This is what I'd like, too, Mart. I want to be able to get enough food to
get nourished and feel satisfied, but not enough that it will make me sick
and feeling gross.
I'm thankful for all of you on the boards who can help us newbies with how
all of this works!
Suzanne
Bad band, bad. Bad. It would be nice if they doctor did the fill and then
nothing changes. I'm beginning to learn, 11 days post-op, that this band of
ours really does have a mind of it's own. Thank goodness it's a nice band
most of the time (o:
Suzanne
Dr. O 1/9/04
237/229/139
This might be long. Those who can't abide long posts, in case this
is, can delete now. This might also be fairly "stream of
consciousness" as a warning to those who don't like that type of post
either.
Anyway....Gail and I got up at 245AM on Saturday to get a very early
flight to Seattle. No problems. But we were fairly sleepless.
Anyway, we got to the hotel and had the pleasant surprise of actually
being able to check into a nice, clean, conveniently located room
immediately. Not something I'd expect at 7AM on a Saturday.
We got things to the room and sat down for a little breakfast (VERY
little for me, but nice to sit and relax). We immediately started
meeting up with bandsters, including Patricia, who I'd met last year.
Before long Sarina showed up, and she's indeed as tiny as she says,
even in heels. She was an absolute delight.
Throughout the day at the casino, where most of the meetings and
speakers went on, it was crowded and hectic, but very interesting and
educational. We were able to hear three band docs (Ortiz, Kuri, Joya)
and also other docs (endocrinology, plastic surgery, etc.). All were
interesting and provided good information. There was some
overlapping, of course, but that was OK too. Doesn't hurt to hear the
same things twice. Heck, some of us need to hear the same things a
dozen times before it sinks in.
We had fun doing the fashion show, and the ladies were truly stunning,
particularly those in their evening dresses. It is hard to believe
that they used to be the person shown in their "before" pictures. I'd
never thought I'd be taking my clothes off in front of an audience,
but even that was fun too. (for those who weren't there, I took off
my "fat clothes", the actual ones I wore to the bash last april, the
day before surgery) and then got down to my gym shorts, much like I
look in the pictures on the website in my signature file) (and that
has been updated with current pictures).
The real partying started in the evening with a buffet supper (and a
cash bar provided by the hotel, and a "non cash bar" provided in some
rooms....we won't name whose). Meanwhile the clothing exchange was
going on in various rooms, and many folks took home wonderful things
to wear in their new sizes. As far as I saw there weren't any men's
clothes for exchange, but maybe we can do that next year. There did
seem to be a larger percentage of men there this year, though we're
still a "small" minority.
The raffle was also a riot, as people found out which prizes they'd
won. There was even an underwear toss as added entertainment, with
additional modeling of said underwear. I'm not sure the panties ever
got back to their rightful owner.
Not having any singing skills, we skipped the karaoke and headed for
the pool and hot tub, which filled up quickly. Naturally we overflowed
the hot tub, and practically overflowed the pool. The hot tub was the
center of long and passionate discussions late into the evening, often
continuing even later for those who stayed up partying into the wee
hours. This old geezer gave up by 1100 pm. It had been a long day.
I won't even try to list all the wonderful, and not-quite-so-wonderful
bandsters I met. I know I didn't meet all of the 130 or so, but wish
there had been time to do so.
I learned a lot about plastic surgery, one of my main interests at the
moment. I learned that the people who are nice on the groups are nice
in person, and, no surprise, those who aren't so nice on the groups
aren't so nice in person. I've seen a few times in other environments
where people are very different in person from how they are on the
nets, but this wasn't one of those situations. Obviously, some of us
will always disagree on some things. That's fine with me, since I know
there isn't one right way to live with a band, no matter what some
people will maintain. The only thing I consider an absolute is that
you eat less and you'll lose weight. As to what it is, that's not my
problem. I'll also make exercise a near absolute if at all physically
possible. All I can testify to is what works for me, and may not be
what works for you, what you're willing to do, and so forth.
Thanks to all the organizers and participants for a great Seattle
Bash.
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/221/199 Age 60
Not primitive looking at all, Kim. LOL
It's actually very nice, in my opinion. A beautiful lobby and an area off
the lobby for people to eat and visit. The rooms are just like any other
hospital room. Clean, "normal" looking. I could tell the hospital was a
little older, like not built in the last few years, but it was very clean.
And, the nurses were wonderful. I had all guy nurses and they were so
friendly, accomodating, and spoke excellent English. My nurses were Randy
and Sergio. Very sweet guys.
Suzanne
Dr. Ortiz and his representative, Robin, were in Seattle this weekend
for the bash. I don't think it is prudent for you to post your phone
number on a public internet board. The smart thing to do would be for
you to call their office.
On a side note, I didn't have my surgery done by Dr. Ortiz (my
surgeon was Dr. Kuri) but Dr. Ortiz was very knowledgeable and very
great with people. He or Dr. Kuri would be a great choice for anyone
looking at going to TJ.
Jamie
Hi Martha,
I've tried the GAS-X and it didn't work. (sigh). I'm going for a long walk
this morning because .......I just must. It's snowing outside but my lower
back hurts so bad I wanna scream (or cry). The weird part of this is, I
have not been passing any gas (sorry for the bluntness) - I wondering if
that is also PART OF THE PROBLEM. It's all stuck in there. LOL. And being
constipated doesn't help,either. I think I'm gonna go buy some prune juice.
Suz
The BEST way to contact Dr. Ortiz, or ANY doctors, is by TELEPHONE.
Most of them don't read their email as regularly as many of us do. But
phoning will work, I guarantee you. Dr. Ortiz has an 800 number and
also a 619 number.
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/221/199 Age 60
The poll is on the TJBash site. Last I looked it was pretty even
between keeping it Labor Day and moving it to a couple weeks earlier.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004, 12:53:32 AM, you wrote:
c
c
c
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/221/199 Age 60
I think we all have a little Pooh in us!! LOL:
"When you wake up in the morning Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's
the first thing you say to yourself?"
"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh.
"What do you say. Piglet?"
"I say, I wonder what going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully.
"It's the same thing," he said.
-A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Gaynell
To: Dr. Ortiz's office person:
You seem kind of busy. You have not responded to my e-mail's even though you
said you would be checking e-mails while on your vacation. Is there someone
else in Dr. Ortiz's office that can help me continue with the reservation
process? I filled out the forms and sent them to you last week. Also, I have
made flight reservations which will cost me money if I have to change them. I
would prefer if someone from the office could call me to confirm. This is a big
decision for me and I feel very uncomfortable being ignored. If Dr. Ortiz's
office rep. is too busy to respond, I have to wonder if Dr. Ortiz is too busy
or I'm just not that important to you people.
Kim Wallach
415-892-4643
Hi Regina
Dr. Verboonen's office is older but very clean. The hospital he used for me was
in the tower next to the Grand Hotel. It is a small private hospital that is
absolutely beautiful. Nicer than anything I have ever been here in the states.
Room and OR had big picture windows overlooking a golf course. I never had to
ask for a thing after the surgery. A nurse was there every time I opened my
eyes. He booked me into the Camino Real afterwards for two nights. It is a
beautiful, first rate hotel with a waterfall in the two story lobby. Doctor and
surgical nurse came to see me every day. The whole experience was a class act.
Wish he and his staff were at Kaiser and I could see them for everything!
Suzi
Debbie, it went like yours sort of. What is interesting about it was that he told me I had l.25 cc of fluid in my band instead of 2.l7. he had it written on his chart. He said that is how much he put in there and told me the "priming the tube" story, and I didn't understand what he was talking about, so I just ignored that part. I looked at his chart and it said he put in l.50 cc and it was too much so he put in l.25 cc and that's what was in there. So I don't understand the 2.l7 that was supposed to be there, but I guess I really don't have to understand it all, if I want to know about it, I can ask next time. Too much food is what he told me and that's about the same thing yours told you, Who do you go to?
Martha
Lea is right. I think dieting is the pits. The band is not made for one to diet on it, but because you are so restricted to what you can hold in that pouch, you must choose wisely when eating.
I went to the doctor to get my unfill today and he listened to everything I had to say about how I ate and what I ate and how it affected me , he looked at my records. He looked me in the eye and he said,"Martha you are a model lap band patient, I wish you were my patient. " I said, "I am your patient". He said he wished he'd done my surgery because I was absolutely on target and perfect. He said he did not think I need an unfill. He said all it was is that I am at a learning phase and have to learn that my band is full and just because it is "time" to have another meal may not mean that my band can hold another meal. That if I put a bite in there and it hurts, that means it is already still full, don't eat any more. That was the only thing that was going on. He said that I did not need to eat but when the pouch was empty. I asked about getting enough food. He said I'd be amazed at how little food is required for a human body and it did not look to him like I was
missing out on anything. My blood work was perfect, and he suspected that I should come off my blood pressure medicine, my blood pressure was perfect today and I had only taken one pill since last Thursday. So I took myself to the catfish restaurant and ate two scrawny fillets and three very tiny bites of baked potato, one bite of beans and one bite of cole slaw. And here I am back home with no unfill. The doctor said that all patients go through this learn phase. He said it's too bad that Mexican banded people don't get to have closer follow up work because he teaches his patients what to expect each month and can reassure them if they feel something is going on that they don't understand. Like my pain and sour stomach, was just trying to put too much food in there, and he said I may only eat once a day but that was ok, he said if I drank one protein drink a day when I could not get food down, then that was all I needed. He told me to continue to do what I was
doing and come back next month. I really dreaded knowing how much my office visit was going to be for no fill or no unfill, thinking I'd have to pay $l50 for the unfill. He said there was no charge today. He made his receptionist make an appointment for me to come back next month and he got a camera and took my picture. I can't believe my good fortune here, this guy is gold to me. My husband went with me today and he sat in the waiting room and he said he wanted to go to the bathroom really bad but was unable to get out of the chair to go. So I helped him get there just in the niche of time.
So that's the story. I guess if you have a sour feeling when you take a bite and if you are having to wait an hour to get food down and if it hurts, don't do it, it's full in there.
Martha
I'd like to hear more about the hospital that Dr. Ortiz uses. If it's a
dump, I'm changing doctors.
As someone else said Somersizing is more food combining then a true diet although it does have characteristics of a diet (no this and no that). It seems complicated to me- I guess that's ultimately why I wanted/needed the band. The band will keep me from ever having to "diet" again, as long as I eat sensibly. If you follow the bandster rules, the weight will come off without a "diet." I have posted about this before, but I think that ALL diets are dangerous. Any "diet" that is so restrictive that you cannot stay on it for the rest of your life affects your emotional health, your metabolism, and general physical health negatively.
I realize that I now feel like a normal person must feel about food. The hunger is not constantly there at the edge of my mind like a leech-sucking my energy. I don't think about food until it is actually meal time, which is more conditioning then anything. I am rarely if ever hungry and I truly enjoy my food now because I chew so slowly.
~Lea
11/08/03 Dr. Sanchez
259/228.5/219 Mini Goal
In a message dated 1/18/2004 7:42:39 PM Central Standard Time, gypsyqueen1968@... writes:
What do ya'll think about using this plan with the band? Just curious because she was on some shopping channel a bunch today. I know that I need to stay away from so much sugar and simple/processed carbs regardless of the band, regardless of food combinations, etc. Just curious what anyone thought about Somers.
Wendy from Birmingham, AL
Dr. Rumbaut: 8/5/03
as of 1/13/04: down 35.5 lbs
ideal: -145 lbs
mini: -110 lbs
Dr. Morton (Nashville): 9/15/03 1st fill, 1.6
1/12/04 2nd fill, 2.2
Hi Martha,
I am back, and the doc was great. He drew out 3/4cc and then put
back in 2 1/4cc so far it is going down great, but all i have had is
just soup and water and tea. He said that my problem was probably
because I was back to my old habit of eating anything and my stomach
was not use to all of the acid...Hopefully this will cure it....I was
very very loose since loosing weight he also added.
How did you appt go.
Deb
9/26/03
Dr. Lopez
260/233/165
Suzi,
How were his facilities and the hospital.
Suzi <lochlomond@...
Hi Regina
Dr. Verboonen performed my surgery in March 2003. I have nothing but good things to say about him. He is a good surgeon and is very professional. He is not as gregarious as some of the other doctors but I think it's because he doesn't think his English is very good.
Of course, his English is just fine. I really enjoy visiting with him and his staff when I go for fills.
Suzi
Canyon Lake, CA
I want to say this about the "overfills" nobody wants to end up with an overfill. No doctor will let you go with a fill that you can't get water through. What happens is that they fill it as tightly as they can on a second and subsequent fill , but leave it open enough so that you get liquid through. Then several days later your stomach may swell and stay that way and low and behold, you can't get anything to go through the stoma. That is what happened to me. I did not ask for a tight fill and the doctor was not trying to give me a tight fill. It tightened of it's own accord after he did his job. He is not to blame for that and neither am I , it is the nature of the beast. That is why people have to go back and tweak it sometimes more than once, to get just the right amount that allows you to eat , and restricts you as well.
This morning I ate a half a cup of oatmeal, three pieces of bacon and a piece of toast. I am amazed that it went down with no pain. However, I should have not eaten the toast I think. I've jumped up to go to the bathroom to vomit once because I feel the sensation that I'm going to toss cookies. But , it did not come up, so I'm waiting to see what happens. It is slightly painful sitting in there but not the end of the world, there is that slightly sour feeling as well. I think with a slightly looser fill, those things would not happen. I should be able to eat that much with no pain and no sour stomach, and I should be able to eat up to a cupful of food at each meal with no pain and no sour stomach. That is what I am aiming for. Like I said before, other people would love this tight of a fill. This is what they aim for and that's ok, if they want to deal with it, that is why this is such a good thing, everyone can have what they want. You just have to keep
tweaking until you find your "sweet spot" . My spot is sour.
Martha
What hospital does he use? If it's Oasis, it's not bad at all. Nobody likes the food in the restaurant there, so don't eat there, it's some kind of unreal fake food. What is that? It's because they treat lots of cancer patients and they can't eat, what is that? Anyway, the surgery room looked like it had too many shelves in it to me. But I was only awake for five minutes in there so what the heck. It was not America, but it was fine, I came home with no infections, and no slip ups, so it must be fine.
If he doesn't use the Oasis, then excuse the email.
Martha
Hi
How did you feel about the hospital in TJ with Dr. Ortiz? Is it primitive
looking?
kim
Cheryl: Dr. Rumbaut and Dr. Trevino did my leak repair in Monterrey. It
cost me about $300 for the clinic and travel expenses (around $800). The
doc's didn't charge me anything for their time. Yes, I do believe the guy
who stuck me all those times is responsible, but you really have a hard time
proving it. I didn't even bother as it would have been to much of a hassle.
Cassie
<Cassie: Who and how did they do your repair for the leak? What did that
cost? Sounds to me like the guy who stuck you 20 times may have caused the
leak, am I right?
Cheryl
Great explanation Suzanne.
I had mine 1-14-04 in Acuna Mx. with Dr Rodriguez.
Talk about freaking out. I had my initial phase as well. Did the thought ever cross your mind they would cut you open and remove your organs to be sold to highest black market bidder? Hmmmm! Lovely.
Anyway, still can't believe I have the band and am on my life long path to becoming a slim and healthy woman.
Jane
Suzanne Ryan <zanner624@...
The image below is the image *I* had before checking out the Mexican doctors
websites. Strange how we are huh? I never, in a million years, thought I
would go to Mexico for any surgery, and turned out to be one of them!
I only told four people of my surgery.....my daughter, and three really good
friends. And when asked who was doing my surgery, I started out the answer
with, "before you freak out, please look at this website...." and explained
how I never thought I would go to Mexico, either. When they saw the clean
hospitals, the information on the doctors, how many of these surgeries these
doctors have done, etc......then everyone was much less skeptical.
I would have gone to Mexico despite what any of them thought, but it was
still nice to have their support after they became educated about it. One
of the reasons I did not tell anyone else about the surgery is because I did
not want to have to explain to everybody and their uncle why I made the
decisions I did. They can have whatever opinion they want, I just don't
want to listen to them!! (o:
Suzanne
Dr. Ortiz 1/9/04
237/229/139
Thanks! It would be great to be able to stop taking the heartburn meds.
The image below is the image *I* had before checking out the Mexican doctors
websites. Strange how we are huh? I never, in a million years, thought I
would go to Mexico for any surgery, and turned out to be one of them!
I only told four people of my surgery.....my daughter, and three really good
friends. And when asked who was doing my surgery, I started out the answer
with, "before you freak out, please look at this website...." and explained
how I never thought I would go to Mexico, either. When they saw the clean
hospitals, the information on the doctors, how many of these surgeries these
doctors have done, etc......then everyone was much less skeptical.
I would have gone to Mexico despite what any of them thought, but it was
still nice to have their support after they became educated about it. One
of the reasons I did not tell anyone else about the surgery is because I did
not want to have to explain to everybody and their uncle why I made the
decisions I did. They can have whatever opinion they want, I just don't
want to listen to them!! (o:
Suzanne
Dr. Ortiz 1/9/04
237/229/139
In response to your email regarding people thinking surgery in Mexico is horrible, I went through the same thing with my best friend who is a nurse and works in a surgery clinic at a large HMO. She begged me to have the surgery done in the US. Since I was self pay, I told her "well, did she want to pay the $20 k difference in price?" Then she spoke to several other surgeons that she worked with who #1 mostly did not know about the band and #2 confirmed that no one should ever have surgery in Mexico. She kept it up with me for a couple of months until I finally told her that if she didn't have anything postive or supportive to say, then shut up. It almost cost us our friendship. She did go with me to TJ to meet and check out Dr. Ortiz before I scheduled the surgery. She was very impressed with him and now, over a year later, has seen what my band has done for me with my 93 lb. weight loss. She now tells other people about the band and Dr. Ortiz. I also had plastic
surgery in TJ with Dr. Quiroz and that turned out great as well at 1/3 the cost of the US.
So, you stick to your guns and if they give you any negativity, tell them it is your life and your decision. They will change their minds when you lose the weight and become a healthy person.
Best of luck to you.
Carolyn
Wendy,
I haven't read much at all about the Somersizing diet....but I think I will
check into it. I think any food plan that has low carbs, low sugar, high
protein (is that what hers is?).....would be a good idea.
Suzanne
Colorado
Dr. Ortiz 1/9/04
237/229/139
Since I haven't had a fill yet, I'd like the opinion of all of you who have
had one or more thus far......
Do you think being "overfilled" is usually a bad decision on the doctor's
part, or are most doctors pretty conservative, and it's usually the patient
who wants a larger fill? If the patient is the one who wants the larger
fill and the doctor KNOWS it's not a good idea, why doesn't the doctor
refuse to overfill? Dan, I know in your case, you are the one who wanted
the larger fill (right?).....did the doctor just cave in to your desires?
I'd like to gain as much information on fills as I can, as it'll be my turn
sometime in the near future.
Thanks to all of you "old" bandsters for your ongoing help and support!
Martha, I hope you find some relief after your unfill! let us know how it
goes.
Suzanne
Dr. Ortiz 1/9/04
237/229/139
I think you did a smart thing to provide education to your family and friends. That is the best thing, and also another thing is to follow your doctor's instructions so that you progress according to plan and seeing will be believing to your family and friends. The less complaining the better, especially in front of them, so if you have a gripe , tell us, so they don't know about it. That way they won't have an opportunity to say , "I told you so". Not that they would, but they may wish they could and we don't want that to cross their minds. Best of luck to you on your journey.
Martha
Suzanne, I didn't have any sore throat pain at all either, and did not even know something was put down my throat until I saw tape residue on my shoulder and asked what was taped there.
The gas pains you have are caused from the anesthesia that you were given. It paralyzes the intestines during surgery and the gas builds up , I guess the bacteria in your guts causes that, anyway then when you get to moving the gas starts coming off, that's one reason you are asked to get up and walk, to help get that off your system, and it can last up to a month before it's completely gone. I've heard that Gas-X helps, but I didn't take it, I was just a big fart. But that is what Gas-X is made for,... this type of gas in your intestines. Go for it!
Martha
Deb., I'm anxious to hear back from you since we seem to have the same feeling at the same time and were banded on the same day by the same doctor. Isn't that strange? I'm pretty sure though that mine is from the tight fill.
Martha
Hi Regina
Dr. Verboonen performed my surgery in March 2003. I have nothing but good
things to say about him. He is a good surgeon and is very professional. He is
not as gregarious as some of the other doctors but I think it's because he
doesn't think his English is very good.
Of course, his English is just fine. I really enjoy visiting with him and his
staff when I go for fills.
Suzi
Canyon Lake, CA
I take Protonix for my reflux, and HAD to take it every day before surgery,
or the reflux was bad.
For what it's worth, when I was in Mexico to have my surgery, I ran out of
my meds, and hadn't gotten them filled before I left to go to TJ. I decided
when I came back to try and go without the meds to see if I have any reflux
problems, and so far, the problem is GONE. No meds in 9 days.
Suzanne
Colorado
Dan,
Being 9 days post-op now, I've realized that there seems to be such a fine
line between walking, walking, walking, and finding just the right amount of
rest.
I know that we need to walk a lot to get our energy and stamina back up,
help with the healing, and prevent blood clots. BUT, if I walk too much,
then it seems to take such a long time to recup. I guess the key is to
really paying attention to our bodies. Push yourself a little but don't
exhaust your poor body.
Speaking of which, I have been off work since my surgery on the 9th, but
unfortunately, overdid it this past weekend because I was in a friend's
wedding (very bad move to schedule my surgery a week before her wedding).
Anyway, I am due to go back to work this next Wednesday, and I've e-mailed
my boss and will call him tomorrow, because I don't think there's ANY WAY I
can go back this week. My work week is THREE twelve hour shifts in a row,
and how can I do that when I can't even go a few hours still without wanting
to rest and relax? Even though I have a "desk" job, I don't think there's
any way I can do these shifts this week. I have suggested to him that I
come in on my first day back (Wed) and see how it goes. Unfortunately, I
work in a 24 hour a day communications center, and if I'm not there, someone
has to be there to cover my shift. I told my boss that it might be a better
idea to just cover ALL my shifts for the week. I'm afraid I'll go in, not
be able to handle being there for so long, and then no one will come in and
cover my shift.
Any thoughts?
Suzanne
Dr. O - 1/9/04
I had NO pain at all in my throat after surgery (and none since and I'm 10
days post-op).....so this must be an individual thing, as is the gas pains
afterwards and the shoulder pain.
Speaking of gas pain and the like, I did not have any gas pains (from the
CO2) immediately after surgery, but in the past few days, it seems to have
gotten worse. My back aches and there is some tightness in my chest, but no
shoulder pain. This is SO UNCOMFORTABLE. Someone please tell me it will
stop soon! Did I hear someone say on one of these boards that GAS-X will
or will not help this type of gas pain.
Thanks
Suzanne
Kim,
I had my surgery with Dr. O on January 9th and also went alone.....you might
want to ask Robin how many other people are having surgery the same day you
are and she can probably put you in touch with them if you want to meet up
with them!
I met five other fabulous ladies who were having surgery the same day as me.
We all got to meet the day before and had our "last supper" together (LOL)
the night before surgery (we ate at the nice restaurant at the Lucerna
hotel- check with me if you want more info as there's more than one
restaurant).
Best of luck to you! You'll soon be a loser (o:
Suzanne
Colorado
Jan,
I didn't get this post of yours until today (the 17th)....I hope you were
able to find your way to the Hospital.....I had my surgery done with Dr.
Ortiz on the 9th of this month, and am trying to decide if I will return
there for my fills or go to someone closer to home (colorado).
How was your second fill experience? Did things go well? Did Dr. Martinez
do the fill?
Suzanne
MARCH 2nd!!! WHOOOO HOOOO!!!!
I am SOOO ready! Anyone else out there schedule with Dr Rumbaut that
week?? I will be traveling with my partner and my mother (THAT
should be fun)!!
I have told only my immediate family and my two best friends and
they are all excited until they hear that I am having it done in
Mexico.. you can almost see the image pop into their heads of a back
alley shanty with ah dirt floor and some quack waiting to cut me to
shreds... Anyone else out there have the same problem?
I have sent them emails with info about Dr Rumbaut, and the links to
sites like belighter.com, but I can still hear the hesitiation in
their voice when we talk about it.
Anyway I guess I just needed to vent a little and to tell people who
understand that I FINALLY have a date!
Any suggestions you all might have for dealing with family and
friends would be wonderful!!
Thanks!!!
Good luck, Martha with your unfill! You will feel relief right
away. It's like taking off a pair of shoes that you've worn all day
that were too tight. <G
Ardie
What do ya'll think about using this plan with the band? Just curious because she was on some shopping channel a bunch today. I know that I need to stay away from so much sugar and simple/processed carbs regardless of the band, regardless of food combinations, etc. Just curious what anyone thought about Somers.
Wendy from Birmingham, AL
Dr. Rumbaut: 8/5/03
as of 1/13/04: down 35.5 lbs
ideal: -145 lbs
mini: -110 lbs
Dr. Morton (Nashville): 9/15/03 1st fill, 1.6
1/12/04 2nd fill, 2.2
yes there was three of us that saturday.they were both from
california .I flew in from Atlanta.I have stayed on clear
liquids,gatoraid and apple juice.today i went ahead and made my first
protien shake.it really made me feel better.but now for the first
time i feel hungry,but it really for some reason it hasent been too
hard yet,but i still cant wait to eat somthing.Sorry i didnt see you
at the hospital i was kinda out of it. cameron-dallas,georgia
no suzanne i am a different cam.i was at the lurcerna hotel that
weekend though.I saw the post of the other cam who is also doing
great.I will use cameron so we might not get confused.I keep losing
weight.I have lost another 2lb since my last post-
unreal. cameron 342/313/215-ortiz 1/10/04
I do! I do! I'm going to get mine unfilled some tomorrow. This has been the way it feels every time I eat solids and it feels like they are just sitting there making me hurt and feel like a sour stomach. I'm sick and tired of feeling this way, I don't like it at all, at all, at all. I wonder what an Alka-Seltzer would feel like in a pouch?
Martha
Hi Regina,
I did not use Dr. Verboonen and I don't know how many bands he has done.
You may want to check the archives for information on him, as I have heard a
few people talk of some legal problems he has had. I did not read up on it
so I'm not sure what that is about.
Can anyone else out there help out with information re: Dr. V?
Suzanne
Dr. Ortiz 1/9/04
Has anyone expierienced pain in your stomach and felt acidy, I have
had my band for approx 4 months and have had this pain on and off for
approx 3 days. Supposed to go for a fill tomorrow morning. Hope I
did not hurt my little friend (the band)....Your thoughts!!
DRagsdill
Dr. Lopez
9/26/2003
Hi Cameron!
Great to hear from you. You're Lorane's son, right? (o:
I had my surgery with Dr. O on January 9th. Wish I could have seen you when
I was there. Holy cow, wait a minute, I think I DID see you. I was roaming
around outside my room the day after surgery (on the 10th) and I saw the
nurses wheeling a young guy down the hall past my room!!!! Do you know how
many other people had surgery with you that day?
I can't hardly believe that you've lost 27 pounds in one week! WOW!!!! I
lost 4.5 (LOL). Anyway, I don't think there's anything you can do about
your body wanting to shed that much weight in one week, is there? If you
are sticking to the plan, and having your gatorade, clear broth, water,
water, water, broth, jello, etc., then the weight is just gonna fall off. I
say it's better to stick to what they tell you to have those first weeks
than to eat FOOD and not lose as fast. You don't want to do damage to your
tummy, your port, your stitches. If you are real concerned about the really
fast weight loss, then I would sure call Dr. O and ask him if you should
maybe start adding the protein powder and milk. You're gonna start adding
that on day 10 anyway. But ask him or Marissa (the nutritionist) first
before doing it..
I hope you are feeling really well this first week. Keep us posted on how
things are going!
Suzanne
Colorado
In June I stared getting sick alot it got worst the only thing I
could eat was ice cream and soups so I went in Aug and had 1cc taken
out . It got a little better but still was getting sick so I went
back in Sep and had 1cc taken out that left me with 1cc in my
band .Then in Dec I went back and had 2 put back in I am very
resticted now I have to make sure I chew very well. Some days I can
eat a bunch and some days I just eat a little . I have started
lossing again .
Reminder: the cut off date for room reservations for the 2nd annual Vegas bash, at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino is Feb 6th, which is less than 3 weeks away. After Feb 6th you will have to pay the going rate, and it will definitely be higher than our rate of $89 per night. So even if you haven't registered for the event yet, please reserve your rooms. Call toll free 1-888-503-8999 and ask for the Vegas Bandster Ball rate. Feb 29th - March 2nd.
Sylvia
event coordinator
Register for the 2nd Annual Vegas Bandster Ball!!
Sunday Feb 29th - Tuesday 2nd March
Web site:
http://www.geocities.com/vegasbandsterball
151 pounds in 14 months. that's just under 11 pounds per month, right? you kicked-BUTT last spring and summer at 3cc!!! how did it feel? were you able to eat at all normally? you're my hero Mae! I want as much info from you as possible my friend. when was it that you were getting sick everytime you ate? you kept that 3cc fill for several months and lost 80 pounds on it. was it your september unfill that was due to PBing or did you just recently have the December fill taken out?
Wendy from Birmingham, AL
Dr. Rumbaut: 8/5/03
as of 1/13/04: down 35.5 lbs
ideal: -145 lbs
mini: -110 lbs
Dr. Morton (Nashville): 9/15/03 1st fill, 1.6
1/12/04 2nd fill, 2.2
Surgery 11-11-02 weight at the time 336 no fill at surgery first
fill 01-06-03 1cc weight 312 next fill was in March 2cc weight
276 .I had a unfill in Aug of 1cc weight at the time was 196and I
went back in Sep and had a unfill again of 1cc that left only 1cc in
weight at time 189 went back Dec 6 and got 1cc fill weight 192 and
now I am 185 that was four days ago . I had to get a unfill because
I was getting sick everytime I ate .
Mae
336-185-150/145
Dr.Rod
Hi,
I'm new to the group and I was wondering if anyone has used Dr. Verboonen. Please give me your thoughts good and bad.
REgina
Hey Cameron. Way to go! Aren't you excited? Have you spent time visualizing the new life you'll have when you reach your goal? Just make sure you're drinking lots of water and that you're getting your protein. I make a smoothie out of EAS AdvantEdge, frozen fruit, Benfiber and soy milk. It's cold, yummy and high in protein. You can also add tofu/yogurt and flax oil if you want to be really healthy about it! Anything "meal replacement" is good usually - Myoplex, Lean Body, etc. I just had a great meal replacement from Planet Smoothie the other day. It was called Merlin's Mix. Loads of protein and you get to choose two flavors. They have tons of locations in Georgia. Be careful, you might get hooked! Once you can eat solids again, you need to try to stay away from soft and liquid calories because they defeat the band. I really struggle with that. Good luck!!!
cambo288 <cam288@...
Hi everyone my name is cameron.This is my first post.I had surgury
with Dr Ortiz/Martinez on jan 10.I hit my one week today and have
gone from 342lb to 315 in just seven days.Ive only been on liquids
and really havent been hungry.My question is ,is it safe to lose so
much in just a few days? cameron,georgia-
342/315/215
Hi everyone my name is cameron.This is my first post.I had surgury
with Dr Ortiz/Martinez on jan 10.I hit my one week today and have
gone from 342lb to 315 in just seven days.Ive only been on liquids
and really havent been hungry.My question is ,is it safe to lose so
much in just a few days? cameron,georgia-
342/315/215
Cameron,
I'm glad you're feeling good. I remember your mom posting about
you. It's impossible to lose that much fat in a week so you must
have lost a lot of water weight. Just make sure you stay hydrated.
The way I know if I'm drinking enough is by the color of my urine.
It should be almost clear. Also, people who weigh more lose more
quickly in the beginning. Just continue to drink lots of fluids and
as long as you're feeling okay I wouldn't worry. God Bless, Cameron,
I wish you the best.
Louise in Omaha
11/18/03 Rumbaut
238/212/150
Mae, you look GREAT! Do you mind giving stats again? surgery date, total pounds lost, fill dates and amounts, etc.
mae78636 <mae78636@...
I put my before and now pic up . I still have about 38 pound to go
to reach my goal.
Mae
Looking great, Mae! Keep it going!
Ardie/fl.
I put my before and now pic up . I still have about 38 pound to go
to reach my goal.
Mae
Susan, I agree with you. Quality of life is important and too much restriction is not right for me and so I did decide not to cancel the un fill. Thanks for your support there.
I do want the restriction there enough to help with portion control, that's why I got the band so I do want the help with quantity of food that I eat because I don't seem to have as much control over myself as you may, which BTW, I admire your ability to do that . I don't think the band requires anyone to be filled so much they hurt to eat, but they just need to have restriction and they will still lose weight. Maybe I was too hasty in getting my last fill but I was afraid Dr. Snow would stop seeing patients again and so I hurried on in and got one so I'd be a patient already if he decided to quit again and I am glad I did. He did stop seeing new fill patients again the very next week. So I am glad about that part, but not glad about the swelling that has occurred since the fill. You never know if that is going to happen to you or not. So it's not the fault of the doctor, the fill was fine the day he did it and fine for a week. Then it was not so fine from then
until now.
Martha
Well, don't worry, it takes some time and some experimenting to see how this can be made to work for you and you are in an adjustment period. We all are. We just have to work with it and see what works for each of us since we are all different and we are all wanting to lose weight but some people are very eager to lose it fast and they work out every day and eat only when they are hungry and eat very little. But that is not my life style and while my life style is not good for anyone to follow including me, I am not going to work out every day. I'm just not. I will ride my bicycle when the weather is good, but not every day. I want to eat when it is meal time, some real food. If it's a cupful, that is plenty. ( a cupful is not already chewed , that's not how you get to measure it, you can pack it unchewed into a cup if you want to, LOL) Even less would be ok to, but not so little that solids won't go down and that I puke every time I try to eat them. Here
it is 3:30 and I can get water to go down now. No food, but at least water. I guess I'll have to try a protein drink over ice to make it thinner . Anyway, I know right here at first nobody really knows what to expect with this band, I didn't know either, and nobody can tell you exactly how everything works, because there are no exact rules. But , relax and see how it works for you and then if you don't like what it does, then adjust it to fit your needs, that's what is so great about it.
Martha
I'd be willing to bet my lunch today would fill at least a cup and a
half (after all chewed up and mashed down).
I had read that first fills don't often feel like any restriction
because the saline sits in the tube - that's all I was getting at
with that.
I definitely don't want to be too filled either - it sounds like you
have a misery on you.
I'll have to see what I weigh on Saturday (I'm only weighing once a
week). I wouldn't be surprised if I've gained. I know it can take
many fills to reach the correct level of restriction and didn't
really expect to hit it in 1 but I was just looking for a little
help. I do feel more full now (3:00) than I did right after lunch...
I'm just impatient.
Laura
301/276/185
Laura, if you crammed that stuff you ate into a cup, would it be equal to two cupfuls or one? One is good, two is not good, but be fair, it doesn't sound like you are eating huge portions to me. I don't see how the saline would have backed up into the tube. It seems to me that the tube would always be full of saline and the band would have some saline in it too. I think people are too worried about that part , nothing is happening to the saline that isn't supposed to. The thing that is important for you to do is see how much weight you have lost since your fill . If you are losing about two pounds a week, then you don't need a fill. God knows, too tight a fill is miserable , I'm telling you. I'm miserable. I tried to eat some cream soup just now , I had two bites and it's still sitting there causing me some slight pain and not going through. I dare not take another bite of it. My whole bowl is cold now because I've had to wait so long. (l6 minutes I've
been waiting for this feeling to pass) I feel like I need to burp but can't, I feel like there's a lump in my stomach. I almost feel like I have a sour stomach feeling. Yesterday, I had to heat up a cup of soup three times and finally just gave up on it. I almost called and cancelled my apt. for Monday for some un fill. But , I'm just sick of this situation, so I'm going on in. I could not even bend over to pet the dogs right now, I'm sure I'd throw up.
Martha
Deb, I'm losing at a "normal" rate, but I have not been able to eat solid foods without throwing up on about a tablespoonful of it. I am only able to get food down if it's creamy and after 2pm. I have pain associated with swallowing liquids. The band is not meant to punish people, and to me this is punishment. But lots of people would love to have this kind of restriction, but I am not loving it. The weight loss has been a couple pounds a week, maybe even three a week this month. My word, I've lost about 12-14 lbs this past month. But I don't want to lose and be miserable, I'd rather lose 8 lbs a month and be comfortable. I'd like to go a restaurant and not monopolize the restroom the whole time I'm there. I've been eating a half cup of soup when I go out, it takes a good 30 minutes to get it down. Well, that just is not the way it's meant to be. I want to eat a cupful of food at each meal. That would be fine. I want to eat solid food three times a day .
I want to be able to drink water with no pain. This fill is too tight for me, but not too tight for some people. I'm trying to make sure that everyone realizes that tightness is relative to how you want to live and everyone will not like the same amount of restriction. I'm not in a race here and I don't care when I lose the fat or how fast I lose it. Those things are not important to me. That I just do continue to lose is a good thing. I don't want to have to spend every waking moment wondering how I'm going to manage to get my protein down for the day , and drinking a protein drink takes me at least 20 minutes. No liquid should take someone 30 minutes to drink it. But I have to wait between each swallow for the pain to relax and the mouthful to go through. You should not have pain with liquids. Anyway, I swell too much during the night and it takes too long to unswell the next day , that's the problem and it's an individual problem, everyone doesn't do that but
lots also do it, so you just have to watch and see what you do.
Maybe I should stick it out another month. It's a hard thing to know what to do. It sure is expensive to get rid of any of it. LOL, it's sort of like gold. Maybe I should rethink this further, and maybe I should adjust to eating one meal a day, but still it would have to be soft foods and I would have to drink protein drinks more often, and I would not be able to go out with my husband and eat. I just have to sit there and watch him , that's not much fun.
Martha
269/225/150
239 at last fill on Dec. l5 (with clothes, no shoes)
225 this morning Jan. l6 (no clothes, no shoes)
2.17 cc on 2nd fill Dec. l5
Sometimes it takes 2, 3 or even 7 fills to get the right restriction..that's the beauty of the band, we can keep doing it till it's right for US. Everyone is diffferent. 1.5 ccs was not enough for me either, but at around 2 cc's I was there, (or pretty darn close.) Also fills are known to do strange things..they tighten up really hard and then some days you feel like you have nothing. Give it a few more days Laura, and then if it's not doing the job and you are still really struggling..go get another fill.
All the best,
Sylvia
- 106 lbs so far.
From: lnhgrem
I had my fill last friday (9th) and got 1.5 cc. According to the
card I got from Dr. Kuri I have a 10cm band with a 4 cc capacity.
I'm wondering if some (all?) of the saline has backed up into the
tube because I had restriction for the first night and part of the
day after and now I'm back to basically none. I'm attempting to
maintain the beast by sheer willpower (and judging by the shape I'm
in, I don't have a huge storehouse of that to begin with). Yesterday
I ate a whole can of chili with 1/4 cup of shredded cheese and about
9 ritz crackers. That was lunch. I didn't drink anything (something
that's been very hard for me to break the habit of but I've been
pretty diligent). Then I had a slice of cake for the office birthday
party - went down easy as.... cake. Then I had a cup of moist tuna
salad and 8 ritz crackers for dinner and only stopped there because I
ran out of tuna. I drank 2 bottles of cold water a couple of hours
later, gulped them - absolutely no grabbing or tightening that I had
experienced the first night. Today I did okay for breakfast - 1
packet of grits and made it take 30 minutes to eat. But lunch was a
different story. I had a fresh black drum fillet with crabmeat
dressing on top, then they put crawfish and shrimp in a sauce and
poured that over the top of the whole thing. It came with fries and
bread. I ate 3 fries and a corner of the roll and almost ALL of that
fish. In the whole meal I sipped about 2 tablespoons worth of iced
tea. I feel satisfied but not full - not one-more-bite-and-I'm-gonna-
hurl full. I didn't get the golfball. I have experienced pb'ing
(just before my first fill I ate some chicken that was apparently too
dry or not chewed enough). Maybe my pouch is really a tote bag
instead of a coin purse. I'm thinking I ought to go for a second
fill because my main goal in getting this was to be my crutch in
portion control. I eat (fairly) healthy food - just HUGE
quantities.
Thoughts?
Laura
I'm not Dan, but I just went to Paris for a fill yesterday. All I was told was liquids for a couple of days. I have pretty much decided though that I will be on liquids and *very* mushy foods all weekend just in case this fill is too tight. I don't want to have that golfball feeling all weekend while the Paris office is closed! He did tell me that if I needed an adjustment (either more or less) in a couple of days to come back in and they would do it for free which I though was really great of them!
~Lea
11/08/03 Dr. Sanchez
259/229.5/219 Mini Goal
In a message dated 1/16/2004 6:47:40 AM Central Standard Time, debbie.ragsdill@... writes:
Dan, I know you went to Paris toget your fill while here for the TCU
(go frogs) game. What were your instructions for post fill.
Hi All,
Just spoke to Melanie in Mexico (wannagetbanded) and she asked me to post to
the lists that she made it through yesterday's surgery with flying colors.
She's feeling good and getting ready to take a walk around the premises. She
says that the new hospital that Dr. Kuri uses is more awesome than its
photos and thinks she might like to come back annually for a brief retreat.
She'll be back home here in NC on Sunday evening.
Susan from NC
Banded 4/3/02 Dr. Kuri
222/140/140
Note: forwarded message attached.
Friday, January 16, 2004, 7:34:31 AM, you wrote:
drsn
drsn
drsn
drsn
7 or 8 pounds since then, and it was on the 23rd. And then on the
30th to take some out and refill the way it should be, which is what
Dr. Phil recommended. Just believe him.
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/221/199 Age 60
Friday, January 16, 2004, 5:45:09 AM, you wrote:
drsn
drsn
He didn't have any that I recall. But I did tell him I planned to do
liquids for a couple days.
If it is Dr. Phil who fills you, say hi to him for me, the guy he did
right before christmas, the guy who thought he knew better than Dr.
Phil. Wrong.
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/221/199 Age 60
Congrats! That gas can be one tough mother to deal
with but mine subsided after a week. Just take it
easy and walk around, that will definitely help.
Bianca
Dr. Rod 10/30/03 230/210/150 +2 lbs
Congratulations Jane, hang in there you will be glad you did this, I
was soooo sore too, but as the days weeks went by it got better, and
you will be so excited. I had mine done 9/26 by Dr. Lopez in
Tijuana, MX and what an expierience. Going from the states to MX was
something I never thought I would do, but my daughter and I had the
surgery at the same time, talkin about team work, eh..... I have lost
28lbs and she has lost 22lbs. Just take it easy and don't rush
things, especially food, as you need to let that port area heal. So
kick back and let your family/friends wait on you for a week or so.
Congrats again,
Deb R
Martha,
So are you saying your fill that was done a month ago ended up being
too tight, are you loosing too much, or is the food not agreeing with
entering and exiting the stomach. I go on Monday to Paris to get my
second fill, the first one was not very tight but it did the job.
Dan, I know you went to Paris toget your fill while here for the TCU
(go frogs) game. What were your instructions for post fill.
Deb R
9/26/03
Dr. Lopez
260/233/160
Good Morning all!
I want to report that I got banded Wed. Jan 14th in Acuna Mx. with Dr. Rodriguez.
Everything went as expected.
You might ask why this woman is up so early in the morning after just having surgery!
Well, I have gas on top of my shoulders and on top of my feet and it is too uncomfortable to sleep. I feel really bloated and hard all over. I can barely bend to get out of the bed or up off the toilet. I hope this goes away today or tomorrow. I feel like the Michelin Man.
Jane
Kim, are you thinking of running that tube up your , well, not down your throat? I think most doctors do not do cathers with this surgery. But just ask yours if he does. You don't have to sit around and worry over stuff you can get an answer to , email or call and find out that, so it doesn't weigh heavily on your brain. Spend time worrying about stuff that you can do something about . Like planning to have all the foods you need at your house so when you get home, you'll be ready. Plan to rest when you get home too. Not be busy doing stuff , but laying around and resting and healing. Plan that.
You do have to have the tube down your throat, it's something to do with a balloon type thingamajig that they run down there to set the size of the pouch they make and to keep your airway open during surgery, or something. but whatever it is , you have to have it. But after surgery you do not have to have reflux any more. That's a good thing, and you won't have sore throats from it any more. That's a good thing too. And after a month you'll have lots of newfound energy, and then you'll be losing weight and you will be getting skinny and what are you going to do with all your clothes that get too big for you? Every piece you own will be discarded , all your panties and bras, all you shoes, all your clothes, you'll have to get new stuff as you go down in size, are you going to go to a thrift store to replenish as you are losing or are you going to just get a new set of clothes each time you go down a size? This is all the kind of crap you NEED to worry about, it's
going to take much more thought time than your surgery day. Don't worry. There's nothing to worry about.
Martha
Hi
I am having my surgery in February. I am concerned about that tube going
down my throat and not being able to swallow. I have acid reflux which I take
medication for but my throat always feels a little sore. Does anyone know if
people with acid reflux/
gerd have more sore throat problems? Also, do you think it is necessary to
have a catheter? Do you have to have the tube down your throat?
Hi
I've scheduled my surgery with Dr. Ortiz on Friday, February 6th. Is there
anyone out there that will be there at that time? I will be flying to San
Diego from San Francisco. I'm going alone.
kim
Hi Holly,
Nice to "meet" you here on the mexicanbandsters!
I had my surgery last Friday the 9th with Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez. I live
in Colorado and went to San Diego by myself. I had a friend who was going
to go with me, but then couldn't. I actually didn't mind being by myself,
because I didn't feel like I had to entertain anyone or keep anyone company.
That's my nature, to want to "take care of people". I didn't feel so alone
after all, because at the SD airport, I was picked up by the "chaeuffer"
(sp?), and found out he was also picking up another patient who was having
the surgery the same day as me! Then, when we got to the hotel, we met up
with four other ladies who were having surgery with us! We all had dinner
together that night and are now bandster buddies and exchanging e-mails.
And we are all from different states!
You might want to take a look at what type of person you are in order to
consider whether you'd like to go it alone or would be much more comfortable
with someone else.
As far as the plane ride, where do you live? If you are afraid of going on
the plane because you are too self-conscious, are you within reasonable
driving distance? One of the ladies who had surgery the same time I did
drove from Utah with her husband. If there is anything I can do to help you
get there (help with driving, meet you somewhere and help you drive there),
please let me know. I will see what I can do to help you. I work
full-time, but have four days off work every week.
Best of luck to you in your journey! Have you decided yet who you will have
your surgery with? I had a very good experience with Dr. Ortiz and if you'd
like to know more, feel free to e-mail me privately.
Suzanne
Colorado
Dr. Ortiz/Dr. Martinez 1/9/04
237/???/139
Hi Lea,
is the largest, but I was surprised that he was able to put so much
in!
Not to worry. We're all different. I got 5cc's my first fill.
weekend I will end up with a blockage. I am going to stick on mostly
liquids and eventually very mushy food over the weekend in case it
does happen.
Good idea!
long does the tenderness last for most of you?
Most are tender. Not long!
the saline, then they tilted the whole table so that I was upright
and had me drink the barium. I was afraid that I was going to pass
out with the way they kept raising and lowering that table! Is this
common with flour?
That's normal practice with flouoscopy! Although I didn't have the
tilted table for mine!
was probably more nervous of the fill then I was of the surgery, but
it really wasn't that bad. Now, give me a few days to see how this
fill turns out and we will talk more!
Good luck, Lea! I don't think you will have a problem. If you do,
call your doctor and go from there.
Ardie/Fl.
Mae,
You have lost an amazing amount of weight. Congratulations! You
must be so proud of yourself. I hope I can do the same!
Louise in Omaha
11/18/03 Rumbaut
238/214/150
Lea, I bet you will be just fine and I'll bet they did not fill you too full. Don't be surprised if you have to go back and get a tweak to tighten it up in a month. I think the first time anyone goes to get anything done that is new to them, they are nervous. You will be fine. If you can drink water, you will not die any time soon, and you will be on liquids a day or so , so we won't know about your fill until you start eating solids. We can't guess if this is enough or too much. Only you will be able to judge that. Your worries are normal, so don't worry. [INLINE] I think after a month you will have no issues with how your incisions, port or otherwise feel. It took me a good month to feel like I did before I had the surgery. Well, I felt much better than that but wasn't sore and had some energy then. I never drank a protein drink either. I have now since I've had this too tight for me fill. I have to take 20 minutes to get a protein drink down. That's
too long in my opinion to get a liquid down. It took me over half an hour to eat a half a cup of soup this week. There is no way that seems close to normal to me and I'm not going to live like that, but many like that. I'm trying to be "normal" not on a diet here, even though anyone losing weight has to be on a diet to lose it . I guess I want to be on a normal diet. LOL. I don't mind giving up breakfast but I want to go out to lunch and dinner and not puke the whole time I'm at the restaurant.
I called tonight to discuss my fill with the nurse in the doctor's office and we decided that for me , it's too tight. I don't want to be one of the ones who only drink their meals. I want to be able to eat mine , and I want to eat more than a tablespoonful and I don't want to be puking all the time, and right now, that's what is happening, and I'm on soft foods when I can get those down. I don't want to live this way. The nurse said some people love it that way and they lose faster. I don't give a rat's ass when I lose the weight, as long as it's coming off , but now I always feel like I have a sour stomach, even on liquids when I eat and I can't eat anything but soft foods- maybe a couple times a day some days, I barf solids. I want to go back to where I got to eat a whole cup of food at one time. That was fine. I was losing on that too, just not as much as now , but who wants to live like this, this is miserable, the band is not designed to make you miserable,
it's designed to allow you to eat, just smaller portions.
Martha
Thursday, January 15, 2004, 6:04:16 PM, you wrote:
Lcc
I'm not sure I could feel the saline as such, but I could feel the
band tightening, just like someone grabbing your finger and squeezing
it.
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
Exact amounts of fill is irrelevant. All depends on band placement,
size of your stomach (which isn't necessarily related to your size),
and heavens knows what else.
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
Sounds good to me. It should pool up and then trickle through. Your
food will do the same thing. That's why you can only eat a little,
since food takes longer to go through. If you have no pain in the
band area, you should be fine. You're able to drink, aren't you?
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
You will NOT starve. You have plenty in storage. Growling doesn't
hurt. As long as there's no pain, don't worry.
Lcc
Lcc
Imagine it depends on where your port is, how hard it was to hit, and
so forth. I was a bit tender for a day or so. Don't worry about it.
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
Hey, be glad they had a tipping table. Otherwise you'd get to climb
off the table and stand up while they watched it. I've done both, and
the table is much easier. It is a bit spooky to be told to sit up,
then climb off the table with the big ol' needle sticking out of your
belly.
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
Lcc
Sounds like you're doing fine.
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/221/199 Age 60
Well, it finally happened today. I was scheduled for a fill 2 weeks ago but chickened out and canceled at the last minute. I went to Red River Radiology in Paris, TX and am very satisfied with the experience. I do have a few concerns and questions that I am hoping some of you can help me out with:
1) I could *feel* the saline entering my band. Is this normal?
2) The doc gave me 4 cc's. I have an 11 mm Named band which I know is the largest, but I was surprised that he was able to put so much in! I was expecting CCC's tops! I watched the whole thing on flour and was able to see that the barium was able to trickle through the band, but it did seem to reflex a bit before it was able to go through. I asked him to be conservative on this fill-do you guys think that he was?
3) I am terrified because of the above 4 cc's that over the weekend I will end up with a blockage. I am going to stick on mostly liquids and eventually very mushy food over the weekend in case it does happen. However, my stomach will not stop growling! I remember being so hungry now after my surgery! I know that it will probably take about 24 hours for my body to kick into starvation mode, but in the meantime this stinks ;) !
4) My port area is tender. I know that this is common, but how long does the tenderness last for most of you?
5) I HATED the flour table. They laid me out on it and injected the saline, then they tilted the whole table so that I was upright and had me drink the barium. I was afraid that I was going to pass out with the way they kept raising and lowering that table! Is this common with flour?
That's about it of my gripes. I do want to tell the newbies that I was probably more nervous of the fill then I was of the surgery, but it really wasn't that bad. Now, give me a few days to see how this fill turns out and we will talk more!
~Lea
11/08/03 Dr. Sanitize
259/230.5/219 Mini Goal
Hoping this fill will push me down into the 220s!
Thursday, January 15, 2004, 4:03:40 PM, you wrote:
MO
MO
MO
MO
MO
MO
I talked to Dr. Ortiz several times in the first weeks after banding,
but there was no reason for him to see me. My own doc, who doesn't do
fills, was available if I'd had any problems with incisions, etc. And
of course Dr. Ortiz was too. But the incisions are just superglued
and they were no problem at all, nor was anything else.
MO
MO
It'll come soon. And you can already start on the road by trying to
eat like a bandster, cutting back on "bad foods", eating smaller
quantities, etc.
So you have a fill doc set up?
dan
Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.gailndan.com/lapband
Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03
323/221/199 Age 60
Ok, here are some (more) stupid questions from me.
I see on other bandster lists that US-banded people talking about their 2 week follow-up visit with their surgeon. Ummmm...... what about those of us that are flying in from the East Coast/Midwest to be banded? Do we set up a follow-up appointment with the doctor we've found to do our fills for 2 weeks after our surgery date? Or what???
Anything else I should know "up front" about follow-up care? I will be banded on 2/27 (seems so far away - ack!) by Dr. Ortiz.
I did not do any exercise due to back pain for about five weeks and after I lost some weight, then I started riding a bicycle, a precious little bit. I still don't do exercise like I should and I'm in my fourth month post op. You just won't lose as fast that way, but I'm losing 6-8 lbs a month so far. I'm headed for an unfill next week. I decided that I don't like tight fills.
Martha
Hi y'all,
I am about 12 days post surgery and wondering why I still don't feel like exercising. Now, by exercise, I don't mean running or playing ball, or even "aerobics". I am just talking walking at a good speed. Yesterday I had to walk a little fast to my son's bus stop cause I was late and noticed that a few times I got a sharp pain where my port incision is. It didn't feel right and I slowed way down.
I am feeling a little guilty because I haven't started walking at all, and I know this will help weight loss, but I really am so tired by the end of the day, I just want to sit. Ofcourse, I could say that even BEFORE surgery so that is no excuse. What would be a reasonable time to start walking, so that I am not killing myself. Would 3 weeks post op give my body enough time to heal before I start walking, starting back slowly.
Just wondering what others did, those who do some exercise.
Lisa
230/219/140 (mini goal 185)
Holly,
First, I am very big - about 400 pounds - and I wonder about the plane ride. Can I fit in an airplane seat? I'd hate to buy a ticket and climb aboard the plane and then not be able to fit in the seat or to buckle up...
Response: You probably cannot fit in one regular seat but the arm between the seats in most planes can be put up so you can use two seats. First class is bigger. You might want to check with the airline as to their policy. Some require you to purchase two seats, some will let you sit next to an "empty" seat if the plane is not full. By chosing the time you fly you may be able to get on a plane with empty seats. Be sure to ask for extra wide wheelchair to meet you at the gate unless you are really athletic. In some airports you have to walk nearly a mile to connecting flights. This service is free [tip the pusher].
Also, did any of you do this alone? Make the trip, I mean, and go through the surgery and get yourself back home without help from a family member or friend?
Response: My son went with me and I think it is helpful to have someone with you, but not necessary. The staff takes very good care of all the needs from the time you arrive at the airport until you leave for most of the Mexican docs. Be sure to get the wheelchair for the trip back home at each airport. You won't feel like walking far or lugging luggage.
Oh, and how long does it take from the time you contact a doctor till your surgery date (generally)? Will I have to go through mountains of medical & phsycological testing before I can have the surgery?
Many of the docs can do the surgery within a month. Call or contact by email and ask. You do not have to go through mountains of testing. They all seem to have it planned out so that you show up in at the prelim office and they very efficiently take you through a series of tests and an interview. About an hour or so.
Sorry if these seem like stupid questions. I know I should be more concerned about the medical side of it, and I am, but I see those questions discussed often.
There are no stupid questions. We all wondered these same things before we took the plunge. Good luck.
Joan
Be sure to take some slip on shoes so you don't have to bend over and tie them, take a suitcase with wheels on it so you don't have to lift and carry. I didn't need a bath robe, I took muumuus to dress in , but did need one change of dress clothes which I did not have and had to have mine dry cleaned by the hotel. Muumuus were fine for the hotel room to walk in the halls with, but didn't want to go to the restaurant in them, or go sit out by the pool in them in the day time, one could but I didn't want to, the hotel was too nice a place to have me slopped out in a muumuu by the pool. My surgeries were all too high up to be affected anything around the waist so anything would have been fine going in that area, like pants with elastic waistband, etc. or belts. Do we know what a belt is?
Martha
Before surgery (after tests) we walked blocks to grocery (in my experience it
was out the main drive of the palacio azteca, turn left onto street, left again
at corner, right at next corner and down the street to Calimax and a GREAT
bakery.
We bought boullion cubes, fruit juices galore, and all sorts of other stuff that
we never used. My hubby got fruit and yogurt, breads. It's a big modern market.
After surgery, day 2, I had chicken soup in hotel restaurant, asked them to
leave out the chicken and rice (some stayed in) just drank the broth, it was
great. Next day I had tortilla soup which at the azteca is tomato soup with side
dish of onions, sour cream, etc., and strips of tortillas. Just had the soup.
FOr the plane home and airport I took V8 (widely available) and juices. I took
specialty teas down with me that I like.
This is the EASY PART before you get hungry! Dr. Kuri does not do a basket
(however he's about $1000 cheaper, and no nuitrition nor Mama Ortiz). There are
a number of good little restaurants near hotel for "last meals." Also the hotel
itself. We went to Los Arcos, about 1.5 miles away (cab $3) and overate, their
portions are HUGE, GREAT, CHEAP. Great drinks, too.
Have a great time!
Cathy G.
Down 26# since Dr. K 12/8.
Seattle Bash THIS WEEKEND!
Hi all,
I am in the beginning planning stages I suppose. :o) I am doing research and thinking and praying and hoping. I appreciate how honest you all are in posting your trials and accomplishments and opinions. I do have a couple of concerns that I haven't seen addressed though and I wonder if anyone could help me. They seem silly and quite simple, but they are huge concerns for me.
First, I am very big - about 400 pounds - and I wonder about the plane ride. Can I fit in an airplane seat? I'd hate to buy a ticket and climb aboard the plane and then not be able to fit in the seat or to buckle up...
Also, did any of you do this alone? Make the trip, I mean, and go through the surgery and get yourself back home without help from a family member or friend?
I also have huge concerns about the money, but I'm working that out.
Oh, and how long does it take from the time you contact a doctor till your surgery date (generally)? Will I have to go through mountains of medical & phsycological testing before I can have the surgery?
Sorry if these seem like stupid questions. I know I should be more concerned about the medical side of it, and I am, but I see those questions discussed often.
Thanks,
Holly
I took Jello with me and made it with the coffee maker water. I bought Gatorade and apple juice while there (My patient coordinator picked it up and brought it to me on one of her courtesy visits to me to the hotel), I ordered broth and hot tea from the restaurant room service in the hotel complex. This was all I could drink or eat. I had a refrigerator put in my room, room service provided all the water two people could drink in a day or two every day, it was free. I stayed four days after surgery just because I wanted to. This was at the Lucerna Hotel in Tijuana. So I had no discomfort flying or traveling after surgery. I still recommend ordering a wheelchair for transportation at the airports, they will wheel you from the airplane door to your destination, and from your destination to the airplane door and you may not feel like walking either way. That was a life saver right there.
Martha
If in Mexico, be sure to use bottled water when you make your Jello. I also took sugar free Kool-Aid and mixed that up in my ice bucket and refilled the empty water bottles , just for something to drink that was different flavored, and it helps get the water down. You could take powdered Crystal light if you wanted to. You can take lemon flavor and put some in the coffee pot and heat it up for hot lemonade if your throat is sore. Don't run it through the coffee maker, just put it in the pot and heat it up. Some idiot ran something through our coffee pot and I had the pits getting it cleaned out. If you don't eat all your broth and put it in the refrigerator until you want more, you can heat it in the pot to the coffee maker. You won't drink much so it doesn't take long to heat it up. You might ask for a microwave, that never occurred to me. They may have some.
Also , the first couple nights that I was in the hotel I asked for extra pillows and used about three to prop myself up fairly high and it was not such a strain to get up and down , laying on my right side to sleep was mandatory , ;o) my port was toward the left side and that side was too sore to lay on for a good week or so. I took every known over the counter thing that one could possible want in the way of sore throat, diarrhea, constipation, runny nose, gas, liquid vitamins, etc. and used not one single thing. So that was a waste of money and a little extra pound or two. If you want to take Tylenol, it will go down fine unless you are one who has tons of swelling, but the average bear is ok and can take pills fine.
Martha
Milk products are different in Mexico. I'm not banded yet, but I've traveled down there enough to know that this is something I personally would not do. I'm not sure that they even pasteurize those products (which could mean problems for you, or maybe not).
Any of the milk products packaged in the non-refrigerated sealed cartons are both pasteurized and homogenized, because it is a poor country, milk products are packaged not to require refrigeration until opened for use. These products are perfectly safe and I use them frequently; it is the same as canned milk but in a box. I would be leery of any unlabeled milk product in a refrigerated dairy case because safe handling for non crayovaced products is essential to preserve product integrity.
I have a home in Mexico and use their dairy products regularly and have never had issues. I am more leery of some of the food at our local church bazaar as I am familiar with how some people keep their kitchens. Not all of Mexico is unsanitary and we have many people in the US that don't have a clue about food safety and good kitchen practices.
Saludos,
Judy
Dr. Sanchez
3/17/00
225/140/130?
Thanks to everyone who replied. Pending Dr K's approval @ Seattle
Bash this Sat, I'll be flying to TJ for testing then banding 1/27/04.
Since I'll be on liquids (not leaving TJ 'till Sat 1/31), I'm
wondering if I should bring some protien shake mix, Carnation Instant
Breakfast, broth, etc. with me. Mainly 'clear' stuff I can mix with
water or milk to keey hydrated and get some protien.
I appreciate the recommendations regarding restaurants in the area,
and I will take advantage. I've heard raving reviews of the tortilla
soup, so that'll definately be on my list.
Thanks very much!
Eric
Hi Mae! I guess you're not posting because you're out living life in your new body. I want to hear all about it. You have lost SO much weight! Do you have before/after photos you could post? Share!
mae78636 <mae78636@...
Hi everyone I am Mae I had surgery on 11-11-02 with Dr.Rod I weigh
330 at the time of surgery and today I weigh 184 the last couple of
months I havent really loss anything but that is because I kinda
went back to my old eatting habits eatting junk in stead of protin.
I still cant eat alot at a time but if you eat the wrong things you
wont loss .
Mae
11-11-02
Dr. Rod
330/184/150
Thanks for all this information. I'm printing it off and taking it to my GP for their consideration. I hope that Inamed does take a look at this some more , and I'm assuming that you have sent this to Don Mills or someone in particular who could use the information . I'm sure they must know all this but it's nice to be pushed a little bit more.
Martha
Hi everyone I am Mae I had surgery on 11-11-02 with Dr.Rod I weigh
330 at the time of surgery and today I weigh 184 the last couple of
months I havent really loss anything but that is because I kinda
went back to my old eatting habits eatting junk in stead of protin.
I still cant eat alot at a time but if you eat the wrong things you
wont loss .
Mae
11-11-02
Dr. Rod
330/184/150
If you're driving you might find it easier or better to get to Paris TX
Information about them is on our list of fill doctors.
Martha
<<<<Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 21:02:00 -0600
From: dammrancher <dammranch@...
Subject: Re: Re[2]: Fills
Dan, when I talked to Don Mills of Inamed, he said they were training anyone from any doctor's office, they were trying to get General Practitioner's to come but out of 35 people who showed up for training, only four or six were from a GP's office, he said they were having problems getting any to come for training who did not have band patients, the doctors said they didn't have any use for it. They did not have enough patients to warrant the training. They had none . The banding doctors in the US do their patient's fills , so the GP doesn't deal with those. And apparently they don't seem to know if their own patients have a band or not. I go to my GP for three month check ups to see if my blood work is ok. He's really interested in the band, but I'm the only patient he has with one and he was really freaked out when I told him I went to Mexico to get it.
Martha
LONG WINDED DISCUSSION ABOUT AGB AFTERCARE IN THE US
Inamed is try