Chamie

I am another DR Almanza patient. Again...no problems here. I am a nurse so I went in after doing lots of research. There are certainly those on this forum who are negative of any Mexico surgery experience, but they weren't there were they? My surgery was 3200$ not including airfare. I was banded 6/12/12- and have had no problems with my aftercare. I arranged for it PRIOR to my travels. If you have any questions please feel free to message me.

So, I was banded 6/12/12. Had little to no restriction until my 2nd fill which was in November. I have been very discouraged- feeling like a failure. In fact, I haven't visited this site as much as I had previously because I would come here, compare myself to others, and get even more discouraged. Well, I am back, and looking for the support I need to succeed on this journey. The majority of my weight loss was during my pre-op diet until recently with my second fill in November.I seem to be on the right track, but need some food ideas. I am getting bored, even discouraged with my diet. To be honest, I think I am a little too tight, but I am resistant to get an un-fill, because it is only now that I have started to see some real weight loss. Can you give me some food ideas?? I am also going to start exercising- any programs that have been effective for you?? Thanks, Jennifer

Mine is all real. But as with most of us, it is a head shot. I am too embarassed to show you the rest!!

Oh, Honey- there is light at the end of the tunnel! I just had my second fill and have lost 10lbs in 8 days ! i felt the same way! Now I can see the light at the end of my tunne!!

well, I was banded in Mexico. PM me for any questions. BTW- to all of the other posters, this in not a debate, just some advice.

You need another fill. I am too tight right now, and am not getting enough calories, but I am not hungry, just unsatisfied.

I had my LB done 6/12 and had my 1st fill in August. I never felt I had true restriction, but never ate more than one serving at a time (BIG change since before surgery). There were certainly foods that I couldn't tolerate (bread, tortillas, dry meats etc.), and I was losing weight very slowly until finally it stalled over the last month. Monday I had my second fill and now I am a bit concerned. I can drink anything- even GULP, but I am not tolerating soft foods very well. My first meal was scrambled eggs. I vomited. I have PB'd, even vomited before, but never with soft foods. My second meal was 3 bites of mac & cheese- I vomited. Last night I ate cream of mushroom Soup for dinner- no problem. This morning I got up and ate some canned spinach (I LOVE spinach) for breakfast- it took my over an hour to eat half of it. I could definitely feel restriction. I had to be very, very careful. So- is this what it is supposed to be like?? If it is not, I am scared to change it. I have felt like quite a failure on this journey. HELP!!

yes....mac & cheese. I have 6 children so it is one of the staples in my house. That is one of my problems as well. Doctor wants me to eat strictly low carb. Well, to be realistic and practical, that isn't going to happen. You see, my husband is a stay-at-home-Dad and I am the only one working. We have a pretty strict budget. I have to eat what is served (for the most part). Sometimes that just isn't going to be low carb

LOL! Don't get me wrong, he doesn't want me to eat the bun, but he definitely wants me to eat "normal texture/consistency. He actually told me to go to McDonalds, buy a plain burger and eat it without the bun. I am soo excited to start seeing some real changes on the scale!!!!

TMF~ Thanks for your kind words. I will definitely give it a week. I suspect that what I am experiencing is true restriction and that I will be fine. I am so ready to start dropping the pounds! When my MD did my fill Monday, he did cause me a little pain so maybe I do have a bit of swelling. You see, when he does his fills he completely restricts you and has you GULP water. he then pulls back the saline until you can swallow comfortably. Like I said- my first swallow was actually painful. I definitely take very, very, small bites. I have mastered this because prior to getting the band I ate fast with BIG bites. Having the LB, even without a fill cured me of that rather quickly. As far as the vomiting is concerned, I had no control. It was the mouth fill up with saliva uncontrollable episode that I couldn't stop no matter how hard I tried. Trust me- I will not ever try and put myself in that position again- NO MORE SCRAMBLED EGGS! Thanks so much!!

What I mean to say is that the majority of my weight loss was during the pre-op diet. I havent felt like I have done enough since surgery. Maybe now I will have some results.

Failure?? LOL! Well, I am not a patient woman!! I guess I expected instant results. It is too easy to compare yourself to others.

I have shied away from this site over the last 2 months because I have felt like a failure. But I DO agree that support is absolutely necessary! That is why I am back. There arent any support groups locally- maybe I should start one, but my schedule is crazy- 6 kids, grad school, work 50-60hr/week. That is why I appreciate the support from all of you so much!!

I had my surgery done in Mexico. My follow-up care is performed by Dr. Vafa Shayani. He is a pioneer in gastric banding surgery. He started performing LAP-BAND surgery soon after its FDA approval in 2001, making him one of the first surgeons in the United States to perform this procedure. Dr. Shayani’s extensive experience and successful outcomes led to his status as a Proctor for the LAP-BAND. He has been approved by ASMBS as an Individual Surgeon with Bariatric Center of Excellence designation. Additionally, Dr. Shayani held the rank of Associate Professor of Surgery and the Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery Program at Loyola. I trust my MD implicitly. Just because he does things a bit differently than some other physicians doesnt mean he is doing them wrong.

I only cooked 2 eggs. I ate maybe 3 tablespoons before I vomited. End of meal. LOL! Eyes definitely bigger than my stomach! My MD doesn't follow the conventional rules. I found that out early on when I went for my first fill and he refused to do it. He wanted me on a "normal" diet and not soft foods (I was 6 weeks post-op) before he filled me. My surgeon is different from the MD who does my fills. Different philosophy for sure.

Actually, my MD wanted me to eat "normally" after the fill. He wanted me to eat a burger patty for dinner. I didn't because I had worked night shift before the appointment and went to bed when I got home. When I got up (about 3am) I made 2 scrambled eggs.

Good grief!! MD- kudos to you for being such a good sport! It amazes me the regression of behavior disguised as "spirited discussion." So we got our bands in different places....let's try and respect each other and move on.

You are correct! The 4cc bands have NOT been discontinued, nor has the FDA withdrawn it's approval of the band. Thanks for the support.

Hang in there with the constructive criticism about having your procedure done in Mexico....... You know what is best for you, and I think most responsible adults do their homework before making such a big decision. I you have any more questions, I would be glad to help.

My husband went with me. I almost went alone, but I am glad he came with. Physically it is certainly possible, (I felt great post-op & went back to work 3 days later) but for peace of mind alone, I think it is a good idea to have someone with.

Well, after getting turned down 2 weeks ago for my first fill, I am off to get it done today!!! I am so excited! It has been almost 2 months since surgery and I am finally getting started on this journey. So, wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed that my port is easily accessible!!

I am back!! Got my first fill!!! Yah!!! I got 3.4cc. I have to eat soup for dinner, but after that I am on my own!!! It was an easy, uneventful appointment. No pain at all!!

Hey!! Listen, I am in the same boat and discouraged as well. I have lost 25lbs & I had my surgery 6/12/12. I lost most of my weight during my pre-op diet. In fact, 2 weeks ago I went for my first fill and the MD refused to fill me !! He wanted me to eat more protein and less "softer" foods to see if I had true restriction. So Monday I will get my first fill. Thank goodness! I feel as if I am hanging by a thread. Hang in there! If you need an ear.....I am always here!!

My surgeon has more experience than most American surgeons. He uses the 4cc bands because statistics show a lack of complications. It is true that the 4cc band does have a bad rap, however. As with any product, when there are newer models on the market, the older ones start to "phase" out & in order to sell the newer models the old ones have more "complications." I trust my surgeon, and my band.

So, I am just over a month post-op and am due for my first fill on Monday! Thank God!! I have minimal if any restriction and am only down a couple of pounds since surgery. I can't wait to experience true "restriction." How many cc's did you 4cc Bandsters get on your first fill? Also, I havent told many people about my LapBand but my co-workers are aware. BIG mistake!!!! Last weekend I ate a mini-candybar that one of the drug reps brought in and was told by a c0-worker that my eating habits havent changed at all! WELL......1st- YES they have! 2nd- I am human, I didnt gain this weight overnight and I won't lose it overnight (unfortunately). I will make mistakes...I need to think about everything that goes into my mouth.....I don't have Bad foods at home....but at work there are temptations and occasionally they will beat me! How did you deal with the criticisms? I was very hurt......mad.....and defeated. This gal happens to be a friend of mine. I know she meant well, but ouch... God I cant wait until Monday!!!!!!