LisaA

Hi all, I think about my kids, I have a 2 year old and a 6 year old and I'm being banded in Mexico from Ohio and I worry about something happening so far from home while they are in Ohio. But I also worry about continuing to be obese and all the things with my body and my energy. I've just started weening my daughter and I feel guilty because I feel like the surgery is the thing that's pushing it. But also I'm tired of nursing, been doing it for 6 years now. I believe that while things go wrong with the surgery at times, it is not likely to be something that can't be dealt with (worse case scenario) I can't find any stats of people like dying or whatnot during surgery. I've seen stuff about infection, but if you are vigilant, listen to your body, and dont' hesitate to go to the Dr. it seems to work out, even if the band does get removed. I know this is morbid, but when I think of all the things that I fear I go to the worse case, and the worse case (typical) seems better to me then not trying and being obese and having my kids grow up with an unhealthy mom. I did also worry about taking so many resources from my family to self pay for the surgery and leaning on my husband so much during recovery. But he's been supportive. Remember that this group is here for support too. They have helped me. Just in being able for the first time in my life to be able to talk about my weight is crazy for me. Anyway I don't know if this helps your fears, maybe I'm just ranting on my own a bit. But good luck with making your decision. It's a big one. and from what I read not the easy route, cause it is a lot of work Lisa

Now I've read so much I can't remember who wanted to know about the september sweetie. I think that post was like on page 7 maybe, I want to say RK make it. on subsequent pages there are even more instructions. but you might also be able to right click on a one of the images and save it as. and then upload it into your profile signature. when you click on your name you go to manage your profile.

yeah it's funny, I just started seeing that some places do more frequent, there is a gal on a september forum that was banded 2 weeks ago and they already did the first fill. I wonder how often Gingerjane was banded in Cinci. there is so much to weigh for sure. So I am 5.7- I can not wearing a size 7, that is like something from junior high for me. My goal weight is between 140 and 150 and I thought well that will probably be like a size 10

That is for sure. The problem of living so rural is that even the closest place in Parkerburg is an hour twenty minutes away and Cinci is 3 hours, so no matter what I have a trip. I wish Parkerburg would take me. Hopefully Groveport will, if not I am trying the above place that gingerjane went to, just to see. It's true, a lot to think about. The problem is if you haven't been banded yet Drs will tell you no just to scare you into not going there. But American Dr. charge way to much in my opinion. but they are so convenient. I know if I lived in a city with a cheaper flat rate place like in Detroit I wouldn't go to Mexico. I'm not afraid of Mexico, I've been there several times, it's just inconvenient. Oh well Your information here is very helpfull, thanks. It's interesting a lot of places seem to be only willing to do fills every 6 weeks. I've heard others that do more- so much stuff to think about.

Hi Banddiva, what happened with the bad fill, was it in Mexico? How many fills did you have. My flight is around 315 round trip, that's probably similar for you maybe. a lot to tack on so I'm curious about other banding info, vs, going there. some places cost like 400 so going there isn't that much even with the flight. Bobthedog, where are you, i'm always looking for good fill places. Seant1. so the cost with ortiz includes a ride from the airport to the hotel. I don't know if they reduce the cost if you go there and back. I do know for fills that if you get picked up at the airport it costs 99$ and if you stay in the hotel for the night it's 79$ (the Mariott) So if you were looking to reduce your 6000$ cost by driving yourself the discount might look like that kind of reductions. for fills or check ups there are many folks that take the trolly and cross the border on foot, and then take a cab. so I'm sure driving is fine too. but on the OCC website, they have a forum, and there is a section on fills, and taking the trolly etc. tons of information on what to do, even a nice presentation, with a pdf with pictures of every place you go if you take the trolly. their forum is very helpful. Lisa

I know what you mean the sight is enormous and for some reason I don't get stuff in my box. Sometimes when I go to profile there is this subcription box that has stuff I"ve posted on but I dont' know how to find that. so I go to my profile, then I hit like see all statistics, in there there is a thing to click that is all posts my me, I can find that everyway. Anyway, so what was your post op regime. did you have a clear Fluid phase, how long, what did you do then. I'm really wondering what I'll do, my doc wants a week clear fluids, sounds impossible, sort of biblical or something. anyway now you are on real fluids and protien shakes/ juices, and mushies- like totally creamy Soup, is that right. I'm so mystified by the post op stuff. great on the weight loss, how do you feel though. are you back to work? I'm going back after a week. I hope that's enough. I've lost on my preop so far, but I have many weeks to go to screw up. So far I"ve lost 8lbs though I"m on day 10 with a break over labor day. are you feeling any regrets? any affirmations. Lisa

Yeah it's funny, there is this barix clinic in groveport, I called and spoke with a receptionist and she said it was 150? that sounds wrong to me. Anyway there are so many Mexico Dr's that do it, Mine, Ortiz has trained many of the folks here in the states. wow for 1000 transfer fee and the other cost, that's a lot. I mean my flight round trip is like 315 and it costs 100, I may go back for the initial fill or 2. Ginger Jane, thanks for joining us. I look forward to hearing more about your journey so far. Does that 13,500 include anasthesiologist, and the psych exam, - and all testing. I will look into it. do you like them I was going to this place in parkersburg, and they were 15,000 + psych exam + anasthesia+ dr visits- all in all it was looking like 18,000 which included 6 fills. Plus they weren't returning my calls. then I found a place in detroit that is like flat fee for all 11,500 + psych exam. and I'd have to drive there, plus maybe stay there at some point then I say Ortiz, with a great facility and a huge reputation for 6000 all included, and hotel for several nights, etc etc. and my flight was 315 with taxes etc. Even if I spend a lot on fills, say 2000, that is still a lot cheaper then 18000, not as much cheaper then 13500 though, but still 5gs is a lot to me right now. I don't know. there is always fill center usa or detroit is like 200 for fills with transfers, I'm hoping this works out for the groveport deal and that the receptionist isn't wrong. Lisa

wow rk - and all congrats on the weight loss and the new people getting banded. all this information is great. It's interesting how each Dr. does it so different. so about the post op liquids, My dr has me on that for a week, but I haven't heard any particulars about it except Cathy (thanks) so CS or anyone on the post op clear fluids- when you say sugar free juice, what does that mean, is this a drink made with nutra sweet- cause any juice, even fresh made carrot juice will have sugar. So are we talking like a crystal lite drink thats juice flavored. and broth? does anyone have a fav- are you all doing the msg bullion type thing or has anyone made their own. or is that allowed - I'm thinking of making some and freezing as I know I won't want to afterwards. Jello, interesting, I was listening to a webinair from dr ortiz and he calls jello solid food I think that's what he said. I just want to stalk up on the right stuff- cS I'll try the tea suggestion. It's hard to imagine a week of clear liquid- is there no hunger? Like why not juice with sugar, does anyone know why? is it just the swelling is such your body can't handle anything, even sugar? I imaging now a week of clear liquid and I think starving!!! Anyway momof5, I started my preop diet a month before surgery so I could make sure I lost the 15 lbs they felt I should- to shrink the liver. I mix with milk and juice- and ice in the blender. even a little fruit from time to time. My doc doesn't have a clear liquid preop time- you can chose that one, but if you don't and do the 2 shakes and a lean cuisine for at least 2 weeks you don't need to also do clear fluids. Beside getting and earlier date, which isn't possible for me, what are other reasons one might do clear fluids for a couple days preop. does it help with comfort/ gas etc.? I wonder. anyway some fat free milk or a little juice for flavor doesnt' raise the calories that much but really gives good flavor. I think it was RK earlier in this thread posted some really great protien shake recipes. Well good luck all, thanks for posting all the great info. thinking about all the new bandsters out there. lisa

Ok all, I keep hearing about how much liquid you should be taking and how hard it is. Please tell me- how much fluids are you supposed to take in post op for your clear liquid week and what clear liquids are you doing and what is your favorite. I want to stock up. good luck everyone going in- exciting you are entering a new world.

Hi there, great to hear from another Ohio gal. Wow you really had to have your band replaced. Why is that? My kids are little, 2 and 6 so I fear the empty nest thing. My husband is the stay at home. I am on my pre op diet of 2 protien shakes and a light/ or lean cuisine meal - it's going ok although labor day weekend will be hard. I'm worried about post op care, I think I found somewhere I can filled at a barix clinic in groveport, but the local doctor here will not accept anyone that he didn't put the band in for. because I'm in SE Ohio there aren't a ton of options. I'd really like to find a good place that does flouro fills that accepts Mexico people. Let me know if you know of anything. I know there is a place in detroit but that's pretty far. Well thanks for writing, I look forward to hearing more about your journey. What is dialation repaired? geez 8lbs from goal, that to me seems so far away and impossible. I'm trying to visualize and be clear that it is possible, but it's hard after a lifetime of struggle and defeat. Lisa

Sannersplace, I've bought these but haven't tried them, they have B and iron Liquid vitamin supplement and liquid multi vitamin mineral I love reading everything, haven't read here all weekend as I had a wedding and then a family reunion. Yes you guessed, I did lousy on my pre op. The holidays are going to be rough. Anyway, back on the band wagon, doing a protein shake for dinner and going for a walk. gracerrev, what about a little nail polish remover with a qtip, of course not near your open area, but maybe in a controlled way to get the sticky off? Just a toxic thought. Lisa

Hi, I know Dr. Ortiz has these "webinairs" which are like little mini lectures on various topics, you could see them if you went to the Obesity Control Center web site- or probably youtube. Anyway in when where the topic is band fills/ being filled enough he talks about the perfect fill is when you can eat 3 times and don't feel hungry. (of course I'm sure there is also mental hunger too) But anyway he talks about things being tighter in the the morning and opening things up a bit with warm liquids. but he also stresses not eating mushie meals (once you are back on solids) that it should stick with you, like protien and veggies kinda thing. Anyway, I had a wedding and family reunion - two different sides of the family, and lot of travel- I did terrible on my pre diet, luckily I started 2 weeks early. I haven't weighed myself yet. I'm supposed to lose like 15 lbs before surgery. Sounds from stuff I've read like you still need more fills, that is a large band. I guess mine with be 11cc and many people always say they want smaller. Does your Dr. fill under flouro? Ortiz feels that is the best way, but of course that's what he does so he would say that. Lisa

Hope all those who now have bands are doing well, looking forward to hearing more about your journey. those that are going tomorrow thinking about you! Freshstart do share about OCC as I'll be there soon. I ate a no bake cookie yesterday but my calories were still reasonable. I've lost 3 lbs, hoping for another 12 by the 27th. Does anyone know anything about too much calcium and kidney stones? I bough my metamucil that was on my diet from stupid walmart and all they had was with calcium, but really with 2 shakes a day I am getting 100% rda of calcium just with that. but I know I don't want kidney stones either. those that had tests and have to look more into their health / heart I am sorry to hear that and hope all works out for you. I, being a Mexico girl worry about this type of thing because I would hate to fly there and then be turned away. Lisa

so far I've only tried 2 slim fast, and today I got metabolic Reset, which is pretty tasty. You will do great sarawenc! that 76 lbs will melt away like butter.

Hi all, happy hump day. So exciting how many are getting the procedure, I can't hardly believe it. CS I don't fly till Sept 26, very anxious. Dandie I too cheated with 4 tbsp of couscous salad, not too bad, this weekend I have a bunch of family stuff- wedding and a reunion, so worried. You are doing great, keeping track is important, and realizing, there is cheating and then eating a cheese cake. and for sure not beating yourself up. Send yourself loveing compassion and knowledge that you are doing very well say compared to a month or 2 ago and that you can do it. Cici, I am on the 2 shakes and low cal meal for 4 weeks, I feel ya, you are on all liquids for how long. That's liquid as in shakes? time to really start on the shake recipes, I did one today and it was great. You can do it and quitting smoking is so important also. stateofzen, I have been thinking of you and hoping all is well with you. time to take some Fiber pill, uggg

I'm not banded yet, but my Dr. is Dr Ortiz. He has several webnairs on his web site for the obesity control center. One I just watched said that if there is this type of problem with reflux etc that you should get it taken care of or you can cause a stretched pouch, so the sooner the better. The web videos are worth a look, I believe they are also on youtube. Lisa

Wow, I'm so excited for all of you who go in this week. I'm thinking about you and cheering you on. Cathy you are amazing inspiration, I've already learned much from you. And I must say you are awesome at keeping all the names straight. I'm on day 2 of my 2 protien shakes and 1 low cal meal. plus the vitamins, I'm trying to eat all the big pills I bought a while back- I hate big pills so bad. I think the shakes I ordered will be here today, I hope they taste good, I can't wait to use rk's recipes. I did a mile today too but not yesterday, it's so hard to find the time but I really need to, at a minimum walk. I'm still nursing and in the morning, which is when I can walk, she is very clingy. I need to wean her but she's so attached. I feel I have a couple weeks I guess. Anyway I had a fundraiser for a group I volunteer on, lots and lots of food, and I was just too busy to indulge, it wasn't hard in that situation but I wonder about family get together that are up close and personal. I've been reading this great book called the instinct diet- super great recipes etc. I know that post op I won't be able to eat as much as she has there, but the meals are great and I feel if I stick to the protein first, then veggies, then a few carbs if possible and use the recipes in there I'll be able to adapt it. Plus I'm going to take a book to Mexico with me called an end to over eating, I heard and interview with the guy on the radio and it sounds like a great book to help you think differently about eating, and all the multiple stimuli food available and oh so addictive. I'm hoping this book can help me with my head addictions. Since I've never stuck with a diet I am worried about the pre diet, but so far so good, you guys are helping me stay on track, thanks- I'm using the My fit day web site to track my food which is pretty nice free food and activity tracker. Well happy Tuesday all. good luck tomorrow BandedNellie, karmaandkismet, cece1967

hi raven, have you figured anything out? if you have any questions about Mexico let me know.

How are you feeling now St Louis?