Neicy

Lisa, it's so unreal that this is still going on, it almost sounds like the wound is healing from the inside out. I hope it continues to heal for you without any more problems. August 26th is pretty far away, I just think it's crazy to make someone who is in need of healthcare wait that long to get help. Amazing! Our bodies do have the capacity to heal itself, I'm hoping that complete healing takes place for you. You deserve to have this go right. I'm gonna put in a good word for you with the man upstairs!

Hi Sal, congratulations on your decision to get banded. You will definitely be eating less post-op, but you shouldn't restrict yourself to the point that your body thinks it's starving. I don't know about your eating habits, but I could cut my food consumption in half and be no where near stavation. I was in denial about how much food I really was eating for a long time, but now for he first time I have control over my compulsion. I think of it like a choke chain on a wild and crazy appetite! I make better food choices, eat my protiens first, then veggies, then whatever. I'm lucky to make it past protiens since I got adjusted last Friday. I'm still in the learning phase, trying to figure out the right amount to eat. I make sure I get 50-60 grams of protien daily. Less than this could hamper your weight loss and cause your hair to fall out, and affect your metabolic function. Has your doctor discussed his post-op recommendations with you?

Alex, your uncle sounds like a sweetie. I'm glad that he took the time to let you know you were looking good. Sometimes people notice that we've lost weight, but never say it. I'm glad you got encouragement from someone you look up to, you deserve it and more.

You poor girl, no wonder you worry all the time. Does your doctor think the infection is resolved? If not , have they considered culturing the exudate so they can nail it? You've got so much at stake here. I know you were considering seeing a gastro. doctor, are they interested in your case?

Also, back to follow up, I should add that when I had the surgery with Dr, Rumbaut, they gave me a packet to give to my doctor, and it was re-cruitment offer to train doctors to do band fills under fluoroscope. ( this came from Belighter and Co.) My internal medicine doc seemed real interested, and I'm sure he checked it out, but when I called to see if he would do the fill, his nurse practicioner said it did not work out. I'll have to get the skinny on that story next time I see him.

Lisa, I am a bigtime worrier too. But I bet you just pulled a muscle while you were getting your ribs massaged! How long do they want you to wait before they replace your port?

Yes Sue, I agree with you there, I would have definitely gone to him if it had been available at that time. I think it's a prudent thing to check with your local surgeons, maybe they are becoming a little more willing to barter, after all this is elective surgery.

If the general population continues to gain weight at the rate it's going, it definitely will be in huge demand. They will probably start assembly line band placements, line us up like cattle! I'm glad I got in on the ground floor, why wait for the rush!

Zoe, They referred me to follow-up doctors who where about 90 miles away. They did the fills under flouroscope and charged about $300. a pop. I was willing to travel there, but I was fortunate to find Dr. Lavin who is an excellent surgeon and willing to do follow-up for me and just 20 miles away. I think he was a bit ruffled about patients traveling to Mexico for surgeries, and told me that he has begun to offer a package deal for self payers that is the cheapest in the states at 12,900. He banded my daughter last Nov.and she has done very well. Anyway, I believe that there is a network of doctors who do after care for Mexican bandsters, you probably won't have any trouble in the Chicago area. I would line this up first though.

Zoe, I had the same co-morbidities. My blood pressure was 160/95 pre-op, cholestrol 327. Now Bp is 130/78 and cholesterol is 195. Of course I wanted to lose weight and feel better, but these vital stats were my biggest concern. My dad stroked out of this life at 60 years old, and I didn't want to follow suit. Good luck to you sweetie, weigh your decision carefully. If you do go for the band you can have confidence that Dr. Rumbaut is excellent in his field and the most experienced surgeon you can find. Keep us posted.

Darcy, I hope you get some good rest tonight and wake up feeling better. I know you must be scared, I wish I could help somehow. I'll say a prayer for you. Best wishes your way.

Janie, I've been there too! Moma said there'd be days like this! We all get off the wagon once in a while. Sounds like you had alot to celebrate, and I hope you enjoyed the splurge. Tomorrow dawns anew and you have already decided to eat healthier. You're gonna do fine.

Hey Marie, I'm 51, but my mind hasn't caught on yet. I'm the old lady at work and those young gals tell me I'm pretty cool for an old woman. I went to a bachelorette party the other night with a crew of 20 something girls and now I can pop the booty!

Sue, I think you rock! I love how you call a spade a spade. I'm pretty old myself, and after this many moons, you just start to tell it like it is. Time was when I would do just about anything to avoid confrontation, now I make my point when I know I'm right. You, my dear make excellent points and I love reading your posts. Rock on!

Lisa, most of the men I know including my husband have those expensive toys. My husband is into street rods, has 2. Had to build a second garage to house them, complete with a lift and all the fancy tools to build them. He used to be into motorcycles about 30 years ago.(he's 61) He's always had the toys, even though we never had tons of money. But he is a hard worker, and always managed to afford what he wanted. Suffice it to say that we had some hum dinger arguements over money and I hate when that happens! Anyway, somewhere along the line, I decided to quit bitching. I love him and if he's just got to have a toy, and he can figure out how to pay for it, then so be it. Sounds crazy, but it works. I don't want you to think I'm one of those "doormat" women, we have separate finances, and I also spend my money as I see fit. Works for me, I'm pretty independent and I tell him whenever necessary, that all I really need from him is to be sweet and loving to me! Marriages, they're all different. Seems like you really love Chris and he loves you. Try to enjoy your life everyday, dont wait till the bills are paid, or till you lose X number of pounds, or any other delay to your being happy. You can't control a man, or at least I never could. But I could control the way I reacted. Took me a long time to realize this. Life has enough pitfalls, try to jump the potholes and get on with loving each other.

You'll love Dr Rumbaut. He is a great surgeon, very nice and OH so good looking too! Bon Chance!

I went to Dr. Rumbaut too. I was scared to go out of the country, but I can tell you that I got better care there than I've ever gotten from an American doctor. Take your time and research the surgeons carefully. I did, and I thought it better to go with the most experienced surgeon I could find. Good Luck to you.

Rica, these women don't sound like friends, and yeah, I work with some just like them. I only told a few trusted friends about the band. I don't think they'll advertise, but if they do, oh well. I respect you for having the intelligence and bravery to do something good for yourself, something that will bring you closer to health. It won't be long before you will be feeling better and lighter and looking way more foxy than them, so you go girl, and don't let 'em hurt you!

Lisa, I know your stressing over all this, but ya'll sure do look good on that Harley! Maybe you should let him start taking responsibility to himself. It sounds like you have been the one to fix all the mess ups, and work extra and juggle the finances. He seems willing to take it on, and you could use the break. Put a little faith in him, and you're right, enjoy the ride!

Hey Alex, thanks for sharing the photos. I just love pictures! They tell the true stories of our metamorphosis. Your family is lovely and so are you.

Ya'll, I am totally shocked at this feeling of restriction. I got filled last Friday and I doubted that he was even in the port, because I was eating like a lumberjack! Suddenly today, after 4 or 5 bites I am finished, full all the way to my adam's apple. I know I read that it takes a few days, but this just doesn't make sense to me. I wonder why it works this way. Whatever, I am glad it works. I am gonna drop some lbs now! Yeah!

I went back to my aftercare doctor today to have my band tweaked. I was hungry! Last week he put .8cc in the band, but I think he misssed! When he accessed the port today and tried to withdraw the saline there was none. He said either I have a leak or he missed. I think he missed, because I could feel the difference today and I couldn't tell at all last time. A few days after the fill, I thought I felt restriction one day, after I ate one of those nasty golf balls! Anyway, I will go back next week to have it checked for leaks!

Dr. Lavin was very nice. He did keep asking about the Mexican healthcare experience. He seemed rather upset that people would travel there to get their bands. He said that he has instigated a new policy to accomodate self payers. He will place the band for $12,900. package deal. Includes his fee, hospital, anesthesia, and free lifetime adjustments. Said he was the cheapest in the states! I would have gone to him, if this was available at the time. Fill went very well, he saw me again on the following week to tighten it a bit. Didn't recharge, that was nice.

I scheduled an appointment for my first fill today. Dr. Lavin in Mandeville, LA. will do adjustments if you get an upper GI and bring the films. He charges $250. cash for the first fill and I think 150. for subsequent fills. He doesn't do fluoroscope, but he is well experienced, as are his associates in his practice. His staff seems to be very agreeable to deal with, I'll let you know after the fill how it went!

Chantal, try to hang tight till you can get a fill. I can definitely identify with you. I could have eaten 3000 calories in one seating! It's such an irony that the same food that gives us comfort, makes us feel like losers for eating it. Keep calling the doctor to see if there are any cancells, once you get restriction, you'll have the control you need. Good Luck.