Cavrona

Hi Diva, It is in a few days. I am so excited, nervous, anxious..I think I could throw up. I know its normal to be nervous but I am really just ready to have it done and be healing. I have prepared myself as much as I can, but I don't think anyone can be fully prepared for something you haven't done. My mom and my 2 oldest sons will be with me. I wanted to be surrounded by family for the first few days since I will not be at home. I will definitely be sharing my experience with everyone. I hope all goes well with your procedure. I look forward to hearing about your experience too

I am staying at the Lucerna. I am bringing a laptop with lots of movies, my Ipod, a few books, a few games, like Scrabble and Yahtzee. My mom and 2 sons are coming. They will be there to help me and keep me company. I am doing a TT, Lipo and butt lift. Not a full lower body lift. My saggy skin is just in the front, but since losing weight, I lost my butt. I'd like a little bit of it back LOL

I am going Sept 2nd to have my tummy tuck with Dr Castillo at OCC. I am very nervous, scared and excited. I have been banded since 2/2008.(by Dr. Ortiz, Of course) And I hate the way my tummy hangs. It wont tuck in nicely to anything. LOL. I am so glad to be going back to OCC. There is no place I would rather go. I did several consults where I live but I really prefer to go back. My mom and 2 of my sons will be going to help me, and I am planning to stay for a week. I would appreciate advice from any one on the forum who has had PS and would share their experience. What were things you needed or used that you didn't know before your surgery?

Congrats, Thats Awesome

Hi there, Today is my 3 year bandiversary. I have had a long and interesting journey. I have not reached my original goal weight of 135 yet, The closest I have gotten is 138. I have gone from 226 pounds to 146 today. My clothes sizes have gone from 28 or a 3X to a size 8-10 pants and a medium top. Most times I feel good about that, sometimes I feel I should be doing better. At my best times, my weight loss has been any where from 1 -3 pounds a week. sometimes I seem to lose and gain the same few pounds week after week, depending on how my life is going. I look at food totally different now. Its not fat free or carb free. Its definitely all about protein, I try look at fiber too. I add extra fiber by using splenda with fiber in my tea, and on my oatmeal..I eat alot of chicken, tuna and drink flavored waters. I love crystal light and I also love the vita coco coconut water (those are a bit pricey though) I have a gym membership but don't make it as much as I should. When I get there I do well, but I let life get in the way alot. I know that having a very drama filled life before made food my best friend. There is so much emotional issues that tie into the overeating for me. But I have a great support system with my husband and my mom who both say I look great but I don't see myself how they do. My honey thinks I am fine and don't need to lose any more but I still see a fat person in the mirror. After being overweight my whole life I have self image/self confidence issues. Losing weight alone isn't always the answer, I have needed counseling as well. I think I still need it. The band has been one of the best things I could have ever done. My doctor says all of my blood test are perfect now. No borderline diabetes, no high cholesterol, everything looks great. I am healthier now then I was my young adult life. I have more energy I do not get winded doing housework, or walking up stairs. I can play with my kids. I read here frequently but don't post much. I see everyone here works hard and has many of the same struggles and issues I have had. But its all about making the right food choices and getting more exercise. There is no magic pill or lazy way to lose weight. Its about finding the balance that works for you. Even if your weight loss is slow...it is still weight loss. So many of you are doing so great, congrats to all of us..Keep up the good work Oh, I forgot to add that I have only had 3 fills done. The first six weeks after the band, and the second a few months after that to adjust it a bit. The last one was done April of 2010. I still have great restriction. My band seems to always be tight in the morning, lunch is the meal eaten the easiest because night time eating, the band does not like well. It's got a mind of it's own LOL

I'm so excited for you..I rememeber when I made my decision to go, and when I got the cashier's check I thought, holy crap, I've never spent this much on anything. You're investing in yourself..it is so worth it. Dr. Ortiz and his entire staff are absolutely wonderful. I read on the forum much more than I post, there is so much great information and people here for support. You'll do great!!

when I told my co-worker I was getting the band, she said I could save my money if I had some willpower! OMG!!! After that I told no one but my mom and husband who were unbelievably supportive. Now she says I look great and that she needs to get back to her diet. What she doesn't understand is that while the band helps, there is still alot of willpower involved. I have good days and bad days. I do great when I'm working with my band and sometimes I know I make bad choices in food...I still battle the emotional eater that I am but I wouldn't change my band for anything. I love that I got it and I am soooooo glad I went to Dr. Ortiz. The entire staff is awesome!!!!! Best of luck on your new journey, and congrats on quitting the smoking habit. > > > Christi

Hi Painter, I have joined Wieght Watchers with my dad and sister for the accountability of wieghing in every week. I never felt that I ate so much I needed to count the points though. And I do like the support and food ideas I get from the meetings. At first I was losing 1 to 2 pounds a week. Then for about 6 weeks I gained and lost and gained and lost. I was so frustrated. Then I realized I was eating as much as my sister who does not have a band. OMG!! I get my fills done here in Las Vegas, so I scheduled another fill and spoke with the doctor here. His suggestion was to try to stay at 1000 calories a day or under, cut carbs, and excercise. The first week (also with my fill, I'm at 2.6 cc) I lost 5.6 pounds. The second week, I lost 2.6 pounds. Thursday will be the 3rd week, so I am hoping that I loose another 2 pounds or so. I feel much more motivated. I have lost 40 pounds since my surgery in Feb. I started at 226 and am down to 186. I am constantly thinking that I should have lost more by now, But my husband reminds me that even though I could be losing wieght faster, I am losing it at a rate that is comfortable for me. I would do better if I excercised more, but I have a very demanding job, 3 kids and very lttle time. My mom just bought me a treadmill for my Bday So hopefully that will make it easier to work in the excercise. I take it a day at a time, and since the fill, I actually don't feel hungry hardly ever, so that helps I think everyone has to find what works for them, whatever that is. There is a lot of great advice, support, and ideas here as well. Slow wieght loss, is still wieght loss. Good Luck and I hope the carb cutting works for you as well. Christi

Hi Michelle, I have seen Dr Riccardi at the fills centers here in Las Vegas. I have had 2 fills done, one with floroscopy and one without. He was great. i am such a worry wort and freak out super easy, but they were so wonderful, my experience with them has been very positive. I would suggest you be honest. This is your health you're talking about, and you don't want to hurt yourself. You are doing great so far. =D> =D> =D> Good Luck Christi

I eat lots of chicken...the grilled chicken breast fron Carl's Jr is super moist and I buy canned chicken from wal-mart that is also moist enough to tolerate well. I make chicken salad and add a little shredded low fat mozzarella or feta cheese for extra protein. I also have not had any problems with rice, but everyone is different. Chicken also seems to be easier to chew than beef, but my husband has made beef roast in the crockpot that simmered all day and it just melted in my mouth...but I just seem to prefer chicken..Hope that helps

=D> =D> =D> Congratulations, I just hit there a little over a week ago...I was so excited to be under 200..Keep it up

I have joined wieght watchers with my dad and my sister ( niether one of them have had surgery, but the weight loss struggle runs in the family) I have steadily lost 2 pounds a week, one week I gained 1 pound, and the very next week lost 3 pounds. I like the accountability each week at weigh in. I have had more emotional issues than I ever thought I would. I have cried over food many times, and have eaten too much and pb'd more than I should. The mental hunger has been extremely difficult for me. My stomach is full but my mind says one more bite....but having lots of family support has been very helpful. I truly believe that having a support group is so important to your success. I read here so much more than I post and the information here is great. I love reading about everyone's success and I have read lots of advice here. I am also very picky about a lot of my food, right now I do like shredded wheat in the morning I eat about 10 - 12 mini wheats (about 1/4 cup) with 1/4 cup of 2% milk. I have either chicken salad made with canned fat free chicken or a grilled chicken breast from Carl's Jr for lunch. I'm currently still hooked on those and usually a little bit of whatever the family is having for dinner. I have made a great vegetable lasagna using zucchini in place of the pasta and we use mostly chicken or pork tenderloin at dinner. I also make sure that I take a multivitamin every morning. I have good restriction from my last fill. So I eat about 1/2 cup to 1 cup at a time. I drink lots of water and crystal light and have been making back to the gym three times a week. I finally got under 200 pounds...it has been 5 years since I have been under 200 pounds. >

I was banded 2/4/08 By Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez 1. 29 pounds, for some reason I feel like I'm stuck here...I've been + or - 2 pounds around this weight for two weeks now 2. 2 fills 1.4 on 3/14/08 and up to 2.5 on 3/28/08 I feel that I have good restriction. 3. No tips yet...I definatley have that emotional eating problem which would explain the + or - wieght I can't get away from. I do try to choose foods high in protien..I eat lots of chicken...the charbroiled chicken breast from Carl's Jr is my fav right now.( I get it all by itself with a fork and knife, the cashier must think I'm strange) And I drink lots of water and Crystal Light and take my daily vitamin. I try to get to the gym three to four times a week, but with my crazy life lately, I haven't been there in the last two weeks. So my new short term goal is getting back to the gym.

I had my surgery on the 4th. My experience with the clinic was wonderful. Everyone was extremely nice and conforting. I was so nervous, scared, and excited as well, and after they had the IV in and I was in my room, I wanted to cry and freak out. ( I have major anxiety problems) I was doing my best to hold it together, but Dr Acosta came in and could see I was really upset. He talked to me and had the nurses give me something to help me relax more. He stayed in my room for a while and then checked on me frequently until it was my turn to have surgery. The anestiaologist(sorry..bad spelling) also came in to see me, and they both talked with me to help me relax. The nurses held my hand and told me everything would be fine. One was Carmen and I didn't get the name of the other, but they were both very sweet and comforting. Dr Ortiz came in and chatted with me also. Then, it was my turn and they took me in the operating room and the next thing I know, I was back in my bed in my room and I was all done. Everyone there is so nice and attentive, I honestly think that had I been in the US, I would not have been treated as well as I was there. On the second day, I was having pain in my left chest area, I called Dr Martinez at about 5 in the morning. He seemed instantly awake and attentive. He had me come in to the clinic at 9 to see Dr. Romero. He was also incredably wonderful. He listened to make sure my lungs were clear and took a look at my band under floroscopy to make sure it was fine. I got to see my band in place and when I drank the barium drink, I could see it go right through my band.. It was cool to see. The pain I was experiencing is from the gas still. so, lots of walking and breathing excersises. After that I was leavng to fly home. I still have some pain in the upper left chest shoulder area, not as bad as before though. Still doing breathing excersises and walk, walk, walk. I'm am very glad that I chose Dr. Ortiz and OCC to do my surgery. The entire staff there is wonderful. My mom went with me and was also very impressed with how well I was treated. The staff at the Lucerna hotel is also very nice and helpful. The hotel itself is beautiful. The room was comfortable, we were on the 6th floor overlooking the pool and had a small patio that we went out on in the morning and evening time. It was in all a great experience, and I'm glad I did it.

Hi all. I have been reading posts for almost a year trying to get the timing right to do my surgery. I finally figured I just need to take the leap..I could wait forever if I don't. I'm scheduled for surgery March 10th...Anyone else going around then?. I'm scared and excited and nervous....I can't wait to begin a new chapter of my life. All of the information here has been so helpfull..I have had so many questions answered by reading your posts...I just noticed the question on coffee...when you are on a pre op diet, can u drink coffee...with cream or splena or nonfat flavored cream....does anyone know? I am a coffeeaholic...

Hi there, I see you're from Las Vegas too....I have been looking into doing the surgery and everything I read on Dr. Ortiz has been wonderful so far, everyone sharing thier experiences has givin me a lot of insight and makes me feel confident that I am making the right decision.