mommyrkr

I actually think the 6 months diet for people before weight loss surgery is not enough. Although, littleroo, I do feel very sorry for you. Who wants to pay for surgery for someone who hasn't really tried to eat healthy and move a little. Anyone looking for a quick fix would be turned off by that, but not those who have tried and failed so many times they can't count, and are really at wits end. I've sure got a lot more than six months of documented dieting going on. Every Monday was a new week, and a new attempt to lose the weight. You certainly don't want to pay for surgery for people who won't take care of themselves afterward and attempt to eat healthy and get some exercise. They are good habits to develop no matter what, they are just so much easier to do with the band!!! Becki

Hey Chase, good for you for looking into your options so young. There is no point in struggling for a couple more decades, when you could be healthy, happy, and living life to the fullest. I love my band. I have been banded almost 6 months, and have lost almost 60 pounds. I started at 265, and also want to weigh 150, so we actually have a lot in common. The biggest thing that has changed with the band is my confidence and my level of comfort with who I am. I feel so much better just being me. I do not try to hide my body, even though I am still obese. (I don't exactly show it off either ) I am doing a number of athletic events this summer that I just couldn't do with all the extra weight. My whole family really stuggles with weight, a few have been successful with Weight Watchers, but they fight so hard, and really wish they could have this surgery. My aunt actually does have a band now. I think I might be able to help my kids some to not be so overweight, eating right and getting exercise. But if they can't keep the weight off, I will not hesitate to have them banded. It is the best thing I have ever done. By the way, if you are interested in doing a lot of reading, I have posted pretty often about my journey, starting from before surgery to now. You can read it if you want. It is in the experiences with the band section, I was banded August 28th. Good luck, it is a big decision. Becki

This has made such a big difference for me. I am still a little tighter in the mornings, but not so bad. I can eat breakfast. And as soon as I started eating breakfast, even though it is not much, I started losing weight regularly and easily again. Good luck, Becki

A few weeks ago I had a fill that I thought was too tight. It turned out that I am fine, but a big part of my issue was tightness in the morning. After my first fill, I was tight in the morning, but I still ate some. But after my second fill, I could not even keep water down for the first half of the day. Some days, I pb'ed on my own saliva. It was painful and nasty. So I called and talked to Dr. Martinez. He gave me some advice about my fill, but the best information was about morning tightness. I had assumed there was nothing I could do about it, that was just part of living with the band. But he told me several interesting things. I had posted this before, when I was talking about my tight fill, but it seems that many people have the same issues and I thought this might be easier to find and more helpful to more people. So I apologize if you already know this. First he said not to eat three hours before bedtime. This was pretty much impossible for me, as I couldn't eat until about 3 in the afternoon for the first time, so dinner was about 7, then I go to bed at 9. So he suggested talking a short walk, 10-15 minutes, or drinking a lot of water before bed. The reason for this is that when we go to bed after eating, some of our meal has not had the chance to make it's way through our band. So when we get up in the morning, it is still there. So when we eat, or drink something, it is blocked with last nights food. The walking or the water help to flush the band, and leave it empty and ready for breakfast in the morning. Second, he said that sinus problems are a big issue. People with post nasal drip will continue to have that thick mucus run down the back of their throat all night, so when they get up in the morning, the band is plugged with snot. Gross I know, but helpful to know. He suggested seeing a doctor for help with the post nasal drip and drinking hot water first thing to help loosen the snot and get it moving. Finally, he said that espresso does not work so well with the band for some people. He said coffee is fine, so it is not the caffeine, but for some reason, espresso, especially in the morning, might make the band tighter. Sure enough, I decided, rather than getting an unfill immediately to try these things for a day or two, and it worked terrific. I still am tighter in the morning, but I can drink slowly and often eat a little. I was trying espresso, to first thing when I woke up, now I have hot tea. I am taking sudafed regularly, which really helps, though I hope to find a more permanent solution, as sudafed gets expensive. And I drink 32 ounces of water every night sitting in bed. I know, I know, I do get up and use the bathroom, but I would rather do that then PB. The water at night, and not eating so close to bedtime has really made a big difference for me. And I am sure that I am drinking enough water that way also. Anyway, don't know if everyone already knew all this, but is sure helped me. Good luck all. Becki

I am so glad to hear that you went back to the OCC and talked to them. Although this surgery has been around for years, in many ways I feel like an experiment, there is so much to know, and so much that I don't know yet. Please share with us everything that you were told. Any information that any of us gets can be so helpful to the rest of us. Wow, that is shocking about fills. So far, I have only had fills at the OCC, but was strongly considering a fill without fluoro very close to home for the next one, if needed. I'm glad to learn a little more about this. I know the band is not for everyone, but so far it has been great for me. It is however, a little frightening thinking of never knowing if I will be able to keep food down for the rest of my life. But I guess that is the tradeoff for not having to shop in the plus size section anymore. Good luck, and please share what you learned. Becki

According to Dr. Martinez, if you handle espresso fine, go ahead, but for people who have morning tightness, it is not the best. Becki

Don't forget.....we all get in a hurry, but we are supposed to reach our maximum weight loss by two years. We all have a long way to go, and are right on track if you ask me. We don't lose it as fast as bypass, but we keep it off. Becki

Hey Pamela, I am excited for you. I remember the day I packed. The excitement and nervousness were almost more than I could take. Don't be nervous though, it will all be fine. As for the plane rides, I have been to Tijuana three times for this, and been on liquids all three times. My plane ride is only 3 hours, but with the airport wait, and after surgery I had a layover than meant 6 hours of traveling, I have some suggestions. First, bring boullion cubes in your carry-on. They are not liquid, but can be added to hot water very easiely. The airport in San Diego gave me several cups of hot water for free, so I'm sure they will for you too. Once you get past the security checkpoint, you can have the hot water. Teas are also easy to carry and good. You can buy water also, and take it on the plane, so I brought Crystal Light singles packets. They were terrific. Then on the plane, I mixed cranberry juice with my water to dilute it and had that also. I have not been hungry on the plane ride home. The fills or the surgery helped me get through, and there is a lot you can do with liquids. Good luck, I'll be thinking of you and praying for you. Becki

Hey Wilma, I am from Tacoma. I find this board to be a very good support group, and it is a lot of fun to meet some of these crazy gals in person. There are a lot of people from Washington being banded by Dr. Ortiz, and it is so nice to have the local support. I'll bet you are anxious/excited for your surgery date. I know I sure was. Keep in touch, I'd love to hear more from you. Becki

I looked into all the Dr.'s in Tijuana before I had surgery. What worried me the most was being in a Tijuana hospital. While I heard some are good, I know they don't have to have the same level of care that we might find here. And they might not speak any English, so if I had a problem, too bad. I have heard lots of good things of a number of docs in Tijuana, but none has the reputation or the education or expertise that Dr. Ortiz and his staff have. And their private clinic is as good or better than anything I have seen here. There are a lot of options, but in my opinion, Dr. Ortiz is the best. Becki

YEAH Michelle. Guess all that starving yourself....only a couple of hundred calories was not what your body wanted. It needed food!!! Congrats on your weight loss and restriction. I am glad to hear that all went well in Arlington also. I think I will try that for my next fill, if I get one. Becki

Coffee is fine, and is on the list of things you can have on clear liquids. After some trouble with a fill, Dr. Martinez told me that espresso in the morning can cause problems, but coffee is still fine. He was right, coffee is fine, but the espresso made me have some issues. But espresso later in the day is great!! Becki

I stocked up on slimfasts, and broths. After the first week of the postop diet, you can have liquid yogurt also, but you might want to wait on those, as they expire. I also stocked up on the single bottle things of Crystal light, or the off brands. Good luck Becki

I am so sorry for you. I can imagine how you feel. It is so amazing you a body can adapt after something like bypass and still take in too many calories. That is what I love about this band. I can just adjust it. Anyway, Dr. Ortiz does do lapband after bypass. Good luck, and let us know how it goes. Becki

Wow, what an awesome job. I scuba dive also. I also have three kids at home, and asked about how long I would need to lay off of lifting them or their stuff. I was told three weeks. And my daughter was 2. But you are also not supposed to use your stomach muscles (no crunches or sit ups) for 3 months. So you might have to adapt your lifting and make sure you use your legs. I get sloppy on proper lifting techniques, and after surgery was the time to try it. I had no pain however and felt great. I did lift my daughter some during that three weeks. It just doesn't work for a mom to not lift her toddler. Becki

Hey, I was banded on Aug. 28th and my starting weight was 265. It sounds like we have a lot in common. I agree with not drinking with meals. It is hard, but you really waste the band that way. You can get used to it though. I don't really even think about not drinking with meals now. And I used to drink a lot!!! Pamela...I thought that giving up diet coke would be the hardest for me. But it really hasn't. I had such a diet coke habit. At least a 2 liter a day. My whole family growing up used to go to 7-11 often for super big gulps. For a while they had the family gulp...meant for a family to share.. but not us. We each got one. Anyway, I loved diet coke. I was known for my diet coke. But I have been fine. There have been a few times when I kind of wanted one. Especially in the begininng. I was a little jealous of people's diet coke with free refills when we went out, while I had nothing. But I have been amazed at how well I have adjusted. I keep alot of crystal light singles around, so it is really easy for me to mix up something yummy to drink, and that really helps me. Good luck to both of you. Becki

Hey Dave, How are you? I've been wondering about you and how you were doing. I was hoping to get in touch with everyone banded the same day as us sometime soon and check up on everyone. Glad you are back, but sorry to hear things have been stressful. Hope they start looking up. I can't believe you have never PB'ed. I sure have...but I guess it wasn't until after my first fill. I still do at times, although I avoid it as much as possible. I hope this fill does something for you. I have had a very hard time eating healthy with the band. It is too much fun to eat the terrible stuff, as I am limited in the quantity I can have. So I am working on making healthier choices. So glad you are back. Good luck Becki

I woke up a week after surgery with the exact same reaction. What did I do...I have a piece of plactic in my stomach!!! I got over it. Once the scale started moving, I felt much better. Now, 5 months after surgery, I just consider it part of my. It as much me as my arm is. I am completely comfortable with it and so glad to have it. I could live without it, but I'm glad I don't have to. I'll live longer and healthier. Don't forget how many people have foreign objects in their body, and while they may have the same reaction, everyone gets through it. There are pacemakers, stints, screws, plates, artificial joint, staples, and all kinds of things in people. They help us function normally, and so does the band. Becki

Harper, I don't know if what I experienced was normal. I actually believe it was a lot of prayer on my part and a few others that made it work. I have talked to a few others who have had to have an unfill. It seems very common, in my limited experience, to need and an unfill, which surprised me. In fact, about 1/2 of the people I have talked to have needed and unfill. And it doesn't seem to matter where the fill was done, Mexico or US. OR apparently France. I'm actually not sure that fluoroscopy is any help in getting the right fill level. I think it really is just a guess. I think I will have my next fill without fluoroscopy and save the money. It is very nice to have this board. My family knows about my band, but they haven't experienced it. They just hear about it from me, so to talk to people who are walking the same path is nice. Best of luck to you. Becki

Hey Terri, I know what you mean. Listening to others talk on here, they are eating ounces. Just wanted to tell you though, I was certain my fill was way too tight, but now, two weeks later, I am fine. I eat a small breakfast, I can keep down everything. I drink in the morning, very cautiously though. I am much better. And I have not found any food that I have problems with as long as I take small bites and ches thoroughly. No issues with chicken, tortillas, bread, anything (though I am not eating as much bread as before, other stuff just sounds better). Anyway, I do eat about 1/3 or a little less than what I did before, and I am losing. Becki

I'm not sure why clear liquids for two weeks, except that losing weight before surgery will help to shrink you liver. You liver is right in the way of where they need to place the band, so shrinking your liver, by losing weight right before surgery makes it a much safer surgery. Clear liquids for two weeks though sounds torturous. But I know you can do it. Just remind yourself that other people have survived this, and if they can, you can. And you want the best possible chance of success, so if you doctor says this is it...go for it. I would ask your doctor about fiber supplements though. You might be able to take fiber pills that would probably really help you not be so hungry, and they are just a pill, no real food. Good luck, Becki

I'm so glad to hear you guys are doing well, and congradulations on your weight loss. I know how hard it can be to lose weight without the correct level of restriction. What an amazing thing the band is that it wants us to not only eat less, but healthier. I still have young kids, so they get what I make (though often they don't eat much if at all of some things). I keep making mostly healthy food, and sometimes they like it, often my pickies doesn't. I hope they actually can make healthier choices when they are teenagers. I hope watching my struggles might encourage them to try a different road. But I will have no qualms about getting them a band either, if necessary. I'm glad to have this option, not just for me, but for my whole family. Good luck, and keep us posted...literally. Becki

Hey Tatiana. I can't answer everything, but maybe I can help a little. I was banded by Dr. Ortiz on August 28th, so I am a few months down the road. A PB is a productive burb. It is similar to vomiting, but it just getting rid of what is in the pouch, so it is not quite so violent or acidic. Usually you "slime" first, which is think slimy saliva that comes up. The most common reasons for PBing are eating to fast or not chewing well enough. It is best to avoid PBing if you can, though is likely to happen sometimes anyway. It buts stress on the band, and can make it slip. When something is stuck, it feels like a pain in the chest. For me, it can range from mild discomfort to one time I thought I might be having a heart attack. I don't believe you can die from getting stuck. It will move somehow, either down through the band, or up and out (PBing). But it can be painful. You know when the band is too tight when you have trouble keeping liquids down and can not really eat anything (less than a few ounces of food). It is miserable and you will feel like you need help. You will also do a lot of PBing, as nothing will go through the band very well. You should always call your doctor if you think you need an unfill. A band slipping is uncommon, but is often because of too much PBing, and not following the guidlines that were given to us. I have not experienced this, and hopefully never will, but I am told you will know if you have slipped. Nothing will stay down. I am sorry to hear about all the things you have to do before surgery. Each doctor has his own methods. I can't imagine being on clear liquids before the band. I thought it was pretty band after the band. Just don't forget how important it is to follow your doctors orders. He wants you to have success with the band. And I'm sure you want that too. So you will be back to eating in no time. Good luck though and keep us updated. Reading what other people have been through was very helpful for me. Check out the Newly Banded section. There are some great Journal type entries an other posts to explain exactly what the surgery was like and helps with what to expect. Becki

Hey Michelle. I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you yet. It has been a day, and I am leaving again in a minute. I hope you get through this. It was the 6th Day that I finally felt a little better. I am still unsure about an unfill. I am tired and grumpy and I can't help but think it is because I am eating so little, though every day is a little better. How much of a fill did you get, and how many have you had? Don't get on the scale so often!!! You know better. It will move, but not that quickly. Of course, I should probably take my own advice and stay off my own scale. Hope you feel better soon. Sunday will be tons of fun won't it!!! Becki

Here is the latest in my banding "saga". Yesterday, I woke up, the day after pbing my own spit, and felt great. No stuck feeling, no problem with spit. So about noon, and tried to drink, no problem with little sips. So I ate mushy food. Today, I woke up, knowing I need to decide if I need an unfill or not. And tried something to drink this morning, it went fine, and this was early...much too early if you ask me. So I tried a few small bites of cottage cheese, even if it came back up, I wanted to know and would make and unfill appointment. No problem. So I tried some lunch later, again, no problem. Now, I am taking very small bites, and chewing thoroughly, but I was before too. So now I am having a very small dinner and that is fine too. I have drank all my water and I feel great. If it stays like this great...but who knows. Becki