psichikel

210 lbs gone forever!!! :clap2:

Thanks for the picture, now I'll know what to look for if I do have something that looks like that. Luckily, Dr. Aceves has had no problems with any of his patients, and he is very thorough with his work. His office is really wonderful about getting in touch with their patients, so I feel really confident about his work. However, my bf lives in San Diego so I'll be spending 3 wks there after the surgery in case anything goes wrong, I'm 2hrs away. I am crossing my fingers that I continue the legacy of Dr. A and not have any problems. I wish all of you with problems the best of luck. Thanks for sharing your stories with us, perhaps your misfortune will help others in the future. Take Care!! Kelli

I am getting banded 1/27 by Dr. Aceves. I have talked to his patients and both newly banded and those out for about 1 1/2 . They all were very impressed by his professionalism and his office staff. I look forward to seeing for myself. If I had the insurance then I would probably get it done locally to save on the travel but I do live in CA so it's not that big of a deal. I can hop on a flight, get the fill and hop back home the same day for about $200. The fills are free and they also provide transportation to and from the airport, so I feel it's worth it. That's just my two cents.

~~~~~~~~~Sending Positive Thoughts to Your Tummy....Get Back Into Place LapBand!!~~~~~~~~~ I'll keep ya in my prayers!!

I am going to Dr. Aceves. I live in the central valley but travel to San Diego alot to see my bf. Perhaps, if there is a reunion or gathering I can get in on the mix cause I'd like to meet some people here in Ca with the band. There is one gal like me up here with the band, the rest are RNY's.

I think with anything, we have to consider the amount of time the lapband has been in use in Mexico. Because they have done it longer they are going to more accounts of these problems, it doesn't mean they are still having these problems. I find it funny how those with American doctors are so quick to point the finger, they have to remember lapband was just approved in the US I think a year or two ago? It will take time before those in the US start showing these types of signs (hopefully not) it's like when the RNY came out...how wonderful it was, no problems yadda yadda yadda but now, we see there are some complications with SOME people. I am glad you posted this showing some of the statistics and showing that with time all surgeries are perfected. Mexico just has a baseline to which others can compare what the possible outcomes could indicate. There are plenty of people who have gone to Mexico and are 2 or 3yrs out and they are still doing okay. I am going to Mexico Jan 27th to Dr. Aceves, and i believe everything is going to go okay. I'd rather have the lapband in for 18 to 30mths with hopefully a loss of 100lbs by then than to never have it at all. Yes, 8k is alot of money but it's worth it for me to hopefully lose over 100lbs, if by chance it does erode then I'll get it replaced but if it does..I hope by that time I've learned a new lifestyle of eating and exercise that it won't be a big problem. Thanks for the post...cause I know lately I've been a bit stressed hearing all the horrors of erosion and so forth, this alleviates it

First, suicide runs in my family so I'd be considered an outlier when posting. My grandmother, mother committed and my sister, brother and neice have attempted suicide. As for myself, I've thought about it in my darkest moments in life but thankfully I have a strong faith and I am also chicken &^%% about harming myself as it is...lol. I think I am the opposite than my family, I want to live forever!!!! I need that fountain of youth...lol. On a more serious note though, I've dealt with suicides throughout my life...I've had some friends die by their own hands as well. It's saddening to think one cannot see beyond the "now" to the tomorrow. Those that attempt/commit are stuck with the pain they deal with today, and they don't see a way out other than to die. As Alex mention, suicide does leave alot of pain for those left behind to deal with. It will be 21 years since my mother committed suicide, I was 15 at the time and there is not a moment in my day that I don't think about her or what could have been. I wish everyday she was here, and although she is not here for me I know in spirit she is because I've felt a presence of calmness in my darkest hours. I do know I've become more sensitive towards the needs of others throughout my ordeals with family, I pray for those that are stuck in the "now" to just wade it through and that their tommorrows prove to be worth living for. I do not cast judgements on those that have attempted/committed or thought about...I hope that someone in their life will be there for them, to listen to their pain and work together to find a better solution. For those in their darkest hours, I pray for you and I am sending positive thoughts to you...feel free to express your pain here with us..we may not have a quick solution but we will be here to listen.

Check out seatguru.com they have different airplanes and their seat sizes which ones are good seats and which ones are really tight. I hope this helps.

Just wondering if anyone has found a good fill doctor in California. I am in the Central Valley but willing to travel if it's cheaper than going back to Mexico.

I am only required to have a high protein low carb diet 2wks prior to my surgery. I can eat normal foods as long as they fall under those guidelines. So, I am starting to work on my soda cravings, which is going pretty good since I like cold tea without sugar to drink. I am working on the protein part, I have bought some whey protein drinks which I really like alot. I think you'll be okay, I mean if you are still a few days away it will move out of your stomach, but if you think this may be a trigger for another slip then talk to you doctor. Just take it one day at a time and when you feel the urge come onto the board and get some support. Good Luck to you...sending positive thoughts your way!!! Kelli

I guess we are like former Alcoholic's, if you've ever been around them you will know what I mean. They are fanatical because they know the hell they have been through, and if by being overt about alcoholism can possible help someone realize they have a problem,then they feel it's a victory. I think when we've "crossed over" from MO to normal by the lapband or other WLS we want to spare others the pain we went through and sometimes it just comes out the wrong way, not meaning to Hurt that person but wanting them to know that it can be done....but how many have the opportunity to get the WLS, some may never be able to afford or because of other medical problems be qualified...therefore, exercise in caution before we act is what is needed. I too, share this same problem as everyone else. I just had a photo taken of me and I was disgusted at the sight of myself, the camera NEVER LIES!!!! I think we start looking at ourselves from the neck up, forgetting how we look. I can honestly say, I dont remember a time I really looked at the full mirror and when I do I about die! It's easy to "fog" the image of ourselves, to forget we too are that big and that others look at us as we look at others. I am having my surgery in Jan, and I will be taking photos of myself in different outfits, with friends/family to make a book to never forget. Although, I hope to lose enough weight to become healthy, I will always be MO in my mind...too many years of being obese is up in there stored away, but I will take that mindset and focus on helping others reach their goal whether through WLS or diet and exercise. Try being on a campus where you are 1 of 20 MO people, on the ENTIRE CAMPUS!!!! It's a real eye opener! I along with some friends look to reviving a group on campus that has WLS patients, but I also want to invite those wanting to lose weight without surgery...I feel if nothing else we can share compassion towards each other's plight! I think the best thing to help people is to let them know you are in the same boat with them, and when they get tired of rowing you'll be there to lend a hand. I never want to forget who I was prior to the surgery, that I have struggled against many obstacles...too many to begin, but it's who I am inside that counts weight loss or no weight loss. I hate my weight but not myself!

I have four cats, and boy they are a handful!!! I have one male Manx, he's the prettiest of all of them...he has the marbled feet (Grey, black and white), his name is Junior and he is about 10 years old. I have a black kitty, she is like velvet she is so dark...I just love her! She is my only girl kitty (name: Lucky), I found her at the local JC underneath a car as a baby; she's about 5. I have two brothers that I saved from my own brother's family (bunch of nutsos!), one is yellow with dark yellow stripes (name: Tiger, aka: yellow and poopie, cause he can be such a poop towards Lucky) and his brother (Tigger) is dark grey with black stripes and a hint of yellow tint. I'd like to have more cats but my roomie says he'll kill me if I bring anymore home, though they tend to gravitate towards him than me and I am the one that saved all of them :ermm I love them all as they are my source of entertainment.

Looking for support groups in these areas, please let me know if there are any. Thanks!

Hi Girlygirl, I hear that on the CSU campus there is a group for all WLS, most are RNY's but I plan on being one of the first lapbanders...lol. I will get my lapband done by Dr. Aceves in Mexico. I was wondering perhaps we can meet sometime and we can talk together. I'd like to meet someone close by that has had the lapband, most people with WLS have had RNY. Let me know if that is okay by you. Email me at: psichikel@sbcglobal.net

Hi Dody, Welcome to the group. I'm pre-op myself. I will have my surgery Jan 27th, it seemed like a long time but now we are into December I'm sure it will roll by quickly. Sounds like we'll be banded around the same time...you stating you'll have yours in a few months? Where are you having your's done? I'm going to Mexico, Dr. Aceves to have mine done because I'm self-pay. I'm getting my lapband to avoid some of the co-morbities, luckily even as fat as I am (5'3", 320) I don't have high blood pressure, or cholestrol problems but I know if I continue that won't last for long, so I figure get in control now before it becomes a bigger problem. I just wish they had this surgery a long time ago, but I guess better late than never. I wish you all the best for your upcoming surgery. I'm sure you'll do just fine and we'll both be Big Losers!!! Take Care and again..Welcome Aboard!

I just want to say THANK YOU for all of those in responding with positive statements. My heart does go out to those with problems but being pre-op, I was starting to get an anxiety attack until I read the above statements. Vinesqueen your post made me laugh and feel better. Yes, there are many things in life that can go wrong and as someone else stated at least the lapband is reversible if something goes wrong, you can have it taken out if it's not working correctly, RNY'ers cannot do that. So, I feel much better knowing that even if I lose 50 or 250 lbs I'll be better off than I am right now. Thanks for the positive vibes everyone!!!

To Keli from Kelli....Congrats on your surgery!!! Best wishes for many pounds to be shedded off of you forever!! Take care of yourself and I can't wait to join you and the others as a bandster!

Hmmm now I am starting to wonder what is in store for me. See, I am very VERY irregular...in fact I can go months, without a period. I was taking the BC to regulate my periods but I have cancer in my family and turning 36 I decided I wanted to get off of the pills. I am hoping by losing some weight I'll be able to have normal periods but after hearing all of you describe your cycles...I'm fretting now!

I agree on the breathing in an out. I think when we hear of someone going through an experience we may put those symptoms in our mind. Our mind can be very tricky at times, playing on our fears and emotions. Not to say, that if you feel there's something wrong you should ignore it...by no means ignore get it checked out. I think we think we have to give our bodies a chance to get used to this device, and it may do some weird things at times but from what I have heard on OH, this forum and others the lapband erosion is a very small percentage. I have yet to have the lapband placed but I know from my research of my doctor and the many patients he has seen, he has not had a problem to where he had to do a revision or take it out completely...he's been doing this for about 7yrs now. I am sure there are other doctors with the same reputation whether US or Mx. I've heard more problems with the gastric bypass surgery than I have with the lapband, in fact more deaths due to the RNY but that's not to say either surgery is without it's complications. Please do the research, do get the needed exams routinely and keep in touch with your doctors on a regular basis. As for the doctor I am going to he will personally get in contact with you if you haven't touch base with him in a few months. Good luck to those who will have the lapband surgery done...to those with concerns, my prayers are with you and I will send positive thoughts your way...take care!!!

There is someone in my group for Dr. Aceves that is having this done after her gastric bypass from a few years ago. You can go to our group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dr-Aceves-bandsters I think her screen name is MC_MD...something like that, I know her name is Michelle. I think she would gladly give you information. She is going to have her lapband in a few weeks. Good Luck!

I know for the doctor I am going to Dr. Aceves he's been doing lapbands for 7years with no problems of erosion. He uses the Inamed and was certified along with US doctors. I think what we might have to consider is that many who have lapbands are going to Mx, so there's more chances that we are going to hear of erosion stories. Think of when Gastric Bypass started here in the US, we didn't hear anything wrong for a long time but now since time has passed we are hearing different things such as the stomach stretching, leakage, death, and other complications. I hate to say this but it may just be a matter of time before US doctors start having these complications...again, I regret even having to mention this because the thought of it scares me as well. I do not wish anyone to have to go through this, it's hell enough getting the courage to do this once but then to turn around and have it removed...it's nerve wrecking! So, the best thing is to really do the research on doctors in Mexico. I've been doing research for about a year now with Dr. Aceves asking all kinds of crazy questions. I know he is VERY STRICT about the aftercare, and he wants up dates between fills, they are very in tuned with their patients and I've not heard one patient having any problems with erosion...some have had their's for at least 2-3yrs. It just may be one of those things that happen, surgery is always critical and there's always a chance...which has been been explained by Dr. Aceves to his patients the possible problems that may occur. For those who have had erosion, my heart and my prayers go out to you.

Good Luck Morgan!!! You're so brave to have this done at such a young age. I will send positive thoughts your way!!! I wish they had this surgery when I was younger, I was an overweight child myself so I know the pain you are going through. I wish you the best of luck, and may God bless the hands of your surgeons so you have a speedy recovery!

I've bought a sample pack from Allthewhey.com and I love all except vanilla. They have 25 g of protein in water, non-fat and orange juice you get 35g of protein. There are no sugars, no fat and no cholesterol. I've been testing these out so I know which ones I like the best during my pre-op and post-op.

I think he's been visiting, "Crackpipes R Us" lately. There's no freaking way under 800 calories is safe for your body. What we all have to remember is that we did not gain this weight over night, nor are we going to lose the weight over night. From what I've noticed most with lap bands lose their entire weight over a spread of 3 or 4 years, which lets face it...it took us much longer to gain the weight. So, I'll take the slow but safe route, besides I'd rather not have to do the plastic surgery if I can help it...hundreds of stitches dont appeal to me. As for your doctor, he should be reminded this is not a race. I've seen those with RNY losing the weight so fast that they end up looking anemic, sickly looking. I think you are doing fine. Dr. Aceves is strict but not that strict he has told us to stay away from alot of starches, carbs but that everything is in moderation and to be sure to get the Protein first, as well as hydrate. Excercise is a must but he realizes that if he places too strict of a diet it will make us feel like we are failures when we cannot keep to it, so rather than having unrealistic expectations he gives us simply guidelines and lots of Support!!! The key is to be consistent and make small goals for ourselves. Tell your Doctor, Crack is Whack! Take care of yourself as I am sure you are doing anyways. Kelli

I think he's been visiting, "Crackpipes R Us" lately. There's no freaking way under 800 calories is safe for your body. What we all have to remember is that we did not gain this weight over night, nor are we going to lose the weight over night. From what I've noticed most with lap bands lose their entire weight over a spread of 3 or 4 years, which lets face it...it took us much longer to gain the weight. So, I'll take the slow but safe route, besides I'd rather not have to do the plastic surgery if I can help it...hundreds of stitches dont appeal to me. As for your doctor, he should be reminded this is not a race. I've seen those with RNY losing the weight so fast that they end up looking anemic, sickly looking. I think you are doing fine. Dr. Aceves is strict but not that strict he has told us to stay away from alot of starches, carbs but that everything is in moderation and to be sure to get the Protein first, as well as hydrate. Excercise is a must but he realizes that if he places too strict of a diet it will make us feel like we are failures when we cannot keep to it, so rather than having unrealistic expectations he gives us simply guidelines and lots of Support!!! The key is to be consistent and make small goals for ourselves. Tell your Doctor, Crack is Whack! Take care of yourself as I am sure you are doing anyways. Kelli