mona-camille

Can anyone here who has had the band tell me if your stomach area is very swollen afterwards? I'm asking because I want to buy a denim dress for the plane ride home (so that it won't have a waist band pinching me) and I am wondering if I need to buy a larger size due to swelling. Can anyone tell me what you think?

YEAH congratulations and good for you!!! Yes God is great, but so is Dr. Ortiz.

Thanks!!

I am so glad to hear you had a great experience. Please let me know how your flight home goes. I too come from Pa. Bethlehem, about an hour north of Philly. I think I am more worried about the flight home than anything else. Thanks! My home e-mail is ramona29@rcn.com

My sister gave me one of those breathing things they give you after surgery for practice. Do you know how I should be using it? I don't expect any problems with the lung function test, but it doesn't hurt to practice my lungs.

Hey! I'm on the 24th too!! I hadn't heard of too many of us on that same day!! YEAH! Look for me, I'm the fat one, LOL!!!!!!! I'll be with my husband flying in Easter Sunday around 11 ish.

They only do the surgery monday through friday. I asked.

I have. I am in touch with her every friday at weigh in. She changed me from Atkins to the shake thing this week. So come friday, we'll see.

Yes, I was told my surgery would be canceled if I don't lose it. I certainly wouldn't make that up when I have spent so much non-refundable money already. I do know the reasons for it, but that isn't helping get the weight off. And I can't help but be upset knowing all of this. Especially since I could very well not even know until after I have flown across the entire country, just to be sent back home. As you can see, I am becming very frustrated.

I am so jealous!! I've been trying very very hard, with no cheating whatsoever, and working my butt off to have only lost 5 pounds in 3 weeks! I still have another 15 to go and have only 3 weeks to do it or my surgery will be cancelled. I am so upset and depressed about it. I can't get my $1000 in plane tickets back. I switched from Atkins to the 2 shakes a day and I am not so sure that is even going to work. I started walking like mad, and exercising and all I get is 5 pounds! Sorry for venting when you are so happy. I'm just horribly jealous and terribly afraid that they will refuse me. Congratulations for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wasn't suggesting that I would eat as she did, just relaying her situation. I am a rule follower so I expect to do just that. But, my sister is just fine. She had her first fill 2 weeks ago. She has lost a total of 30 pounds since Christmas. Vomited for the first time friday from not chewing broccholi enough. Her and I are very different, I am already on a liquid diet (twice a day) to lose my before weight and I am fine with it. Thanks for your concern though, but be assured, I am very good at following rules. Are you able to answeer my main question though about the center sending you home with a basket of drinks as mentioned on their web site?

I liked the Slim Fast Optima. But, when I started Atkins that one was to high in carbs, so Dr. Miranda told me to use the Atkins Advantage and I love it. Tastes just like chocolate milk. I even tried the vanilla, expecting to hate it (the slim fast vanilla is gross) but it was just as good. Just like a thin vanills shake.

Add me to the list of worriers. Although, I think I am more excited than worried. I have already been on a diet because they want me to lose 20 pounds and that just isn't possible in 2 weeks, so I started Atkins 3 weeks ago. I am especially worried because I have only lost 5 pounds so far and my surgery is for 3/24. I haven't cheated a single time, yet only 5 pounds lost! I started exercising and walking so I am hoping by my friday weigh in is more. But, I have already bought tickets so thats a lot of money to lose. I just don't know why the weight isn't coming off. So, that is really what I am worried about. I started at 5'3" and 289 pounds. I am 284 now. So, those of you who have a lot to lose ought to start that diet as soon as possible so you don't get turned away. Thats my biggest worry by far.

Every plan is different even though they are with the same insurance company. Just depends what your emloyer chose to have covered or not. I have blue cross and they don't pay a dime for any type of obesity treatment. I work for an insurance company and I find it peculiar that the general public gets so mad at the insurance companies on what they will pay for or not and they are wrong ones to get mad at. It is the owner of the policy - usually your employer who offers the insurance to begin with that makes ALL the decisions on what they want covered or not in the plan. I know no-one asked about that, I just thought I'd throw that in there.

Didn't OCC give you a basket of supplies, like drinks and soups and things? Their web-site states that they do give you that so that you shouldn't have to worry about ordering anything.

Well, my sister was just banded 1/4/08 here in sthe states and she was stitched. I hope they do stitch. I would feel a lot better.

Personal hygiene becoming easier Putting on socks without having to lift your whole leg up on the bed Painting my own toenails Not being the fattest one in my family DOING STAIRS! Looking in the mirror again Seeing old friends without embarrassment Stop using my hair to cover my fat Having my beloved cats fit on my lap GETTING RID OF MY CPAP MACHINE Bending to pick something up from the floor

Do you know whether Dr. Ortiz uses a few stitches to attach the lap band to the stomach to help prevent slippage? The doctors here do that and it seem to help tremendously and lessen the possibility of slippage occuring.

I'm March 24th. Arriving the 23rd and leaving the 27th. I think you'll just miss me.

And it does make good sense to ward off the problem before it happens. Never thought of it that way until you said it, but it does make sense. Preventative medicine. I am not one of those controversial ones. I am 287 and only 5'3" so I am obvious.

I'm coming the 23rd and surgery is schedule for the 24th. We leave the 27th so I am sure I'll be seeing some of you! My name is Ramona and I'm coming with my husband.

I am getting the same crap. The best I can say is have them look at the website for themselves. What I ended up doing, is telling my family I decided not to do it. Then, when it is all over, I can tell them I went after all. I want to bring a video camera with me to have my husband tape everything to show the family back home that it all went fine. Especially the hand washing part. My mother thinks they don't wash their hands down there. They act like it's a 3rd world country or something for cying out loud. My mom said you can buy any drug you want right in the stores without a prescription. She thinks thats outrageous. I don't think I quite believe that, although I don't really know. My mom, neice and sister wanted to come along just to see for themeselves, but I decided my husband was enough and I don't need to hear their crap while I am nervous enough. So, that is why I told them I canceled it. I hate to be the cause of my family's nervous breakdown or heart attack. Also, if you have an emergency, the hospital cannot turn you away no matter what. But for minor things, I am not sure. I actually decided to come back to the Center for my first fill too. I am going to make it like a mini vacation so it's no big deal. Bottom line - you researched this (just like I did) and it is your body, so just ignore them. You/me will be fine.

THe web page for The Center says they send you back to the hotel the morning after surgery with a basket of things to drink. Is that true and does that mean I won't have to bring or buy anything to eat after it's done. Drink, I mean. For those asking - my sister had the band put in on a friday and by tuesday she was very hungry so she started on mashed potatoes and applesauce around Wednesday. I guess everyone is different.

AM I the only one scheduled for Easter Monday? I'm flying in the 23rd and not leaving until the 27th. Surgery is the 24th - Easter Monday. I figured I would take an extra day to recuperate since I have to fly so far. Eastern Pa.

What does PB stand for?