Frank

I was ask if we would share our story about a couple going through lap band journey together. I usually do short posts, but this one is long. In 2002 I weighed 409lbs and Debbie was at 314lbs. We decided something had to be done about our weight problems. We went to a gastric by-pass Doctor in Lexington KY. Debbie was approved for surgery because she was a diabetic and had very high blood pressure. A couple weeks before surgery our insurance made an across the board ruling not to cover any more weight loss surgery. We did not know where to turn. We begin a two year diet of very low carbs. Both of us lost weight. I lost 91lbs and Debbie lost 42lbs in the first year, but after dieting another year and losing nothing we knew we had to do something to reduce our food intake. Again we considered weight loss surgery. Knowing our insurance would not pay we begin checking on the prices in our area. The lap band was $17,000.00 per person and this was just more than we could do. We begin checking on the internet and found out that in Mexico they did the Lap Band surgery in several cities and that we both could have surgery for less than one could in the states. After a lot of research we decided to go to Monterrey and have surgery with the Doctor Sanchez. We made all the necessary contacts with Ready4Achange and with the help of their staff, Judy and Janet, we completed the paperwork and were off to Mexico in only three weeks. On October 3rd 2004 we flew from Chicago to Monterrey. We were met at the airport and taken to the doctors guest house. Later that night alma, the doctor's assistant, took us to the hospital to meet the doctor. We were so impressed with the hospital and the doctor. We went back to the guest house for a good nights sleep. The next morning Alma took us to the hospital. Dow had surgery at 8 AM and Debbie at 10AM. We were both up and walking that evening. The walking helped with the gas used in Laproscopic surgery. We both did well. Debbie did have problems with reflux, but we were able to leave the hospital the next morning. We went back the guest house. We spent most of the day walking and talking to other surgery patients staying at the guest house. The next morning we flew home. The soreness was getting better everyday. Debbie still struggled with reflux for around three days, but things did get better. In the first week we, together, lost a total of 33lbs. At 6 months post-op We were down 102lbs together. We love doing this together. We are now 2 ½ years post-op We have lost over 300lbs from our top weight. Dow has gone from a size 60 suit to a size 44-46. Debbie has gone from a size 30 dress to a 10-12. It has been great to go through this journey. Debbie has been such great support. She loves to cook and it helps eating at home. You can fix what is right for you to eat. When we go out we often eat the wrong foods. Just to be honest we both hate exercise and are still planning on getting in the habit of it, but since neither of us encourages the other we just don’t do it. One of the ways we reward each other is clothing gifts. This year for Christmas I bought Debbie 10 new outfits and new leather jacket. I got a new suit and several outfits. We just enjoy looking better in our clothes and enjoy buying for one another. On the personal side because of diabetes, high blood pressure and just be so large our romance had slow down a lot. As we lost weight, got healthier and just felt better we have return to honeymoon romance and we enjoy just going on a date. We have always had a great marriage so I’m not acting like this saved our marriage. I think our marriage saved of lives. I can’t think of any negatives about going though this together. Looking back on it I am glad that we had no major complication in Mexico, because no one went with us I’m not sure if we could have done much to help the other seeing we both had just had surgery, but Thank God all went well. I do wish we had a local support group just to ask, we mostly depended on forums like this to answer our questions. We did make mistakes, but we are still learning. Sorry about my typing. I’m a preacher not a writer.

I'm so glad for you and your husband. It was never an issue at our church. We never told anyone until it was done. So it was to late for them to say anything. I have just moved and started a New church so for these people they never knew us pre-surgery. You can visit our church web site at www.occ1.com. We bought an old church that had closed. I pray God's blessings on you and your husband. Dow Moses

Peggy do you and your husband have pictures on here. That is amazing weight loss.

We just prayed alot. NO ONE even knew why we were traveling. We knew we could lean on each other. Thank God it went OK. We had a friend from church watch our children for 3 dat while we were gone. We did leave writen instructures in case of emerency. Dow

Me and My wife went from Chicago to Monterry MX 2 1/2 years ago. On the same day we both had surgery. We had lost weight before surgery, but lost much more after surgery. It was awesome to do this with my best friend. I have seen Debbie go from a size 30 to a size 12. I am so proud of her, but I was proud of her before surgery. It is like being on a honeymoon after 22 years of marriage. I know thats TMI. Dow

I'm am so sorry to hear that. I was wondering. I knew he was no to old. You are talking about Dr. Sanchez from Monterry MX.

I have missed getting the updates. We moved and was offline for several months. I attached our before and after pictures. It looks like we have got down as low as we will go. We are still happy with it. My wife and I together have lost over 300lbs. We both would like to lost 20-30 lbs more. I guess we also feel like we are be big.

We were all in a wedding of our friends.

I would walk to Mexico to have it again. For the first time in twenty years I am not going up in weight. Dow Moses

To answer the questions. 1. No Magor problems. We over eat and pb to much. We need the follow the rule better. 2.They are our children. All 3 are adopted (God's gift to us). Your kind words are a blessing

I have been banded almost two years and have lost most of my excess weight. I have had major trouble for most of my banded life. I have PBed almost every day and most day several times. I almost always feel hungry. As soon as I PB I want to eat again. I don't think I'm to tight. I have not lost any weight for 8 months. I just find myself eating and PBing way to much. Before surgery I always had trouble keeping food down. If I bent over after eating food would just come back up. It does not make me feel sick or gag. It just comes up. My worse habit that I know make it worse is I still drink with my meals. I just can't seem to enjoy eating without a class of tea. Real food almost alway comes up. Nuts, Popcorn and snacks almost always stay down. I think I'm just crazy. I am glad I had the surgery and pray I never lose the band. I just don't think I'm the normal banster.

We have lost over 100lbs each. I have lost 165lbs and Deb has lost 135lbs. We lost 100lbs before surgery and around 200 since surgery. I am so glad to read your stories and hope to see many others. Some people don't need to loss 100lbs, but you are still winners. I had not been on the sight for a while and I really enjoy this thread.

We have had a web site for a while. I just added a new page call side by side. Take a look. I was stock at how different we look. http://www.arkwebshost.com/family/debmo/before_and_after.shtml

My wife and I have done low carb for 4 years. We were band 15 months ago. We still do low carb most of the time. It has worked good for us. We do have trouble with most meats. This make low carbing hard.

Your support is great

We had surgery the same day. We lost 150lbs before surgery and we have lost a little over 150lbs since surgery. You can check out our web site http://www.arkwebshost.com/family/debmo/ Dow and Debbie Moses Aurora IL

I've been really bad for about a month. Cookies, Cakes, Candy and I never eat sweets. I have gained about 10lbs. I am looking for a fresh start to following the rules. My wife never gained a pound through the holidays even lost a couple(I'm Happy for Her) She is at a new low of 179lbs down from 314lbs. But I really need a fresh start. I have always watched carbs, but it is so hard with the band. Most meat just don't go down. Please give me some advice On getting a fresh start.

That helps you to know what to expect. Because you will have some of both. My wife and I went from Chicago to mexico 15 months ago. It was a great Hosipital and Doctor. We would do it again today, but that is not to say everything is easy. It is like any weight loss. You have to work at it. The first month it does the work for you. After that you really have to work with the band. It has been life changing and for the best.

I hope you all have a great Christmas and Happy new year. I have had be busy year. Enjoying our bands. Christmas is a time I still eat to much.

My wife and I where banded 14 months ago in Mexico. You can check out our web site. We have never meet anonther person with the lapband. We read this forum alot. http://www.arkwebshost.com/family/debmo/

I'm down 166 Debbies is down 130 Both of us lost weight before surgery and have lost even more after surgery

I never had it before surgery. Immediately following surgery, like the next day, I had it terribly bad, it lasted about 2 weeks and then went away. After my first fill I had it for about 3 or 4 days. Now after the 2nd fill I've had it for about 3 weeks, however it is much, much better. I'm expecting to be reflux free within the next week.

We have been banded for just over 1 year. We are still learning. I have always had problems with vomitting. All my life. After banding PBing is just part of life. With or without a tight fill I pb every day. Most of the time several times a day. Sometime I pb after one bit. I keep trying different ways to eat without pbing, but nothing works all the time for me.

Reaching a goal is something to be proud of. I know you will continue to do awesome.

3 weeks ago we had a fill. I have lost about 5lbs, but Debbie has lost 16 more. She is 12lbs below her goal. She has set a new goal of 179lbs and only 8lbs to go. Having a good fill really makes a difference. Together we have lost 293lbs in the last few years. That is like lossing one of us.