MikeyLikesIt

Hi, guys! I'm here. See my new post.

Hello everyone! It's been a hot minute since I've been on the boards of any kind and am feeling bad because many of you are sending me private messages wishing me well and hoping that my surgery was a success...when in reality my July 18th surgery never happened. It's been post poned to Monday August 27th! My pre op Atkins diet has been in full effect since the day after I had my 1st consultation with Dr. Miranda and Dr. Ortiz. My minimum weight loss goal was 40lbs. Well 2 weeks before my set surgery Dr. Miranda called me to make sure my diet was going good. I believe she had nothing but good intentions when she did this and reminded me of my goal weight loss, pre op. Well she informed me that it would be BEST for my health and for the surgery to lose the maximum weight goal that she mentioned at consultation vs. the minimum and well that was far from what I had lost at the point of when she called me so we talked and we met somewhere in the middle so I now have a weight loss goal of a little bit higher amount. I felt horrible after speaking with her BUT do realize that she is doing this all for my health so come on someone looking out for your health can't be a bad person at all! So yeah - because of work time off issues it was only supposed to be pushed forward a couple of weeks but finally got a date compatiable with time off at work and room at OCC so it's set for Monday August 27th, 07. I will arrive in Tijuana on Sunday probably around noon or so. I've talked to a few people and have realized my pre op diet seems extreme to some and everyone tells me if I'm able to lose so much before surgery in a short period of time why don't I just save 8 grand and lose it on my own....and I respond with this...I do believe I could possibly lose all the weight on my own in due time BUT I also am positive I would probably gain all the weight back and then some. I am confident that with the band not only will I be able to lose all my unhealthy weight in due time but the band will be my tool to assist me in KEEPING it OFF. Also people seem to forget I have a lot of weight to lose....I don't have no 30lbs to lose like some, I have about 150! I'm so confident in this band and in myself that my surgery is still set and the wheels have been in motion since May 15th and nothing is going to stop them, not even a few additional pounds I must lose!!! So again I do apologize to all who have sent me personal private well wishes. I do appreciate all your support and all your concern so much, that's for sure. I will keep you updated and make sure you look at my new signature...it has my updated weight loss, which is very exciting to little ol' big me!

Hi Pam! Nice to meet you. Yup...I will be arriving in TJ on Tuesday the 17th for pre op and will be at Lucerna as well. I will be there with my good friend, Terry. Are you traveling solo or with a companion? Either way, we will be there with you for sure! I have no idea what time I'm having surgery either. I've been doing "okay" with the diet but need to lose 10 more lbs by the 18th!!! I'm scared but am hoping I can do it. How much weight did you have to lose before the surgery?

Hi, there! I'm getting banded in a little less than 2 weeks but have read so much about getting banded that honestly it just sounds like you need the right fill. From what I hear it sounds like that's the problem. Again, that's just from research on being on boards. I'm like a sponge right now...trying to get all the info. so once I'm banded I won't be like a fish out of water. :-) I'm sure you will get tons of support on this forum and all with positive reinforement that you can totally bounce back cuz don't forget...the band is still inside you...it just needs to be utilized the right way. Try to keep positive and continue to come here for support. Good luck!

OMG, 9lbs....dude that is awesome and your notes helps so much. I will take your advice...my surgery date is creeping up on me and before you know it I'll be emailing you for HELP! Congrats on the 9lbs....WOW.

Good luck, Donna!!!

Dude...thanks so much for all your advice and comments. It's great to know that there is someone very close to my stature and attitude towards weight loss. I with anyone else with a good dosage of reality knows this fat is just not going to drop off overnight. The way I gained a lot of weight over the years is the same way I have a high expectation if it only slowly dropping off. I lost nearly 70lbs in 2004/2005 and with stress, a new job position and much personal tragedy I stopped eating right and stopped going to the gym and slowly put it back on and now am left at my current weight which is 387. When I had lost all that weight I was at your current weight...330ish. BUT I have to tell you going from 400 to 330ish within literally 6 months I felt so good at that weight. I felt light on my feet, had so much more energy at the gym and felt so good. I've had like the most of us a huge struggle the 2nd time around of losing weight....so that is where I want the band to step in and assist me with my personal weight loss. I look at it like a tool that will only assist me, like a plus being added to portion cutbacks and making much more healthier choices when eating food. It's been 3 weeks and like you have totally cut back almost to zero alcholic beverages which for me isn't hard BUT I have tons of friends I hang out with and we go out monthly to relax and have drinks....it's actually been pretty easy so I'm glad for that. I will definately email you for some more advice once I get banded. Again, thanks a lot man. Much appreciation and congrats' on having a healthy band surgery.

Sign some papers and join the band!!!

Crossing the border into Mexico is smooth. Crossing back into the US from Mexico can take any where from 30 minutes to 2 1/2 hours, sometimes even longer. It really just depends when you go and how many locals are coming back and forth from South County including San Diego. Many locals like to the commute for work and return on Saturdays to see family and to handle business. The weekends will probably take more like an hour if not longer for sure. Time spent crossing by car is the same for taxi or normal vehicle.

Wow, already trying fish the day after surgery? I'm getting banded on July 18th and have read so much about what we cannot eat once we are out of surgery. From my understanding we are on a very light liquids to soups towards the end of the 2 weeks AFTER surgery. I would go on your instincts and from what it seems your body is so not ready for even very chewed up fish. I would be extremely scared to even try food until about 2 wks after surgery. I know everybody's body is very different but I wouldn't try food again if I were you...I would assume it would continue to be painful. Your body has had surgery less and 36 hours ago...I would stick 2 liquids. Good luck and congrats on a successful surgery.

LOL @ On the flight back home, I had some big gas poots that really needed and wanted to let go, but couldn't until I got off the plane and walked through the airport. - That is hilarious. I probably would've accidently let one rip. You've got some great self control, Judy!

Hey, Judy! Thanks so much for your reply! A few questions...it sounds like your banding was very recent? When did you get banded and how much have you lost, if any? How long have you been doing the liquid diet? I wish you much success and can only hope your health gets better with time.

Hey, guys! I've been on this forum ever since my 1st consult with occ on the 15th of this month and have noticed that new and old bandsters are at a much lower weight/bmi than I. A buddy of mine who is also having surgery is also near my weight/bmi. I'm 5'11, weighing 407 the day of my consult. My buddy and I will both be between 40-60 lbs. lighter once surgery day comes around and well I wanted to get a feel for bandsters weighing in at 350 plus the day of surgery and after for that matter. Just wanted to see how many people have a lot more weight to lose as I do and want you to list your complications, advice, and concerns you can share with a fellow big guy. This thread of course is open to everyone at any weight but just wanted to get a feel for what I can expect from people that are at my weight or have been my weight and have got banded already. From your eating habits to your exercise routines is what I'm interested in hearing about. I've noticed that so many people that have gotten banded complain about it not working yet I RARELY here about people exercising. Is it just me or are people just as lazy once the band is put on? I myself can't wait for the day I am not out of breath due to my weight and will be able to hit the gym or the track 3-4 times a week. There is a health nut inside this big guy and he's ready to shed the pounds, be healthy, and take charge and take full responsibility for what I've done to my body. No one has made me gain this weight, it's all my fault. As Dr. Ortiz stated to me, use the band to your best ability and work the tool I'll be giving you. I want to work the band to my full potential. Do I want to be rock hard with abs and weigh 185? Hell no! Do I have high expectations and expect my weight to fly off in 6 or even 9 months, hell no! What I want is to just be healthy and be at a more comfortable weight that I can accept and can actively live a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle. I've realized that after being over weight for so many years and going thru so many fad diets it's up to me to take any healthy route to GET healthy again. Lap band surgery being available to me is literally a dream come true. The fact that I can afford this and am taking the steps to complete it blow my mind. This surgery is like something you've always wanted yet once you have it within your reach your unsure if you want it or are unsure of how you will care for it. If this is something that's not all cracked up to be I will have to be the one that will have to evaluate myself and my motives. The decision is all mine!. I'm not saying Lap Band is my last resort but it's pretty close. Once I get this band placed in me I'll follow the strict diet, introduce an execise regimen when the time comes and work the band. I won't let the band work me cuz after all this is only a tool to assist me, not an answer that I'm expecting to cure my obesity overnight. So I welcome all bandsters with a starting weight of 350 or more to lend your voice to a fellow big guy who is so looking forward to his surgery in July! Thanks, everyone.

Man, I don't know where to start. I think I should start off by thanking you for taking your time which I can see you totally have by posting up your complete experience with details that are sooooooooo much appreciated. 2nd I want to say the fact that you are not of Mexican/Hispanic decent has a little and I do stress when I say little to do with your comfort level entering and having surgery in a country that is so unknown to you. I am Mexican American and will be having surgery on July 18th of this year. I can tell you from the get go I have expectations and that are not high from having surgery in Mexico. You might ask why but honestly it's not in a bad way. Mexico is great, my family comes from there. I believe the care you received was average and so not Beverly Hills. This I expect...but again I stress I'm Mexican and know this. I speak Spanish and know how to ask questions should I feel my travel arrangements are in the air. So for that said I can totally understand how you felt kind of in aww about certain things including Mrs. Ortiz appearance and attitude and uncertain travel arrangements. Trust me if I went thru your experience and was in France I'd probably be in your same boat! The fact that you didn't have a chance to meet with Dr. Miranda or Ortiz I think also has to do with your comfort level arriving in Mexico. I've been to Tiajuana several times and like I said although I wasn't born in Mexico I do have that comfort level of being around my people and have the freedom of freely comunicating with them with ease. You on the other hand were not in that scenario and felt a little restricted. After reading your post I feel I am lucky that I am only 1.5 hrs from Tiajuana and had the chance for a consult 2 months before my surgery. Many just book the surgery over email or phone and just arrive for surgery the day before it seems. I don't think I could do that but then again I don't know if i would because that's not my case. I applaud you for posting the pros and cons...it helps me a lot...that it does. I totally agree with you on the hotel situation. It sounds totally unfair about you not bringing someone so you basically get tricked out of a room you technically paid for but I think they look at the bigger picture which hello of course always comes down to saving money..."why have this luggage take up space when he's staying the night at OCC and not have that room vacant for another foreigner". Money needs to be made every which way, whether it's in the states or it's Mexico. But like I said I probably would've been shocked as you were to have them tell you to pack your bags before I get back to take you to OCC!! All your topics touched base on questions I had....you have answered so many. From how long the blood work takes, to who picks you up in the morning to how you felt after surgery. I thank you again for posting up all your info...it's awesome to know that you have had an experience that I believe to be is appreciated whether you had a few glitches your totally not bashing anyone yet simply pointing out things you liked and disliked and just stating the facts. Thanks for your honesty. I also plan on stating the events leading to my surgery once that day comes. I can only hope my surgery is as successful as yours was. Congrats on your success thus far and I'm sure you've helped so many people with questions like the ones I had.

Okay, got ya'. What type of band did you get? Was it the VG Band? I'm a little confused. I hear some people on this forum mention the VG band and others not mention what type of band they get. How many types are there? Any ways, congrats again on the weight loss. I can only hope the band works for me as it does for you.

Hey there. Congrats on the weight loss, man. What an accomplishment. What were your stats before and now? When were you banded? Thanks and keep up the good work.

Hey PJ. Well I also before joining this forum was just an outsider looking in but now that I've joined the forum and have met with the surgeon and booked my surgery it's great to know that you do have a site where you can come to and not be alone as far as being overweight and needing a little encouragement whether it just to say hello or to get your questions answered. Welcome to the forum. Hope all works out for you, don't ever give up. Mike

My surgery has been scheduled for Wednesday July 18th, 07. Anyone else have that day scheduled? Other than myself my friend is also getting banded on the exact same day. Also, do the surgeries usually take place early in the morning? Mike

Thanks so much. A family friend is going to get married in December and I'm going to be in the wedding so I want to look sharp in my tux, LOL. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for your words of encouragement. They are much appreciated. Mike

Hey there. So my consult went awesome and guess what? My surgery is scheduled for Wednesday July 18th! I'm very excited. I think the nerves are now gone. It's pure excitement from here on out. I have 40lbs to drop before surgery BUT I know I can do it. Thank you for the support. I really appreciate it, a lot! Mikey

Let's see where do I start...a friend mentioned the lap band idea to me almost a year ago. She mentioned something about a clinic in MX and I hesitated to take her seriously. Well a year later after a lot of reading and research her and her husband just booked a July 07 surgery for him. As soon as she came back and told me all about their personal consult with staff including Dr. Ortiz I was fully convinced that this would be the perfect time where I can take control of my life along with someone else and not feel scared about getting healthy, alone. I have a consult with Dr. Ortiz and staff tomorrow morning and am very nervous but know it's the right thing I must do. Mike