mommyrkr

My husband was exactly the same way. He said I could have surgery, but not in Mexico. It took weeks of convincing him. But he is so happy now that I went to Mexico. He wants nothing but the best for me. And unfortunately, that is not in the US, Dr. Ortiz is the best, and he is in Mexico.

I had to be in the hospital a few months after my lap band surgery for kidney stones. My husband was with me. Every time I was frustrated, or something didn't go right, I told him about my experiences in Mexico. He is now ready to go to Mexico for a lap band!!! Unfortunately, we will be paying for my surgery for a while. But he trusted me, and now was very glad that I did go to Mexico. He even says maybe I should go back if I decide on plastic surgery somewhere down the road...as long as it is with someone Dr. Ortiz recommends.

Good luck, listen to his concerns, but give him your research, and maybe all of our experiences. I have not heard one negative comment about their experiences with lap band surgery with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico...NOT ONE!!!! You wouldn't find that even with the best doctors in the states.

Good luck,

Becki

Yesterday was the 6th month anniversary of my band date. I am so excited. It has gone so well. I weighed myself yesterday morning....60 pounds!!! Exactly. I am now well below my husband. Never to weigh more than him again. I weigh less than I have since I have known him. I am quickly coming up on the 100's again. It was right after high school that I past the 200 mark. And most importantly to me, at least. Last April, 2 weeks after her birthday, where she was given a beautiful leather jacket, my grandmother died. I gained 15 pounds. But I inherited her new leather coat. It was for me to shrink into some day, as my grandmother was so encouraging, going to Weight Watchers with me faithfully. After she died, I tried it on, and couldn't get my arms all the way in , and it didn't even come close to going around me....a good 12 inch gap. Tried it on today, and it fits. It is still a little snug. But I can get it zipped, and I plan on wearing it to my cousins wedding next week. I never thought so much could change in 6 months. I have gone from a size 22 to a size 14. I am no longer plus size!!! I can't wait to see what the next 6 months hold for me!!!!

Thanks for sharing my discouragements and victories. I have good friends on this board who have made this a very enjoyable experience.

Becki

Man. I did exactly that. I felt like I needed to say goodbye to all my favorite foods before I had surgery. Especially before I started the pre-op and post-op diet and wouldn't be eating solid for a month. But boy did I regret that. It takes a lot longer to lose 5 pounds than to gain it. Even with the band. And after the post-op but before my first fill, I still ate fine. I still do actually, but I stop to savor each bite, and the food actually tastes a lot better. I enjoy all my favorite foods so much more now than I did before. I just don't need to eat them by the gallon!!!

Becki

I haven't heard about anyone being sent home, and I have been on this board for 6 months. I know the first week of preop, is miserable, but you lose a lot of water weight. The next week, nothing happens, but you are really losing weight, but getting some water back. So don't be discouraged. It is not all about the scale number. Just follow your pre-op diet religiously.

I hear you when you say if you could lose 30 pounds you wouldn't need the band. But I disagree. I believe that many, if not all of us here, have lost weight in the past. I have lost 30 pounds more times than I could count. The trouble was the next 70, and keeping off that thirty. There is where I had problems. The good part is that once you lose the 30 pounds, or whatever for surgery, you have the band. So you will be able to keep is off. And lose more. If I was told that I would be given a permanent solution to my weight problem if I just lost the 100 pounds to begin with....you better believe I would have done it. It is the long run that was so impossible to me, but that now is very possible.

Good luck. I am so excited for all of you having surgery soon. It is the best thing I have ever done. 60 pounds in 6 months. I am amazed just looking in the mirror. I almost don't recognize myself!!

Good luck.

Becki

I am 2 weeks out of surgery. I am having a piercing pain in my lower abdomen where the port is, but only when I move around. I have called and left messages for the doctors and no one will call me back. Has anyone else had this??? It feels like I have ripped something inside around the port.

Also, I had a kidney stone last weekend. ( I thought I was dying) Is this common after the surgery? VERY PAINFUL!!!

Hey Becky, good name.

I had kidney stones a few week after surgery. I am the only one on this board with kidney stones after surgery, that I can find. And only a few on lapbandtalk.com, which has a lot more people. From what I understand though, it is not at all common, but understandable. I didn't do much drinking after surgery. I had to take very small sips, and I felt fine, so I just didn't. But dehydration, even a little can contribute to kidney stones, especially in people prone to get them. I wasn't prone, only time.....hopefully. You are luck it was only the weekend. I had stones in both kidneys for 2 months prior to day surgery to break them up, then a miserable week, with 3 ER trips before they were finally gone. I wouldn't wish that pain on my worst enemy!!!

The port is actually above the belly button, just a couple of inches below the large incision. Is it possible your lower abdomen pain might be related to the kidney stones?? Just a thought. I had pain everywhere.

Becki

I called and left a message for Dr. Martinez. It took 24 hours for him to get back to me, but when he did, he was the most helpful. He gave me lots of good info that I didn't know. Probably the most I had learned since looking into the band.

Becki

I might be able to some Tuesdays, every other week I have something. And Thursday is Weight Watchers day. I'm sorry.

Becki

I might be able to meet you also. I'm 1/2 hour from the Supermall, and could make that trip once in a while at least. Monday, Wed, or Friday after 10 would work for me.

Becki

I totaly regret not doing this sooner. It was very, very scary though. To travel out of the country by myself, for surgery that we really couldn't afford. It scared my to death. But I did it, for better or worse. And I have to say, it has been the best decision I have made in my life. I wish I had done it much sooner. In two days, I will be 6 months out from surgery. I feel great, have lost almost 60 pounds, and I am loving life. I have so much more energy. I am doing all the athletic events I always wished I could, I am not plus sized any longer. I feel better, lighter, happier. I cross my legs without even thinking. I can shop anywhere I want...they always have something I can wear. My feet don't hurt as much. I have saved a fortune on fast food, pretty sure I will be able to pay for my surgery with all the money I save on food. My husband is excited, and compliments me alot. He loved me before, but he is happier now also. People pay more attention to me, and I don't just mean the opposite sex. People just stop to talk to me, they are so much friendlier. My kids can hug me and reach all the way around. I can lay on the couch and have room for them beside me. They fit on my lap better. I feel in control of my eating, so I cook better, healthier meals for them. My husband has lost 15 pounds this way. I don't wear out my pants between my legs because they are rubbing together. Maybe I still might, but I am shrinking out of them pretty fast, so they don't have time to wear out. Everything in my closet fits me, and many things are too big. I have a much wider variety of styles to choose from, it is not all jeans or elastic waisted pants and t-shirts. I feel comfortable with who I am now. I don't think twice about bending over to pick something up, I don't care who is watching my rear end.

I guess that is it. I might be able to go on, and on, but you get the point. This surgery gave me everything I had always dreamed of. I used to dream that one morning I would wake up and find that I wasn't really fat, it was just a fat suit, so I could take it off. That is exactly what this surgery is doing for me. I am taking off my fat suit. It is the greatest!!!

Becki

Congrats on the will power Pamela. My husband was very surprised too. I had no solid foods at all for a month! Never thought I could do that. But I sure hope I never have to again!

Solid food is just around the corner.

Becki

I just came home from a fill in Arlington. It is a long drive, 2 hours, but went very well. Both the ladies are very sweet. I got just another .2cc for a total now of 3cc. This fill went far better than my last in Mexico. After that, I was pbing all day. Today, I feel great. I still have a pretty big stomach, but they found my port just fine. It was quick and easy. I will definitely go back if I need more fills.

Becki

Teri,

I am glad you are doing ok, now. That is really strange that suddenly you got tight. I wonder what is going on.

I am one of those who is much tighter in the morning. But I know my sinus issues are a big part of it. Unfortunately, I can't afford to take sudafed 24/7, so I just deal with it.

I'm glad you found a local fill doctor also. It does make a difference. I am seriously considering another fill here with a local person without fluoroscopy. I just can't afford the timeor money to get back to TJ.

By the way, where in AZ are you. I was born in Phoenix and still have family there.

Good luck, and again, keep us posted.

Becki

Overanalyzing is a very good idea, preop. I do have the same problem with food going to the back of my throat...then just going down. I find though, that the smaller the bite, the easier that is to control. Also, I probably have more issues with eating too fast, even if it is small, well chewed bites, than anything else. You might watch how often you take a bit. I am so used to constantly keeping the food coming, I have a harder time with that. You might try putting your fork down between bites, just to give yourself a few seconds. Anyway, it is much easier to get used to after surgery. You don't have a choice, and if you do it wrong, you get some negative reinforcement. So don't worry about it too much.

Becki

I haven't experienced anything like what you are describing. But after surgery, about three weeks out I got kidney stones. I could be that something else, not band related, is going on. You might try your regular physician. He might at least be able to tell you a little more.

I'm so sorry for you. Please keep us updated on your condition.

Worried for you.

Becki

I completely agree with what Teri said. Maybe I need another fill, but I refuse to eat so little I can't support my new exercises. So I eat a cup or cup and a half. But I could definitely gain wait only eating that, if I was not careful. I felt free to eat terrible, since I was eating so much less, but it still doesn't really help me be healthier. However, I can now be satisfied with normal portions of healthy foods, instead of still being hungry all the time. So I am now eating very healthy and exercising, and the weight is melting away. It is terrific.

Becki

I was miserable for 3 or 4 days, then it really wasn't a big deal. Give it some time. It will be fine. It is rough, but it is worth it.

Becki

HURRAY for you. How exciting to be doing so well. 50 pounds is a huge accomplishment. Isn't it a lot easier to move now!!! So glad you are doing a walk, exercise is a totally different experience with some weight lost.

Congratulations!

Becki

I'm glad you are ok. So did you have to have an unfill?

Glad to know we have Dr. Ortiz when we really need him.

Becki

Greg, you are right, Dr. Miranda emphasised that to me also. And so does any nutritionist or diet program. Dr. Miranda said that even a few bites is sufficient though. So I drink a lot at night, drink hot tea in the morning, then follow it with a few bites of low fat cottage cheese. Maybe a tablespoon or two. It mushes pretty well, but is still a solid. It works for me.

Becki

I'm with you on the fickle band. I know, for me, even though Inamed recommends eating a few ounces of 1/2 cup, I want more, and if I make healthier choices, I can have more. So after a while of just doing my own thing, and just weighing in at meetings, I am back to following Weight Watchers whole heartedly. I always planned to, but got lazy. I know need the points so much as the encouragement to eat healthy. It is so easy to just eat garbage foods, when they are restricted. I love the excitement of a new healthy recipe though, and I am getting pletty of fruits and veggies this way, where I might go a day or two without before. Just because we are banded does not mean our bodies don't need the same nutrients as before. Anyway, I can live with Weight Watchers, because now I am not hungry!!! And my kids are learning better than I did...I hope.

Good luck,

Becki

I know when I was doing the pre-op diet. I lost initially, then just stuck for what seemed like quite a while. I left for TJ thinking I had lost 8 or so of my 13 to lose, but when I got on their scale it said I lost all 13. Your body is adjusting to what you are doing to it. That is a very good think, it is an amazing body. Give it time. And don't give up. Just trust that if you are doing what you are supposed to, it will be fine.

By the way, you might be adding muscle and losing fat, though it takes a lot of work to add pounds of muscle. But it might also be your legs, or that time of the month, or stress, or nothing. If your body fat percentage is changing though, you are losing fat. So don't worry about the rest.

Becki

August is a great time to be banded. You will look and feel better for Christmas! And much better the following summer.

Becki

I absolutely would not have bypass surgery. Here are my reasons. The risk for long term health problems is far greater, as is the surgery and recovery much more difficult and riskier. It is irreversible and not adjustable. Many people with bypass end up gaining back some or a lot of weight. With the band, you can adjust it still. It is much safer, much cheaper, much easier. The best way to make any decision is to read everything you can find. If you are interested, there a number of people who have posted here all along they way, from pre-op during surgery and recovery, and then the journey afterward. You would get a much better idea of exactly what living with a lapband is like by reading those posts than by anything else. Everyone's experience is different, but for a long term solution, I decided I would rather be fat than have bypass, if the lapband were not a possiblity for me.

Check out the newly banded section on this board. A number of people have posted, and the ones with the most posts generally tend to have followed people for the longest time. They can be long and time consuming to read, but very helpful and worth the time when you are talking about such a huge decision.

Good luck in your decision, it is a big one. Feel free to ask questions as you think of them. There are a lot of nice people here to answer, or call the Obesity Control Center. They can answer a lot of questions. This is where most of us on this forum had surgery.

Becki

Kym, congrats on your weight loss. This journey is supposed to reach it's peak at 2 years post op, so take your time. You have lots of it. The food issues sure do come to the surface once the hunger is out of the way. But hey, you have the rest of your life to work on those. They didn't develop overnight, and unfortunately they won't leave overnight. Keep working on it though. It is a fun journey.

Becki

Congradulations on doing so well. You have such a good mindset for this journey. You will do fine. Isn't it great to be able to be satisfied with so little. I felt like a different person, a normal person, even immediately after surgery. I was still just trapped in my fat body.

Valentines day has always been hard for me. I love candy, and it is everywhere. But today, I had a piece set aside for after lunch, then just didn't feel like it. I can't believe that!!!

Cooking for my family was made so much easier by weighing myself several times a day. I know, I was obsessive, but it was so much fun to look forward to getting on it and being happy with the number that came up. You will be so excited when you do get on the scale. Just think about that while you cook for your family.

Good luck, and Happy Valentines Day!!!

Becki