Mom2Sassy

Update- I went to see the dr yesterday and after 2 weeks of straight liquids my pouch is back to the size it is suppose to be AND I lost 6 pounds:thumbup:

Yes, the same thing happened to me. I knew I was eating more than I thought I should be able to, but I thought I just didn't have good restriction. But when I went in for a fill, they told me I had a stretched pouch. Showed me the picture on Fluero and it was obviously much bigger than it was suppose to be. So, they unfilled my band completely and put me on complete liquids (no lumps at all) for 2 full weeks. I go back in on this Thursday to see if the pouch has gone back to the original size, if not, I have to go 2 more weeks on full liquids....they said if after that it is still not back to the original size I will have to go see the surgeon to see what he recommends...which may mean another surgery to reposition the band or something else (which they didn't specify and I was afraid to ask because if they tell me they are taking the band out I will be devistated).

Ok, we have a trend, my name is Jeannie too.... Anyway, I get the fluttering in my chest on occassions, went to the doctor my first tests were fine, then they had me wear a monitor for a day and it just turned out to be an occassional extra heart beat and nothing to worry about. Also, sometimes when I eat and it doesn't go down easy I can feel my heart beat harder in my chest....odd...

I only scheduled my surgery about 3 or 4 weeks in advance in Mexico. I don't think there is a wait at all, it's a matter of fitting it in to your schedule. I could have had it done sooner but wanted to get good airfare. I paid $8500 for the surgery, included hotel. Airfare was on my own, but only about $200. If you have any other questions, let me kno.

I got up this morning, realized I am close to the weight I was when I got married 5+ years ago. I had gained almost 50 pounds before being banded. So.........I dug to the back of the closet, pulled out my wedding dress, put it on and ZIPPED IT UP! Then proceeded to call anyone who would listen and tell them. I am so excited. I am only 2 lbs from being 1/2 way to goal! YIPPEE:whoo::clap2:

I went to Mexico because my insurance didn't cover the surgery. It would have cost me $15K to $20K to have it done here in the US, I paid $8K for it in Mexico. Also Dr. Ortiz (my surgeon) trained the doctors that I was considering using in the US, he has a TON of experience and a very low complication rate.

I was scared too, and I thought maybe I was being selfish to take the risks involved with surgery to lose weight and feel better about myself. Also I paid out of pocket for the surgery, so it was a huge financial investment too. I have a 10 year old daughter, a 16 stepdaughter and an 18 year old step son. But, I looked at the risks I was taking by being obese. Diabetes runs in my family, heart disease too. I decided that getting the band would allow me to be here for my children, and someday their children too. I have lost 40lbs so far, and I am a much more active and involved mother. I have more energy, I get fewer headaches and have fewer digestive/stomach problems. My youngest has noticed the difference in me too. The other day I suggested the family go for hike (something I would have never done in the past) to some water falls near our house. We climbed down a big hill off the path to get to the water and then back up the hill to get back to the car. I pointed out to my daughter that I wouldn't have been able to do that 40lbs ago, and she said, "Yeah, you probably would have been home with a headache." Only you can decide if this is for you. Yes, there are risks involved. But you take a risk everytime you get in a car, walk down the street, or just get out of bed. Life is unpredictable, only God knows what is in store for us. You have to decide if the risk is worth the benefit. I am almost 1/2 way to goal, it's been a struggle getting use to this new lifestyle, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. We are going to Maui in December, and it is so nice to know that I will be able to put on a swimsuit and snorkle with my family without feeling like I am embarassing them or myself. I wish you the best on your journey.

Don't lose hope. Take a look, youare 1/3 of the way to your goal of losing 90 lbs. Without the band, where would you be? I know I would be gaining more weight. But, the band won't work if you aren't at the right restriction. Does your doctor use fluero? If not, find one that does, try fillcentersusa.com they will do fills for people who had their bands placed by other doctors. Fills are expensive, but without restriction you might as well not have the band. Don't give up on yourself or your band. It will work, but you have to make the sacrifices (including money) to have it do it's job. You can do this. You have a great start, keep going. Your health is too important to put on the back burner. Pick up the phone, call your doctor....today! Take care, don't be afraid to post....we are here to support you.

Just finished workout #1 of 15. Whohoo! glad that is over with:)

hello, looks like I found this tread just in time. I am going to commit to level 2/moderate. Which means I will have to get in my workout every day for the rest of the month. It is a good time for me to start as my youngest DD is traveling with my parents and my 16 yo DD is working at camp, so no great excuses about not having time to workout. I am 2 lbs from Onederland and I have been here for about 3 weeks, I know what I need to do, and I am happy I found a thread to report my progress on. So far, I am down from a size 18/20 in woman's to a size 16 in the misses departments. It is so nice to be able to shop in the normal size stores again. My primary focus right now is to get under 200, then it is to fit in my wedding gown atleast get it zipped through the waist (the bust won't ever fit, because I have gotten implants since the wedding) We were married 5 years ago, and I had gained 50 pounds....ouch. Anyway, hope you all don't mind me joining in the middle of the month!

Good Job! what a huge accomplishment. I hope you are VERY proud of yourself. I am hoping I will be joining you soon. Only 2 1/2 pounds to go. I can't wait. Exercise it what makes the difference for me. Keep up the good work!:clap2:

I was walking around SeaWorld on Friday and got my band on Wednesday. I flew home to Oregon from Mexico on Sunday and went to work on Tuesday. The pain in my shoulder from the gas was the worst and lasted about 2-3 weeks. There was also discomfort from the port. Sitting for a long time was uncomfortable for about a month. After that things were fine. Everyone is different, but for IMO I think you will be fine. You could always take a mild pain killer before the flight if you crush it up.....

I tell everyone I can. I was going to just tell my family and close friends, but then I decided it wasn't anything I needed to hide. I made this choice to be healthier and live longer. I hope that if I share my experience with this, maybe I can help somebody else. One of my friends is scheduled to get the band next month. She is a very private person and probably won't tell very many people, but I am glad she knows that I have it because she can talk to me about the struggles that go along with it. Another friend of the family is having by-pass next month, I keep hoping she will ask me about the band, but she hasn't yet. I know she knows I have it, and I don't want to push it on her, but I wish she would consider the band instead. Anyway, I think if you want to shout it from the top of a mountain you should! You are making a huge choice to be healthier and you are right to be excited about it! Good Luck!