Linda Harrison

I just want you guys to know that if you have really bad diarrhea that Immodium doesn't seem to fix...go to the doctor. I had diarrhea off and on (mostly ON) for 2 weeks and the last 5 days of that 2 weeks of that time I lived in the restroom. I contacted my doctor and he said, take immodium, eat salad crackers, drink gatorade, go back to liquids, take amoxyl (antibiotic)....that I probably had an intestinal infection...a couple days passed.... I was sick. I got so sick that I couldn't even brush my teeth. The feel of the brush on my tongue or sides of my teeth made me gag and want to throw up. I couldn't stand anything on my tongue or I would gag and almost vomit (no way cuz my tummy was empty). It took me 30 minutes to nibble on a saltine cracker and nothing tasted good. I had a terrible taste in my mouth and I had an odor that wasn't pleasant at all. My mom took me in to see her doctor cuz mine was full and couldn't get in except as walk in and I couldnt wait in an office for 3-4 hours..... He examined me and sent me straight to ER where I was admitted for extremely severe dehydration..come to find out after tests, I had C-fill and colitis (this usually stems from an antibiotic killing off ALL bacteria and the bad bacteria taking over)...my wbc was up to 25,000 (about 15,000) above normal.... I was in the hospital for 5 days and am still on meds for another 6 days and have to follow up with the specialists to make sure it is all gone. One bad thing about all this is I gained 5 lbs while I was on the IV's and broth ..makes me wonder what the hell they put in your veins...must be some mighty poweful and high caloric stuff LOL...I'm just glad it got me well though POINT?????? DO NOT WAIT as long as I did if you have diarrhea and can't get rid of it...go to the doctor before it gets really bad and you get really sick like I did Linda

LMAO....I think maybe that explains it then...I'm not sure if my doctor had 4400 calories running thru my veins but I considering the weight gain I wouldn't doubt it one bit. Thanks for the info. I go back in a week for a follow up..maybe I'll ask him about it then. Linda

When I was looking into surgery in Mexico I heard there was more than one Dr. Rodriguez so to be sure to go to Dr. Arturo Rodriguez. I think he is also Jose Arturo....but if Arturo isn't in the name then it isn't the one I went to. I am pleased so far with my procedure even though I did get C-diff and ended up in the hospital in the states from it. The doctors here however said it has nothing to do with the doctor of choice who did the band surgery in Mexico. Dr. Rodriguez told me what to do but I contacted him too late with my problems and the bacterial infection had gone too far (negligence on my part)...it just happens to some people sometimes. TIP: Don't procrastinate!!!

My doctor won't do it for 6 weeks. I'm hoping to go back and get it done over Easter weekend but not sure how busy it is in Mexico at that time. I had my surgery on Feb 20th and I've lost 22 lbs but man I'm starting to get hungryyyyyyyyyyyyyy. I ate things yesterday that I know I shouldn't have and I'll try to not do it again but I'm so hungry. Good Luck and continued success with your journey... Congrats on your 25 lb loss....hope you keep it off and continue losing more before your fill. Linda

CONGRATS to everyone on their wonderfull success!!!!! Mike, you ran across someone who is obviously a terrific person. It's good to know that there are still people out there in this world that are loving and caring and DO have a heart. You won't find a doctor like that on every street corner. I'm so happy for you. You look great and I know you will reach your goal. Linda

I've heard where people use Vitamin E oil and others have used Polysporin. Some have said Polysporin helped with the scarring. I dont know. My scars aren't going to be too bad I don't think...but after I lose 125 lbs I'm going to need a tummy tuck anyway so that will get rid of that. Did I say tummy tuck? I'll probably need more like a BODY TUCK! Do they do those??? LOL Linda

I've read that its good to drink a glass of something before you eat so that the bottom portion of your stomach will be full and it won't gurgle as much. I'm only post-op 12 days so I don't know it all by far...not from experience anway...but I have read tons of stuff....you can try it and see if that helps any. Linda

Hi there Jean My daughter and I had our surgeries the day before you did with Dr. Rodriguez. I believe, if I'm not mistaken, Diana was on the phone talking with you from my hotel room. I remember the name Jean and she was there for surgery so I am assuming it was you. Where do you live? Do you live in Texas and if so, where? I live in Mcallen. I guess we'll be going over there for a fill at about the same time too. How are you doing so far? We are both healing wonderfully. Heather moreso than me but then she's younger...hell isn't everybody younger than me LOL I'm not real positive what I weighed the day of the surgery but I am pretty close to sure and if I'm right, I've lost right at 15 lbs. Keep in touch and let me know how things are going. Linda

Okay...what do you guys take for antibiotics if you get sick with the flu or something? Can you take Ampicillin or Penicillin tablets and crush them or something? I live 10 miles from Mexico border and we go over there to get our antibiotics. So could I still get the tablets and crush them up or the capsules and open them up and dilute in some kind of juice or something? What about Pain Reliever? I hear everyone mentioning Children's liquid Tylenol but with some of my headaches I would have to drink that whole bottle to get any relief. Isn't it possible to take regular Tylenol? Maybe get the tablets and crush them also???? I read somewhere where a lady took an Advil and her stomach closed up and she had to have the band removed (if I'm not mistaken) I sure don't want THAT to happen. Any help would be appreciated. I really don't wanna screw up and have problems. Thanks:cool: Linda Banded 2/20/2004 Dr. Arturo Rodriguez, Monterrey MX 275/268.5/mini goal 200

I've had gas and the runs BAD for about 12 hours now. I can't try to release the gas without getting up and going to the restroom. I haven't slept and I'm getting nauseous from no sleep, too many gas-x, and not being able to get rid of the gas. The Gas-x arent helping much I don't think. I'm so sick of having to run run run to the toilet...and think maybe if I could stop the diarrhea I could get rid of the gas more easily and get rid of the nausea. HELP! Can you take Pepto Bismol? I have some and I'm tempted to go in there and swallow some.

Dawnsunshine You will be fine, I'm sure. I just read and responded to Maguilar's post about her fear of dying. I had that same fear...big time...so scared in fact that I wrote letters to all my kids, mom, and fiance telling them all how much I loved them blah blah blah LOL...but yes, I was very scared and many others I have talked to were scared also, so I think it's a normal thing. Keep your chin up those kids will be there waiting for you to come home Linda

Hi Maguilar, Let me tell ya I was so scared of not waking up that I wrote letters to all my kids, my mother, and my fiance. I told one of my daughters that if something should happen to me that I had a letter on my computer for all of them. So YES,,,I was scared as hell. But here I am 5 days later and I'm fine. My daughter who is only 15 had it done the same day I did and she is doing fine too. I won't tell you to do it but I just wanted to share with you that I was so scared I almost changed my mind. I could feel my blood pressure shoot way up on the flight over there and through everything that had to be done before going into the pre op room. Even then I was scared as hell. My daughter started crying and I told her it wasn't too late that she could change her mind. She was to go in before me. Needless to say, we both went thru with it and here we are....banded but hungry. This liquid diet is tough. I can't wait til Saturday so I can have some baby food LMAO. Have faith...everything will be fine :kiss

Thank you all for your help...I'll look again for the Adult Liquid but have looked at WalMart and at the grocery store here and didnt see it. Next time I'll ask the pharmacist and see if maybe he or she can direct me to it.

BTW Audrey...I commended you on the other thread but hey...your loss sticks out like a sore thumb too. Give us all some of your tips at losing so much so quickly too I would appreciate any tips Linda

TERRIFIC JOB BABS How thrilled you must be!! I can't wait to be where you are. Time, I know...just time!! We get so impatient when it comes to weight loss. I want it all gone tomorrow...yesterday actually LOL! Congratulations again on such an awesome loss Keep it up and pass us some tips on what you did to lose so much so fast. Or are you just one of the luckier ones:confused: Linda Banded 2/20/2004 Dr. Arturo Rodriguez Monterrey, MX 275/268.5/minigoal 200

Congratulations on your surgery, Bob. Heather and I had ours done and we are back home and doing fine. Hungry as hell but fine LOL! JK I'm not really all that hungry but my stomach does an awful lot of growling. No fill for 4-6 weeks (healing process yanno) The liquid diet isn't all that bad and it's only for a week for us. We can have yogurt, Soup, veggie juice, Jello, fruit juice (not orange or pineapple), and broth. Soup At Hand Creamy Tomato went down fine for Heather but I'm sticking mostly to the broth. I did add some V-8 juice to it yesterday. Also, we have had a couple high Protein shakes, and a high protein juice drink (Boost). I read where someone said the high Protein Shakes can cause you to have gas but I chewed a couple Gas-X to be safe. Haven't had any problems so far. Good Luck with everything Linda Banded 2/20/2004 Dr. Arturo Rodriguez, Monterrey MX 275/268.5/minigoal: 200:p

oops I was just banded last week 2/20/2004 not in January

Audrey, WTG GURLLLLLLLL You look terrific!!!!!!! 82 lbs in 6 months WOW!!! AWESEOME!!! TOTALLY AWESOME!!! You are a great inspiration to us all. I hope to be as successful as you. Even close would be nice Keep up the good work...you are over half way there Linda Banded 1/20/2004 Dr. Arturo Rodriguez, Monterrey, MX 275/268.5/mini goal:200:p

Congratulations to those of you who are awaiting your surgery dates. I know how it feels to have a date and the anticipation of its arrival. My daughter and I had our bands put in this past Friday and we are doing fine. I have to admit we are hungry though and our stomachs growl a lot. The doctor won't do a fill for 4-6 weeks allowing time for everything to heal first. I quit smoking Friday morning too so I'm battling two things instead of one but hey...it's not that bad. Hang in there and your day will be here before you know it. Good Luck on your journey I've lost 8 or 9 lbs in 5 days. Linda banded 2/20/04 Dr. Arturo Rodriguez, Monterrey Mexico

Good Luck! My daughter and I are having ours done this coming Friday in Monterrey, Mexico. My insurance doesn't cover anything to do with weight loss....it's ALL COSMETIC..yeah right! Anyway, I'm forking out the bucks but hey...if it works as well for us as it has for all the others I've been reading about, it will be MORE than worth it...my dad's inheritance will be well spent Keep us in your thoughts and prayers...will keep you posted on our surgery and progress. Linda pre-op....but soooon.... 6 days and counting

Hi everyone My name is Linda and I live in South Texas. My daughter and I are scheduled to have our bands put in just one week from today and we are both very excited...nervous but excited. I've tried everything imaginable to lose this weight and finally said...That's it! I've had enough!! I have read so many testimonials and have talked to a few women on the phone who have had it done. I am oh sooo hoping that I have the same success they have. I hope I'm one of the fortunate ones who lose A LOT...FAST Good Luck to all of you who are having it done or have had it done recently! Wish us luck too cuz we really are nervous and scared.