mlgpdx

I'm sure you do have the paperwork from Dr. Miranda but were wondering what "worked" for others... I found that slim fast optima/low carb was good and also the EAS shakes. For some reason the atkins shakes didn't settle well with me. I used a lean cuisine container for portion control but usually cooked my own chicken breast or thigh with a variety of vegetables... if I was still needed some starch I would have 1/2 cup brown rice or something high in fiber to fill me up. I also had a hard time on the pre-op diet and would often "cheat" with some homemade popcorn with I can't believe it's not butter spray and some season salt. not the best and usually just had a cereal bowl full but it really helped me. Good luck oh yah.. salads.. I ate A LOT of green salad throughout the day. I would take a bag of it to work with the spray dressing and eat at least a bag a day at work and 1 bag at home. I was just so hungry at times and other times just wanted to eat. I made sure to eat a ton of salad and if I was still starving I would have my popcorn.. . also and occasional teaspoon of peanutbutter did the trick.. AGain, this is what worked for me... We are all rooting for you!!

Ok Carrie... I will come clean... I was feeling awful yesterday when I got home from work, as you know, and after we talked I was thinking what the crap... so I got up and made 2oz of instant mashed potatoes.. very watery... I ate it and my gosh I felt 100% better! I also took one of those pain pills we bought in TJ and the combination had me feeling almost back to normal. I am off to a another full day at work and I am taking my 3.3oz bottle of activia yogurt drink and exactly 2oz (1/4cup) of very watery instant mashed potatoes. I am making a point of drinking more water water water ... other than a slight headache this morning I'm feeling mucho better. xoxoxo Mindy

I was 275 when weighed in at the clinic 3/24 when I got home 3/26 I was 280lbs! LOL I figure it was fluids from the IV and just gas and/or my body hanging on since I hadn't eat in 4 days. I weighed myself this morning and I was 271 so down 4lbs since surgery. I was told by Dr. Miranda and truly believe that the first 6 weeks b/4 your first fill is about healing and getting "use" to the band... weight loss is an added bonus. I don't know if this helps or not?? I know it can be frustrating. It will happen, don't worry.

I didn't have an RX for the meds I bought from the pharmacy.. I just told them what I wanted and they told me what they had. I was told it's illegal for them to sell me vicoden but they had something similiar. Carrie and I split a bottle of 100 caplets, 100mg each the price was $50 ($25 each) I don't know the name because I didn't keep the bottle. Carrie??? My mom actually bought Cealis (like viagra) and they were $7 a pill vs: $15 here. There are pharmacies everywhere! I like the one that just a block or 2 from the hotel. The front door guy, Alonso, can direct you and it's definitely within walking distance. If you go to revolution ave they are all over.. some good.. some kinda seedy looking. Hope that answers any questions.

Hi bobbi.. I'm glad you and your hubby made it home safe and sound. Glad you're feeling "OK" sip walk sip walk sip walk.... that's a good motto. Mindy (wearing black pants/black& white sleeveless shirt was with my mom) banded same day

Carrie I'm sorry you are feeling so lousy ( I can only hope it will get better. I have the WORST stomach ache tonight. I walked almost a mile this afternoon and it really helped with the gas but I just feel so bloated tonight. I will call you tomorrow and check in on you. oxoxo Mindy

I did it! =D> =D> =D> Arrived Sunday around 12:30pm, Francisco was waiting for me with a sign with my name on it. He carried our (my mom was with me) luggage to the Van and then we picked up Carried & Stephanie (from Minnesota) and off we went to the Hotel. Arrived, checked in and the 4 of us met downstairs to go get some food! On the recommendation of Alonso, out front guy, we walked about 1/2 mile to a place called Los Arcos for mexican seafood. Ok.. I LOVE Seafood and so did most of the party, I thought Alonso said mexican AND Seafood but it was really just seafood. Those who weren't crazy about seafood had steak. we had a delicious meal and a nice walk back to the hotel. Once back at the hotel we changed into bathing suits and hit the pool/lounge chairs. Ok, the pool is NOT heated and the water was COOOOLD. LOL but.. the sun was hot, the company was good and we all enjoyed thawing out in the Tijuana sun. I also enjoyed 2 rum & diet cokes.. .my vice and my mom had a couple of pina coladas. We were told to be downstairs at 7:45am to transport to OCC. Mrs. Ortiz arrived .. just to let you know she drives a volvo sedan and not everyone goes at once. Patients go 3 at a time, however many trips are needed are done until everyone is at the clinic. Arrived around 8am and went over paperwork with Claudia(front desk) and then waited to be called back. First had the dental exam (took about 3 minutes) then had blood drawn and IV inserted (5 minutes) then breathing test & EKG (8 minutes) finally met with Dr. Miranda (10 minutes) after each step you go back to the lobby and wait for your name to be called for the next step. I was in the first group to arrive and it was a Monday.. remember the clinic is closed Sunday's so all the attention was focused on US. (wooo hooo) The rest of the bandsters for the day and out +1 arrived and before I knew it I was called back and led to a room. I was told I would have a semi-private room but ended up wtih a private room (yah for me) room #6. I was instructed to put on the gown and thong panties. I cannot begin to tell you how NICE and PROFESSIONAL everyone I had contact with was.. they were absolutely fabulous! I am a massage therapist and I understand the power of good touch.. after each person would talk to me, ask me questions etc.. they would gently touch my leg, hand, arm or some other appropriate body part. My mom was included in the conversations once I was in my room and she was totally at ease with everything. Then the fabulous guy came and gave me a happy pill which made me oooooo soooo happy! then a nice woman came and gave me a hella painful shot in my side/stomach.. I was like what the crap was that?!?!? IT was the most painful part of the day.. it was shot to help with blood clots... sheesh!! I think I was the first person to have surgery that day.. they took me by wheelchair to the O.R where I got up and laid on the O.R table... (i forgot to mention the nurse that put compression hose on me b/4 the happy pill) they covered me with a blanket and I think removed my gown but this was happening the same time the happy guy came in and made me fall asleep. Next thing I knew I was back in my room talking to my mom. About 15min after that I led on a walk around the clinic 3x then back to my room. I was given pain pill / anti nausea pill and then I went to sleep. about an hour later, maybe more i lost track of time, I got up and walked around by myself.. went out to the veranda to sit in the sun but got really lite headed and nauseas and went back to my room where they gave me more pills and i drifted off to sleep. The took our +1 back to the hotel around 4pm. I spent the rest of the evening sleeping and then when I woke up I would get up and walk around.. stopping to talk to Amber, Evette, and whomever else looked awake. Woke up Tuesday morning, went back to the hotel around 8 or 9.. said hello to 3/25 bandsters sitting in the lobby.. assured them that it would be perfect and no worries. Went back to hotel.. took a nap... got up and went shopping with mom, carrie, stephanie, romona & neil down at revolution avenue. Made sure to get a taxi that only charged $5. Alonso also gave me a biz card and said when coming back be sure to get in a taxi with a meter and that if they try to charge more than $5 show them the card and he would make sure they did not cheat us coming back. revolution avenue was... um... bleh in my opinion. I enjoyed getting out and walking around but I am spoiled because I shopped the fashion district in L.A, flea markets in oakland and china town in New York... so the knock-offs, in my humble opinion, were not to my liking. I did buy some cuban cigars for my honey and some great sunglasses. Oh yah I also visited a pharmacy and got some pills similiar to vicaden ($50 for 100) and my mom got some viagra ($7 per pill) for my dad (i know TO MUCH INFORMATION!!) oh and I also got some meredia diet pills for my friend for $30 (30 pills) I was ready to go back to hotel so we did. Got back, changed into bathing suits and lounged in the sun the rest of the day. Went to bed early because our flight was at 7am and Francisco was picking us up at 5am . Francisco was early and we left around 4:50am.. got to the border.. mom and I got out with our luggage.. entered a side door and went directly up to a customs agent who looked at our passports and then said go on through. we walked one block, took a right, walked over the trolley tracks to a small parking lot and Francisco was there. Got back in the van and off to the airport. Flight was early and all went well. I was home sitting on my couch by 10:30am. Ok... sooo... WEdnesday (the day I got home) I was feeling tired and very sore especially where my port is. I walked around the block once and went to the store with my BF but really spend the day laying on the couch watching movies. I went to bed and slept about 10 hours. Thursday: I was up b/4 8am and told myself that today I needed to move and 'work it out" because tomorrow is back to work and I have no time to feel sorry for myself. I did some laundry, dishes, light cleaning, went tanning, went to GNC, etc... even made my BF a batch of espresso brownies! walked around the block this afternoon and even had a client come and get their brows waxed. I am having a good friend over for dinner tonight and I am cooking spaghetti for everyone (but me)! Gas; egads..... yep... I've got it! it's much better today. PHayzme works wonders. I am also drinking this green tea I got from safeway called "dieters tea" it's decaf green tea that helps "promote cleansing" well let me tell you I really needed cleansed because it had been a few days and i was feeling backed up! I drank a cup last night and I was nice and cleansed this morning. It really helped with the gas too. Hunger: ooooooo yah.... this hit me this afternoon... it's day 4 so I drank a 3.3 oz little bottle of activia peach flavored yogurt drink. ooohhh it tasted like heaven. It really did give my stomach something to "eat" and I felt much better. I am feeling the pains again right now and am making a cup of tea. I can't wait till I can eat creamy soups. so I got back to work tomorrow.... and am looking forward to the future.

oh man those sexy "paper panties" went up my butt the second I put them on and would NOT come out! LOL

Kimmie!!! You will have a fabulous experience, as I did, I can't wait to see you on the "other side" I will be writing about my journey tomorrow. I've been spending lots of snuggle time with my honey since I got home... uh.. well sometimes I make him leave and do something because this gas can be FIERCE!! hahahaha (who me??)

Nope

Susan Are you from New York ? you had your surgery that evening and were initially in a semi-private but moved to a private room AND you rode back to the hotel with Amber & I Tuesday morning??

Claire I will be going shopping with you if your hubby doesn't want to. I love fake purses and bargains.... I've traveled all over and I love to barter barter barter!!

Paula Thanks for the recap. I really enjoy reading each persons experience, each time I pick up a new tidbit I didn't know. Please keep updating your progress on the forum. Mindy

I leave at 8am Sunday and the same thoughts are running through my head!! LOL I laughed out loud when I read "I hope I fit in the plane seat" I had the same thoughts then I remembered my mom is coming with me and she is a tiny thing so I can "spill" into her seat. I love to travel and the last year I have avoided it because of not being comfortable in a plane seat and I hate hate hate being the person sitting in the window seat and seeing the looks on the other passengers faces as they come closer.. I know they are thinking.. **please don't let me be the seat next to the fat girl** I digress a little.. BUT... WOO HOOO..... Sunday soon come! =D> =D>

oh nevermind I found it at Walgreens.com I am VERY worried about gas.. I work in a small room doing waxing, facial, massage etc... if there are only 2 of us in the room I can't blame it on my client! hahahahaah

ahhh girl I feel your pain. Mine has been homemade popcorn with real butter and a big 'ol glass of red wine... mmmmm

Is Phazyme something I can buy at the store or is a prescription?

Thanks for the update! Look forward to hearing about your progress in the future.

I'm flying in on the 23rd , surgery on the 24th and I WANT TO GO SHOPPING TOO! l Look forward to seeing all of you ladies... I hope the weather is nice because I'm brining my swimsuit! one love

right back at you Monet. One love everyone

I will be looking for you! LOL I"m the tall fat one and my mom will be with me.. she's short and tiny! > > > >

Thanks for the update. I will be re-reading your post in a couple weeks. I really appreciate the updates.

I'm arriving Sunday 12:28pm on Alaska... anyone else arrive around this time? If yes, I'm guessing we will be carpooling. I'm soooo excited!! Mindy

My profile is also set to private... but I accept anyone as a friend if you mention this forum. I haven't told many people but I am going to start blogging about it this week so everyone who is on my friends list on myspace will soon find out! LOL I find therapy in blogging. If you would like to request me as a friend please mention lapband and I will accept you. Happy blogging my friends xoxo www.myspace.com/mindiluwho

Hello Kimmie & Michelle! Saw your posts wanted to say I hope you have a fabulous week! Michelle I am readaing your myspace all the time. xoxox 1 week from today.. woo hoo