spouse support

Here are my 2 month post op pics, I have been kind of bummed that I only lost 7 lbs this month (and haven't lost anything in the past week) but the pics show my progress so that makes me feel so much better!!

Here's the first set:

Click on the smaller picture to see a bigger version

Michelle you are doing great! You are such an inspiration to everyone! And I can tell by all of your postings and your willingess to help and assist your fellow Bandsters you are a special person!

Renee'

Hi,

I'm new to this site.. I had gastric by pass in Feb. 2000. Lost 180 in one year... and by 2003 I started to gain weight back. I went back to the Surgeon who performed the surgery and he assured me it was not his fault but mine. My staples were still in tact but my stoma had stretched. I asked if anything could be re-done?? He said "No" and marked it down as a Weight Loss Failure...

I left feeling like a Failure... with no hope whatsoever. I've tried every diet imaginable... some work... but not very long. With the stretched stoma I'm hungry every couple of hours... Since Feb. 2000 I've gained back 100 pounds.. I have listened to countless people telling me the same story... Either the staple line broke or the stoma stretched and they have also gained back all or at least a significant amount of weight.

A Friend of mine recently told me she was getting the Lap Band. I had no idea you can now get the Lap Band over a failed Gastric By pass. In 2003 this was unheard of.. I researched Dr. Ortiz and he indeed does Lap Bands over failed Gastric By Pass Surgeries... This is only being done outside of the U.S.

I'm in the process of lowering my BMI to under 50 in order to qualify for the Lap Band. The surgery is more complicated due to the previous scar tissue from my old gastric by pass...

But at least there's hope for people like me.

I've lost 11 pounds in the last 2 weeks... and have 37 more to go in order to get my BMI down...

I'm eating 1000 calories per day to get there.... and its not fun at all...

I am not a happy diet - er..

My target date is the end of June 2008... Hopefully, I will be ready... I have 2 Friends that want the just the Lap Band and I'd prefer going to Mexico with them.

Again, i am glad there is Hope...

Any encouragement is greatly appreciated

Thanks

GinaBallerina

Hi Gina,

I thought I would pass on some info. to you. My husband and I just returned from TJ where my hubby was banded on 4-14. While we were in the lobby a young lady came in for a fill and told us her story. She had had here gastric by-pass done when she was 16 years old, she had since put on weight and decided to have the sleeve put on by Dr. Ortiz. She was VERY happy and had already lost more than 20 lbs.

So good luck to you! And please know the entire staff, facility and the hotel were just wonderful!

Take care, Renee'

Well, Monday (4-14) was my date for the procedure. Out of the 7 bandsters scheduled for that day, I was the only guy! I could not have asked for a more wonderful group of people to go through this experience with, I am sure we will all keep in touch. We all became pretty close through all of this.

I knew this would happen when I walked through the doors of the OCC, I felt like everything was going to be OK and it was!

The staff was absolutely wonderful, curtious, and professional!

Special thanks to Dr. Ortiz for the new life I will soon be experiencing! I will see you for my first fill when the time comes! It will be worth the trip from Florida!

Also, thanks to Jose for taking such great care of me and for the back rub! It made for a speedy recovery!!

:lb21:

This is Buford signing off!

I forgot that when I paid, it was 275... they had bumped the price down. Also, they DID let me pay by credit card, but I will wait to see if it came out on my credit card bill.

It costs me 250 to fly from Florida to Tijuana, and 275 for the visit, which is cheaper than us driving to the closest fill center, spending the night, and the procedure.

Hi,

Where did you fly out of in Florida? We live in Lake County and are flying out of Orlando and the least expensive flight I could find was 350 including taxes and airport charges. We fly out in the a.m. and my hubby and the procedure on Monday the 14th, but for his first fill I would really like him to go back to TJ.

Thanks

Renee'

Hi ALL

Thanks for all the information,I feel that I am well informed now.I leave tonight to the airport then fly out Sunday for surgery Monday.I have one last questions, How did the flying go after surgery?I have to change planes as the direct flights from Ontario are 1800 each so I have 1 transfer.I am a little concerned for the trip home.It will be a very long day, almost 12 hours from start to finish.We will stay in a hotel that night before our 6 hour drive from the airport.Is there a computer in the hospital to use?I will post to let you know how it went.

Linda

Hi Linda,

Renee' here, I am the one traveling with hubby for the same surgery day as you. Boy, you do have a long day ahead of you! I hope you can get comfortable on the plane and sleep some there. Have you gotten an answer to your question about a computer at the hotel? I was curious about that too.

Best of luck to you and look forward to meeting you,

Renee'

Here's a link to Dr. M's exact post op guidelines, it should help with your post-op shopping list!

http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=5220

Thank you so much for the link, we appreciate it. I printed it and am off for shopping

Hi

I am getting surgery on Monday,I have posted a few times with no response.Glad to see that someone will be joining me.I plan to bring some juice boxes and instant broth as I don't want to run to the restaurant everytime I want a drink.Will see you both on Sunday.

Great! It will nice to meet you. And thanks for the tips too!

Yes, i took some chicken broth, it felt very very good going down. I did eat some jello after being banded that came from the hotel, it was about $3. and i couldn't eat all of it. Just take a look at what was posted about Dr. Miranda's post op list. That way you'll have a variety of things for your hubby. I got banded Mon 4-7, and i feel great! Just drinking and eating jello! Now when my husband ate a big ol hamburger and fries in front of me eating my jello. The smell was sickening, so be careful!

Thank you for the tips, I will be sure to have something for him.

You know you bring up a good point about eating in front of him, I have been worried about that because I want this to be as smooth as possible for him, and the good news, I think I will loose lbs just by association!!

Thanks so much for the tip!! I am sure we will take advantage of the restaraunt on Sunday. Did you stock up on anything for your return home as far as shakes/broths, ect.? Just curious, I want to help to make this transition as painless as possible.

Hello All,

My husband is having his LapBand procedure on Monday April 14th, we are traveling from Orlando Florida on Sunday the 13th. Anyone else scheduled for Monday? Just curious. My hubby has done so well with his pre-op diet, losing almost 15 lbs, I know he is so ready and motivated for this.

Good luck to everyone!

Renee'