Kelly Ann

What a load of crap your post is "margaret". It is clear to me you are an employee of this Lopez or him ---himself trying to save his sorry practice. The problems these women are having are without a doubt real and significant and clearly not being dealt with by the surgeon.... He shames the other Mexican doctors who are reputable. They ought to get together and call him and tell him to get with the program because over all ---if someone is new and considering Mexico they would run the other way after hearing about Lopez and his lack of reponsibility for his patients .. of course ..after they are back in the US and after paying him our good old American money!!! The only recourse thses women have are to post their own personal experiences so that others do not get put through what they are going through. I think you all should find out the name of his insurance carrier and consult a lawyer who deals with this kind of thing and all of you go after him and sue!!!! Pain Suffering and that poor Delarla with a gaping hole in her side!!!!!!! So I dare you to answer back "Margaret" ..... :angry

I was banded 11/19 lost almost 23 lbs. I can eat roughly 2 cups or more of food no problems right now..regular food now...I am scheduled for a fill 11/30 next Tuesday. Should I do it??? Should I wait a few weeks????? I can feel that I can only eat a certain amount right now and feel it if I eat too much.....Should I wait?????? Is it too soon ???? I want to keep losing weight ......My faithful pals please respond... By the way I went away last week to the ABC Super Soap Weekend at MGM Studios In Disneyworld. I did great!!!!!!! I did have wine but I ate Like one meal a day.... and did not over eat ..... I am sooooo happy !!!!...I have been eating all of my vitamins... I Ifeel great !!!! I even got to do a scene with Ryan from All My Children !!!!!!!!! In front of about a 1500 people!!!! If this is what the band feels like I am thrilled !!!!! I eat and forget about food!!!!!!!!! I fell the obsession is lifted from me........Thanks for the responses and help I love you all !!!!!

I have lost roughly 23 pounds since 10/19 the date of my banding.... I am able to eat roughly two Plus cups of food at a time. My six week fill date is 11/30 and I want to know from all of you experienced bandsters should I keep that appointment? Is it too soon? It is six weeks what I was told .... I Can eat alot more than I had but I am still losing about one -two pounds in the last few weeks ..... Please let me know.......

Thanks for your response. You are one of the queens of this site and your response is very important... Thank you ...

leatha ---do you think I am eating too much right now and should limit??? Do you think I should wait to fill???? I s the two cups too much in your opinion???

Welcome back and to the "other Side" ! I was banded 10/19 myself. It does get better each day but I did have my share of tough days. Take it easy and heal . Stick with your liquid diet. I use the flinstones vitamins too so far so good with those. Keep drinking the water too . Everyone here is great to ask about anything that may come up as you go..... You are one of us now ..

I am fairly new banded 10/19 and I have definate changes in the gas department . I am much more gassy . If I do burp it is so long and deep --my kids almost died the first time I did it( laughing at me) It just kept going and going like when you see people recite the abc's while burping.----not very lady like at all but I can;t help it. I have had three -four episodes of this. I started to burp in church Sunday night and realized quickly I should not have because it was low and long... even with my mouth closed ..the guy and his wife next to me had to have heard because my son laughed OUTLOUD during the mass!!!!! Oh well as long AS IHAVE NO PAIN I can live with these new gas issues........ It is pretty funny to be sharing the kind of thing my son 's constanlty joke about and do!!!

Hello Everyone.. it's been since 10/19 since the banding. I am in the mushy or soft phase right now. I tried egg salad the first day and experienced terrible cramping that lasted for two days under my left breast and into my back. The waves of cramping literally (when they would happen ) would stop me in my tracks.. and make me bend over and have to hold my stomach Is that what they mean by not chewing or tolerating a certain food??..I have had mashed potato with gravy ok , applesauce- which gave me pain right away and tuna which I had pain with but short lived . I wanted to know what can/ should I eat right now besides cream soup???? I am supposed to be on mushies getting used to more normal foods. Do you think I am not ready for those foods or not chewing it enough??? I have to say the hunger is getting to me --not everyday but some days it really bothers me. Will I really feel better once I get a fill? Will this hunger subside? I am being a trouper and staying the course. I have lost 18 pounds (5 before I left for banding while on liquids. ) I bought the protein powder to add to foods last night and I bought the isopure protein drink to force down. It is a bit mucky but better than the others. I have been taking 2 flinstones everyday and 2-3 viactive calcium chews. I have added biotin, b12 , b-6 and vit-E. Do I sound like I am doing ok at the point I am at?? I have my first fill scheduled for exaxctly 6 weeks on Nov 30 with Dr. Fielding at NYU. Thanks for listening I know I asked a lot of questions.....

Thanks for your responses. I was told by Dr. Rumbaut 2 weeks full liquids and then this past tuesday started the third week which I was told to move on to the mushy or soft foods for another two weeks - week five try regular food. At six weeks I was told I could have a fill. I think you are all right and I really need to chew and be really careful of the portions. It is a learning experience I guess. I was so used to eating without chewing and paying attention to the amount. Last night it was my son's birthday so he wanted to go to Chilis reastaurant. I had 3/4 cup of chicken noodle soup . I did eat some of the noodles and a small piece of the chicken meat. I ate three pieces of penne pasta and the inside part only of two cheese sticks( no breading ) I later that night had ice cream cake. I felt full but no pain. I really chewed everything. It does not sound that nutritious when I write it down here..... I want to eat more nutritious foods but on liquid and mushy mashed potato, cream soups, are after all fattening . I am dying for a salad !!! and some real protein I can eat like some kind of meat , fish or chicken. Thanks again for your responses....

Alex you are right on with everything you posted. In regards to Dr. Christine Ren I am surprised!!!!I saw her speak with her partner Dr. Fielding on 10/14 and they both wholeheartedly agree that they rarely do the gastric bypass any more unless there is a specific reason because it is just too dangerous. T When she was on Oprah it was the same thing they ONLY talked of the bypass . I think it is a trade off great PR for their practice and them personally to be on national TV but the producer tells them to stick to the topic at hand which is wrong wrong wrong!!!! Considering the major risks with bypass the public and people out there like us who were in need of help watching need to know there is a lap-band out there as an alternative!!!!!!! It really is irresponsible on NBC's part to say the least......You cannot talk about one and not the other when you speak of weight loss surgery.

Can I ask how you were able to have two fills in the first month?? I thought you had to wait 5-6 weeks and be on liquids and then soft foods?

I felt the same way you did --I was banded last week 10/19... The gas was awful the pressure and the pain in my left shoulder and back . My plane ride was really awful too --I was alone though... I am feeling so much better everyday though. I hope you do too. I am so glad it is over but I knew going in no matter what I had to do it and I would see it through. I had to be strong , follow the directions given to me about everything and pray it would be the tool I need to get me finally going. So far I must say it is.... Mexico was hard alone but I am waking up everyday happy and hopeful . I hope you feel better soon take it easy...

Hi everyone, thanks for all of your posts of support. I am home in Jersey I a came home a day early -yesterday . The overall experience was ok. I think I would have felt better not going alone but that was unavoidable. Dr. Rumbaut's office and the hospital it self was brand new, clean and up to date. I must say though (and I told Doralisa his patient coordinator) -the pre-op testing office almost made me get on the next plane home. The doctor was a cardiologist but had an office and equipment that looked like it was extremely outdated. I had all my testing done at home previously but I must say with the practice Dr. Rumbaut has he can well afford to correct this problem . I was very put off by that pre-op office. His only patients are americans and in the one day I was there four of us were banded at $ 10,500 a pop--- do the math. I think everyone did their jobs very well -we were checked on by the doctors' assistant a few times a day as well as the nurses many times. I think it went well but no one spoke english at the hospital once you were in your room which was difficult. They were able to basically take care of you but it was a problem at times -even with the english-spanish translation paper. They were very sweet though. The room was private and really very nice nothing like hospitals here more like a hotel. The bathroom was marble with a beautiful shower. I tend to be critical because I am a business owner and run it with alot of integrity and heart. I cross the t's and dot the i's at all costs and always put myself in the customers' shoes. If you are a multi-million dollar practice you'd better make sure you are covering all of your bases . I think they could do better in some areas to be more personable and to make sure all information is clear . To me if Dr. Rumbaut is sending his patients to a crappy pre-op place what does that say of him really? At that point you're already there what are you going to do ? His office was brand new--- so new everyone had trouble figuring out how to open desks and find things... Overall it was ok and thankfully went well and I am home safe. I am feeling gas pains in my chest and tolerating the liquid diet ok. I had horrible pain in my back and shoulders the day of ,overnight and the next day after surgery. My port site is very tender and my stomach still swollen but not that bad. Overall I came through it ok. When I got off the plane my husband said he could not believe how I already lost weight in my face!!! This Mexican trip was worth it and overall went well. the price was right and the timing even better. I would not go alone if i had to do it over-but that is all I would change. I am looking forward to my new life....I can't belive my face either....It really looks thinner ...I can't wait to get rid of all of my clothes as I keep melting.... you are all the best thanks again for all of your support!!!Kelly Ann Thanks again for everthing.....

My moment ...... had really been one year after the other stuggling to try to lose and then regaining being depressed, isolating , and not going places. I have a thin family and a great athletic husband ---I did not fit in. I was the one who had the major weight issues always on a diet or visibly over eating. And yeah I had the never to be forgotten moment of being asked when I was due??????? on the elevator in Nordstroms with my 120 lb mother. I just went with it and mumbled something ---I thought I would die.... Another time was last December at the cardiologists office ---I needed a stress test done (stress and weight were causing irregular heartbeats) .The other patients having the testing done with me other women (a total of four ) were asking me what I was doing there?????They were so much older than me-----Clearly a young woman having heart problems very overweight. I was so embarressed. I have been getting catalogs everyday in the mail recently with new holiday outfits and lingerie....It dawned on me while reading them that I may actually be able to order and fit into those outfits. I had stopped thinking of those things long ago. It was never a consideration...now it is

I was banded the same day as you were and you learned a valuable lesson by what you did with the Mc Donalds. The pain and feelings you had were not fun....you will soon not forget. I urge you though because I am telling myself the same thing....stick to the liquid diet and heal or you may screw something up and have problems. Who wants to have another procedure done??? Not me that is for sure... I have three kids and food is in my face here breakfast, lunches to be made and dinners. I even had unexpected company Sunday and we went out to a Fridays to eat....I ordered a smoothie and drank barely four sips , broc-cheese soup maybe four sips and four tiny mouthfulls of vanilla ice cream. No one that I was with knew of my surgery but I know they noticed my lack of eating. It was something I had to just do and was not really prepared mentally for but I got through it and I did what I was supposed to do ---stay on the liquid diet . I almost popped something in my mouth while cooking actually twice and spit it right out because I was not even thinking!!! I was cooking thinking of something else. I asked my family to please try to take care of the food and cooking issues as much as possible until I am past this month of liquid and soft foods. It is hard though and Mom must do it . I hope you look into counseling or a support group --I actually am because I know there was much more going on in my head over my food issues than I realized. I need to talk it out and figure out how to really use this band properly and find an easy peace with food, hunger , and a normal weighing body .... So stay tough!!! I am with you ----Banded on the same day and I feel your pain but we will prevail over this and hopefully become like these wise sages on this site who have months behind them and are helping people like us. Thank God for these wonderful people on this site who tak the time to reach out....

I am about to leave for my surgery this morning it,s at 9am. Thank you for your support and prayers. I will post when I get back to my hotel tomorrow if I am able to.....but definatley as soon as I can. I am flying home Friday morning . I am at the top of that cliff right now knowing I must just jump--no ther way to get down...I am beyond nervous. I will be strong and be positive. Talk to you soon.....Kelly Ann

I am officially scheduled next Tuesday October 19. I must fly in on Sunday , pre-op on Monday, surgery on Tuesday -one day in hospital and one and a half days at the hotel. Home Friday. I am hopeful in a huge way that this will be the help I need to finally succeed at healthy permanent weight-loss. I am on the other hand frightened something will happen. Like I have stated before --I do have three kids who need me. I am also going alone-- which Doralisa( the coordinator )told me half of the patients do come alone and I should be just fine. I am interested to know after surgery do they give you bottled water to drink in the hospital?????should I bring my own to be sure? I have had two c-sections and know I am soooo dry after and only want water , water, water ! the first day. Also , once back at the hotel what did you do to get food or rather the liqiuid diet you need before you go home? I want to be as prepared as possible for anything I need to do to take care of myself while there especially since I will be alone. If anyone had surgery with Rumbaut can you give me some of your advice? I would really appreciate it!

I researched Dr. Rumbaut extensively ....There was not one negative thing written on any of these boards or others from people who went to him I can't say that about some of the other Mexican Dr.s and I initially shared your view. I am scheduled 10/19 with Rumbaut and he referred me for my aftercare , emergenicies (hopefully not those ) and all fills to NYU 's Dr. Ren and Dr. George Fielding. She was on Oprah and he will be on the Jane Pauley show regarding the lap band next week. They are the top lapband Dr.'s in the US today . I went in to NYC last night to a seminar they gave at NYU medical center. They are the real deal and they are taking care of his patients once back in US. That confirms what I read and researches on his reputation. NYU Dr's are 20,000 for the procedure I may not qualify for insurance therefore the decision.... After last night and speaking to them both I am at ease with my decision now for sure and am now really looking forward to the procedure. Look up a wesite called Lori's Lap Band Surgery ---she does not update regularly BUT there is an extensive photo library of the entire trip. The hospital ( not a clinic ) looks beautiful.

the fee for the entire venture is $10,500. This does not include hotel and flight which were $80 per night at a Hampton Inn (Suite )room across from the hospital. The flight was $485 Continental Newark NJ through Houston to Monterrey, Mexico.

I am with you in spirit ....one day after you 10/19 with Dr. Rumbaut. I have butterflies ....I wish you a speedy recovery, and a great journey on your way to better health .... I'll be thinking about you.....Kelly Ann

again all thank you so very much for your well wishes .... : :cool:

Magster, I live in NJ (15 minutes from Newark Airport. ) --not far from you in NYC! I have picked Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey Mexico for my surgery 10/19. He has recommended Dr. George Fielding of NYU a doctor from Australia who works here in NY one month and one month in Aussie. His partner is Dr. Christine Ren also of NYU who appeared on Oprah last month as the expert doctor speaking about the bypass surgery --not the lap-band. ( Rumbaut told me she was told to only talk about the subject the show was on and that was specifically the gastric bypass) Dr. Rumbaut knows them both personally and said they could do my aftercare and fills. Their website is thinforlife.med.nyu.edu 212 263-3166. Consult is $500 fills are $100. He also told me about another Radiology nurse --I believe he refers his NY/NJ patients to for a fill. I did not write her name down my first choice is the NYU Doc's. Check out Rumbaut and read all of the posts you can -that is what I did. I am a lower BMI and probably would be denied insurance coverage . I recieved a quick surgery date and am hoping for the best. These great people on the board really go out of their way to be detailed and informative about their own experiences and lap-band facts. Good luck with your decision. Rumbaut's direct info without any referral agencies and such is the follwing number 011 52 818 347 4481 He will call you back himself to discuss your situation.

Hey guys I had e-mailed penny for info to join you but I am scheduled next week so opted not to....(SORRY Penny I did not e-mail back my computer was down with a virus and I had to have it fixed I could not check or send e-mail reply back ) I am wondering about alcohol I am due to go on a special vacation with my daughter and mother Nov 11th -15 th at disney for the ABC super soap weekend. We go every year.. I know dinner and pleasure Island is definate. Can I drink wine? Can I have One -two -Three glasses or no??? I am scheduled for surgery 10/19 as I have posted but even if the answer is no for the trip ....Can I later on ??? I had so much wanted to meet you all in Las Vegas but I could not go away twice in one month due to my business and since I am scheduled 10/ 19 with Dr. Rumbaut I simply could not do both. My daughter is soooo looking forward to the super soap weekend or I would have opted out this year due to surgery. But maybe not what do you all think Surgery 10/19 super soap 11/13 Also answer on the alcohol question thank you....

thank you from the bottom of my heart for your replies. I will listen to everything you have said thank you so much!!!!!!!I really appreciate everything you wrote to me. Thank you so much !

I have read and re-read all of the posts and even printed many to take with me next week. I can't tell you all how much your posts have helped and informed me on what I am about to do. I loved seeing the new pictures today of Michelle and Rebecalee and how awesome they looked! I guess I feel like I did when I went in the hospital to give birth... I remember thinking of spring break in Lake Tahoe ---- I was at the top of a crest of snow hanging over this huge bowl 20=25 feet down at Snow Valley skiing when I was 19 (120 pounds by the way) and the ONLY way back down was to go for it and jump!!!! I remember when I was in the thick of it with all three labors and scared and in pain....I just knew there was no way to go back now right???I am treating this the same way I must DO IT there is no way else !!! I probably am overreacting ...I have read so many great detailed posts that have made me feel like I really now know what to expect. The people on the site are incredible and I hope I can help others when I can ...I think the week before most people are probably totally freaking out like I am. I must do this there is no other way I just want to feel good about myself and especially confident. I have let myself go soooo much! I have been cleaning and organizing my house and tackling things I have put off since I moved into this house 4 years AGO!!! I feel like if something does go wrong I want my husband to have everything easily accessible and organized for him and the kids.... I went through boxes of pictures that I cried over because I saw myself 20 40 60 80 pounds ago with my three babies over the years... going through all of this has made me realize even more how much I have isolated year after year due to my weight issues. I have to do this I want to be the woman I was just starting to be---- when I married young and started having babies and gaining weight. I want to wake-up and feel great again and feel like I have all of the confidence in the world sorry for rambling on and on .....maybe you guys get me and what I'm saying...... I have become a different person with this weight the past fifteen years .. I have gained and lost so many times and gained again and again....I finally gave up five years ago ... I am hoping this will assist me in controlling my food issues . I will abide by whatever they say I must do but I simply can't do it alone I just can't........ This to me seems like the best option or rather the piece missing to the puzzle....of being able to control myself with eating!!!! I thank you all for your honesty and humour I think you are all great !!!! LOL LOL