hagerteresa

Hi Terry, I have never found you to be a "whiner" either. I think your an inspirational doll and have missed you as well. I can't believe that little twerp would have dared send such personal scathing remarks to you. How ridiculous and childish. Sorry about all your personal chaos and hope it all improves. Keep your chin up girl and we'll always be around for you. Teresa:)

Hey Tall Guy, I was also a Mexico patient. It is a LOT cheaper in Mexico and I found the hospital I had my surgery in was just as comfortable (even more so in my opinion) than U.S. hospitals. My surgeon had a LOT more experience than most american surgeons. I live in Oregon so not anywhere close to the border but was able to establish after care in a city nearby where I live (before I had the surgery- VERY important). My insurance would not cover the procedure at all, and I didn't want to waste months of time and money fighting them on it. Teresa

Lisa, I don't think I ever got a chance to reply earlier but I loved your pictures. Thanks for sharing them. You are too cute and certainly don't look your age. Teresa:)

Glad to hear it wasn't horrible news after all. Best wishes to you, Teresa

Hi Fran, I hope you find this group helful and enjoyable. Many of us have really come to depend on this group for support of all kinds. Thanks for joining us! Teresa:)

Hi Darcy and everybody, Well I'm no chemistry scholar, I can tell you that... I took it pass/no pass and failed to get a pass by 19 lousy pounts. I had a meeting with the teacher yesterday and she is going to check about doing a grade change and let me retake another test or ??? I know, it totally sucks... I feel like I entirely wasted the last 4 weeks but at least she is willing to work with me and get me past it. She really is a nice and good teacher but chemistry is NOT my best subject by any means. She also realized that this is the last class I'll ever need to finish my B.S. and can't wait till spring when its offered again so hopefully it all gets figured out. At least now I know I had legitimately passed the first two series of this chemistry class. I had kind of thought she was helping me slide along then. NOPE, passed them all on my very own. AMAZING! I am wondering about getting a first fill soon. I didn't lose anything this week. Stayed the exact same. I know, bodies naturally plateau, etc. I still haven't gotten to swim for about a month now because of class and pool closure for maintenance, so I feel like things would really improve if I got my but back to the pool next week. I'm not really eating any more than normal BUT weirdly enough last weekend I felt like I could eat anything and NOW for the last two days eating has been a huge struggle. Just getting a small portion of protein in me has been giving me trouble. Unhealthy snacks seem to go down easily no matter what else is working or not working though. Back to the first fill idea, with the last two days of difficulty I almost wouldn't feel safe being any tighter when the band is being so stubborn. I wish we could add fill by the push of a button depending on the day and band personality. Something like one of those adjustible beds maybe??? Anyway best wishes all, Teresa

Welcome Deb, Glad to hear your surgery went fine and your healing is good. Uneventful is very good... I think the prior girls explained the P.B. part so I just wanted to say hello and offer any support if you ever need any. Best wishes, Teresa

Good job Sheeanisland!!! Your doing great. Best wishes, Teresa

Hi Neicy, I'll be thinking of you and saying prayers. I have been watching Ivan like crazy the last few days. In Oregon we are always expecting the big earthquake but otherwise our weather is kind of boring. I am always fascinated by the idea of going thru a tornado or hurricane. I'm kind of jealous of you! I know, my family calls me nuts too. LOL... I love weather and am a science student. I don't know if that expains it or not. Anyway best of luck to you. 300 trees on 3 acres is a LOT of trees! Best wishes, Teresa

Hi Diane, I haven't seen a Dan anytime recently unless his user name might be different. Have you checked the members link on the top right side of this forum? Hope you are doing well and it is nice to see you posting. Teresa

I too think it is unfortunate that so many people either don't know about the band or get incorrect data from doctors who want to do the by-pass. I would love to go on some talk show when I get closer to goal and talk about what the band is all about. I truly am glad I have mine. I wish it was cheaper and more accessible to everyone though. I understand it is surgery and should be taken with seriousness but when considering the alternatives of the by-pass or death by obesity, the band surgery seems pretty minor. I come from a long line of hefty people. I can go back 5 generations of pictures and I am the spitting image of my predesessors. All the women on my dads side of the family have had tragic early deaths too (not neccessarily from weight). Today most of my family remains heavy. My grandparents, aunts, uncles and parents are all or have been heavy. My dad was only really heavy during his youth, my mom has only been really heavy in her adult life but I sure wish there was a way for my family to all get banded. Dr. Lopez said it is only typically a 30 minute surgery and I think of the time it takes for cats and dogs to get spayed or nuetered (I think it is fairly comparable in time). I wish it was as simple and inexpensive as a dog spay... So many people could benefit from the band if it was just more accessible and cheaper (or at least covered by more insurance companies). I guess I got to keep dreaming... Teresa

I liked the Oasis of Hope too. It may not have been as modern looking as some of our local U.S. hospitals but I thought guest comfort was considered more. I was the only patient in my room, they had a queen size bed in my room for my brother, we had cable and a nice view, and we were able to use their internet and computers in the cafeteria. The staff was nice and everything seemed clean and tidy. Last year I had to spend about 4 months in local hospitals when my father in law and mother in law had major health issues and nothing was as nice or as comfortable. My father in law always had roommates, there was no place for any of us to sleep unless it was a hard chair, there were nice nurses and staff but there were several not very nice ones too. I would have chosen the hospital in Tijuana any day over the ones in town here in Oregon. Not that I really like hospitals at all though. I hate being stuck in them. Teresa

I also wanted to extend my greetings to you both. Good luck and nice to meet you. You will find oodles of information at this site and lots of friendly people in all stages of band life. Teresa:)

Frank, Congratulations!!! That is wonderful that you and your wife are finally able to do this together. I can't help but agree with a prior person that you'll be happier and healthier with the band than the by-pass. It sounds like you are both willing to work at weight loss but want to see results with all the work. The band is all that. We do still have to work a bit to make sure we are eating the required calories and Proteins but it is like dieting made 100X easier and we do see results. Best of luck to both of you and hope you keep us updated. I too had my surgery in Mexico but in Tijuana with a different doctor. It was overall a very good experience and the hospitals there are comfortable. Teresa

My older brother was diagnosed with nueroblastoma when he was right around 6 years old. I was only 2. I guess that is another form of cancer that is rare in children that young but it had spread thru him like wildfire too. Very painful for my parents. That is awful about this family. I sure feel for them. Teresa

Zoe, I am completely with you. When I mentioned the idea of surgery in Mexico to my dad (about 2 weeks before the actual surgery date) he nearly had a coronary and banned me from the very idea. It is a very good thing he is living across the country from me right now. LOL... I made it down there, got safely back and called him about two weeks later and filled him in. He nearly died on the spot. Talk about SHOCK! His baby girl defied him and went to TIJUANA for surgery!!! I still crack up everytime I think of his reaction. Everyone else I knew was concerned about going to Mexico but warmed to the idea as I gave them facts and pictures. All in all, I would agree. The mexico hospital was far more comfortable and tolerable than the american hospitals. Maybe someone needs to give a tip to Vicente Fox? Teresa

Hi Pam, Have a safe uneventful trip to bandland. We'll miss you while your gone but fill us in on all the details when you get back. Teresa:)

This is definitely amazing and eye opening! Good job folks! Teresa

My surgery was kind of scheduled last minute (a bit less than two weeks out) and I had a BMI of 62. I asked if I should do any special pre surgery diet and they said no and managed to do surgery. Best of luck to you whippledaddy. Teresa

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 - 67lbs 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 Total loss= 572.75

Lisa, you have done a wonderful job and should be very proud of yourself. You like to tell us about all your binges and difficult times but I think it is all a set-up and your just trying to trick us. LOL... You look fabulous girl and keep it up. Good job on passing the written test too. I liked how you lined up those pictures: Here is me before surgery, And now a smaller me... Cute little girl. Have a good day. Teresa:)

Your still ahead of Penni, weight-loss wise. Your throwing in the towel even though your ahead in the game? I don't think we can let you do that. LOL... This little scholar says your statistically a better gamble. Teresa:)

I have had my band a little over 4 months and would be willing to chat with you as much as you want to. There are several people on the boards who have been banded since mine too. Good luck to you! Teresa:)

Congratulations!!!! Glad you finally successfully got a band date! All of your co-morbidities should improve substantially once you get the band and start losing a few pounds. Best wishes to you, Teresa:) :Bunny

Now Lisa... I think you are doing just fine and no need to call it quits. What is Penni's fill level now? Isn't yours 2 Lisa? Hmmmm. What does everyone else think? Teresa