JuliaA

Hey Julia,

I met Kim in TJ, did I meet you? I was banded on the 6th. How did your surgery go? Kim and I were doing great the following day. We are 4 days post op and I feel just fine. Struggled with some chest (gas) pains for a while. Kim's mom gave me some GAS X strips and they did the trick for me. No shoulder pain to report (thank the LORD!). Let us know how you're doing.

Hey Lynn,

I don't believe I met either on of you. I had preop on the 3rd and surgery on the 4th. So, today I am one week out. I have lost 11 pounds so far! I feel pretty well overall, except for the gas pains. It's not even like being regular gassy, because it just won't go anywhere...it sits there and makes me uncoomfortable. I too have found GasX to be my new best friend! But, all things considered, that is my only complaint. I am very excited by my progress so far and found the staff and the facility very nice.

I am glad to hear that you are both doing well too. Keep us all posted!

-Julia

HI LYNN ,MY NAME IS JAS .I WILL BE HAVING MY BAND PUT ON,ON THE 14TH AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW LONG WERE YOU OUT OF IT?DID YOU WAKE RIGHT AWAY?AND DID THEY USE AN IV OR WHAT?THANK YOU VERY MUCH JAS.

Hi Jas,

I was banded on April 4th. To answer you questions... They do put an IV in before surgery as well as giving youa couple of oral medications to calm you down. The surgery only takes about 20-25 minutes! The anesthetic that they use has you up and awake very quickly. I was on the phone with my dad in under 30 minutes. I did not have any bad side effects or nausea from the anesthetic.

Hope that helps!

-Julia

Pills same or smaller than a pencil eraser can be swallowed. Warm liquids help it go down easier. Larger pills can be crushed (I mix the crushed in applesauce and it is fine). Pills that are time release can't be taken. Gel cap pills can be broken and swallowed but its yucky. For Tylenol issues, most of us use the adult strength liquid available at most common drug stores. As far as NSAIDS, there is debate about the issue. Some doctors say that NSAIDS create or promote erosion and to never ever take them. Some say it doesn't make a difference. NSAIDS are the steroidal medications (like Aleve, Ibuprofen, anti inflamatories, etc). If you need this, check with your doctor and he can give you an injectable. I stay away from all of the NSAIDS. I take the shot if I need it. No use taking the chance with a $10k investment.

Just a quick note...NSAIDS are actually Non Steriodal Anti Inflammatory Drugs. The "N" stands for "Non".

-Julia

I have an appointment on April 20 in TJ to be banded. I have told a couple of people about where I am going to have this done, they go off the deep end. Has anyone had any problems? Should I be more worried than what I am?

I also am leaving to go on a cruise at 7 weeks after my surgery. Do you think I should get a fill befor I go or afterward? I am not sure on what to do. I have read some post that people are still eating what ever they want after they go on "real" food. I thought after the band was in place it would start restrecting the intake of food no matter how long you waited to get a fill. Could some one please give me their view point? Thanks

Hi Tina,

I just had the surgery done on April 4th. I had the same reaction from most of the people I told..."You're going where?!?!" I have already lost 5 pounds! The hotel was very nice (altough I agree probably not a 5 start by US standards, more like a 3.5 or 4), the grounds of the hotel were very pretty, Dr. Ortiz and his staff were SO nice and their office was beautiful.

I am still quite sore in my abdomen, but did go out shopping the day after surgery. It gets a little better every day. I'll be posting updates on my success here just as others have. I hope that will alleviate some of your fears. I look forward to hearing about yours as well.

Best of Luck,

Julia

Hey Everyone,

The care here is UNBELIEVABLE! When you get to the airport, the driver will have a sheet of paper with your name on it. He'll be at baggage claim. I'm still really sleepy from the anestetia, plus I've had several bouts with dizziness. This is why I've just been released from the hospital. I stopped at the computer before I went back up to my room. Boo and Kim are here. Boo is right next door to me. Sending e-mails is allowing me to stay awake. The prep work was fine. They know how to put you at ease and you don't worry. I was bad and tried to have filet mignon as my "last supper" but fortunately for me it was really tough. So they sent me back a chicken club and french fries. That probably was better. and I drank my last COKE! It was great. The surgery wasn't really bad. I'm still pretty sore. The incision areas don't look bad at all. It does feel like you've been hit in the stomach though. You will be glad you did it. I am excited that I'm on the road to a new me. Can't to hear about yours, girl. I met a lady in the lobby who was coming back for a fill. She has lost 100lbs. She looks great! I'm feeling really sleepy again. Thanks for thinking of me. May God Bless all of you on your journey.

Lynn

Dear Lynn,

I am so glad your surgery went well. I was banded a couple of days before you on April 4th and am home recovering. I have already lost 5 pounds!! I am quite sore in the abdomen. I described it the same way you did...it feels as if I have been hit in the stomach. Each day gets a little better though. Our trip was great and I found the staff at Dr. Ortiz's office to be so lovely. The only thing I wish was different is that the beds at Hotel Lucerna were a little softer. I like a firm mattress, but whew! Those beds are rock hard.

Good luck to you and those of you that have been banded recently or are scheduled to have it done soon. I will keep you posted on my progess and look forward to hearing about yours.

To those of you that have been worried about having surgery in Mexico...NO reason to worry. The hotel was very nice, Dr. Ortiz's office was VERY nice, the staff were wonderful and the surgery was so quick. I know it was a scary decision for me, but I would do it all over again without hesitation.

Best of Luck!

Julia

It is true that you may lose more but typically not more than the 1-2 lbs a week. For those of us who only have 50-70 lbs to lose, we tend to lose it slower and work harder at it. The first 50-70 for you just may be easier and not such a struggle with choices and exercise. But the 1-2 lbs a week (averaged) is normal for all of us.

Don't expect to lose weight before your first fill. It is for healing only, not geared toward weight loss. I know it is exciting and you want to see results but many many bandsters do not see any results until after their first fill.

Thanks Jenna I am happy at the prospect of a pound a week...it's the folks talking about really long plateaus that had me kind of worried. I'm in for the long haul!

Thanks Again,

Julia

This is kind of freaking me out. I'm hoping that since I am sstarting with a higher BMI, that my weight loss will be a little more rapid. For those of you that have had low or no weight loss, are you following pre and post op diets strictly? It seems to me that the simple switch from "normal" eating to liquid only will cause some weight loss...as I have already lost weight in my first weeek of pre-op diet. I'm so excited about surgery next week, but this topic has me a little nervous. Anyone have anythign additional?

Thanks!

Julia

surgery date 4-4-06

For those of you that have already been banded, can you tell me a little bit about what to expect for my pre-op work up?

what types of tests are run?

what happens if you lose weight, but not 10% before your surgery?

anyone had problems quitting smoking?

Just curious...

Thanks for your help!

-Julia

surgery date 4-4-06

I am scheduled to get the band April 5th, I am soo excited too! Are you from around TJ? Or are you traveling a distance, I'm from Kentucky

Hey Kim,

I have surgery scheduled for April 4th! I am so excited I can't stand it. My step mom and I are traveling from Georgia. Hope to see you there and I wish you good luck on your surgery.

-Julia