DrPhil

I'm wondering whether you would be willing to tell me your story of the last year since your lap-band procedure. Have you had any terrible side effects? Have you lost all of your weight? Do you feel like you can live with it for the rest of your days? MP:ranger:

<p>Today was a whole lot better than yesterday. I don't think I've cried that long or that hard since I got divorced 18 years ago, and that was my idea! I think I was just plain grieving. Yesterday I did a phone meeting of Greysheeters Anonymous, a 12 Step Program that is very clear and simple. The meeting was profound, and I kept the phone on mute so that I could just keep crying. </p> <p> </p> <p>I'm getting awfully tired of the pain in my solar plexis! Does it ever friggin' let up? I have two bandages left to fall off, and my incisions really hurt by the end of the day when I'm as tired as I am now. Fatigue is an issue, but I know it was right to walking this morning for 20 minutes with my crazy poodle, Trevor. I walk very slowly, and mildly bent over. I have this crazy fear that someone will sucker punch me in my band. Weird huh? The mental torment I went through yesterday seems to have purged a lot of the terror I felt at doing such an out-of-character thing as going to Tijuana, MX and having surgery, even safe laparoscopic surgery. I have just had this nightmarish Frankensteinian feeling that I pray will leave me soon. Perhaps it comes when someone has plastic surgery too. It is no doubt inevitable that the mind must catch up with the body. I read feverishly through every piece of 12 Step literature in my house last night to remind myself that I chose, this, I need it, I am a food addict, and I am blessed to be back in recovery with the added support of the band. I merely need to hang on until the swelling and gas pain ends. My friend said hers lasted about 8 days, and I'm on day 6 today, so I feel some hope that it will indeed end one day. I watched her have high energy and enthusiasm, as though she had no discomfort, so I am hoping to have some peace relatively soon. But my therapist is also here to remind me that I must be gentle, gentle, gentle with myself, something an addict is very unprone to do. The good news, and it really is good, is that the paradox of faith can help me transcend any bit of my fears. Focusing on my God and the fact that I am a part of a community of people, both here and in OA, who suffer the same torment, will help me to regain a purposeful life. It is the only way; it always was. In essence, I elected to force myself into recovery. There's no going back. I bid you all peace and surrender to a recovery plan the will help you focus outside yourself and way, way passed food. Remember, overeating is but a symptom of a larger flaw in our thinking. We are, indeed, not the center of the universe. Our task is to stop expecting consolation at every turn in which we feel the least bit discomfort. Our spiritual fitness should be our highest priority: ahead of work, children, husbands, money, food, or even best friends who need us. </p>

Dr. Gonzalez in Tijuana did my band.

Hi everyone, I know you know what I mean when I say that reading your postings is tremendously consoling. I was banded 5 days ago and am feeling every friggin' feeling on the planet. A small bit of criticism at work today had me on my way home balling. The liquid diet and the grieving of my old crutch has me feeling tremendously vulnerable. I like the idea of journaling, and I'm also doing therapy, 12 Step Meetings (OA), walking in the morning (tomorrow is my first day), and sleeping when I get home. My history with depression tells me that I have no choice but to fight and fight hard to avoid it. I've been sober in AA for 23 years, but in my 40s I clearly switched my addiction. It's time to PRACTICE the principles. If I have to read them aloud every day until I internalize them, I will. My name is Maureen. I'm a compulsive overeater. Just for today, and with the help of my band, I will not pick up the food to cope with life's stresses. If anyone can relate to that type of recovery plan, I'd sure be happy to hear from you. I'd also love some tips about how to get some more energy. Water, tea, protein shakes and applesauce are what I'm doing so far. I go to mush on 11/9, which seems lightyears away. Right now, I'm just plain tired and feeling overwhelmed by so much change. But...but. but....I'm very glad to have done this. I am 100 lbs overweight. There, I said it. Yep, morbidly obese. All of the shame and crap that goes with that is still between my ears. But I will rise from the ashes as I have done twice before. But this time. This time? I will have the band to help me stay away from what hurts me and was killing me. I am determined to be well and content in my own skin. I want to live! :faint:

Forgot to say: My starting weight was 226. I'm 5'1" tall. I don't know where I stand right now, but I'm five days post surgery.

I'm in Eugene!

Hi Marv, I didn't wait long for my MX doctor either. I was banded by Dr. Gonzalez. If you want a long-experienced, knowledgeable, sterile, and warm/friendly environment, go see him. His bedside manner is gentle and kind. I think you were quoted too much. Call Dr. G at 877-249-2263. I guarantee you Dr. G or his clinical partner, Dr. Valenzuela, will call you back within short order. They're very eager to help.

I like your username, Darcey. Faith is key, I think. Right now I'm still kind of just nervous and scared. Not hungry but feeling vulnerable and emotional. Where are you? Portland? Good luck with all of your hard work. You will achieve your goal weight, I believe it!

Hi everyone, I'm in Eugene and was banded on 10/26 by Dr. Gonzalez. Today was my first day back at work and boy am I beat. I got the slightest criticism there today, which really didn't amount to much, but I just went home (via the therapist's office) and balled my eyes out. Has anyone else felt really vulnerable during this liquid phase? I won't go to mushy stuff until 11/9, and I'm wondering how I'm going to do it! I'm drinking Protein drinks in the morning, broth, and Vitamin waters. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to get some energy? I don't want to eat sugar, but is that what folks do to get passed this part of recovery? I'm eating applesauce and Jello too, but arrrgh... this is tough. Maureen:help:

I have to concur with all that has been said about Dr. Francisco (Paco according to Dr. Valenzuela!) Gonzalez. The man has a good heart and a love for surgery (not to mention 17 years of surgical experience). These are the things anyone would want from a lap-band surgeon, or any surgeon for that matter. My friend, who had also been banded in Tj, went with me for the procedure. As we sat talking to Gonzalez and Valenzuela (who made me laugh so hard I almost popped a stitch), I saw her grinning. Later she said, "He answered your questions as though he hasn't been asked them ten thousand times." It's true. I felt like I was his only patient. He's just a good guy. And, as others have noted, he doesn't advertise as much as he ought. But I prefer his integrity over a factory approach you see in other places. I just returned last night and was banded on Friday. Aside from the discomfort of travelling back to Oregon with reduced mobility from the surgery and stress, I'd say that it was overall a good experience. Hands down, though, Gonzalez is the guy to see. Write me with any more questions you may have, I'll be glad to reply asap. Aren't we fortunate to have this forum? It's a blessing to me. :ranger:

Hi October banders....I'm Maureen. I was just banded on Friday. It's Tuesday, 10/30, and I'm resting at home today. Could anyone tell me how to attached a ticker to my postings? I went to ticker.com and created one, but I don't understand how to link it to my postings. Peace to one and all, MP

Today is my first day home from TJ, banded by Dr. Gonzalez. I found Dr. G and his clinical doc, Dr. Valenzuela, delightful and very knowledgeable. Unfortunately, the nurse booted me out of bed at 5 am the next day. I understand now, however, that this is standard practice. You heal up in the hotel room instead for a while. It was not an easy trip, but I do believe I did the right thing. I live in Eugene/Springfield. I'd like to connect with anyone who wants to work through a 12 step model of recovery while living with the lap band. If anyone knows of good GS or OA groups in this area, will you write to tell me? I could also use a phone chat if anyone is willing. Today is the first day of the rest of my life, right? PS: How do I make a ticker thingy?

I was just banded yesterday, so all of your celebrations are a great motivation for me to work through the healing from band surgery. I do believe I made the right choice, I just don't feel very confident in my ability to make the transition to eating differently. Tonight's dinner was a bowl of soup and some sorbet, which caused me so much pain I could hardly stand it. See? I've already pushed myself too far. But it was a huge lesson to learn, and I've been awake all night thinking about how I must own this and make up my mind to celebrate my band as a means to a new life, even with all that entails. I'm scared and hopeful at the same time, and that feels very weird. I'm looking forward to being at home and feeling snug in my own bed again.

I'm so happy to hear about Dr. Fitzpatrick. I live in Springfield and will be going down to Dr. Ortiz for my band tomorrow. I'll be calling Dr. F's office today to set something up for a month from now. Thanks everyone, this website is sooooo helpful! DrP

Holly, Where are you getting your fills in OR? I'm in Springfield.... Will your fill doc do Mexico banders? How much does s/he charge? MP

Hello October Banders, I'm a Ten too, I guess! (It's funny because my MSN.com Game Zone username is "Ten_of_10". Play Spades or Hearts? That's me!) I leave tomorrow to go to Tijuana, as my insurance policy has an exclusion on such procedures. Isn't that crazy when obesity is an epidemic in the country? They really need to catch up, but who didn't already know that, right? Just ask Hillary Clinton. My good friend will be with me in Tijuana, too. She was banded there back in August. We've been watching the fires in San Diego, but Dr. Valenzuela says "come on down". I'm in that pre-op fasting stage now and was quite nervous about it at first, but five days in and I have been able to pull it off. A stressful workday on Monday threatened to do me in, but I survived. The success of my pre-op fasting and all the information I've gathered helps me to feel confident about this new change in my life. I have lost this weight twice before (in OA), stayed at my goal for a nanosecond, and when life hit me hard I climbed right back up again. I am excited to return to my small clothes and mobility, that's for sure! But I know from experience that it will take me at least 10 months to get to my goal weight, a full 100 pounds from here. No doubt lots of emotional changes and learning will occur in between. I am now devoted to reducing stress in my life and finding new means to cope with it when it appears. Is anybody else reading Christiane Northrup's "The Wisdom of Menopause"? I swear she and I are living parallel lives. Oprah says she keeps that book and the bible on her nightstand. It really is quite good, and I recommend it to anyone else about to turn 50 big ones. I'm very glad to have this forum to read and write about this experience. I'm not a joiner, generally, but this has indeed been very helpful. Blessings of peace and robust health to each one, DrPhil on my way....!

Like BigBen, I'm 8 days from my procedure. I'll see you in Tijuana! And like the others who have written, I believe is the chance at a new life for me. Even though I'm scared, I feel that this is a good tool to help me get my life and health back. I want this. I believe it will work, therefore it will. I will also have a friend with me during my trip, so that feels extra good too. I hope you have good support. It means a lot to me, especially since she went down and had the procedure ahead of me. I feel very much aware of what I'm getting into. Now...are we really ready to change ourselves and our attitudes about who we are and how we fit in the world? I desperately want that. And I'm willing to do therapy, swimming, 12 Step meetings, WHATEVER it takes to recover from this horrific illness. I'm not going to do it perfectly, but I'm not going to die in bed either.

Okay, sorry! No hot baths... :rolleyes :biggrin1:

Hi Karen! My name is Maureen and I live in Eugene/Sprinfield, Oregon. If you'd ever like a more direct conversation of mutual support, let me know! I am scheduled for my band on 10/26 by Dr. Valenzuela in Tijuana. My Providence Health Plan will not cover the procedure! Arrgh.... My BMI is a 43. I've been on a very restricted food plan for the last month or so, (with admitted lapses), but am now trying to follow a more focused pre-op plan. On Wed of this week, I'll go to clear liquids. I walk every morning with my dog too, but I haven't weighed myself since I determined my BMI measurement. I have some significant anxiety about the gas pain and recovery period, but a good friend of mine did that and she's doing great.... I hope you are having a good and hope-filled experience of recovery. MP

Hang in there! This seems to be a common problem. I'm slated for a band on 10/26, so I'm keenly interested in this. But a friend suggested that I do all that was suggested to you and it will go away. Don't lose heart! Did you try a hot bath? Liquid Tylenol? I've read repeatedly that you must walk, walk, walk.....apparently it moves those gas molecules around and ...out! :Banane10:)

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie. I've gotten a medical referral from my doctor but Providence Health Plan says there's an exclusion on my policy. Has anyone been to Tijuana for the lap-band procedure? My good friend has and she seems happy with her band, but I'm still kind of nervous since there's that whole "pre-existing things aren't covered" part of American health insurance. What would you recommend? Go to Mexico and get the lap-band, or find another insurance policy? Dr. P:help:

This is a great string of e-mails to read. I'm getting ready to go down to have Dr. Valenzuela band me. Thanks for all the good cheer, fellow lap-banders.