TRANAM1955

HI Folks, I don't post much....banded March 20 and have lost 44 pounds. Kinda' slow, but stopped smoking in May and I know it slowed down my efforts. Stress is still an issue - no comfort food, no smoking, no drinking, etc....I have to say I am not committed enough to counting calories and I need to do that!!! Give me a little kick in the butt!! I use Dr. Rose at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga as my fill doctor. Pricey, but he does use a fluro every time. I have had 2 fills and it has been a little hard getting used to the 2nd fill. My stoma gets irritated easy, but eating soft foods are not conducive to loosing weight. So, I am trying to get an attitude adjustment and get serious. Thanks!!

Hi, At one time, Dr. Kuri was promoted by BeLiteWeight but they parted ways. My visit was an awsome surgical experience and the hospital was new and more like a resort rather than the hospital. I had no complications from the surgery and am still doing great. I would return to Mexico if I had any complications that required surgery and ask Dr. Kuri and his team to perform the surgery. I did have to find a local doctor that charged $2000 to accept me as Mexican patient and so far I have had two fills. Great doctor here, too! I quit smoking in May, after a 30 year habit of 3 to 4 packs a day, so I have only lost 44 pounds in 5 months, however, I COULD HAVE EASILY GAINED THAT AND MORE, so I feel blessed. I have a sensitive stoma and do not eat well in the mornings and usually do not eat until late afternoon and all evening. That is something I have to work on. But, I think Dr. Kuri's rates have come down substantially since he is not jobbed out by Beliteweight, so I would definitely talk with Dr. Kuri before you make any decisions. Good Luck!!!!!!

HI, At your young age, weight loss would be so much easier with the lap band than at a later stage in your life. When I was your age, I lost 92 pounds in 8 months and maintained a slim figure for a few years - would go up and down - and finally in my mid 40's, the weight crept back up to over 200. In my 50's, I hit the 250 mark and could tell such a difference in my well being. My lap band has become my "voice of reason". And yes, after being banded for nearly 5 months, quitting smoking - 3 to 4 pack a day habit for 3 months, I have had some emotional challenges. I have always used food as a comfort and the band will not let me do that. I have lost 38 pounds, most in the first few months, and it has slowed since I quit smoking. However, I just had my 2nd fill this past week and I am optimistic that the weight loss will start up again. My band has become a friend, buddy and sounding board that tells me that I just can't eat a big hamburger, fries, and deserts. So, I want to encourage you to seek counseling, meet with a qualified lap band surgeon and start on your Journey!!! :clap2:

HI Folks, I have to treat my fills like the initial procedure. He wants me on clear for 2 days, liquid for 2 days, mushies for 3 to 4 days. If I am able to eat solid after the 7th day, I can continue, but if I am too tight, back to Clear liquids. Seemed to work for me! Good luck on your journey!!

I had a great experience in Mexico. I did have to pay a local doctor $2000 to take me as a Mexican Patient...and I have only had one fill. Weight is coming off slowly but surely!!!!

Proud for you and glad you enjoyed your cruise!!

LOL...I had to chuckle as I read this new post...the stress has been a big factor since I quit smoking in May. I have been so stressed my only option has been to sleep!!! I was going to work, coming home, and do only neccessary household chores, finish emails and go to bed. When I traveled, I would be asleep in the hotel by 6 pm. So....I finally went to my Medical Doctor and said. "Robert, this is not working, I am so stressed I am gonna bust"...and I voiced my concern about starting back smoking when I attend an educational training in Conneticut in August for 2 weeks. At 52, I do not want to resort to bad habits...so, for the first time in my life, I am taking Zannax. Low dose and hopefully short term, but I can not pick up any of my old vices....DRINKING, EATING, CRAZY RELATIONSHIPS, SMOKING, ETC...I am a "snow white" at 52...lol...but I can work my way through this with a strong relationship with God, a way to vent my feelings ( on this forum ) and taking each day as it comes. I am sure I will seek counseling to deal with all these frustrations, but right now my work load is heavy, and it is difficult to schedule appointments I can keep. September should be better!!!! Good luck to all of us on this emotional but rewarding journey!!!!

HI Folks, I am 3 months post op, have lost 34 pounds, and quit smoking May 5th. However, lately, if I get cold with air conditioning, I freeze and stay cold forever. What is up with that??

I have been banded nearly 4 months and fortunately, I have experienced little gas and never reflux. PB'ing ...YES!! However, I do remember how a gall bladder attack felt 9 years ago, and it could be an issue for you?? When I PB'ing my Doc's nurse tells me to do clears / liquids for a day or two. I must be a slow learner, because I didn't think about that until last Monday when I called her. Duh!!! Good luck...and as always, I am not a medical professional and if the pain continues....see your doctor!!

HI....Dr. Kuri performed my lap band surgery and the hospital was new and more like a resort than a hospital. Excellent experience in all areas!!!

Hi....I think it is normal to have high and low energy....we have to get in enough protein and keep our bodies hydrated...just follow the doctor's guidelines.

Hope you feel perkier soon....just follow doctor's guidelines on Clear liquids, mushies, etc...drink lots of water!!! Keep us posted!!!

HI Folks, I was banded March 20th, and did not get my first fill until June 4th. I was on the liquid, soft, then solid for 7 days after the fill. I lost about 6 pounds during the first 10 days after the fill. Putting my total weight loss at 34 pounds. However, I will PB nearly every day and it is not on any certain food. Yesterday, I had a light bulb moment, and I think I have been eating too much? At 52 you would think I would be a little smarter, wouldn't you? The problem is, my stoma may be full, but I am hungry. I really do not want to get an unfill because I am self pay. Doctor charged 2000 and that include 4 visits. So, an unfill would be a visit. And I know if I can loose another 10 pounds or so, the band will be looser. Any suggestions?

You may be right....there are times I drink some Fluid before the hour is up...I will watch that....today..so far...no pb'ing...but I stopped as I got that kinda full feeling....Tonight I was able to eat a roast beef and mashed potatoes small portion dinner and did not PB...but I am not drinking yet... It is kinda funny...but I think my restriction is just now working or either I might be realizing it?? I just hope I have not done any damage to my band?

HI... I flew to San Diego and Dr. Kuri's staff picked us up at the airport. Great experience, great cost and great results. I did have to pay a local doctor $2000 to take me as a Mexican Bandster but it still beats the local price of $18,000. The hospital Dr. Kuri's uses is more like a resort hotel than a hospital. Good Luck!!!

Hi , I do not cook much. I do buy Lean Cuisines and Weight Watchers. I am not able to eat Pasta or noodles, but select the beef and chicken Entrees with green Beans and mashed potatoes. I can not eat their carrots. Ouch!! Just eat very slowly and chew well and you will find you can not finish your meal. Good luck!!!!

HI Miss Carol and All, Congrats on your surgery in May....I am not posting as much lately and failed to notice your post. I was self pay and Dr Ponce was just too high so I went to Dr Kuri in Mexico. WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!!! I had my first fill on June 5th in Chattanooga with Dr Rose. Great experience too!! Dr Kuris cost / plane fare/ eats for my friend was around 10,000. Dr Rose fee was 2000 for 1 year so I feel very grateful to have saved 8000. My BCBS excluded weight loss surgery. I could have paid Ponce the 20 grand but did not want too. Period. I hope you do well in the weeks to come Miss Carol. Keep us posted??

I have to pay attention and swallow each pill, drink, swallow, drink, etc. So far, I have not had a problem.

I had my first fill on Tuesday and it was a great experience. And, I felt full immediately. Since I quit smoking on May 5th, I had been getting hungrier. I have been on Clear liquids and soft liquids since but will start on mushies tomorrow. I now weigh 225 whiich is a 33 pound loss. So excited!!!!! I am sure some people do well with FillCenter USA, I just need someone local. Good luck on your quest!!

HI, Welcome to lap band land....I had some gas right after my surgery....however, two weeks out I had a bad pain develope on my right side....after seeing my PA, he said it was just gas pain...not too worry. If you do not feel better soon....contact your doctor.

Wow...I am pleasantly suprised. I do not know how much he put in my band, but I was starving before he did the fill and the moment he finished, I was not hungry. I have to be on Clear liquids for 3 days, and full liquids for 3 days and then soft food for 4 or 5 days and finally hit solid food around 10-14 days after the fill. I am going to follow this plan to the best of my ability. The doctor said my Mexica band looked great. I am able to drink warm fluids, broth and of course, Tea!!!! I was scared but now am grateful it is over and I am not having any discomfort. So, I am now down 27 pounds since March 20 and smoke free since May 5th. Yippee!!!!!!

Good luck on your change of life.

Let us know your surgery date!!!

You are still on the soft stage? I would ask your Doctor to be sure.

HI Alexandra, You are so supportive and I know all of us appreciate you very much. I pray your answer from the insurance company will be favorable.