BEBBLY

Hi Everyone, Here's the problem... I have been supper restricted for the past 2 1/2 weeks. So much so that I have lost 10 lbs! I know that part is good but I am very scared and it is starting to wear on my nerves. I have been going through a home addition and initially got ripped off by a contractor and now I am on my second contractor. The stress has caused my restriction. In the past 3 weeks I remember having 3 meals without PB ing or pain. Last night for instance I could not lie down. Because the acid in my stomach would shoot up to my throat and nostrils and I ended up throwing up on my pillow (which was not nice). So I spent the night in sitting position. My family is encouraging me to get an un-fill. I currently have 2.5 cc. Any advice? Has anyone gone through this? How did you deal with it? Mary:(

Hi Mags, Good choice. I know you will be happy with them. I am almost certain they offer payment plans. You should ask Marlon about it. Good Luck Mary

Let's clear some confusion.... The American band is like a ring "rigid". This is a fact. It is not soft like the MidBand. Looking at the band you will notice that it does not "give" at all therefore your stomach must adjust to it. Midband is more flexible. It's best to look at the bands in person. If the doctor you choose is experienced and does enough surgeries then he should have no problem showing you and explaining the different bands. Mary

As far as I know, FDA has not approved the Swidish band...yet. But it is the best one since it is very pliable. The American band is very ridgid and more people have complications with it. I have the midband & according to my doctor it is the best and he had never had complications with it (of course at Obesity Goodbye you can choose your band and they don't push you one way or the other). My uncle is also a doctor in Italy and he worked with the original doctor that started the "band". He also recommended the Swidish band. My doctor showed me the other bands and it just made more sense to me to use MidBand. Good Luck Mary

Hi & welcome, My name is Mary, I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Veboonen & dr. Ponce de leon of the Obesity Goodbye group August of 2003. The best money I have ever spent. My goal was to lose 50 lbs & I have done that. Best of all I found new friends in Mexico. I have recomended Obesity Goodbye to my sisters as well as my causin. They have become like family, very supportive. I would go to them in a heartbeat. I had looked at RNY as well but it just seemed too drasstic. I like the fact that should something happen in the years to come, I can just have the band removed and thats it. It just seemed more logical to me. I know you must be nervous I know I was. But my only regret is not having done this 10 years ago. Please write with any questions or concern. Mary P.S. By the way you can visit the group at www.ObesityGoodbye.com and call Marlon (patient coordinator) with any questions. And no I don't work for them, I am just an extremely happy client!

Hi Pam, I was banded by Dr. verboonen & dr. Ponce de leon August of 2003. THE BEST!!!! is all I can say. A wonderful group, wonderful people to deal with. I was just down there on Friday October 1st. I met 3 of their patients while I was down there. I have recommended them to both my sisiters and my causin. It's funny but they have become like family. I am sure Marlon and the gang will take good care of you. Good Luck, Mary

Hi Everyone, Just a word of caution with Advil. Ibuprofin makes your stomach swell and can completely close the opening (which is what happened to me a few months back). My doctor said absolutely NO ADVIL!!!! Just thought you should know Mary P.S. Keep in mind that I was taking Advil without any problems even with my band. But suddenly my stomach swelled up the last time I took it. Perhaps stress or other things had to do with it, but it's not worth trying - believe me !!!!!!!!!

Hi Linda, It sounds to me like you might be exercising a little too much. I am about 8 lbs from my goal and have not started to exercise yet. I know I have to start but one reason that I didn't was becasue my body gets muscular really fast and I didn't want to have big thighs that are as hard as a rock. May be you should do more aerobic exercises to increase your heart rate and not build muscle yet. I know many say that muscle actually makes you lose weight but it didn't for me. As for still being hungry after you eat then may be you're not at the right restriction. I often have to stop and really pay attention to wether it's my mouth or stomach that is feeling the hunger! Mary

Dear Renata, I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. Just know that you are not alone and we are all here to support you and help you. I too am self pay. My surgery was done on August 8, 2003 in Mexico. My doctor also used a few stitches to keep the port in place. When I questioned him about it, he mentioned that once they stitch it then the chances of flipping are very rare (unless you rip it like Donali). It might be a good idea for you to mention this to your doctor. Since you have to go through the process anyways, may be he can stitch it this time to prevent this from happening again. Good Luck & Keep us posted, Mary

I don't know about being a test case. I had my surgery in Mexico and had asked my doctor to video tape the procedure. After viewing the tape I realized what a delicate art this really is. He could have punctured any organ and caused a lot of damage. It was like watching an artist and his paint brush, as I watched him manuver the instruments inside my body. I could see my heart beat from the camera position and thought he was so close and had he not have over 1000 surgeries under his belt, he may have done some damage. I always say better safe than sorry. Sorry if I am not supportive but I just think you have one body and one life, try to be safe with it. Good Luck in what ever decision you make, Mary

Don't worry, when I first got banded and had lost about 8 lbs. (keep in mind I needed to lose about 50 total), my aunt -who did not know I had the band- came to our house. She said when are you going to lose weight? Well I very proudly said I have already lost 8 lbs. Her comment with a grin "oh you have so much more to lose that 8 lbs. does not make a difference, I couldn't even tell. You have to be on a diet for a long time before anyone notices." At that moment, as much as I wanted to give her a black eye, I said "that's ok I will lose the weight but it seems to me that you could lose about 30 lbs. yourself, lets see who can do it quicker." I know it was a little unfair. So here we are 6 months later, I have lost 42lbs. and I look great if I say so myself. Now every time she sees me, my father says to her, doesn't she look great, why don't you diet too, you're getting very heavy! A lot of people use to comment on how I needed to lose weight, that I had such a pretty face hiding under the fat and etc...... now when I see those people, I say to them "have you gained some weight, you look a little rounder DEAR!" I know it sounds mean but hay I took 34 years of comments and somethings got to give. But the best way to make people shut up is to look great. Good Luck to you. Just stay focused. Mary

Hi I was also a self-pay. I went down to Mexico and I feared the same things. I was so pleased with my doctor and the staff. I was not charged a penny more than what I was told. They even paid for an extra night stay for my parents. Make sure if you are self-paying in the states, you get something in writing from your doctor and the hospital. Unfortunately they are not as honest as we think. Good Luck, Mary

This may or may not be good news. I was banded Aug 7,03, and I too was a Diet Pepsi addict. I would have a can at around 7:30 a.m. Yes I said a.m. and by 10 p.m. I would normally had gone through 8 or 10 cans! So I mourned the loss of Pepsi more than food. BUT something amazing happened. For the first few months I just thought I couldn't have carbonated drinks because my doc said so. And I followed instructions. The other day I took a sip from my boy friends cup and it didn't taste good anymore. I guess I lost my taste for Pepsi! Of course he asked if it felt good after 6 months and to be honest, it was ok but nothing that I crave. We all know that these carbonated drinks are not the healthiest thing around and I am glad to have lost my addiction to it. This is a Good Thing! Mary

Hi I was banded August 7,2003. I am down 42lbs. & I have about 7-10 lbs more to my goal weight. I am very happy with my band & hope to lose the last stubborn pounds in the next 2 months. Mary

Hi Terri, I know what you mean. According to my Dr. and the Mid Band manufacturer, I was encouraged to start on mushy foods on the 3rd or 4th day. But I know that some doctors tell their patient to stay on liquids for up to 2 weeks. I drink "Boost" Protein shake. Its thicker than Slim Fast so it gives you a more satisfied feeling. Mary

Hi Lulu, It sounds like your restriction is fine, it's the habits that are doing you in. I started with a 5 cc fill and just 3 weeks ago had some taken out because my stomach opening closed off after taking Advil. But I had the same restriction as you for about 5 months. At the time I had the unfill I was only 10 lbs. from my goal weight. I would stick to the fill and try changing the eating habits. A new eating habit is what we need to reach and maintain our goal weight. I think you will do fine if you slow down and chew, chew, chew. After all this is what you're supposed to do after being banded. I know it's difficult and sometimes frustrating to go through the pain almost at every meal. I know because I've been there. But trust me when I tell you what gratification you get once you are closer to your goal. Just stick with it and keep reminding yourself to slow down. It does get easier with time. And soon it will become second nature. Mary:)

Some of you may remember that about 3 weeks ago I had a very bad experience with my stomach totally closing after I took Advil. I was in so much pain that I had to have an un-fill (I started with 5cc fill & my Dr. took out 3cc, so now I have 2cc). Although I was greatful not to be in pain, I was rather depressed because I was 10lbs. from my goal and thought I would never lose it now. For a few days I was careful and watched my portions. Much to my surprise I have lost 5 lbs. since the un-fill. I just wanted you to know that it is possible to still lose weight, we just have to be careful about the amount of food we consume. Just wanted to share in case someone needs to have an un-fill. Mary

May be you're not making the right food choices. Lay off the creamy soups or do one creamy and one broth type soup per day. As for cheetos, as yummi as they are, you should not have more than 2 or 3 pieces. Have you tried adding some exercise or even walking to your daily routine? Sometimes the body just needs a little push to start losing again. By the way if you like thick soups but don't want the calories, you can heat some Water about 1/4 cup with 2 tea spoons of flour and stir until smooth. If you can't get it to be smooth then just make sure there are no lumps of undiluted flour. Then pass the mixture through a strainer and into any broth type soup. This will give you a rich texture just like cream soups, of course without the calories! Mary

Hi Anne, You must be excited. I know I was pinching myself before getting banded just to make sure it was for real. Eventhough I had that horrible experience, I still feel that this was the best $8500 I ever spent! God willing I will not have any problems in the future, but so far so good and I am very happy with the weight loss. I am thinking about putting some pictures up or at least posting my weight loss chart. I think it's important to look at this as a life time change. You wil undoubtedly go through times when there is no weight loss at all. Keep in mind that sooner or later the scale will have to move again and it's just a matter of time. Please let us know how you're doing, Mary:)

Thank You. To think that I would be an inspiration to others. To be honest it is a sureal feeling. I still don't believe what I see in the mirror. This time I know that I am able to maintain this weight and may be one day my "fat" image will become foreign to me. This is such a great support system. I check the posts a few times a day and although I may be close to goal, there are so many other issues that come up that I would like to get your openions on. Good luck to you, I know if I could make it here so can you. Mary

I too have a hard time with beef so I bought a Protein drink called "Boost". They are delicious and give me enough the added calories that I need. You can also have different type cheezes. Personally I like Feta and Munster cheeze. Mary

Hi Sara, I was self pay also. Of course I went to Mexico and paid a lot less than I would here in the US. From the time I made the decision to getting banded it took 2 weeks and that was to my doing because it could have happened even quicker! Good Luck & keep us posted, Mary

This is so wiered. I was thinking about the same "size" issue last night. I have lost 42lbs. and am very close to my goal. Yet I can wear the same jeans that I wore 40 lbs. ago! The problem is that I bought stretchy jeans, which are as comfortable as can be. But they also stretch with you and allow you to gain weight without really noticing. Granted now they fit looser but they still fit. With my regular fabric cloths I can see a big difference. So may be its the stretch thats causing you to feel you are still in the same size. One thing is for sure, no matter how stubburn the weight, you know that sooner or later it's going to come down and you will conqure it once and for all. Mary

My port sticks out more now than before. As you lose weight I guess it's only natural. When I do feel uncomfortable pain, I just massage it a little and try to move it just a bit. It makes it feel better. I am sure you have nothing to worry about but it's good that your appointment is so close. Mary

Hi Tellie, CALM DOWN. It is not as big a deal as you are making it to be. It really isn't. It sounds like you are stressing too much. First of all there is no blood involved... at least there wasn't any in mine. Second they numb the skin first and then do a fill. But the most important thing you can do for yourself is to stay calm and take deep breaths. Everything gets worse when you add stress to it. I had a fill in September and then had to go back for an un-fill. The only part I was uncomfortable with was the initial prick to numb the skin. Thats all. After that you don't feel anything and it's over before you know it. Take it easy and relax. Just think of the positive outcome, you will start losing weight again! Good Luck, Mary:)