Thank you to everyone for their support.

I took a 6 hour flight to CA on 3/31 and arrived in San Diego at 11:30 "their time". The driver, Ernesto, was waiting for me at the baggage area and put my luggage in the van and drove me, and another passenger, to Mexacali. This drive was about 2 hours long.

I was taken directly to the hospital where they were waiting for me and had blood work, urinalysis, EKG, chest x-ray, and then an esophagram to evaluate and completely unfil my band. The last stop was meeting with the coordinator to get pre and post-op instructions and to pay the balance for the surgery.

I was told I could have anything I wanted to eat (was on a 30 gram/day carb diet for the week prior to surgery) and driven to the Lucerna Resort which is beautiful. As I worked the night before, I elected to have the sandwich and protein bar I brought with me, showered, and fell asleep. I took the antibiotic they gave me before I went to sleep but did not take the ativan.

At 7 AM on 4/1, I was picked up and taken to my room in the hospital. I was seen by a medical internist who reviewed my tests (all good), an assistant surgeon (who was sleeved the day after me), an anesthesiologist, and finally, by the surgeon, Dr. Aceves. All questions were answered and I was the second sleeve of the day.

I got dramamine and versed to take 30 minutes prior to the OR and that knocked me out. LOL. My IV was inserted in the OR and I had spinal and general anesthesia. The spinal dramatically decreases the amount of general needed. Since I don't do well with general (severe nausea), I elected for the spinal too and had NO problems in the recovery room.

All I remember about the recovery room was being asked if I had pain... nope, and being told I was going back to my room. I got some IV pain medication at @ 4 AM and then had sublingual (under the tongue) toradol @ 1 PM. For me, this surgery was a lot less painful than the band.

At noon, I had to drink small sips of water. An hour after that I drank apple juice with a blue dye in it. This is the second test (first done in OR) for leaks. I have a drain near where the port was and the hope is that no blue color comes through to the bag. I passed. After that, I was brought hot tea, tang OJ, and apple juice. My IV was taken out this evening.

Tomorrow morning, I go for the last leak test and will have to drink a radiograffin substance. If I pass that test (and I have no doubt I will), the drain gets removed at noon. I will leave the hospital at 5:45 AM on Saturday to make my flight in San Diego for home. I have nothing but positive things to say about this experience. As a registered nurse I was very watchful and am impressed with the care, cleanliness, and professionalism I observed.

Geeeez! I don't need another addiction! LOL. I suspect shopping for new clothes in "regular" stores will be fun.

Geeeez! I don't need another addiction! LOL. I suspect shopping for new clothes in "regular" stores will be fun.

BTDT too! ;o) It's still fun to shop in regular stores. That hasn't worn off yet AND it's cheaper!

My big mega issue right now is body dysmorphia. :)/

BTDT too! ;o) It's still fun to shop in regular stores. That hasn't worn off yet AND it's cheaper!

My big mega issue right now is body dysmorphia. :)/

The lowest size I got to was a 14-16 so it's a dream to get to a 10-12 and shop in regular stores. I do remember looking in the mirror and thinking I was much heavier than I really was and swearing the clothes I chose to try on would never fit... they did. LOL.

The lowest size I got to was a 14-16 so it's a dream to get to a 10-12 and shop in regular stores. I do remember looking in the mirror and thinking I was much heavier than I really was and swearing the clothes I chose to try on would never fit... they did. LOL.

My mom has always said you stay heavier in your mind longer than you do your body.

I will be so excited to not have to buy in the W (my g/f talks it WIDE) section and to be able to have cuter clothes. I've told my DBF he better have a lot of $$$ because I'm going to need a whole new wardrobe when this is all said and done. He said NO PROBLEM!

It really exciting to look forward to the smaller sizes isn't it?! I remember the euphoria I felt when I made it toa size 12, now I'm a size 10, was an 8 before my unfill:cursing:. Anyway enjoy the ride!

It really exciting to look forward to the smaller sizes isn't it?! I remember the euphoria I felt when I made it toa size 12, now I'm a size 10, was an 8 before my unfill:cursing:. Anyway enjoy the ride!

I haven't been out of women's in SO LONG. And when I was able to get my weight off and keep it off for any length of time -- long before the days of pregnancy -- I was a size 12. One time I got into a 10 and everyone thought I looked anorexic ... I am tall; however, not big boned, so I have no idea what size I will be in once I reach my goal ... however, I intend to enjoy the ride on the downhill side that is for sure!!!!

I'm the opposite... 5' 2" and petite bone frame... tiny hands and a size 6 shoes. At my present weight, I am a 1X (18-20). Since I have never not been fat, I have no idea what size I would be at goal so it should be fun seeing how low I can go... weight and size! LOL.

I haven't been out of women's in SO LONG. And when I was able to get my weight off and keep it off for any length of time -- long before the days of pregnancy -- I was a size 12. One time I got into a 10 and everyone thought I looked anorexic ... I am tall; however, not big boned, so I have no idea what size I will be in once I reach my goal ... however, I intend to enjoy the ride on the downhill side that is for sure!!!!

It gets *really* expensive as you lose weight. The closer you get to goal the faster you go down in size. I was at an 8 and satisfied with that and then band problems kicked in big time and I was on liquids for a few months. I had a huge wardrobe of size 8 clothes that I have spent a fortune on. Then I started losing more weight. I'm down to a 4, sometimes 6 depending on brand/style. Then I had to start all over again. It's fun but verrry expensive! ;o)

I still go in stores and wish I was small enough to fit into something on display and then... I remember I'm at goal. HA

There was a post on another board from someone that is in the clothing industry. She works at the factory level. She was explaining the reason you go through sizes so fast when you get closer to goal is that there is 2" more material between sizes for Womens than there is between sizes for non-womens. That's one of the reasons it takes more pounds to change sizes in womens. Once you are out of those the sizes start zipping by.

That's interesting about they make garments differently based on size. I am still wearing the same clothes I did the day I had the revision surgery but they are VERY loose. The tops I can get away with a little longer but the dress slacks will need to go after another 10 pounds is gone.

On May 2, I was allowed to go back to an unrestricted diet and eats solids. I am still surprised at how little I am eating and at how much I need to chew food in order to get it down. This is something I never had to do with the band as food easily went down with that.

All my gherlin must have been cut out because I never feel hungry and I notice that I get the hiccups when my stomach is full. It takes just a small amount of food for me to feel full and I'm in no hurry to go back to solids.

That's great that you're doing so well Elizabeth. You'll be wearing small sizes in no time at all.

I am confused when it comes to the mushy stage. I am not there yet, but I think Dr. A's idea of mushy is different from what I could have on my list after lap band surgery. For instance, I could have soft cheese like

mozzarella and provelone on my other doctor's mushy diet. He called it mushy/soft. So it could be mushy or solid as long as it was soft.

What is considered okay to eat during dr. A's mushy diet?

Elisabeth, do you mind sharing what kind of band you had and what was your highest fill? i have an Inamed (sp) 5cc band w/a 3.9 fill.

Will anyone share what i may expect as far as the psyche profile/eval goes? I must do this Wed. Tomorrow I see my pcp regarding my bp-140/100-is this bad? i didn't even know my bp was an eyebrow-raiser until the nurses @ the clinic took it twice last week and asked if it is always so high. maybe that why i am so #!*#!! tired.

That's great that you're doing so well Elizabeth. You'll be wearing small sizes in no time at all.

I am confused when it comes to the mushy stage. I am not there yet, but I think Dr. A's idea of mushy is different from what I could have on my list after lap band surgery. For instance, I could have soft cheese like

mozzarella and provelone on my other doctor's mushy diet. He called it mushy/soft. So it could be mushy or solid as long as it was soft.

What is considered okay to eat during dr. A's mushy diet?

You can have soups, mashed potatoes, puddings, chicken salad, tuna salad, cottage cheese, yogurt, meatballs, pasta, etc. You can't have hard protein like a steak or chicken breast or pork chop.

Elisabeth, do you mind sharing what kind of band you had and what was your highest fill?

I had the Inamed VG 10 cc band. After 11 fills there was 9.3 ccs in it. When they took all the fluid out the day before I revised to the sleeve, they got a total of 8.6 ccs out.

i have an Inamed (sp) 5cc band w/a 3.9 fill.

Will anyone share what i may expect as far as the psyche profile/eval goes?

The psych eval is a breeze. They want to make sure that you know what you're doing and why you're doing it and that you have realistic expectations. You fill out some forms, sit and talk afterwards, and that's it... about an hour in total.

I must do this Wed. Tomorrow I see my pcp regarding my bp-140/100-is this bad?

Yes, it's elevated. The bottom number is the heart at rest and they like that to be below 80. The top number should be below 120. You need to be placed on hypertention medication and maybe a beta blocker if your heart rate (pulse) is fast. They might also consider a diuretic.

i didn't even know my bp was an eyebrow-raiser until the nurses @ the clinic took it twice last week and asked if it is always so high. maybe that why i am so #!*#!! tired.

The tiredness might be due to anemia or abnormal thyroid values. Simple blood tests will give you the answers.

Hi everyone,

I just posted a before picture of myself. I am no long just a pretty name and script. I am still excited about 6/12 and praying that Vegas Angel gets her financing approved

Ruthi