Vera

I wasn't done...oops Id like to know how many Doctors call without follow-up appt.s Vera:confused:

Good Question

I use Designer Whey protien mix from GNC every morning then about 9 am some cottage cheese too.. slimfast is loaded with sugar, I won't touch the stuff. The food forum has alot of info. I agree, besides the liquid stage there wasn't much instructions on what to eat. Vera

Congratulations Maggie I agree with Donali, Karen, and Nicole. Also its what you eat! I too had my band sugery by Dr. Sanchez on 8/14/03 isn't he a wonderful man! I was simular to you, 10 lbs dropped the first week, then weight- loss stoped after 4 weeks and was eating endlessly. I had my first fill last week(you can read about it on "fill" forum) and at that time the fill doctor did stress what you eat(protin first, veges..), not to drink with meals or after for an hour, and to excersize. Since last week I did notice more restriction I'm getting full sooner, so I'm eating less. But I'v only lost 2 lbs. People are remarking that I look thiner, I'm loosing inches. I keep telling myself my band is just a tool, I have got to make it work and its going to take time. I suggest you look into finding a fill doctor, 6 to 8 weeks is a good time to consider your first fill. Did you get a Lap11 or an AMI? Good luck Vera

Megan Congratulations Do they have a name for your band? I'm very happy with my AMI. I'm wondering if your getting the same as mine? Tell me more about the research? FYI The AMI brochure reads: AMI soft gastric band implant Soft against surrounding tissue Expected to reduce the migration rate Safety lock mechanism Opens automatically in case of extraordinary strong votiting and / or muscle spasms and therefore prevents tearing of muscular layers of the distal esophagus and / or the upper portion of the stomach wall. Long, soft expanding neck Provides a soft, gentle, safe placement of the implant, around the posterior wall of the stomach. Reducing the chance of experiencing, unexpected small bleeding on the posterior side of the stomach! Full Titanium Instiller Port. Vera

I have a AMI band know as a swiss band distributed by CJ Medical of the UK. It sounds alot like what your discribing, it has a titanium port and a smaller "buckle". I had my placed in Mexico. I'm curious if its the same one. I just had my fill with no problems. Vera

Just wanted to let you know how my fill went. It took me 2 hours to get to Mills Peninsula Hospital, First I saw Dr Foster, she didn't feel I was ready for a fill, she has her patients wait 2 mos. and from what I described (that 2 wks ago I had severe chest pains after eating 4 bites of mac and cheese, which I shouldn't be eating in the first place) but that shows restriction. Also my port seem to be alittle tilted down. I wanted to go ahead and try to get a fill for allot of reasons so she wrote the orders for the fill. Dr. Lee who preformed the procedure was very professional and funny, He claimed he's filled band from all over the world. Once a lady who had her band procedure done in France came in with her own container of fluid for her fill, he said what's in there Chardonnay? He's done other Dr.Sanchez patients and that Dr Sanchez does good work. So while laying on a table a large "live" x-ray machine is placed about 10 inches over me. Immediately I see my port no problem getting to it. He says with massive weight loss the ports sometimes flip, very common, mine is flat. Then he numbed the area and placed a 4 inch needle about 1/2 inch into the port, alittle pressure but no pain. Then he placed 5 cc into the band, I choked the pain in my chest was unbearable, that's the esophagus he explained and my band was completely closed off. He let 1 cc out and had me drink some barium, I almost vomited. He let another cc out as we were looking at the screen we could see the barium but it was not getting thru and I was still choked up. Drank some-more barium which was hard to do and took out another cc. Finally saw a trickle pass about the same size of the needle, I said let alittle out to be on the safe side. I got a total of 1.75 cc and we were done. A half hour total for the whole procedure. Dr. Lee explained that my band holds 11 cc when not around a stomach but that everyone's different and my total is 5 cc. his last words "chew your food well". I was amazed that its such a small amount. Do I feel different? no. I'm back on fluids but ate 3 small bites of chicken last night and I did feel it about 5 minutes later, kind-of full feeling. I'm scared to eat knowing the opening is smaller then a pencil but I feel great. I'll see with time. Vera:cool:

Amber I agree with Alexandra I just got my first fill and seeing first hand live. It's an individual process. Vera

"I wonder if everyone who has had him perform surgery went out and had their Lap Band X-rayed it would disintegrate all negative feedback about Dr. Sanchez because if they had the newer models than everyone who give the negative feed back would have to hush up ya know what I mean. " I had an AMI(newer model) band sugery done by Dr. Sanchez and just had my first fill with X-ray.... Dr. Lee of Burlingame CA. who performed my fill has had other Dr. Sanchez patients says "Dr. Sanchez does good work". Dr. Lee has filled bands from all over the world. I'm very Happy with my band. Vera:D

Hi Lea I was very eager to get a band and knew insurance would be a long battle, and felt I would have probably been declined because I don't have any health problems/issues. So I went to Mexico and had my band surgery preformed by Dr. Sanchez on 8-14-03. He is an outstanding doctor and has an excellent staff. I would highly recomend him. Good luck in your decision, your Health is very important. Looking forward to my fill 9-24-03! Vera

Where was it leeking? the band, port? how did they fix it? did you go back to Mexico to get it fixed? Do you know exactly which band you have? Vera:straight

Leo Thanks for the pics. It must be a good feeling to see your band! Vera

Hi Megan My lap procedure cost 10,850 plus 580. airflight from San Jose CA to Monterrey Mexico RT. The price includes everything from airport pick-up/drop off, hotel 2 nights, Santa Engracia Hospital 1 day, staff/surgery and meds. This is with Dr. Sanchez. I have my first fill scheduled for 9/24 about 30 miles from home, for estimated 300. FYI Dr Sanchez will give free fills there in Mexico if your his patient. Vera

I'm 2 weeks post-op and down 20 lbs. I thought I'd try some mush foods. I'v been drinking more than enough fluids. So I had about 4 tlbs of mashed potatoes slowly...got the Hiccups, I thought "I'm not suppose-to drink with meals", finally they passed. Then the next day I tried some cream-chicken soup, got the hiccups again this time I drank some water. The part thats wierd is the hiccups feel deep down my throat, I guess I'm alittle scared. As you guess I'm not going to eat today. But I'm wondering how normal is this. Thought I'd ask this forum before calling the doc. Vera

Thanks I'm feeling better and yes I went out for the first time to a fish restaurant and had a small cup of chowder when here came the hiccups really load, I'll have to remember what Spring said "My Band is talking to me" thats great. Vera

Cindy, Michelle Congratulations I put off my Wedding 2 years because of my weight, now I'm starting to plan it. Maybe in Hawaii? My sister would tell me "you'll never lose weight just do the wedding" Im 2 weeks post-op and 20 lbs down, I haven't even told her about the band yet lol. Vera:)

Hi Janie I'm in Morgan Hill, personally I don't know anyone around here who has a band. soon I will have my first Fill with Dr. Pamela Foster in Burligame, hope to meet some people there. I use to live on Boulder brook dr back in the 80s, nice place. Now I live on Lake Anderson and I love it here. Just planted 2 10 ft redwoods to start my forest lol. Vera

cncnutt I too have a 2 year old, hes 30 lbs. Yes you should'nt lift post surgery but I didn't have much of a choose, hes very active and a climber, even with child-proofing. My hardest problem was bending down, even at the knees. Its been about 2 weeks post-op and everythings fine, but I still try not to lift him. Vera:)

Hey Barb, I asked Dr Sanchez before leaving Mexico, "no more than 4cc max 1st fill" for both AMI or Lap 11. Vera

Hey August banders, I got banded last week, before the surgery I was trying not to eat then gave in 3 days before, and munched out but didn't feel good about it. Remember not to eat 12+ hours before surgery. What made my surgery calm was the doctor had some low music on and I kept jokeing with the pre-op staff and I felt very ready. Now I'm not hungry at all, food isn't applealing, I'v droped 7 lbs. I'm Jazzed. Good luck and my thoughts are with you. Vera

Veras banded, Just got Banded 8/14/03 in Monterrey Mexico by Dr. Sanchez. It was an eventful trip, Airflight to Houston then Mexico and back plus the surgery all in 4 days. The staff there is great but I truly Love Dr.Sanchez he is a very warm and loving man. Its been 4 days since my surgery and I don't have much pain mostly gas and thanks to all the reading on this websight I've identified it like shoulder pain which I've never had before and am doing a lot of walking. I was walking 2 hours post-op all over the place with my IV. Jeanette, Barb, Wayne, Libby, Rosemarie and Sheryle the gang in Mexico Say Hi! Thanks for this Forum and all the personal information of your experiences. Alexandra I thought of you a lot, I believe you've only have few more days. I hope your Surgery is as calm and painless as mine. You'll be on my mind and I'm sure you'll let us know how it went. Robin and Wednesday your my inspiration I know its been a lot of work, look at you now! Alex, Leo, Dawn, Alexis, Annette... thanks for your insights and knowledge. This my official introduction. My name is Vera I'm 44, live in Caif. I too was 180 at 13, struggled all my life up and down the scale. I had Ulcerative Colitis and had my colon removed at 40, lots of predisone and meds prior to surgery (if anyone needs info on this, E-mail me...) I Have a 6 year old girl, 245 at birth and a 2 year old boy 265 at birth, I don't recommend having children in your 40s its hard on the body. I actually told people I was eating for 5. I Still have baby fat lol. I do work full time as an Antenna Test Engineer. O ya the Insurance game, basically nothing wrong with me just fat, opt not to fight the Insurance battle. My husbands been my best supporter, He believe your Health comes first. Now for new goals! I've learned its not just achieving goals, but enjoy the process of getting there. Enjoy each day. Vera:rolleyes:

I know Dr. Sanchez uses 2 difforant bands, The Lap11 and the AMI. They are not bad bands But the AMI "which I have" is not US FDA approved. It dosen't have a Buckle and is a bit wider than the "Lap 11". I have not received my first Fill yet, but I have no pain and feel great. I trully believe he is a Great Doctor. Sorry to hear of your grief and good luck with your wieght loss. Vera:rolleyes:

Oops Thats Capital One not citibank Vera

Thanks Jeanette I'm glad to hear of another Dr. Sanchez patient! I fly out on 8/13 for mexico!! I talked to AnnMarie this morning and to Rosemarie who I guess was there at the same time as Barb? I'm so excited. FYI I got 2 low % credit cards Pulanski Bank 5.9 and the no hassle Citibank 4.9. I Can't Wait! It's taken me 2 mo.s to pull this together. The only worry I'v got is I'm going alone, but from everything I'v read I'll be fine. Vera

I'm glad we're discusing this. I too have had other sugeries, on 3/8/00 gull bladder removed (no biggie), on 5/8/00 Colon removed and recum replumbed (8 inch scar from my bellybutton down) and 2 c-sections. I was told that it might take longer to do the procedure, but shouldn't be a problem. My Lap is sceduled for 8/14/03. I'll keep you posted on the outcome. Vera