Leannie

I'm looking forward to this being the happiest year I've had in a long time. This is the year I leave all my "fat" baggage behind me and get on with life. Without this particiular site, I don't think I would have ever had my surgery. I didn't always have much to say, but I was listening very closely. Without hearing all the success stories, I never, EVER would have gone through with it. So thank you, THANK YOU to all of you and I hope you all have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ok, now I get it. So even if you get a perfect fill once at 2cc (for instance), next times its probably going to be different, right? Thanks, Sue.

Congratulations on your surgery Doctorblue! I have a question about the lady with the enlarged liver. I'm getting my band in 2 weeks. I was told I didn't need a pre-op diet. Can anyone tell me what could enlarge your liver that much? I'm sure a lot of drinking will do that, but what else? I'm not taking any chances.

I've done a lot of research, but I don't fully understand yet what happens to the saline that is put in there. If you get a perfect fill, I'm sure it doesn't stay that way forever - right? What happens then? Does your pouch stretch? Does the saline dissipate? Thats the part I don't get.

Jennye: The question is: how do you feel after your fill? Do you feel fuller than before? Do you think it was successful? Can I ask how much he charges you since you had surgery with him? (You don't have to answer if you don't want to, I just wonder if they charge more for "Mexican" patients.) What is the size of your band and how much did he put in? My appointment is Monday. Can you think of any questions I should ask? Its just a pre-surgery consultation. I don't know why they insist on seeing you before - especially since they aren't the ones doing the surgery. Maybe its the extra $300.

Jennye: 25 pounds. Good for you girl. I'm very interested to know how your first fill goes. Please let us know. My surgery is Dec. 27 in Mexico, but I've made a consultation appt with Dr. Chua for Dec 15 for after care. His office said he does blind fills, which sounds pretty scary and I'm having 2nd thoughts, but I really wanted a doctor close to me in case of a emergency (I'm in Waukesha).

Gabby: I haven't gotten my band yet, but have done a lot of thinking about the supplement and pill subject. I take a lot of Vitamins and supplements and was told that yes, the liquid vitamins are more expensive, but they have a 90% absorbancy rate, whereas the pills are very low. I can't remember, but I thought it was like 20% or less. So I guess the liquid ones would be worth the money.

Does anyone have any experience with taking Vitamins, supplements and pain medication? I know they give you pain medication after the surgery, but I'm more concerned about what to do for menstrual cramps. The only thing I've ever found that works for me is Ibuprofen and I've heard that can cause problems. I also don't want to stop taking my vitamins after surgery - especially with not eating solid food. Can you really not take pills at all? Has anyone tried liquid vitamins? Leannie Surgery scheduled 12/27/03 highest 296 280/280/140

Thanks for all the help. You guys are so smart!

Do your doctors charge you for every fill whether it was "good" or not? I know some doctors charge $200-$300 for a fill and that could add up pretty fast. Leannie Surgery scheduled 12/27/03 Dr. Sanchez Highest 296 280/280/140

Hi Terri: That is why I haven't told anybody about my upcoming surgery except my husband and mom who are my best friends and support me 100%. As for the others - siblings, in-laws, co-workers: I can't take the chance that they won't understand and try to talk me out of it or just put me down like your family has done. It took me long enough to talk myself into it and I don't want to hear any negativity about it. And unless they have walked 35 years (out of 43) in my shoes like I have - I really don't care what their opinions are. When I get thin - I may tell them or I may not. They probably don't realize how hard it is to do daily activities or buy clothes off the rack. I've done the research and you probably have too. I'm satisfied that I will be in good hands and I'm at peace with it. No one else is going to have the knowledge that we have from the research we've done before they give their opinions - solicited or not. I'm having my banding done right after Christmas - so nobody should even miss me. Feel free to write to me so we can go through this together. Leannie Surgery scheduled 12/27/03 Dr. Sanchez Highest 296 280/280/140 mbennett1@wi.rr.com

Hi Kay: I'm new also. In fact, I'm not even having my surgery until the day after Christmas. I am also going to Dr. Sanchez and was wondering how your experience with him was. I've heard mostly good things about him, but I'm still nervous. Since I scheduled it so far in advance, I think I have too much time to think about it. Leannie:confused:

Ginger: This may sound like a stupid question to some, but I just joined this site and don't know what the numbers below your name mean. Is it your weight? Have you lost a lot of weight? If so, that co-worker might be jealous. You know how women can be. I work with about 30 women and all are very nice, BUT I've only told one person that I'm going to have the surgery and I actually regret telling her. It was a very hard decision to make and very personal. I'm going to Mexico to have mine done in December while we're on Chrismas break. I can only imagine what most of them would say if they knew. Sometimes I think I'm crazy myself, but I've tried everything else and I'm willing to take the risk. I started dieting and exercising about 6 weeks ago so I could lose some weight now. That way it would come as no surprise that I was losing weight. It's also making me feel better right now. Maybe after I've lost quite a bit I'll confess. We'll see. Leannie

Hi Janet, I haven't had my surgery yet, but I've been looking ahead for fill doctors. I'm in SE Wisconsin and I've been told Dr. Vitello in Chicago will do them. Dr. Sanchez' office in Monterrey MX where I'm going also said they recommend him. I don't know how far that is from you though. Hope this helps. Leannie:)

Hi I've been to the seminar that Dr Engstrand and his assoc. put on. It's pretty interesting, but in my case, my insurance won't cover the surgery so I'm going to Mexico in December. When I first called Brookfield Surgical Assoc. I was told the surgery was $21,000, but when I tried to get a breakdown of the costs to submit to my ins. co. they couldn't give me the cost of the hospital because they were in re-negotiations with Elmbrook. Just this week my husband called them back for the heck of it and they said the price is now $16,000. I can't believe it went DOWN. But Mexico is still about $4,000 cheaper including airfare. I do know that the Brookfield drs. won't do fills unless they do the surgery. The closest one I've found to me (Waukesha) is Dr. Vitello in Chicago. I don't have any experience as far as the surgery yet, but if you have any questions about the seminar, I might be able to help. Leannie