heatherfeather

Penni, I e-mailed you a photo asking if you would make me an avator...do you know if you received the e-mail. I just hadn't heard anything. Thanks

I am struggling with the exact same thing as you...well similar anyway. I don't have the band yet, no appt either...the reason being fear. I need to lose about 70 pounds and I don't know if it is worth the risk. But I am so tired of fighting this battle. If I don't do something different, I know I will just keep gaining. I too am afraid that I might get this band and always be sick because of it or in constant pain...don't know why I think that. I just wish I knew that I would be okay. And then you hear of people who have to get their bands removed and that makes it worse. Still, I want to do this and I guess that is why I am still hanging around trying to make my resolve. I know that doesn't help you much, except to say that you are not alone.

Ive been thinking about trying this, but have not tried it yet... cook the sweet potato in the microwave and then cut it in chunks (removing skin). Then mix the chunks with sugar-free apple pie filling (they sell it at wal-mart in the generic brand and a can is only about $1.20) and a little cinnamon, molly mcbutter, and a small handful of granola... I thought it sounded good anyway...

that is the funniest thing I have heard all day!!!

I was wondering (along the same lines) if the port projects out of your belly when you are pregnant. It seems like it would because a pregnant belly is so tight.

As I read the different posts, it looks like lots of you are trying to stop drinking diet coke. I still have not figured it all out, so I ask...what is so wrong with diet coke?

I am still not sure I understand what PB-ing is...sorry to be so slow. Can someone explain it to me in detail? Why do you call it PBing? Along the same lines, aren't you guys scared that you might get the flu and have to throw up and the throw up won't be able to make it back out very quickly? I probably get the flu or a bout of food poisioning (no thanks to my mother-in-law's cooking) and have to throw up at least once or twice a year. What happens...do you just not throw up, or do you half throw up and half dry heave...sorry that sounds nasty.

I am new here. I don't have the band yet. I am still checking into my options. I can't find a doctor near me to do the surgery. I live in UT. My BMI is 31. But I have been struggling with my weight for 10 years and nothing is working. It is like no matter how much I eat, I am not full. Just to maintain my current weight is a struggle, believe it or not. I think that mexico may be my only option to get the surgery, because of my low bmi. But I really think this surgery could work for me and help me reach my goals. I am considering Dr. Ortiz, but I am not sure. I have never been to Mexico. They said the surgery is $9,500. It sounds like Ortiz is a good doctor, but if I knew how much everyone else paid, I might feel better about spending the money. It is alot of $ for me. I am also nervous about the pain right after the surgery. What is it like right after? I have a little boy and couldn't stand much down time. Also, does anyone know a doctor in UT or surrounding states who will accept a MX banded patient for fills etc? Any comments, support, or suggestions would be appreciated.

I am really close with one of my sisters. She used to be overweight, but she lost most of her weight this year. I told her that I was seriously thinking about getting the band. Her reaction was so discouraging for me. She said that I hadn't really "tried" changing my eating and exercise habits. That if I'd "tried" I would have lost this weight and wouldn't have to get the band. I also told her not to tell anyone of my intentions - I'm a little embarassed. She said that if I am going to do this, that I should "own" it (i.e. tell everyone). The more I tried to convince her it was a good idea, the more she dug in her heels and debated it with me. I feel really disappointed and discouraged. I wanted to confide in her and now wish that I could take back telling her. I feel like lying to her and saying that I changed my mind about the band even though I still want to go through it. I'm just really disappointed and wanted to vent.

I have been considering getting the lapband and am also looking in MX. I am leaning toward Dr. Sanchez right now, located in Monterrey. He is $7999, but I have to buy a plane ticket from UT or NV which will cost about $300 to $350 more. The reason I am leaning toward Sanchez is also because I found a Doctor near my hometown in UT who has done fills and followups for MX patients. He said Sanchez (amung others) was a great physician.

Thanks guys. I really appreciate all of you. It is so nice to get some encouragment. I just wish my sister was more open minded because we are so close. I love her to death and don't want to lie to her, but if it comes up again, I am probably going to tell her I changed my mind about the whole thing (she's so sharp though she'll probably figure it out). At least my husband has been pretty supportive. He is in really good shape and feels bad that I am struggling with this. He is in the national guard and is in Iraq. He will be back July 2006. It would feel so good to have lost this weight by the time he returns. When I think about that side of the coin, it makes me feel a little better.

I weigh 195. I would like to lose 70 pounds. I've been fighting these 70 pounds for 10 years and they are beating me bad. It seems like most of you had more weight to lose then I do. . . still I feel desperate and am really considering getting the band. Is it worth it for 70 stubborn pounds?

Congrats! Wish I had it behind me like you do now. But I know it wasn't easy.

The national guard is in Iraq. That is why they are not in New Orleans. My husband is in the National Guard and stationed in Ramadi Iraq right now. The guard is stretched so thin right now. My husband has been gone for about 8 months and probably won't be back until July 2006. It is awful.

Vera, thank you so much for your help. You are the best!

I called Dr. Green's office and was actually able to talk to Dr. Green. He said that he has about 80 patients that have had the lap band surgery in mexico. He said that at first, he was skeptical about people going to mexico for surgery, but now that he has seen so many patients that had the surgery in mexico, he is actually very impressed with the mexican surgeons. He said that they do a good job - very neat and clean he said, and his patients report nice facilities. I asked him if he were sending his daughter to MX, who would he have her go to. He said there is a Dr. Cury in TJ, a Dr. Diaz in Montery (sp?), and a Dr. Sanchez in Puerte Vierte (sp?). He said he has seen alot of these doctors' patients and their work has been good. I asked him if he has seen patients who went to Dr. Ortiz and he said yes and that Ortiz was very good. I can't tell you how exciting it is to hear an american doctor singing praises about the doctors in Mexico. Dr. Green says that he does not do the surgery, but if I get the surgery done in MX, he will take care of me from there on out. He is in Payson and that is only an hour drive from my home. Now I really want to do it. Decisions.....

So I guess from what you all have said, the going rate for MX is about $9,000. It is such a shame that my ins won't pay for this. Sometimes I feel like gaining the extra 50 pounds so that I can be considered "morbid" so they will pay the bill and so I won't have to go to MX if I go forward with this.

Thank you so much for all of your ideas. I really appreciate the insight. Anyone else have thoughts? My mother and my sister both struggled with obeisity but their problem was much worse than mine. Both of them peaked at probably around 400 pounds. My sister had the gastric bypass surgery about 18 months ago though and she has lost all of the extra weight. Whether obesity is a nature or a nurture problem doesn't matter in my situation because I would have caught the problem either way. I just feel like I have been struggling with this for a long time, and I am so tired of losing the battle. All of my in-laws are thin and they just don't understand. "Just eat sensibly" they say. . . if only. . .

Vera, so McKeen still has an office in UT? I was looking on the internet (did not ph call his office), but it appeared that he no longer worked in UT. Also, do you know what city in UT McKeen and Green work from? Thanks for the help. Heather