Gus123

I was worried before the surgery too. I can't say you will not have complications, but I did not. The good and the bad about a forum like this is that in a short span you can learn a great deal of information (good). But because each report stands alone, it can be hard to figure out the chances of complications. I am glad I went through with it, and wish you luck regardless of the choice you make.

I just received my band (12/11/07). I’ve made it back to solid food finally. And I’ve found that the un-filled band is helping to minimize my hunger pangs. As a result I’ve been able to substitute protein shakes for two meals (along with all the recommended supplements) and then just a small mid-day meal. I’m around 1,000 k calories per day. I am loosing 2 to 4 pounds per week by this approach. Is it wrong not to want my first fill? It seems like many complications begin to arise after fills. I really do not want to get stuck. And I’ve heard that fills can irritate the stomach and cause inflammation, and the inflammation can create even more restriction. Anyway I am just wondering, being on target with the weight loss goals – if the doc would just let me slide for now.

You may want a fill, or maybe not. Was this an isolated event? Are you still over board on the calories? I’m in the same boat right now, (my first fill appointment is approaching). It sounds like some major changes in eating habits will come after our first fill. And it also sounds like we are in for some significant complications. Obviously we have to achieve the weight loss goals. My feeling is that the least amount of restriction we can take on, the closest to a normal life we will have. That said, a buddy told me that (give or take) our bodies require about 10 kCal per pound per day. We are metabolically depressed so we are probably under that, but it is an easy figure for us to do the math. You had 1900 kcalories, enough energy for a 190-pound person (roughly). It seems to me that you were still ahead of the game, even on your worst day. I did not get to my size by eating 1900 kcals per day. I got this big by eating 4,000, 5,000 some time 6,000 kcalories per day (and I enjoyed it). But our heath dictates that we return to a normal BMI. In conclusion I would not be getting down about a single event, I’d consider the whole process. For the most part are you near the 1,000 kcal per day? Are you able to reduce your weight by 2 to 4 pounds each week? These systematic questions are good reasons, not holiday events.

I did not have mine done in Mexico. But you might try my doctor. George Mueller 858 565 0104. It is worth asking right?

I had my surgery on 12/11/07 with Doctor Mueller. He did a fine job. I recovered very quickly gas pain in about 24 hours. I've had quite a few wounds in my life so I know a good stitch job when I got one. Dr. Mueller used super glue to close the 5 incisions. This approach should leave little or no scaring in time. In one year’s time I may have a difficult time locating these incision marks. My biggest apprehension was potential acid reflux. Dr. Mueller found and corrected a minor hiatal hernia. And I have not had any reflux issues at all. So far, so good. Only time will tell if I can be one of the lucky 70% of the people that can keep the lap band beyond 5 years.

I got the same impression. I’ve complied and had good success. Fortunately I have not had much trouble on the presurgical diet. I’ve been on it for 3 weeks and have a few more before my surgery. I’ve responded well to Atkins-type induction phase diets in the past, so the weight is coming off quickly. I’m not sure what the post surgical diet will be, but I can do the current diet more. I am searching for a personal food processor that I can carry with me. I really want to avoid the feeling of “getting stuck” even to the point where I grind all my food. I don’t know about if I am an emotional eater, but I know I am an absent-minded eater. It is a habit that the lapband and “getting stuck” will help me change.

Califmoonchild and Sugar Addict how are you doing after the surgery? Are you still on the liquid diet? The $200 forum was tagged along with the detailed on-line survey that Dr. Mueller required. So it sounds like the $300 is all for an exercise program. $300 for 12 sessions? WOW that doesn’t seem like a very good value. How many people attend these classes? At $25 a head per day someone is making a boatload of cash. Being self-pay, they probably just rolled that cost into the flat fee they quoted you.

I am about to have Dr. Mueller perform the procedure. There is one small issue for me right now. Dr. Mueller requires his patients to enroll in a $200 private electronic forum (nowhere near as broad or extensive as lapbandtalk.com), and $100 support groups. I am not sure if this is his individual requirement or that of his medical group. It is just an extra $300 bill foisted upon the patient. I’ve spoken with my attorney about it and he says there is nothing to be done (beyond complain – after the surgery). The lawyer says there are no rules against it. If a potential surgeon expects you to buy a set of encyclopedias or a vacuum cleaner prior to service, your only choice is to proceed or change doctors. Personally I think this is an abuse. We’ve come down a long road and in the 11th hour the surgeon springs this extra compulsory (uncovered by insurance) fee on the patient. Changing surgeons one week before an approved scheduled surgery is quite daunting. It is something that I would have considered up front if I had known about it. It makes me wonder how that $300 is divided up. Does Dr. Mueller get a kick back for compelling his patients to subscribe to these services? I believe THAT would be a crime – and something that I will pursue in my post-surgery complaint.

Just received my date, December 11th. WOOT! The approval process took forever This liquid diet is tough before the surgery, we do not have the benifit of the band.

Some other Lap Banders I’ve chatted with in RL tell me that finding a good spot to place the port is key. Example in-line with the belly button for a woman is bad, (well was bad for her), since the waist line for pants interferes. I am considering 1 to 2” above the belly button line and 1 to 2“ in front of my floating rib. It would be great to get some feedback before my surgery. Thank you.

I attended Dr. Mueller's evening presentation and was very encouraged. He reports to have performed several thousand Lap Band procedures laproscopically with very minimal complications. I enjoyed the part of his presentation where he described the various possible complications and the steps he takes to mitigate those risks. I have selected him to perform my surgery, once I meet all the requirements and get approval.

If they put the tube into your stomach, instead of your lungs I think you have bigger problems than the band...