WAgal

Ladies, I just got an email from Rene @OCC, Thurs. April 17 is a busy day for them but April 18, Friday they can accommodate all of us! 1. Zulma 2. Linda 3. Diana 4. Alyssa 5. Hanna 6. Lisa 7. Michelle (are you with us? did i forget anyone?) If someone has Melody's or Stephanie's email address, can you email and let them know... I lost my paper of the emails. Mackenzie, I know you're in Florida, but it's not too late to change your mind and if you can somehow swing the cost, please join us, we will definitely do the shopping for my SUMBRERO and PANCHO this time! LOL! Anyone else care to join us? We will watch out for each other and have a decent, of course, controlled perfectly portioned meal together. I'm excited. Everyone please respond to me ASAP ramilhanna@gmail.com. We should book our tickets asap. I'm also good with priceline for those doing an overnight stay. Email or heck call me... 425 338-5280 and we can maybe work something out. I'll plan to arrive on the 18th and then we can travel to OCC together in the morning. Does that sound good to everyone? If the date doesn't work out for you then I can ask Rene if maybe an earlier day of the week like Mon, April 14? I'll have to check with him. If you have any suggestions... email let me know so we can get the ball rolling. Have a great day everyone.... :-h

Kimmie, When you try to add me use MRamilo as my last name.

dontondan, i tried to add you but i need your last name. hanna

good morning ladies. just a quick update.... i maintained 178 again. that's with the add'l 200 cals. i'm going to tweak a bit more today and keep a thorough log of what i put in my mouth. thanks for the post Clynn... hanna

Hi Diana, I just read this post!! Wow... forgive me but I was new to the posting thing on this forum before surgery. I never could tell where to follow up on the post so that's why I missed it. Here I was just browsing and I found this. You sound like you are having fun with the planning or NOT... of the anniversary. The 50th anniversary I planned was my in-laws. My husband is the eldest of their children and somehow the responsibility got passed down to me. They have been like my own parents since I got married, so it was an honor for me to be able to do this for them. One simple thing or maybe it's common now-a-days, is we did a slideshow. I put the slideshow to the music "Sentimental Journey" by Doris Day. I had family members email me pictures and quotes they wanted along with their pics and even short video clips of grandkids. I put funny quotations of who or what the pics might be about from their original wedding reception pictures. It was a hit. Everyone was laughing and nostalgic of the wedding day, 50 years ago.. well I mean my in-laws sibblings that were there. Also baby pics of the grandkids got the children (range from 3 to 21) talking to each other again. It was a great ice breaker! Have fun with it. Oh.. about the local surgeon... I was looking to other alternatives already a year ago since I didn't meet the 35 bmi... I was 32-33. I was going to have it done in the Philippines (wanted to make a vacation out of it too) then my husband said to just have it done locally $18,500 here. We went to the seminar, it was nice, since they will answer all questions you have prepared and even have the actual doctor performing the surgery there. He was nice and I checked out his record, he had done more the 250 lapband surgeries, a good sign... but they weren't even going to keep you overnight. They perform the surgery and then send you home about 2 hours after surgery. So all in all you are there at their medical center 4 hours. Your payment includes 12 months of support to include fills and all that comes with banding but I guess that's what the extra 10K is for. I reasoned with my husband that I wanted someone with more experience... Dr. Ortiz, someone who has done 10X more than the local doc. The only thing that made him nervous was that it was in Mexico. We all have been there, but Dr. Ortiz is so high profile now, especially afer the show on Oprah. I am totally convinced that the docs in America do not want the foreign countries to cut into the market share of WLS as one of their main reason to discourage Mexico banding. I was only comfortable with the thought of Dr. Ortiz and there are many there in Mexico I'm sure. I didn't go into this blindfold... I did my research and prayed and prayed about it. Well I hope you and Alyssa are doing great. I'm working on the fill appointment today.. I think I'll do the email online to request for a fill appointment. Shall we do the 17th then.. or earlier? Like the 14th, which falls on a Monday. I read somewhere here that Linda wants to not have to take off from work too long. We have to put in a shopping day too! This time we can shop since we will all be recovered, LOL! I just want one of those big sumbreros and a pancho!!! Keep in touch! Love and blessings, Hanna

Ah ha! I was waiting for this to come up. Mackenzie I was told by Dr. Martinez this is normal, the weight gain. He didn't explain why but after reading blogs here and there from bandster everywhere, this is the explanation. Our bodies are still healing and has reached that point where it thinks you are starving. Therefore, it goes in a mode of starvation. If you increase your caloric intake then the theory is you wlll resume weight loss. Dr. Miranda also said not to be concerned about the regain of some of the weight because this isn't the time where we are doing the weight loss effort. This is only the healing part. I didn't want this to happen either (regain weight) so I've increased my caloric intake with 3 soy drinks that contains my 30grams of protein daily needed. Mind you I was advised not to grind chicken or turkey into my diet. I'm not sure of the reason but again I think it's because they don't want your stomach doing any work yet.. and ground up poultry will do this??? This is just my theory. So.. I noticed I maintained my 178 since I increased the 3 added soy drinks I've been drinking. So in theory drink more and increase your caloric intake and then you will continue loosing weight or maintain. I'm experimenting right now and increasing my daily consumed caloric intake another 200 cals. I'll see how the results go in a few days... I'll either gain, loose or maintain. Can any of the experts here on the forum give their expertise??? Did anyone go through this? I know we have nurses onboard here. Hope this helps. I'm not a doctor or have any formal training in Medicine. I just read blogs, and read of other's experiences. I’m with you too gals about the frustration part , .. I was prepared for the day when I would plateau and even regain weight. I’m diabetic so i naturally have to watch what I eat more carefully. I’ve had to look into low glycemic foods so that my glucose levels do not spike. The experts please reply. I want to know what you know or if you’ve heard of this. :-? Hanna

Hello scared! I'm glad that you've been put at ease. We didn't have to get off the van on the way in but I think that you walk 15 feet or so to cross the border on your return trip to the airport. I crossed on foot with some bandster friends we met at the center. It was about a 20 min. wait slow walk/line waiting. Not too bad at all. I'm glad the pics. helped that was the purpose to answer some questions in your head about the process, what it looks like. I was where you are so you will be just fine. Oh.. and yes w/your luggage and no it's not dangerous, it's routine. Francisco will be on the other side waiting for you.

Kissyfur, Hi, it's Hanna! You do get a lot of exercise! All that ranch work and house cleaning too!! Wow, I live in the suburbs of a big city so there's no hard labor here. Great job on the cookie resistance! I'm going to call for my fill appointment too before they FILL up! I haven't checked into the air tix but I better soon. Are you guys getting any hunger pangs? I can drink more with ease too. A little sore on the port side but all else is well. For exercise yesterday (the city way) I went shopping. I wasn't really going to buy anything but got a really nice dress on sale. The great news is that I was able to fit in a size L. Yeah... me... my size has been a 16 or 18 or 1x. I'm thrilled and motivated more and am not going to complain about the drinking stage anymore. I just want my band to fully heal in place then get filled so I can get on with the loosing weight and serious exercise. It's good to hear from you and "Hello to Josh!" Hanna

Thanks MamaMichele! I'm the one in the black looking very big!!! My daughter is the one on the left and she's 4 months pregnant, she was my companion for the surgery. See what I mean... I am definitely going to the back of the talbe next time for group pics!!! LOL!! Hanna :-?

Have fun Sparetire! You'll do just fine. Hanna

Thank you Kim! I just requested to be added to yours!! Hanna

I was banded on 2/28 as of today I have lost 18lbs (on 10th day post-op) total. My wounds are healing nicely too, still have 2 that haven't come off. I have been feeling great and am finally over the icky phase of the clear liquid diet too, but I doubt I have been getting the 800 cals, I'm trying to increase as directed since I am able to drink more it seems w/out as much difficulty! I have been walking leisurely, but probably amounts to only about 1/2 mile to a mile a day Went to eat out today and watched my family eat breakfast, it was a little hard but not unbearable, I got the shift off for cooking at least. I know that in 10 days I'll be eating with them... so I am counting down!! WAgal

Okay folks... I want to add more bandster friends on MYSPACE but have a hard time finding them here on the forum, so here's a location for us to easily locate it. I'll start. WAgal's is: www.myspace.com/hlapband Thanks.. I'll see you on MySpace if not here.

Linda!! Yay... I'm finally glad to hear from you here! Great, we have Zulma, Diana & Alyssa, me and now you trying to do the fills together. Zulma is only a few hours drive and the rest of us are flying in. Okay... let's shoot for some dates and get coordinated. We can all be there to meet each other, maybe do lunch or coffee somewhere before we go in to do our fills? Our 6-8 weeks out would fall on April 10 - 24th. We all have different healing time so what about shooting in the middle like the April 17, that would be the 7th week. We'll all probably have diff. flight times since we're coming from all diff. parts of the country. I think it would be great to have Zulma with us! Yay, since she has an advantage, she can speak Spanish and I would feel better once we cross the border. Post back please... anyone else doing their fills about this time is welcome to join us!!! Wow.. I'm excited, we can have a mini reunion already! By the way, our pic from the restaurant is on myspace.. it's on the 2nd page of this section.. click and view us... It wasn't fair... I was in front and all of me is showing!!! LOL. I definitely will move in the back next time we take group pics!!! Cool..so please post back or leave me a message on myspace. Hey has anyone heard from Melody or Lisa or Stephanie??? Hanna =D>

Good morning ladies! I just went out to breakfast!! Yeah with my family and sat down, had my slim fast and coffee then watch my family eat. That was hard!! It was also a good trial run to see if I could withstand it! It was actually nice that I didn't have to cook for my family this morning, it gave me a break. My kids and hubby were great, they sympathized with me but I kept telling them in 10 DAYS, I will be able to eat w/them. They are so cute... very concerned that Mommy might be miserable. Well I sort of am but hey... it's temporary. I kind of like the idea that I'm dropped some lbs. I am getting compliments from my sibblings where I posted on myspace. My sisters says I already look skinny. Wow, I thought, 'cause I still don't see it. Next year, definitely skinny jeans!! Today's issues... worried 'cause I've only had two bowel movements since surgery.. that's umm 9 days!! I feel okay... lots of peeing. I hope you are all okay with my candidness about these posts. If you are not, please say so.. and I will definitely stop. My face pimples are disappering, thank God! I'm so much better today too as far as port area pain. Now I actually press and feel it right underneath. Still a strange idea to have an implant in me but happy with results so far. I'm going to check out LAFitness near my home to see if I can get going on the exercise more. I get lazy to walk sometimes 'cause it's so cold still here and it's already March! Want to get a regular exercise routine going so I can get toned as I loose. Anybody on tips of what they are doing for exercise???? Love life: I read a little something here about the umm ...resuming love making activity.. when after surgery can you? i'm afraid to reopen my sutures but hubby is getting frisky. anybody out there has an answer? should i be asking dr. ortiz about this.. it wasn't addressed during consult or after surgery. Thanks again for all of you who contribute!!! I will return the favor in the future!! Hanna

Magpel, I can't wait to be where you are. I'm kinda scared too but so sick of drinking only, I'm with Mackenzie! My paperwork said to chew 30 times before you swallow. That reminds me of how I used to chew meat when I was kid. I practiced chewing before I got banded and the food is like mush before you get to swallow it. I didn't realize it either (again before being banded) that I drank so much while I was eating. It's definitely something I'm gonna have to work on. Right now I seem to be able to drink 1 cup per sitting before feeling bloated. I walk around and give myself another 30-60 mins. before I'll drink anything again. Dr. Miranda got back to me in an email I sent her about not putting ground turkey or chicken during your liquid diet stage. She said it's great about the lbs. dropping off but she is only concerned about the healing process right now. She said worry about loosing lbs. after the required healing period. Just as a reminder ladies, we have to protect our friend (investment) the band, to be able to do it's thing so I'm following to the T what I'm suppose to with my diet. My dog has been having a field day, everyday after dinner since I've been giving him left overs. He is SO happy! Another realization ladies, during meals, when my little girls don't finish their food, I became the food disposal. I hate wasting food, uh then I guess, so I'd try to finish off what was not consumed. Terrible habit!! Now no more... since I can't the dog gets it. LOL... I will definitely not do that anymore... Fat habit #1 will be eliminated effective immediately (March 18th in my case). I definitely have been getting hunger pangs when I don't drink something w/in 2 hours. I'm off to drink water right now... Keep posting Magpel.. I can at least hear about your experience while waiting to get to that point... specifically foods that go down fine and those that give you trouble!! Hanna

That's so great to hear Ruth! Say hello to everyone there for me! Hanna =D>

Diana, The gas!!! LOL It is definitely the same here... Still having them. By the way today I stayed at the same weight. 178 so I guess I'm stabilizing. I also felt a hunger pang for the first time! Drank water and then bloated again. I had fillings fixed morning after surgery and have already talked about getting more work done. I did deep cleaning too, but I have a tooth to replace and we were kind of talking about having my bite fixed before an implant. I'll be seeing their Orthodontist specialist next time I come.. She was very gentle and no pain at all... maybe 'cause I was still on pain meds from surgery. The fillings she put on me are staying in place and looks better than the silver/mercury I had before. I hope this helps. I think there is a direct email address for the dentist on the obesitycontrolcenter.com site. Email her directly and ask. May the force continue to be with you! Again the "force" not to eat until we are suppose to anyways! Hanna

Kate! Yay!! Surgery date... I know how I couldn't wait until that day. Remember your positive attitude goes a long way while traveling there and your experience. Talk with as much or as little to people you are comfortable with that are going to be there for your surgery. You'll find they are all thinking the same thing you are... Ha Ha Ha!!! LOL. I remember talking to Mackenzie when she I first saw her doing her after surgery morning walk in the lobby, I actually talked to all patients that seemed willing to describe their experience and describe their pain if they were willing. Guess what? They were all willing! It helps to relax us and alleviate anxiety of the unexpected. I just hope I wasn't too annoying. Have a wonderful experience and I will be praying for you and the others. Hanna =D>

Mona & Mmichelle, Thanks... it's subsided a bit on my face but my back is as bumpy. I'm trying to wait it out but decided to shoot email to Dr. Ortiz. If it is just a reaction to the anesthesia and or toxins being flushed by my system, then will it go away by itself?? Do I need to do something? Thanks guys.. WAgal

Thanks Sparetire. I did this yesterday.. it's nice that it does the update automatically! Nice.. God4me, has this answered your question as to how to do it? WAgal

you go Manda!!! You can do it... >

MamaMichele, Do you think so? I don't mind my back but my face. It's on my jaw line on both sides of my face. Okay.. I'll wait it out for a little bit... Thanks.. doing research right now on anesthesia side effects. Thanks!

Girls... I empathize with you... I felt that way when I was doing the pre-op diet too. But guess what... when you are in our/my stage you're not hungry. So there's no hunger... it's in your head. You kinda have these food withdrawals I guess. You will be able to eat normally again but it just takes time to get there... mine in on the 18th of March.. I think...gotta check my paperwork. There are rewards... like right now the lbs. are dropping off. It's cool and you will be encouraged... we'll help you here!!! Have a nice day ladies!! Hanna

Monet, Click on the tracker thingy you like... then it will lead you to a website to create your own. click and copy all of the code that it gives, pick the one for bb or postings. then you have to paste it along with your message.... so it looks like code when you are posting.. that's if I remember it correctly. Hanna