nat's_back

With Fills I feel like Goldilocks...it has to be "just right". I was doing great with my 1.5cc, then I went to get more restriction. I got .75cc more, I gave it three days, and ended up in the hospital with dehydration. So I panicked and had it ALL taken out. I never went back....guess what, I gained the weight back again in two years. So I am getting back on the Lap-band wagon. Last week I went for a fill for the first time in two years. I got 2cc. And it was like starting all over again with surgery. My doc told me, it will be a shock to your stomach, so liquids for a week and a half (Vitamin Water and broth). Then again pureed food for a week, see how that goes, then you can get back to small portions and sips. OK, it has been a week today. Yes I am on liquids, and yes it does go through SLOWLY. But that is ok, my body is getting readjusted to the pressure. I am taking it slow right now, but I am not giving up this time.

Hi everyone, I was banded in Monterrey Mexico by Dr. De La Garza. He is wonderful, he is on the American Board of Surgeons, is an Inamed trainer, which means he is coming over to the US to train the surgeons here because the lapband is newer here in the US. I was very happy with the state of the art facilities. The program is called lite n' free (www.litenfree.com), the staff is English speaking, and they are with you all the time. It is a real hopital that you stay at, so they have 24 hour nursing staff with ER. Your recovery is in a suite, very nice. The cost I believe is $8,000, and that covers all surgeons fees, tests, anesthe. fees, nights stays for your family members in a hotel. But I think they have another program that includes flights. Also, I could not get covered by insurance here because "Technically" I was not morbidly obese. I weighted 200 pounds, so my BMI was at around 32. Here in the US in most cases it has to be more around 40.

I know, Dr. had told me that too. But sometimes I am bad and start eating more solid type foods at about the 12 hour mark, maybe I stretch it a little longer. Now that I hear you say it, about being a vicious cycle, I realize you are right. I am only doing it to myself as well. However, even when I haven't PBed for several days, then I attempt to eat something like chicken salad, or tuna salad (things I should be able to eat), and I get really really sick, then that is when I feel that something is not right. I feel that I may have too much restriction. You know?

WOW!! yes i do have a lot of drainage...never thought of that!! Thanks.

WOW, that is amazing. I went to Dr De La Garza, and thankfully had a completly different experience. This just sounds like a nightmare experience for you. I was just wondering... I mean we all had the surgery and we know where are scars are right? THey are pretty high up on our torso. How is it that his colon and liver, which are way below your belly button got punctured? I am not saying he is a lier, I am just saying how could that happen? I did a lot of research on Dr De La Garza and found that he is the BEST!! He is the one coming over to the US to train the doctors here on how to perform the surgery. Something does not sound right to me. I have seen dr. De La Garza three times, and he has gone above and beyond the call of duty. He saw me three times in person when I was at the recovery suite. He has responded to all me emails promptly. I have made many friends that are patients of his, and they all say the same thing. THis just sounds out of character. Either way, I wish you all the luck in your recovery.

Lori, I have been banded for 4 months now, and I have a fill of 1.8cc. I have a lot of trouble keeping things down, especially Protein (tuna & chicken) even when I chew chew chew and eat slowly. I don't even attempt to eat solids at Breakfast anymore, and lunch is iffy. By dinner I can keep more down, but I still battle it. I am thinking of going and getting a slight un-fill just to see what happens. But PBing all the time is horrible. I am with you. I know most people do not go through this. All in all, I am happy I got it done. No regrets.

Hi everyone, I am really down today :cry . I had my first fill a week and a half ago, and I think there is something wrong (I got 1.8cc). I can have Soups and my Protein Drinks, chopped up chicken (like chicken salad), and even a Protein Bar (like pria). But the thing is, I tried scrambled eggs today, and I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. The pain was incredible. I don't understand. This has happened for the last week, I think I can eat something, and then BAM! :eek it hits me like a ton of bricks. I know my fill is what it is supposed to be, because they did a fluorio and counted the seconds it took for the liquid to go through. The doctor said it had to be at least 30 seconds, anything less would not be enough restriction. After several tries it ended up at 1.8cc. However, when does this awful heart attack feeling go away? Does it ever? How do you know what you can or can't eat? I mean scrambled eggs?? I thought this was a good choice, or am I way off? Please help...I need advice and support to get me through this, I am beggining to wonder if I made a mistake.

Amoro - I got my surgery with Dr. DeLa Garza at the OCA hopspital. I have nothing but high praises for both. Good luck.

My doctor's nutritionist put eggs both scrambled and hard boiled on the list of ok foods. But OH MAN!!! No way, I can't do them. I don't even want to see another egg again. I emailed the nutrionist last week to tell her she should take that off because I have been reading in the forums about how many people have trouble with eggs, and she hasn't responded. Emmy - don't get discouraged darling, try something else. Try chopped up chicken salad, and you will see it wasn't you, it was the food.

I knew I needed a fill 5 weeks post-op because I was able to eat without feeling restriction. Yes, I had to eat slowly, but I could pretty much eat anything slowly. Also, I stopped losing weight. I knew I was supposed to be losing at least 2 pounds per weeks this early on, but I wasn't. Taking all this into consideration, my doctor had me come in for a fill. He filled me pretty aggressivly (1.8cc), It all went fine until day 3, then I really felt the restriction like never before. Be prepared. I thought it would be like the first two weeks after post-op but it wasn't. It was much harder to eat. After post-op I never threw-up or had PB, until the first fill. I don't think I was phycologically ready for this. Had I to do over again, I would probably get 1cc then wait a few weeks (3 weeks) than the other .8cc. OK the weight loss was immediate, and I am happy for that. Since my first fill I have lost an additional 8 pounds in 2 weeks. YEAHH! But it has been very diffucult for me to ajust to the restriction. Just remember, every one is different, and everyone handles restriction differently. I don't know how I would have gotten through these last few weeks without these boards and all the great support from everyone here. Thanks.

Well I posted this on the fill forum, but I have had a lot of trouble with any kind of eggs since my fill. I have given up on them.

WOW Greg, that is amazing. It is good to know it isn't just me. Ok so I have learned my lesson on eggs. Anyone have anyother no no foods that have caused them problems? just so I know to stay away or approach with caution.

Thank you for all the support. Sometimes when this happens I feel so alone and sad. It is just such a learning curve, and it is like if I try something and it doesn't agree with me, then I lose an hour of my day because I feel so awful. I question if my fill is too much (even though inside I know it isn't). I feel like calling my doctor and crying to let some out, but then I won't lose. AHHH it is so frustrating. OK stupid question...what does PB stand for? I assume it means when your food comes back up? Thanks all, keep the support and advice coming, I need all I can get right now.

OK, first of all what does PB mean? Secondly I had my first fill on Monday 1/17 (1.8 cc!!) OH MY GOD !!! I feel like there is definitly something wrong with me. I have major wake up calls every time I try to eat anything thicker than puree. I thought it was just me. I started crying today because I began to question if I had made a mistake by getting my band put in. It is so painful to eat. I am glad to know that it is normal though. However what keeps me going are the successes. I lost one dress dress size in a week, I had been stuck for a few weeks before the fill. So those are the things that keep me going.

Don't worry about Dr. De La Garza. I had my lap band done by him on Dec. 2nd, 2004, and I just got back from my first fill with him. I would say he is one that is more aggressive about fills. As for fills I just got my first. Boy can I tell a difference. My doctor said to eat liquid or pureed for a few days. He is right. I am having trouble even drinking my Protein drink. I have to go super slow. It takes me about 20 minutes to drink my 8 oz. Protein Drink. I think my stomach my have gotten a little swollen after the fill, I know that will get better in a few days.

Hi there, I got my band placed in Mexico. I could go down there to get my fills for free, but I was wondering how much it would be to get a fill done by an American doctor. Do they do them?

Hi everyone - I need help and advice from all. I got banded 4 weeks ago. At first everything was great, I lost a lot the first two weeks and didn't feel hungry. But since I entered the mushies stage, I am SO HUNGRY. I don't go over my alloted 1000 daily calories, and I have not lost any weight in the past two weeks, in fact I gained a pound. I wasn't planning on getting my first fill until February, but does this mean I should plan on getting a fill sooner? Am I doing something wrong with my diet? I have read all the food boards and have gotten some great food ideas for this stage, but like I said, I don't feel full at all (OK if I eat too fast, it does hurt at first and it reminds me to slow down). Will this soon pass? Do I expect too much of the lap band, and I just have to be stronger? HELP!!!

Can you really have those chewy calcium chews? They don't get stuck in the stoma? That would really be great. Viactiv also makes one of those as Multivitamins. I would really like to have those if I could.

Help. I am in the mushy phase and I need more fiber in my diet. Can I use beneful or fibercon chewable type fiber tablets? I also have been having trouble getting all eight glasses of water a day (yes, I know this would help). Any ideas on fiber rich food that I can have?

Thanks alot for all the encouragment and advice. I will look into getting my fill sooner.

I took a cashier's check, make sure you find out who to make it out to. I made mine out to my doctor, later found out I should have made it out to the hospital. But no problem, my doctor cashed it, then got another one out to the hospital in my name (he is great). Anyway, at customes I said I was there for pleasure, since you can walk around regularly they wouldn't know. The medications you will bring back from your doctore are very few (just like anitbiotic, pain medication, etc.), so they are for personal use, it is not like you are bringing back tons to sell.

I just want to also ad that Dr. Javier De La Garza and staff also changed my life. I just finished my 2 week liquid phase and have already lost 20 pounds. But on the note of Drs. , he also called my husband back in the states after my surgery and sat down with my mom, who was with me, to discuss how the procedure went. Oh and the night before my surgery he met us at the restaurant to discuss any worries I might have. The after care is incredible. He has emailed me twice (on each week of my surgery anniversary), and all the nurses but one spoke enough English to get across very well. I am on my way to a new life.

Hi there, you are very smart to do research. I recently (12/2/04) got my lap band placed by Dr. De La Garza in Monterrey. I live in San Antonio so it wasn't far for me to go. I cannot tell you enough great things about him and his staff. WOW. This man is the best. He is the one coming over to train the surgeons here in the US. The facilities were exceptional. I highly recommend him. Even if I would of had the money to do it here, I would still go over there. That is what they do, and they do it well. The hospital room was bigger than my living room and master bedroom combined. Make sure to take some DVD movies to watch in the room because you will have a big screen tv with DVD in your hospital room. Good luck.