alice

How do you manage to get the protien you need to maintain protien and calorie needs. I am suppose to eat 6 meals per day and I have a hard time eatting as I want to eat. I have not had a fill in over a year and just can't get the food in unless it is a protien drink. Frankly, I am ready to get a total unfill. I pb all the time when I try to eat meat and vegies.. Suggestions?

I went back down to Mexico last weekend because I thought I had some Water in my belly, it did go down like Dr. C said it would. He removed my stitches and told me that I was healing nicely and he was pleased with my results. He told me that I wold not see the full benefit for 3-4 months and that I would go down a size or two. We will see. My pre-op clothing is loose on me and I am still in my garment although today I wore a pair of fleexies out instead. Dr. C said I could get out of the garment in the day at 4 weeks and to wear it at night for three months. I am feeling pretty good. I drive, go shopping, work and went back to the gym today. I am starting out very slow, like I am a beginner. I can't begin to tell you how glad I am at having this proceedure done. This is by far the best gift that I could have given myself. I stopped off at Nordstoms and bought some little tiny lacy panties that go up your butt in the back. I could NOT believe how good they looked on me. I just stand in front of the mirror and say, "Damn girl, you look sooooo good"! He he he he My husband can't keep his hands off me and I am loving it. I feel so sexy for the first time in years. My belly looks like I am 18yo again. I will try and get some photos up soon. The pain was worse than I expected, but it passed and that is what drugs are for...right? I am planning on going back down for a BL in September. I am a nice 36DD but after breast-feeding six, yes six kids, well, they are going south shall I say? I am in a loose size 12. I am 5'7 1/2 40-31-41 not too shabby for 49yo

First, thank you for your support and prayers. I was very nervouse the night before and almost backed out. My daughter told me I would never forgive myself if I did. I met with the anesthesiologist and the doctor the night before and they discussed everything and anything I wanted to talk about. I was afraid of the epidural, afraid of feeling pain and of being in pain afterward. I was sedated the day of surgery and remember getting the epidural, he said I would be out when I got it, but I guess I have a high tolorance. Anyway, there was no discomfort at all. I was out as soon as it was in. The surgery was around 6 hours. I had 2lbs skin and 3 liters of fat removed. I awoke in recovery in his office and was transferred by ambulance to the hospital. They gave me something through IV for pain, but it wore off after about 8 hours and it was suppose to be every 12 hours. They docs called me and came to see me both days that I was there and told the nurses to give me more. It was non narcotic. I wanted morphine, but did not get it. I made it the two days I was there, got up the next morning, wanted my folley out so I could walk. The pain was nothing what I expected. I did bring my own darvocett and loratabs and have used them a few times. The lipo to my back, flanks, hips, and bra line is another story. My back has hurt like hell. The swelling is not what I expected, but I did NOT do my homework on the liposuction. Apparently the swelling can last months off and on. The pain about a month. I have since read a lot on lipo and this is all normal. My drain was taken out yesterday, post-op day four. I was draining about 200cc in 24 hours but it was fairly clear and I weas told my body would reabsorb it and the tubes can irritate it and cause even more drainage. I have to take his word for that. Dr. Cardenas is a very conservative doctor and I like that. He is also a nice person. The anesthesiologist is also super. They both speak good english and don't want you to be in pain. Dr. Cardenas fixed my left ear at no charge that started sticking back out again after my ear job a year ago. His wife is a dermatoligist and gave me a great facial peel. (Best thing you can do for your skin) I am staying at a hotel with a great Breakfast and a bridge that you can walk to the mall. My daughter wheels me over daily for an outting. I will be here until Saterday unless I am able to leave sooner (getting stitches out) I am wearing a tight body girdle that extends from under my breast to my mid thigh and a hole in the middle. The swelling is terrible on my back. My tummy is flat and the belly button looks so good. One of the things I like about Dr. Cardenas is that he has an artistic eye. Dr. C did my eyes last year and I am very happy with them. He errs on the side of being conservative and I like that too. I am coming back this fall or the first of the year for breast lift with implants. I am a nice DD but saggy. I look sooo good thanks to Dr. Cardenas. I have built a relationship with the people down here and feel very safe with them. As I said the first time I went to Mexico, I had "peace" in my spirit about him and I have never been wrong going with my "peace". Any questions, feel free to ask.... I bet I am a size 10 now. I was a 12 and can fit in my jeans with a huge swollen back... I am so glad and grateful that I was able to come do this for myself. After six children (c-sections) and taking care of everyone else, it was nice to be able to do this for me.... If anyone goes to Mx for any surgery, please tell him that I referred you, maybe I can get a discount on my next surgery.....hehehe

Yes. Lipo to hips, flanks, under bra area and back. Hurts like hell!!! more than tt

The evenings of day 6 and 7 were terrible. I had such severe swelling in back from liposuction and tummy pain. Last night was good and today is good. I have a little Fluid accumulated above my pubic area that is sloshy. My PS, Dr. Cardenas, says that my body will abosorb it. When I get back to states I will post photos, if hubby will help me... I look good. Did I tell you I had fat injected in my lips too? I LOVE it!! Dr. Cardenas is in Monterey, MX. You can contact him through Ready4Achange. I originally came to know about him through Dr. Sanchez, who did my lap band. I would not say the hospital was the best in the world, but it was adequated, clean and staffed with professionals. I am glad my daughter was there to get me Water and all that. I am in the medical profession and I am just as comfortable getting PS here as in the states. As for the cost, I don't want to discuss my fees. I can tell you that the fees will be a third to half of what you would pay in the states, depending on where you are. I am a repeat customer so I am sure my fees may be adjusted for that reason, or I hope so anyway. I am satisfied. I suggest you contact Ready4achange to get more information. You will be asked to send photos for him to look at and they will send you a price. I have been seen daily by the doctor and have several contact numbers. I am also checked upon by a representative of Ready4achange. Transportation, hotels and all that is arranged by them. I am staying at a Four Points Sheraton with a huge wonderfull buffet Breakfast for 66 dollars per night. There is a little bridge that connects the hotel with the mall where there are places to eat and shop. Very convenient! I have seen bad PS by the best in the states. I have seen Dr. C's work and he has done a great job on me. I would not trust my bodyanyone else and I can afford to use the "so called best" in the states if I wanted to. I originally came to Mx not to save money but because I could not find a doctor to band me at 50lbs overweight. NOW there is research showing it is good to band early. I know this for a fact because I have spoken to TWO lap band docs (the ones who originally refused me) about this. So... that is my story pretty much. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

It was because of your post that I decided to have the fill in my band COMPLETELY removed, not just partially as some suggested. I am 8 days post op tt, mr, lipo.... again thanks....

Hi, Well, it is finally almost here. I have been waiting for this moment for months. I love Dr. Cardenas and admire him as a person and think he is an artist when it comes to cosmetic surgery. I had my lap band done a year ago January and have lost 35 lbs. I have 10-15 more to lose. Yes, it is slow, but I was 195 at 5'7. Dr. Cardenas did my eyes, upper and lower lids last March, he also did my ears (they looked like Dumbo). My eyes look fantastic!! He is going to do my face in a few months. Anyway, I have had six c-sections and he said that a lift all the way around would be good. He is going to lipo my flanks, bra area and hips too. He is also going to give me some fat in the bootie. I have been researching this for months and am ready. He does sedation with an epidural, which is safer and great for pain mgt afterward. I will post photos afterwards even though my husband does not want me too, LOL. Anyone have any last minute advice on what to take with me? I am so ready. I will be in Dallas for the bash next weekend, look me up!!

I went to Mx year and half ago to be banded by Dr. Sanchez. I was 32 BMI. I don't regret it for a second!! I am an RN and can tell you the medical care was supurb and Dr. Sanchez and his team true professionals. It is true that the weight loss is slower with a low BMI, but I have lost 30 lbs and kept it off. My joints don't ache, my back feels better and I feel so much better about myself. I agree that it is our body, our money and our decision to get the band... BUT... don't slam MX doctors. I am headed back down for my second cosmetic surgery procedure on Monday. I can afford to have it here but have chosen to go to MX because the doctor is better than any of the best around me...

Go to Mx and get a band from Dr. Sanchez. I was told the same thing, but I was only 50lbs over weight. My body, my money. I flew to Mx and don't regret it for a second!!

I have been banded 16mo and had my fill removed because I am flying back to Mx for a tt on Monday. I was told that due to swelling it could cause too much restriction in the band. Well, I spent two days thinking of all the things I could eat again. LOL I thought I would eat pizza because I have not been able to eat pizza for so long. Instead, I find myself eatting foods that are high in Fiber, such as apples, kashi Cereal and raison bran. I love fiber and have missed being able to eat fiber. I must confess, I drank two corona light beers last night, ice cold..... ahhhhhhh. I have missed them. I am worried of course about weight gain, but I am going to stick with my high fiber foods and hope I don't gain any weight. I will be unfilled for about a month. Anyone else have fills removed for surgery?

My daughter and I leave Monday for Monterey. I am anxious. I had my fill removed yesterday and am so happy to be able to eat apples. I also had two light beers last night....ahhhhhh I can feel stomach hunger which I have not felt in a long time. I really miss being able to eat high Fiber foods, not bread. I am going to eat apples and kashi Cereal instead of breads....although, I had half a bagel with lox for Breakfast.....lol I will be in the hospital for two days. I am having an epidural with sedation. I will let everyone know how it went...

why not just a tt?

I know that the band is tempermental however, since a week ago when I pb'd on sushi (which I can usually eat) I seem to have more restriction. There are some meals I can eat like normal and then just a few bites with PB and stomach acid. Is it possible that I am swollen? What are your suggestions?

:ermm I will celebrate one year of being banded the 3rd of January. I have always had some port discomfort off and on, but it seems worse these days. I was a bmi of 30 and have lost 33 lbs. There is not much fat around my mid section, it is on my abdomen. I called Dr. Sancez (my doc) last week and he said that sometimes people that lose a lot of weight will feel their port and so they put it deeper in the muscle. A doc here told me that they don't like to put ports into muscle, deeper because of clots. I don't know what to do. My port is very prominant and I can even feel the tubing. I think it presses on my diaphram because I get referred shoulder pain time to time. It is a bother, but I don't want to lose my band. Has anyone else experienced this problem and if so did you just leave it alone? I have it about half the time now it seems. Thanks...

I agree with princess...

I have so much more gas, it seems:ermm

My one year will be the 3rd of Jan. My port area has been bothering me for several weeks now, getting worse it seems. I am making plans to fly to Mx to see Dr. Sanchez for my one year... I am concerned about port infection although I have no fever and it seems I would have fever if I had an infection. I am also concerned about erosion and everything else... I have lost some restriction, but not totally. I have lost over 30lbs and think that I may just need a fill. If anyone could share there endoscopy experience I would appreciate it as I am nervouse about it..:ogre

Thanks DeLarla. I appreciate your honesty and willingness to follow through with sharing the information and experiences you have had. Information is power and I want to be informed about the positives and negitives. I have had an anxiety disorder in the past and could allow myself to get anxious about all of this, but instead, I choose to be informed and use good self-care. I am not red or inflamed at all. I think my port is too big and it touches something inside that causes referred pain to my shoulder at times. One day I had discomfort for about three hours and called Dr. Sanchez in Mx. I have made contact with alma, Sanchez's assistant about going to Mx for my one year and am just waiting to hear from her. Don't worry about people being scared, the more information the better. I don't buy into the "ignorance is bliss" saying, lol.

wouldn't you get a fever with port infection?

someone please respond... thanks

For me the bottom line was prayer. I felt "peace" about my decision and flew to Mexico ALONE. I remember laying on the operating room table and hearing the words of my 21 yo daughter, "Mom, you will NOT regret doing this".... and I have not.

My BMI was 30.5 pre-band. I have lost 33 lbs the past 11 months. I have not been following bandster rules the past couple months and have not lost anything... I am slowing down, but only have 15 lbs left to lose. Hope that helps..

Does it hurt? My port area hurts, soreness.....maybe it is flipped

I have been wanting to write this but have been a bit embarressed. I have lost a total of 20lbs since Jan. 2005 when I had the surgery. I have been at this weight for 3-4 months. I think I have good restriction, but I eat sweets that add up to about 400 cal day or more..... Sugar has always been an issue for me and I want to get off it so bad, but seem to fail at it each time I try. Any ideas? Typical menu B- 1c oatmeal with fruit and two sausage links L-salad with fruit D-meat with 1c vegies S- chick fillet soft serve cone, couple of skinny cows, maybe a frappacino lite and maybe some chips... I eat healthy for the most part but I graze..... Today B- almost c of oatmeal with raisns, milk and honey, grapefruit juice S-coconut milk and coconut (all of it) I am in Mexico and the fruit is great L- small piece chicken breast S-mango slushie D-1/2 small fillet minion with few bites lettace and dressing, one margeritta and a mango popsickle with chilli in it (no fat) S about 12 small m&ms

First, thanks to all for your prayers. I was so nervous about having my eyes covered with Patches for four hours after surgery, but the anesthesioligist kept me nice and sleepy and it was not a problem. I had my upper and lower lids done and my ears. I hired a private nurse for 24hours to keep ice on my eyes to help the swelling and it helped tremendously. I had NO pain at all! Today I had the stiches taken out and my lips plumped up a bit, well, acutally, I looked like I had melons for lips, lol. He told me the swelling will go down the next two or three days and it has already gone down considerabaly. My lips looked like Goldie Hawns on "First Wives Club" when she went to her doctor for a lip fill. I could not even talk. It hurt. He gave me two shots above the lips and two under the lips. My nose, lips and chin were numb. The novicane really did hurt, but only for a few seconds. He then filled them with a synthetic collegen I think. I do have some bruising right now. I also had him give me some botox between my eyebrow and around my crows feet area, that did not hurt hardly at all, especially after the lip ordeal! I look like a clown. My husband laughed his but off when he picked me up and my kids have had a good hoot too! I can see the end result though. I took pictures and will try and have my husband help me this week to get them up. I don't look like much right now. It was a good experience and they were so caring and kind. I am planning on going back in December for a lower face lift (don't need upper) for my 49th birthday and then a tummy tuck in the spring next year. I was what they call "heavy sedation", but I can tell you I was out like a light! Just the way I like it! My ears are a little tender and I have to wear a band for a week and get the stiches out Saterday. Any questions I will be glad to answer you. Thanks for all the support. Judy is going down for a complete face lift next week I think.