arealsweety

The first picture is before the surgery at 425#. The second picture is almost 4 months later with a 75# weight loss. Arealsweety

I chose Arealsweety because that's who and what I am. *grin*

I paid with a cashier's check.

Sorry you had that happen to you. Not everyone can be perfect. From my research I have found that slippage happens in 1-3% of patients. Generally it is associated with frequent vomiting (usually from a too tight band) but not always, sometimes it just happens. I sure hope your band wasn't too tight. That must suck. Best of luck to you.

Wannabelean, Please don't be concerned. This is a time for healing, not for losing weight. You are just recently banded. Some people will lose a great deal of weight at the beginning and some will lose almost nothing. Some will lose then gain it all back before their first fill. Dr. Huacuz said that I would lose a lot at first because I started out so large (425#). The smaller I get, the slower the weight loss will be. The first 2 weeks after my surgery I didn't have much energy either so I slept a lot. LOL! I did, however return to work after 11 days and boy was I TIRED! It took 3 days for my body to adjust to walking around again and it got MUCH better. Keep drinking the liquids (shove in as much water as you can) and try to stick with the Doctor's dietary recommendations. It really does work and it is better for your stomach. You will be SOOOO happy when you get to the mushie stage. I know I was! I wanted to hug the cottage cheese! Sweety

Just checking in. I was banded on 11/3/05 by Dr. Huacuz and am doing quite well! I have lost 64# so far and now, finally, need a fill. Yes, most people go for a fill at 6 to 8 weeks, but I am finally getting to the point where I need one. That means I get to drive to Tijuana on Saturday. LOL! The drive is no biggie since I live in San Diego and am in Tijuana at least twice a week anyway. It will be nice to see the good doctors again. My friends (Yes I told them about the surgery) and family (No I have NOT told them about the surgery) are seeing the old me emerging. I stayed home before because I didn't have any energy to do anything. Now I am gone most of the time! Shoot, I have things to do, places to go and people to annoy. It used to be that I walked so slow people had to slow down for me because at a snail's pace I was walking as fast as I could. Now I have to slow down for THEM! The change in energy is mind blowing. You know it feels great to go from a size 34 to a size 24! Just 100# more and I predict I will be in my goal size.....a 16! If any of you guys who are considering surgery have questions, please don't hesitate to email me at arealsweety@yahoo.com. Sweety

San Diego here! There seem to be a few of us.

Oh YES! In about 2 years or so I will be going back for my tummy tuck and breast augmentation. I can already tell that my "friends" are leaving me. They are getting flatter already! DANGIT!

I was banded on 11/3/05 in Tijuana, Mexico by Dr. Huacuz and haven't needed a fill yet. Since I am so close (San Diego), I have gone back for my after care and will go back to him for my fills.

I was banded by Dr. Huacuz on 11/3/05 and have dropped 49# as of Sunday night! The good doctor told me I would be surprised at how quickly I lost and boy was I!! It's GREAt! I can walk without gasping for breath, don't have to fight the seat belt in the car. I started out at a size 34 (well over 400#) and can now comfortably wear 26's. I know I have another 151# to go but this is GREAT! :Bunny I have no restriction but am NOT hungry! I make sure I eat 3 bandster meals a day and sometimes a snack. I also take a vitamin and a calcium supplement and drink around a gallon of water every day. Drs. Huacuz and Romero keep in contact with me by phone and email and since I have chosen them for follow up and fills all I have to do is drive across the border. Well, I DO live in San Diego. Of course I won't be needing a fill as long as I am losing and not hungry. I love the care I have gotten and would recommend them to anyone!

Since I live in San Diego, I just go back across the border to my surgeon. He has agreed to do follow up and fills.

I was banded by Dr. Huacuz on 11/3/05 and am doing quite well! I no restriction but I also am NOT HUNGRY!!!! I timed it to see how long it would take me to get hungry. I did it twice. The first time it took me 8 hrs. The second time it took me 12 hrs. I know I have to make sure I eat 3 bandster meals a day. I have lost interest in food!!! How amazing is that??? I know that is what the band is supposed to do but I just had to say something. Oh yeah, Dr. Huacuz is doing my follow ups and also he will be doing my fills. I can't say enough about how caring he and Dr. Romero have been. This has been a VERY good experience! They keep in contact with me by phone calls and emails. These guys are the best!

I was banded by the good Doctor Huacuz on November 3 and it was a VERY good experience! I absolutely LOVED the bedside manner! The caring that was shown was above and beyond my expectations. Kudos to him and his entire staff! You know I actually expected left shoulder pain and had NONE. Believe me, that was a good thing because getting rid of all that gas was no joke! ahahahahahaha! I have made sure that all my follow up appointments will be with him and his team since I live here in San Diego. They have maintained contact with me through emails and phone calls to acertain my progress. I LOVE it! I have just been so busy getting stuff done here at work that I have not had time to come in here and post. And by the way, yes, I am STILL excited! I can't believe I have already dropped a dress size.

AHAHAHAHA! If youi knew me, you would know that the LAST thing you would ever need to tell me to do is relax. I have been in countries where I knew a whole lot less of the launguage and did well. Must be my Air Force brat background. My Spanish teacher/boyfriend and I have already been to the hospital, hotel and general area. I have even done some grocery shopping in the CaliMex grocery store across the street from the hotel. Oh yeah, I livei n San Diego, so Tijuana is not foreign to me at all. I spoke with the doctor last night and I am TOOO excited! My boyfriend is going to bring me all the clear liquids I can handle this afternoon. I had to calm him down because he was talking case loads. LOL.

I'll be going November 3rd and I can't wait! My Spanish teacher has whipped me into shape so I can communicate with the night nurses, but he says he will be with me anyway, so why bother. LOL! I'm glad all went well for you and anticpate the same for myself!

As I have said before...I am happy with MY decision and stand by it. I just can't wait for November! I am one excited woman!

They have my Inamed band. He is NOT at the Molding Clinic. I have no idea who this Andres person is because I have had no contact with him. I HAVE done my research. I live in San Diego, so I wont' be out any air fare if something strange happens. If someone seems unhealthy I know how to shoo them away in Spanish. If they don't go, my boyfriend, who lives in Tijuana and is fluent in 5 languages, knows how to request someone else! I am happy and secure in the choice I have made and the small deposit I have put down. I'm sorry you had a bad time, but I dont' expect to. Lynette Pre-band Surgery date - November 3, 2005 Dr. Huacuz

I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but I am using Dr. Huacuz. We all make choices and this is mine. I wish you well. Lynette Preband 11/3/05

No, Missy I have not met him yet, but look forward to it. Yes, I live in San Diego. Lynette

I live in San Diego but am going to Tijuana for my surgery. My insurance company will reimburse me for roughly half of the cost. Yes, even though I am going to Mexico. They said that they consider it out of network. My date is November 3, 2005. I will be meeting with the San Diego bandsters tomorrow for the first time. It should be fun. Lynette

Missy said *I had my surgery with Dr. Huacuz 2 days ago. I have complete trust that he did a fine job. It was not in a clinic as stated in a previous post, it was in a small hospital.* I recently joined this forum and have read all the information I could. I too am being banded. It will be in November and with Dr. Huacuz. Thursday night I went to Tijuana again (which is just across the border) and saw the hospital and the hotel again. I am totally satisfied with my research and with the reactions of the people who have had their surgery done by Dr. Huacuz. I will be getting follow up care in Tijuana too. I just LOVE it! I am also so excited! Is it November yet????? Lynette pre-band

Well that goes with it being a border town. and with some strange stereotypical fear people have of the unfamilar. I have been to Tijuana (driving myself) many many times and stay away from the "tourist" spots and the red light district. Sure, it's a different culture. I have been to and lived in Europe too and it has a different "flavor" too. I have never had a problem with federales or anyone else. My Spanish is okay but I know several Mexicans who can and do translate for me when I am totally lost. The doctor who discovered and is treating my high blood pressure was a Mexican doctor. For the life of me I can't figure out why it was not discovered by my American doctor. Well imagine the egg on the American doc's face when he realized that he failed to diagnose high blood pressure in a 400# black woman. Come on now! Both of my doctors recommended lapband surgery and both are pleased with the choice I have made in Dr. Huacuz. Just my two cents.