Banded Monday 3/24/08

[mlgpdx]

I did it! =D> =D> =D>

Arrived Sunday around 12:30pm, Francisco was waiting for me with a sign with my name on it. He carried our (my mom was with me) luggage to the Van and then we picked up Carried & Stephanie (from Minnesota) and off we went to the Hotel.

Arrived, checked in and the 4 of us met downstairs to go get some food! On the recommendation of Alonso, out front guy, we walked about 1/2 mile to a place called Los Arcos for mexican seafood. Ok.. I LOVE Seafood and so did most of the party, I thought Alonso said mexican AND Seafood but it was really just seafood. Those who weren't crazy about seafood had steak. we had a delicious meal and a nice walk back to the hotel. Once back at the hotel we changed into bathing suits and hit the pool/lounge chairs. Ok, the pool is NOT heated and the water was COOOOLD. LOL but.. the sun was hot, the company was good and we all enjoyed thawing out in the Tijuana sun. I also enjoyed 2 rum & diet cokes.. .my vice and my mom had a couple of pina coladas.

We were told to be downstairs at 7:45am to transport to OCC. Mrs. Ortiz arrived .. just to let you know she drives a volvo sedan and not everyone goes at once. Patients go 3 at a time, however many trips are needed are done until everyone is at the clinic.

Arrived around 8am and went over paperwork with Claudia(front desk) and then waited to be called back. First had the dental exam (took about 3 minutes) then had blood drawn and IV inserted (5 minutes) then breathing test & EKG (8 minutes) finally met with Dr. Miranda (10 minutes) after each step you go back to the lobby and wait for your name to be called for the next step. I was in the first group to arrive and it was a Monday.. remember the clinic is closed Sunday's so all the attention was focused on US. (wooo hooo) The rest of the bandsters for the day and out +1 arrived and before I knew it I was called back and led to a room. I was told I would have a semi-private room but ended up wtih a private room (yah for me) room #6. I was instructed to put on the gown and thong panties. I cannot begin to tell you how NICE and PROFESSIONAL everyone I had contact with was.. they were absolutely fabulous! I am a massage therapist and I understand the power of good touch.. after each person would talk to me, ask me questions etc.. they would gently touch my leg, hand, arm or some other appropriate body part. My mom was included in the conversations once I was in my room and she was totally at ease with everything.

Then the fabulous guy came and gave me a happy pill which made me oooooo soooo happy! then a nice woman came and gave me a hella painful shot in my side/stomach.. I was like what the crap was that?!?!? IT was the most painful part of the day.. it was shot to help with blood clots... sheesh!! I think I was the first person to have surgery that day.. they took me by wheelchair to the O.R where I got up and laid on the O.R table... (i forgot to mention the nurse that put compression hose on me b/4 the happy pill) they covered me with a blanket and I think removed my gown but this was happening the same time the happy guy came in and made me fall asleep. Next thing I knew I was back in my room talking to my mom. About 15min after that I led on a walk around the clinic 3x then back to my room. I was given pain pill / anti nausea pill and then I went to sleep. about an hour later, maybe more i lost track of time, I got up and walked around by myself.. went out to the veranda to sit in the sun but got really lite headed and nauseas and went back to my room where they gave me more pills and i drifted off to sleep. The took our +1 back to the hotel around 4pm. I spent the rest of the evening sleeping and then when I woke up I would get up and walk around.. stopping to talk to Amber, Evette, and whomever else looked awake.

Woke up Tuesday morning, went back to the hotel around 8 or 9.. said hello to 3/25 bandsters sitting in the lobby.. assured them that it would be perfect and no worries.

Went back to hotel.. took a nap... got up and went shopping with mom, carrie, stephanie, romona & neil down at revolution avenue. Made sure to get a taxi that only charged $5. Alonso also gave me a biz card and said when coming back be sure to get in a taxi with a meter and that if they try to charge more than $5 show them the card and he would make sure they did not cheat us coming back.

revolution avenue was... um... bleh in my opinion. I enjoyed getting out and walking around but I am spoiled because I shopped the fashion district in L.A, flea markets in oakland and china town in New York... so the knock-offs, in my humble opinion, were not to my liking. I did buy some cuban cigars for my honey and some great sunglasses. Oh yah I also visited a pharmacy and got some pills similiar to vicaden ($50 for 100) and my mom got some viagra ($7 per pill) for my dad (i know TO MUCH INFORMATION!!) oh and I also got some meredia diet pills for my friend for $30 (30 pills) I was ready to go back to hotel so we did.

Got back, changed into bathing suits and lounged in the sun the rest of the day. Went to bed early because our flight was at 7am and Francisco was picking us up at 5am .

Francisco was early and we left around 4:50am.. got to the border.. mom and I got out with our luggage.. entered a side door and went directly up to a customs agent who looked at our passports and then said go on through. we walked one block, took a right, walked over the trolley tracks to a small parking lot and Francisco was there. Got back in the van and off to the airport. Flight was early and all went well. I was home sitting on my couch by 10:30am.

Ok... sooo... WEdnesday (the day I got home) I was feeling tired and very sore especially where my port is. I walked around the block once and went to the store with my BF but really spend the day laying on the couch watching movies. I went to bed and slept about 10 hours.

Thursday: I was up b/4 8am and told myself that today I needed to move and 'work it out" because tomorrow is back to work and I have no time to feel sorry for myself. I did some laundry, dishes, light cleaning, went tanning, went to GNC, etc... even made my BF a batch of espresso brownies! walked around the block this afternoon and even had a client come and get their brows waxed. I am having a good friend over for dinner tonight and I am cooking spaghetti for everyone (but me)!

Gas; egads..... yep... I've got it! it's much better today. PHayzme works wonders. I am also drinking this green tea I got from safeway called "dieters tea" it's decaf green tea that helps "promote cleansing" well let me tell you I really needed cleansed because it had been a few days and i was feeling backed up! I drank a cup last night and I was nice and cleansed this morning. It really helped with the gas too.

Hunger: ooooooo yah.... this hit me this afternoon... it's day 4 so I drank a 3.3 oz little bottle of activia peach flavored yogurt drink. ooohhh it tasted like heaven. It really did give my stomach something to "eat" and I felt much better. I am feeling the pains again right now and am making a cup of tea. I can't wait till I can eat creamy soups.

so I got back to work tomorrow.... and am looking forward to the future.

[Claire]

Congratulations!

Where did you get the Vicoden stuff?

What is it called?

Thanks,

Claire

[Paula Bee]

I did it! =D> =D> =D>

Arrived Sunday around 12:30pm, Francisco was waiting for me with a sign with my name on it. He carried our (my mom was with me) luggage to the Van and then we picked up Carried & Stephanie (from Minnesota) and off we went to the Hotel.

Arrived, checked in and the 4 of us met downstairs to go get some food! On the recommendation of Alonso, out front guy, we walked about 1/2 mile to a place called Los Arcos for mexican seafood. Ok.. I LOVE Seafood and so did most of the party, I thought Alonso said mexican AND Seafood but it was really just seafood. Those who weren't crazy about seafood had steak. we had a delicious meal and a nice walk back to the hotel. Once back at the hotel we changed into bathing suits and hit the pool/lounge chairs. Ok, the pool is NOT heated and the water was COOOOLD. LOL but.. the sun was hot, the company was good and we all enjoyed thawing out in the Tijuana sun. I also enjoyed 2 rum & diet cokes.. .my vice and my mom had a couple of pina coladas.

We were told to be downstairs at 7:45am to transport to OCC. Mrs. Ortiz arrived .. just to let you know she drives a volvo sedan and not everyone goes at once. Patients go 3 at a time, however many trips are needed are done until everyone is at the clinic.

Arrived around 8am and went over paperwork with Claudia(front desk) and then waited to be called back. First had the dental exam (took about 3 minutes) then had blood drawn and IV inserted (5 minutes) then breathing test & EKG (8 minutes) finally met with Dr. Miranda (10 minutes) after each step you go back to the lobby and wait for your name to be called for the next step. I was in the first group to arrive and it was a Monday.. remember the clinic is closed Sunday's so all the attention was focused on US. (wooo hooo) The rest of the bandsters for the day and out +1 arrived and before I knew it I was called back and led to a room. I was told I would have a semi-private room but ended up wtih a private room (yah for me) room #6. I was instructed to put on the gown and thong panties. I cannot begin to tell you how NICE and PROFESSIONAL everyone I had contact with was.. they were absolutely fabulous! I am a massage therapist and I understand the power of good touch.. after each person would talk to me, ask me questions etc.. they would gently touch my leg, hand, arm or some other appropriate body part. My mom was included in the conversations once I was in my room and she was totally at ease with everything.

Then the fabulous guy came and gave me a happy pill which made me oooooo soooo happy! then a nice woman came and gave me a hella painful shot in my side/stomach.. I was like what the crap was that?!?!? IT was the most painful part of the day.. it was shot to help with blood clots... sheesh!! I think I was the first person to have surgery that day.. they took me by wheelchair to the O.R where I got up and laid on the O.R table... (i forgot to mention the nurse that put compression hose on me b/4 the happy pill) they covered me with a blanket and I think removed my gown but this was happening the same time the happy guy came in and made me fall asleep. Next thing I knew I was back in my room talking to my mom. About 15min after that I led on a walk around the clinic 3x then back to my room. I was given pain pill / anti nausea pill and then I went to sleep. about an hour later, maybe more i lost track of time, I got up and walked around by myself.. went out to the veranda to sit in the sun but got really lite headed and nauseas and went back to my room where they gave me more pills and i drifted off to sleep. The took our +1 back to the hotel around 4pm. I spent the rest of the evening sleeping and then when I woke up I would get up and walk around.. stopping to talk to Amber, Evette, and whomever else looked awake.

Woke up Tuesday morning, went back to the hotel around 8 or 9.. said hello to 3/25 bandsters sitting in the lobby.. assured them that it would be perfect and no worries.

Went back to hotel.. took a nap... got up and went shopping with mom, carrie, stephanie, romona & neil down at revolution avenue. Made sure to get a taxi that only charged $5. Alonso also gave me a biz card and said when coming back be sure to get in a taxi with a meter and that if they try to charge more than $5 show them the card and he would make sure they did not cheat us coming back.

revolution avenue was... um... bleh in my opinion. I enjoyed getting out and walking around but I am spoiled because I shopped the fashion district in L.A, flea markets in oakland and china town in New York... so the knock-offs, in my humble opinion, were not to my liking. I did buy some cuban cigars for my honey and some great sunglasses. Oh yah I also visited a pharmacy and got some pills similiar to vicaden ($50 for 100) and my mom got some viagra ($7 per pill) for my dad (i know TO MUCH INFORMATION!!) oh and I also got some meredia diet pills for my friend for $30 (30 pills) I was ready to go back to hotel so we did.

Got back, changed into bathing suits and lounged in the sun the rest of the day. Went to bed early because our flight was at 7am and Francisco was picking us up at 5am .

Francisco was early and we left around 4:50am.. got to the border.. mom and I got out with our luggage.. entered a side door and went directly up to a customs agent who looked at our passports and then said go on through. we walked one block, took a right, walked over the trolley tracks to a small parking lot and Francisco was there. Got back in the van and off to the airport. Flight was early and all went well. I was home sitting on my couch by 10:30am.

Ok... sooo... WEdnesday (the day I got home) I was feeling tired and very sore especially where my port is. I walked around the block once and went to the store with my BF but really spend the day laying on the couch watching movies. I went to bed and slept about 10 hours.

Thursday: I was up b/4 8am and told myself that today I needed to move and 'work it out" because tomorrow is back to work and I have no time to feel sorry for myself. I did some laundry, dishes, light cleaning, went tanning, went to GNC, etc... even made my BF a batch of espresso brownies! walked around the block this afternoon and even had a client come and get their brows waxed. I am having a good friend over for dinner tonight and I am cooking spaghetti for everyone (but me)!

Gas; egads..... yep... I've got it! it's much better today. PHayzme works wonders. I am also drinking this green tea I got from safeway called "dieters tea" it's decaf green tea that helps "promote cleansing" well let me tell you I really needed cleansed because it had been a few days and i was feeling backed up! I drank a cup last night and I was nice and cleansed this morning. It really helped with the gas too.

Hunger: ooooooo yah.... this hit me this afternoon... it's day 4 so I drank a 3.3 oz little bottle of activia peach flavored yogurt drink. ooohhh it tasted like heaven. It really did give my stomach something to "eat" and I felt much better. I am feeling the pains again right now and am making a cup of tea. I can't wait till I can eat creamy soups.

so I got back to work tomorrow.... and am looking forward to the future.

Woot! I am so glad that you had a great experience and wrote to tell us all about it! Did you have a Rx for the meds?

Keep us updated!

[MamaMichelle]

Hey Miss Mindy,

So glad you had a great experience (not that I had any doubts) can't wait to hear about all your progress... I know you will do great!

[Kittycat]

I did it! =D> =D> =D>

Arrived Sunday around 12:30pm, Francisco was waiting for me with a sign with my name on it. He carried our (my mom was with me) luggage to the Van and then we picked up Carried & Stephanie (from Minnesota) and off we went to the Hotel.

Arrived, checked in and the 4 of us met downstairs to go get some food! On the recommendation of Alonso, out front guy, we walked about 1/2 mile to a place called Los Arcos for mexican seafood. Ok.. I LOVE Seafood and so did most of the party, I thought Alonso said mexican AND Seafood but it was really just seafood. Those who weren't crazy about seafood had steak. we had a delicious meal and a nice walk back to the hotel. Once back at the hotel we changed into bathing suits and hit the pool/lounge chairs. Ok, the pool is NOT heated and the water was COOOOLD. LOL but.. the sun was hot, the company was good and we all enjoyed thawing out in the Tijuana sun. I also enjoyed 2 rum & diet cokes.. .my vice and my mom had a couple of pina coladas.

We were told to be downstairs at 7:45am to transport to OCC. Mrs. Ortiz arrived .. just to let you know she drives a volvo sedan and not everyone goes at once. Patients go 3 at a time, however many trips are needed are done until everyone is at the clinic.

Arrived around 8am and went over paperwork with Claudia(front desk) and then waited to be called back. First had the dental exam (took about 3 minutes) then had blood drawn and IV inserted (5 minutes) then breathing test & EKG (8 minutes) finally met with Dr. Miranda (10 minutes) after each step you go back to the lobby and wait for your name to be called for the next step. I was in the first group to arrive and it was a Monday.. remember the clinic is closed Sunday's so all the attention was focused on US. (wooo hooo) The rest of the bandsters for the day and out +1 arrived and before I knew it I was called back and led to a room. I was told I would have a semi-private room but ended up wtih a private room (yah for me) room #6. I was instructed to put on the gown and thong panties. I cannot begin to tell you how NICE and PROFESSIONAL everyone I had contact with was.. they were absolutely fabulous! I am a massage therapist and I understand the power of good touch.. after each person would talk to me, ask me questions etc.. they would gently touch my leg, hand, arm or some other appropriate body part. My mom was included in the conversations once I was in my room and she was totally at ease with everything.

Then the fabulous guy came and gave me a happy pill which made me oooooo soooo happy! then a nice woman came and gave me a hella painful shot in my side/stomach.. I was like what the crap was that?!?!? IT was the most painful part of the day.. it was shot to help with blood clots... sheesh!! I think I was the first person to have surgery that day.. they took me by wheelchair to the O.R where I got up and laid on the O.R table... (i forgot to mention the nurse that put compression hose on me b/4 the happy pill) they covered me with a blanket and I think removed my gown but this was happening the same time the happy guy came in and made me fall asleep. Next thing I knew I was back in my room talking to my mom. About 15min after that I led on a walk around the clinic 3x then back to my room. I was given pain pill / anti nausea pill and then I went to sleep. about an hour later, maybe more i lost track of time, I got up and walked around by myself.. went out to the veranda to sit in the sun but got really lite headed and nauseas and went back to my room where they gave me more pills and i drifted off to sleep. The took our +1 back to the hotel around 4pm. I spent the rest of the evening sleeping and then when I woke up I would get up and walk around.. stopping to talk to Amber, Evette, and whomever else looked awake.

Woke up Tuesday morning, went back to the hotel around 8 or 9.. said hello to 3/25 bandsters sitting in the lobby.. assured them that it would be perfect and no worries.

Went back to hotel.. took a nap... got up and went shopping with mom, carrie, stephanie, romona & neil down at revolution avenue. Made sure to get a taxi that only charged $5. Alonso also gave me a biz card and said when coming back be sure to get in a taxi with a meter and that if they try to charge more than $5 show them the card and he would make sure they did not cheat us coming back.

revolution avenue was... um... bleh in my opinion. I enjoyed getting out and walking around but I am spoiled because I shopped the fashion district in L.A, flea markets in oakland and china town in New York... so the knock-offs, in my humble opinion, were not to my liking. I did buy some cuban cigars for my honey and some great sunglasses. Oh yah I also visited a pharmacy and got some pills similiar to vicaden ($50 for 100) and my mom got some viagra ($7 per pill) for my dad (i know TO MUCH INFORMATION!!) oh and I also got some meredia diet pills for my friend for $30 (30 pills) I was ready to go back to hotel so we did.

Got back, changed into bathing suits and lounged in the sun the rest of the day. Went to bed early because our flight was at 7am and Francisco was picking us up at 5am .

Francisco was early and we left around 4:50am.. got to the border.. mom and I got out with our luggage.. entered a side door and went directly up to a customs agent who looked at our passports and then said go on through. we walked one block, took a right, walked over the trolley tracks to a small parking lot and Francisco was there. Got back in the van and off to the airport. Flight was early and all went well. I was home sitting on my couch by 10:30am.

Ok... sooo... WEdnesday (the day I got home) I was feeling tired and very sore especially where my port is. I walked around the block once and went to the store with my BF but really spend the day laying on the couch watching movies. I went to bed and slept about 10 hours.

Thursday: I was up b/4 8am and told myself that today I needed to move and 'work it out" because tomorrow is back to work and I have no time to feel sorry for myself. I did some laundry, dishes, light cleaning, went tanning, went to GNC, etc... even made my BF a batch of espresso brownies! walked around the block this afternoon and even had a client come and get their brows waxed. I am having a good friend over for dinner tonight and I am cooking spaghetti for everyone (but me)!

Gas; egads..... yep... I've got it! it's much better today. PHayzme works wonders. I am also drinking this green tea I got from safeway called "dieters tea" it's decaf green tea that helps "promote cleansing" well let me tell you I really needed cleansed because it had been a few days and i was feeling backed up! I drank a cup last night and I was nice and cleansed this morning. It really helped with the gas too.

Hunger: ooooooo yah.... this hit me this afternoon... it's day 4 so I drank a 3.3 oz little bottle of activia peach flavored yogurt drink. ooohhh it tasted like heaven. It really did give my stomach something to "eat" and I felt much better. I am feeling the pains again right now and am making a cup of tea. I can't wait till I can eat creamy soups.

so I got back to work tomorrow.... and am looking forward to the future.

I am considering Lap Band, first consult on April 23/08...I am glad all went well with you and look forward to hearing about your journey...I hope to start mine soon! Best of Luck...Cathy

[mlgpdx]

I didn't have an RX for the meds I bought from the pharmacy.. I just told them what I wanted and they told me what they had. I was told it's illegal for them to sell me vicoden but they had something similiar. Carrie and I split a bottle of 100 caplets, 100mg each the price was $50 ($25 each) I don't know the name because I didn't keep the bottle. Carrie???

My mom actually bought Cealis (like viagra) and they were $7 a pill vs: $15 here. There are pharmacies everywhere! I like the one that just a block or 2 from the hotel. The front door guy, Alonso, can direct you and it's definitely within walking distance. If you go to revolution ave they are all over.. some good.. some kinda seedy looking.

Hope that answers any questions.

[mona-camille]

I didn't have an RX for the meds I bought from the pharmacy.. I just told them what I wanted and they told me what they had. I was told it's illegal for them to sell me vicoden but they had something similiar. Carrie and I split a bottle of 100 caplets, 100mg each the price was $50 ($25 each) I don't know the name because I didn't keep the bottle. Carrie???

My mom actually bought Cealis (like viagra) and they were $7 a pill vs: $15 here. There are pharmacies everywhere! I like the one that just a block or 2 from the hotel. The front door guy, Alonso, can direct you and it's definitely within walking distance. If you go to revolution ave they are all over.. some good.. some kinda seedy looking.

Hope that answers any questions.

Hi Mindy!!!

Glad you are doing ok. I have that horrible gas and bloating now. I had my first yogurt drink last night. I was wonderful. I think I really needed it too, because it made my stomach stop hurting. I wasn't all that keen on Revolution Ave either. I don't like being accosted by every salesman around, but it was still an experience. Plus, I bought a lot of stuff.

GLad I got to meet you! And best of luck on your new life. Keep in touch!!

Ramona

[mlgpdx]

** UPDATE *** :-h

Well it's now been 1 week +1 day since my surgery. I can honestly say that today is the first day I've woken up feeling pretty good. Minimal gas/bloating & not a whole lot of port site pain.

I started runny instant mashed potatoes on Friday (4 days post op) because I was feeling so awful and feeling like my stomach was just eating itself. That helped me a lot. I had about 2oz a day until yesterday.

I've had about 3 popsicles since my surgery.. for some reason I just don't like them.

Monday I could start on creamy soups! woo hooo... I had some creamy tomato (approx 2-3oz) and later had some cream of chicken (4oz) I also had 4oz of mashed potatoes. I also had 1 EAS shake with 17g of protein.

I still get gassy/a little bloated after eating... and my stomach will start gurgling whether I drink 2oz of water of 4oz of cream of chicken.

I am walking on average 1-2 miles a day.. at a little more than a stroll but not my usual faster pace.

It was difficult for me to go back to work on Friday & Saturday but it's over now and I can't change it. For anyone else reading this I would recommend a week of recovery. I also have a job where I stand and move all day so it really is different for everyone.

Weight. ahhh... after reading all the posts on this forum I decided that until my first fill I was not going to let my weight loss/gain affect me. I didn't make a ticker because I didn't want to feel failure if I gained a pound or 2 or 3 etc.....

I will tell you that my pre-op in Jan I was 290... the day of my surgery I was 276. When I got home 2 days later I was 280. This morning I weighed myself and I was 262. Do I think this will fluctuate .. absolutely.

I will update every week or so and let everyone know how I'm feeling.

One love

[jktbnelson]

I didn't have an RX for the meds I bought from the pharmacy.. I just told them what I wanted and they told me what they had. I was told it's illegal for them to sell me vicoden but they had something similiar. Carrie and I split a bottle of 100 caplets, 100mg each the price was $50 ($25 each) I don't know the name because I didn't keep the bottle. Carrie???

My mom actually bought Cealis (like viagra) and they were $7 a pill vs: $15 here. There are pharmacies everywhere! I like the one that just a block or 2 from the hotel. The front door guy, Alonso, can direct you and it's definitely within walking distance. If you go to revolution ave they are all over.. some good.. some kinda seedy looking.

Hope that answers any questions.

Hi Gals,

The pain killer we bought was called Tramadol. I took one today for the first time and I was dizzy and sweaty for about 3 hours with it. These are common side effects. It is similar to codeine. I have side effects to everything, but it helped with my port site pain which is still extremely sore without any meds.

Kari

[Wendy]

Did you get questioned about the meds when returning to the US? I wondered if we were allowed to bring even persciption meds back home.

Wendy

[mlgpdx]

Wendy

I didn't have any problems. Kari & I split a bottle so I just had my 1/2 in a little ziploc bag. If it's legal to sell at the pharmacy my understanding is it's legal to bring it back across the border. If you ask for something that's "illegal" they will tell you... we can't sell you that, it's illegal.

Hope this helps

Mindy