Nicole

Clynn,

I was banded a week after you and have only lost 20 pounds and about 4 sizes. I am so frustrasted. Any tips on how you've done so well?

Please help...

Nicole

Hello Everyone, I haven't been on for a very long time. I was banded in Oct 2006 around the same time as Cindy. I live in Dewey, AZ (outside of Prescott) about 45 mins north of Phoenix. Please help.....I am so frustrated. I have not lost ANY more weight than the pre-op/post-op time. The original 25 pounds. I have lost inches though. I'm down almost 4 sizes. But I can't seem to lose any more. I have heard that stress is a huge factor in the PB'ing. Any truth? I haven't been able to keep hardly anything down the last month or so (and haven't lost anything there either). I've also noticed the same feeling around "that time of the month". Although I have had a partial hysterectomy, I still get the monthly symptons. Anytime of the month I definitely can't eat anything until I've been awake for atleast 3-4 hours. I have tried yogurt/drinkable yogurts too...they barely go down. I have found very few foods that religiously work or don't. Some days I can eat a particular food then other days I can't. Any ideas why? I'm not hungry that much and don't really eat much at one sitting. There is alot of food I know I should be eating but have trouble with...apples, bananas, carrots, etc. I can eat plain salads though with no problem. I haven't been able to eat any kind of cereal yet either. I get some exercise in because of being so busy around the house...we have a small farm so we're always doing chores of some kind. I just don't know what else to do. I have had 2 fills. Unfortunately, I don't know how much I have in me or what kind of band I have. Any advice from anyone??????????

I have rented a car to go to TJ for a fill on May 19th. I will be arriving in San Diego around 8:30 am for a 10:30 am fill. I will only be there for the day. I have to be back to the airport by 12:00 pm. If anyone would like to share the ride, let me know. I am not on the forum very often but you can email me at colaschmit@yahoo.com.

I am having a very hard time passing the gas. My shoulder hurts off and on all day. I have had a constant chest pain for the last 2 days. I am 6 days post-op. I have found when I drink/eat anything that fills my tummy, the gas shifts to my shoulder. Is this normal? I walk alot during the day so I know that's not the problem. I'm just so scared to have my band slip or any other bad things happen. I'm careful with my food and drinks. I'm not eating solid food, so don't worry about that. I guess you could say "mushies". haha

Anyone have any suggestions or is this a doctor question?

Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes. My surgery went good. I'm still pretty sore, but managing.

I was banded on Oct. 16th and I can also feel lumps by the port incision. One is to the left and doesn't feel like it is my insides or anything. The other one I noticed today and it is directly under the incision. A small rounded lump. It doesn't hurt, but worries me that it shouldn't be there.

Is this normal as well?

My name is Kitty and my surgery date is Oct. 12. My husband & I are flying in from Texas late on the 10th. My surgery will be somewhat more difficult because it is a re-do. In 1981, I had my stomach stapled and it never worked right. I'm 57 now so I figure it's now or never. Good luck to all of you.

Hi Miss Kitty, it's Nicole. It was so nice meeting you and your husband. I wanted to thank you guys for being so supportive to me. You are wonderful people. I hope things work out for you. Please keep me posted. I'd also like to get information on your lodge. We'd like to come visit.

Nicole in AZ

Hi all,

I am new to banding also. I am scheduled for surgery on the 12th...only a few days away. We fly in to San Diego Wednesday morning for pre-ops. I am so nervous but also excited and anxious to start my new life. This weight has kept me from doing so many things and now I can't wait to get it off. I live in Dewey, outside of Prescott. I was on a website (can't remember where now) but they were talking about a doctor here in AZ that does fills for patients who had surgery in Mexico. She lives around Show Low and travels to Phoenix once a mont I believe. I am looking again to find her name. I will let you know when I find it. I would like to go back to Dr. Ortiz for atleast my first fill. If anyone is interested in traveling together, holler!! Best wishes to the upcoming bandster.

Nicole

Nicole, I had the same concerns as you regarding what to take to the clinic, my robe, pj pants, etc. I asked a lot of questions, and ended up not taking anything. I had a friend staying back at the hotel, so I left my suitcase with her, and brought my book, and MP3 player in a backpack. It was more than enough.

They give you a nice long hospital gown that completely covers everything. There was no reason to change. Everyone else there looked the same, so why not. I brought elastic pants for the whole trip, not knowing what to expect as far as where the incisions would be. You would have to wear your pants very, very, very high (like Steve Erkel) for them to both the incisions. My lowest incision is a good 6 inches above my belly button. However, for me, there was one smaller incision that was right under my bra. It was kind of uncomfortable, not terrible though, on the way home and for the next week. I ended up putting a bandaid over it so that it wouldn't rub, and wearing my exercise bra when I got home. Just an idea.

Becki

Thanks for the tips.

Nicole

I know before surgery I was so nervous and I wanted to know EVERYTHING! So here it is folks. It is long, but it covers everything. This is only MY experience and I know others may have had things go differently. Here goes...

Hi ClaireinCO,

Have a question for you....I am getting banded Oct 12th and I've ready your story...great by the way, would you recommend a gown for after surgery or would pants pj's be ok? I'm not exactly sure where the incisions will be and from the pictures I've seen of other bandsters, they all had gown pj's on. Thought I'd ask you as well? Thanks for your story!!

Nicole

I will be flying in on the 9th with surgery on Tuesday the 10th - I start my pre op diet on Tuesday of this week - I want to have the extra time to make myself realize this is the start of a new begining for me.....I will probably wait the 6-8 weeks for a fill---I willprobably try to get back b4 the end of the year -mostly cause I don't have a passport yet and I heard possibly at the begining of 2007 they will require one to cross the borders......I will probably see you while you and I are there in tijuana -----I will be the blonde heavy set one looking really nervous lol

Cyndi,

Thanks for writing back. Where in AZ are you? Maybe we could travel together for fills. I am in Dewey, outside of Prescott.

Nicole

My date has been scheduled for the 10th of October I will be flying in from AZ -----looking for anyone to come along with friend and myself to explore the shpoping area around there I wil be in on October 9th for the pre op things --Cyndi in AZ

Hi Cyndi,

I am also in AZ and will be arriving at the center on Oct 11th and banded on the 12th. Where will you be getting your fills? Do you know how much they cost and how often you have to get them?

Nicole

I will be banded on Oct. 12th. I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Nicole