princess_n_thep

Okay... here I go....(everyone brace yourself for my opinion on this one) I am not a HUGE fan of Mexican surgery because I think it is a gamble and a roll of the dice to have surgery in another country BUT........ I had my surgery in Mexico and I have a happy healthy band. I know there are others that have had horrible experiences and although I feel sad for them, those same things are happening here in the US too. I think it being in Mexico just makes it feel more helpless because of the lack of legal recourse. Mexico is a different "feel" and it is "different" from the US. If you know that, realize that, accept that, internalize that, and keep an open mind about it, you will probably have a better experience and less anxiety pre surgery. Choosing the right doctor is up to you though. HOWEVER, I also think that if you really research your doctor (and I mean really research them) and spend the time and effort in doing so... you can choose a doctor that regardless of any legal recourse that you do not have, they would fix any problems because they are a fantastic surgeon with a good reputation. I had Dr. Ortiz as my doctor. I researched him up, down, backwards, and forwards. I chose him because of his reputation. I chose him because of his ego. I chose him because I believed in him as an excellent surgeon. I chose him because of location. I chose him because of his knowledge. I chose him because of price. I chose him because of my BMI. I chose him because of his previous patients. I chose him because I felt confident that he would fix any band problem I had. I chose him for ALL of these reasons, and more. THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS NOT CHOOSING HIM BECAUSE HE IS 5 MILES ACROSS THE BORDER. I gambled with the Mexico surgery idea and I came out alright in the end with a happy healthy band at 1/2 the cost out of my bank account. I am not promoting any one doctor. I am promoting the fact I have a happy healthy band and it has done its job of 40 lbs in 4 months. But having surgery in Mexico is a personal choice that I feel someone should be really educated about all the pros and cons about. Will I go to Mexico (or any other country) for surgery again? Maybe... maybe not... probably... probably not... who knows! I cross those bridges when I come to them and need to weigh my options and research all over again. But would I have Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez as my surgeons again?? ABSOLUTELY!

Losing a pet is always so hard. I am sorry. I say wait. I think it is important that children realize that people/pets/friends/etc are not easily replaced. I think it will add more to their sense of how precious life is when it is here, they begin to understand and appreciate it. Maybe not really comprehend it, but it is a beginning I feel. JMHO

I would LOVEEEEEEEEEEEE to go to Salem for Samhain/All Hallows Eve/ Halloween!!! WHAT AN ABSOLUTE BLAST that would be. Grrrrrr, I wish I was rich. Damn bills and responsibilities are kicking my arse!

One day at a time ladies..... it will be over before you know it! Sucks going through it though. We are all here for support. Deep breathing exercises helped me a lot.

Yep, the first 4 weeks are a b**ch! Once you go through it you will never have to do it again. Keep reminding yourself that every day is a new day. Try doing a search in LBT for "food suggestions". There are a ton of postings with recipes and suggestions. Welcome to bandland and the beginning of a healthy happy you!

Yep, I thought I was wrong once but I was only mistaken. HA HA

mmmmmmmmmm, they are cooking as we post!!!

2.0 first fill for me too.

Thanks!!! Anyone wondering what is for dinner? Yep, you guessed it! Mexican Meatballs! WOOOOOOOOOT!!!! Terrific quick and easy recipe, thanks a bunch!!! Anyone else have any quick and easy ones???

Regardless of either before or after pic though.... I would trade with any of them. However......... being a photographer myself I find it strange that he can MOVE A FOOT position! It is NOT the same picture. Restoration and airbrushing can definitely enhance a tan, fix a vein, plump up a butt, plump a boob, soften a crease, slim a bulge but it CAN NOT move an entire foot to an entirely new position. So that one picture (about the third or fourth from the start, obvious butt plumpening) is a fake and NOT the same picture. But again, I would take any one of their bodies.... and would even consider the guys!!

I would think it would be easier to live "in the WLS closet" with the band rather than gastric bypass though. That is the only reason I lean more towards the banding theory. Plus, the heal time would be helluva lot quicker than RNY.

TOTALLY normal. Try doing a search on LBT for "port" and sift through some of the posts. I know I have even posted about this. I was told by my doctor it is totally normal and it is the scar tissue that is making the port steady. It is actually a terrific sign that you are a great healer and your body does the work. Obviously still follow up with your doctor. But I was fine.

Geez, with only one eye he is so darn smart! I love your postings Jack. Always good to read. Hey.... look over here..........................................now here......................wait, here...................................no,here I am!.....................moved again.... peek a boo!.. Hee hee, too much fun making a guy with one eye chase me around...... ARRRRRRRR! hee hee hee (sorry everyone, I just HAD to do it! so mischievious)

Glue for me too! It was WONDERFUL!!! No steri strips and no itchy stitches (I am super skin sensitive!)

Highlight the post text. Press Ctrl C..... Open a word document....... press Ctrl V..... Print. This will give the cleanest print without wasting paper on the other stuff. Or............ in the upper left side click on "File"....then "Print"..... then press "OK" and VIOLA!

Geez, she left us hangin!! WHAT IS THE COSTUME OF???? BIG Fan of this holiday! And this is the year of the "Witches Ball" in Phoenix. WOOT!!!! They only have it every other year.

LOL I was just thinking about that yesterday!!! I think the same thing. Look how many people here don't tell anyone at all!

((sigh)) someone explain the TMI and fish connection.... I am sitting here puzzled.

Scuba Dive Write a letter or write an email?

Be careful with the nectar. My nutritionist warned me that although good for you, it is a natural laxative. I was told to go ahead and have it if I like it but just make sure I take it slow and in moderation.

Okay, totally understand. I just was thinking it was more advertisement since it lists his costs of the band itself and talks about "why so cheap you ask?"... and "please visit my website and FAQ" reminded me of an infomercial. I also think it is great to have a doctor here. And as I said in my first post, I think it is terrific he is taking an interest in his patients or other bandsters and taking it upon himself to learn how we "feel". P.S. You know I had to be the doubting thomas in the group!

The beginning is rough. It was for many of us. Each day gets better and better. I know it is difficult but you are also going through a "mourning" period for food loss. It had always been a comfort and now you don't have that. I did it too. It gets better with time. Time heals a lot of wounds. Hang in there!!!

Crystal, I love the fact that you pointed out so many things that are NSV's that I never realized until you said them. Thanks for making my day a bit brighter by making me take a look at all the good things that have happened because of my band thus far.

Welcome to the board and I am glad you are here and reading postings about the bandsters and how they feel/act/think... however, I hate to be the doubting one in the group but I thought LBT had a rule against blatant promotion of a company/doctor/etc or something like that? The introduction sounded more like an advertisement to me and I thought that wasn't allowed? Someone correct me if I am wrong. Sorry to point this out.... don't all yell at me at once please, one at a time.

SUV Buried or Cremated?