beckidid

FYI-On a previous post I stated I used my Patient Ident. card to be able to purchase child's portions at a buffet. Someone wanted to know more info about it. My Dr. gave me mine. It came with the box that was given to me post surgery. The box contained the patient handbook with the serial number of my band and the Patient Identification Card. The card states that you have had the Lap Band to assist in weight loss, that it is MRI compatible, and that caution should be taken when prescribing ulcerogenic meds, and to use caution when performing any gastric or abdominal procedures. It also states that this person can only eat small portions at a time (half cup or 3-4 oz.) There is a place for my signature and the Dr's signature on the reverse. So far, I have found it quite handy. I don't expect to go to many buffets, but there are times when it cannot be avoided, so I'll be glad to have it. Restaurants are not required to honor it....but, hey, it's worth a try. I understand there is a place you can download a copy of the card and I think it may be on the Inamed site. If not, it could be on the Obesityhelp.com site. Hope this helps some of you. Becki

I was banded in Nov. of 2004 and initially lost 15 pounds before surgery on the pre-op diet. I then lost about 10 pounds during the liquid/soft mush stages. Over the holidays, I didn't lose but I didn't gain, either. Slowly over the next 3 months I did lose 10-15 pounds with the help of 3 adjustments (about one every 4-5 weeks). I am very happy to say that I have found the ideal adjustment and the weight is coming off at a steady pace, now. I have not PB'd,ever, thank God. I have some things get stuck for a very short time and that is usually when I'm in a social setting and not concentrating on my duties as a bandster. I still cannot believe that I eat as little as I do. My mind tells me to eat like I used to and my band tells me I better not. Most of the time I take home lunch for the next day. It is incredibly liberating to eat so little. Being as large as I am, it will take losing about 75 pounds for others to begin really noticing how much I have lost. But, for me, I am greatly encouraged by the way my clothes fit, the movement I have and the mobility afforded me after losing the 50 pounds so far.(I have one leg a bit shorter because of a head-on car accident and subsequent hip replacement in 2001.)As I said, I move much better with 50 lbs. gone, I can only imagine how well I'll be moving as more pounds drop. I feel well enough that I joined Curves last week and I am going for my first workout today. With the exercise I expect a very steady loss, now. I have not exercised since our accident 5 years ago. I was discouraged about the adjustments not working well for me,at first, but I continued to be very cautious with them, not asking for too much fill, and taking it slow and easy. I am extremely grateful for the information I received on this board and some of the other forums about not being too aggressive with fills. This tool works wonders.....but patience is key. Hang in there all you newly banded. It will happen for you and it will be liberating. Becki 360/310/185 Dr. Jose Rodriguez 11-05-04

I posted this on some of the Yahoo boards, but wanted to share with you all, too. Thanks for the genuine support on this board, it is always so refreshing. First the SV's......I was banded 11-05-04....I have lost 40lbs and 41 inches!!! Now, the NSV's.... I am wearing clothes that have been hanging in my closet for over 3 years (some even have the tags still hanging on them). Some people notice...some don't. I sleep better. I no longer take my acid reflux med. I can sit in some chairs and movie seats much better. My daughter commented that it is so weird to see such small amounts of food on my plate. And, this is a great one....my hubby (who is greatly overweight) has decided he wants to get the band also, after seeing how well I've done. I was really disappointed at first after the surgery because I was not losing like I thought I should, however, I made it through the holidays without gaining an ounce. I have had 2 fills in the 11cm band and I'm up to 5.25cc in the band. I still think I need another fill.....and I'll probably get it in a few more weeks. I can feel the band working for me, now, and I, in turn, am working it. I will start Curves, I think, in another month or so. As soon as I can "move" a little easier and can get MY confidence up. I'm working on it, though. Everyday I get closer and closer to making that all important step to get out there in front of others and exercise. I will encourage everyone...if you do nothing else to....DRINK LOTS OF WATER!! It is KEY to losing. It's habit forming. I sleep better when I've had all the Water I need. I feel better. My skin is healthier. My joints don't ache as bad. AND the scale moves downward!!

Hysterical!!!!!!!!!

Oh My!!!! What an incredible feat!! I am soooooo impressed. Motivates the heck out of me!!!

Dylansmom......... Hold on....don't go gettin jealous...........I lost 15 of that pre surgery!!! The other is 25 AFTER surgery....so, you are ahead of me as far as weight post banding goes!!! I was just absolutely blown away by the inches!!! I am so glad I took those measurements the day before I went to surgery. When the scale is not showing me what I want to see all I have to do is pull out the tape measure and it generally shows me something positve. Hang in there.......it comes off some way or another.

You all are all so great!! Thanks for all the well wishes. I still have to tell you, it hasn't been easy. I sat at a 10 pound loss after surgery for about 6 weeks!!! I say most of it was just trying to get through the holidays. I do much better in a controlled environment, like my own house. I'm learning to control my eating habits outside the home much better, thanks to the band. I am so impressed the people on this board and how well you all have done. You have been the inspiration.

I was able to go straight to full liquids and skip the clear liquids after surgery because my surgeon said the stomach and liver looked so good when he got through. But all surgeons have different requirements. If you can do full liquids, Campbells Soup at Hand were my life savers. I loved the velvet potato, creamy tomato, and the vegetable one. I bought the little sugar free jello cups and added a couple of spoons of Cool Whip Free and mixed those up. The sugar free puddings were good with Cool Whip Free too. Campbells has a new Cream of Onion that is good with a little milk in it. I also loved the EAS Coffee House protein shakes.......I add a little bit of Non dairy flavored creamer to all of those protein shakesl.......they are so delicious that way. It's no wonder you get tired when cleaning, you probably don't have much energy because of the lack of nutrients. Hope you feel better soon. It will all be over before you know it. Then to the real stuff!!! Becki

Melissa, I'm sorry for the loss of your grandmother. I feel that is part of the problem. The coordinator for Dr. Jose Rodgriguez lost her father last year and she had to have almost all of the saline taken out of her band until she was over the stress. She has slowly added more, but, evidently, stress is a big restrictor. She also gets real tight when she has sinus draingage. I don't understand it at all, but we sure do learn a lot of variations about the band on these boards. I would do warm liquids until I felt better. Warm is always best when your tight. Good Luck and keep us informed. Becki

Hi everyone, I haven't posted too much here...but I had to share this with someone!!! Progress has been sort of slow for me. I was banded 11-05-04. I lost 15 on the pre-op and then only 10 post-op and that was in the first 2 weeks on the liquids/mush stages. I had a fill 12-11-04. Still not the restriction I wanted, but I was being conservative since the holidays were at hand. I had also heard that sometimes restriction will hit after 2 weeks. It didn't. I was hungry but still was careful what I ate except for a few sweets I HAD to have. I didn't eat NEAR what I would have or did last year during the holiday season. So, consequently, I didn't gain any over the holidays. I was much more aggressive after the holidays with eating correctly and the "bandster way". Today I weighed and I'm down 16lbs since surgery. I also decided to take the dreaded measurements (I had not taken them since the night before surgery). I ended up taking them TWICE this morning because I couldn't believe the numbers the first time. I thought I had screwed up the math the first time. 27 inches gone !!! :laugh So, finally, progress. I go for my second fill this Saturday. I have the larger Inamed band. The first fill was 3.5cc. I hope for good restriction this time. I will still be conservative with the fill. I don't live too far from MX so it's fairly easy for me to get there for fills and they aren't too awfully expensive. I'd rather go back for more fill than to have to go for an unfill. Also, today is my 33rd wedding anniversary.....Not bad, huh? Thanks to all on this board for help,encouragement, and a lot of humor thrown in every-once-in-a-while for fun. Becki DOB 11/05/04-Dr. Jose Rodriguez 368/highest 355/pre-op diet 340/DOB 324/present 185/wishful thinking????

I was sent this website and it is a great one. Hope you all get as much out of it as do.......... http://www.skinnydaily.com/about.html Becki

Wonder if that's for all the border towns into MX? Or just the CA/MX border? I live a few hours from the MX border in San Antonio, TX and I haven't heard that yet. I'm going for a fill this Sat. and I'll be sure to ask the border patrol then. Thanks for the info. Becki :beard

I understand they'd really rather you wait until after you leave the hospital !!!!! :banana :Bunny Becki

Don't forget to document everything about your tummy. From rashes, painful skin breakouts and odors. One other thing to mention as you lose more and more weight is your center of gravity being off. Some folks have even fallen because their center of gravity is so forward that they lose balance after so much weight loss and still have the large "apron" out front. These are just some of the things a nurse mentioned to me. So, in order for insurance to possibly cover the apron removal, document EVERYTHING no matter how gross or discusting it may seem to you. I have just started my band journey, but at my primary physician's office the other day, I mentioned documenting any and all problems I may have with the apron and she said they would write anything and everything I told them down in my chart so that they could submit all info to the insurance co. I hope it works, because when I lose this weight I will have a big apron to get rid of. Not to mention all the other plastic surgeries, at least my insurance will cover the apron removal, but not the other ones. Oh well, I'll take what they will cover and then try to figure a way to have the other surgeries done. Becki

I was banded in Acuna, MX and I pay 50.00 for a fill, 50.00 more for an x-ray, and 100.00 for flouro. I live relatively close to MX so it's no big deal to drive there for my fills. I go for my second one next Sat. the 15th. Hoping for some good restriction. Becki

I have really been struggling with variety on the mush stage. I don't know if anyone else is but here are a couple of suggestions I found. First I take about 3T of cottage cheese and mix about 1T of ricotta cheese with it. Then I add one of the little individual cups of s/f Jello. After I've stirred those together I add a tablespoon or 2 of Cool Whip Free. It is really delicious. Of course I chew and chew. The other thing I've found (and I've heard of this all my life, just didn't have the nerve to try it) is potted meat. Sounds yuk, I know, but when you are really wanting a meat flavor you resort to most anything that was previously not too palatable. I really love (yes,love.) The Underwoods White chicken Meat Spread. Comes in a little can wrapped in paper in the tuna aisle. I was duly impressed. I bought the roast beef, too. But it is real salty and there are no little pieces in it. The chicken is very soft and the small,small, pieces are easily chewed to mush consistency. Dr. Rodriguez's coordinator also told me that I could use the food chopper thing that Pampered Chef has (or one like it) to chop any meat up along with apples, nuts, whatever.......mix a little mayo or mustard and have a neat little salad. She did say to be sure and use the little baby spoon to eat with and chew,chew, chew. Just thought I'd pass these little tidbits along. Anyone have any other suggestions on Protein mush? Becki Dr. Jose Rodriguez 11/05/04 340/330/185

Here's another one I just found out about: A little spaghetti sauce, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese and some mozarella cheese. Microwave and it supposed to taste just like lasagna sans pasta. Faux Lasagna!! I will try that one tomorrow. I Just had about an ounce of monterrey jack cheese and a ritz cracker..........chewed up real mushy. tiny little bites. Took me about 20 min to eat it and I feel full. I still have to drink one or two protein drinks a day to get enough protein in. What kind of vitamins are you all taking. I'm not taking any. Maybe that's why I get these charlie horses in my calves and toes. LOL Becki

Yep, I'm 12 days out and somehow or another I've misplaced 10 pounds and 16 inches!!!!!!!!! I'm not even concerned about looking for them either!! They can just stay gone forever. LOL Just wanted to share :banana Becki 11/05/04 340/330/185 Dr. Jose Rodriguez

One more cost you might be interested in is...........I think the needle used to do fills costs around 50.00. and it is NOT reusable. (these are prices I heard from MX drs.) Becki

Audrey, I believe the posters are talking about the actual cost of the band itself. The cost to the hospital or the Doctor. I understand the band costs around 2,000.00 at least that is what I heard for the Mexican Drs. Hard to believe that little piece of latex and tubing could cost that much. Of course, research and other things factor in, too. Oh well, I'm just grateful someone came up with such an incredible alternative to the slice and dice method of Gastric bypass. Becki 11/05/04 Dr. Jose Rodriguez 340/???/185 5'8"

Hi everyone, I haven't posted here in a while.But I was banded by Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Acuna MX last Friday. I'm one week out and honestly Ifeel great. I was released on Sat and home in my own bed by Sat Afternoon. Sunday we went into Austin and I walked the grocery store and then we went to A Soup R Salad Bar. I whipped out my trusty "I've Been Banded and can Only Eat 1 Cup of Food" card and was charged the child's price of $1.49!! What a deal!! At that rate I'll have this band paid for before I know it!! LOL I had a half cup of the broth from the chicken noodle soup and a half cup of the potato leek w/o the potato chunks. I haven't paid $1.49 for a meal since I was 6 years old! I find it hard to get enough protein in during the day being on liquids. My calories are only about 900/day, too. Still, no weight lost in a week! Not sure what that's about...but soon I'll start to exercise a bit more and hopefully I will lose some. I have felt wonderful, though. I blend a few soups from can and that seems to satisfy me even though there is not alot of protein in them. Well, I'll post more later. If any of you have any suggestions for protein on the liquids stage, I will welcome them. I drink protein shakes 2-3 times a day. The IsoPure tastes so nasty. Later, Becki 340/???/185 5'8" 54 years old Dr. Jose Rodriguez, Acuna MX_

I think this band is going to be great! I can't wait to start working it the way it is intended to be used. I have gained so much from reading all of your past posts. You all have some incredible success stories. I fully intend to be one of those,too. I will stay in touch with you to be sure I'm doing this thing right. Thanks so much for everything. Becki

New to this forum. I've lurked for awhile and decided it was time I participated. I've been investigating the lap band surgery for a couple of months, now. I've decided, with the help and info from various forums, that the Lap Band is the surgery for me. I'm going to MX to have it done and it will probably be Acuna, MX with Dr. Jose Rodriguez. Now, all that's stopping me is the financing..........but, I have just about worked that out!!!! Glad to be part of this facinating world of bandsters and pre-bandsters. I'm also totally amazed at the info out there and the forums available. Ain't this a grand time to be alive? Ha! Becki:D

Thanks to all of you for the warm welcome. I was just talking to the girl in San Antonio that helps Dr. Rodriguez's patients to and from the border and she has a trip planned in a few weeks to take some bandsters for fills........so, I asked if I could travel along so I can meet the Dr.m visit the facility, and meet some previous bansters. She said she thought that there was room for me to go along too. I am looking forward to the trip and getting first hand knowledge from the other people going. I'll let you know how it turns out. I am so looking forward to the whole experience. Can't wait to actually take the plunge!! Again, thanks for the welcome. Becki PS This is for Blossom......I wanted to email you since you are in TX, too. But I was unable to. Eveidently you are not accepting emails from people on the forum.. If you would email me I'd like to discuss where and who and how far along you are on your decision to get the Band. Becki

Hi there, I'm a newbie. I'm going to have my banding done in Acuna, MX by Dr. Jose Rodriguez. I live between San Antonio and Austin. I have decided, due to health reasons, to go ahead and go to MX. I just don't want to wait 6 mos.-year for insurance and appeals. And then they may not cover anyway. I've researched Dr. Rod extensively and I think he is the guy for me!! I have a few more ends to wrap up before I actually make the appt., but hope to get it done within a few months. One of the things I was impressed with about going to Dr. Rod in Acuna is the fact that he has a gal in SA that he banded and she was so impressed with him and the way the band changed her life......that she now helps him in getting patients to and from his clinic. She also sets up "fill trips" to MX. Bandsters meet in SA and then travel together to Acuna, get their fills, eat lunch, shop and return to SA the same day. I just think that is a great way to get to know other bansters and compare stories. Anyway, she does all of this for a 20.00 charge to cover time, gas and the van. Beats the heck out of paying for gas these days to go down there alone. Best of luck and success to all of you. And thanks for all the support you all give to fellow bandsters and pre-bandsters. Becki