Hello everyone! Well, I did it! I have a surgery date. It is going to be March 23, 2005. I already got my airline ticket paid for, and I'm all set. Now, I have to fill out all there required health and medical forms, and talk with the nutritionist, and the surgeon on the phone. They want me to loose 10-15 lbs before I arrive. This does have me worried. If I could just loose that much in 3 weeks, I think I would'nt even need the surgery. haha.... But the nutritionist is suppose to call me, and I was told that she is really good, and she has all kinds of ways to get the weight off. Apparently, the surgeon would prefer that anyone over 300 lbs try to loose a little bit, in order to reduce the size of the liver. I guess us people over 300 lbs have extra fat in our liver, which can put us at greater risk. Well, I will give my best shot. I am very excited however!!! I decided to go back to Tijuana for my fills and aftercare. If an emergency was to happen, the surgeon has doctors in my area all ready lined up, if need be. So, my journey begins!! I plan on starting a video diary of my weight loss journey. I have already got permission to even have some of the surgery video taped for me. Is'nt that cool! Well, any and all feed back is welcomed.

Welcome to band land, sounds like you are off to a great start with everything organized.

Please let us know how things are going.

I noticed in another post you wrote that you are going to Dr. Ortiz

He is wonderful and so is Dr. Martinez. Iam a very happy Ortiz patient. He and his staff have been there for me every step of the way.

Good Luck

If I can help answer any questions for you please feel free to contact me

angel.atheart@cox.net

Best of luck to you! Come home safely & heal up quickly!

Congratulations on a new way of life! Please call your local drs. direct before you go to verify that they will take care of you -- if needed. Best of luck to you!

Thanks Everyone! Does anyone have any suggestions on some great ways you have found to loose weight fast before surgery?

HI MOM111

I also went to Dr. Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center 14 days ago.

I love him, I cant say enough good things about him.

He spent so much time in my room talking to me and not just about the lapband but just conversation.. HE TREATS YA SO WELL!!!!!

And YES about the weightloss.. I was told to loose 40 to 60 pounds, and if i didnt I would NOT be able to have the surgery. They were very adamant, they said the doctor can ge in there and see if there is too much fat on the liver, its not safe and he will pull out.

I had less than a month and a half to lose it too!!!!!!!!!!

I paniced.. I thought it was impossible...

BUT, THIS WAS MY ONLY CHANCE!! I had been waiting for this for too long!

I had the money, I had the plane seats bought, I had my sister who lives in another state all ready to go with me..

HOW could I NOT lose it!!!! The whole time I was paniced. I felt desperate and affraid that I woulnt loose enough.

Maybe they would get inside and my liver wasnt shrunk enough and they pulled out, and I still had to pay some fee's!!!

BUT I did it. I lost 40 pounds in less than a month and a half!

NOW.. I DID throw up my food a few times. I cheated and ate at Izzys one day, felt extremely scared and powerless and I just puked it out, then I did it again twice with chinese food.

I DO NOT RECCOMEND THIS OF COURSE!!

And I am sure it would have made only a slight difference, like 5 pounds maybe, I dunno. It was dum of me to do!

HOW I REALLY LOST SO MUCH WAS:

I ate low carb. During that time my 129 pound daughter lost 7 pounds by also eating low carb.

Now My cousin has lost 12 pounds in 2 weeks doing a low carb diet. (she is now 156#)

You CAN lose 15 pounds in three weeks if you low carb diet!! LOW meaning under 20 carbs a day!

If you do not know much about Low carb dieting, you really do not have much time to figure it out, there are A LOT!!! of things that you can misunderstand or mess up with unless you know it well.

BUT IT DOES WORK..and I did NO EXtRa excersize at all (I cant)

PM me.. if you need advice..

I can give you a 3 week menu and list of foods you can eat and all that...

and YOu can start right away.

I promise if you follow it, you will loose AT LEAST 10 pounds!

Roxanna... Congratulations! I'm sure you are going to love your band... it's a wonderful tool! Wishing you a safe trip there and home!

Roxanna

Best Wishes on your getting your Band. Great Idea to have Band footage.

Take Care

Congradulations! Just try to eat low carb, and get some walking in if you can. I am really happy for you! I have heard lots of positive things about Dr. Ortiz! Keep us posted.

Wow, Thanks everyone. and Nykee that is some great information. So, how is it going with your band so far? How are you feeling? Anyone else been banded recently?

Congrats on you getting your band! let us know how your doing!

My band is great...

Not a problem so far...

I am at day 15.... My biggest worry is getting the money to go get a fill..

Hi,

my name is Alexandra and I am from australia, I had my lap band done on the 2 march, I have just got home from the hospital and at the moment I feel regret and alot of pain. can anyone tell me how long you feel crappy for and any good advise you may have for me.

do you notice any difference in the first few weeks.

thankyou

despertaly in pain

alex

Hi Alex, from another Alex! Welcome to LBT.

You just had your surgery yesterday, so it's not at all surprising you feel bad. Is this your first surgery? Everyone recovers differently but healing does happen and you WILL feel better.

You may want to start a new thread if you have specific questions. Be good to yourself and get lots of rest. You'll be feeling better, I promise, in just a couple of days!!

Hi Alexandra. Welcome to band land. You will feel better soon. Just take it easy (but do walk some to get rid of that pesky gas) and follow your Dr.'s instructions. You're probably on clear fluids now, right? Sip what you can, take liquid tylenol or something stronger that your Dr. prescribes. The most important thing is to be in touch w/him/her. Please hang in there & let us know how you are doing. Also, you might want to post a new thread in the support section so that more people will see it! You'll get tons of responses. P.S. I had a not great day today, but it's still better than any day pre-band!

Best,

Karen