hagerteresa

Hi Kelly Ann, I ditto what Leatha said. If you are still losing 1-2 lbs a week I think your doing great. I can't think of much else to add. I didn't need my first fill until about month 6 and I based it on that rule. I also allowed myself a 3 week plateau period just to make sure I needed a fill. Otherwise I think your doing great. Teresa

That is a really cool site! Teresa

Hi folks, I ussually wait till later in the week for my weigh in but since I just got a fill last wednesday I decided I wanted to see my progress early... I was so amazed and thrilled to see I had a 5.5 lb loss this week!!! I love my fill!!! I think that is more than I lost in the last 2 months combined. I haven't had any problems eating solids either. I just go much slower and eat way less. Teresa

It got down to 29 degrees in my part of Oregon last night so no more whining from the Desert rat direction. LOL. Glad to see everyone join this challenge! Teresa

Wow Cindy!!! That is phenomonal!!!! I thought I was doing good but you just flew right by me. Guess I'll have to tip up my Water bottle a LOT more! So glad it is going so good for you. Hope you have wonderful holidays as well, Teresa I just was reading your fill schedule. Wow 2 cc's the first fill! I know that isn't all that uncommon but I bet it took some getting used to. Anyhow GREAT JOB!

I live in Oregon and only about 7 or 8 hours from the Vancouver B.C. Next time I get up that way, we'll have to try to get together. Best of luck to both of you, Teresa Stephanie, great job on your progress!!! You should be very proud and feeling a lot lighter. You'll have to give us your information regarding start weight, goal weight and fills. Its always really informative for people. Nice to meet you and hope you choose to hang out here and chat with us a lot, Teresa

Hi all, I have sent out a bunch of private messages to all of you still wanting hats. I am done with Betty's and Darcy's and am ready to do more. Here is the list I have: Marie (New Hope) Initially wanted black but just said blue is her favorite colors. Zoe Not sure what color yet, waiting to hear back from her. Kathy wanted black Nancy wants purple Lauri wants burgundy or gray. I typically work on them a couple of hours each evening and they take me about 3 days each. I am going to start at the top of my list and work my way down. I am sure you all have seen Becky's adorable hats as well. If I were everybody I would order one from each of us because both styles are so cute and unique. Anyway, like I said I'll be starting on Maries next and go down the line. I'll PM for your addresses as I get closer to having them done. Thanks... Teresa

Becky, those came out adorable. Aren't those a fun little craft? Glad you picked up on them. Great job!!! Teresa

Wow, that is amazing... How scary!!! Teresa

The hotel has internet cards available to purchase (cheaply) as well. I know the hospital I used had computers with internet they let me use but never tried my laptop. Not sure about the hospital your using. Did you find their website? Teresa

Awww, we definitely want to support you and wish the best for you. I just think for myself that I would have saved myself a little stress and worry if I had chosen a different doctor. As I mentioned before, most of this never came to light untill after my surgery but it would have influenced me. Dr. Lopez is very nice when you meet him in person and you will make it thru just fine. I was very stressed as the surgery approached too and sobbed all the way to the operating table. They gave me an anxiety shot and I don't remember a thing afterwards. I was sore the first few days but it does improve a lot in just a few days. None of the pain was unbearable and I was able to walk around the very next morning. I even took a shower and got completely dressed all on my own. I had the WORST diet coke withdrawls the first few weeks. You'll do great and we are all rooting for you!!!! Teresa

Okay, okay... I think I'll be joining this brigade. LOL. Your all INSANE!!! I will not weigh in this Monday but actually will on Wednesday when I go to the doctors for a complete physical. Maybe the winner should be determined by their BMI change? Just a thought. So far my only excercise consists of 1 hour of water aerobics twice a week (tues. and thurs.) and darned if they aren't even open this thursday. I want to start using weights at home but that is dependent on me actually BUYING a weight set... Anyhow count me IN!!! Teresa

I'll have to think about the recipes bit but you just made me laugh mentioning the pumpkin pie. My husbands birthday (and our anniversary) are both always very close to thanksgiving. Every once in awhile his birthday will actually be on thanksgiving and he grew up detesting pumpkin pie because as a child that was often what they considered his birthday cake. LOL. Bummer you can't eat stuffing. I was worried I wouldn't be able to really enjoy much of thanksgiving with my recent fill so I got a wild hair and made my dinner last weekend. The whole darn thing... I still couldn't eat much at a time but it was so nice having it. This thanksgiving I am volunteering at my church serving dinner and then will go to my moms. I started on solid foods the other day since my fill and that is going well. Just small bites well chewed and small portions. I may be able to sample a little thanksgiving dinner afterall. In the meantime I'll think about recipes. Teresa

I love jewels (but have very few)... That will be a wonderful ring. Happy Birthday miss wonderful, darling Alex!!!!

Did they see any leaks when they did the flouro? Does Dr. Johnelle and Dr. Kuri use the saline fills or the contrast ones? I just got my first fill of 1 cc. and can't imagine being any tighter but I know we are all individual. Best of luck and wishes to you, Teresa

Hello, I'm sorry you felt patronized. Of course after care is a major concern for those of us who went out of country for our bands and it is important for us to have all our needs lined up before surgery. Your circumstance is more unique though. Do you know if you have the Inamed band and if not, what type of band do you have? If it is non-FDA approved you may HAVE to go back to Europe for your fills or I have heard that many of the Mexico surgeons will do fills for non-Inamed bands. The Swedish band will hopefully be FDA approved soon but I don't know the details or time frame that that may happen. Good luck on your fill search and best wishes, Teresa

Are you on mushies yet? If so look at the FOODS link, but here are a few ideas as well: Pudding, mashed potatoes, cooked and blended squashes, smooth creamy soups, hummus, tofu pate', refried beans, etc. I felt hungry the first few weeks too but found it improved immensely once I got on more solid types of foods. Congratulations on your banding and its nice to meet you. Who did your surgery? Would love to get to know more about you and your experience, Teresa

Well, its official. I thought my burping ability might be in jeopardy after my first fill but NOPE. I still can manage to let one out on occassion. I had beans for lunch yesterday and know air can still come out of my bottom end too. LOL... Teresa

I am so glad I just got my fill... LOL. I wasn't so happy about it being right before the holidays but after reading everyone's holiday struggles that may be coming I am beginning to appreciate my new found restriction. I was just thinking about how little I'll be able to stuff in my mouth at thanksgiving next week. Of course I am a sucker for chocolate too and I'm sure it would go down easily enough but that fill has just taken the zap right out of my snacking habit. It feels like I am all the way back at week one of solid foods. I did soup the first couple of days but now am contemplating what solid things will work for me. Have a great weekend everyone! Teresa

Hello, We all wish you the very best as well. When I did my research I contacted Inamed as well for a reference for Dr. Lopez and they sent me a great one too. The problem is I later found out he hasn't been reporting ANY of his problems he has had with patients so Inamed is only giving their reccommendation on the knowledge they have. Since I was banded I know several patients who have had problems ranging from port revision surgery to erosion and have reported their incidences to Inamed. I just had my first fill last week and it ends up my port is totally flipped on its side as well. It didn't happen naturally but was placed in that fashion. The first time I had tried to get a fill they didn't want to use the flouroscopy but after 20 stabs trying to hit the port and having no luck, my aftercare doctor had to reschedule me for the flouro. That worked perfectly. We don't want to sound negative and want you to do what you feel comfortable with but I also just want to warn you that there have been several recent problems concerning this doctor. On another thread this last week we just found out two patients who were banded the same day by him last year just were diagnosed with erosion as well. I don't know if these are just the normal statistics but it did sound odd that they were banded the same day and were diagnosed with erosion the same week. Please keep us posted about how it all goes and best wishes to you, Teresa

I know a lady who went to Belgium for her surgery and it was only about $4800 in american dollars. Don't know what the plain tickets cost though. Teresa

You'll definitely want flip-flops or slippers, reading material or hand held game but pack very lightly.

Hello, I stayed at the Lucerna hotel as well and it is lovely. I was also terrified when I went down there. That feeling is not unusual. I did a ton of research and chose Dr. Lopez as well for my surgery but almost immediately after I got home a variety of issues have surfaced about him. He doesn't report any problems to Inamed regarding patient problems, several erosions are occurring. We don't know if that is his fault or simply statistics. Many people had trouble getting a hold of him after their surgeries but supposedly that is improving. I recommend you DO NOT use belighter.com as it is a waste of money. All in all I am VERY happy with my surgery and results but I would have probably chosen a different doctor had any of this come to light earlier. Kuri and Ortiz are also supposed to be wonderful. If you go to the Doctors link and do a search on Dr. Lopez you should see a long thread concerning him. I used the Oasis of Hope hospital and was very pleased with it. I haven't heard of the one your staying in. Does it have a website? Just type in the name and do a search. I took my brother along and he was fine. Your mom should pack some snacks for herself though. I know the hospital I was in was vegetarian only and didn't have ANY vending type foods. Best wishes to you and keep in touch, Teresa

I just got a 1 cc. fill and I feel very restricted. Almost like going back to week one on solids in the very begining of being banded. I know everyone is different but I think 2 cc's is a lot too. Best wishes, Teresa

If you truly like your long time primary care doctor than perhaps you should get him some literature or one of the books on the banding. Your likelihood of dying from the band are a tiny fraction of what they would be if you were getting any of the by-passes done. He is just ill informed. I don't think my primary is all together familiar with the procedure either but he was more freaked about me going to Mexico to have it done. I remember going to visit him with my brother shortly after getting back from surgery and he just couldn't keep his eyes off of me (it was my brothers appt.). I think he was totally amazed I made it home alive and didn't look like a normal surgical patient recovering. I love my doctor and wouldn't switch for anything. The best I can do is educate him and show him the positives of the band. I know what it is like having a horrible, mean, non-caring doctor and am thrilled I no longer have to deal with one. Your surgery will go fine and your doctor will see how great you do, Teresa