jb1744

GiGi, Hello! Don't worry about what the scale is saying right now. I'm sure that you'll find that after your swelling goes down you'll notice a big drop in the number!! My port does stick out a tiny bit, but I dont think anyone else would notice. I was a lower BMI patient also (32) and I lost 15 pounds in the first 3 weeks. Unfortunately, I have stalled out since then and have stayed the same for the last 4 weeks!! I am really ready for a fill and am hoping to go for one next week!! I have noticed a big difference in my clothes though, and do think sometimes you lose inches despite what the scale says!! Good Luck with everything! Monica

Hello, I am curious what your symptoms were with the band erosion? How did you know that it was eroding? I always like to know what to look out for!!! Thanks, M.

I was banded on March 2nd 2005. I was 5'5" and weighed 185, my BMI was 32 on the day of surgery. Today (5 weeks later) I weighed 169!! I can't believe 16 pounds are gone already!! I do agree that in the long run the band does "work slower" with lower BMI patients, but it is a great tool!!! In response to your concern about local care, you should definetely call around and find a local, or fairly close, doctor that will be willing to see you if you have problems or when you need a fill. Hopefully there will continue to be more and more US doctors that will help with follow-up care on Mexican banded patients! M.

Susie, I was banded by Dr. Ortiz on March 2, 2005. I had a BMI of 32 and weighted 185 on the day of surgery. Today March 30th I am 171!!! I was 170, but seem to have gained a pound since I started solids 7 days ago! As far as the hunger factor goes, I did pretty well during the liquids stage. I was rarely hungry and was satisfied with very little during that time. Needless to say I was thrilled with the 15 pound loss!!!!! I have been alittle frustrated this past week, because I started solids, have gained a pound, and feel like I could eat anything. When I study the portions that I am eating though, it really is much less than I was eating before. I am going to schedule my fill at the 6 week point and then I hope to feel some restriction. I'm sure that my swelling has gone completely down and I'm wide open in there!! Its weird though, although the scale has stopped moving, my clothes are feeling better and better. As far as the surgery, it was a great experience. Everyone was so nice and accomodating. I don't remember much about the day or the day after surgery, and the pain was very minimal. I never took pain medication after I left the hospital!! The scars look great, the only one you really even notice is the port scar and that's just a thin red line. I expect at 6 months to a year out you will barely notice them at all! Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll be happy to help. Also, go on lapbandtalk.com it's a great site for LOTS of info!! Monica

Joy Bug, Congrats on the 15 pound loss!! I agree with you completely on the low BMI issue!! I was curious if you have had your first fill yet? I was banded on March 2nd and just started solids this week. I find that I have alittle restriction, but am still getting hungry throughout the day....I know I shouldn't complain because Im eating much less than before! I just read a post on lapbandtalk.com by a lady who just had her first fill and can't keep much of anything down. Im wondering if Im losing at 2-3 pounds per week and am a low BMI patient if I should continue without a fill for as long as I can? Thanks for any feedback!!

Hello Cindy, I just got banded on March 2. I had a BMI of 32 at the time of surgery. I have done great so far! I am down alittle over 12 pounds in 2 1/2 weeks!! I am starting to get a little bit hungry now that my swelling has probably gone down inside, but am satisfied with much less than before! Today was my first day to excersize also, I did 30 minutes on the elliptical. In my research I have only seen a few comments from people with BMIs less than 35, but they all seem positive. I do know that Mexico seems to be the best place to go for low BMI patients, and I had a great experience with Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez. Let me know if you have any other questions! Sincerely, Monica

Hi Jenna, I just replied to your post on my question of what to bring to TJ for the surgery! Thanks for all the info you provided. I have been checking out LapBandTalk.com and it has been a wealth of information. I am leaving on Tuesday for my pre-ops and am scheduled for surgery Wed. morning!!! yeah!! I will let you know how the whole process went as soon as I'm up for it~ Sincerely, Monica

Jenna, Thanks for all of the info!!! I am leaving on Tuesday for my pre-op and am having the surgery on Wednesday morning!!! I am nervous, but mostly excited and ready! I have been checking out LapBandTalk.com quite a bit and have found tons of useful information there as well! Keep me posted on that growing list of yours! My email is jb1744@aol.com Sincerely, Monica

Hello, I am scheduled for surgery on March 2! I am curious about how quickly I will be able to get back to my normal routine. Specifically, how long until I can do cardio/weight excersize? Also, any tips on what I need to bring with me to TJ? Thanks, Monica