Jump to content

curveydiva

Members
  • Posts

    23
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by curveydiva

  1. A banded friend had this strange thing happen. She has had her band for a few years now and went to get an adjustment (under fluro)- everything seemed to go well. However the next day she complained of no restriciton at all - NONE as if there was no band at all. She was way over eating. So after a few days she went back in, she was CONVINCED she had a leak. The office did a dye test and found that luckily she was leak free, however her esopogus had massively dialated from improper chewing and was acting like another pouch - all of her food was just sitting in her esophogus. Additionally, the nerve that sends the "stop eating" signal is no longer delivering the message so she just kept on eating and never felt the "soft stop" stage. Now she is on liquids for a few weeks to try to correct the problem. What is scary is that she thought she needed more restriction because she was too loose, when it was a dialated esophogus. Scarey!

  2. There are so many new babyfoods out there now. Especially the gerber steps that have babyfood and more corse food for older kids. Purely for time saving is it good to use babyfood as the food I consume during the soft food period.

    Aggreed - I turn to baby food after I get my band tightned and I am really tight, and also sometimes in the morning. I find that I am usually tight in the morning and can't always eat breakfast. I have some extra babyfood in my drawer at work. You just can't beat babyfood bananas.

  3. I went to Dr. Malley initially before I found out my insurance wouldn't cover lapband. I paid for a consultation with him out of pocket which in turn he billed to my insurance and they pd for that. I ended up going to Dr. Ortiz because of the expense, and when I returned Dr.Malley's office stated they would not see me because I had a consultation with him but didn't use him. So I was pretty upset with that. On a positive note though, I go to the More of Life Weight Loss Surgical Center in Overland Park, KS. They have a PA there "Mitch", and he is AWESOME!!!! I do my fills under fluoroscopy and they bill my insurance. My insurance will not pay for the actual fill part, but they pay a portion of the fluoroscopy and my office visit fee. I know cash patients get fills under fluoroscopy for I believe $150. So just wanted to throw that out there in case you ever decide you aren't happy with the Malley office. Also, the have another center at the Independence Center in Independence, MO.

    Good luck with everything!!!

    Angela

    Wow, this is great info Angela, thank you so much! I am dissapointed that the soones Malley could get me in was May 2nd, and they just called me to bump that out even more. I want my fill now! I'll check out the More of Life Center, I appreciate the recommendation!

  4. I have finally found a doctor that is willing to do fills here in Missouri. Fills Centers USA is outrageous, I could just fly back to Mexico for the crazy prices they are charging. All of the doctors that I called said that they will not see a patient banded in mexico due to liability issues. So I finally found Dr Malley from Malley Surgical Center which is close to Kansas City. He will see patients banded in mexico and his fees were very reasonable - much much much cheaper than Fill Centers USA, he also does his fills under flouroscopy, and will attempt to bill your insurance. I have my first visit with him May 2nd and am really excited. Has anyone else ever been to him?

  5. This weekend I flew on a Delta airbus - I was soo happy to find that the seat belt on the plane was very generous, there was actually extra belt, so I did not have to ask for an extender. There was also room to put the tray table down all of the way, I wish more airlines were concious of the comfort of plus sized people.

  6. I was banded on 8/3/10. My port was only extremely uncomfortable for a few days. After that I was able to sleep on that side but could not bend straight over on the left to tie my shoes. That lasted approx another week. I think everyone has a different journey but hopefully yours will be easy.

    I am one month post op - my port is on my left side. I can only feel it if I purposely press my fingers against it - you can tell that if feels a little firmer now instead of what would normally be smooshy. It causes no pain at all, however, I still have a lot of weight to lose. The only pain I felt was immediately after surgery and that was mild, and due to being cut and stiched, not from the port itself.

  7. I had surgery Monday and was back to work on Wed and did not take my pain meds. I just feel sore like a muscle soreness almost, like I did too many situps. I'm just a bit slower to sit stand and bend over. I went for a mile walk last night and did fine. I think the pain is very mild and tolerable. The worst part is getting going in the morning - trying to get out of bed once you have been laying down all night is tough - a little sore to roll over but no biggie.

  8. I just had surgery the other day (8/23) and I went down by myself - it was way easy, nothing to be worried about. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Old Town Sand Diego, they sent a shuttle to pick me up and take me from the air port to the hotel, Old town is great and safe, and just a few blocks long so I walked all around by myself that night, it was fun, the next mornign my shuttle driver for the hospital was waiting for me right at 9am outside of the hotel. He drove us across the border - we never had to get out of the van some one just poked their head in and counted us and we were flagged to move ahead, within 5ive minutes we were at the facility. Going back across the border was easy too, you just stand in line and the border guy glances at your passport and waves you on. He didn't stamp it, ask for id or anything - it looked more intemidating than it was. The shuttle driver was there the whole time.

  9. I am exactly one week away from surgery - I also started my diet early because of the high BMI (over 50) - I have been trying other lo-cal meals - Weight Watchers "Smart Ones" has a fabulous bacon pasta dinner that does not taste like diet food at all. I have been drinking a "Boost" for breakfast and one for lunch - the chocolate flavor is sooo good (I wish these were bigger) and then the lo-cal dinner but beginning today, I am hitting it hard core with only three shakes a day. I hope I can get through it okay, It will be a long week. I got really discouraged because I started my diet Aug 2nd, and lost 10lbs that first week, but then all of a sudden gained most of it back, even though I was walking nightly and sticking to my diet. Water fluxuation(?) so that was extremely dissapointing - but I am still at it. That's why I am switching to all liqids only for this last week. Such a bummer. I got some walmart brand fiber capsuls that are the store brand version of Metemucial - they were cheap. In preperation for after surgery, I bought some vitamins at Walgreens - they are orange chewable and made especially for patients that have had bariatric surgery - they have higher levels of B12, Iron, and a couple of other vitamins - they don't taste bad either, kinda like baby aspirin. You chew four of them a day.

  10. This forum is wonderful! I was extremely hesitant and scared about going to Mexico for the surgery. Little by little I started researching, and started feeling more comfortable with the idea. I was still hesitant until I started reading the forum. It answered most of the questions I had (except for some very specific ones, that I will ask the Docs). BUT... most importantly I feel like I am part of a group now, and that somehow I will not be doing this on my own. Yesterday, I was scheduled to get banded on September 9th. All of a sudden, I feel better about myself... even energetic... and very optimistic about the future! Thanks to everyone that takes time to write in the forum... you guys are awesome!

    Jasmin

    Good luck! I know how you feel. I am new to the forum too and I feel great to be part of a community of people sharing their stories and advice. I am getting banded this month and have also felt a positive change. Like this time, it's gonna happen. I have found a new sense of excitement and energy that will helpfully push me along the way. I hope you reach your goal!

  11. Good for you. I am so excited for you. I arrived by myself the day before surgery. I was taken to the clinic where I had bloodwork, talked to Dr Miranda about diet , and had lung function tests and ECG. Talked with the aneasthitist. I then went back to the Marriott and had a nice evening. I only ate a healthy dinner because did not want to pig out and then end up nauseated or full of gas post op.

    I was nothing by mouth after 10 p,m

    The next morning I was picked up and driven to the OCC. Was taken to my room where I changed into a gown and sexy paper panties ( NOT hahahaha). Also they put compression stockings on me. I then had an IV started. Dr Ortiz came and talked to me and answered any final questions. I was given an Ativan to relax and taken to the OR. Once on the table everyone was so friendly. Mask was put on my face with oxygen and that is the last thing I remember. Iwoke up in my room a few minutes later. Surgery took 12 minutes .

    Since I travelled alone I chose to stay at the OCC overnight. As soon as I was awake they had me up walking. It was no problem to move at all. I did not feel any discomfort mind you I have a high pain tolerance. Perhaps I could say it was a dull ache. As soon as I had some water they removed the IV. I was given popsicles and broth and just walked as much as possible. They had computers there so I was able to send emails etc. Also they had a phone in your room with free phone calls to anywhere in the USA.

    Had a good sleep that night, Minor gas discomfort but I found walking and lifting my hands above my head got rid of it. I would lift my hands up an move them around, belch and things were dandy.

    In the morning I showered and was driven back to the Marriott. I spent the day relaxing, ate their chicken broth which was good for meals and flew home the next morning.

    All in all it was a breeze and I have no complaints about anything.

    Debbie

    Revy D you are a true inspiration!! :)

  12. Hey all lap-banders!

    I'm Dana and I'm getting my lapband surgery done at OCC on September 9th 2010. I've read almost all of the different question/answer topics that are on this site and are all very helpful, you guys rock! I am just wondering what happens on the surgery day and the day after? I admit I am a little nervous but excited all at the same time and if I knew what to expect I think it will take some of the pressure off of me! I would appreciate any information anyone is willing to give me on here and hope to meet new people that are/have gone through this journey! :lol:

    ~Dana

    How exciting! I am having surgeryabout two weeks before you. I have been combing over posts and blogs getting as much info as I possibly can. It's been very helpful. I started my liquid diet yesterday because I have some weight to lose pre surgery and yesterday was sooooo tough but today I'm doing much better so far. Good luck to you!!!

  13. I did browse through the gallery - it really is inspiring, my cousin was banded 4 years ago and is a sucess story, she's really inspiring. I just watched Dr O's video about having the right attitude for sucess and that helped too...I'm feeling pumped for the time being. I think checking in on the forum often will help since there seems to be so much positive help and encouraging sucess stories out there. I will check out the blogs...I appreciate your advice.

  14. So you would think that I would be worried about travelling to Mexico by myself or maybe having the surgery itself, especially so far from home, but no, not really - what I'm worried about is my liquid diet. Now I've dieted and fasted a zillion times - but I guess that this time I am really aware of the committment and the whole being ready for a lifetime of new (better) choices - I've always failed before at my attempts to lose weight. I am nervous about not being able to do good enough. Afterall if I had the ability to stick to guidelines I would not have 30+ years of overindulging under my belt. I've also been becoming more aware of poor habits that I make that are just blind habits. For example the other day I was leaving a restraunt, well of course I had to refill my drink cup first, didn't think anything of it - it's just something you do before you leave (gotta get your money's worth and you need one for the road, right?) So the point was, I caught myself and was i thirsty still? No. It's these little things that I do everyday without thinking about plus knowing conciously - "you can't eat xxx right now - you really need to do this instead so that you are sucessful this time" I'm starting to get nervous...isn't that stupid, it's just food. I'm purging my fridge and pantry today, tossing out a lot so I do have acess to any cheatables so readily...just in case.

  15. I'll be having surgery Monday 8/23 - is anyone else on here scheduled that day as well? I am so excited and can hardly wait. I've been so fortunate that my cousin was banded 4 years ago and is a great sucess story, she's my mentor during this process, she was banded in the U.S. though. I'll be doing this trip/surgery on my own.

×
×
  • Create New...