NM Sunshine

Dynamo You will care as much at 62 as you care at 57, maybe moreso. We're working hard to take off the fat, using a surgery tool (the lapband) because we want to be healthy, But also because we want to look good. I want to wear sexy clothes, want to put on something but baggy xxbig ladies. I think when I make my weight goal, I'll want the rest of me to look like a good looking 63 or 64 year old. I wasn't thinking along this line until I decided to get the band. I think I was depressed and thought I was ugly and just growing more so. Now my thinking is so different, once I made the commitment to change.

Mistymoon The doc put me on a pre-surgery diet. It’s a liquid diet, but cottage cheese is OK. I’m suppose to begin it 8 days before surgery. I just thought I’d get at it now. I hear that the fatty liver can be an obstacle during surgery. I am trying to lose weight. I want everything going for me. My BMI is 36.7 Crabcake You’re right, the docs are all different. Green I think the Thermage is permanent and there’s no cutting of skin. I’m afraid I’m too old for it. It works best for younger women. I’ve seen pictures on the net of women who have lost a lot of weight and they are left with saggy skin. I’m most concerned about my face aging a lot when I lose the weight.

KAT817 WOW that is such good information. I wonder if we need a thread that covers information like this? AS I prepare for diet and trip I find myself loaded with questions. Also there will be more post-op questions. I'll check through the threads and if I find nothing similair, I'll start a new one titled something like 'pre-op tips from those who've been there'. If I do can I put your tips in with your handle?

PHYLLSER Hi Green- I was just reading about Thermage. It is a nonsurgical cosmetic treatment that uses radio waves or something to firm up loose skin. I am awed by what it does. Mistymoon-<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> It’s a really good thing that they could reverse that surgery you had. I think they still do stomach stapling . I think the lapband is by far the best choice. You’ve got your weight down 13 pds. CONGRADULATIONS!!!! I’m at day 17 until surgery. Mine is on Sept. 11 with DR. Gonzales in TJ. I’ve never been on an all liquid diet but I think I will begin mine today so I Can lose some pds before I go in. I forget your surgery date, is it Sept 5? Betsyjane – I have Osteopetis , wonder if that is caused by my weight?

Nicnatnut I can sure see why you would want to wait until you could bring the motorhome and hubby with. Just think you won't have to drive or fly after surgery. With flying I've gotten concerned about after surgery handleing my luggage or lifting to put in or pull out the above head with my carry on. I'm thinking of bringing only carry on luggage. Cost made the difference in my decision. It costs me less to travel to San Diego and I plan on returning there for my fills. And as it turns out Dr. G wants me to be in hospital rather than clinic which is an extra $1000. It is day 17 before I have my surgery and I'm getting nervous.

Gabe4x4 it's sure encouraging to hear another Dr. G success story. in 18 days I get banded by Dr. G

:welcome:KAT817 please do stop by. VERY much enjoy having you. I had considered retiring in Chama. My DH is retired and I am an artist Fine Art Landscape Prints, Artist Brenda wilhite, Brenda Pennebaker , He is from Alaska and would like the cold winters. Taos and Sante Fe were too expensive so we choose Silver. It is becoming more and more an artist community. That Railroad trip up there is awesome.

diannam I just ordered my flight tickets. I was surpised to notice that I feel like I am doing something for me. Didn't realize the lapband decision would feel like that.

KAT817 The Buffalo bar is a cool place. I just love Silver City. Have you ever been here? Is Aztec close to Chama? The doc sent me a pre-op diet and it is all liquid for 8 days prior. I've never done a liquid diet. I don't understand how the diet can have such a strong effect on the liver. Congrads on the 100 pds lost.and at BMI 27.8!!!

:ranger: just found the smily icons but lost the chat screen

NICNATNUT. I have to fly from Tucson to San Diego. Then a car picks me up at airport &takes me to hospital in TJ,. Only a 5 to 15 minute drive. ABQ is a 5 hour drive from here. I think from ABQ to Denver is another 5 hrs. But, of course I could fly from Tucson to Denver. People here think DR Gonzales is great. He's had 10 yrs experience with lapbands and teaches American DR.'s how to do it. Also he's $2,500 cheaper. I wanted to get mine done soon before my courage goes away and because of my health, I need to get going on life-style change right away. A lot of my health problems is obesity related.

MistyMoon, I think I read something about that surgery. Is it one where they remove a lot of the small intestine and it becomes hard to get enough vitamins and nourishment? Has to be awful to have to constantly head for the bathroom. That happened to me because of an allergy to a medicine I was taking. But I didn't know it was the medicine until I developed angioedema (a very dangerous swelling of lips, throat and bronci) Doc said I was lucky to be alive. As for the bathroom, it seemed like I was cleaning the toilet 4 or 5 times a day. It was explosive type of diarrea. UUGGGH Isn't it wonderful that we can now have a surgery that is reversable if need be? I hear wonderful things about Dr. Ortiz. Do you have to do the liquid pre-op diet?

Kat817 HI, and welcome. Your from the nw corner of NM...Farmington? I'm from Silver City, NM. I have my banding day set up for Sept 11 with DR Gonzales of TJ. Have to go on that liquid preop diet in a week or so. Was it hard to do? Or possibly you didn't have to do a pre-op diet? I cannot bedlieve that I first heard of the LapBand couple of weeks ago and now here I am only a few weeks until I will have it done!!! Aussie thanks for the kilo to pounds for me. We Americans and our foot, inch and pounds. I really need to sit down someday and learn the conversions.

Lap-B thanks for that list. I also found a few more additions to it on that thread. And SAN must be the right one. I did get an email telling me when I need to plan on being there and when I can leave, he does suggest an extra day stayover. B A Looser WOW does your experience encourage me. I will be banded on Sept. 11 by DR. Gonzales. Dr. V. has been answering all my emails and calling. Hey, you don't get that from the docs here in the USA. Also I plan on flying back to San Diego for my fills by DR G.

Lap-Bandit I read on one of the other pages that you have a list of what to bring with you for trip to MX for surgery. Would you please pm it to me or list it on this thread. Thanks BrendA

Lap-Bandit. Thank you and good luck to you. I am nervous of course. Does anyone know where the hospital is in TJ? I wonder if the driver who picks me up at airport will take me to hospital? Also, there are two airports in San Diago. I'm thinking that the one I should choose is SAN airport. Anyone know which one? I need to book my ticket right away to get a really cheap flight.

Hi everyone. Wanted to let you in on my good news. I will have my lapband surgery on Sept 11 with Dr. Gonzales of TJ. And to think that I'd never heard of the lapband a couple of weeks ago!!!!!!

Hi all, I just took the plundge and set up my surgery date for Sept. 11. Got 19 days and it is going to go fast. Oh, and I'm nervous.

INDIGO GIRL wish I could find that clapping smiley face. I'd put it right here. Congradulations!!!! Be proud of yourself because you are changing your lifestyle. Now it is time for me to get off my but and walk.

Chubbyone He is charging 8,500 for hospital. It is state of the art, with great ICU and such. The surgery clinic is 7,500. Usually people go to the sugery clinic to get banded. With your young age you should do fine with the clinic; unless the doctor recominds the hospital for you or unless you feel safer at hospital and the 1000 more is worth it to you.

MistyMoon I'm 62 and will be 63 end of Nov. My age is what got me going on this real fast. I didn't want to pass the 'cut-off point and the pounds are not only unattractive, but I'm getting lots of co-morbities from the extra weight. High blood pressure, high triglicydes, gout, worsening asthema so on. I am about 80 pds overweight. I am only 5 ft tall so those 80 pds really show. What kind of stomach surgery did you have in 72? Keep in touch, as I do want to hear how your surgery goes. Will you be in the hospital or at a surgery clinic.? I'm about ready to set my date up with DR Gonzales in TJ.

aussieladie Because of your age the doc may recommend that you have the surgery in a hospital rather than a surgery clinic. What in pounds is 123kilos?

Lap-Bandit, day received a reply back from the doc and he said that he, Dr. Gonzalez and their team have reveiwed my case and due to co-morbitities and my age they recommend that I have the surgery done in the hospital. so will cost 1000 extra. Because of your age, you didn't need the hospital.

Annie5 Dr.V called me this morning and I am waiting for several things. One is that I will have a hearing coming up in ABQ that I have to be present at. I'm waiting to hear back from my lawyer as to when. I want to set my date up for someone who is also going. ere is someone going on the 14th of Sept. When will ytou set your date? You only need two weeks advance notice.

Lap-badit, maybe I will set mine up around that time. Dr Valenzuela called me again today. He talked for a long time answering all my questions. I forgot to ask him if I will need the banding done in hospital or if I can do it in surgery clinic. Hospital costs $1,000 more.