Zoey2

Okay, so I'm thinking of doing this as well and have done some research at places in my area (Scottsdale, AZ), there seems to be many, many places doing it with great results. My questions was about how much it costs.... The place I'm considering is about $400 for eight weeks (avg weight loss is 4-8) for each of those eight weeks. This price doesn't include the HCG which I guess is about $75 or so more. This includes weekly doctor visits, bloodwork and all. I'm sure it isn't for everyone (just like the band), but worth a try for those who have been stuck. I think it will be similar to the original month liquid diet for me which was very restrictive. At that time I wasn't hungry at all and had no trouble with it. Hoping this will be the same. Anyone have more input that are doing it right now would be greatly appreciated. I am ready to do this and move those scales in the right direction again!!!

When you say you lost 27 lbs the first month, are you including the weight you lost on the pre-op diet or from your weight on the day of surgery?

Brown-eyed Girl, sorry just saw your post. I had my surgery in Guatemala and there was no pre-opt diet for me which is of course different than those of you that go to the OCC. So had my surgery then lost the 27 pounds. It was awesome and I had no problem with hunger or anything.

I didn't have any hunger either. I think the trick is to keep sipping on something all day. If your full of liquids you don't get hungry. I did ask someone on here and they told me you can't over do liquids-just try to take smaller sips than normal. I love coffee and something hot worked great for me. Everyone is different and will react differently. At first your body is healing so its not to worried about food. Just my experience! Your going to do great. Make up your mind going into this thing that you are going to do it and do it right....that's the battle!!

Yeah, for me too it was no issue after surgery. A piece of cake (pardon the pun), but so easy and not hungry at all. I lost 27 lbs. the first month which probably isn't typical, but I wish it were that easy for me now.

Good luck, you will do great!

I feel the same frustration as you. I, like you, didn't have a lot of weight to lose. The difference is that when I originally was banded I lost all the weight I wanted and it was no big deal. This all happened within the first couple of months. I lost 27 lbs. the first month. Then had some problems with the port coming loose, etc. and gained back almost all the weight. This was after I had kept the weight off for more than a year. Long story short, everything working again and it is taking forever. I have lost about half again, but it was SO easy the first time with no effort and this time not the same and it is frustrating for me.

I have to do the same as you and use as a tool which I didn't have to do originally. Also, need to regularly exercise which I don't do right now.

Keep up the good work. The best thing is that when you lose it slow, I think the chance of keeping it off is greater. It will happen. Oh and my doctor told me the same thing about not needing to lose the weight, all that stuff. He once told me that the weight I wanted to lose, most of his patients gained from one visit to the next. He didn't think I needed to lose weight.

I gotta now work at it and pump it up to lose the last 30 lbs. again!!!!!

Good luck

Congrats! You look great!

Wow, great job! You look great and should be so proud. Keep up the good work.

Holly, where in AZ are you? I'm in Scottsdale and would love to have a fellow lapbander nearby. Let me know. Thanks

Question - if anyone knows - are we allowed to bring our own pain medication across the border if it is prescribed in our name? I have hydrocodone from a previous sinus surgery in December and they are still good.

Just so you know, in Mexico you don't even need a prescription to buy prescription meds including Hydrocodone. I live in AZ and will be going to Mexico on Saturday to buy some. So in answer to your questions, it is no problem to take in your own meds.

Good luck with the pain. When I had my port put back in I had quite a bit of port pain for what seemed like a very long time. Maybe even a month. That wasn't the case with my original surgery, so you just never know.

Funny you posted this today. I was thinking of posting and asking if others that were too full experienced weight gain or staying the same. I have had my fill for months, probably around the same time as you. It is too tight I am sure. I have trouble eating most things (except, of course, sherbet, ice cream, etc.). On occasion I eat with no problem, but most of the time no. I have pretty much given up eating breakfast as that is the hardest. I have been doing a lot of smoothies.

So, I guess my question is the same. For those of you that have had to have fluid removed did you notice that you either stayed the same in weight or gained a few pounds? I am just so nervous to have fluid taken out (not for the procedure itself) but because I am worried I will gain weight being able to eat more than what I have been doing. It is so crazy, I just feel like because it is too tight would be better than not tight enough, etc.

However, I do think because what I can eat is so limited that I am more apt to eat things I shouldn't because there is no problem getting those things down. So anyone that can shed light on this would be great.

I will keep my reply short, but I can totally relate to what you are saying. I have never been considered obese, but overweight -- yes! I have lost a fair amount of weight 50 lbs. approx twice in my life. The first time I did, I got really skinny. I am 5 ft. 11 inches tall and I was in a size 6 pants which is pretty small for a large frame, tall person. I never felt really skinny. I guess same as another poster saw myself skinnier, felt better and all, but maybe in the back of my head still was this overweight person. At that time I thought the reason I felt heavy still, even though I knew I wasn't was that I was pretty big boobed. So I had breast reduction surgery, went from a DD to a C cup and that didn't make a difference. So I guess it is learning to love ourselves and get it into our heads that we are beautiful people no matter what size.

I was out in a bar/dance club a few weeks ago and this shed some light for me. There was a pretty attractive African American woman with her man. She was very overweight, I would guess that she was about 300 lbs. and maybe 5 ft. 3 or 4, something like that. You could tell that she and her boyfriend/husband were very comfortable with who she was and she loved herself. This was one of the sexiest women I have ever seen. She was just standing there moving and dancing and couldn't have looked sexier. I think that says a lot about who she is as a person and how she feels about herself. It was eye-opening to me. Never before did I think that I would find anything sexy in a woman of this size, but she very much so was!!! Interesting.

Good luck on your venture. It will change your life and it is a tool to turn your entire life around and be a better, healthier person.

Keep us posted.

Denise

You look amazing!!!!! I really want to do the TT, etc. and have actually paid about $2500 to a doctor here in AZ, but it is pretty expensive just for a TT about $8,000. I would love pics and details on what you had to pay and possibly got to Mexico for this instead. I could get more done for the same money. You look so great, your waist looks so small and everything.

You should be very proud. My personal e-mail is luv2adoptguat@yahoo.com Thanks

So today is my first day to try and eliminate this terrible drug from my system. I have already cut way back, but as of today my goal is elimination!!!!!! So starting today, probably for a few days, I will TRY really hard to just have one can of Diet Cherry Pepsi. After a few days of having one, I will have one-half, then down to every other day, etc.

Wish me luck!!! I've been addicted to this stuff for a very long time. I guess given that information, I should expect to be off it overnight. I have high hopes though. I am going to get some Crystal Light today and try that along with my propel. I also will start making a smoothie everyday as well. Hope it works!

Wow, what a post. It brought tears to my eyes as well. Very well written. You have come to the right place for support from many in "the know" regarding all this lapband stuff. I also agree that you have taken a huge step in the right direction that will benefit you in many ways. This could be the tool to a whole new life for you!!! Embrace this and hang on for the ride. I believe that you will love that you have made this decision and will only think "why did I wait"? Like others have posted, there will be ups and downs and it won't always be easy, but definitely worth it. I agree that you shouldn't push your husband out. Hopefully he is in love with you, the inner beauty of you as well as your outer beauty. Hopefully he will be your biggest fan throughout this journey -- he should be!!

Good luck and keep us posted. We are all here for each other and that is awesome. We can all share in this journey together as it isn't always easy without the help of other lapbanders.

Wow, thanks for all the input. I, like someone else that posted, if I don't have the caffeine get a migraine as well so that is why I've dropped way back and not eliminated it. I guess this week it will be my plan to slowly eliminate it. I didn't realize, other than the gas, that it could have such a negataive impact on the band itself so all the more reason to stay away. I did think about trying to get into coffee instead for the caffeine in the morning, but just can't get into that. I do love the taste and maybe the carbonation as well, not sure. So thanks all of you and wish me luck on my week trying to get off this horrible drug!!!!!

Okay, I'm sure I'm not the only one out here that is addicted to diet soda. The problem is gas since I had the lap band surgery. One time my gas pains were so bad and my doctor in the states has told me at least twice that I am probably one who just cannot drink soda. The problem is that I LOVE it number one, and also there isn't a whole lot else I like to drink. I don't like coffee or tee, I don't like lemonade. I have started to drink Propel flavored water since I get so bored with just water.

Anybody have any ideas or have the same issues? Thanks for the input. I have cut way back and usually only drink about 2 cans per day, but still quite a bit of gas.

Great post!!!! I LOVE it. I feel the same way. Haven't lost a whole lot in the last couple of months, but my clothes are getting looser and looser. I know once I really start to work out that will make a difference as well. It does get discouraging when you don't see the scale moving downward like we all like. That made my day as well!

Just a test

Thank you everyone for your kind words. I want to do this and I feel I am getting closer.

You know everyone handles things differently. I, on the other hand, was so excited about the surgery even though I didn't have a lot of weight to loose (about 50 lbs), and I had people begging me not to do it. They were afraid that something may happen. I had wanted to have the surgery for a couple of years prior as well.

As others have posted, you are under for a short time and it is laproscopic which has less side affects. You have to listen to yourself, however, and do what is right for you. I feel quite confident that you will not regret your decision and once it is over you will wish you had done it sooner as well.

Keep us posted and ask away with questions and maybe you feel more comfortable with your decision.

That is so awesome. I want to do the same thing, just need to come up with the money. I also got a quote from a local doctor and for the tt alone, not the extended tt, it is about $8,000 so I think your price seems good. Keep us all posted and I wish I were in your shoes, hopefully soon I will be.

Just think how amazing your body will be when you are done and healed.

Hi

Just don't let it go on too long. If you can't drink well, then you

may need a little unfill.

Nicole

When you say band revision, what did you have done? Just wondering since I've had some issues and had to had port re-attached, removed and put back in, etc. Haven't heard of anyone with similar stories.

Thanks

Wow, great job!!!!! I lost 27 lbs. my first month as well, but know that men seem to do better and loose more. Keep up the good work and welcome to the forum.

Congratulations!

I would certainly buy some of your dedication if you could bottle it up!

Wow, that is amazing. You should be very proud of yourself. Your life has been forever changed and that is a wonderful thing. Keep up the good work. Your pictures are fabulous.

Zoey:)

In the mornings I am tight and I can only drink hot liquids. I can't eat anything until late afternoon. In the evenings it seems like my band is wide open and I can eat anything. Does anyone have any insight on why there is morning tightness? Or does that mean I am too tight and need a slight unfill?

Denise

Denise

I don't know why this is either, however, in the mornings I seem tighter as well. I was trying to eat and have now given that up. I drink smoothies or something -- so for me it doesn't have to be hot.

As the day goes on it is better, but I still have quite a bit of restriction later in the day as well, but not like the morning.

Interested in finding out why.

Zoey:)

I really think it depends on how much fat you have internally clinging onto and around your stomach. As you loose weight and body fat, the first fat you'll loose is that fat hanging onto your stomach. That's why we need a fill so soon. I've never heard that men require less fills than females. I really think thats BS. Everyone is different, why Dr. Ortiz picks one size band versus another is why he's the surgeon and I'm not. There could be numerous reasons why I got a 4cc band versus another patient got a 10cc band. I was banded almost 3 years ago, band criteria has changed since I was banded. Maybe the 4cc band is no longer available, I don't know. Like I said, bigger bands are being used in the states, maybe it's for many reasons? One, to eliminate the restriction right after surgery. The other is that in the USA, your lap band surgeon can ding the insurance company a few more times before you achive restriction. Also, there's always the possibility the 4cc band is no longer the best choice to use and its being phased out? I can't speak for your surgeon. I can't say why a surgeon uses one band or another. Plus, things change over time, some to the good and some are questionable. Since I was banded using the bigger band might be the best thing for patients. Lap band surgeons and Inamed have learned alot since I was banded and maybe the 4cc band isn't the best choice anymore. I know that every clinic that specializes in banding, they want you, as a patient, to be successful. They all live on their reputation and want you to succeed. Patients that succeed tell their friends and others that the band works. I know in the area I live in, the surgeons slowly bring a patient to restriction when they could do it the first time they adjust a patients band via using a fluoroscope and a barium swallow. Why they do blind fills and spoon feed the saline to the patients band is my theory of milking the insurance company for more money. I guess we'll have to see what Dr. Ortiz has to say about this. But, I love this kind of debate, this is why this forum and many others are on the web, to bring questions like this to the front and have a nice friendly debate,, OH I JUST LOVE THIS KIND OF DEBATE!!!

Well, this is a very interesting post. My scenario is very different, but I had my surgery a little over 3 years ago and had it in Central America. I never needed a fill!!!!! The first month after your surgery there you cannot eat, only the yogurt, soft type stuff and I lost 27 lbs in that first month with no problem. Also, didn't have that much weight to loose, about 45-50 lbs and it was gone in a couple of months with no effort at all. Yes, I couldn't eat anywhere near the amount I could eat prior to the band, but I could eat whatever I wanted and lose the weight!!! Before I left Central America in late 2007 (one year after the surgery) saw the doc and said to do a fill. I was getting greedy. I was at a good point, went from a size 18-20 or so to a size 8 and I am 5 ft. 11 inches, so pretty thin. He did the fill (even though he thought I was crazy) and I felt more restriction, but I didn't loose any more weight. In fact this is when I started very slowly to gain. Then within a few months is when I had the port problem, etc. and ended up with no restriction for over a year and gained back most of my weight. Now after having a couple of fills, and an un-fill, I have probably too much restriction as I puke a lot and have a lot of trouble eating, but have lost about 20-25 lbs so will be back to where I was in about 20 pounds. I'm afraid to have an un-fill as I've lost weight, but I know I puke way too much. I'm assuming I had a 4 cc band even though my doctor here in the states didn't mention that option, he said 9.5 or 10 I believe, but I only have about 1.5 or 2 cc's in my band and he said he felt a lot of restriction when putting it in and asked if I was sure I wanted it, so that would explain it I guess. I will mention that to him when I see him. Very interesting!!!

Thanks for all the info.

Zoey:)

Hey Zoey, I am a nurse myself and I think what Lisa suggested might be a good idea for you. Dr. Ortiz might even be able to speak with you on the phone and tell you his opinion on consulting him or exactly what type of physician would be most qualified to help. Hang in there! also....I have done home health for years. I found it a little odd that your packing was changed by the nurse every few days instead of daily. Do you know what they were packing the wound with? Usually, packed wounds needs to stay wet to moist and can dry out if not changed daily.

Elizabeth

In the beginning it was every day, however, then they were packing it with "Select Silver" which only needs to be changed about every 3 days. There was no problem with this process and it healed nicely except that it took a long time and was very painful in the beginning.

Thanks for your help.

Zoey:)

I have read all the posts on this tread. If I were you this is exactly what I would do - as you do not want to risk getting some horrible infection and end up very very sick or worse. I would (even if I had to borrow the money) get my butt down to see Dr.Ortiz. Seriously. I think its gone on too long and I am pretty worried about you. I think you should call the clinic first thing in the morning and get down there as quickly as you can. I know this may seem harsh but honestly. I had a c-section scar that re-opened after 1 year and it ended up getting very infected after it wouldnt close properly for a few months of trying - I almost died. They ended up reopening the whole thing and cutting off some of the scar tissue and reclosing everything which finally helped. Obviously all these other doctors are not making anything better for you and you must be very frustrated. I am sure you could make it a quick trip - but really, you cant play with this stuff - GOOD LUCK and keep us posted

I just want to thank everyone that has posted and given me advise or just given me support. I so appreciate it you cannot believe. I have been doing this alone, or nearly as I don't really have support of family and nobody is familiar with what I have been through. So at times, it is very hard on me and not knowing what to do. I really cannot afford (or borrow for that matter) the money to go to Dr. Ortiz, however, I will get into this other doc as soon as I can and if he thinks there is a big concern or something then we will cross that bridge when I get to it. This has been going on for over a year now. October, 2008 is when I had the surgery to re-attach the port and when it all started. Better now that it was last year as their was a lot of drainage, etc., but still in somewhat the same situation.

I really appreciate everyones honesty and openness with this and it isn't too harsh. I've thought about all these things and wonder myself at times. I guess you just get so used to it after awhile and then things don't seem quite so bad.

Thanks again and look forward to learning of all of your wonderful stories. I enjoy reading them so much. I need to get back to that point again with the band functioning and loose the weight that I gained back during all this bs.

Have a great night!

Zoey:)