julieburns

Oh man I love your cats!! You are so lucky to have so many. My husband will NOT let me have anymore than 1 cat and 1 dog......right now. He says we need a bigger house but I don't agree. I would feel sort of guilty though because my 2 babies might no adapt well to a new intruder. Abby my dog is very possessive of me and although she and Baxter gat along great, I think it would break her heart to have to compete with someone else. Also my cat sometimes gets ousted by the dog already. I guess my family is complete for now!!

No need to Freek, just be happy with your decision to start a new journey. Start reading all the posts you can and you'll feel much more calmed down(I hope). Many of us here have felt exactly as you have and now we are well on our way to our weight loss goals. If you can't find the answer to a question just ask, someone will gladly reply. Agin my best advice at this point is to read, read, read. Perhaps get Dr. O's book. If you go to the OCC website it has a thing to click on as to where you can get it. Hope this helps

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> See you can do this!!

Boy the fill stories, or attempts to find a place to get them are endless. I think the way people have been shunned because of the Mexico thing is aweful. And the rudeness sound like it's absolutely unprofessional!! Even if they didn't take you as a patient they should be reported to their superior for their rudeness!! Here in Portland we have one Dr. (a DO) who comes to town twice a month to do fill but doesn't use fluoro. My girlfriend uses her and has had no problems, she's found the port on the first try each time. Their is also a Fill center USA in Salem, which is about 40-45 miles south, also no fluoro and more expensive plus the drive. So thankfully I am going to the OCC for my first fill.....

:lb10: :lb24: :lb21: As someone else said I can see it in your face but particularly in your neck. You look happy and healthy with that beautiful tan too. Chug that water!!!

Oh willi, what great self-control you were able to use too!! The fresh stuff in front of my face would have broken me down girl...you did great!!

OMG Kimmy I LOVE your little Daisy doggie. She is too cute. I do miss your cute face with the before pic compared to now. So that's 2 now that gag on the unflavored protein of some type. HHHHUUUUMMMM, what to expect?

To both you Cathy and Mona I wish you well! I can't wait for mine tomorrow!! And about your sister Mona, I was a little suspicious that they right away said it was an infected port. It didn't sound right to me, but I'm no Dr. Anyway glad that wasn't the case. :cheerleader:

Wow that's great!! I love your new pic of your animals(i'm assuming). What a neat thing to hear about our superstar Dr. Ortiz :sun_bespectacled:

Thanks Trina, I too was going to go out and buy some. I have read that some have used it, I think Lisal. I wonder how she tolerated it? Anyway thanks for the tip. I'll just stick to the flavored stuff I guess. And Dawn is right. I also think some of the people here are also right. Protein can be used(like the Atkins diet theory) to help lose weight faster if used correctly. Yes it can bulk you up if used incorrectly. I believe for me that getting about 60 grams per day for the most days and then when I get to a plateau I bump it up a little to somehow help my body work better and it will help break the plateau, or at least that's what I remember. Havn't gotten to that point yet where I am relying on protein additives because I am able to eat enough, maybe after my fill tomorrow it will be different. You know if you are concerned or have any burning questions to just call Dr. Miranda and she'll be happy to clarify this for you. Take care honey

Keep the kitties coming....I so love your pics!!

I am up way too early this AM because I am excited for tomorrow. As you all probably remember I am getting my first fill tomorrow at 1:30 at the OCC. To get there I get to take a nice plane ride down the coast, hopefully a beautiful sunny day. I am going to eat VERY light today because my digestive system is slow so that I won't have a bunch of food in my gut. Also I MUST try to hydrate up. I've tried for the last 2 days this also but it's been so dang busy at work I have no time to drink any water, let alone go pee if I did. A few sip here and there for maybe 40 ounces or so but I know that's not enough. I'd better chug now before I go to work. I timed this fill wrong as Aunt Flo will be visiting any day, moment which sucks. Oh well I wanted my fill at 6 weeks as was to anxious to map it out. Next time I'l do better planning, if I can. I've read and printed out the threads about fills. I like the one Dolittle posted that titled "Increase Your Chances of a Good Fill". My plane leaves at 7:30am so I'll be up bright and early tomorrow at about 4:30.................a tough one for me but I'll do it. My mom always told me "you must suffer to be beautiful" in her sweet voice so I'll oblige her and suffer a little as I get up ( I'm sure I'll post a little more today but just wanted to start my day with this fun one. Any tips I am forgetting? Hey I know Yorkiemommy is going today with her sister-in-law for their fills. Hope to hear from you guys soon for an update. Sorry to miss you this time, maybe next we can plan the same days and get caught up. For Now, :sun_bespectacled:

I'm excited for you and myself for our first fills. I too have everything crossed and am praying this helps me too!!

Everyone has such great input on this forum. I can't add much to what others have said already except my heartburn advice. I too had it really bad before surgery and then after it's been almost absent. Go figure? And for the last minute jitters......it's so normal. Don't second guess a decision you made with thought and not emotion. You'll do the right thing for you. :lb4:

I am in the same boat as you but not for long as I get my fill on Thursday. Anyway I think it feels the same as before at this point to me as well. What is happening is our stomach has had time to heal and is getting used to having a foreign object around it. Yes we do have a pouch but with no restriction food still goes through it as it is still as big as your esophagus. It's after a fill or two that we finally really get to "use" our band to help us with the portion control as I see it. I didn't realize this in the beginning or ignored what I had read thinking I'd be different but now have settled into knowing this will take more time that the immediate. Hope this helps. :lb11:

Welcome Steve I am glad you made it to the posting stage, now it only gets easier. I see you got your pic up and your are one cute fella!! Anyway welcome and what a great day ahead for you to have your surgery. My only advice to anyone, except the guys maybe because you'll lose weight easier than us gals, is to start the pre-op diet a little sooner so you don't stress about losing weight. Now to Kelsey you sound so mature and I bet you'll do great. I second what Cathy posted on the questions. Keep them coming!! :lb9: Steve!!

I remember your pain all to well. Try to splurge on yourself if you havn't tried them and get some of the fresh soups that Safeway, FredMeyer or Schlotsky's makes. My favorite was Safeway's Tuscan tomato basil bisque. I ate it everyday and never got tired of it. So go to the store if you can and buy some liquid treats!! I like Cathy's suggestions also. I too ate alot of the frozen sugar free popsicles, they really have some great ones. :lb4: If you look at what a short time 2 weeks is compared to the rest of your life.....I didn't listen to this either when I was chewing my nails off wanting to EAT!! But hey maybe just imagine it for a second.

Dear Valeen: Unless you have insurance that's going to recommend it and that's how you must pay for it I only would recommend Dr. Ortiz in Tijauana. If you can make it to Las Vegas or LA then you can make it to mexico. He is the top notch expert who teaches the american docs. His facility is state of the art and cleaner than some of the hospitals I"ve work in. Lokk up the website fpr the Obesity Control Center or Dr. Ariel Ortiz and start your research. There are tons of testimonials to his great skill and everything you may need to help you make this decision already on this forum. Just start reading some of the intereseting titled threads and you'll see. I wish you and your boyfriend the best in this journey. Any questions we will always answer them so just start rreading this sight!! :lb11: And by the way he's quite the handsome hunk!! (nothing mean meant but used in the WOW way) Hang on to him and help him live longer with you!!

Thank you all for the kind words. I will take the rest to work today :cray: Just kidding........not!!

We all heal differently and the Dr. is so right. Lynzz you are so beautiful in your pic. I get encouragement from you because you are sooo active. I hope to be there someday again, maybe not so far away in the near future!!

So yesterday at work I went into the break room and there was a box of chocolates to me from one of my patients. Now these were no everyday chocolates they were MOONSTRUCK!! For those of you who maybe don't know these chocolates are made here in Portland and they are to die for!! They've been featured in Gourmet magazine and many others as the chocolates of the stars!! Each one is hand made and individually decorated so that they are really little pieces of art. And of course did I say they are to DIE for. Well I am trying to think about that last phrase and take it literally meaning yes these will kill me if I eat them. I didn't know what to do at work, I should have opened them there and shared with everyone and they'd be gone in a minute. The fat girl living inside of me said no to that idea and I quickly stashed them in my locker "to bring home to my husband"!!! So You know the story I am sure. I got home last night and after about 20 minutes of holding the box looking at all the pictures telling what they are I ate 1!!! And it was so good I ate another, making it 2 so far. I panicked. I put the bow on them and stuck them in the freezer for safe keeping. I need to come to grips with stuff like this. I am proud of myself because B-4 the band I would have eaten several more than 2, like half the box or so and the rest the next day. So I look at this as a small victory so far and now I must do the right thing. Take them back to work and get rid of them!!! Thanks for letting me share. Edit to Post: They are going to work today!!! yes the temptation will get me. During the night I was up at 4 AM. I thought I heard something in the basement(where our freezer lives) calling "Julie, Julie, Julie, Eat me, Eat me" so loud I couldn't sleep!!!!Just kidding but almost as bad.

The power of prayer works miracles!! So happy for you again Stormy :kiss2:

It's good to see your posts. I am sure your pain is still more than one can measure. Sadly after all the services are over and the initial kick to the gut it seems we have to just put one foot in front of another and move on day by day. I lost my mother 5 years ago suddenly and that is the closest experience I've had to you, I realize it does not compare but I do know what real grief is. Feel the love around you and gobble it up. How's your band? Hope it's doing well for you. I think I read another post and your losing well. Jim keep on keeping on and know my prayers are with you and your family still. >

I forgot to mention what a cute dress that is. I love the colors. You'll be in it soon Flan!!

Isn't it funny how we all hang on to our "small"clothes for soooooo long. A year or two ago I finally decided to get rid of all the small stuff knowing I was starting a new life and wanted to start fresh again. I can't wait to go shoppng for me!! Yes it can and will be my reality. One more thing I think about is shoes....I gained about 1-1/2 sizes since I've gotten fat and can't walk in heels at all because of the weight. I want to wear heels again in a size 5!!