bandiva

I just crush mine and then mix them in with a little juice and suffer. The secret for me is to always have a chaser (juice) so that I can get that gross taste out of my mouth immediately. Good advice about the time released. I took mine crushed for 2 days....spent a lot of time in the bathroom and blamed it on the surgery. It was probably overdose~oh well, live and learn!

Hi! The day after my surgery I shopped for about 6 hours without a break. I didn't feel like it at first, but didn't want to miss out. (SanDiego Factory Outlet Mall). I've had a wonderful recovery so far, and I think it might be from walking walking walking. Having said that, I am now a Vitamin pusher because I got quite a bad cold after surgery. I think my immune system was down from not getting enough nutrients and doing too much. Coughing and sneezing was not fun. If you decide to go, enjoy the falls and take your vitamins!:bananapartyhat:

Hi Wheezy. I am happy to hear about your mom. My parents are both pushing 80 and very healthy but I still worry every day. They are such a blessing and steady part of my life. Just wanted to ask you how your holidays are going?

Hi Yoda. I can relate to your story. I went through that last time I lost weight. I just wanted to share something Dr. Ortiz said to me before he did my surgery. He was telling me how much my life was going to change and he mentioned; "You will know you have lost a lot of weight and look really good when you see your family and friends and they don't mention it." I laughed becasue I know it is true...but still it is so pathetic! My new strategy is a game, let's see how long we can go without them bringing it up. It must mean you are doing everything right! PS....And I am glad you FELT as good as you looked. Maybe you could give us the hotline number for the miracle bra as well! Way to go hot stuff!

Thanks for sharing your story, it will help others (me) avoid this painful mishap. Hope you are feeling better soon.:sick

Hi Everyone! I am still away on holidays, but I thought that I would pop in and see how everyone is doing. Sounds like everything is good in bandland. I am still on full fluids for another 10 days or so. I have been getting creative with Soup as well. Keeping an eye on the calories has been the only thing that has kept me from blending up some banana cream pie soup! I am so happy to be able to read through this site and no that what we are all going through is normal and expected. I am at the itchy incision stage...polysporin has been helping. Hope you all have a wonderful new year...it is promised to be an exciting one for each of us! Take care and thank you for sharing your experiences, it is very encouraging.xox.

Congrats on the good news. I was banded by Dr Ortiz on Dec 18 and it has been nothing but good news ever since...maybe there really is something in the water!:heh::clap2:

Hi Mandi. I am glad you are having a good holiday. I am too! I am sure you do look younger, I have seen pictures! You also look radiant. Way to go, you deserve the compliments.

Well Christmas is over and life can start to return to some routine. I am still in Alberta. I waited until boxing day to tell my family. I made no big deal about it...."Oh by the way...." etc etc... and focused on the health benefits, and they were all very happy for me. They have been really supportive. I was fortunate enough to have a bad cold on christmas day, so I didn't have to explain why I wasn't eating! Life is funny sometimes! I have been sticking to creamed Soups, chicken Soup and fruit juice. I am down 22 pounds since the begining of Dec. Not bad! What is really great is that I am happy. Usually when I am 'dieting' I have anxiety, I want to kill people, small animals, vehicles etc... which keep anoying me by existing. Now I feel no hunger symptoms at all and I certianly don't feel deprived. Went shopping today (addition-elle) and bought a pair of pants and a jacket. It was fun to look in the mirror and be happy. It was nice to have choices. Usually I just buy whatever fits and doesn't look too horrible. Just imaging what we will all be like next boxing day..... hmmmm. Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the holidays! Happy New Year!

Congrats, you will be so glad you did this for yourself. I went shopping today and it was so fun. I can imagine how much fun it will be 100 pounds from now! I am very excited for all of us.

Babygotback-Hi There. I am at my sisters house in Alberta right now, but I thought I would touch base for a minute. I am doing great. I am in the 'itchy' stage of my healing. It really has been so easy. My best advice is to really take your pre-op diet seriously. I went in there in the best shape I could and I have really had the easiest surgery experience you can imagine! I am down 21 pounds as well! I took anxiety meds with me which I did need the night before, but the day of was great. They gave me atavan as soon as they brought me to my room. Everything and everyone there was great. I brought GasX strips with me and adult strength chewable gravol. I am still on liquids, but full liquids. Make sure you walk walk walk after your surgery. I am so excited that your day is almost here. As for the rest of the January bandsters....don't worry, really. Prepare for the experience and it will be a great one. You are in my thougths.xoxo.

Ragergirl; Thanks, and likewise! I am not on Dr. A's board, but I would love the info on it. I have not seen him yet, although I have been referred. I am going to call his office next week to see if there is any word on how much longer it will be before I get in. I heard they were moving thier offices to Langford, in the Millstream clinic. I live in Langford, so that would be great. Probably easier for you as well! Hope you have a happy holiday season!

Yoda, I just wanted to pop in and say Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

I have become very anti social. Going to a wedding or to visit at a friends house would stress me out for months. I felt so inferior to everyone else and I was really embarrased because I had just lost 90 and then gained back 110. Again. Also, health is very important to me. I want to be more active, and I want to enjoy retirement (in about 20 years) and go snorkelling and hiking when I am 80. I work in a spa and I see a lot of women. Some are in their 60-70's and are very active and some can barely get in my chair because of limited mobility due to weight related problems. I felt that I had to do this now, because I don't have time to fool around. You know what they say, once you turn 40 things start falling apart is you don't maintain them!

Becka, my family is also small. My mom is 78 and still weighs 128 pounds. I don't think she has been over 135 in her whole life. I am adopted so maybe that explains it! My family doesn't know I have had this done and they are picking me up at the airport tomorrow and will have to carry my suitcases full of their presents! So, it looks like I am telling them tomorrow! I have told my friends the same white lie...when asked where I am having my surgery done / did, I replied " I am flying / flew to San Diego to have it done. That's the truth, right??? Happy holidays and best wishes. PS....I am a great babysitter as well!

Katgirl, thanks for sharing that beautiful feeling with us! I love when I feel good about myself, and hearing other peoples stories helps me to remember that feeling. You are doing soooo great! Congratulations and happy holidays!

Hi Everyone. Sorry to hear that some of you are still having a lot of pain. I have been very fortunate, I haven't had pain, though by the end of the day turning over on bed does require some strategy for me. I am having about 14 people for dinner tonight. Should be fun. I have come down with a really bad cold. Probably because I was not getting enough nutrients. I bought some expensive and disgusting chewable Vitamins, and have been focusing on protien last night and today. I am moving to full fliuds today, even though I am supposed to wait till tomorrow. I am just too weak. Hope you all are OK throughout the holiday season. My plan for combatting the blues it to think about how good I am going to look and feel next Christmas. Just imagine the awesome clothes we will buy for next years parties.....hang in there. It will be sooooo worth it! Happy Holidays!

I have had trouble getting in liquids and protien. Now I have a really bad cold and really don't want to do anything but lay in bed. I am wanting something hot, so this morning I pureed a little bit of bean soup. (10 gr protien). I just want to fight off this cold and enjoy Christmas at this point! I am flying to my parents Christmas morning, and I definately don't want to make them sick! Happy Holidays Everyone!

I have been on two flights since being banded and had no trouble with metal detectors. If you are recently post op, my dr said to make sure to get up every 1/2 hour just to keep moving. Have a great trip!

Hope you have fun! Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year!

I worked a full day today but did not work very hard....worked an hour, worked at the till for an hour etc. Tummy was a little sore by the end of it (from leaning forward to do pedicures) but I am just putting my feet up tonight and reading through this site. 2 more days of work and I am on holidays!

Hi Everyone! Well I am officially banded! Yeah! I ended up leaving the Island on Fri night just to make sure I beat the storm. Arrived in Vancouver around 11 pm. Saturday morning I just wanted to get to the airport, so I went early and killed time by having a massage! It was a great way to start the journey! My flights down were fantastic, had the row to myself both times, so I slept. When I arrived in Tijuana, it took me about 1/2 hour to locate Francesco, the driver, but once I did everything was fine. Went to a happening spot in Tijuana for dinner around 11 pm, it was great....los arcos. It had live entertainment, and there were a lot of Christmas parties going on so it was really great just to sit and watch everyone celebrating as families. Sunday morning I went shopping at Plaza Rio (ironically, bought a new winter coat in Mexico???) and then spent the afternoon at the avenue revolution which is the 'strip' for all the vendors etc. You can buy anything there....and I do mean anything. I bought myself some nice silver jewelery but that was it. My mother in law picked up lots of trinkets etc. Sunday night I had dinner at the hotel (Lucerna). Honestly, it was the best spinach salad I have ever had. Can't wait to have it (or a portion of it) again. Then I did 2 miles on the treadmill to prepare my brain and to get rid of the full feeling from my meal. Monday morning Dr. Ortiz' mother picked us up in the lobby (5 of us patients) and took us to the clinic. It was great. The dr patient ratio is 1:1, and the nurses and other support staff were terrific. I had a big cry Sunday night, but once I walked into the clinic Monday morning all anxiety was gone. I had my surgery around 11:30AM and was awake and walking by around 4pm. I slept most of the day and the entire night. The next morning I was released. My mother in law and I hired a private tour guy and went on a shopping trip to San Diego. I was on my feet from 2:30 to 8:45! It was really fun. Then he picked us up again, and brought us back across the border and I organized my stuff for customs and went to bed. Wednesday I left Tijuana at 7am and was home by 8 pm. Had some pain last night in bed when I would try to turn over, but I think my stomach muscles had just had enough for one day. Today I am fine and headed to work in about an hour. I feel great so far and would recommend this to anyone. I was definately in very capable hands. Thank you to all of you for all of your thoughts and prayers. Now, HOW ARE YOU ALL? I will read your threads tonight so that I can get back in the loop! Thanks again. xoxo

Hi Everyone. I am back from Mexico and doing very well. The surgery was no problem. Dr Ortiz and his staff are very organized very capable people. I had surgery on Mon, my only pain was in my shoulders and I alternated sleeping / walking it off. I was released on Tuesday. I took a private bus to san diego and shopped all day. I really think the walking was what made my experience such a good one. I flew home yesterday (Wed), and today I am back at work. Feel like I may have a little cold coming, but I am fighting back hard. Thanks to all the advice here I was well prepared. Gas X and anti-anxiety medication really helped me. I didn't need to take any pain medication. It was so worth it. The staff at Dr. Ortiz' clinic are very skilled from everything to inserting the IV to post op care. I would highly recommend them. I am very happy with my decision. Glad to hear you are all doing well...it won't be long now and we will have been banded 'last month'...can you believe it! We did it! Yeah!

Hi Everyone! I am back and banded! It was a fantastic experience. I just got in from a long day of traveling, so I will write with full details tomorrow. Thanks for everything. xoxo Victoria

You all are so sweet, you gave me goosebumps and made me cry. (Is that another good reason to take Ativan?) I am leaving now, I really can't tell you how much your support has meant to me. It makes me feel stronger, and like I am not alone. Thank you. I hope to post again Wed. night when I get home.xoxoxox