Sula

I wonder why his is the only one to do Mexico banded patients? What if I had moved here from, say, Idaho..would he do me then? Okay, just being ornery. I didn't even think that there wouldn't be anyone to do the fills here. Guess ignorance is bliss and it works out sometimes too. What does he charge for a fill? Does he do it under the florscope? That is what my Dr. recommended. Are you doing the fills via insurance? I am hopeful that my insurance will cover it but have money for it otherwise. We are having a snow storm here today!! Not to much outside stuff going on so we stayed inside and painted. Place is getting spring cleaning early. Shawn

For those of you frustrated at not losing right after surgery! I would think that if you're not losing weight, that you will need to step up the exercise, as allowed by your doctor. I count every pound as a bonus and one more not added!! And I really have to agree with those who remind us that we are in the healing stage. Give yourself a break. Stay off the scales. When you dropped calories so significantly from what you once at, your body goes into starvation mode and hangs onto the weight, waiting for the famine. Eat healthy, get your liquids and move. Haven't we all heard that one before? We know it is the truth! Be kind to yourself and patient. It will come! Shawn

Hi Brenda, I know there is a lapband support group here put on by the Benefis bariatic whatever it is called. They have one for the bypass folks too. Its funny, because besides getting some insight from my friend Terri here, my husband ran into two or three men in Lewistown and on the same day I met Terri. We just simultaneously talking about it and the rest, as they say, is history. Shawn

Hi back, I used to live in Kalispell for years! My folks are still over there and I go there fairly often. Yes, I know Terri. She is the one who gave me the info on this. I've heard her talk about you as well. She is a sweetie! What size band did you get? I've got the 10cc and I am doing well with it now. I'm concerned about the number of fills I'll eventually have to get but I guess that is the way it is! I'm down 22 1/2 this morning. Your weight loss is great. I think that you should be happy with that for now. I do understand that you stalled out and that would be the perfect time to get a fill. I think that we may need to be a bit more proactive with the larger band, if that is what you have. Well, I'm on the house painting committee here at home today. Hubby says inside jobs in the winter, outside jobs later! Fine with me today..it is cold and yucky out!! Shawn

Hi Sharon, I haven't checked back here for some time as I figured nobody in MT was getting THIN! HA I'm in Great Falls and I went to Monterray Mexico for my band. I had it done on Jan 16 and all is going very well. I feel soooo good. How about you, where are you and how are you doing on your journey? Duh, I just saw you went with Dr. Sanchez. I was orginally scheduled with him, and then he was killed. Nobody told me about it on any official basis..heard it on the boards, actually. Took some time for me to find out who was going to do my surgery (Dr. Chapa). Dr. Sanchez' son, Rodolpho Sanchez was my liason while I was down there. Sula

Try using a heating pad. Made all the difference in the world for many of us. Sula

A heating pad works wonders! I'm beginning my fourth week post op and I still sometimes get it out. I used it a lot the first week. Sula

Hey Sherilynn, Take it easy on yourself. Nurture yourself and do nice things. Its okay to feel out of sorts or now well for right now. You are going thru huge healing inside. That takes bunch of enery. For me, the crappy weather outside does a real job on me. I have six horses and five dogs and tons of outside things I love and need to do. But, it is just yuck out there...so just be patient, right!! Just don't forget to get your water in and protein!! Even if it takes really long to do it, do it anyway! The protein will give you energy! Shawn

Hi all, Just wanted to say congrats on all your hard work this week. This journey is really something isn't it? It is so inspiring to read your posts both good and concerned. It makes each of us take stock of where we are at and sometimes challenges us! I just finished my third week and all has gone very well. I feel really good. I've eaten out and have a big seafood dinner tomorrow night to go to. I make a plan ahead of time and prepare to take home leftovers. I believe that we will be able to live a "normal" life. The life we lived before, was not "normal." For me....living to eat...not eating to live. Portion control is going to be my challenge, but for now, it is going well. Even when we can eat more, remember the portion that is appropriate. I need to get more motivated to exercize. It has snowed for the past week here and I just want to hibernate!! Oh, yes, I do have an elipital in the basement, and a bunch of videos...nope, wanna sit under the blanket and read!! I'm going to work on that! Take care and have a wonderful weekend!! Shawn

Way to go on your weight loss Mark, I hope your incisions heal quickly! I've had no problems with mine, but they are still a bit sore. I have done a little bit of exercise, nothing that is jarring. My surgery was on the 16th. My DH wants to go horseback riding today and I'm dying to and afraid to. I think I will do it and see how it goes. I can always get off! Walking is still the best. I also have an elipitical that I've been on once. I do need to get going on the exercise in a more regular fashion. I think all us new banders need to keep in mind we are healing still and to not do anything that will set that back. But there are many things that we can do to move forward in our new life journey! Shawn

Hey New banders Gas -x strips or liquid, heating pad and walking. It really does work. And get your liquids in. It absolutely will get better. And you will be on your way on your journey! Shawn

Hey BabyGotBack, What is the appetite suppressant that you are using and where did you get it? Does your Dr. recommend it? Just curious. I'm going to do the South Beach Challenge when I'm cleared for real food! I'm down 17 since two day out of the hospital and I don't know what my pre-op weight was (they did it in kilometers and I wasn't paying attention...). For those going on this journey, I've not felt hungry once. After a few days you figure out how to get your liquids and protein in. And I'm feeling, physically great. I still have that darn rash and can't figure it out. The Dr. thought it might be a virus? Which is a new concept for me, but I can deal with it for now. If it persists, I'll get in to my local Dr. Have a great day all... Shawn

My Dr. in Mexico gave me a prescription for pain, antibiotics and something for gastritis. They all helped a great deal although I did use the gas x and chewable tylenol at the end of the pain pill cycle. Seemed to need just a little more when the pill was wearing off. The gas pain for me rolled up my sturnum and just sat there. I discovered that if I could take in a deeper breath, it dissipated sooner. And it was all gone by day 4 or 5. Minimal stuff on day 4 for sure. Then I got this pain under my left collar bone, which I'm sure was gas and it came and went. Walking does help for all of this. As for constipation, I was having a bit of it and I went to the health food store and got some psyllium to just add to my drinks or broth. It works. Shawn

Mary, Please don't think you are totally without support. We may not be the primary support that your husband can be, but we, maybe even more, understand what this is about. I suspect all of us have tried a half dozen diets and failed to maintain the weight loss. I know I have been dieting for most of my life (since about 15 or 16 years of age) and it just keeps coming on with the additional 10. I'm also a therapist. So I guess what I'd suggest is having a face to face talk with your husband and tell him that you need his support on this issue. You don't have any guarentees to offer him. But your chances of success in anything increase with the support from a loved one. Is it really about the money or is he afraid of the potential change? What are you going to be like when you're slim? How will this process affect his lifestyle? You might also consider going to counseling for a few sessions together. And if he won't go, go alone and get support from the therapist. I had my surgery on the 16th. I feel great, motivated and determined. It works. Yes, we have to change our relationship with food...but now I have an great investment (I paid my own way) and I don't want to be fat anymore. So, keep plugging away...all is not lost on your journey. Shawn

Post surgery for me and I never burped any gas. Minimal flatulence. I just had this huge ball that moved up and down my chest, and eventually it dissipated about 6 days after the procedure. It moved to just below my left collarbone where it will ache off and on, but really not to bad. I did the Gas-X. Question for the gang...anybody have any allergic reaction to the EAS whey Protein. I have a rash on my front torso, down to the tops of my legs..only on the front. Nothing on my surgery site. Not terribly itchy but looks lovely!! Especially with the greenish/yellow bruises...I'm ravishing, let me tell you!! HA I thought initially it was the Imitation Soup, but I haven't had any of that since Sunday. For those of you who are having some trials in healing post-surgery..it really does get better. I feel very good, have been working full days since Monday, (surgery was on the 16th in Mexico) and I'm down about 14 pounds. Hard to tell on my scales and I only weighed in when I got home on Friday morning till today. So...keep the faith and keep plugging away. Have a great day all. Shawn

Good Luck to you as well, I have a ways to go and am going to use this time to learn to eat properly. The band is just a tool...the bottom line falls to me. Sula

Hi, I had my surgery a week ago and got the VG. My Dr. said that because of my height/weight and I guess size of my organs, this was the best one for me. He started me out with 2cc's and I'm not to consider a fill for 6 weeks and only if I'm not losing weight. I was a little upset when I heard I had this 10cc band but its what I've got and I'm going to make it work. I will need to work on getting a fill doctor next, so the journey continues. Sula

I was banded by Dr. Chapa in Monterray on the 16th!! I wonder if we passed in the recovery room? Actually, there are probably more than one hospital there. How you feeling today? I'm back from a 900 mile road trip and feel pretty great. I was home for a day to recoup and then just a passenger for the most part (trying to be a good companion and wife). I was going to stay home but I think leaving here was more restful in a way because I suck as sitting still and in the truck, there wasn't anything that needed doing! I'm back to work tomorrow and feel like it will be alright. I have been worried about energy levels, but we will see how it goes. How about you? Feeling strong? Shawn

Hi BGB, I went back to school later in life..34 and got both a BSW and MSW and am now in private practice. I love it. And I do believe the social work degree gives you more options in who you can work with. For some reason, we are regarded more highly by insurance companies. Shawn

Hi all, Just back from the hospital. My surgery was at 8:30 and all went well. I didn't tolerate the anesthesia well, but I guess that is to be expected. I'm feeling a little sore in my upper abdomen where they did there laroscopy and a raspy throat but is understandable. I've been give some prescription meds and am going to nap for a while if I can..then go walking. Shawn

Hi All, I'm in Monterray Mexico, scheduled too have surgery at 7 tonight. When I got here last nite, no one was at the airport to pick me up!! And I couldn't figure out how to call on their phones, nor would my cell phone work. I wonder what my BP would have read at that time? Well, I borrowed phone from a nice man and called my liason in LA, who said, can you cal me back on another number! HOLY **** I said, no. Anyway, the phone connection wasn't very good but I got the jist that I needed to take a cab too the hospital and my contact person would meet me there...and he did. He was expecting me on Friday...I don't know where the problem initaited from but all my paperwork was in order. So, he got me to the motel and found the dr to do the surgery and all is well. Kinda cold and dreary here, so I'm just hanging out and reading. Last night was super stressfull to say the least. Shawn

Hey TracyV, Just hang in there. Love the picture of your four legged friend. I have six of 'em! Part of my wish to get this process done and lose some weight is so that I can more thoroughly enjoy my horses. It doesn't matter what others think in this process. They aren't you. And this isn't a simple cure. You will need to manage food differently and get active. I'm thinking the band is just the motivation to get going. Hope all is well. Shawn

Thanks Audree, I've enjoyed reading your posts. You are an inspiration with your attitude and enthusiams. Dr. Trevino is with the Obesity Control Center of Monterray...guess it isn't affiliated with the one in Tijuana, but I don't know for sure. He is with Dr. Rumbalt who is spoken in lapband world pretty highly. The other option is a Dr. Chapa but I haven't found anything out about him yet. I'm going in with the attitude that if everything isn't okay, I can postpone. But I'm feeling pretty optimistic and feel that all will be well. Shawn

Hi all, I'm catching a plane for Monterray Mexico tomorrow, an all day journey. I am scheduled for surgery on Tuesday the 15ths. I have such a peculiar situation. I orginially planned/scheduled this with Dr. Sanchez. Well, he apparently was murdered by some robbers as he was going to his ranch to pay his employees. The anesthesologist (or however you spell it) was the driver and the one who I had corresponded with. So the liason is via Belighter.com and Ann Marie. I have a general idea about who is doing the surgery, hopefully a Dr. Trevino, but he is with the Obesity Control Center, which is different than the Dr. Sanchez organization. His credentials are fine so I feel good about that. He works with Dr. Rumbault. Anyway, I'm not nervous as I'm pretty prepared for this process. I am doing this long journey on my own, to Mexico, but have total family support about the surgery and process afterward. Just kind of strange circumstances. Shawn:think