Griz Girl

It sounds to me like this woman may be suffering from some jealousy! They say that misery loves company---she apparently wants you to join her in hers! If you break down and stuff your face with cookies, she won't have to feel bad about eating them and she won't feel guilty for not focusing on losing weight herself. You don't even need revenge--just keep kicking butt. I feel sorry for her--if you can, too, she won't get to you so much.

Hi there, The only people I told were my husband, sister, and my friend who got banded with me. (I was also banded in Mexico...gasp! :biggrin1:) My weight problem has always been a source of judgement and discussion. Although I know my family has tried to help, they usually end up making me feel worse. I didn't want the pressure, judgement, etc. I didn't want to explain my decision to anyone, so I haven't. So far, I'm really glad I decided to keep it this way. My success will be my own without it being attached to anything else. The only hard part for me has been at work. They keep having potlucks, etc and since I'm still on liquids, I obviously can't join in. Since you are the only one that can truly understand what you've been going through, I don't think you need to justify your decision to ANYONE. Good luck!!

kacee, I really like your advice!!! Thanks for the ideas.

I just got back from Mexico on October 28th and all I needed was my driver's license. They said that they should be switching it passports for driving on 1/1/08. Good luck!!

Hi there, Not everyone is hungry. I was banded October 25 and have yet to be hungry. I have to make myself take liquids because I'm supposed to have at least 64 ounces a day. Good luck!!

Hi from Montana! I got banded by Dr. Aceves in Tijuana last Thursday. He and his team are EXCELLENT. They all speak great English and took a great deal of time explaining everything to me beforehand. They were professional and thorough and I felt very safe. My cost for everything--including the extensive pre-screenings, the hospital, surgery, a year of fills, etc. was $7250. He also works out of a hospital in Mexicali and travels to the US to teach US doctors how to do the procedure. Let me know if I can get contact info or anything else for you. I'm only 5 days into it, but am feeling great and so glad I made the decision. Good luck!!

I'm supposed to aim for 64 ounces today and barely got 40. Feel like I ate a ton and a half!! It's a big improvement from yesterday's ounce total, so I'm getting there. The hot liquids seem to go down easier than the cold.

Thanks, I'll try the gas x! I bought some but forgot about it. I've been focusing on getting enough liquids in. I'm still trying to get used to going slow and sipping. My philosophy was quantity not quality! :nervous Time to retrain the brain.

Hi there, I did not have a catheter (sp?) and they didn't put a tube down my throat either. My anesthesiologist used some sort of mask that barely goes into the throat. He told me that he would have to tube me if the mask didn't work, but it worked fine. I'm an extremely modest person and I worried about a lot of little things before my surgery. What helped me was to focus on my goal and know that any discomfort right before, during, or after surgery will soon be in the past and forgotten. I agree that getting more information from your doctor might really help you out. Good luck!!

Just had mine done last Thursday. My port is not far below my left breast. It seems like a good place because it is below the bra and above any waistbands. Out in the middle of nowhere...

HoustonHoney--what hospital were you at? I just came back from the Hospital Angeles. VERY clean and the doctors were exceptional. They worked really hard to make sure my friend and I were very comfortable having a medical procedure out of the country. They were thorough and professional and I was very impressed. trapped inside--my only "problem" has been pain from the gas. I had the same thing with a previous surgery, but forgot how much it can hurt. This is day 4 and I've only had to deal with it a few times today. Tylenol, a heating pad, breathing exercises, and walking work wonders. No problems other than that.

Longhorn--that is conservative!! I think it is really good to take things slow so that everything heals where it is supposed to. I really hope your surgery goes well!!:boink: My anesthesiologist and doctor strongly suggested that I get up and walk very frequently and deep breathe as much as possible. They said that these two things would help me bounce back much faster. So far, they seem to be right on. I was banded with a friend and her recovery is going even faster than mine. The lucky duck didn't even have the gas pain to deal with. She was ready to get up and go shopping before we even left the hospital! What an exciting ride we are on!!! :biggrin1:

Hi there, I was banded in Mexico on Thursday the 25th and traveled home on Saturday. I have been doing pretty good. Just like with my gall bladder surgery, I've had a lot of gas pain--very sharp pains in my left shoulder. I've noticed that they are getting a little less each day. The heating pads and liquid Tylenol seem to help some. If it weren't for the gas pains, I would be doing great. Doing a lot of sipping of Clear liquids. I've noticed that all the different doctors have different requirements for eating afterwards. My doctor was very thorough and seems conservative. He has me on clear liquids for 10 days, full liquids for 10 days, and then soft foods for 10 days. I guess that's good since I am so far away from a doctor or hospital here. He said he wants to make sure everything is completely healed before the stomach has to work to digest food. I've had lots of stomach noise, but I'm not hungry or feeling deprived. I've had a few moments when I've thought "WHAT THE HECK DID I JUST DO?" Then it passes and I'm excited for the results I know I'm going to have. Has anyone else had moments of panic after the fact?

I'll be thinking about you guys tomorrow. Yes, I've failed at everything in the past, but this is now. I'm sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I'm ready to go!!! I won't be back until Saturday night. Unfortunately, I have a long flight and then 3 1/2 hours to drive the day after surgery. I'll look forward to logging on to see how everyone is doing. Good luck!!

Good luck Renew!! My friend and I are traveling from Montana to Mexico on your band date and we will follow right behind you on the 25th. I can't wait to get started!! I'm not nervous about the surgery, but am a little nervous about doing everything right afterwards. I've given up on every other weight loss tool known to humans, so I guess I'm afraid of not being successful at this, too. Think positive, right? :nervous

My surgery is Thursday the 25th. The wait is killing me!! I'm having a hard time concentrating on anything else because I am so anxious to get started. I'm not nervous about the surgery but I am a little about doing everything right afterwards. Good luck to all of you!! :hippie:

Lucky you! I have to wait until next Thursday and you are going to be that much farther healed and on your way. When I was having doubts a few days ago, I took some before pictures for myself. Looking at the evidence on the camera screen has helped me focus forward on where I want to be!! (Of course those pictures are now deeply hidden!!) Good luck to you. If you weren't ready for a new life, you wouldn't have made the decision to have the surgery in the first place. Think about your new life and your goal and let those happy thoughts carry you through your surgery!!

Thanks for all the ideas!! All but the brussell sprouts sound great!

Thank you for the prayers and advice. I've got my chewable vitamins and all the stuff on the "list". I live a little more than 2 hours from a bigger town, so I have to really plan to have everything I need beforehand. Not having the things I need beforehand has been a failure trap (& handy excuse) for me in the past. I have to get more of the post op menu figured out so I can get ready for that. Any advice? I'm excited because I'm being banded with a friend so I will have a support person. Being from Montana, we are a long way from any support groups, fill docs, etc. I know that I'll be uncomfortable for a while, but I'm really excited to get started!! I had my gall bladder out a couple years ago and don't look forward to the gas again! (lots of shoulder pain last time) :cry

I'm right with you guys--I only have 8 days until surgery:faint:I started to question whether or not it was the best thing. I wondered if maybe I should just do it on my own--blah, blah, blah. What really helped me was to take some before photos for myself. Looking at myself objectively on the camera screen helped me let go of any doubts about how much I want to reach my goal. Of course those photos are now well hidden until I have some dramatic results to compare them to!!! :biggrin1:

I found liquid Tylenol at Walmart, too. It is made for adults and it was in the pain reliever section.

Julie, How have you done since you've been banded? Are you happy with your decision? (I go in next week and have a little bit of nerves!)

Thanks for the update! It is so nice to know that are so many other people who might be riding the same rollercoaster of emotions right now. I have to wait until the 25th so I bounce between nervous and excited. I'm so happy for those of you that are already recovering and getting started. I'm just busy shrinking my liver! :bored Can't wait to finally get started!!

Thanks for the advice!! I'm going to doctor Aceves in the Hospital Angeles. I'm going with my friend Lori who is also getting banded and my sister who is going to be the support person for both of us. My sister is actually sponsoring my whole surgery--isn't that incredible?! Weight-related health problems run in our family and she wants me to live longer. I don't know what I'll ever do to repay her!! How long did you wait to go back to work? I am getting surgery on Thursday and have to work Monday. Am a little nervous because I'm not telling anyone but my support people and my husband about it. Did you let everyone know what you were doing? Your success so far is inspiring. What is the hardest part?

Hi. I am having mine done in Mexico on October 25. Very nervous and excited. What doctor did you have? Any advice for someone about to take the plunge?