RachieRoo

Name and Location: Rachael - Orlando, FL Age: 32 Gender: Female Band Date: 5/14/2009 Height: 5' 7.5" Highest weight: 273 Current Weight: 211 Goal Weight: 140-160 Good luck to everyone! Keep up the great work & stay strong!

I'd like to jump on the 50 pounds lost train as well! Woohoooooooo! Keep up the great work everyone!

I definately get plenty of protein every day. I read somewhere that it can take a month or so before a protein/vitamin deficiency will affect the hair. I am 2 months post-op, so I am wondering if my hair is falling out from the stringent pre/post-op diets? Who knows... I know that I followed Dr. Miranda's diet exactly as it was printed. Hopefully I will see improvements in the coming weeks. Thank you all for responding!

Anyone else out there experiencing hair loss/thining? My hair was fine to begin with, but I am noticing a lot of thin and sparse areas around my face. I was banded on 5/14 and I have lost 45 pounds. I read somewhere that it is not unusual to have hair loss with weight loss. Some research stated that people will get their hair back, and some do not. I also read that vitamins and hair treatments work for some people. I was wondering if anyone out there had any input or suggestions on this topic? How about you seasoned bandsters? Thanks!

From the ride from the hotel to the surgery to sitting her on computes at 8:00 p.m. this has been an incredible day. The others patients (all women today) and I have bonded and I am sure we will take our experiences and keep in touch. Everyone is so kind, totally professional and helpful. This is so much like a spa, minus the high pricetag. It's been a wonderful experience. For anyone who is thinking about this - go for it! We've been walking around here - sharing stories, and just relaxing, all eager to get back to our hotels and back home. Never knew a popsicle could taste so good. Dr. Ortiz is wonderful. Everyone knows your name he came in and sat down to chat for 15 minutes before surgery. Incredible. xoxo

CONGRATS Robbyn!!!

Hi Paula! I was just banded on the 14th by Dr. Ortiz, and my experience was top notch! There was never a time when a question I had went unanswered or I felt uncomfortable. I plan on recommending the OCC to anyone who is thinking about the surgery. My best friend had her surgery by Dr. Ortiz last October, and she had the same experience. My husband and I stayed at the Marriott, and had a pleasant stay there. Service was at the 5-star level. I have no regrets with my decision to get the band in Mexico. If anything, I wish I did this a few years ago! Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions. Thanks & Good Luck!

Let's try to get together on Sunday. I am not sure what time is best, but if it doesn't work out I am off on Monday too. XOXO, Rach

Hi everyone! I wanted to post my surgery experience from today... I had my surgery this morning at 10am (PST). Everything went well. I arrived to the OCC surgical center yesterday and had blood drawn for labs, and then I was released to go back to The Marriott for the night. My hubby and I ate at the hotel restaurant, and even though I only had broth and a green salad, the service was top notch! At 7am today, Marriott drove us to the surgical center and I completed the rest of the tests. As soon as I arrived, they conducted a breathing test and EKG, both of which I passed with flying colors! I got my IV started as well. I also met with Dr. Miranda, who reviewed the post-op diet with me, and had me step on the scale. To my surprise, I've lost another 4 pounds since my last weigh in. That means I've lost a total of 24 pounds on the 4-week pre-op diet! Wow! I credit this to sticking to my pre-op diet AND keeping a journal of what I am eating daily. That has helped me stay accountable. After I was done with my pre-op appointments, they took me and my hubby to my room where I got into this comfy gown and the infamous and hideous paper panties. Ha ha! Moments later, the nurse gave me my saline drip with Dramamine to counter the motion sickness side effect from the anesthesia. Dr. Acosta sat with us for a little while to go over my medical history questionnaire, and then Dr. Martinez came in to go over the procedure. (I didn't get to talk to Dr. Ortiz until after the surgery.) Before I knew it, they wheeled me into the OR, I got on the table, and they sedated me. It only took 30-40 minutes total from when I left my room and when I returned to my room. Dr. Ortiz told me that the band placement only took 4 minutes. Overall I feel good. I am experiencing gas pains, but I am walking up and down the hallways to help get rid of it. The port area is quite tender. It feels kind of like I just did a bunch of ab crunches, but it's tolerable in my opinion. I do feel the band on my stomach, especially when I take a sip of water. I will be released from the surgical center at 8am tomorrow and be driven back to the hotel. We fly home on Saturday morning. Everyone here and at the hotel is very nice and attentive. I've had a wonderful experience so far, and plan on recommending it to my friends and family who are considering the procedure. Well, that seems to cover it. I hope everyone else who is banded is doing well, and everyone else who is coming up next - good luck! You will do just fine! You are in excellent hands here at the OCC! Your fellow BANDito... Rachael

If I am afraid of sneaking bites of the meal I make my husband, I will put a piece of sugar-free gum in my mouth while I cook and before I sit down to eat my meal. It helps me. Also, I have been cooking healthier meals for him so we are on this journey together in a way. Ex: Lean chicken or fish with fresh steamed veggies or small salad. I have "relapsed" a few times on my pre-op diet, but I make sure that it doesn't turn into a weekend-long event. On Thursday night I made pasta with red meat sauce. I had a small bowl after eating a green salad. For the first time in my life, I could not eat the entire serving of pasta. My stomach is use to the smaller portions already! Hope this helps!