hagerteresa

When you check into the hospital see if there are any other patients getting banded. When I had mine done, I was always zipping down the hall to see how my fellow band patient was doing. We were in Mexico and had to stay over two nights but hopefully you should be able to meet someone during your band stay. Best wishes and we'll be thinking of you, Teresa

Hi Chantel, My sister had that same situation but hers happened much earlier in the pregnancy. I think she was on complete bed rest for 4-5 months. Hope your sis follows the doc's advice and all else goes smoothly. It would be tough if you already have so many children and having to stay horizontal. It was my sis's first baby when she experienced the torn placenta thing. Best of luck to you and your family, Teresa

Hi Rachel, Welcome to bandland!!!! Congratulations!!! Sorry it was such a tough day but that is pretty normal. I never felt sick but definitely had that beat up feeling a was bruised all over for a week. That broth sounds yummy. Just take it easy and have a great week, Teresa

Ditto on what Alex and Betty said. I totally thought it would just be another thing I'll fail at when I got my band but it hasn't been that way at all. I swear my band is the thing that makes the decision if I'm going to eat easily or put up a fuss. I went for breakfast yesterday and after 4 very small well chewed bites I got that total feeling of discomfort... It wasn't a PB but I knew enough to stop eating. Later at dinner though I was totally able to eat a nice reasonable plate of food and only felt that little band nudge towards the very end reminding me I can't eat limitless amounts of food. I have allowed a single candy bar daily thru my entire band journey and have never felt like a failure or deprived. I recall meeting someone last week at my gyn. docs and she said I really must feel deprived. I had to immediately chuckle and tell her that was not the case at all. I still get my treats, I still on a very rare occassion eat at places like McDonalds, I don't feel deprived at all. (Okay... except for maybe when I really want to eat some particular yummy food in front of me and my band doesn't want to let me) BUT that is the only time and doesn't happen too often. Ussually I can eat nice amounts, feel satisfied and lose weight. Best of luck to you, Teresa

Hello, Can you tell that this has happened to other people too? I'll never forget being a week or two out and popping a peice of sausage in my mouth. OMG!!! Thank God I was able to spit it back out but it is so easy to do things like that without even a thought. At the time I was making Breakfast for 8 people at the bed and breakfast I work at. Having to prepare food while not eating it is tough business. I love Spinach Gnocci and somehow decided since it has kind of a soft squishy feel to it, IT MUST BE a MUSHIE!!! I never determined the correctness of that but WE definitally all make mistakes. I tried very hard to be good and no damage was done to my band. Best wishes, Teresa

Hmmm, I was waiting for a birth control forum. Your lucky you can use the patch because they tell me I am too FAT... boo hoo. I have been on the depo shot for the last 9 years or so and finally just got off of it last week. I somehow missed the point that it can cause hair loss and weight gain... New evidence shows that it definitely depletes the bone density too so we all decided it was time to try something new. For the moment I am using the pill (evidently one of the lower dose ones). I am trying to decide what long term device I want is s.a. an IUD or the Nuvaring. In the meantime I am hoping by getting off of depo maybe it will be easier to LOSE weight and GROW hair. I am taking really good chewable vitamins and calcium now sooooo.... Kristie, I'm sure you must feel like you took a big step backwards but it will settle out hopefully and come off. I would have been frustrated too. I get irritated when I stay at a plateu for more than a week or two. And God forbid I gain a pound or two back. I just ignore the bad scale reading and hope for a better one the following week. I ALWAYS think I am pigging out and NEVER think I have actually had a loss so it makes a nice surprise when the scale does show a loss. Anyway any insights would be great regarding anything about birth control. Teresa

I'll most definitely be there again. We loved Vegas!!! Next time can KC and I just stay with you though Lisa?

Hi Tammy, I know its hard to wait and wait to get banded. I knew my insurance would not cover it and felt totally hopeless getting the money to go to Mexico but sometimes miracles happen and things work out. My father in law ended up loaning me the money to go to Mexico. Sorry your baby is sick. The poor little thing. There was about 6 months that I followed along in forums before I could get my band (or even knew I was going to get one). It is tough but don't give up hope totally. I would talk to your insurance and ask who they reccommend you go to for the surgery and make sure they cover it. Best wishes, Teresa

Happy, happy Birthday Donali!!! Hope you have a good one! Teresa

Betty 54 Paula 43 Kelly 65 Becky 77 Carol 102 Alex 110 Nana 49 Rich 20 Larae 22 Maureen 73 Marie 56 Wyld Blu 73 Penni 54 Vera 60 Darcy 59 Kelly 39 michelle 135 mary 65.4 greg 77 Sharon 35 Tricia 60 Darcey 23 cindy 88 Melissa 39 Michelle 80 Jonathan 27 Lisa 70 Lauren 23 Babs in TX 150 Bright 82 Jamie 5 Megan 60 Katie 29 Bobby H. 46 Estela 23 Angela 37.5 Terri 43 Teresa 86 Total 2239.9

Hi Theresa, Leo is normally very informed. Blossom and Michelle are correct about the differences of the 4 and 10 cc. band too. I think every doctor is different both in the U.S. and Mexico BUT U.S. doctors do tend to give smaller fills. You must have a particular Mexico surgeon who follows the more conservative guidelines. I think that is a very wise choice. Many problems arise for people that get too big of fills and unless you live near Mexico it would be a pain in the butt going back down to get some removed. I had a Mexican surgeon but use a local fill doctor. My first fill was 1 cc. which was perfect for me and my second fill was only another .2 cc's. That has maintained the perfect tightness. He says I should be able to eat 1 cup of food at a time and average 1-2 lbs lost a week. I have maintained that perfectly. It takes many people two or three fills to get a good spot though. Best wishes, Teresa

I'm in for the bandiversary challenge. I won't be in a 16 but my goal is to lose 100 lbs by May 8, 2005. I am at 276 right now with 86 lbs lost so I am hoping I can scrape that 14 lbs off in the next couple of months. Teresa

Hi Chantal, I hope you get news soon! Hope all is well. Wow! Your sister must be a saint to have 6 kids. Teresa

I would have died I think... I am just recovering from a lame situation and had a hard time eating. It was because of canker like sores in my throat brought on by a virus. I've had a cold for weeks but I suddenly got those sores a few days ago. Yesterday was so miserable because it was hard to swallow. Needless to say, eating was painful and I stuck to mushy type things. I can't imagine being stuck to liquids for many days. Of course I had to after banding and that was difficult enough. I MUST NEVER GET OVERFILLED... I'll have to chant that.

Good girl Tina, I think you need a little taken out too. We have some guidelines for needing fills somewhere on this sight if you search around a bit. I didn't get my first fill until 6 months out because I didn't think I needed it and I was still losing. That is uncommon to wait so long I guess but from what I have seen the biggest culprit to problems is being overfilled. Your throat could have gotten irritated with your latest fill and swelled some causing the tighter sensation. You should ALWAYS be able to drink water though (except for right after a meal). Best wishes and hope you get some relief. Teresa

Hi Brenda, Glad everything went okay and you got a new band. Hope you have a quick recovery, Teresa

I don't understand why people feel "attacked" when others are just posting their own experience or advice.

In Dwaynes letter, it sounded like he was recovering at the hotel but in the rebutal letter it sounds like he was in the hospital and they wanted to keep him there longer. Odd. Also I totally agree with Bandit, they completely missed the point regarding the damage to the patient. I don't care when this event happened or how much he paid either. He certainly didn't pay to have his organs punctured. Surgical accidents do happen but those incidences sound hideously negligent. Teresa

I told everyone I know and haven't regretted it at all. The MOST annoying thing I encounter (besides those occassional cravings for a food you know won't work well) is the eating habits of others. My husband absolutely disgusts me when we eat together. He eats so FAST! We went out for a valentines lunch yesterday and his plate was clear before I had more than 5 or 6 bites... Then he tried to take a bite from my plate and I smacked his hand. I was so frustrated... My brother and step-father eat the same way but it is so nice eating with my mom because she is slower and I don't feel so rushed. At normal meals at home my husband doesn't drive me so crazy about eating fast because we kind of go at our own pace and do our own thing but visiting or going out for meals I definitely notice it more. I never noticed this before banding. LOL... Teresa

Its nice to hear such good success with the insurance companies. Best of luck to you both and keep us posted on your progress. Teresa

Hi Eli, Sorry your having a tough time. Do you feel any restriction at all now? Maybe you do need a bit more fill. I think water and solid proteins are the key. Have you had a fill before? I think tracking your calories is a great idea too. I did it for months. Also pay attention to how your clothes are fitting. Maybe you are losing fat but gaining muscle. Best wishes to you, Teresa

Dwayne, Had you done much research on that doctor before going down there? His name doesn't pop up very often at all among this group if ever. I think I may have heard the name sometime in the past but he is definitely not one of the top half dozen that everybody commonly uses here. What made you decide on him? My mexico surgeon required I stay in a hospital for 2 nights though I clearly was on my feet and wanted to go back to the hotel desperately after one night. Anyway sorry again about your horrible experience. That would be any of our worst nightmares. Best wishes, Teresa

Best wishes! Hope you have a nice easy surgery and quick recovery! Let us know how it all goes, Teresa

The note I got had more of a surprised tone, that she thought I was happy with the service they provided me. I am happy with my band but I don't think the services for HER fee was worth it. All she did was make one phone call to make an appt for me and then it was evident that she hadn't even talked to Nora and Carmen about me wanting to make different arrangements regarding the hotel and hospital stays. There are several reasons I think I got jipped by her but I'm sure its all old news. I wonder why she would sound threatening to others? Hmmm. I haven't really decided what/if I am going to do something to that company. Best wishes, Teresa

Sorry to hear about your awful experience and I agree much research is needed before going to Mexico. I am a Mexico success story but I know there are people who have gotten burned too. Especially in your situation. I went to Mexico because my insurance wouldn't pay for the procedure. It may only be $12000 or so (depending on where you live) here in the U.S. but I truly felt I was getting a more experienced surgeon and it was several thousands cheaper. I was smart and found a wonderful aftercare doctor in my area who would take me and have not had any problems from my surgery. That is why some of us go Mexico. Again Dwayne, I am truly sorry about the horrendous experience you suffered. Best wishes, Teresa