Kia

I had the surgery done by Dr. Martinez on April 22nd, 2008. I have not had many results. I had my first fill done in Mexico in June. They gave me 1 cc. I was able to eat anything I wanted after that, as if no fill at all. On an occasion, I would feel some discomfort when overeating, but it wasn't too bad. I had gained all the weight back that I initially lost, pre-op. In July, I found a fill doctor in my local area. He said that I was actually not at 1cc because of air draining from the band. He then who added .7cc. I was at 1.5. It restricted me minimally, so I scheduled another appointment with him for the following week. At that time he gave me .5 cc. I was at a full 2 cc. I was able to have restriction only when I ate fast without chewing well. Still, with eating solids, I didn't lose any weight. I scheduled an appointment with him in October for a fill. He again instructed that I had lost some air in the band and was under 2 cc. So, he told me that he would fill me to the 2 cc mark again. I was frustrated by this. I didn't want to pay again to get the same amount that I paid for before. I didn't understand this air issue and this was my 4th fill with no significant weight loss. I insisted that he fill me to 2.5 cc then we would do an unfill if necessary. Although he was reluctant, he did the fill. After this fill, I couldn't even drink water. I was TOO TIGHT!! I was miserable, not hungry at all, but feeling dehydrated. I couldn't swallow my saliva either. The doctor was closed the following day and I actually considered going to ER for an unfill. So, this was 2 full days being miserable. The 3rd day, the doctor unfilled .4 which now has me at 2.1 cc total in my band. I felt great after that. I was restricted to only eating small portions, I was eating 3-4 times per day, really small portioned meals, and I was losing. I have since lost about 14 pounds. But, now I'm at a stand still again. I haven't seen any weight loss in the last two weeks. And my portion sizes are beginning to increase again. I'm afraid that I may gain. I have been looking at others progress and I see that there are some people who are close to their goal weight who have had surgery around the same time as I did. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. I don't want to feel like what I did was in vain. I thought this was going to be the end to my yo-yo dieting! Any advice would be great. Surgery date:04/22/2008 Highest weight: 210 PreOp weight 04/20/08: 200 Current weight 12/3/08: 188 Goal weight: 140 Height 5'0" / Start size 16-18

WOW Michelle! You are doing GREAT!! I NEED HELP! I had surgery on April 22nd. I initially lost 17 pounds on the liquid phase. I didn't make it 21 days though. I ate a baked potato on day 14 and by day 17 was trying to eat solids. I gained 10 lbs back between day 21 and my first fill (at 7 weeks post op). It has been 2 weeks since then. I don't feel any restriction. I was filled 1.3 cc. I begged him to give me more but he wouldn't. I don't feel restriction. Sometimes I have problems with getting bread down, but is that the same feeling as restriction? Because, I am usually still hungry after my path clears. I know by the sounds of this message, I sound super greedy, but I normally eat once or twice a day, no snacks in between and its never more than a serving, well, an American serving that is. I haven't lost anything. I'm really getting discouraged. Will more restriction change this? Any advise will help. Highest Weight: 232 Pre Op Weight: 207 4/22 -Weight at Surgery: 200 5/13 -Weight by day 21 on liquid: 190 6/10 -Weight at 1st Fill: 200 Current Weight: 200

This is great news for me! I live in Detroit and can't find a Fill Doctor who will take me. I went to TJ for my 1st fill but not satisfied with the amount. Who did you see in Detroit? How much was it.

Not to sound like an alcoholic or anything, but I want to know if there a glass of wine is ok. I drink wine occassionally. I was banded on 4/22, and feel absolutley great. I was wondering if anyone knows if it is ok to have a alcohol, post op. I'm going out with my husband and wanted to be sure.

Dr. Mendez did the eye surgery. He is in the same building on level 1. The surgery was actually called something else, but they do Lasik as well. His eyes were too bad for Lasik so they had to insert a lense in his eye. It cost $4,000 US total for that. My dad did research before and said that the price was worth it compared to the prices here. Plus, it was really fast. We were in surgery at the same time and done at the same time. He was awake the whole time for his though. He is very happy with the outcome.

><This is wierd.. I just been typing for about 25 minutes about my entire experience in TJ and for some reason, before I could hit "post", it erased!! Maybe that was a hint that I was getting too long winded. Well, this time around, I'll sum it up. I arrived on Monday, 4-21. Everyone I met was great. The staff at the clinic were very friendly! I buddied up with a girl my age who was scheduled on the same day as me. My parents and my husband went for support. Her mom and sister went for her support. We all talked about everything concerning the surgery. We took our tests and went to the hotel. The hotel was nice and clean. The staff was helpful. I lost 14 lbs prior to surgery and was allowed to have 1 meal. We ate at Rivoli's at the restaurant. I had lamb chops, broasted potatoes and veggies. It was awesome! Especially since I had been on liquids for 2 weeks. After dinner, we took a nap. That nap led us through the night!! Tuesday, 4-22, We met the driver downstairs at 7:30 am and headed to the clinic. That day, I met a couple who had the surgery the day before. They showed us the scars and confirmed that it was a smooth process and we didn't have anything to worry about. I also met a lady who was there for her first fill. She was motivating and made me excited. I was then taken to my private suite. It was so nice. Love seat and chair, decor was calm and soothing. Plasma TV with Direct TV. I was impressed. It was very sterile. We had to cover our shoes before going to the clinical area. The nurses and doctors all spoke to me and answered all questions. I felt like I was going for a spa service instead of a surgery. I did not have 1 nervous bone in my body. I was feeling really good. When it was my turn for surgery, I was wheeled into the OR. They gave the anethisia through the IV. I talked and talked and talked until I was OUT! It was like a blink before I was awake again and it was all over! I couldn't believe it. The scars were minimal and I was alert. I got back to my room and rested for about 30 min. Then I saw my buddy walking aroung. I got up and walked with her. In the meantime, my Dad was downstairs getting lasik surgery for his eyes. He was not a good candidate before but some new process allowed him to be able to get it. He was happy about that! And I was happy for him. My family stayed until visiting hours were over. I slept the rest of the day. I did take my GasX Strips and passed them out to other patients. *Thanks for that Tip!!* They gave me Capri Sun juice to sip on but I wasn't hungry or thirsty that day. I did have some ice chips. The next day, 4-23, I was up early, walking around, on the internet and using the telephone. I felt great. I took my GasX and the pain pills they gave. They gave me some broth and I was ready to hop in the shower. I got dressed and then we shopped and walked around all day. I had more broth at the hotel around lunch time and then continued on shopping. I was gassy through the day, and the walking and Gas strips helped. I didn't take the pain medicine again until bedtime. I slept like a baby. I didn't even finish my Broth that my husband bought me around 9 pm. Today, I'm at the airport. I have been walking around just like nothing ever happened. I'm not hungry and I wouldn't even know that I had the surgery if it weren't for the scars on my stomach. (which, might I add, didn't even need badages!). It was really easy and I wish that I had done this long ago. Thanks to everyone on the forum for preparing me for what to expect. I am grateful for that! If anyone has any questions for me, please let me know, while it's still fresh on my mind.

Thanks for all of the good advice. I am excited and packing my clothes now. I won't arrive to TJ until the afternoon. So, I'm thinking that my pre-ops testing and the surgery will be the same day. I hope I don't have to wait around too long on Tuesday. I will enjoy 1 last (light) meal Tuesday evening with my family before surgery. My parents and my husband are going with me. My Mom says that she may try to schedule soon as well. (She was skeptical at first!). Hopefully I will have access to the internet there. If so, I will reply to you all to let you know how everything went. Thanks again for the support and advice. >

I am getting ready to travel to San Diego on Monday morning. I am not sure if I am supposed to fast on Monday or Tuesday (the surgery date). I am so anxious! I have been researching weight loss surgery for the last 10 years. I keep hearing about the gasx strips. What is this for? I am so hungry on the Pre-Op Diet and the thought of going 8 more weeks like this sounds impossible!! But, I will take it one day at a time! PRAY FOR ME! Any suggestions? I probably read them all but, I still feel like there is someone out there who can tell me the secret to getting through this! Ok, now that I think about it, I think it was when I started reading all of the forums about eating that really made me hungry. I was fine all day today. And I should be in bed right now, then I wouldn't even think about food. But, I am so interested in this and want to know everything about it. Well, I guess I should...this is a life changing event. Is it true that we can have 1 last meal before the surgery? I was originally scheduled to have the surgery in the US on 4/11 but because of insurance difficulties was not able to. So, I feel like I been on this liquid diet all month already! I would be happy with 1 last meal before having to wait 8 weeks post op! WOW! Too long!