mommyrkr

MimIN OH, my gosh!! Check you out!! Your weight loss is incredible!! Congradulations. Keep up the great work! I can't wait to weight under 200. Becki

I need an emergency unfill. Can anyone tell me where they went, whether they recommend it, what it cost, where it is, and how long you had to wait? I will be calling around on Monday morning. Tried a few places Friday, but most weren't available. One said I could get an unfill the middle of next month. I can't wait that long. I am familiar with a lot of the places around here just from researching surgery. But want some advice. Thanks, Becki

Here's the latest. I am frantically trying to get an unfill here in Washington. Yesterday and today, I can't keep any liquid down until about 3 in the afternoon. I am hungry and thirsty. I can't get enough calories or fluids to maintain my body like this. And I am mad and grumpy. I wish I had never left Tijuana. This morning, I PBed twice on my own saliva. The only thing I have had today is about 1/2 cup of tea, that was all I could take and that took 2 hours. I am mad. Why did I have to need an unfill. I thought that this was part of the benefit of having fills with fluoroscopy, so they could see that things were flowing right. I spent the whole day traveling, away from my family, and now my bad is at risk of slipping because I am so tight. This was not what I signed up for. Sorry, I'm done complaining, I'm just really grumpy. On a different subject, sort of, I talked to Dr. Martinez for a while last night. I asked him why my band was so much tighter in the morning. She gave me several logical reasons that I had not heard. First he said I might be eating too late at night, which I was. If you eat too late, part of the food is still in the pouch when you lie down, and stays there, so you wake upwith food still in the pouch. Then trying to add anything does not go well. So he recommended not eating three hours before bed. He also said take a 10 minute walk to help the food go through, or flush your pouch, but drinking something just before bedtime. I will try all of those, when I can eat and drink. Second, he said any kind of sinus problems can cause problems. I have always had problems with post-nasal drip. I just lived with it. During the day, as I am up and walking, that nasty stuff just goes through the band. But at night, it gets stuck in the pouch and so when I wake up, nasty, thick stuff is blocking my pouch. I know this is really gross, but so helpful to know. He said that warm or hot water would help flush it through and to get my doctor to do what he can to take care of it. Finally, he said no espresso in the morning. He said coffee is fine, but espresso is not. He doesn't know why, but that's how it is. Of couse, I had been trying to have espresso every morning. Anyway, some things to work on , and good to know. I just hope I haven't done anything to my band before I knew all this. I am worried about that, and the fact that my band is so tight. I can't possibly afford to do anything other than maybe another fill. So if I slipped, I wouldn't know what to do. I'm praying. I really wish there were better instructions with the band. We really get so little before we are on our own. And then most of what I know is because of my own, or other people's trial and error. I love Dr. Ortiz book, and it was very helpful in deciding to get banded, but I wish he would right one with all these instuctions once you are banded. Becki

By three weeks after surgery, when I started solid foods, I was completely 100 %, and eating regularly. I would go for sure. Becki

I too had a very hard time going to Mexico. My husband begged me to pay twice as much just to have in the US. So I picked a doctor here, did tons of research before decided. But couldn't get Mexico off my mind. It turns out that Dr. Ortiz taught the dr in the US I was going to go to. So I made a stand, told my husband I wanted the best, and the best was in Mexico. So I went. I had surgery a four 1/2 months ago, and I am down 50 pounds. I was treated so much better and felt more comfortable there in Mexico than I was a few months later when I was in the hospital for kidney stones. I wished I could have gone back to Mexico, but unfortunately, Dr. Ortiz only does Lap bands, not kidney stones. You might want to read some of the posts from people who describe the whole process. Check out the section of people newly banded. It really helps to know what it is like. You can read my story....I was banded Aug. 28th. I know reading the posts from other people really helped me. And everything they said was exactly...EXACTLY, what happened to me. It was awesome. Good luck, it is a huge decision, but I am so glad I made mine. Becki

I don't know how you could really tell if the band slipped that early, but don't worry about it. It sounds like what you are experiencing is the same as I did. I felt fine, no pain, could take my medicine fine. I felt great, but I did have the same pain in the shoulder. Don't worry that will ease up. Don't worry and relax. If you are following directions, you are fine. Becki

OK, here's the latest. After I ate some crackers yesterday, I tried dinner. It went fine. I ate some chicken, rice, and broccoli. ( I know, all problem foods). I ate it fine, in very small bites. I also drank quite a bit, a small sip at a time last night. So I feel much better. This morning, I woke up, and couldn't get water down. It stuck, then I tried a little hot chocolate, and it stuck also. I was up for 3 or 4 hours before I could drink really drink anything, even sipping. But then I could sip more and more, and eat. I was much tighter in the morning then the evening before, so I guess it is just more drastic now. So I am carefully monitoring my fluids, making sure I get 64 oz in once I can drink. It is so strange, and I wish I could at least drink in the morning, it would make this whole thing easier, but maybe as time goes by, I will be able to drink more. Thanks for all the advice and help.. Becki

I just ate three crackers with cheese on them. I am so happy!!! Maybe I was just really tight/swollen yesterday, and will be extremely tight in the morning. I hope that is my problem. I can live that way. Anyway. Just wanted to let everyone know...I can eat....a little. Oh, and did get the slimfast down. Now I just need to up the water intake...no more kidney stones for me. Becki

Hey Michelle, sorry, I didn't fly to Tijuana, I did the bus/trolley thing. It worked well though, except that I am very tight now, and might need an unfill. Every time I try calling Dr. Romero, he is with another patient. So I have yet to talk to him. He said that since it was my second fill, I would only need to be only liquids for 24 hours. And I can't imagine eating anything right now. I can get down very little, very warm liquids. Last night it was better (I am always better at night), and I drank a slimfast. This morning, I PBed with 1/4 cup of hot chocolate. I am working on another slimfast now, but it is not going so well. I really think I will need an unfill. I have to be able to eat!! Anyway, I am getting by, I wanted to talk to Dr. Romero first, but I might just call Dr. Neal here in Olympia and try to schedule something. Becki

Thank you guys soooo much. I will wait a day or too. I can't afford to go back to Tijuana right now, and I sure don't want to spent another $350 to go to my local doctor unless I absolutely have to. Becki

I had a fill today in Tijuana at noon. I am back in Washington now, but I still can't really drink anything without extreme discomfort. Did anyone else feel very tight initially and then have it loosen a little? I am a little worried, and wish I had not left Tijuana. Becki

I just arrived home from my second fill in Tijuana. I live in Washington. I took an early flight this morning, which ended up arriving an hour late, then took the bus/trolley/taxi to the office. It took my 1 1/2 total, from walking off the plane to walking into the office. It was easy, and convenient. I will do it again. We were done so fast, we took the taxi/trolley/bus on the way back to the airport and ended up taking an earlier flight home, as everything was so easy. It took us about 30 minutes (probably less) to cross the border. I would do it that way again in a heartbeat. I am home to have dinner with my family, and put my kids to bed. Becki

Hey, don't worry. It will be fine. I didn't go completely by myself, my husband wouldn't let me. So I went met his cousin (who I had met once) in San Diego. So it was very similar, and I had to leave on the plane by myself. It was terrifying. I never fly. So I was nervous about flying, nervous about the cousin I had never met, nervous about leaving my family, nervous about finding my ride to the hotel, and very nervous about the surgery. But it was all fine. Everything will happen just like it supposed to. And you will make good friends during the pre-op and surgery days. I had plenty of people to talk to and had two "liquid" meals with the people who had been banded the same day. I will be there the 16th getting a fill, wish the days would have matched better. But don't worry. It will all be over soon, and it will be fine, and probably even fun!!! Just relax and enjoy the experience. If you get nervous or have any questions...I know I did the night before, email me. Becki

I sure would consider it. I know since surgery, the Lean Cuisine and Weight Watcher dinners are more than adequate for me. I do them often, and it is easier than making myself a lunch often, or if I don't really want to eat what my family is having. I don't know if they taste good or not, but I have a friend who did it years ago, and really liked them then. If I didn't have my family to feed, I would sure look into it. Good luck. Becki

My dad worked at the hospital here in my town when I was growing up, and they had a case of death by water intoxication. I knew it was possible. But the doctors said you have to be trying to take in too much water. We would never be able to do that by accident. They had purposely "overdosed" on water. So don't have a water drinking contest, but do drink lost of water. I believe the level of toxicity was like 200 oz during a 6 hour period or something. It was clear that no normal person would do that. Oh, and if you have to pee...then go pee. It seems so simple to me! Interesting idea though, sure caught me off guard when I first heard it. Becki

Hey Sharon, I have no advice on the protein shakes, as I love them all, or most of them. But I did want to say welcome and tell you to look around on the newly banded section. There are some really helpful posts concerning exactly what the surgery was like and what to expect. I was banded on Aug. 28th, and you can read about my experience there also. Good luck, Becki

Boy do I wish I had done this at 21. I also have all the bad genes, which is why I know I needed this surgery. I could never have done it on my own and then been able to keep it off. I was extremely nervous. I could hardly get through the day the last few weeks. This surgery was all I talked about, I researched it, and studied it. But I was fine and really should have worried less. This band compensates for those bad genes. For me, I can't speak for everyone, my high weight was not about self control or disipline, or even emotional eating, like I had convinced myself. I was freakin' HUNGRY!!!! My body told me I needed much more food than I actually did. It was broken, and now it is fixed. I am 32, my family is very overweight, and my husband's family is very overweight. I am doing my best to teach my kids the tools they can use to fight all the fatness, and I hope it works. They eat healthy, they exercise, and they are learning portion sizes now that I am eating smaller amounts. They also take very small bites and take a while to eat. I hope all of that will work. But if it doesn't...I know what to do. I would be thrilled for my 21 year old to have a band. I would be very happy that they had it done early and were able to live life as without the issues that come with being obese. I would definitely do it if I were you, and I would be happy for my child to do it also. Becki

Oh, my gosh! I completely understand. Before I was banded, I went to all my favorite restaurants (especially those with huge serving sizes) for one last meal. I made sure I had everything I want to, as if I would never eat those foods again. Now I laugh about it and wish I hadn't done that. It cost too much, and I gained weight. The reality for me now, 4 1/2 months after my surgery, is that I can eat anything. Especially all my favorites that I made sure I was saying goodbye to. I just don't need the quantity that I did before. I also don't need food like I did. I was hungry....often. Now I go hours without thinking about food. It just took my obsession away. I need another fill now, and I am very much looking forward to it, as food has snuck back in as being pretty important. The only time I wish I was "normal", or wasn't banded and miss food, is not so much about the kind of food I eat, but more about the way I eat it. Sometimes I miss taking a really big bite. Or when I am starving, I miss not being able to stuff something in to relieve that hunger. I don't eat carefree anymore, but must watch my bite size and my chewing. But even when I miss those things, I am so greatful for the band. It is allowing my true self to appear, and I am much more confident, I get treated differently by strangers, I fit in seats, I can cross my legs, I can exercise without feeling like I am going to die. I wouldn't trade that for anything. Becki

I'm in!! I can't wait to see you guys again. If anyone wants to meet in Tacoma to carpool...I know there are some Olympia and other Tacoma people. Becki

I am so glad to hear that. I am going back to Tijuana for my second fill next week. Mostly because I can go with my aunt, for her first fill, and she wanted to go back to Tijuana. Actually though, I will be saving a little bit of money going to Mexico, as opposed to here...very little, but still. I am glad to hear you have good restriciton though. I had pretty good restriction the first few weeks, but now I am eating too much, still losing though, just painfully slow and with a lot, A LOT, of work on my part. Congradulations!! Becki

Autumn and Annie, Welcome. It is nice to see so many people from Washingon. I'm sure we will be planning a get together again soon, we met once before. I hope you will both be able to make it. I don't know what to say about fills. I have heard great things about Dr. Neal in Olympia also. I will be having my second fill on the 16th, but I am going back to Tijuana. I was able to get a good deal on the plane ticket so it is actually cheaper than staying here and having a fill under fluoroscopy. I decided after quite a bit of research, to only have fills with fluoroscopy. I am completely broke so at first I was all for the cheapest method. But I really think that I might end up saving money, by having the doctor actually see what is going on, and it is less risky all around. I didn't go through all this to have it risked because I am cheap. Anyway, I am very hopeful that this second fill will be my last. I am willing to work with an imperfect fill amount with some diet and exercise, as long as it is close. Good luck to both of you. Becki

Thanks Clynn, that helped. Hope I can get an appointment, because I had to go ahead and buy the plane tickets. Wish me luck. Becki

I've just been looking at this recently. The nearest Fill Center USA is about a 4 hour drive from my house. I had to decide whether to try that, or go back to Tijuana for my next fill. I decided to go back to Dr. Ortiz. But I am very interested in exactly what they are what you get for your money. Becki

The VG band is larger than the other band. It is used primarily in larger patients, or those with more fat around the area the band will be placed. The surgeon is the one who decided which band you will get, as he is the expert. The major difference with the VG band as opposed to the regular band is the number of fills it will take to reach proper restriction. The regular band will hold 4.0cc, while the VG band holds 10 cc. So it generally takes more fills to get a good level of restriction. Since you also asked about those with a lowe BMI, I would guess you would probably end up with the regular band. I don't know about the cost to take it out. I cannot imagine ever having mine out, and hope it will never become necessary. You would have to talk to Dr. Ortiz' office about that. I also don't know about the pre-op diet for those with lower BMI's. Dr. Miranda, the nutritionist, decides that based on the individual. It does seem, however, just from watching this board, that those with very low BMI's either don't do the preop diet, or are able to eat more, such as a lean cuisine, in addition to the liquids and green veggies. Again, these questions can be much better answered by calling Dr. Ortiz office. They are the experts and have all the answers. Good luck. Becki

Michelle, My aunt and I are flying down leaving at 6:45 am, on the 16th, then leaving Tijuana at 4:40 on the same day. We are flying Alaska, but this was the cheapest flights, and neither of us wanted to leave our families for long. Becki