mattintosh

I hate saying this one is better than that one. Sux To be honest this (the web) is not the best way to decide. These web support groups are filled with 1. rookies 2. Dr. Promoters 3. Patients that tell you what someone else told them yadayada. 4. Also most folks online have not had a bad experience. 5. Most patients want to think their doc is the best and these folks are the ones you bump into mostly on the boards. Seriously. Pick a couple. Stop by for a consultation. No appointment. Then see who is there for you and what your experience is. I do business in Mexico and live just a short distance from border. I have met folks at the border and taken them over to see their Dr for aftercare/support/adjustments. This is just a favor a way of being a positive force in banded peoples lives. I have see it over and over that the so called always there team isn't. Sorry but its true. If you choose dr so n so and get your band and have no problems then you will say to folks on the boards that he was great and never had a problem. BUT!!! Get an infection deep in your abdominal cavity, with a fever and serious chills then show up on their doorstep. You will then find out what is up. I personally know of a Unamed surgical team that taughts lofees, Dr's name is also the clinics name on their van ect. They took a married lady around 36 years and went to surgery. Simple easy no worries. WRONG! Three weeks after being discharged she freaking died! Turns out she should never have had surgery in the first place. But fee was lo and these guys have people that did not have problems chat that they we ok for them yadyada yada. What should have been done was preop test that meant something. Also a surgeon that made the decisions and not a business rep. I have seen more than this and it is important to do your research and to be honest the only way you can do that is to show for a consultation unsheduled. If your choice of surgical team is sound you will be seen and will feel that you are a patient they care about not a number.

Come on folks I have been at this for 200+ lbs now and I can tell you that the psychological reasons you got heavy will be in your face as you lose weight. FACE them!! Embrace them. Then when they are not looking gather them all up, put them in a weighted suitcase and throw them deep and far into the ocean. Then put up a sign that says NO FISHING! Move on and make it permanent. (as much as you can). Couch sessions available upon request..

What we need is a HeadBand. I am working on it.

Kuri is not your best choice. Not a bad one just not your best one. He has had several patients get complicated its just that there really is noway to find out about them. He is very busy in fact you may not even have him place your band. Especially if you are paying a low fee. Its usually one of his associates. They come and go. A friend I know very closely went to him for an emergency unfill. No flouroscopy, used table in office. Stuck her thirteen times befor hitting the port. He is very popular with a group called OCSB mostly ladies and he also promotes the Bash. He is quite charismatic. But honestly thirteen stabs to find the port???

Yep! and nope! Depends on what you call "significant"

Almost 200 lbs!!

Need help? JK!

Depends on type of sutures used

Well your Dr. or nurse is a @#&$*? for sure. Here is my answer to your question I think. How to Tell When You Are Perfectly Adjusted You are losing 1-2 pounds per week. That's it! However If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week: You may need an eating adjustment Are you eating 60 grams of Protein a day Are you eating 25 grams of Fiber Are you avoiding all liquid caloriesSoup can be sign of “soft calorie syndrome” Alcohol contains a lot of calories – 7 calories per gram It's also a stomach irritant fruit juice is just sugar wAfter [*]Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods? Are you avoiding soft foods You can't just eat what's easy cheese is glorified fat [*]Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of wAfter a day between meals [*]Are you eating too much junk chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, Cookies and other highly processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a healthy diet. But don't avoid them completely to the point where you feel deprived. Stay out of fast food places [*]Are you getting in two servings of Calcium daily [*]Do you always eat the protein first [*]Then the vegetables or fruits Five servings a day Potatoes are NOT a vegetable [*]Is your portion size appropriate? meat or fish - 3 ounces – the size of a deck of cards Vegetables - 1/2 cup – the size of your fist Starch - If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don't need much. Avoid: rice, potatoes, Pasta [*]You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar They teach you to like things too sweet There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner than people who don't [*]Avoid most diet foods Real food usually tastes better Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not that great. Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine You may need a behavior adjustment Are you eating only when you are hungry?If you're not sure drink 8 ounces of wAfter and wait. [*]Are you eating three meals a day? With maybe 1 or 2 small Snacks [*]Are you sitting down to eat? [*]Are you eating consciously? No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper away, pay attention to your food and your companions [*]Are you eating slowly? Put the fork down between bites Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying [*]Are you taking small bites? Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork [*]Are you chewing well? [*]Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals? Practice wAfter loading between meals You won't be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal [*]Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness? Sometimes it's a whisper: not hungry, had enough Hard stop versus soft stop [*]Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing. [*]Do not eat when you are not hungry You may need an activity adjustment Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week?Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week? Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes? [*]Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity? Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators Walking on the escalators instead of riding Parking your car further away from the entrance Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through Getting off the bus one stop before your destination Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash Playing with your kids You may need an attitude adjustment Are you committed to your weight loss journey? Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising?Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days [*]Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional issues? Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your eating? Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those emotions? Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor? [*]Are you attending and participating in support group meetings? [*]Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends? [*]Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically? [*]Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey? [*]Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating? Obsessive – compulsive thoughts Perfectionism Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss [*]Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards? [*]Have you learned how to take a compliment? [*]Are you giving up diet mentality? Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day Stop dieting Stop depriving yourself Stop defining food as “good” and “bad” Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food You may need a band adjustment You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry between meals? You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large portions. You are having to struggle to lose You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set. There are times when you can't get fluids down You are vomiting too much Mattintosh Long I know but maybe helpfull.

Well lets see here? How much are you eating in a sitting? How long do you eat? Warm food goes down much better than cold. Are you exercising at all? For many of us when the weight stops or slows down we think the fix is a fill. Not always the fix. Being too tight is a miserable way to live. Are you drinking all the water you need too? Getting in all the protien you need too?

One more thing. Getting banded and being home with no complications is only a small part of this journey. You may need regular contact with your Dr. Its nice when he actually talks with you on the phone. This is very important. Old saying here "you get what you pay for "

I too did my homework. I found out about Dr. Verboonen and his Obesity Goodbye clinic. He uses his whole family. I found several patients that were pissed off by the way they were treated after banding!! I know of Dr. Corvala also. He is a good surgeon but thats as far as his care goes. I actually over heard him while riding in the same elevator with him at the Bandsters bash. He said " These damn patients. All I want to do is surgery I am sick of their (patients) constant questions"! One of the first to do band placement in Northern Mexico works in a very low end hospital in TJ. I like the surgeons that are Fellows of The American College of Surgeons. (FACS). This is a designation of membership in a organization that supercedes local requirements and standards. The one that I know of is Dr. Mascareno in TJ. I went and met him on a surprise visit and found him very professional and not interested in becoming the next Mega Surgeon. JMHO:smile:

Mattintosh 205

This is a common problem as more and more folks get banded. Besides getting your band you need educated, experienced support. If you are banded and gaing weight then something is wrong! Your Dr is an ass for doing anything negative!! "jerk" He prob has no weight issues. Look you need some phone support its great to chat with folks here but you need more than that. Often its the lack of good education that leads to band issues. try me its free and I am down 200.lbs so I feel qualified to help you or anyone that wants a little knowledge about how this is supposed to work. If you "work your band" you should have more food left over at the end of the day than you could eat. If not working your band you will be hungry and gain weight and all the other crap that comes with it. Call me if you'd like we can chat. 1626 675 4143. PST

Yes welcome!! I am a bit bold here, but I would absolutely NOT use Kuri. Got a fill from him and took 13 stabs till he hit the port. No Thanx not the Man as many say..

Man there are a number of ways to find a Dr to place your band. People here will tell you about their choices. Being four years into this banded life I would say an experience Dr that is accesible is the best choice. Whether in Mx or US.

I would only have the French Mid band placed if I had a choice. It is much "better" ,5x's less complications than the FDA approved ones. Yes free is great but this is life long implant, less than a good used car.

OMG absolutely get a new one!!!

Thank God its an Implant!

First of all to properly answer your questions I will need full color pictures, maybe video on dvd. It wouldn't hurt to have some audio tapes as well. After I check things out I will get back to you, k? Matt

Absolutely call the doc. A little discomfort is one thing but "Still in alot of pain" is not good. Where is this pain? Just near the port site? Matt

MAYBR JUST AIR TRY SWALLOWING SLOWLY WITH THE FOCUS ON NOT ALLOWING AIR TO BE SWALLOWED. K? MATT

May I suggest that you try eating like a bandster eats. For example start out with the protien first then move on to small meals ets then start on the Water portion and of course start walking/exercising? May be a great way to refocus your energy. Matt 626 675 4143

Jess, I am happy to hear all is well. Matt

Big Island. Her names is Joan Carrie