Neicy

Maurice. I am on my first fill. I still crave foods. I inevitably will put more food on my plate than I can eat. Old habits die hard! Some days I can eat almost "normally" and some days, two or three bites is all she wrote. You are probably healed real well from your surgery and all the swelling gone by now. I remember that I could eat quite a bit before my fill, too. Try to get into the habit of chewing your food to what seems like the extreme, and eat S L O W L Y . This will help you after your fill. Good Luck

I just have to jump in here and say that I have never recieved better care, or been in a cleaner or more modern facility than the San Jose Hospital in Monterrey. It was every bit as nice as any I've seen. My experience in MX trumped all others here in the states. Don't get me wrong, I love my country, and we are blessed with the best healthcare one could want, that is if the physicians are of the mind to render it! That is another issue. The point that I want to make is that Dr. Rumbaut and his team went out of their way to show compassion and concern to me at a time when I needed it. For that I will always be grateful. Was I apprehensive about going there for surgery, well yeah! But my fears were unfounded, and in fact I recieved excellent care. This has been a public service announcement!

Make sure your luggage is on wheels. I really enjoyed my little neck pillow on the flight home. Try not to worry too much, it won't help a thing. I'll keep you in my prayers for a no problem trip to bandland.

Thanks to all for your prayers, thoughts and well wishes. We were so very lucky. I've had more damage in an ordinary thunderstorm. Hardly even rained around here. I was so sorry to see the devastation in the areas that were hit, though. Those poor people. 85% of our community evacuated, the streets looked like a ghost town this morning when I went out, but thank God we were spared. Thanks again to you all for the loving thoughts. I feel like I have good friends all over the country.

Hey Ya'll, Thanks alot for the good advice and prayers. I'll let you know how it all goes.

Hey Andrea, I am so glad to hear that it is going well. It really keeps you motivated to see the results come so quickly. I remember those days! Revel in your success, you so deserve it.

Penni: 4/6/04 -- 47 lbs Lisa: 5/5/04 -- 51 lbs Becky 6/03/04 - 53 lbs Denice: 8/12/04 -- 20 lbs Leatha 05/29/03 - 67 lbs Michelle 4/6/04 -- 49.75 lbs Marie 5/26/04 -- 39 lbs Donali 1/23/03 -- 102 lbs Kathy 5/21/04 -- 41 lbs Cindy 7/22/04 -- 40 lbs Teresa 5/8/04 -- 63 lbs Kelly 8/20/03 -- 65 lbs Kyleigh 9/23/03 -- 60 lbs Bright 10/28/03 -- 70 lbs Michelle 6/14/04 - 20 lbs Babs 6/23/03 -- 136 lbs Nancy 8/27/03 -- 55 lbs michelle - shellyj 8-18-03 - 130 pounds Vera 8/14/03 -- 64 lbs Jacky 4/5/04 - 40 lbs Chris S. 9/02/03 - 54 lbs Debra 7/19/04 -- 17 lbs. Janie 5/6/04 -- 41 lbs Denise 5/28/04--33 lbs. Total 1357.75 lbs of fat!

Yeah, it's been a while since I posted, I've been busy with renovating our master bath. I've read that Lisa and Donali are also doing revovations. I'm also dabbling with learning to do upholstery. I have a job to sew some drapes and to recover some chairs. I've sewn all of my life, and sewn drapes and valences and such over the years. Now I'll just apply it to seating! I am so stuck at my present weight, I KNOW that I have to get my butt moving in some type of exercise, I just can't get motivated. You have a great idea with dancing I love to dance too. My husband, like most, has to have a few Crown and 7's before he would even slow dance. He probably would balk at me going dancing without him!

Donali, I think it's awesome that you are taking on this job. Doesn't it feel great to accomplish new things. We have been renovating my bathroom for the past month and it is a difficult thing to live in the construction zone. But it is so worth it when it's all said and done.

I'm 5'7", weigh 200 lbs., and wear xl or 1x tops and sz 16 pants. I am DYING to have a scale victory and get under 200 lbs! I haven't been posting lately because I'm so stuck at 200. I do seem to be getting smaller, so I guess I can't complain.

Hi Leatha, I'm glad to read that you are feeling well and looking forward to fun times. I can just see you dancing the night away. Have a ball!!

Congratulations Andrea. So glad to hear that you had a smoothe surgical experience. It was just like that for me, too. Take care and follow the re-feeding schedule as directed, and you will do great.

Yeah chez, ya'll are both looking pretty good!

I didn't have any trouble either, I actually had a choice of 2 or three doctors. But I do recommend establishing aftercare in advance if you go Mexican. Best of luck to you on your journey to health.

Hi Kelli, My BMI was 37.5 when I got banded. Of course, I did go to MX, but Dr. Rumbaut did not take issue with my need for banding. If you get banded here in the states, and you self pay, I don't think you'd have a problem either. Usually the problem is with ins. pmt. However if you have several co-morbidities, they may consider you. You have to document that you've seen a doctor relative to the problems also. Usually the surgeon's office can help you work through the kinks. Give it a try!

Congratulations on your sucess. You are an inspiration to all of us.

On the iron issue, supplements should not be taken if you are not anemic. It is not excreted from the body very well, and can build up in the tissues and organs, and could become toxic. It does interfere with absorption of other minerals, including calcium. It's very hard on the digestion, so it's best to get your iron from iron rich food sources instead. If you're on a high protein diet that includes meat and seafood, you probably are getting a sufficient amount, especially if you are a man or post menopausal women. Been to quite a few nutritional seminars!

Marie, I'll go back to work on Monday, and I'll get the name of the pharmacy for you. It is called a compounding formulary pharmacy. You may want to try to check locally. Ketoprofen is an over the counter drug, and you can probably purchase this formula without a rx. from the doctor. Anyway, I'll check on the name for you.

Best wishes to you, Anne. Let us know how it goes.

Leatha, thanks for sharing your results with us. Glad that the doctors could make a diagnosis quickly. I hope that they are able to get you back to feeling well again soon, and that you are not too stressed over the ordeal. God bless you and don't worry too much.

Sue, you just don't know how much your post has helped me. Since I was filled 2 weeks ago, I can't eat more than 3 or 4 bites of a "healthy meal", it always gets stuck and I'm PBing. Yet, I can eat pringles, candy or any other crap, no problem. So, of course, I'm not really losing, cause I am eating soft stuff. I must be too tight. Duh! Question is: If I stick to liquid protien shakes, and manage to lose some will my band get looser? I am on my first fill and am at 1.2 cc. My daughter (who has lost 70 lbs. with her band) says I should try this in lieu of an unfill. What do ya think?

Girl, you are too crazy! And I am right in there with you. I DO have a surgical blade!! I use it to cut off the callouses on my feet. My husband freaks when he sees me using it. I don't know why. I am a partially trained para professional.

Hey Sheeanisland, I went through all of the questions before I went to Mexico too. They kept asking if I was sure about doing it. I was sure, but still scared of the unknown. I was so glad to see that young man (the taxi driver) in the airport holding up my name on his card! You will be very impressed with the hospital and the care you will recieve. And yes, Rafael is Dr. Rumbaut's associate, Dr. Rafael Diaz. He was so kind to me, he was like my angel. Try not to worry, you'll be in good hands.

Rica, I thought about you today. I was ordering supplies for our office, and I ran across a catalog for topical medicaments. There was one which is ketoprofen and gabapentin gel. It was recommended for TMJ pain, but I called the pharmacist and she said it could be used on the knees as well. You may already know that ketoprofen is an anti-inflamatory, and the gabapentin is for nerve pain that may be associated with the injury. You will want to check with your doctor about this. If he recommends it, you will need to find a formulary pharmacy to mix it up for you. If you can't find one, I can give you the name of the one which supplies us. Check it out. I plan to use this on my bad shoulder. Oh yeah, I take coral calcium and it is wonderful, it really helps my leg cramps at night and relaxes you.

Sal, one thing that I enjoyed post op, was one of those tank tops with the bra built in. It felt better than wearing a bra. Whip, I don't think you'll need this! LOL