Monday & gas pain in shoulder is awful! Aside from that doing well.

:faint:I'm so scared!!! Encouragement please! Not only having surgery but doing it in TJ, Mexico.... Agh!!!!! Does everyone get scared/nervous at the last minute? I was cool until today!

I was banded on 08/31 and am feeling the gas pains. They aren't terrible but they are bad enough that I want advice to get rid of them. I've been on the go all day today and taking Gas X and still my shoulder is hurting. Help.... also feeling hungry. I've had maybe 300-400 calories a day for the last 3 days. That's a very liberal estimate. Been eating sugar free pops, a little broth, water, and a little juice. Tomorrow I get to try some liquid yogurt.

Dr. Otriz's driver is on his way to my house (San Diego) right now to take me to TJ. I am scared to death but will let you know how it went.... that is if I don't decide to run and hide from the driver!

I am going TODAY to TJ. Price is $8,500 w/ Dr. Otriz

Hey ya'll! I'm going to Dr. Ortiz today! So scared. I'll let all my August buddies know how it goes! Hopefully I don't fly off the table running for the nearest exit!