Lindsay

BEST investement is a Vitamix!!

JOgging pants and thick socks!

Diet is #1. But activity level is close up there ... increase your activity level drastically to really push weight/fat loss. The more lean muscle mass you have, the faster your body will metabolize calories.

Yeah ........................ well, do a good search in the forums for info on the PS. They never stick around for long ........ ............... On a personal note, i would never ever chose a PS if I wasn't happy with the consult or the doctors' bedside manner. This would be a huge factor for me. And based on the amount of issues that can pop up post surgery, I wouldn't bother getting it done there. Get it done close to home so you can go in when/if things come up. As mentioned above, the costs' aren't that competative by the time you factor in your at least 7 day stay, and follow up that will probably be needed, etc. I priced out a surgeon in Chicago, who was almost the same cost! And he was highly recommend by a few members of this forum who had success surgeries with him. Just do your research .. a lot of it. And don't just assume that it's cheaper in Mexico. Because it's not.

Hey Dottie! Are you getting another procedure done? And why didn't you like the band?

I have the same problem .. mine is clearly visible, even when I wear cltohing that's form fitting (ie tank top). And it rubs against my ribs everytime I bend over. But I've gotten used to it. You can have revision surgery, where they'll place the port much deeper, under the muscle so it doesn't protrude. You pay for revision surgery. You can contact the OCC for more info, including cost, etc. If you're getting your band REMOVED, they will, of course, remove the port, as you have no need for it.

Me either.

Hmm ... just out of curioustiy, how many cc's do you currently have, and how many does your band hold? Do you drink carbinated drinks? Just going through a mental list in my head of things that be causing excess gas ...

I am very gassy (ie I can burp at any moment), but I also know at times my band is too tight, and I drink liquids too quickly .... Could your band be too tight? Food allergies?

You're out of hiding! How is it going there???!!

They don't do dental at the OCC anymore. This is a very very old thread!

I have yet to someone on here actually claim (and be accepted) for insurance in terms of weight loss surgery, specifically if you've had surgery in Mexico. A lot of people talk about it, but it's never actually been successfully posted about. Almost everyone in this forum has paid out of pocket for the surgery, and follow up. The majority of doctors won't touch you with a ten foot pole. The liablity it unreal, and they don't want to get involved whatsoever. Plus, most doctors are scared shitless when they hear were we've been -- TIJUANA for weight loss surgery. They're all heard the horror stories ... and they're stealing there potential $$$$$. I haven't found a doctor here in Toronto, Canada who knows anything about my lapband. All of the doctors I've ever seen just look at me with a blank stare. Thank god I haven't had any issues with it, otherwise, I'd probably be in trouble. I don't know what kind of surgery you're getting, but i would highly suggest finding a doctor who will see you, and is knowledable on your procedure prior to surgery. As Doolittle mentioned, this is a huge obsticle.

No, you'll be fine! Don't even sweat those few pounds. You can drop that over night if you refrain from taking in salt or water. On a slightly other note, I"m really surprised they're still using the BMI at the OCC. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/64577.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106268439 http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/how-accurate-body-mass-index-bmi http://www.livestrong.com/article/138156-why-is-bmi-inaccurate/ http://www.bcm.edu/news/item.cfm?newsID=1383 http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/weight-loss/bmi3.htm

Oh this is more than enough time! I had lapband surgery (which is more invasive than plication, and was back DOG WALKING time 3 days later. You won't need a week for recovery!

This might help: http://www.fillcentersusa.com/ Fille Center's USA doesn't exist anymore, but they still have a database of places. Finding fill doctors can be very very trickly, so good idea researching it PRIOR.

I had my band done years ago, there .. and I too experienced a few 'off' things, but it wasn't anything that really turned me off. I still remember they had told me to arrive VERY early at 6.30am for surgery the next morning .... but then the doctors didn't arrive until after 9! The wait was terrible on my nerves! And I felt completely forgottena bout in the waiting room. Heck, the receiptionist hadn't even arrived at that time.

Why was your experience just 'ok'? Do you mind sharing the details in this thread? This is important info, as a lot of people read this info .. just don't post. If anything, i'd question the PS they have; they've gone through A LOT of doctors over the past 3 years that I've been on this board. And i've NEVER seen any photos of before/afters nor any testimonials. They won't/haven't posted anything publically which is a huge red flag IMO. I would never go there, because of that.

Potatoe soup would only be fatening if it's used with whole milk or cream. It can very easily be made on the lighter side. I would encourage you to only make your food. No store bought anything.

Don't go below 1200, or you'll have problems losing fat long term. Slow and steady ... and I'd personally cut carbs, and get your calories and energy through protein and fats. But it depends on your body depeats and processes carbs.

IYou'll really see movement once the port literally sticks out of my belly .... it really freaks my boyfriend out when I put it down, and it pops back up!

YEp .. it shifts a little bit.

I was/am a full time dog walker, and started back at work 2 days later. Back at the gym, in 4 days. The port location heals up pretty quickly!

Congrats .... this is going to be life changing, in the best way possible. Remember how you feel now will help with your journey --- becasue as time goes on, things will really change. And you won't even recognize yourself. xo.

I'm coming up to my 3 year bandiversary. My surgery was on March 3, 2010, at the OCC in Tijuana. It feels like so much longer, but it's been 3 years. And I'm a completely different person on the outside. My inside is still catching up. I was very very fortunate to find a centre here in Toronto, who was accepting 'foreign' lapband patients, so I was able to get blind (no flouro) fills done there for a fee. My fills at he beginning were very very slow ... I didn't feel actual restriction, until my 3rd fill, which was about 8 months into the process. I was ready for some real change by this point! That's when my appetite reduced, and the weight started to fly off. I was also exercising very consistently, which really enhanced and pushed my weight and fat loss progress along. MY STATS// My starting weight was 231. I am now very content at 140lbs. I can easily drop down to 136lbs if I cut back on my fluid intake. This can happen over night. I wear a size 'medium', or size 8. Jeans are a 28. My boobs have gone down to an 34A cup, from a very full 40C .... I walk at least 2 hours a day, 6 days a week (I own a dog walking business), and I'm at the gym lifting heavy stuff at least 3x's a week to help maintain my lean muscle mass, and keep my bodyfat low. My diet is mostly in check; high protein & high fat, very little carbs (including fruit, very little). I do drink a lot of chocolate milk. That's my main indulgence of my calories! My calories very rarely go under 1200/day. If I go any lower, my energy really drops. I can barely believe it's been 3 years. Getting the lapband has been the very best decision I've ever made. And I don't regret it for a moment. Thank you to the OCC for changing my life, in the best way possible.

eat it, and enjoy it. i can't remember the last time i ate bread and enjoyed it!