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Cali Bandsters Unite!!



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Hi all I'm from the Monterey Peninsula. Prunedale to be exact. Most people have never heard of it. Anyone from around here, Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz? I'm new to this site and just getting started on my journey. Would love to hear advice or tips from any neighbors.

Christel

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Hi,

I am new! I am getting banded on 3/14/07 at UCI with Dr. Naim. Anyone out there with any advice or experience? I'm nervous, but exited!

Julie

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Love to join the rest of you Californians - I am up in Fairfield (between Sacramento and San Francisco) - Headed to Italy for banding on 3/28 (self pay).

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I seem to see Dr Ortiz everywhere. Who is he and I guess alot of people go to Mexico. I didn't want to risk not being near whomever did the surgery. I did end up being self pay (ouch) after hazzles with insurance and finding out that our plan had an "opt out" clause for variatric surgery. Oh well.

Hi! I am being banded 4/6/07 by Dr. Ortiz. Would love to get to know anyone in nearby!

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Hi! I am being banded 4/6/07 by Dr. Ortiz. Would love to get to know anyone in nearby!

Hi Heather,

I am in the Ventura area.... not too far from the Valley. I'm here if you want to meet up or talk about your upcoming surgery.... Good luck!

Karen

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:clap2: new to this forem wodering anyone in San Diego or chula vista area

to share your story with me and your progress. :)

enjoy your day :mad:

I live in East San Diego County and I'm glad to answer any questions you have!

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Socalgirl3,

How are you doing since your last surgery? Did you have symptoms when your band slipped?

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Hi everyone...

I am knew to this site and just starting my journey. I am being banded by Dr. Ortiz on March 22. I live in Benicia, CA, near San Francisco. I have been following this site for some time to get up the courage to do this. Thank you all, and I hope to begin ongoing communication with you, as well as seek guidance and help. I am a bit scared, but am going to do it

Kathy

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Congratulations Kathy, You are gonna be a bandster!! Your gonna be fine. Just remember its a journey,and it takes a couple of years usually to get to your goal. Slow but sure, but thats the way to do it. I'm happy for you. Keep us updated on your progress. Kelley

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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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