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

I know this sounds crazy, but DO NOT LET YOURSELF EAT SWEETS FOR A FEW WEEKS! I did that right after my band being on the liquid diet. I found I no longer had the cravings. However, after I got overfilled and unfilled, I started eating sweets again and the intense cravings are back. Honestly I've always eaten a big meal, and then something sweet - just to satisfy me. I HAD to have sweets. I finally threw EVERYTHING sweet out of the house. Period.

And this is from someone who can easily eat a box of chocolate, several Reese's, a complete pan of brownies - all at the same time!

I remember when I did Atkins that they said the carb craving will go away after a certain period of time and honestly, it worked for me. Now I just need to get back to TJ, get a fill, get back on liquids for a few days and start eating healthy again. Now I know I just can't eat "some" sweets. Which really sucks, but I'd rather lose the weight. It's hardcore withdrawal though.

If you have to have sweets, which seriously I may end up doing, buy 1 thing at a time, take a bite, then put it in the trash and cover it with Tabasco sauce, raw egg, cat poop from the litterbox - whatever you need to make sure you don't dive in there and eat the rest.

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

Hello WA Bandsters from Tonganoxie, KS.

I'm heading today for the last leg of my trip to my new home in Lake Wylie, SC

I hope to meet some bandsters as fun as ya'all there!

Best of luck as "loosers"!!!

Micheley :-h

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

Who do I need to talk to at the OCC about medical problems I am having with my band?

Who have you had good communication/experience with?

Thanks!

Michele

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

I was thinking... (yes I know.. that's very dangerous hahahaha)

It would be nice to chat in real time with you guys sometimes!

I'm not sure if we can set it up under the forum... but maybe now that AOL is freeeee we could do a chatroom there.

If anybody is interested let me know and we can make a bandster room and chat at scheduled times - or anybody can find someone to talk to in real time.

I want to keep this board active and people posting - but sometimes - even once a week, it would be nice to have a room party and talk in real time.

Let me know what you think :-h

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 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 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

HEY FELLOW BANDERS,

I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP I HAVE GAINED TEN POUNDS BACK. I HAVE FOUND THE WAY AROUND SO I CAN EAT MORE IT STARTED OUT BECAUSE HAVING FOOD STUCK IN MY THROAT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE SO I REACH FOR A GLASS OF WATER TO WASH IT DOWN AND AT FIRST IT HURTS BUT THEN THE FOOD JUST SEEMS TO SLIDE DOWN WITH ABOUT 2 TALL GLASSES OF WATER OF COURSE.

I HAVE HAD MY BAND FILLED AND UNFILLED AND FILLED AGAIN TO FIND THE RIGHT FITTING FOR ME AND I AM STILLING HAVING PROBLEMS.

HAVE ANY OF YOU EXPERIENCED THIS?

DO YOU THINK MY BAND NEEDS TO BE TIGHTER?

ANY TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE THIS BAND WORK FOR ME? BECAUSE I AM FEELING PRETTY DISCOURAGED!

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

I WAS PRETTY CAUTIOUS AND QUESTIONED WHAT I

Hey Beth,

I was wondering how much getting a fill was with Dr. Neal. I know that it's a long drive from Bellingham to Olympia, but I guess it's a long flight to TJ too! I've heard good and bad things about Dr. Neal, but the bad was mostly about bedside manner. Like you said, not very personable. I was just wondering how much he charged for the whole process with flouro and x-ray?

Thanks!

Autumn_22

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

Thanks for the advice everyone. I guess I will just have to pack up my bags each time and fly back to TJ. Spendy, but I do agree that it is worth it. Thanks again!

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

What is the range for the BMIs... when you say a low BMI in relation to the band, what is the range of that number?

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.

While I havent talked to my CPA yet, we are planning on writing the medical procedure off, for both my son and myself. We deduct dental procedures and they are done in Algadones, MX, travel, hotel, fuel, etc. anything related. We have dental and health INS here in the U.S. but have found a Dentist in MX, who is a perfectionist for a fraction of what it would cost here, EVEN with our INS.! My parents do the same, they have INS and thier INS CO. will pay for thier dental work in MX as well! They have to pay the Dentist first, then the Ins. Co. sends them a check for what they allow. Teri

Hi,

I was wondering who the dentist is that you use.

Beth

HAS ANYONE HERE EVER TRIED THIS?

http://www.geocities.com/sweetartz1975/cottagecheese.html

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

Hi,

A long-time bandster told me its probably acid reflux problems possibly causing my stomach to spasm a bit (I also have IBS so that could be the culprit) anyway - I started taking Aciphex and it is a lot better - I sometimes still pop a tums when needed and that seems to have helped a lot.

I've always had a very tender tummy and I think its still learning to live with the band

I do plan on getting the annual endoscopy as recommend by Dr. Ortiz just to make sure all is OK

Hey Lori,

What is the annual endoscopy? I haven't heard of that before.

Bethy

as im on this liquid diet to shrink my liver, im starting to realize how much my life is going to change. i also hear so many bad things about the lap band that i am just not sure if i should do it. i always wanted the gastric bypass but i have to settle for the lap band. the doc wont give anyone a bypass over 350 for some reason.

Moulden:

I think being unsure just before surgery is normal. I know I was terrified and tried to talk myself out of it, but my husband reminded me why I was having the surgery and, yes, there could be side affects, but the pros out weighed the cons. After surgery, I really took a dive. My emotions were all over the place. I was disappointed in myself that I went to such an extreme in order to loose weight. I had surgery on the 22nd of August, and I'm feeling much better physically and emotionally.

Beth

Hi my name is shayne, im 28 years old and weigh nearly 500 pounds. i have only one question for you guys and gals. If im not 100% ready to get surgery, should i do it?

Why are you not 100% ready for surgergy? Just undecided? If your undecided, looks like your interested by finding this forum. What do you have to lose?

Beth

Hi! I was banded on 9-1-06, everything went well but now I have this huge red rash on my chest and upper abdomen. It is awful!! I think it could be an allergic reaction from the betadine used to scrub my surgery site. Has anyone had this happen to you?

okiegirl

______________________________

banded 9-1-06

highest - 222

pre-surgery-210

today-207

Goal-145

Hi Okiegirl,

Yes, I had the same rash only where they applied the betadine stuff. It showed up 2 days after surgery and lasted for about a week to a week in a half. It never spread to my arms or legs. Just keep an eye on your incisions and make sure they are not read. The doc told me to use Benedryl if I need to, but I just held out. I was worried that I was rejecting the band, but that was not the case. Take care and call Dr. Oritz if you are still concerned, they called me back a couple of hours after I called them.

Beth

Does anyone else experience slight pains or almost a crampy feeling around their band site? Not all the time, but periodically.

Hey Lori,

Have you talked with the Doc? Are you still feeling crampy around the band site?

Beth

PERFECT!!!

Hi Pammie,

Can I join you gals on the 10th of October? How are you feeling?

You might want to change your password! I sometimes MOVE posts if I feel they are better in a different area (surgery vs. fill) but I haven't changed a post.

I haven't heard this from anyone else, and I'm really the only moderator/administrator on here that has access to moving/editing posts.

I would edit a post if I found something offensive or problematic in it... but I haven't done that yet! I do close topics when I think they are causing problems.

Change your password and let me know if it happens again.

Hey Lori,

Beth here. I beleive she is refering to my login of Bethy. I noticed this last week and thought I sent a post metioning it. Looks as if she has used Mommmykr this time and not Bethy.

Beth

HI!

I'm Michele and I live in Mill Creek! Not far up the 405 from you.

As I type this letter, you might be in the van getting a ride to the clinic. Have a great time. Relax. Sleep.

Enjoy your new friends at the clinic...both employees and your fellow lapbanders. You have a special bond with the people who are having surgery today now. Well, I did. I keep in touch with one of my same day surgery buddies from Alabama and we talk/email almost every day. And just today, another one of my same day surgery buddies emailed me from New York! It's great. I love the support.

If you'd like....we can start a support group in WA. I'm all for it. In fact when you're up to it, email me and I'll host the first get together. Let's invite the gals from Auburn and Federal Way and I believe a man that's local who is having surgery Sept 8th!

Take care and be good to yourself.

Michele

mp6666@hotmail.com

I guess I should have wrote "Hi Bethy" in that email....

If mommyrkr, Bethy, Pammie and Pammie's friend want to keep in touch....please do.

Michele

Hello Michele,

Just going thru and reading old posts. I never came across this one until tonigh. I would love to get together with others. By the way, las night I was reading on line and another Bethy was signed on. I didn't relize two could sign with the same logon.

Beth

When I talked to Dr. Miranda yesterday, before surgery, she said some gum was fine, it does help when you are hungry, but only for 5-10 minutes. Then get rid of it.

That works for me.

Becki

I had surgery yesterday. I have the normal 10cm band. I am 5'6" with a BMI of 41. I really expected teh VG band but was pleasantly surprised to see I had the other band. It just depends what he finds inside. They will give you a card that tells you what band you have. That way you will know.

Becki

It doesn't matter how long I have tried to get ready for this, my plane leaves in 10 hours and I still have a few questions. I sure hope someone who has answers gets this soon.

What kind of bag did you take to actually have the surgery? I mean after the first night in the hospital, did you just bring your whole suitcase? It seems a little excessive to me, I just don't know if I should pack a duffle bag also or what.

Does the hotel have an alarm clock or a wake up call? I can't find my travel one, and it is too late to go get a new one now.

How did you find someone when you got off the plane? How do I know who to find my ride?

I am so nervous!!

Thanks, I might have more questions, but I think that is it.

Becki

Hey Becki,

I just returned home this evening at 8:00pm. The hotel does have an alarm clock or you can have them give you a wake up call. If someone is going with you, they will stay the night at the hotel. If you are alone, they will check you out of the hotel and you will need to take your suitcase with you. Then the next morning they will return you to the hotel and check you back in.

I can't believe I had this done. I'm still in a fog. The hospital is clean, the hotel is nice, and the Doctors are really good. The driver is very nice.

Good luck and hope all goes well.

Beth