Terri

Boy, the information you girls are sharing is very helpful. Ihave a VG band and just went for my second fill on Friday. The first fill 4.0 CC and the second took me to 5.2CC. I cannot eat!! This morning I had two sips of cold milk to try and get some protein and had to pull off the fwy to PB. I will try to give it some time but it starts to worry you that you cannot even drink liquids. I am not much of a complainer but when I went down for a consult before my surgery I was told I could eat what I used to eat but only about 1/3 of the qty. That is so far from the truth at this stage in the game. I hope things change becasue I don't want to live not being sure if I can swallow. Anyway, because of your messages I am going to try some warm tea and chill for another day or so and see if I can get down soup or something. Thanks girls, Terri

Hello !! Great to hear from you. I had to go back down the day before Thanksgiving because I had really bad deep red brusing and they put me on meds for a week just incase of infection. My port site bothers me non stop and is sunken in. Yuck. I hope that changes. My diet has been tough. I have my old appetite back and have been struggling each day. But I will forge forward and try and forget about food. I think it is because I have that larger band. I have lost 15 pounds since I started pre diet so I am going to cut myself so slack until I start getting fills and pray I loose weight. I know we will do it. It is a major adjustment and a crazy time of year. I think it is going to take a few more weeks for our tummies to heal so hang in there. Talk to ya soon, Terri

Thanks, I took your advise and Dr. Ortiz had me come down yesterday and put me on some meds just to be safe and took a look with ultrasound. Either durning surgery or something I did I hit some muscle in the port area causing the bleeding under the skin and the huge bruising. All is good, just need to limit bending and quick movements the next 10 days. Happy Turkey Clear Liquid Day !!!!! Terri

Help !!! I am 5 days post op and still VERY sore around my port site and the bruising is very dark and many colors and covers 1/3 of my stomach. Is this normal?????? I am sure the bruising will go away but what about the sharp shooting pains every time I move. Is this also normal?? Anyone dealing with the same issues? Terri

Hi everyone, Well 5 of us got banded yesterday and everyone has been great. 2 of us got the VG band and I am not sure why but am going to ask. We all seemed within 25 pound of each other with the exception of one who was smaller. I guess it all depends on how fat the inside look like. I am concerned that VG bad will take a longer time and more trips for the fills to get it right. But I guess if it is better for the long run then great. For all of you coming down this week- I am sure you will have a great expereice. Everyone seemed to have their surgery on time and 1 was 2 hours later due to an urgent surgery that came in and they dropped everything to help her and I totally understand that. I gave me more time to talk with those in the lobby getting filled. 2 different girls came in looking like models. I not into girls but they looked HOT.\ Take care, Terri

Very nervous- Band Aid Day tomorrow. I have done very poorly at loosing the preweight. Only about 6-7 pounds down. But- what can you do, what is done is done and now there is a chance and hope for a fresh new start. I am not worried about the surgery just the unknown in eating and the loss of a good friend- food. Can anyone that has been banded give me a snap shot of what they ate the first several days post op and how much and how frequently. I would really appreciate it. thanks for the support, Terri

Hay Greg, you did it. That will be me on Friday. Now that I know the doctor can shave fat off my liver I am going to ask him to shave some from my thighs while I am there - just for a jump start Take it easy and rest up. I too was impressed with the facility when I visited last month. I only live in San Diego so I had a great time talking to all the folks that had surgery that day. Keep us informed once you get home. I will be interested in how you progress a few steps a head of me. Oh, what did you bring to the clinic. I was just going to bring a change of clothes to go home in. Did you need anything specific? Take care- Terri

Hi everyone, I am struggling so much with the pre op diet. I have hung in there for 10 days and blew it today. I ate pizza. I am so mad at myself. I am disappointed in my wieght loss. I am not going to hit the 5% and the pizza did not help the issue. I needed to loose 13 lounds and have three days left to drop 5 pounds. On top of that life is busy and stressful. I hope this is the right decision. What does it say if I can't even follow through with two weeks of direction. Sorry to vent- just really disappointed in myself. Terri

Hi, I am only coming from about 1 hour away in north San Diego. I will not be at the hotel so I probably will see you at the clinic on friday. Yes I too got the email and am really struggling. If you are up for emailing each day until Band Day we can keep each other motivated. You can reach me at terrimck12@verizon.net. Hang in there we will make it- skinnier too. Terri

Where are you traveling from? I did great with the shakes yesterday but ended up eating dinner and then today I could not get that slim fast shake down to save my life. Boy those things are terrible. I tried the powder and the precanned. Both still terrible. I am in big trouble on Sunday when I have no choice but to drink them. I know I can do this !!! I am with you. I am tired of being fat. FAT NO MORE- We deserve it. Terri

CalKev thank you so much for your reply. That is good information. I started my shakes today and will shake it for every meal but one until the week of surgery and then follow the routine they told me about. I think you are very right about dealing with the emotional eating. I pulled out my journal and am going to try and track my issues each day this month to try and confront them as they arise. Lets face it most of us would not be here if emotional or stress eating didn't come into play. I need to find a new friend instead of food and I am ready to do that. I am proud of you and your results. Keep up the good work. Thanks, Terri

I live in San Diego and took a drive down to visit the center and was very impressed. Dr. Ortiz spent 30 minutes talking to me and was never rushed and he was kind and very funny. They gave me a tour. Each of hte recovery rooms have a little couch for your family member to sit with you. It was very clean!!! I felt totally comfortable scheduling my appointment. Nov 19th seems so far away but will be here soon. Terri

Hi all, I am having surgery on Nov 17th and seem to be eating everything in site and eating only out. I am not sure what is going on. Maybe food seperation anxiety I really think I should start with the shakes at least once a day now so it is not so hard one week out. Terri