BeanieandRosie'smom

From what I understand they are Pre-digested using friendly flora or bacteria. The kind you want in your gut to get everything going. It doesn't sound disgusting, definitely worth some further research and a try!

Hey Seltyl, I haven't had my sleeve done in Mexico, but I did have my band there. I was suggested to bring a heating pad on that trip and it was the best suggestion given to me! I just bought a cheap one from Walgreen's, but it helped me sleep. A word of warning about the medication: if you're used to getting opiates like Percocet, Vicodin, even Morphine in the hospital in the US, you won't usually find them at the hospitals in Mexico. I have been told that this time around I can ask for stronger drugs. I was extremely uncomfortable my first night and barely slept. They give you a drug called Torodol or Ketorolaco/Rapix (That is the spanish Drug name and brand name). I kept asking for more in my iv, but it never did much. I had my gallbladder out in the US this past September and I was on Morphine for a bit and sent home with Oxycodone. I am a big wuss and inherited my mother's low pain threshold... I'm hoping that I can have my pain knocked out this time! When I went the first time, I packed a backpack with all of my things. I am a girly-girl overpacker to the max, but I cut down for that trip and I never once regretted it. (I did of course bring make-up and the day after my surgery I did do my hair and make-up!) You won't want to carry anything big and bulky through the airport (the flight back was miserable!) Something I didn't bring the first time that I regret is a little blanket from home. I was cold the first night and couldn't get comfortable. I wanted to have something warm and cozy from home with me. Even some fuzzy slippers (I had to wear those support stockings for a while to prevent blood clots). I know I am practically writing you a book here, but I also mainly brought nice looking, comfy black sweatpants/yoga pants. I also LOVE the camis they sell at costco (don't know your location, but I'm guessing Costco is fairly national). They sell them in an XL which is my size and they are really comfy. Built in shelt bra thing too. And I brought some comfy zip up hoodies. Best of luck to you! Sorry for being so long winded! Erika

I almost forgot, I just had to have an endoscopy last Thursday to check on my band. It is currently drained. (Just got a bill for $250 dollars from the unfill in March!) turns out my band has now migrated to the top of my stomach. I can't wait to get it out. Also, I re-read my post--wasnt worded very clearly--the patient facilitator I mentioned was the only one who still has her band, and she is currently having problems with it. :/ Erika

Hi lmitchell40! Where to start!? I would STRONGLY suggest weighing all your options before getting the lap band. I am two years out and ten pounds over my starting weight! Aside from that I have had issue after issue... First big negative: fills. They cost a fortune ($150-300 per fill). You will need several fills. Until then, you will basically have little to no restriction. Next, you cannot tolerate many "healthy" foods. No matter how hard I tried, chewed slowly and ate carefully, I could never eat any fibrous vegetables (celery, peppers, broccoli, etc...) nor fruits such as apples, oranges, pears, grapes, even bananas. Bread was completely out and Pasta was the worst. The band makes it so you are unable to eat "everything in moderation." (Or very small portions). It restricts what kinds of foods you eat and makes it very hard to get your Protein in. Lean hamburger and chicken were always hard for me. I have been filled, and unfilled more times than I can count. One day you can eat a steak, the next day you're throwing up yogurt. Oh yes! The sliming! The very best part of the band. If you don't tolerate what you've just swallowed, it will Come right back up into your mouth. This made it impossible togo out to eat. Very embarrassing in social situations! I once had an enchilada bite burst through my mouth at dinner with friends. Agh! You never ever eat in the morning. No matter how hungry you are it is sooo hard because you are always tight in the morning. My lap band caused scar tissue in my esophagus from regurgitating my food so much. Getting something stuck is the worst. The pain is like your esophagus is bursting open. :{ I lost about 30lbs initially, and then gained it all back plus more. I have heard so many stories like mine. The band does not eliminate hunger at all for me, so after I've puked up a healthy meal, I turn to ice cream and candy to fill me up. (Slider foods). I have the smaller Allergan Lap-Band. I have heard others with a larger band do better. But, I just found out that my surgeon's patient coordinators (who all initially had the band) have now had a revision to the sleeve aside for one who is having problems with hers. I could never live with myself condoning this horrible thing that's in my body! The port site has a gigantic scar and it's constantly sore. Go to the band to sleeve revisions forum and read, read, read. I hope and pray you are able to find the right solution for you-just had to give my two cents about the band. I don't want anyone suffering through like I and many others have only to feel like a failure. Best of luck to you!! Please message me if you have more questions!! Erika

That sounds really interesting! I hate a lot of the bariatric protien supplement, this looks worth a try! Update and give a review after you try it!

Go BlueBonnetMagnolia!!! How "Onederful" (sorry, couldn't resist!) that must feel!!! I weigh about the same as you pre-op. I hope I can be as successful as you, best of luck on your continuing journey!!!

I had my Lap-Band done in Mexico--Dr. Rodriguez in Tijuana. I am going back for my sleeve revision. Had a great experience with him. I completely trust the doctors at the INT Hospital. I considered going through Dr. Almanza (Weightlossagents, he was cheaper) but I heard a lot of negative feedback about things that had happened there, and I heard from a reputable source that they do not use Allergan bands, Johnson&Johnson surgical staples, etc... He has deaths from his surgeries--Dr. Rod has zero. He also speaks English which may not be vital, but it is super re-assuring when you're having a panic attack in Mexico the day of surgery! (Which is what I did the first time!! They gave me a WONDERFUL tranquilizer and I faded into sleep before my surgery!) The anesthesiologist is a beautiful Mexican woman who speaks fluent English as well. She held my hand and hugged me before the surgery. If you have any questions about facilities or contacts, I can help. I do not yet have the sleeve, so I can't comment on that. Good luck!

He is doing my sleeve. I hate my band. Lots of throwing up and little success.

Which doctor are you seeing? I was banded by Dr. Jose Rodriguez in TJ in 2010 and really had a great experience. I am going back in August to get my sleeve.

Half the woman, I have the same fears as you! I was banded August 2010, and had high hopes. As of today, I am 10lbs over my starting weight pre-band. :{ I had an endoscopy today to check my esophagus for scarring because of my continual vomiting with the band. I am desperate and about 99% sure I will be getting the sleeve. I am scheduled August 11 with Dr. Almanza in Tijuana, Mexico. I had my band placed there by a different doctor. Best of luck to you!!! Erika

This is so encouraging! Congrats to you for losing so much weight! It doesn't seem slow to me at all! I am still pre-sleeve and 26 (almost 27 years old). A big reason I am having the surgery is so I can be healthy enough to get pregnant. I currently have moderate HBP and take meds to keep it under control. I know many people who only gained 20 lbs with each pregnancy, and it came off in a snap. You will do great! Good luck to you! Erika

Elaina! I just saw you're in WA!!! I know it might be a drive, but I goto Northwest Weight Loss Surgery center in south Everett. The doctors there are awesome and that's where my amazing counselor, Linda Ayers is! She is an ANRP/Psychiatrist so she does my psych meds as well. There has got to be someone closer to you that you can see for help. I work in Seattle and getting sleeved in August, so I want to Find a sleever support group in the Seattle area. Hey, we could even start our own, lol! I'd drive there! I swear I'm not trying to be weird, but I know that despair feeling and I don't want you to feel that way. I also read that you have kids. I know that they just adore you no matter how much you weigh. What a blessing to have kiddos. They are one of life's best (and most difficult) blessings! I teach 4 & 5 year olds and they are the lights of my life! Sending love, Erika

Dear Elaina, I know how you feel girl! Don't feel bad! I have a gorgeous mom and sister who are a size 0 and 6! Then there's me, size 16-18...my dad is a fitness buff, and both my parents can be very pushy about my weight. (My mom has an eating disorder which is why shes 5'6" and 115lbs...) My mom pushed me into the lap-band surgery two years ago. I did no research and, like you, did it in Mexico. I had no clue what I was getting me into. Here I am two years later, just where I started if not a fewpounds heavier. My family makes me feel really crappy because no one even in my extended family is obese. I weigh more than my overweight uncle! AND my husband! (Isn't that fun?!) I don't know your background, but you sound a lot like me, and like you're in a deep depression. I know exactly how that is! I've been taking anti depressants for years (over 10 years, and I'm almost 27). They really help, as does a good counselor. (Not trying to force anything on you of Course!) I go to a wonderful woman who actually has had weight loss surgery herself and specializes in working with people struggling with their weight. There are lots of doctors in the US that will see patients done in Mexico!! What area are you in? Praying for you sweet girl. Never give up hope. You are valuable, you are beautiful, and you have all the strength you need to get through this. please message or email me if you want to chat. I'm sure we have lots in common and I'd love to talk with you. Sending love, Erika erikaj@aol.com PS I had a little girl in my pre-k class ask me today if I was "pregnet"..haha! Hope you can get a chuckle out of that!

Hi Kate33! I can't really answer your questions, BUT I currently have a Lap-Band (that I hate), I got it in Mexico (which I loved!) and I am 26 years old! I haven't run into too many "younger" people yet, so it's nice to see you here! I have some of the same questions as you. I have a date, and a surgeon, but I am still apprehensive! I am scheduled for August 11, in TJ with Dr. Almanza. I had my first surgery in TJ with Dr. Rodriguez and had a great experience. I have thrown up so much that I need an endoscopy this Thursday to look at scar tissue in my esophagus... I was banded in August of 2010. I have found a place here in Seattle who will do patients from Mexico. My American doctor told me that in this economy it would be stupid for weight loss surgeons not to see patients with procedures done in Mexico. (Many were trained by the Mexican doctors!) He said it is just losing them business to turn away potential patients because they were banded or sleeved in Mexico. He said initially he thought it would change patients' minds about going down to Mexico, but it hasn't deterred it--and it's much cheaper. Anyway! Nice to find you on here, if you'd like to talk more or exchange stories, here's my email: erikaj@aol.com <3 Erika

Spainter2009, what day in August are you? I'm scheduled for the 11th! Good luck to you!

Hi! I just wanted to say, I am scheduled for August 11, 2012 for my band to sleeve revision with Dr. Alvarez in TJ. Had my band placed two years ago in TJ as well and had a great experience! Good luck to everyone!

Wow, CowGirlJane, That was very inspiring! You are a strong and determined person! After reading that, I just want to give you a hug. What a nightmare we all live in when we struggle with obesity. Unfortunately, I am the first in my immediate and extended family (parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins) who has struggled with obesity. It really is hard having a thin or "average sized" family, and husband--then there's me, 5'3", 26 years old, and 240lbs. They don't know what to do with me. :/ I chose the lap band two years ago, (had it placed on my golden birthday! 25th), and thought I would see the end of my weight struggles. I, too felt like a complete and total failure after losing 20-30lbs and gaining all of it back after being drained when my band got so tight I couldn't eat or drink. Thank you for giving me hope! I also hope that we all will not be a part of a fading fad that only works for a given time. Thank you for your post and congratulations on your success! May it never end! Thank you again!! Erika

Thank you CowGirlJane and Ricky!! (My parents considered calling me "Ricky" too!) It is so inspiring and helpful to hear from you! Thank you for taking the time to write your posts. I was on another site for the last week or so and no one would respond to me and I got discouraged. I really appreciate your responses, and I am so happy for you guys! Hope you continue to experience much happiness with your sleeve! ...I may come back for more questions later!! Thanks again, and much love! Erika

Wow, thank you so much for your help! This site is awesome. I am so thankful for all you who have been responding to me! So kind of you, and extremely helpful. I was almost totally against the sleeve, and now I feel completely the opposite. I need a life change and I'm ready. I know how to eat slow from the band. It has become a part of me now I guess. I just hate that tight pain in the chest. You're never really "full" for real. It's like you're either in pain or sliming everything up. It is humiliating to be out to eat and feel everything you just ate come back into your mouth, and you're talking so you have to swallow-even though you know how badly it will hurt!! My dad doesn't know how he feels about the sleeve, but he says the best part would be getting that band out! (No more sore port from where my pants are digging into it!) much love & thanks again!! Erika

Wow, this is exactly what I've experienced with my band, but never heard from other bandsters! My doc made me feel like it was my fault as I held back tears in his office trying to explain how I hated my band. How I couldn't eat anything. I am scared for a revision because I know it will be permanent. I realize this topic is from a few weeks ago, but anyone willing to help meby giving me their experiences with the sleeve---I'd be so appreciative!!! Thank you!!!

Carbgirl, I currently have a band (completely drained at this point) and when I was filled, I couldn't eat anything...it was a horrible life. I have to have an endoscopy on the 24th of this month to check for scarring in my esophagus. I couldn't eat healthy veggies or fibrous fruits like grapes or apples. I have put my deposit down for the sleeve on the 11th of August, but I'm not sure I will do it yet. Can you help me with some of my questions? Are you able to eat most foods, just a smaller amount? Who was your surgeon, and do you know what size bougie he/she used? Do you actually feel "full" or nauseous/pain? I greatly appreciate your help! I am 26/f 5'3"/240lbs.

Wow, LCS! You have given me hope. I have been on another sleeve site for about a week looking for answers. I am scheduled to have a Band to Sleeve revision on August 11. I have put my $500 deposit down, but I am not sure I will actually go through with the surgery. I was banded two years ago in Mexico (had a wonderful experience there). But had a really disappointing experience with my band. I've been completely drained about three times and spent $100s on adjustments that have left me vomiting and also affected my esophagus. I hate that when I'm filled, I can't eat raw or fibrous veggies. It's like a game to figure out what I can and can't eat from day to day, hour to hour! I have been completely drained since March and still vomit on occasion (bread...) I am around 240lbs and need a way out of this hole. Can any of you band to sleevers give me some advice? I'd be so very, very grateful! I'm so impressed and amazed by all your strength and perserverence! Thank you for inspiring me! Many thanks, Erika