Alana

Question for those who have been banded and stayed at Hotel Lucerna. My mother and I will be going down on May 8th for my May 9th's banding. We're staying an extra day and leaving Sunday, which is Mother's Day. I was wondering if the hotel had any type of spa services there that my mom and I could enjoy. I know I wouldn't be able to have a massage, but maybe a facial or something like it and I wanted to get my mom some type of package. Does anyone know of such services there? Thanks! Alana

That makes a lot of sense! I am a massage therapist and we studied referral pain quite a bit and it happens a lot more often than people think. I know I always feel my period cramps in my lower back and last time I checked, my uterus wasn't located there. I'm hoping to avoid the gas pain when I get banded on May 9th, but all the info on here has been very helpful!

I am going to be banded May 9th. It is my understanding that the first several weeks following surgery are not for weight loss, it is for healing. Weight loss during that time is a bonus, but is not at all guaranteed. You should start seeing weight loss after you have your first fill. So I wouldn't go into it with the mindset that you'll definitely lose weight right after being banded. Hope this helps!

Thanks - I actually enjoy the Slim Fasts, they taste good to me. I really like the Rich Chocolate Royale. I will up my water intake and try the Special K stuff. I was really close to adding the Alli pill to my pre-op diet, but I saw an earlier post about a woman having her surgery postponed because she took a diet pill.

So after finally losing the 3 lbs I had gained, plus an additional 5, I have been stuck at 235 for a week now. I can't get below it! I decided while Atkins did get the weight off quickly, it wasn't the healthiest options, so I went back to a Slim Fast for breakfast and Lean Cuisine for lunch and dinner. I usually have a low cal snack after lunch around 3 (usually a Slim Fast bar) and sometimes a sugar free fudgesicle at night if I really need it. I do the Lean Cuisine at lunch instead of another Slim Fast because I felt too hungry, which would lead to snacking and I wanted to avoid that or cheating. I walk after work, I take the stairs whenever possible, and I've even gotten into the habit of running up my stairs at home. What else can I do?? I am TERRIFIED that I won't lose enough weight for my surgery and they will turn me away. Dr. Miranda wanted me to lose 20 lbs and I don't know if I can do it now! I emailed her this morning for advice, but haven't heard back. Help!!

Hi, I will be arriving on May 8th, so I'm sure I'll see you there, too! Alana

Arriving May 8th - surgery is scheduled for May 9th. I'm arriving late morning on the 8th so I am *hoping* they will have time to have my surgery done that day!

Hi GAGirl, I'm sure everything will go fine with your surgery. I was tested for PCOS recently because I hadn't had my period in months, but wasn't pregnant. Turns out I have ammenorhea (absence of menstruation) and they just placed me on a low dose birth control to help regulate my menstruation. When I told my OB-GYN that I was getting banded, he said there wouldn't be any problem with me getting banded. I'm sure you'll be just fine! Good luck!

Is there something they give you or suggest for taking a shower? If they're considered about things getting into the wound, I would think soap or shampoo running into it wouldn't be good either. I can understand the bath, though - sitting in your own dirt doesn't sound too sterile! thanks for the replies, everyone!

I am so glad you posted this! I was considering adding the Alli pills to my pre-op diet, but now I think I'll forego those now - I may not lose as much weight, but I don't want THAT to be the reason I can't have my surgery. Thanks, LynneB!

The pool at Lucerna looks beautiful and my mom and I are staying an extra day. Does anyone know if you can swim after being banded or will that mess up the human glue? I know people take showers the next day, so I wasn't sure..

whew - all your comments really help! I am really hoping I can lose as close to the 15 lbs that I have left. So glad your surgery went well, 2fat4me! MamaMichelle - your new pic looks GREAT! look at your skinny arms!

Thanks, Jackyln - I was going through a bunch of stressful issues when I first started and it totally worked against my diet. Thankfully I'm back on track!

After much battling and gaining an extra 3 lbs, I have finally shed the 3 plus 5 extra. Thanks to the support from everyone here. Only 15 more to go by May 9th!!

Hi All, I'd love to compile a list of what everyone had for their first meal after being banded. I think this would be great info for people who will be banded soon to give them an idea of what they can eat. So banders, please respond with what you had for your first meal! Thanks, Alana *May 9th, here I come!"

I haven't been banded yet, but I'm sure this time is for you to focus on healing, not losing weight. I know it's a concern for everyone, but your job right now is to make sure your body has time to adjust to this new object. I can't even imagine any doctor, much less the ones in Mexico, actually giving anyone a fill this soon after surgery. Just take it easy and you'll be fine! I wish you the best. Alana

Hey Michelle, I bought Skinny Bitch a while ago and while a lot of what they said made sense about certain things, a lot of it was also too extreme for my tastes. By the end of the book, I felt like it was really more about their agenda for the vegan lifestyle rather than helping women lose weight. But that's just my opinion. My sister loved the book and also bought their cookbook. I also think they're coming out with a book for pregnant women, too. Alana

I am going to Mex on a Thur and coming back on Sun. I also gave myself Monday off of work, so I'll return Tuesday. I didn't want to take too much time off from work because I didn't want to get lazy. I believe that being active (within reason) is a great way to help yourself heal. I got here by being lazy...gotta end that sooner than later! Obviously, if I'm not feeling well, that'll change, but I'm staying positive and maintaining that I won't!

Hi Jena, I'm definitely up for that! Yes, Dr. Miranda told me to try to lose 20 lbs because my BMI is so high (I'm only 4'10") but I haven't done that great on it. I ended up gaining some weight and I'm trying to shed that now. I started with the Slim Fast, Lean Cuisine diet, but I found myself being too tempted to cheat. I started Atkins last week and I've lost 3 lbs so far! Hopefully I can lose as close to 20 lbs as I can by May. Cross your fingers! Alana

Hi Jena! I arrive on May 8th and I'm scheduled for May 9th. I'm HOPING they can squeeze me in on May 8th, since I fly in relatively early. I'm sure I'll see you there. My mom and I are flying in together. Hope to see you there!

thanks for posting, Kimmie! So glad I got a chance to see them.

For me, it was when I began to have difficulty doing every-day things like tying my shoes, shaving my legs, even (excuse the next statement, ladies) using a tampon. I'm 22 and I am too young to be falling apart! May 9th, here I come!!

I couldn't see your pics other than the one posted in the forum. Once I logged into MySpace it said they had all been made private. I guess you want us to add you first before showing them? I'll add you! Look for Alana in Tallahassee, FL.

I'm sure we're all adults here and can set aside the "rule" that writing in all caps means you're "shouting". it just depends on what makes you more comfortable in typing and for some people, that's in all caps. Let's focus on more important subjects, like supporting each other.

I, for one, feel very reassured by Lori's response. I have traveled abroad numerous times and believe it or not, that same kind of situation happens all the time. Unfortunately, they take advantage of the fact that you may not speak the language and take services from other companies. This almost happened to me in Greece, but thankfully, I speak the language and was able to tell they weren't who I was supposed to have transportation with. I have total faith in OCC and plan to be very aware of my transportation when I fly in early May. And she is right, they do post a ton of information and photos on their site, so I'm confident in their services. I'm sorry this happened to you, though! What a scary situation. I'm glad you're safe. Be safe, everyone! Alana