Banded Dec 18, 2006

[Bandiva]

Hello. I was banded by Dr. Otrtiz on Dec 18, 2006. I am so happy to have this new tool. I feel like I have been given a fresh start in life. I had a wonderful experience. I arrived on Sat night and was taken to the hotel. Everyone there was great. It was a peaceful place to stay and the staff was superfriendly and helpful. My companion and I went to Las Arcos (sp). It had live music, it was great to see all the people celebrating as families.

Sunday morning I went shopping at the mall a few blocks from the hotel. (Plaza Rio I think) Prices were simaler to Canada, but it was really fun. The had some really nice higher end things that were fun to look at!

Sunday afternoon I went to Revolution Ave. You HAVE to go there. I didn't spend a lot of money but it was a lot of fun and a great eye-opener to me! Who would have thought you could buy Viagra on the street? (hehe) The people were great, very friendly. Sunday night I had a lot of anxiety. Cried a lot because I was mourning giving up my old appetite, and I new I was leaving my former best/worst friend (food-bingeing) behind. I hate being fat but I really loved overeating....hmmm. Thant doesn't make much sense.

Monday morning I went to the clinic. There were 5 of us. From the moment I arrived I did not have one little bit of anxiety. I could tell I was in good hands. I believe I was exactly where I was meant to be. Surgery was great, the staff were excellent and very skilled. I went back to the hotel Tuesday around noon.

THEN...we hired a private tour guy to take us to the factory outlet mall in SanDiego. I shopped from 2:30 to 8:30 without a break! I didn't buy anything for myself but bought stuff for my hubby and sons (21 and 18) and I walked and walked and walked. Then we went back to the hotel.

Wed AM I flew back to Canada, and I worked Thurs, Fri, Sat.

The only negative thing about my experience was that I got a cold (probably on the plane). I wasn't consuming enough nutrition so my immune system was down. I highly recommend that everyone has chewable vitamins and actually takes them.

I had some pain in my shoulder, but other than that I have been pain free. My incisions are TINY and are healing very nicely. The people at the OCC are definately my heroes. I can't wait to go back for my first fill!

I hope long-winded itenary helps to reassure someone. I was far more worried than I needed to be. It was not nearly as difficult as I had anticipated. I am so happy with my decision, and for the record...I have lost 22 pounds so far!

Happy New Year everyone!

[Teri]

Hello. I was banded by Dr. Otrtiz on Dec 18, 2006. I am so happy to have this new tool. I feel like I have been given a fresh start in life. I had a wonderful experience. I arrived on Sat night and was taken to the hotel. Everyone there was great. It was a peaceful place to stay and the staff was superfriendly and helpful. My companion and I went to Las Arcos (sp). It had live music, it was great to see all the people celebrating as families.

Sunday morning I went shopping at the mall a few blocks from the hotel. (Plaza Rio I think) Prices were simaler to Canada, but it was really fun. The had some really nice higher end things that were fun to look at!

Sunday afternoon I went to Revolution Ave. You HAVE to go there. I didn't spend a lot of money but it was a lot of fun and a great eye-opener to me! Who would have thought you could buy Viagra on the street? (hehe) The people were great, very friendly. Sunday night I had a lot of anxiety. Cried a lot because I was mourning giving up my old appetite, and I new I was leaving my former best/worst friend (food-bingeing) behind. I hate being fat but I really loved overeating....hmmm. Thant doesn't make much sense.

Monday morning I went to the clinic. There were 5 of us. From the moment I arrived I did not have one little bit of anxiety. I could tell I was in good hands. I believe I was exactly where I was meant to be. Surgery was great, the staff were excellent and very skilled. I went back to the hotel Tuesday around noon.

THEN...we hired a private tour guy to take us to the factory outlet mall in SanDiego. I shopped from 2:30 to 8:30 without a break! I didn't buy anything for myself but bought stuff for my hubby and sons (21 and 18) and I walked and walked and walked. Then we went back to the hotel.

Wed AM I flew back to Canada, and I worked Thurs, Fri, Sat.

The only negative thing about my experience was that I got a cold (probably on the plane). I wasn't consuming enough nutrition so my immune system was down. I highly recommend that everyone has chewable vitamins and actually takes them.

I had some pain in my shoulder, but other than that I have been pain free. My incisions are TINY and are healing very nicely. The people at the OCC are definately my heroes. I can't wait to go back for my first fill!

I hope long-winded itenary helps to reassure someone. I was far more worried than I needed to be. It was not nearly as difficult as I had anticipated. I am so happy with my decision, and for the record...I have lost 22 pounds so far!

Happy New Year everyone!

Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck with your liquids! especially around the holidays. I have been out of the loop here, so to speak, am still in MI but return Jan 2. The holidays and all the food have been tough. Teri

[Eva]

Hi!

I'm going to be banded on Feb 7 by Dr. Huacuz.

I know exactly what you mean about "giving up your old appetite" and food being your "worst/best friend". I feel strangely anxious about losing my long-time crutch too! I got away with the binge eating for many years by working out excessively and periodically fasting. However, age and life got in the way and before I knew it I had gained 100 pounds. Your quality of life suffers so much when you get this heavy! So...I know this is a step in the right direction.

I think I know how you feel and I hope the lap band helps. Good luck to you!

Eva

[Bandiva]

Hello everyone. I seem to have gotten through the worst of it! I have introduced a few soft foods. I haven't lost weight in a couple of days, but I am trying to be patient because I know it stops and starts regularily and sometimes without rhyme or reason.

I missed food around the new year because I was lonely and wanted to invite my old friend food over. (Take out). But I didn't and all is well!

I am looking forward to getting a fill around the beginning of Feb.

Hope everyone is doing well...have a fabulous day!

[Pamela]

Bandiva,

Don't stop writing about your progress. I am anxious to hear how you are doing with your new tool. I am going to be banded on Feb. 9th by Dr. Ortiz. I am very excited but also sad about loosing my best friend (food). I really hope that I can look back on this and think "how did I really think that food was my best friend"? I hope that I begin to loose weight and then begin to not miss food. You know? Anyway, I am really excited about my decision to get banded as I am tired of the struggle to loose weight to only fail. It's such a vicious cycle. I am ready to loose it once and for all.

Good luck to you!!! Let us know how you are doing. I love to read success stories.

[Bandiva]

Bandiva,

Don't stop writing about your progress. I am anxious to hear how you are doing with your new tool. I am going to be banded on Feb. 9th by Dr. Ortiz. I am very excited but also sad about loosing my best friend (food). I really hope that I can look back on this and think "how did I really think that food was my best friend"? I hope that I begin to loose weight and then begin to not miss food. You know? Anyway, I am really excited about my decision to get banded as I am tired of the struggle to loose weight to only fail. It's such a vicious cycle. I am ready to loose it once and for all.

Good luck to you!!! Let us know how you are doing. I love to read success stories.

Hi, I just read your post (Feb 8) I have been out of town. By now you are in Mexico all snug in your bed awaiting your big day! Let us know how it went.

I am doing well. I have lost about 33 pounds. I have been feeling good, no real problems unless I eat something stupid...think spaghetti or chips! I need to exercise more...but first I need to sleep. Gotta run now, thanks for hte encouragment. I will send you warm fuzzy thoughts tomorrow.

[Pamela]

:-h Hey there,

I am finally banded and I feel GGGGRRREEEAAAT!!! The whole experience was really fantastic and the whole team at the OCC was fabulous! I just can't say enough good things about everyone there!

Saturday, I was discharged from the clinic and went back to the hotel to freshen up a bit. Then we hit the Revolution street up for some shopping. My sister and I met up with a girl from California and her friend and we had a blast. I just can't wait to go back!!

Good luck to you and congrats on your weight loss. I have not stepped on the scale yet since the surgery. I am going to wait a couple more weeks before I weigh. The scale and I have never been friends so I am giving it some time before weighing myself. I want to be pleasantly surprised!

Talk to you soon!