WASaBubbleButt

Well, I'll take a shot at this one. Is this the fault of their surgeon? Did the surgeon make mistakes during surgery? Surely it isn't an aftercare issue as everywhere you read it says to set up aftercare before going to Mexico. Did your friends go to skilled surgeons with proven track records? Or did they shop by price and go to the cheapest? BTW, are your friend in AZ? If so, they can get their fills in Mexicali too. Anyone is welcome to join us for our fill trips. Well, our fills (Mexican bandsters) are done under fluoro so there is no guessing. We can see the proper restriction with our own eyes. It's also an opportunity to check stoma issues, band placement, pouch and esophagus size and shape.... etc. So we don't typically need fills every six weeks. Now, if someone has a larger band (10cc+) then I agree with you. Sure, why not? We make it fun. We go as a group. Sometimes we go in the morning and return that afternoon and sometimes we stay in Mexicali for the night. We go shopping in Mexico, go to dinner, and then have a bit of 'girls night out'. We return the following day. With all due respect, you didn't look very hard. There are quite a few in AZ alone, hundreds throughout the country. In Phx we have Orris & DeBarros and two FillCenterUSA locations, soon to be more. Then there is Berger in Flagstaff and I believe more FillCenterUSA locations throughout AZ. Those are just the people I know of, I haven't checked further. But again, most of us prefer to go to Mexico to our surgeon w/fluoro. You were banded in Phx, I assume (Your ID)? If so, if something were to happen to your doc, retire, get in a plane accident, whatever... I only know of one more doc you can go vs. Mexican banded people since you weren't banded by them. So you have one more option than we do and I actually don't care for that doc anyway, that's why I went to Mexico. We have a great support group as well but we let anyone come regardless of where they were banded, we are pretty tight in Phx. Our aftercare specialist in Mexico is a psychologist, they answer the phones 24/7 (as all the better Mexican docs do and at least mine isn't an answering service but the MD staff). I have the cell phones of my docs, the office manager, and the office staff in case I ever need anything. Well, there is Orris and DeBarros and Dr. Fang. That's just in the valley alone. Then there is Berger in Flagstaff. Or, go to Mexico (3 hours) and get care by our surgeon who does not charge for follow up care. Now, if you have to be admitted then there are fees but to go see him for any reason... free for life. Matter of fact I had problems when I was first banded and went back to Mexico for an eval. My surgeon spent 3.5 hours with me doing every test in the book. The hospital charged me $25.00 and my surgeon charged me nothing. I agree, and I do. Was just there Saturday for an unfill. You don't really have much more in the way of options that we do. My aftercare is free for life (aside from what I wrote above), and I paid $8200 for a surgeon with over 4000 lap procedures, 1600+ of those are bands, he's able to do ALL procedures, even the tricky ones such as band after bypass and other complicated procedures, my recovery was not outpatient but I spent two nights in a fully equipped hospital that has four ORs, an ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, PICU, they can do organ transplants, brain mapping, neuro surgery, and of course, lap procedures. Honestly, what is the difference between what you have and what we do other than you got to pay a great deal more?

I don't think Mellis was defensive at all, quite frankly your information isn't accurate. You have to remember, the OP is in Phoenix. That is driving distance from Mexicali (3 hours). I was just there Saturday. Kirshenbaum is great but he's a 14 hour drive from Phoenix, more expensive, and outpatient surgery. Phx doctors are VERY expensive. Aceves in Mexicali is $8200 and that includes two nights in the hospital. He likely has more experience than any AZ surgeon, he provides more medical supervision, and we are pretty tight in Phoenix. We take good care of one another. Not everyone in our group was banded by Dr. Aceves but most of us were. We meet for lunch monthly or so. We talk on the phone all the time, we provide real time support. We pass out our numbers to newbies regardless of where they were banded so when they have questions they have a list of numbers to call. Orris and De Barros do fills, they are next to Phoenix. Berger does fills, he's in Flagstaff, but we go to Mexicali and we do it as a group and have fun while we are there. Soooo, all in all I don't think Mellis was defensive, I think we Mexican banded folks just get tired of correcting misinformation. In some areas of the country you are quite correct, it's a pain going to Mexico for fills and the docs are few and far between that will fill patients they didn't band. But that simply isn't the case for we border states.

Very true. I was asking if anyone knew the doc that was treating her because this whole thing was so weird. The guy is in my city and I've never heard of him. It's MissMona, she'll probably be posting today since I believe she was discharged from the hospital yesterday.

Sounds like you aren't stuck anymore, just swollen from being stuck. Are you supposed to eat turkey three weeks out? When you get stuck stick to liquids for the rest of the day, otherwise you get stuck again and more swollen, stuck yet again and more swollen.

Looks like Dee is back. Dang.

I can completely appreciate what you are saying. One issue I do question is if it is even possible to calculate an average BMR. I don't see how it can be done accurately, there are sooo many variables and those variables can change on a daily basis even down to a monthly cycle. I know those places make lots of claims, but I still don't see how they can be accurate however I am not an expert in the matter either. I'm just offering an opinion. I stayed under 1000 calories daily as well during my weight loss period. Actually, I was around 600 daily. But I wanted fast weight loss. I don't know, maybe someday I'll see evidence that we can calculate a BMR. I've thought about doing it myself but the reality is, it doesn't matter. It is what it is and I think the best method to calculate is experience with your own body but again, that's just my opinion. I'm not basing anything in this post on fact.

HA.... I guess I hang with good company then. Do tell, what is your ID on OH?

I think we agree and disagree. It really does come to calories in/calories out. But that does not imply a given formula either. The reality is that if you consume more calories than you burn, you are going to gain weight. How much effort is needed to burn a pound of fat does very from one person to another to some degree. But if you look at studies it shows that a greater majority of obese people also tend to underestimate their caloric intake. Check out the boards here, people come, swear they are eating 300 calories a day, exercising, and not losing weight. When you suggest they use fitday or thedailyplate they suddenly get a big surprise. If you ask the to post their menu they either have underestimated their calories or they leave the thread and decline to return. Since we don't know the details of each person's metabolism there is no way to say, "Longhorn, it will take you "X" hours of "Y" exercise for you to lose a pound. We have no choice but to use generalities. Here is a good article: Weight, Diet, Diabetes, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure

OMG! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Absolutely priceless!

I think I look a bit older than I did fat but my friends tell me they disagree. I think they are being friends, to be honest. When you are fat your wrinkles are filled out a bit. Losing weight doesn't cause wrinkles in your face but those that were hidden by fat... well, they are no longer hidden anymore. They are just there.

It does sound like you need a fill to me. One thing I will mention, when we eat now the idea is not to eat until we are full. The idea is to eat until we are satisfied and no longer hungry. Every two or three bites stop and think: Are you still hungry? If so, eat more. Are you satisfied? Stop eating. Are you full? You have eaten too much. This is much easier said than done, we typically tend to eat until no more fits in there. It takes time but you can do this. You have to think it through constantly while you are eating. In time it will come naturally. But at first it's a chore. If you get another fill you will have more restriction. If you get stuck again you might stick to liquids for the remainder of the day. Getting stuck causes swelling and that leads to more PBs. If you are not really very tight it is not as much of an issue. If you have good restriction that can potentially become a very big issue.

This person had surgery five days ago.

Ahhhh, that makes sense. I thought you were saying that you wouldn't want to expose other patients to something but it was fine to expose the staff. I couldn't figure out the logic of that one. Yep, I don't blame you. I say go for it. Nail the skank to a wall.

This makes perfect sense. The protein isn't the problem, the mega carbs in the OPs post are the problem. I really don't understand the liquid diet to be honest. I can see a low fat, low carb, adequate protein diet but I have yet to figure out the reasoning behind a liquid diet. The diet itself is critical for a safe surgery, but how that diet is accomplished is another issue between surgeons. Your nutritionist sounds wonderful.

Tuna is not a liquid.

I don't understand something. If you don't know if it will affect her surgery, why shouldn't she tell her doctor?

Someone just PMed me a link to this thread. She was concerned about the responses you have received so I am going to throw in my 18 cents worth here. YES! By all means! Talk to your doc! Make sure surgery is still a go. The things you ate will make your liver slippery and slimy. Your BMI is a bit on the high side and that means your liver is likely to be quite heavy. When they do surgery one is the incisions is an instrument that holds your liver up and out of the way so the doc can get the band around your stomach. If it is slippery (from the bad food) it makes it quite dangerous for you. If you were about 10 points lower on your BMI I might not be inclined to write this post but your BMI is not 10 points lower, it's 50. The instrument doesn't look like a spatula, it's a metal pole essentially. It's like holding a pie up with a stick. Know what I mean? Add slippery to that and how easy do you think it will be on your surgeon? If it is hard on him that means it is dangerous for you. If your liver cannot be managed well it can slip and slide and the risk for laceration is greater. Is it worth it to keep your secret? Seriously, you have to consider if these diets actually DO something or if the real idea is to torture you? Honestly, what do you think you should do? I think your surgeon should be given the information. It's not an issue of whether you should be rude and show up late to a party, this is your SURGERY! Your health for goodness sakes. If something happens during your surgery, will you be glad that you didn't say anything?

Are you under the impression that Repubs don't hand out a majority of the freebies today? Illegals? Hello????? We now have 1/3 of Mexico living in the US illegally. Yes, 1/3 of their country. Can you tell me what Bush or his buddies have done to stop this? Probably not, but I can tell you how they have helped the illegals moving here. And btw, Mexico is but one country of many that are doing this. Your Repubs are the ones that want to have illegals go back and offer up a list of SS#s they have stolen so that the gov't can go back and give them SS credit for hours worked. They shouldn't have been here to begin with and who else but illegals do we turn our heads as they break laws? Everything from entering the country illegally, working illegally, stealing the names and SS#'s of others, and now we want them to be able to retire here? That would be the Repubs lately. People really don't have the slightest idea anymore what Dem vs. repub means and that includes politicians. The meanings have changed entirely from what they were in the beginning. So to claim to be Dem or Repub is totally meaningless today. It means absolutely nothing. So ANYONE that votes merely by party affiliation is a complete dolt. Years ago my Mom wanted to run for a specific office. She was a Republican which meant she had virtually no chance so she changed her party to Democrat. Do you honestly believe she is the only one? I'm just hoping that at least once in my lifetime there will be someone, anyone running for any major political office that is worthy of a vote.

What makes you think we non believers don't understand faith? Most atheists I know were Christian at one time. We have what you have but today we understand where the credit actually goes. Such as the following: We feel that too, we are quite comfortable it isn't a God. Why is it that believers can't grasp that we feel the same things? We just know it doesn't come from a God. If this isn't reason to stop and consider what religion and belief is all about, nothing will shed light upon the obvious.

Sweethot, is the following at all familiar to you? What part of this particular document leads you to believe a god was leading anyone with any body part? What leads you to believe this was written by a Christian basing his work on Christian beliefs? And founding the country with a Christian twist? Annals of Congress, 5th Congress Article 1. There is a firm and perpetual peace and friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and subjects of Tripoli, of Barbary, made by the free consent of both parties, and guarantied by the most potent Dey and Regency of Algiers. Art. 2. If any goods belonging to any nation with which either of the parties is at war, shall be loaded on board of vessels belonging to the other party, they shall pass free, and no attempt shall be made to take or detain them. Art. 3. If any citizens , subjects, or effects, belonging to either party, shall be found on board a prize vessel taken from an enemy by the other party, such citizens or subjects shall be set at liberty, and the effects restored to the owners. Art. 4. Proper passports are to be given to all vessels of both parties, by which they are to be known. And considering the distance between the two countries, eighteen months from the date of this treaty, shall be allowed for procuring such passports. During this interval the other papers, belonging to such vessels, shall be sufficient for their protection. Art. 5. A citizen or subject of either party having bought a prize vessel, condemned by the other party, or by any other nation, the certificates of condemnation and bill of sale shall be a sufficient passport for such vessel for one year; this being a reasonable time for her to procure a proper passport. Art. 6. Vessels of either party, putting into the ports of the other, and having need of provisions or other supplies, they shall be furnished at the market price. And if any such vessel shall so put in, from a disaster at sea, and have occasion to repair, she shall be at liberty to land and re-embark her cargo without paying any duties. But in case shall she be compelled to the land her cargo. Art. 7. Should a vessel of either party be cast on the shore of the other, all proper assistance shall be given to her and her people; no pillage shall be allowed; the property shall remain at the disposition of the owners; and the crew protectedand succored till they can be sent to their country. Art. 8. If a vessel of either party should be attacked by an enemy, within gun-shot of the forts of the other , she shall be defended as much as possible. If she be in port she shall not be seized on or attacked, when it is in the power of the other party to protect her. And when she proceeds to sea, no enemy shall be allowed to pursue her from the same port, within twenty-four hours after her departure. Art. 9. The commerce between the United States and Tripoli; the protection to be given to merchants, masters of vessels, and seamen; the reciprocal right of the establishing Consuls in each country; and the privileges, immunities, and jurisdiction, to be on the same footing with those of the most favored nations respectively. Art. 10. The money and presents demanded by the Bey of Tripoli, as a full and satisfactory consideration on his part, and on the part of his subjects, for this treaty of perpetual peace and friendship, are acknowledged to have been received by him previous to his signing the same, according to a receipt which is hereto annexed, except such as part as is promised, on the part of the United States, to be delivered and paid by them on the arrival of their Consul in Tripoli; of which part a note is likewise hereto annexed. And no pretense of any periodical tribute of further payments is ever to be made by either party. Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries. Art. 12. In case of any dispute, arising from a violation of any of the articles of this treaty, no appeal shall be made to arms; nor shall war be declared on any pretext whatever. But if the Consul, residing at the place where the dispute shall happen, shall not be able to settle the same, an amicable referrence shall be made to the mutual friend of the parties, the Dey of Algiers; the parties hereby engaging to abide by his decision. And he, by virtue of his signature to this treaty, engages for himself and successors to declare the justice of the case, according to the true interpretation of the treaty, and to use all the means in his power to enforce the observance of the same. Signed and sealed at Tripoli of Barbary the 3d day of Junad in the year of the Hegira 1211— corresponding with the 4th day of November, 1796, by JUSSOF BASHAW MAHOMET, Bey. MAMET, Treasurer. AMET, Minister of Marine. SOLIMAN KAYA. GALIL, General of the Troops. MAHOMET, Commander of the City. AMET, Chamberlain. ALLY, Chief of the Divan. MAMET, Secretary. Signed and sealed at Algiers, the 4th day of Argill, 1211—corresponding with the 3d day of January, 1797, by HASSAN BASHAW, Dey, And by the agent Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, JOEL BARLOW.

You aren't serious, right? Are you under the impression that the non Christians you refer to had the "under god" routine on money and in the pledge at the time they wrote the rules for the US?

If you have insurance then start the insurance process. If you don't then start a search for a doc and get it done.

What are you eating? And how much?

And a Merry Christmas to you too, Mr. Happy! I did not disagree with YOUR erosion experience, I fully disagree that your experience will be like everyone else's. To say no antibiotics to port infections is silly. Not once did I tell you anything about YOUR experience. But feel free to spread your cheer around as you have been thus far.

A great number of us are going to disagree with you. There is much less food to be held up by the alcohol. Most of us tend to get drunk verrrry fast. We make for cheap dates. :rose: