bandgroupie

Glad everything went great - was worried about you!

COME CHAT!!!

You're making a big step in your life Reasons to be excited!!!! You should know from reading the forum that the docs at the OCC and the staff will take great care of you. You should know that you will have a great banding experience at the OCC. You should know that you will meet new friends who will be lifelong friends! You should know that you will enjoy your visit at the Lucerna and Revolution Boulevard You should know that you will be losing weight!!!! You should know that you will be happier than you've ever been! You should know that you have no reason to freak out ..... So .. relax!

I followed the pre op diet to a T: two shakes and lean cuisine and sometimes switched one shake for a green salad (lettuce, tomato, green pepper, cucumbers, mushrooms). I quit drinking sodas and stopped salting my food. I drank Special K Protien water and tried to do at least 30 minutes of exercise every other day. I wasn't good with my exercise. I lost 18 lbs. in three weeks.

8 to 10 lbs. was the average for my group. (SIX WEEKS)

I had my first fill last Saturday at the OCC. I've had stomach cramps (and gas) ever since. Is this normal? Is this related to the fill or possibly I had some bad water (maybe in my lemonade at the cantina?). It's been over a week and I feel the pain ever day and been on the potty quite often. Had been in bed most of the day today.

Kimra, 46 lbs! ohmygoodness, you have done great!!! How did you do that???????

Good luck Sue!

GOOD LUCK LORA!!!

Keep doing your pre op diet and you'll be fine!!!!! Keep up the good work. We're all so excited for you!

My suggestions: 1. No Caffeine. (LOSE DIET COKE FOR SURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) 2. Limit salt intake. DO NOT ADD SALT TO ANYTHING 3. Drink Special K Protien Water 4. 1 protien shake for breakfast (freeze it) 5. Lean Cuisine OR small green salad (lettuce, green pepper, cucumbers, tomatoes & mushroom) for lunch with salad spritzer 6. Lean Cuisine OR protien shake for dinner. 7. Do not snack in between. 8. Walk 30 minutes a day. 9. Drink lots of water!

WILLT is funny

You're "our" Paula Bee so, of course, we love any opportunity to know you better! Thanks for sharing your family photos with us!

Great weight loss journey slide show and you have made AWESOME progress :0 And I just love your "PRICELESS" moment Thanks so much for sharing that with us! Again, you have done WONDERFUL - Be happy!!!!

10 important rules Here are ten rules for eating, drinking and exercise that will help you get the best results you can with the LAP-BAND System. How willing you are to follow a new way of eating is key to making the operation a success. Eat only three small meals a day Eat slowly and chew thoroughly (15-20 times a bite) Stop eating as soon as you feel full Do not drink while you are eating Do not eat between meals Eat only good quality food Avoid fibrous food Drink enough fluids during the day Drink only low-calorie fluids Exercise at least 30 minutes a day

Ute ... Although I thank you for that information, I got dizzy reading it :)))))

Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez were my surgeons. Since you are being banded by Dr. Martinez, I will let you know my opinion of him here. Keep in mind, I'm impressed with Dr. Ortiz, as well, but this post is about Dr. Martinez, deal? First and importantly, he's handsome!!!!!! .... My whole surgery experience went great - the OCC docs and staff were wonderful. I had a small problem and was concerned about it so we called Dr. Martinez on the Sunday after my surgery. He came to our hotel and was very polite and nice. He checked me out and made arrangements for me to get back to the clinic on the day the clinic was closed. He put up with my husband asking him questions that had absolutely nothing to do with my surgery and he acted like he didn't mind at all. He was at the OCC last Saturday when I had my first fill. He remembered me and was just very interested in how I was doing and was very personable. I vote Dr. Martinez

So, friend....... Can I go shopping with you ... pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!!????

GOOD JOB :) I can't wait to be where you are!!!!

I think my BFF's band is tighter when she's under stress. Isn't BFF???

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGreat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alana, We were working with San Diego to try to include the OCC physicians and staff. If not San Diego, Vegas was everyone's first pick because what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. If the Band Camp is in San Diego and bandsters go to the OCC for a fill why they are in town, they can hopefully take some of the expense off on their taxes. Good incentive to come to Band Camp. It's a very long flight for me as well. First leg 45 minutes; second leg 5.5 HOURS. Very uncomfortable and long flight, but I'm hoping this time next year, I'll be quite a bit smaller and will be so excited that nothing will get in my way! Again, I have no preference where so we can discuss alternative locations in an open chat!

I haven't really tested my band yet since my first fill. I can eat pretty much anything (pasta and bread included) without any problem. I haven't forced the quantity issue but know that I'm definitely eating 1/3 less than what I normally would eat. But again, I don't wait until I get a sign to stop; I simply stop eating when I think I should. I also put very little on my plate to begin with. So when it's gone, I'm done. Sure I've felt hungry in between meals (usually around 4 p.m.) but I hope that's just mental hunger Sorry I haven't been much help. I figured in two weeks, I'll look at the scale and the quantity of food I've been eating, and make a decision at that point if I'm heading to Roswell, GA! Be sure to drink a lot of water throught out the day. I was told no drinking one hour before each meal and not until one hour after. That sorta limited my water intake - so I'm going to have to work on that!!!!!! Three meals, no snacks!!!!

Interesting poll results so far... Ladies who recently had a fill, complete the poll!