Zoe

Sheeanisland, maybe I should have someone take a picture of my incisions so you could see them. They aren't pretty! But pretty tame stuff compared to major ob/gyn surgery -- no giant staples. Casual readers might want to skip this next bit, since it definitely falls under Too Much Information. Let's see if I can remember how the resident explained the various cuts: 1. Liver retractor; 2. place to slip in band; 3. port. Sorry, I'm stuck; I have five incisions and can't remember what the other two were for. Cut A is an upside-down T about 5/8" long horizontal and 1/4" high, in the middle of my belly about 4" above the navel. There's a nearly identical one about 4" to the lower right of Cut A, a small horizontal 2" above Cut A that's only 1/4" long. Then there are the two big kahunas: one about 4" directly to the right of A, and about the same size, but for some reason much more painful and currently surrounded by a lemon-sized bruise; and last, about 4" to the lower left of the bruise, a slightly jagged cut about 2" long. I believe that was for the port. (I should check one of the medical web sites to figure this out.) It IS hard finding comfortable clothes. I work in a corporate office. Fortunately we don't have to wear suits, but I have definitely been stretching the limits of both my wardrobe and the dress code. Anything loose and flowing is best. I have two ankle-length dresses (that fit me), so today I was reduced to the dashiki I mentioned earlier, and tomorrow it's either a repeat of Monday's baggy blue jumper over a clean t-shirt or a gaudy muu-muu. And I can't even think about shaving my legs -- it's too hard to bend down! I'm lucky in that I am regarded as an artistic eccentric, so no one expects me in pinstripes. But seriously, if your incisions wind up hitting your sore clothing spots, avoid waistbands, front pants zippers, and anything with center seams -- jeans would probably be the worst. Another tricky thing: shoes. I've been wearing clogs and sandals since the surgery. The thing is, it's now Wednesday night, and only a week ago I was on the eve of getting banded. The time has passed very quickly. I get stronger and feel better every day. And I remind myself: Labor Day will come, Halloween will come, Thanksgiving will come... etc. Sheeanisland, if you can distract yourself even for a moment from all things Lap Band (and I know it's hard during those days before surgery), you'll give your brain a break and help keep the rest of your life in perspective. I'm thinking of this period as a kind of chrysalis state, a necessary step to a major change. The first couple of days after banding are especially tough, but as any number of bandsters (more experienced than I) could tell you, it does get better. We're all pulling for you!

Thanks for the tip, Sue. There's a Jamba juice not far from my office. . . one advantage of big-city life. I'm not hungry yet, but it's just a matter of time. I felt a lot better this morning -- only 60 seconds to get out of bed, instead of the usual 10 minutes. I'm wearing a funky ankle-length dashiki (no waistband, no center seams). My co-workers are giving me strange looks, but technically I'm still within the limits of the corporate dress code! Sheeanisland, how are you doing?

Sheeanisland, I went through the same thing you did during the week before I got banded. Everything became a countdown until the big day. Banding is a big step, so I think it's perfectly normal to be totally obsessed and distracted before the surgery. I went back to work after four days, and I probably shouldn't have. I have a desk job, and now I can only stay seated for short periods. I worked about 4-1/2 hours yesterday and six hours today, and lean waaaay back in my chair most of the time. Of course we all heal at our own pace. As a hairdresser, you must be on your feet for most of the day. You might not feel like standing for so long. . . then again, you might be ready to roll just a few days after surgery. I don't think there's any way to predict your exact response. It might be worth telling your boss that you might be a little incapacitated for a while -- if you work for a person who'd be willing to cut you some slack, or at least rest a bit when needed. I should mention that I went to a Mexican restaurant with my boss and a colleague today. I had a huge bowl of soup (caldo) and an horchata. It felt strange to pass up the chips and salsa, but at least I discovered that I could lead a semi-normal life during the first stage of banding. Hang in there, S. Those calendar pages are going to turn, no matter what, and you'll soon be banded.

It's Tuesday morning, day 5 of band life. I am grateful for everyone's concern. Funny, isn't it, how total strangers can connect via the internet? (I'm old enough that it still seems miraculous to me.) About liquids: I've been drinking fruit juices, liquid yogurt, Campbell's tomato Soup, soy milk, and Protein shakes (the best-tasting one I've found so far is EAS smoothie Light, orange flavor; the EAS chocolate shakes are too chalky for me). I'm fortunate in that I have no appetite, so even when I'm near food I don't really want it. A coworker brought a huge gooey brownie to me yesterday, and I amazed myself by not only turning it down but having no desire for it! That's a first in my 47 years. Dr. Rumbaut advised me to be on plain liquids for the first two weeks, then soft foods for another two weeks. So by the end of September I should be eating some regular food. The hardest part of my newly-banded day is getting out of bed, although it's a little easier each morning. I slowly swing my legs over the edge, take a deep breath, hold a heating pad against my biggest incision, and force myself to sit. And it really does hurt when I laugh. I had to turn off Monty Python from the TV because it was making me double up. . . so I guess it's just drama and tragedy for a few more days. I have a large exuberant dog, and walking her has been a challenge. She seems to know that there's something off, and has been a little less rambunctious than usual, but when a squirrel or rabbit crosses her path I have to grab onto something for support. And I take a cane on our walks so that I can lean on it while picking up poop! That's all for now. I'm trying to go easy on myself. But by temperament I am impatient, so I have to remind myself that I need some quiet time to heal.

Hi Sue3. I apologize if my post, among others, made it sound as if I were judging you. I don't think anyone is doing that. It's just that I'm writing this from a reclining position since it hurts too much to sit up straight five days after banding, so I may have sounded too cautionary in my initial message; I wouldn't want anyone to go through this who had some easier options. But from what you've recently written, your significant weight-related health issues could make the band a great choice! I'm glad your husband has come around. Good luck on your journey.

I've started a new thread with a few comments on my surgery: http://lapbandtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2959

I did it -- surgery scheduled with Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey on (gulp) August 26. Thanks to everyone on this board for offering information and support to us newbies. I'm excited about this big change I'm about to make. Zoe 5'9" 264/145? (will settle for 170)

How kind of you to ask about me! I'm back, banded, and sore -- but still elated about my choice. I'll start a new thread with a few comments about my experience.

I'm following this thread with interest, since I just got banded on Aug. 26 and already a couple of friends who are mildly overweight have said, "Hey, can I get one of those?" even while watching me double over from the incision pain. America is so weight-obsessed that people who have not too many pounds to shed are desperate for help. But the band is a medical, not cosmetic, intervention. I would imagine that a reputable surgeon would counsel someone with a BMI of 30 to try to lose weight slowly, not via a crash diet that (as we all know) will have the scale numbers on the rebound, leading to more exasperation and self-rebuke. If you are diabetic, have extremely high blood pressure or cholesterol, or are otherwise at dire risk of severe illness, disability, or death because of your weight, maybe the surgery would be a good choice. But I agree with the earlier posts that considered the risks and benefits of surgery for someone with a BMI under 35. Remember, the number isn't arbitrary. You might be able to find a doctor who will band you, but that doesn't necessarily mean you need the procedure; Michael Jackson doesn't have any trouble finding plastic surgeons. Good luck with your decision.

Thanks, everyone, for your good wishes! I'm off to Monterrey tomorrow. If I can get online from the hotel I'll send a progress report, otherwise you'll hear from me after I'm back home Aug. 28 (surgery is Aug. 26). I haven't joined a support group, but I will probably seek one out. In the last 48 hours I've told quite a few people that I'm being banded, and I'm happy to say that everyone's rooting for me. Two friends took some (horrible!) "before" pictures a few minutes ago for the archives. Next year I hope to have a new set taken while I'm wearing my ancient red silk size 12 dress that I fit into for about three weeks sometime during the Carter administration. I'm grateful for all the support, encouragement, and inspiration from all of you who have gone through this. You've helped prepare me for what's ahead. Next time I write, I'll be on the band side! Zoe

Wow, Becky, you've lost 50 lbs. in less than three months -- that's impressive! Congratulations! I'll keep your advice in mind when planning for special events (and even just restaurant meals) over the next few weeks. I'm so excited about getting banded that I can hardly sleep. Zoe

Thanks, Vera and Pam. Yes, I am excited! I'm a little nervous, but mostly just plain pumped up about having made a decision and taken action. I've always tried to live by "Change it or accept it" in the rest of my life. Finally I realized I wasn't willing to accept being fat forever, and my previous efforts to change hadn't worked (not for long, anyway). Now I'm delighted that I'm getting a tool to help me change. I'm thinking of everything in terms of post-band life (e.g., music event four weeks after banding, niece/nephew to be born five months after banding, etc.). I've told a few close (average-size) friends, who have been encouraging, but for now I'm in the bandster closet with coworkers and most everyone else. About after-care: Dr. Rumbaut referred me to Dr. Santiago Horgan in Chicago, who has received some positive comments here for his surgical skills. Unfortunately, according to his secretary, he charges $1000 per fill for other doctors' patients! It will actually be cheaper for me to fly to Monterrey & pay Dr. R $100 for the fluoroscope fee. I'm still hoping to find someone local -- but, meanwhile, I'm diving into the cake at a wedding reception tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for your encouragement, not just of me but of all us newbies. And the before-and-after pictures elsewhere on the board are an inspiration! Zoe 47, 5'9", BMI 39 264 /145? (will settle for 170)

Hi Kelli – I think all the ILOST (International Laparascopic Obesity Surgical Team) e-mail must go through the group practice’s corporate headquarters, which may be in Italy somewhere! I was lucky. I sent my questionnaire on July 30 and heard back from ILOST the same day; they forwarded a copy to Dr. Rumbaut and his patient coordinator Doralisa Martinez, who followed up with more information on Aug. 2. I wrote back with a question that night, and received a reply the next afternoon. And Rumbaut was great about returning phone messages. So if you haven’t heard from ILOST after a few days, and you definitely indicated that you were interested in Mexico, it’s probably worth contacting Rumbaut’s office directly. Someone will answer the phone in Spanish, but if you speak only English just jump in – everyone on the staff seems to be fluent, and Rumbaut’s totally bilingual. My surgery is scheduled for August 26, so I can’t comment on the medical experience yet, but you can be sure I’ll check in here as soon as I’m back. After I wrote my first message on Aug. 6, Marie suggested that I check the Lap-Band Talk board for comments about Rumbaut & other surgeons I was considering. Good advice! Get as much information as you can about the procedure, the surgeons, and your options, from as many reliable sources as you can. I notice you’re in NY state. If you’re near NYC, you may be able to get a fairly cheap direct flight on Mexicana to Monterrey, as I could from Chicago. But I think anyone who’s not near a Mexicana hub will pay a lot for a ticket. That, combined with the cost of lodging ($75/night for three nights) and any additional expenses if you have someone travel with you, will add up, and it might be cheaper in the long run to go with a reputable local surgeon. But you have to go with your gut feeling on this – no pun intended. Sorry for the long post – hope this gives you a place to start. Good luck with your journey. And wish me luck on the 26th! Zoe

Wow! What an inspiration your pictures are! And I must say, Audrey, you look slimmer than 254 lbs. in your most recent photo. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Zoe

I'm getting banded next week and am using part of my home equity loan. My new kitchen cabinets are supposed to arrive a couple of days after I return; I've started to think of the band as a different kind of much-needed remodeling project. I was quoted a price of $11,000, and I have to make a wire transfer or get a cashier's check. Some docs (in Mexico and elsewhere) offer payment plans, but the interest rate is much higher than my bank's. If you own your home and don't mind mortgaging, this option may be worth a try. Good luck to you. Zoe

Wise words, Leatha. If someone I cared about was in a relationship with someone who was all sweet on the surface but turned nasty a minute later, who appeared to provide comfort but actually gave heartache (literal and figurative), who always seemed to be there at the right moment but never looked out for anyone else's best interests, I'd advise: Drop him/her ASAP. Of course it's not so easy with food, which is kind of like an ex you reluctantly must keep in at least the periphery of your life forever but to whom you have to cut emotional bonds for your own sake. I think I've pushed this metaphor as far as it can go. Eleven days to banding and I'm determined to stay as close to normal as I can. Thanks, everyone. And good luck, Denise. Zoe

Thanks, Marie. I do feel as if I'm headed for a big change -- one I need and want, but damn it I love my cheesecake! food is an old friend, and it's going to be hard to change our long-standing relationship. But knowing that you and others have made it through the rough Patches helps me realize that I CAN do this. I'm grateful to have discovered this board. Now I have to decide if I'm going to "come out" as a prospective bandster at a family gathering this weekend. I'm thinking not -- not yet, anyway. Maybe after I've lost my spare chin. Zoe PS: When I told the surgeon's secretary that my BMI was 39, she said, "Oh, that's small." First time since age three anyone's called me that! Helped put things in perspective.

Whippledaddy, your post made me laugh! I'm scheduled to be banded on Aug. 26, and the last couple of days have been one big bon voyage party, as if I'm never going to see a Krispy Kreme again. (It's not the Ponderosa but the local patisseries that bring out the fork lifts for me.) Did a lot of you go through this? Reading everyone's notes has reminded me that I'm not headed to a post-band dessert-less desert, nor am I getting a miracle cure -- just a tool to help me lose weight. I don't want to gain extra pounds before the surgery, but I'm going to a wedding reception just a few days before banding (and no, according to my surgeon I don't have to be on a liquid diet yet) and I think I'm going to fall face-first into the wedding cake! The grim reaper as a flabby gray Santa -- a frightening but apt image. I'm just trying to hit menopause as a relatively fit woman rather than a heart attack waiting to happen. Just keep me away from Sacher Torte. Zoe

Hi Ellen - I contacted Rumbaut and his staff directly. First I went to the ILOST site (http://www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com) and completed the pre-qualification questionnaire, indicating that I was interested in Mexico. The ILOST central office forwarded my info to Dr. Rumbaut's staff, who contacted me via e-mail. I have spoken to them on the phone a few times, and had a long discussion with Rumbaut himself. In fact, it was my confidence in his surgical background, combined with my ease in talking to him, that made me decide to head south instead of having the surgery done locally. Good luck to you. If you're interested in finding out more, check the ILOST site and jump in. Best wishes, Zoe PS: Dr. R and his staff all speak English; he's fluent, so is Doralisa, who handles a lot of patient contact. I spoke Spanish with his secretary Lydia, but she speaks English pretty well too.

Anyone out there in the Chicago area? I have been reading about the Lap Band for a couple of years now, and finally am ready to take the plunge. I am considering the ILOST center in Mexico since I am Spanish-speaking, but I have not given up on Chicago doctors yet. Anyone have experience at Northwestern U. Hospital? There was an interesting post from someone in May, but no way to contact her off-list. Thanks.

Thanks for the info, Daniel. Actually, because I'm paying for the surgery, I've decided to go to Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey, Mexico. But I will need a post-op doc, and Dr Shyani sounds like a great choice. Zoe (surgery scheduled for 8/26)

Thanks, Intant. (And thanks to everyone else, too.) I spoke with Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey who suggested that I contact Dr. Horgan if I want to stay local. Your post is a great recommendation! I'll call Dr. H's office tomorrow. Z PS: Congratulations on your weight loss.

Hi everyone -- Recently, in a non-weight-loss context, my boss said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." I've been thinking about that in relation to my 35 years of yo-yo dieting. This time I'm resolved to do something that will actually work, for real and for good. I know I can lose weight -- I've had tons of practice! -- but, as I'm sure most of you know, the trick is to keep it off, and that's where I've failed. I have been reading about the Lap Band for a couple of years now, and finally am ready to take the plunge. I discovered your great web site a few days ago and want to thank everyone for providing a great on-line source of information and support. I am considering the ILOST center in Mexico since I speak Spanish (and I've read positive reviews of the doc), but I have not given up on Chicago doctors yet. Anyone have experience at Northwestern U. Hospital? Thanks.

To get back to the original subject... I spoke with Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey just a few hours ago. He was extremely helpful; he answered all my questions, and even recommended a surgeon in Chicago (Santiago Horgan) outside of his own practice group if I decide to stay local. I'll find out the price & make a decision. Pipsi, if you are still considering Dr. Rumbaut, check out http://www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/intrmain.html. If you complete the e-mail questionnaire & mention that you're considering Mexico, you'll get a message from the ILOST team with all the info you need. The office staff are easy to deal with and fluent in English (but you probably heard that already). I'm impressed with Rumbaut's credentials, his reputation among his patients, and his willingness to talk to prospective patients without doing a hard sell. Flights from Chicago to Monterrey are pretty cheap, so unless the local surgeon has a fabulous deal, I'm heading to Mexico ASAP. Zoe PS: A rhetorical question: What on earth is going on with the Edistogirl thread? No one is trying to be hurtful or insulting. Direct or subtle, serious or silly, the posts I've read all seem to come from people who are willing to share their knowledge and experience, and want to help others. That's what's important.

I'm planning on getting banded (sounds like bird conservation!) in Monterrey in early September and am grateful for all the info here, not to mention the laughs. I received a note from Doralisa at Dr. Rumbaut's office today; among other things, she said that their office would help line up an aftercare doc for me close to home. Does anyone -- Neicy? GeezerSue? -- have experience with one of these referred US physicians? Pipsi, I'll probably be getting laughing gas while you're rolling home. If I could manage to get banded in August I sure would. Thanks to all, Zoe