bethy

I would be interested in splitting the cost. I need to call and see if I can get in on that day. I too would fly out of Seattle. I"ll keep you posted> Beth

Do you know why when you were on the Atkins diet that your surgar cravings went away? I beleive it was because your body was receiving an adequate amount of protein. I have always had stronge chocolate cravings. I noticed the more protien I eat the less sugar I crave. I may eat it now, but I don't NEED or CRAVE it. I finally have found control over it. I know OCC wants us to have 60 grams of protien per day. Are you getting this much protien? Protien is a hard one to continue to get 60 grams a day. If you are getting 60 grams and still crave sweets, you may need more than 60 grams of proptien. Take note of you protien in take. Increase it and see if your cravings go away. Now when I start craving chocolate I check to see if I am getting enough protien. Guess What? I'm not. So I increase my protien in take and cravings go away. I just don't need them. Hope this helps. Beth

Hey Micheley, I noticed you had another emergency visit on April 21st. What was up with that? Did you post your experience somewhere eles? Beth

Teengal, It's great that you have lOST 20 lbs and not gained weight. Even better that you are exercising. Do you realize you may still be losing fat, yet gaining muscle? Muscle is great!!!! You want to gain muscle and lose fat. Muscle increases your metabolism and gives your body a lean tone look! Did you also know that muscle weighs 3 times more than fat. So you could lose 3 pounds of fat, yet gain 1 pound of muscle. This would be a wash on the scale but great for your body. The better test is how are your clothes feeling? Not as tight? Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged and keep up the exercise. Bethy

Michele, I've been thinking about you lately. I'm glad I came across your message. How are you doing? Still having problems with you band? Have you been able to get in touch with anyone yet? What are your symptoms? Bethy

Lori, I would enjoy that. By the way is that a current picture? You look great! How much have you lost so far? Beth

I too had surgery in Mexico. I researched for a while and one day decided I'd call. When I called, I scheduled my appointment for the next week. Boy, after scheduling my appointment I paniced! I had so many emotions. I'm glas I didn't have alot of time to think about what I did. The surgery was great! The doctor was great as was their facility. My BMI was only 31 when I started, but have lost 16 since surgery. Not as much as other, but I also don't have as much too lose. My only suggestion would be to call around for a local doctor who will do fills/unfills in your local area. Make sure they know you had surgery in MX, buy Dr. Ortiz. I was planning on having my first fill done in MX, but didn't need one until the middle of Nov. At that time, airfare was too much. I found a local Dr. to do my fill. I was terrified when I got there. I wanted to be at Dr. Ortiz's office. They did do their fills under floroscopy, but the nurse was the one who did the fill. I paniced abit and asked if I could talk to the doctor first. I was concerned if they were to punture my tubing or whatever, if they would be responsible for repairing my band, tubing etc. At first he didn't want to comment what he would do. He stated that he didn't know who my surgeon was, how many fills I had had or if they were blind fills or underflorscopy. I informed him this was my first fill and that Dr. Ortiz had performed my surgery. We said he was very familiar with Dr. Ortiz and respected him very much and was confident in his abilities. After his comment, I again asked him my question if I was puntured during the procedure would he be responsible. At this point, he said yes. After panicing from making my decision and a bit of depression after surgery (I felt as if I had failed in the traditional approach of dieting and couldn't believe I could be so barbaric to my body). I love my band. I no longer am afraid to eat (for fear of eating to much). I enjoy my food. I can eat just about everything (sometimes not). And best of all, I stop when I am satisified. Good Luck on your decision and your journey! Beth

Karen, When you have your fills and unfills how much are you removing/adding at a time? From what I have read only .1 CC can make a difference. You have found the way around the band. Remember, it is only a tool. Although, when I am full and have eaten to much and feel pain, drinking any water doesn't give me relief. Hopefully, I can scare you into relizing you could harm yourself and have your band removed if you continue to down that much water while it is full of food. You never want your pouch enlarged. Can't think of the medical term, but NOT A GOOD THING. So, what is triggering your overeating? Emotions??? Head hunger is much harder to get over than stomache hunger. Have you tried the cottege cheese test to see how large your pouch is? Take a cup of cottege cheese. Eat until you feel full. Not stuffed! You should be around 2/3 cups. If not, you may need a fill. In addition, I would have them check and make sure you haven't streached you pouch out. This is only my personal opinion based upon what I have read on this site and others. Bethy

Autumn, Dr. Neal's price was $375. If an additional fill is need within 2 weeks they charge $150. No charge for unfills. Other than bedside manner have you heard anything eles? Bethy

Hi Autumn, I just had my first fill. I had surgery 8/23, but didn't need a fill until around the middle of November. By that time airfare was way to high to go to Mexico. In December I went to Dr. Neal in Olympia. They do fills under floroscopy. I really missed not going to TJ. They seemed so much more personal there, but my fill went well. I may be a little too tight. I may go have a slight unfill done. After talking with Dr. Martinez (I think it was him), he encouraged me to have a small unfill. Although things went well, I hope to go back to MX for future fills, but I guess it depends on my schedule and my kids schedule. Not as easy to get away. Beth

A lower BMI, I beleive, would be 30 to 35. In the states they will not perform surgery on you if one is under 35 unless they have (I think) two medical conditions such as diebetes, high blood pressure etc. (not will sure on the specifics). As far as the VG band, they use this band on patients who carry their weight in their stomache area. The doctor makes this decision. I am a low BMI patient. My BMI was 31 and received the smaller band.

Hi, I was wondering who the dentist is that you use. Beth

Hey Pammie, Great site. Have you done the cottege cheese test yet? I think I will try it this week. That site had some great information on it. How was your fill? I know I emailed you about going with you, but left for vacation shortly afterwards. I still have restriction and couldn't imagine not being able to eat less. I hope this last for a while longer, but I sure it will come to an end. I missed the Washington Bandster get together too! I'm sad, but hope my schedule with my kids will be different for the next meeting. I hear it is going to be at the Tacoma Mall? Beth

Hey Lori, What is the annual endoscopy? I haven't heard of that before. Bethy