bandid

Littleroo I was wondering where you got your RMR at. I had mine done Years ago and would like to have it done again. Thanks, Susan

Thanks, I just thought it was funny when I read avoid vomithing at all costs. Like you can. It is something I am going to ask my doctor at my 1st appt. Susan

I am hoping to have my band placed later this year. I just got the book by Dr. Ortiz and I think it is the chapter by Dr. Grossman that says "avoid vomiting at all costs" How? The funny thing is I read that part of the book and woke up with a stomach virus the next day!. And then today, the first day I feel like being up at all I find the old post by "the ranter" about her friend that was dying because of vomiting. I wish there was more information in the post, I would be surprized that even the "Exerocist vomiting" I did yesterday morning could cause that kind of problem. My questions are: If you do throw up, should you see the Dr. just in case? What are the Signs and Symptoms of Slippage? Didn't I read that slippage was 3% of surgeries, and isn't it corrcectible in most cases without removing the band? I know that this is a gross topic, but it is something we will all face. I must have gotten this bug from a co-worker and now I am a little concerned, not enough to say I'm not having the surgery, but maybe just now the possible complications have become real to me. I have another question. I take vitamins and supplements, and you know how big calcium pills are. Will I be able to take them or will I have to switch to liquid? Although by the time I'm not paying $2500 a year for prescriptions (please, please, please) I suppose I could afford them. Thanks, Susan

Marissa That is a good question. I think that you should see a RD, registered dietician and see just how much you should be eating vs how much you are eating. I worked with a girl at one time, who when she went on a diet, she actually ate much more than before. And she lost from 3?? to maybe 225 the last time I saw her. She was taking thyroid pill though. Sometimes when we don't eat, out body goes into starvation mode and keeps every little calorie we eat. When your body realizes more food is coming because you are eating more often, you can lose weight. Of course this is a VERY simple explanation of a complicated process and doesn't work for everyone. Also, you can be malnourished and be overweight even though that seems like a contradiction. A lot depends on the food that you eat. Your insurance might pay for a nutritionist or RD if you doctor reccomends it. You would have to see one anyway if you decided to get the band. I consider myself a professional dieter-and that is not a good thing, I've tried most diets out there and lost, but regained as well. I laugh and say that if I had kept off all the weight I had lost I would be in the negative numbers. My personal opinion is no to the gastric bypass unless there is no alternative. That is irreversible. The lapband is reversible and has less complications. (I don't have a band yet, my consultation is in 2 weeks). Do you have a primary care physician that listens to you and that you trust. If you don't please try and find one. I love my MD, but he is like, "you should lose weight, you would feel better" Well, doc, give me the magic pill and I will. Band vs bypass is something you and your doctor should decide together. Start a journal of every bite you put into your mouth for at least 2 weeks and try and find someone to help you with your questions. Sometimes the dietician at the hospital does consultations, or at least they might could reccommend someone to you. Trying to lose weight is different for each person. One of the girs I work with took MY diabetic exchanges and lost 50 pounds without trying. And wasn't hungary. I was misrable and unable to follow that plan. Sorry about rambling, I am 45 and have been overwieght for 20 years, you just have to not give up and keep trying. I don't feel like I am "giving up" by trying for the band, but I do feel that it is not the answer for everyone and certainly needs to be thought about before considering it. I hope that this helps. Susan

hopeful I went to work this morning ( I am a PTA with Home health) and told one of the nurses who is thinking about getting a band about Dr. Ortiz and everybody was like MEXICO.... you know the rest. My appt is in two weeks with a MD in Memphis, but looking at credentials, I see nothing wrong with Dr. Ortiz. I know that you can run into problems, but I worked in a hospital for awhile and there were surgeries that the people just didn't do good at all. The ONLY difficulty I see with having it done in Mexico would be if you had a complication and ended up at your local ER. This is just from the RXN's I got today. If something goes wrong with my insurance and I become a self-pay I would feel confident about going to him. My big problem would be the fills, the nearest center is about 4 hours away. I would do it though. Where do you find out about infection rates? I am going to check into BMH and Methodist before deciding where (if approved) to have my surgery. The best thing I can think of is to research some of the closer weight loss centers, print up some things and have Dr. Ortiz's info to compare with. Of course some people would never get over MEXICO, but that is their problem! Good luck. I know things will work out well for you. This is a fantastic site. I have learned more here than any other site that I have been to. It is so nice to know what other people are thinking/going through, both before and after surgery. Thanks, Susan

I kinda know what you are going through. I have a consultation in Memphis in 2 weeks and a lot of people think I shouldn't have the surgery. Until I found this site, I would never have thought of having any surgery in Mexico, and if my appt. doesn't go well-you know how you can get a vibe-I'll have it done at OCC. I feel that the lap band is the right thing for me to do and you have to go with what you feel is right for you. Your family means well, my mother is behind me 100% and my dtr has come around. I am really excited to find this site because, like I said this is something I would consider doing now after reading all of the posts. And it might turn out that I would be better off financially to have it done in Mexico, but I would have to tell people after the fact instead of before because I know what I would hear. Anyway, good luck and keep posting, maybe your family and friends will come around. I maybe have a 50/50 split.