88KEYZ

Absolutely! I had my surgery in Mexico, so upon returning to San Diego we spent a couple days enjoying the sites, our dinners consisted of jello from the store, wanton soup and egg-drop soup from the Chinese restaurant and smoothies!!! I still love those too and tomorrow is 8 weeks banded! I have to add that my first fill was on 5/31 and was harder than the surgery (not the actual fill but eating and the new fillings of fullness it gave me).

I also live in GA; Emory in Atlanta plus insurance asks for all of this paperwork. Whatever you do - keep copies of everything, carry to all appointments as they can't always find everything! Protect yourself. I ended up in Mexico for surgery as insurance denied me, but my father had his at Emory. Even with preapproval, the day of the surgery they were battling until we left the house saying they could not do it, but yet finally did it. They could not find one of the documents he hand carried to them. So always have a copy! I encourage the surgery, I had mine 4/19/08 and have lost 31 lbs. so far. Dad had his 2 weeks ago and has with the prediet lost 35 lbs. It is wonderful! Good luck.

$389.00 to Fill Centers USA and $200.00 to the doc for the fluroscopy. So all total $589.00 After the first the price goes down to like half the cost.

Dr. Corvala was the kindest and most caring doctor I have had. He even brought his son up with him and we had a wonderful visit. Dr. Corvala is a wondrful doctor and spoke lovingly with me and my sis-n-law among other patients with us that weekend. --- People are people, all can have a bad day, you overheard something, professional or not, the point is, there is more to what you heard than you even know about. Don't judge people on one episode, if you do that just think how others will judge you in the wrong scenario. English - Spanish - French - who cares....people are people and we must consider the source and surroundings.

I had my first fill yesterday. I have to be honest with you .... the process was so simple and painless! Although, the after - all through the rest of the day and night I was pathetic! I hurt (not like surgery hurt) with heartburn and pressure. I was up until 3 a.m. I called my Doc on Sunday at noon and she felt like it was normal swelling because things are going down. You just have to move a lot slower, use a lot of caution and stay on liquids. She suggested 72 hours of liquids, but right now I am doing good with very thin creme of wheat!! So I will be fine, it is all a new feeling than I had before. Good luck to you and I hope it goes very well for you.

Caffeine makes you hungry faster than normal. The reason to not have it is to help you not eat as much.

I went for my first fill on Saturday morning 5/31 - it was so intriguing! Fill Centers USA in Roswell, GA. I loved watching on the Monitor screen as the liquid went through. First it was completely closed and nothing went through, then Dr. Zebley drew saline out until she liked the way it went through and I felt that it seemed right, 1.5cc total, so amazing! I then sat for the 15 min., drinking water at room temp., no problem...so we left. I have been slightly uncomfortable today, mostly the new feeling of tightness and also I'm so hungry! I have not been this hungry at all since I was banded. I hope this goes away quickly. I tried broth, swallowed perfectly, but just felt yucky and did not want to smell it. The jello was better. She said - clear liquids(warm) today, clear cold and warm on Sunday and then soft liquid food Monday. From there, add foods one at a time, insuring I'm good with each one. They gave me a nice packet with a special book enclosed that is most helpful, plus a magazine and instructions galore! I hope tomorrow is better, now if I could only sleep!!

You can go to a GNC store and buy ISOPURE in a protein liquid drink that is fruit flavored. They are very good. 0 calories, 0 carbs, high protein, no sugar, etc. These work as a clear liquid. (Not the red one - only the other flavors) Good luck and follow the rules! You will do great.

Stock up on the little jello packs and pudding packs too! I had my first fill today and they told me liquids for 72 hours. Yours sounds different!

This is great news! You will be so happy that you did this surgery when you are through it all. I would do it again tomorrow!

Congrats! This is the best thing I have ever done for myself - you will be glad...just do everything by the book and you will be wonderful.

I have not blogged in a little while, so today is my day! I am excited as I have lost 27 lbs. at this point. :thumbup: My band was put on April 19th and tomorrow is 6 weeks plus my first fill. I know I need it, I can eat more than I was, so the restriction has lessened. I think I could have lost more, but 3 weeks ago today I fell and broke my ankle and my leg, :thumbup: so no walking or exercising going on. I'm hanging in there, staying positive, feeling and looking different. Two days ago 5/28 my Dad had the lap-band surgery and I am so glad he did! He has been overweight throughout most of my life, lost and gained over and over. He is totally mentally ready for this and has supported me in the past 6 weeks through mine. I know he will do great. So for us, the fun of it all....the race is on! :tt2: Also, I have started taking Mona Vie juice - 4 ounces a day. This stuff is fabulous. I have more energy, less joint pain, and my husband is incredible in the difference of himself from using it too. Have you heard of it or tried it? Ask me about it or how to get it as it is not in stores. I will never go without Mona Vie in my home or family again. It has 19 berries in it, all natural and no preservatives. A great enhancement vitamin wise for our weight loss programs!! Don't miss out on this easy way to take these nutrients in. http://www.mymonavie.com/DEBBIECLANTON A lot has happened for me in six weeks, I pray that this all continues and the success for me is a healthier life and that I am able to feel stronger, better and breathe when walking again!

I have not blogged in a little while, so today is my day! I am excited as I have lost 27 lbs. at this point. My band was put on April 19th and tomorrow is 6 weeks plus my first fill. I know I need it, I can eat more than I was, so the restriction has lessened. I think I could have lost more, but 3 weeks ago today I fell and broke my ankle and my leg, :thumbup: so no walking or exercising going on. I'm hanging in there, staying positive, feeling and looking different. Two days ago 5/28 my Dad had the lap-band surgery and I am so glad he did! He has been overweight throughout most of my life, lost and gained over and over. He is totally mentally ready for this and has supported me in the past 6 weeks through mine. I know he will do great. So for us, the fun of it all....the race is on! Also, I have started taking Mona Vie juice - 4 ounces a day. This stuff is fabulous. I have more energy, less joint pain, and my husband is incredible in the difference of himself from using it too. Have you heard of it or tried it? Ask me about it or how to get it as it is not in stores. I will never go without Mona Vie in my home or family again. It has 19 berries in it, all natural and no preservatives. A great enhancement vitamin wise for our weight loss programs!! Don't miss out on this easy way to take these nutrients in. http://www.mymonavie.com/DEBBIECLANTON A lot has happened for me in six weeks, I pray that this all continues and the success for me is a healthier life and that I am able to feel stronger, better and breathe when walking again!

I used Neosporin for the first week, then stopped as air dry no bandages is needed. I bought scar cream at the drug store and have used it daily. I have not itched too bad as all that helped. Also, wash the area lightly with water and non-allergic soap, or better yet, rub on rubbing alcohol on the area. All these relieve some of the itch and raw feelings.

I went to Tijuana, Dr. Corvala. I used "World Med Assist" to set things up. The hospital was a very clean state of the art hospital and safe. Check out www.worldmedassist.com; Woeter (wow-ter) helped me with everything. I would do it again tomorrow!! Read my blogs on my profile. If you call tell Woeter I told you too, he was so nice - tell him hello for me. *(Debbie Clanton) Here is my testimonial: http://www.worldmedassist.com/lapband_mexico_lopez_corvala_debbie_clanton_testimonial.htm

My husband is a city employee in a town in Georgia and I was not covered on Blue Cross Blue Shield and then I found out that employees for the state of GA are also not covered. Sad - it would save the insurance companies money in the long run having healthier cients! I paid cash and flew to Tijuana for my surgery at a fraction of the cost and would do it again tomorrow!!!

The EKG is very simple. There are little stickers put on your legs, chest, arms and they have a snap on them - wires connect to these stickers and then to a machine. You just lay still, the machine records all of your pulse areas for a couple minutes and that is it. The printout tells the doctor of any irratic heart beats or problems. They can even read if you had a prior heart attack. No pain, just gain!

My doctor had me on a 7 day pre-diet of 40-50 carbs a day, liquids - broths, jello's, protein water drinks, unlimited protein shake drinks, protein food bars, and no sugar. I lost 7 lbs.

I lost 7 lbs. on prediet and had my surgery 4/19. I have not gained at all, kept losing and today 25 lbs. down. I have followed the guidelines, mostly soups, soft foods, etc. But I am watching the numbers and intake. I don't do protein drinks I just eat higher protein foods. Chicken, eggs, creme of wheat, potoatoes, veggies, etc. NO breads, or things like that yet. I love the raspberry sherbert too and have a bowl daily. I'm not hungry.

This is a test to look into your stomach and esophogus area. You will be relaxed on medication, not totally asleep as the doctor will talk to you, but your mind is very sleepy. I barely remember anything from mine! A small tube that has a camera on the end is inserted through your mouth and they look on a screen at your insides. Does not last long, they can take a little biopsy of tissue if needed and soon you are finished. A slight sore throat may follow for some and you will eat light mushy foods or liquids after. It is not bad at all. Truly!

My first fill will be 5/31. I think if you have been losing without a fill in the band, think what you will do with a fill!! Should lose more.

I would look at the positive and if the prediet works that good, stay on it and you won't need the lapband. For me my thyroid kept any diet from working properly, so lapband was the only choice and it is working great. Hang in there, be positive and just work on a life change.

If you have tried Weight Watchers, etc. and no luck, then yes this is the best alternative! I would do it again tomorrow if I had too.