crazycoolbutterfly

CONGRATULATIONS Wonderful outcome and thank you for sharing!!

Hi y'all, it's been a while since I've been on here and in TJ. Was wondering, how is traveling back and forth between Mexico and California? Is it still pretty safe? Any complaints? Or recommendations? I need to schedule an appointment to see how my band is doing and check up on fills? How about pricing? Have there been any changes on fills? When I signed up for this, back in 2008, fills were free. Only during Fluro, would there be a fee, I think about $75. Have things changed? I will probably spend two days out there, so any advice on hotel info in TJ? Are they still using Lucerna? How about rates? Thanks for you input.

:lb13: Congrats Girl!!! You are doing Awesome!

Well good for you Ms JazzyJude! I'm glad things went well and you are feeling it! You know, I was going to head to TJ this past week, but my plans changed so I'm thinking within the next 2-3 weeks. I am so glad you are so detailed with your posts. Thanks for an awesome post and sharing your experience. I may try Mexicoach and the cab next time. I never thought about it, is it cheaper than using OCC drivers? I know the rates have increased but I'm not sure about comparison. It also puts my anxiety at ease, since there have been posted questions in regard to recent problematic activities in TJ. Here's to the "sweet spot"! Take care

=D> TOTALLY AWESOME!!! =D> Love it! your pix are like looking at an extreme makeover show, or a dyi magazine... good for you!

Well first of all your fill is determined by your fill doctor. Normally they will ask you what you have been eating and how often. It's best to have a food diary, or a good memory, when you go speak with your fill doctor. Also, if you are not having time to go to the gym, simply walk around the block of your neighborhood. 15 minutes of walking is better than nothing, trust me, I've been there! Please know that if you only stand in your living room, or wherever in your home, and do jumping jacks or run in place, for a few minutes it is also just as good as going to the gym. Even if you walk to the mailbox 10 times, you just did a 15-20 minute workout! If you start out slowly exercising, you will more likely enjoy it more than seeing it as a chore or a necessity of the day. See it's pretty simple if you really want to get your "workout" in. I know when I first started I would just walk around in my back yard, along the fence line. Just because I wasn't ready to go to the gym and face all those "gym junkies" LOL Now as far as nutrition, several things: ~Eat proteins, veggies, and starches in that order ~Try eating 6 times a day, instead of the 3x ~Count your calories (use sparkpeople.com, or calorie counter.com, or fitday.com) ~Drink your 64 oz of water, or other low-cal, sugar free liquids, DAILY ~Do not stress about the food intake if you are working out consistently! As a matter of fact, you will be alittle more hungry because you are now refueling your body for the next workout and not eating out of boredom or emotions. Example: Wake up at 7am, drink 8 oz of water 8am have 1 : small yogurt, or oatmeal, or protein shake, or 6 oz glass of chocolate milk, OR egg AND half a piece of toast, or mini-muffin 9am 8 oz water 10am have 1: 4oz fruit cup, or small apple, or small pear, or small banana And 1-2 tsp of peanut butter, or cottage cheese, or protein bar 11am 8 oz water 12noon 2-3 oz of lean protein such as fish with 2-3oz of veggies (or a medium green-salad) 1pm 8 oz water 2pm have 1: 6 oz of chocolate milk, or protein shake, or protein bar, 1-2 tsp peanut butter & 1/2 piece of toast (you can have jelly/jam too) 3pm have 1: 8 oz water or 6 oz cup of juice or v-8 4pm 2-3 oz of lean protein such as fish with 2-3 oz of veggies (or a medium green-salad 5pm 8 oz water 6pm have 1: 3 oz low-cal ice cream, 3 oz cup of sugar-free pudding, or jello 7pm 8 oz water 8pm have 1: 6 oz milk, protein shake, protein bar, 1-2 tsp peanut butter & 1/2 piece of toast w/jelly or jam 9pm 8 oz water 10 pm probably bed time :-) * you can always substitute a low-cal, sugar free drink INSTEAD of water, but I prefer water Did you notice that it seems like you are eating CONSTANTLY? But when you calculate the calories, its somewhere between 1000-1200... and if you exercises, technically you should be adding a few more, but that's up to you and your body. You don't have to follow a schedule if you don't want to, but it's a good way of learning to listen to your body. You don't want to wait to hear hunger growls or feel hunger pangs to eat, because then you end up eating ANYTHING in sight. Also, if you plan a little ahead of time your body will get used to what to expect and so will you. Alright, well hope this helps you out. What I have learned during this process, is that if you try something for at least a week or two, you will learn to like it or not. But you will alway learn to listen to your body, which is MOST important.

Aaaawwww, nursing....brings back memories! Well, to answer your question, no. I had the lap band after nursing my youngest. However, I will say that you won't be able to lift your children right after surgery, especially your older one. Although the lapband is normally done laserscopic, it is a major surgery and therefore you will have lifting restrictions as well as exercises restrictions. As for breastfeeding, I would naturally assume that your milk may slow down a bit, just because you won't be eating as much. Now, on the other hand, if you were like me that milked more than enough with or without eating, you won't have that problem. I would suggest in that aspect to pump your milk and have some one feed your baby, if possible. If it isn't possible, then sit on the bed and prop a pillow up for your baby to lay close to you and then nurse. Or you could lie on your side, your right side because your left will be in pain due to the port, and nurse your baby that way. In case you do have a slower milk due to eating changes, try pumping even when your child is NOT hungry to bring in your milk for the next feeding. Hope this helps your situation. Take care and best of luck for you!

Glad you liked the hotel! It's also closer to the OCC than Lucerna is, right? Well off hotel topic, but I was wondering since you just went out there how is the "air" in TJ? Meaning, how is the atmosphere? I know many people on the forum have been concerned with the news of drug wars and etc... Did you have trouble in and out of Mexico? Did you take the OCC van or did you walk over and take a cab? Just wondering...thanks ahead for your input!

:lb10:

To blunt or not to blunt? That is the question! HAHAHA LOL !!! Frankly SoCalKid I've personally never had a problem with your posts. I too agree with Jnlebean, you take what you want from this forum and leave the rest. It's a matter of opinion, it's a matter of advice, it's a matter of fact according to the individual person's experience. That's pretty much it, nothing more and nothing less. Some people sometimes forget that and take it personally or feel offended. And frankly, that's their problem. Not yours. According to webster.com ADVICE is a "recommendation regarding a decision or course of conduct"; and, BLUNT is "being straight to the point". Personally, I rather have straight to the point recommendations from an experienced perspective, instead of BS! And at MY discretion, I will decipher and accept or reject. Now that's my opinion, take or leave it. I won't be offended. Been there, done that! =D> Also, CONGRATS on your weightloss and new views of "before, during, and after-weight-loss" life. Please continue to post your advice, it is worth while. And I must agree LIFE IS GOOD !!! =D>