Kelly Ann

Just back from Barnes and Noble tonight and read this weeks People Magazine. There was an article about surgery outside the US specifically cosmetic surgery and weight loss surgery. The surgeon from Monterrey- Dr. Sanchez was named as the surgeoen who "never placed" the band in a women (who I have read about here on these message boards---was it Penni who told everyone???I forget. ) Any way when she got home and went for a fill at home with an aftercare Doc in the US he checked her out and found the band floating under her stomach!!!! Sanchez was quoted as saying he mad a mistake.... I am sure some of you heard about her. I forget her name...Anyway...I feel very lucky my visit to Monterrey was successful with Dr. Rumbaut. The article of course talked about people who had bad experiences including one women who had a bad experience in Mexico with cosmetic surgery and is now planning on Brazil for her next procedure!!! I am not knocking it and have recently started to research plastic surgery for myself here or somewhere else... Cost of course is a huge issue but like my lapband surgery I researched and researched before I chose the surgeon did. Even then I told myself if anything sent a bad vibe once there..I was outta there!!! The only thing I was truly daunted by and frankly made me almost go home before surgery was the joke doctor's office I got sent to for my " testing " the day before. It was prehistoric!!!!! I had my own testing done at home before I went so I was covered. However, with the money my doc must make doing 4-5 patients per day all of us US patients paying cash....he could do better on that part of the experience. He had a state of the art brand new office ...I think he should include this in his own office and move the testing there ... I told his office manager how upset I was it just should not be . ....Now the hospital was excellent very clean ,very modern exactly how they said it would be. So check out People this week . I again don't regret my decision for self pay in Mexico and would not be where I am today if I had not gone that route. I still can't believe I had the guts to do it and even go by myself!!! I kept talking to this board the entire time I was there up to the night before and that is where I drew my strength from all of you and I will never forget that..... so once again I thank you my lapband friends for your support and strength.

you know sometimes when I am really filled tight a few spoonfuls of ice cream is fine... With my last fill four weeks ago I actually really was on liquids and softs for almost a week and wound up eating a whole pint of PHISH FOOD Ben and Jerry's. I had not eaten anything really for days anyway and was watching Oprah and kept digging in....need I say more? My daughter yelled "Mom! you just ate the whole pint !!" I was shocked I got it down !!! Now having said that I have PB"d on one spoonful of ice cream other times ! Isn't that weird???? Don't beat yourself up. When you get regular fills and are losing regularly like I am (thank goodness) those slips don't mean too much. I have days when I am soooo tight in the morning I can't even eat until dinner time. Other months I was different. WHen you achieve a real restriction from being filled you will realize you may not be able to do that very often anyway....Unless you watch Oprah with Ben and Jerry I guess.....LOL

Jonathan, I read your post last week and meant to reply...I hunted it up today to send you some support. I hope you are well and still keeping your chin up with all of those life changes. I feel some coming on for me as well ....I'm scared to death but it is staring me in the face and I must face the truth and make a life change. Good luck with your new career. It is soooo much more than that I am sure and being a pastor is truly a calling you have decided to act on. It was meant to be....probably all of it and the way it happend for you. I have kids too so I am sending you good thoughts and strength to deal with them. Take care of your self I enjoy reading your posts you are an incredible writer with great insight. You sound like a great pastor already..

It wasn't that long ago I was in your shoes. It is hard but you must adhere to what you were to told to do to heal . Stay on the diet and take it a moment at a time if you have to... It is so worth it. Before you know it you can start with new soft mushy foods. I tolerated tea with alot of half and half. I drank broth and soup at hand. At first certain flavors did not sit well of certain foods but as others said dilute and take it slow. When one day I could only eat a few sips or teaspoons of something the next day or two I could eat twice as much of. I used to go crazy with my family around eating pizza and everything !! I literally would have to leave the house! Even today I ate out with my kids and I just simply cannot eat certain things but yes I had a nice piece of fish and chocolate pudding. It is worth being down this weight. I also can't believe it is almost eight months since my surgery. It was the best thing I could ever have done for myself period. I am a different person. We all know what you are going through and you will be fine...keep reading older posts and get as much info as you can.. It will help you through the stages ....

you can also count on losing weight and regaining your life. I am 67 pounds thinner today and in a size 6-8 mini skirt . I don't remember ever wearing this size since 22 years ago in high school. I had a massage done in the mall last week -just after a fish diner. I laid on my tummy flat and The noises I was making were as if an alien was going to pop out of me!!!! It was awful -like I could not burp or something. The poor asian man doing my massage must have thought I was getting sick or something. But like Zoe said better coming from the top not the bottom. I will learn to live with it all for this new me.....that's what you can look forward to...

I am so happy and thrilled I did this for myself ...it is great and really easy compared to the kind of life I had overweight with health problems. And even worse than that ....my head problems which the more I lose and the more I gain my "self" and my self esteem and confidence I realize would have killed me. I was miserable and felt like I had no way out no matter what I tried no matter what I did- I could not stick to a diet or food plan. This band has freed me from all of that. I can only eat a certain amount of food-yea some foods I can't tolerate and maybe never will again but you know what?? I am in sizes now I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be. More importantly I feel so great. I do need to pay much more attention to my nutrition and exercise more but even not exercising I lost a total of 61 pounds since October!!! I was embarressed to go to the gym but now I feel like I can. I do have a treadmill at home though but you know what I mean... The band is the safest way to achieve weight loss. I keep thinking where I would be today right now facing another summer in the position I was this time last year....I felt like I was hopeless....I was so depressed and beat up on my self.... I was not happy.. Today ???I shopped today for like four hours trying on size 8's in regular stores. I even bought a size 6 skirt in Old Navy --but we all know they are generous with their sizes .... My point is do it. We are here for you on this board. I read all of the time and to tell you the truth have not posted recently until I read your post. I have gotten whistled at and mistaken for my daughters' friend not Mom!!! I literally cannot believe this is happening after all of these years in my 20's and most of my thirties being overweight and so unhappy and unhealthy. The lapband is the way to go for sure I 100% can tell you to go for it -you will never regret it!

That last comment was meant for Alexandra from New Jersey ......(don't mean to confuse ) in an answer to her offer of a support group...

Thanks for the offer I would love to come. Let me know the details. !!

I would love to meet everyone. I have not told anyone about my surgery except for my husband and children. I read every couple of days all of the posts and really would love so much to get together and talk in person ! I am in Jersey and NY is 28 miles from me.

Philip, I am so sorry for the loss of your wife Carolyn. You are in my prayers . There are truly no words for such a tragedy. Just Know I am deeply sorry. Kelly Ann

First fill.....nothing really added .5 cc and now I have restriction. I lost 30 pounds so far.. You people are awesome and I wish you all a great Holiday season.... I am off tomorrow from New Jersey to Myrtle Beach to a Basketball High School Tournament. I feel great .. LIGHTER AND HEALTHIER take care all ... God Bless thanks for all of your posts that have helped me get where I am today with my band....Kelly

be strong girl ! the days will pass and you will get stronger as days go on! We are here for you . I had a rough time with awful pain after surgery . I thought I would die! I had terrible pain in my back ! Take good care we are here for you

I had my third fill A week ago today. I felt ok ...though I kept to liquids almost 4 days. I have gradually tried soft foods beginning Monday but felt such uncomfortable feeling in my chest . The hiccups began and then I gagged a few times . Not alot came up infact almost nothing but I really have not eaten anything anyway. I guess Tuesday I felt I really better make sure I have a protein drink, some gatorade or something because I felt I could be heading for dehydration. Wednesday I felt awful just soooo uncomfortable and nauseas. I gagged four times during the day. My stomach is killing me from the muscles I guess and my throat from throwing up nothing. Today I was in bed the entire day and gagged in the morning on a few bites of vanilla ice cream. I don't know if I'm over filled or sick with a stomach virus. I did not feel this awful the first few days and was able to drink during the day all day to keep hydrated. Now I've got the perpetual slime in my mouth , headache and nausea. I know you guys are not docs but what do you who have experience think? I could go into NY tomorrow to the doctors to get an unfill- although I have not called them yet. It would be a bit of an issue to get in and I'd have to make my husband take me -I feel that bad right now. I don't want to set myself back and have to start all over with getting back to a good restriction. Does this sound like a classic overfill to you? If it was would'nt I have not been able to get anything down right away? this began a few days after. DO you think stomach virus? Should I take some sort of medicine? Thanks.....

Take care of yourself....Thank goodness you were able to get the surgery despite that idiot doctor....keep reading here to educate yourself for the days to come...That is what I did ! Welcome to the other side!

Hi Jonathan welcome to the other side...I get hiccups alot! I just had a fill and I get them everyday now because I am sooo restricted. When I was first banded I got them just like now and I would get them when I was at my food limit. When you get that full feeling and heaviness you are done eating! I usually get them at that point. I think it is part of this band ...alot of weirds noises sometimes, burping and hiccups. They are all to be taken seriously and help you know you are done eating ...I peeked at your website...you are on your way and are looking good already!

I just turned 38 Saturday . I actually weighed in and had reached a number I had hoped I would make by that day....I went upstairs and pulled out some jeans I have not put on in five years the last time I was that number. I can't believe this is actually happening. This band just stopped me dead in my tracks. I simply cannot overeat anymore! I am so busy with my kids and schedule even if I don't get the "right " foods in me that day , I still am ok because I did not overeat! I can't eat certain things and others surprisingly I still can. I am ready to add exercise now and plan to begin this week. I really feel I have hope for reaching my goals ....I don't feel deprived at all I feel like I can really live with this and lose...I am so glad I chose the band and had the guts to get this operation and take charge of my life. Last year I was so depressed when I turned 37 I had not been able to get my weight down for over 5 years. I could not diet I just kept failing and getting more upset with myself....Anyway it is a hopeful 2005 -----just thought I would share.....

It is tough on liquids and I know about being around the kids -I have three. You must stay on the diet you are told to . No matter what you must let yourself heal with the banding site. I liked Soup at hand, I suffered through many protein drinks and settled on my old favorite Slim FAst even though it is not a protein it was the only one I liked. I tried to keep drinking or rather sipping to keep hydrated on water, tea, and broth. It will be worth it we were all there where you are right now. I was no fun to be around during this time . Good luck.

Hi Melissa, I am no expert -I am still a newbie banded 10/19/04. I have had the same thing happen to me since my second fill. I am concerned you had the fill quite awhile ago and then all of a sudden you have major restricition. I think you shoul d stick with liquids until you calm down your system. Call the doctor and tell him exactly what you wrote here. Also I have read here that a woman's time of the month really makes some more restricted than other times....I know others will reply who have more time and experience good luck! I am very sorry about your Grandmother's passing. Take care of your self.

I would love to come! I would love to meet everyone and talk in person. Keep us posted on the details -great idea!

Hey Newbies and those seeking info.... I went to Mexico to Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey . I was self pay . I had my surgery 10/19/04 . I was as much as 224 in the spring of 2004 by the day of surgery 213. I am now 188 12/23 -30.6 pounds ( since beginning liquid two weeks prior to surgery.) I was new to this board and had a million questions before I decided to go through with it. It has been great so far!! My bad habits of overeating have been stopped in it's tracks. Some of you may be twice my beginning weight---- but so what.....in five years or less I would be that weight . I just got here sooner --that's all....I urge you to consider this great Lapband and that you frequent this fantastic board. The info here is invaluable. And that is the truth. Happy Holidays to all!!!

oh and one more thing ....stick to your diet as the doctor told you or you will have gas and pain. I did liquids two weeks and softs two weeks. WHen I tried too soon to eat a solid I regretted it deeply with major pain for an entire two days.... Thank God the piece of chicken I ate did eventually get down and stay down...Take care.

Welcome, gas pains for me were awful!!!! I was banded 10/19. I had pressure in my chest and pain in my back ,shoulders and neck. It was rough but it gets better. I took gas -x and maalox like crazy and tried to push my knees into my chest or simulate (as best as I could after surgery )a spine stretch . I actually burped a looong loud burp and felt better as well as the other .... iI kept this up changing positions, gas-x , walking, and hoped to release the gas. It will help everyday it gets better....I wish you well hope you get all better asap!!!

you're a good girl Penni...and you are passionate and caring .I could see that during the whole thing and never thought badly of what happend. I was actually happy to see everyone looking out for each other .....you learn more from this site than from anything else. Even one doctors' opinion is not always right and with everyone sharing their experiences and what their doctors' all say we are really taking care of one another by sharing..... Sometimes these things happen and if you sit back and don't get involved or don't open up our mouths about things we might regret it later. Especially about medical matters such as this is. I too am passionate and vehemently rightous and never back down even when challenged....This was an important topic and thank God somone stuck their neck out (like you ) and stuck to your guns! It could be me who had gone to that doctor not knowing about him ....By following all of the threads I could have made my decision and saved myself alot of trouble. It was for the best and if it happens again and gets a little ugly so what??? I hope we all keep sharing what we know or heard or read on other sights. Facts need to be shared . You are all right in my book!

Hi everyone , six weeks since my surgery now... I have been able to eat alot more than last week ...I even gained a pound or two....so I did keep my fill appointment today. I received one CC. The doctor told me I may feel I need more -that I should be able to tell in a few days and to come back and he will add more. I am not sure how much I should really be eating again?? Is it one cup three times per day??? Should I not be able to eat one cup after a fill or only a half cup?? I hate to probably be asking about stuff that has been printed hear before ... how many days should I wait to make sure it has kicked in or not??? Thanks

Glad to hear your good news...I too was thinking about you and what it actually was that was wrong with you while I was in New York City today. I saw Dr. fielding at NYU today for my first fill. He told me if I don't feel it come back in a few days....He gave me one cc. Good luck and feel better quick!!!!