~MyNewLife~

My Doctor did give me two cards and one does say what size band I have and at the bottom it does state that this person cannot eat put small portions of food. I was told I could show this when I go out to eat, just dont know if it will work.

Hi kate, Ohh wow, I think I posted this same exact thread..I HATE Protein SHAKES!!!! I have tried I think everyone that is out their. I have found the MAX PROTEIN for GNC around to be the best! It has NO chalky taste and NO protein taste. They have about 27 grams per scoop, choc taste like melted ice cream and it feels like you are drinking milk! IT is THE BEST! Good Luck! Carrie

Hi and Congrats...... I am 14 days post op today. There is a November 2008 "group" with alot of different threads. Go up to the search bar and I would type in Notorious Novembers and that should take you to it. Also there are several diffrent websites for Tickers. Tickerfactory.com is a popular sight. It is pretty easy to figure out. You could aslo type in tickers under google and it will give you several different opinions. Good Luck!

Hey Everyone, I am 2 weeks post op tomorrow. I am on liquids for 21 days, cant drink it through a straw, cant have it. Anyway, Protein, I HATE Protein drinks and have not been drinking them. I know I need the protein, but I cant drink it. I would LOVE to know how everyone is getting their protein everyday.

Hey Froggi, I was just sitting here reading some post and I was wondering how you are going. I have not seen a post from you since surgery. I hope you are going great, let us know how you are!

Hi Froggie, I know you are busy so just whenever you get a chance can you update my stats. My weight at surgery was 246 and my current 10 day post op is 240. I have changed my goal to 155. Thanks!

Froggi, I am so excited for you girl!. Good luck and please keep us posted!

Sweetmama, I have a 4cc band and I was banded Nov 14 so I have no fill of course. I am on day 9 and have not been hungry, straight liquids for 21 days. Anyway I am having problems getting my liquids down because I feel so tight when I drink. I was talking to my fill doctor and she explained it to me and it made a LOT of since as where before I was a little confused. She stated for example.... you and I got banded on the same day and was given the same size band. My stomach maybe "thicker" than your stomach so therefore my band will already be tighter than your band. Everyone is differnt. I may only have to have a very small fill or fewer fills, where You might have to have SEVERARL fill to get your "sweet spot". All I know is this, after my 21 days on liquids when I start to eat food. If I can eat 3-4 oz of meat and 1/2 cups veggies at each meal and I am satisfied and loosing around 2 pounds a week than I do not need a fill accoring to my fill doctor. I honestly beleive that this is a tool not a magic band and you are going to have to work with it. I think you still need to try to do your part and have some self control when it comes to food. We need to control the food and not let the food control us. That is why we are here in the first place. Dont get me wrong the band is a tool to help with that as well, I just think everyone is going to be different as far as how much fill it will take. Good luck and try to talk to your doctor. I also have heard that some fill doctors have a "standard" like giving a .5cc fill at a time. If the doctor is not listening to you and you are telling them that you are still hungry, maybe you need research another fill doctor that will listen to you and what your body is telling you. I hope this has helped some. Dont get fustriated, YOU have CHOOSEN to do this and YOU can!

Slackmaster, I was banded November 14th at the OCC in TJ Mexico by Dr. Martinez which is under Dr. Ortiz. I honestly can say that I am glad that my insurance would not pay and I had to choose this Doctor. I started my reseach back in July, booked in August. When I arrived at the airport, Fransico the drive was there waiting on me with a sign with my name on it. He told me which baggage claim my luggage was out and carried my luggage to the van. We arrived at the clinic where I met with Dr. Miranda the nutritionist. SHE IS WODERFUL! The ENITRE staff at the OCC is WONDERFUL. After they took us back to the Hotel which is AWESOME. The next morning we were pick up for surgery. The clinic is for Labband/fill patients so you are not in a hospital where there are all kinds of sick people there with you, not to metion the doctors that work there were chosen by the Doctor and not hospital staff. The facility was SO clean. My sister and brother in law went with me and they had to wear the little blue shoes to even come back and see me. I had a private room and GREAT nurses. I stayed overnight and very glad I did. I got sick from the anthesisa and they took care of me all night. My friend that was banded with me had a hernia that they repaired and was charged NOTHING. That morning they took me and had me do a barium swallow test and x ray to make sure my band was ok due to the fact I had gotten sick. In the states this is an out patient surgery, you get the surgery and you are sent home. I could not imagine being sent home and then that night having problems. I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. Ortiz or Dr. Martinez at the OCC. If you choose another doctor in Mexico which there are many, please do your research. My fill doctor was proctored by Dr. Ortiz which has taught many more of our US doctors. Good luck in your decision and if you have any other questions, please let me know.

Hey everyone... You know I am so shocked to hear some of the responses of what everyone is doing post op. I know every doctor is different. I was banded at the OCC by Dr. Martinez which is under Dr. Ortiz. We cannot have ANY food for 21 days. No Protein for 11 Days. The first 7 days is Clear Liquids, Day 8 you add 1/2 cup of Liquid yogurt and Day 11 you start cream Soups and Protein 1/2 cup at a time. No Solid foods until 21 days out. If you cant drink it you cant have it, so to speak. I am on day 8 and I am having to make myself drink liquids, I feel sooo full. I did drink my first 1/2 cup of liquid yogurt today and it was VERY good. It makes me wonder why every doctor is different. All I know is that my doctor says you have to have time for your stomach to heal. The thought of eating and drinking something really thick scares me to death. I am so scared I am going to slip my band or hurt myself. I know everyone is different. As far as drinking the Liquid Protein right after surgery, oh my, I could not do it. I have trouble getting 16 oz of clear fluids down a day as it is now. I think the only advice I can give is listen to your body. If you are feeling full, maybe you are full. I would not push it right out of surgery. Again good luck and I would love to know what everyone else thinks.

Nikki, Hey I am doing pretty good. First day back to work was pretty hard. I sit at a desk so it was pretty hard to sit straight up all day, but other than that I am doing good. I am down 20 pounds since I started my preop on the 27th of Oct. I am pretty excited about that. I will start creamys on Sunday with liquid yogurt. Good luck and keep in touch, Carrie

Hey Froggi, Just an update, I am down 4 more lbs which brings me to 14 pounds down in two weeks. Current weight is 248. I am leaving on Thursday morning surgery Friday. Will let you know what my surgery weight on Friday:wink_smile:

Hey I have a question. Started my preop diet on the 27th of Ocotber, the first week I lost 10 lbs. I weighed in this moring for my 2 week and I have lost 4 lbs. I still have done the same exact thing, no change. Do you think the first 10 lbs is mostly fluid. I am at my required loss for the surgery, just a little disappointed for the second week total....Surgery is Friday, got three more days before I leave, maybe I will drink more water during the day.

I am so excited on you for you that have been banded. It is so encouraging to hear that yall are doing GREAT. I'm getting banded on Friday, trust me counting down the days is an understatement. I have my second weigh in the morning and I cant wait to report it to Froggie, tomorrow will be day 14 on pre-op, Hope to hear on how everyone is doing. Any advise from those that have already been banded will be greatly appreciated. Again good luck and cant wait to hear from everyone!

Hi, I'm Carrie, I am 32 years old I am married and I have one son and two step sons I am getting banded on Nov 14th. I am so excited and I wish everyone the best of luck. I look forward to hearing about everyones journey!

Thanks Froggi, I am doing a shake (slimfast) for breakfast and lunch, then a Lien Cuisine (under 300 calories) for Dinner. I have however for the past three mornings, drank chicken broth for my breakfast, the shakes are getting really old. I also can have cucumbers with my dinner.

Just a little update....I started my preop diet seven days ago today. I hope this encourages everyone, I have found it has not been as bad as I thought it was going to be. I waited until this monring , one week to weight and I had lost 10 pounds. I am very proud of my self. I am going to control the food, the food is not going to control me!!!!! Froggi, CONGRATS!!! on your date, I have been wondering about you!

Two weeks from today....Wow how the last three months have flown. I am getting very nervous. I am having surgery at the OCC in TJ Mexico and you are required to loose 5% of your body weight before surgery. I started my preop diet on Monday. I am doing a protein shake for breakfast and lunch, then a lien cuisine for dinner. It honestly has not been as bad as I thought it was going to be. Good luck to everyone November is just around the corner.....

Hi, I am going to be on a protein shake for breakfast and lunch, and then a Lien Cuisine for Dinner. Surgery is Nov 14th. I have to do this for two weeks but I am starting one week early on Oct 27th. I did purchase the Whey protien from Wal-Mart this weekend and tried one. OMGosh it was Nasty!!! Very thick! I guess i am going to have to learn how to make a good shake!

Elaine, I found Dr. Stephanies Number...Her phone number is 903-520-8847. I hope this helps! Her husband will most likely talk to you. Ask him to send you her information in regards to diet, and fills via Email. It is really good info. If not, I still have it and I can send to you. Good luck!

Elaine, Yes I hope we do see your there. My sister and brother-in-law are coming with me for support and his mother is coming as well to get the surgery. I am sorry to hear about Dr. Merriman's office, but to be honest with you the $400.00 was not so bad to me. I have called within about a 150 mile Radius and can not find ANYONE who will take patients from Mexico. There was a Doctor in the Houston/Conroe area that wanted $2000.00 just for the fact that I was not banded by him. I has been really frustrating finding a fill doctor. I wish you the best of luck. Im not sure how far you are from Tyler but there is a doctor that is in the Tyler area every other week end that does fills for $200.00 a fill. I will try to find her number, but she goes by Dr. Stephanie.

Thanks for the responses!... I will use it all! LanieB...My surgery is November the 14th. I will be there on the 13th for my test....I would love to see you there! I see that you are from Bossier. I am from Lufkin and I actually have Dr. Merriman from Shreveport lined up for my fills. I am really excited and cant wait !

Hi, I was wondering if I could get some ideas of medications, supplies, clothing, that I am going to need for my surgery and after I come home. Also a list of things to do and not to do Thanks!

Thanks for the reply. How did your surgery go?

I was searching on Ebay the other day looking for books to read about LapBand and came across LapBand bracelets. This will notify EMT/Hospitals in case of an Emergency, that you have Lapband. I have never ever thought of this and was just wondering if anyone knows if we should get them.