bandmama

Good luck with your surgery out your outcome. It is definitaly worth it!

Carrie, it sounds like you are turning fat into muscle, and muscle weights more than fat. I actually haven't lost weight in 5 weeks. I'm staying on the same food plan as I've always been on. I received my second fill on Saturday to see if I can get a jump start but nothing yet. I was even on liquids for three days and didn't shed a pound. I do know that I have lost several inches in the past 5 weeks because I have pants and shirts that I try on weekly and I could not get into a pair of jeans before and now I fit them comfortable. Just hang in there and keep up the good work!

Did you take the yellow cabs at the border crossing?

I am going down to OCC on Saturday for my second fill. In the past I have always paid OCC for round trip transfers from the airport to OCC. This time I thought I would be adventurous and try it myself. I have the bus and train schedule. I can catch the bus right at the airport and then transfer to the train straight to the border. I then need to cross the border and take a taxi to OCC. Has anyone done this on their own before? Is anyone else going to OCC on Saturday morning. My appt. is scheduled for 11:30 am. Please if anyone has any insight or comments please let me know.

The OCC and hotels are very safe. I am traveling down on May 30 for my second fill, and I'm traveling alone. I was there about a month ago and again I traveled alone. I felt very safe and had no problems. Don't let anyone scare you, if they haven't been to the OCC and the area then they shouldn't tell you that it is unsafe. Anything can happen anywhere.

I have to agree with everyone, Dr. Ortiz and OCC was great. I too was very nervous about traveling to TJ for surgery. The OCC meet me at the airport, they were waiting for me in the baggage claim area. I was greeted and taken care of from the airport on. I traveled with my mother and we picked up another couple on the way. We all loaded into the van and drove to the border. Crossing was a piece of cake, no problem. The driver re-assured us that everything would be fine and the OCC was in a better part of town, minutes from the border and across the street from the police station. We were then taken to the OCC for labs and then taken to the Marriott. Everything was very well planned out and smooth traveling. I was very impressed with the OCC, doctors, and nurses. They made you feel very welcome and at home. One of the doctors came in and explained everything to us, the proceedure, aftercare, asked if we had any questions or concerns. They were very caring and personable. The nurses after surgery treated me like I was a queen. If you are considering having surgery then I wouldn't hesitate about going to OCC.

Oh sorry Robyn, I didn't completely read your stats. You just started your pre-opt diet....I thought you were on your post-opt. My bad!!!

You just had surgery? If so OCC asks that you stay on liquids for 21 days. The first 4-7 is clear liquids only. It is not until day 15 that you add protein shakes. It is totally worth the wait. You paid too much money to risk damage to you band. I know the first 21 days is hard but hand in there..

If you like beef jerky that is what I snack on. It is low calorie and high protein. I also eat low fat string cheese and the tiny stick prezels. This seemd to help. If I'm craving sweets I eat fat free chocolate pudding.

I just got my first fill on Saturday. My first experience with food was early this morning. I scrambled two eggs and could only get down two bites. I had to through the rest away because it felt like it was stuck. After about 20 minutes I drank a large Java City coffee and that went down fine. I just now ate a breakfast bar and didn't have any problem with that going down. I think it depends on the time of day. I now know that I can not eat first thing in the morning. I need to drink something hot first to losen up my band. Since this is her first fill and first experience eating I would wait a week to see how she fills and if her band tightens up during the day. On Saturday after my fill until this morning I didn't feel any restriction either. I was able to drink soups and protien shakes and I actually felt hungry. It wasn't until this morning that things changed.

I was just in TJ on Saturday for my first fill. It was fine. You didn't see anyone wearing masks or coughing. I just went to OCC and back, I didn't go shopping. OCC is so clean that you don't have to worry about the clinic. I wouln't worry or cancel any appointments.

I was just checking to see if anyone out there was banded at OCC on March 12th. I was banded then and I was just checking to see how everyone was doing and to say "Hello". I will be getting my first fill at OCC on Saturday, April 25th. Is anyone out there going to OCC on Saturday. I'm flying into San Diego airport at 8:30 am.

I understand your concern and frustration. I too lost most of my weight in the first two weeks of the liquid phase. When I started adding cream soups I actually gained a pound. I was very frustrated becasue I knew I wasn't taking in that many calories to gain weight. Once I started solids I actually started loosing again. Some days I felt bloated. I weighed myself every morning and this became frustrating because some days my weight would vary within 2-3 pounds. This stopped after the first month. I don't know what was going on but it was definitely strange. I am scheduled for my first fill on Saturday, April 25th, and I sure do need it. I haven't lost any weight in two weeks but I haven't gained any either. (this is good) I can eat almost everything. I have absolutely no restriction and my appitite is back to where it was before surgery. I'm very hungry in the evening hours. I'm new to this band but I do LOVE IT! I am very excited about getting my first fill and I'm looking forward in loosing more weight and inches.

I totally agree with everyone here! I had a lower BMI and my physician here in the US (Kaiser) would not consider me for lapband surgery. I was very frustrated because my primary doctor told me that I should loose weight because diabetes and heart disease run in my family. I tried to argue the fact but got no where. I then decided to have the surgery done by Dr. Ortiz. I was very concerned and scared to travel to Mexico. I have to say it was the BEST decision I made. I love Dr. Ortiz and his staff. I was treated better by his staff then I've been treated in the US. They are actually fabulous! I'm going back down to TJ on Saturday for my first fill. I'm very excited!

I had my surgery on a March 12 (Thursday) and I went back to work on Monday. I also am at a desk most of the day. It does help getting up and walking around every hour. I didn't have much gas (farting) I just had shoulder pain from the C0 gas. I found that if I try to keep moving it was much better. I was tired but nothing that you can't handle. If I was to do it over again I would have taken a few extra days just to rest and relax to re-gain more energy but I didn't have any issues with going back to work so soon. Good luck and I’m sure you will do fine. As long as you don't do anything to strenuous you'll be fine.

I will be at OCC on April 25 for my first fill. My surgery date was March 12.

That is great! I was banded at OCC on March 12th. I just starting eating normal food a few days ago. I've been watching what I eat since I do not have any restriction in my band. It is going real good. I don't feel hungry except in my head.

I posted this on the Doctor's Corner but I am also going to post here in the General Discussions. Has anyone experienced a rash or hives after being banded. I's 15 days post-op and I broke out in hives on my lower back and on the back of my arms. I though it was caused by something I drank, because I am not eating solids. The problem is I can't figure what it could be. I haven't drank anything new or anything that my body hasn't had before. I did take Miralax but have discontined using it for the last 5-6 days. I was just wondering if anyone else has ever experienced anything of this nature? I am praying that I'm not allergic to the material the band is made of.

Has anyone experienced a rash or hives after being banded. I's 15 days post-op and I broke out in hives on my lower back and on the back of my arms. I though it was caused by something I drank, because I am not eating solids. The problem is I can't figure what it could be. I haven't drank anything new or anything that my body hasn't had before. I did take Miralax but have discontined using it for the last 5-6 days. I was just wondering if anyone else has ever experienced anything of this nature? I am praying that I'm not allergic to the material the band is made of.

I just got back from TJ last night. It was absolutely safe. No problems at all, it was a piece of cake. You have nothing to worry about. I was very worried when I left San Diego but it was for nothing. We took a cab to Revolution Ave to do some light shopping was we felt very safe. OCC is GREAT!

How did your trip to Tijuana go. I leave tomorrow March 12. I've also very concerned and scared.

I'm scheduled to go to TJ on Wednesday, March 11. My surgery date is the 12th. I'll let you know how the border crossing and experience was upon my return.