NM Sunshine

ingyrob You should be proud of yourself. Sweets are like alchohlism. I am able to have artificial sweeteners, which is a relief. If you do find yourself going off the 'wagon' you need to get back on the next day. That is how it works for me.

I woke up briefly during my band surgery. I could feel nothing, I remember seeing a doc on my left side. I heard a remark about my liver and fell into a dream about me having this horrendously big liver that started getting bigger and bigger. After surgery my doctor was amazed at how small & healthy my liver was. He said it looked like a 15year olds. And the person I saw on left side was the anesthesialogist.

I paid $8,500 which included 2 days at hospital Angeles and one nite at a fancy hotel, plus ride from airport and return ride to airport. The reason I paid extra is because my age, asthma & high blood pressure all put me at risk and I had to have my surgury done in the hospital rather than the surgery clinic. I am going back to TJ for my fills. All fills are free and my air tickets are cheap. I just got one for $98.00:clap2:

It takes a good amount of food before I can feel my band. I'll remember your warning and not get overfilled. You may be at that 'sweet spot' now?

herghost Thanks so for the information. It sure helps cleaify this creatinine thing. My doc did say that maybe my kidneys just needed a rest and then they would jump back in there. That's what I'm hoping for. Everyone I'm OK with most of the sugar thing, just don't bring chocolate around me! And if anyone gives me chocolates for xmas I've discovered that if I keep plenty of diet popcycles around, it helps. Also found this diet, sugar free Breyers frozen Fudge bars really fill the need for a yummy craving without triggering sugar cravings. They have 100 calories a bar. I use to buy those Atkins low carb bars, but I quit because I just ate too many of them.

:hungry:Follow the glycemic index for food. Stay away from processed food like white bread and white rice. Eliminate poatoesand bananas. You want to eat food that doesn't spike your blood suger and send you into food cravings......of course this is HARD to do during the holidays. :sickAnyone know anything about high creatinine levels in blood? I've just been through some blood tests and 24 urine collection test. Turns out that my kidneys aren't elimating much of the creatinine from my blood. Will be seeing a specialist. Scares the shit out of me..........if I had to go on dialysis :cry

Just finished that article. Really good. Think I will set up a way to stand as I type and use computer.

chistene yng article and thanks. I count shopping as exersize. When my back was so bad that I couldn't stand except for a few minutes, I found that I did fine if I was holding onto a shopping cart. I went to giant Wallyworld and briskly walked the store back and forth. It sure felt like a workout to me!! Park your car farther from store to increase walking.

Carol I was thinking the same as green. At our local gym they have water aerobics clases..I've seen women in wheel chairs, women who've had strokes and one that has MS. Your insurance might cover it as it is a rehab program. I went for rehabilitation (not water) for my back. Insurance paid. It helped me some, but, what really helped was losing some weight.

The report below came from John Hopkins health Alerts. Thought you all would be interested in it A revealing study published in the International Journal of Obesity (online edition, June 27, 2006) highlighted 10 reasons why Americans are fat. The study explained that too much food and a lack of exercise are not the only factors contributing to obesity. They identified 10 other possibilities: Weight gain factor 1. Less sleep. We’ve gone from an average of nine to seven hours of sleep a night; sleep deprivation is linked to a more robust appetite. Weight gain factor 2. Pesticides and other chemicals in foods. These substances can change hormonal activity, which can boost body fat Weight gain factor 3. Air conditioning and heating. We don’t sweat and shiver as much as our ancestors, so we don’t burn as many calories. Weight gain factor 4. Fewer smokers Nicotine is an appetite suppressant. Weight gain factor 5. Greater use of medications, such as antidepressants and diabetes drugs, which have weight gain as a potential side effect. Weight gain factor 6. Population changes. There are now more older people as well as more Hispanics in the United States, and these groups have higher rates of obesity.[/font] Weight gain factor 7. Older birth mothers, whose children are more prone to excess weight gain than the offspring of younger mothers. Weight gain factor 8. Genetics. Obese moms may pass the trait onto their children in utero. Weight gain factor 9. Higher body weight = greater fertility. Heavy people produce more offspring than thinner people. Weight gain factor 10. Assortative mating. Heavy people tend to mate with each other and produce heavy children. <!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

The report below came from John Hopkins health Alerts. Thought you all would be interested in it:faint: A revealing study published in the International Journal of Obesity (online edition, June 27, 2006) highlighted 10 reasons why Americans are fat. The study explained that too much food and a lack of exercise are not the only factors contributing to obesity. They identified 10 other possibilities: Weight gain factor 1. Less sleep. We’ve gone from an average of nine to seven hours of sleep a night; sleep deprivation is linked to a more robust appetite. Weight gain factor 2. Pesticides and other chemicals in foods. These substances can change hormonal activity, which can boost body fat Weight gain factor 3. Air conditioning and heating. We don’t sweat and shiver as much as our ancestors, so we don’t burn as many calories. Weight gain factor 4. Fewer smokers Nicotine is an appetite suppressant. Weight gain factor 5. Greater use of medications, such as antidepressants and diabetes drugs, which have weight gain as a potential side effect. Weight gain factor 6. Population changes. There are now more older people as well as more Hispanics in the United States, and these groups have higher rates of obesity.[/font] Weight gain factor 7. Older birth mothers, whose children are more prone to excess weight gain than the offspring of younger mothers. Weight gain factor 8. Genetics. Obese moms may pass the trait onto their children in utero. Weight gain factor 9. Higher body weight = greater fertility. Heavy people produce more offspring than thinner people. Weight gain factor 10. Assortative mating. Heavy people tend to mate with each other and produce heavy children.

I guess so much of the reason we go to Mexico for surgery and risk having our USA hospitals reject us if something goes wrong, is the cost of malpractice insurance. But, I feel that I had better surgery in MX than I would have in the states.

vmills It's great to read your story, especially from someone in your profession. My experience with Dr. G and his team is very much like yours. Happy to hear about your success with the band. My weight loss has been slow. I have hypothyroidism and am pretty sure I need a prescription change. I'm traveling back to Dr. G for my fills. I should get my 2ed fill on Dec 4.

INDIO Thanks. Gives a perspective on what the food we eat tomarrow will cost us. Pecan pie 700 calories a slice:eek:

That's really interesting to know. There's a lot of bitter people out there who blame their own stuff on others. Like her blaming Dr. Ortiz.:ranger:

I didn't realize it but when I go to the docs they put this thing on my finger. It measures my oxygen. And of course the anesthesiologist would have to do that during the surgery.

I do. The band will help a lot when it is adjusted right. It keeps you feeling full for a good time. Have you tried the airbike for exerise ? It works well for a workout without having to walk.

Jennypoo Yep that's round trip. I've set it up to arrive in San Diego about 10:30am and leave at 7pm

NINA On Dec.4th I go to Mexico for my 2ed fill. The doc emailed me to be sure and bring my food & exersize journal with!!! Yikes, :eek:I hadn't been doing it. So I started keeping the journal about 4 days ago so I have something to bring. It's hard to do but keeps me focused on the eating thing. A pedomiter is a great idea. Too bad about the stress. Hope it lets up for you

NEWBLEW Don't think you would have to remove the nails. But, I don't know for sure.

Green YIKES non stop xmas music. I thought that was only in the USA.........we get it before Turkey day these days because retailers have realized that they can't sell much for Thanksgiving. Hate it. The hypothyroidism was one of reasons I put on so much weight. I am medicated for it, but may need an increase in medication again. Feeling all the symptoms...dry itchy skin, dull hair, fingernails brittle and people tell me that I look real pale. Need to go in for blood test.

jimmyjoe, I'd think you need to make sure the doc will be around for fills. His Surgery is usually in the mornings. Write Dr. V and see if when you want to come in will work out. PASSPORTS I think we need one to enter usa from Mexico after the first of 2008. Anyone know?

INDIOGIRL You're right. It's a good thing that I don't care much for pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes and bread. Stuffing, gravy and cranberries could be my downfall. green slow metabolism is what I have and hypothyroidism. I'm downright dissapointed about my weight loss.

Kansas I'm flying back to MX for my fills to. I'm from New Mexico. I drive to Tucson for airport. Just got me a $98 TICKET FOR dEC.4 (super low price).

In cases like the, psych testing US docs is probably a good idea. I'm not a psych but if I were testing her I'd write RECOMMENDED; HEART TRANSPLANT BEFORE THE LAP BAND.