headin_to_mxico
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Everything posted by headin_to_mxico
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Does anyone know how steph passed away? I talked to her a few days before her latest surgery and then saw she posted on her blog on her surgery day and then I saw her blog comments that all said she passed away. Did she pass in surgery? Or something else? I am so heartbroken. Steph I am so sad. May you RIP you sweet thing
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Its so disheartening watching everyone else. My Dr never told me that some people lose so slowly and I really wish he would have. My expectations were to be like everyone else. After he sees how slow I lose he tells me not to be discouraged because there are people who lose slower than others, but they still make it to goal. Its hard when you are expecting a 1-2 pound a week weight loss and end up with only 15 pound WL in 7-8 months. I feel like giving up. Like the band was just another failed diet. I exercise, I make good food choices and really think about what I am eating before I eat it. I get fills and am just under 4cc's in a 5 cc band. But my weight loss is so slow its horrible. And my Doc tells me that weight loss will only slow down as I get closer to goal. Goal! HA! Even talking like I will ever get there seems like a joke. I just am really starting to think that the band doesnt work for everyone. And I am one of those people.
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It doesnt work the same for everyone
headin_to_mxico replied to headin_to_mxico's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hopeful, your band can't work right without a fill. I was scared of fills too until I started getting them. Dr's usually fill you up really slowly so as not to overfill you. The first three or four fills I got didn't even give me restriction. Then I finally got restriction. Had a few PB episodes that weren't that bad (plenty of time to get to a rest-room) and learned how to eat slow, chew well, and avoid them all together (for the most part, 99% of the time anyways). However, even being at restriction didn't get me to goal. And excersising hasn't really helped much. I started this thread a year or so ago and have been taking off and putting on the same five pounds. I lost 35 pounds with the lap band out of the 60 I wanted to lose. A lot of statistics say that people will loose a little over half their excess body weight. I guess that was the catagory I fell into. It is very disapointing, but I do realize that it is great that I lost more than half my excess weight and that it hasn't come back. I am confident that I will be able to keep this weight off. Without the band I would have only gained more weight in the years since I was banded. So it isn't all a loss. My first Dr wouldn't band me because I was low BMI. He said that he didn't think I would lose enough weight to warrent the surgery. I would say in one part he was right, I didn't lose much weight; but I still don't regret the surgery. I am now just "overweight" and no longer obese. I don't gain 5 pounds in two weeks if I go off my diet. You should call your Doc and get a fill Hopeful. I know its scary; but you were brave enough to get the band, you can find the courage to face the fear and get the fill. You will be ok. I was scared too for my first fill, but once I got the first one out of the way they got easier and easier to get. Its not that bad and restriction is what will help you lose the weight. Good luck! -
July bandsters...need some help...
headin_to_mxico replied to bobbiezhere's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Dont feel alone. I have lost half my weight (only 35 pounds!) and its going so slow. I also get discouraged and dont post here anymore because I feel like I am so not qualified to talk about the band since I have done so poorly with it. But I have not given up. I think a big problem for myself has been lack of medical attention and follow up with my band Dr. I was self pay and my old insurance wouldnt cover any costs. But I got new insurance in December and they say they will pay for my follow up costs as long as my primary Dr refers me. I have an apt to see my Dr in early Jan and Im hoping for a referal. I really dont see why he wouldnt refer me so fingers crossed. I am determined to make this work. I also have signed up at the college I go to for four days a week of two hour work out classes. I think this will help too (currently I am only signed up for two days a week). And my insurance should cover nutritionist. It would be nice if we slow losers kept in touch to keep eachother motivated not to give up. I still think I can do it; I just have to keep truckin. -
Yeah my restriction is so so. I have some; but I am eating more than the cup that my Dr says should be the max before you get the full feeling. So he says come in for a fill. I hope that jump starts things back up. I am working out every week, but only three days. I need to up it to five days. Yeah I could def eat better too. Its such a huge change. Im trying, but its a lot of work!
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Ive lost five pounds in the last five months. Slow going. Im going back in for a fill in January. Im just over 30 pounds lost which doesnt even put me at the half way to goal.
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Yes I also am a slow loser. I have lost just over 30 pounds in a year and three months which puts me at about two pounds a month instead of the two pounds a week my Dr said was the norm. But I am 7 BMI's down. And I know I need more restriction because I too eat more than a cup of food at a time. Until our restriction is ok then we wont lose weight at the right speed. The problem is that I have had more restriction and I hated PBing. I eat about half what I used to eat and I work out for two hours three times a week. Its a learning process and a life style change and I wasnt as gung hoe as some others who are losing it faster. If this is the speed I lose at then I deal with that; or else I go back in for a fill and get the kind of restriction that only allows for a cup at a time and also makes me PB anytime I eat breads or cabs and causes me acid reflux. Its a decision I struggle with. I think in Jan I may go in for a fill and deal with the side effects to lose weight faster. I think for the acid reflx my Dr can prescribe me something and as far as carbs go, I will just have to stop eating them with the tighter restriction.
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today I am one year out. I have lots of reflections. 1) I was unrealistic about my expectations. I had about 60 pounds to loose and I thought it would all be off by now. Well I have lost 30. And today I am ok with that. Starting out with a BMI under 40 can make a lot of people loose much slower than the average 1-2 pounds a week. Yes I know there are those of you who started under 40 BMI and lost it all in the first year or sooner, but many many people who start with BMI under 40 loose much slower than that. So I am not so hard on myself any more. I just wish I would have gone into it with a more realistic time frame of getting to goal. 2) Restriction can be hard to get right! Fill fill fill, no restriction then BAM! Fill and I cant keep anything down, then small unfill no restriction, small fill too tight again, you get my point. Right now I have some restriction, but I am not as tight as Id like to be. At least Im not running to the bathroom to PB every time I eat. I dont know if I will ever hit the "sweet spot" I was looking for. However, I do eat about half as much as I used to. I am still learning the difference between head hunger and real hunger. I am much better at it one year out than I was at the start of this. 3) I have to work out! I do not loose weight without working out. End of story. A lot of people do, I am not one of those people. So....I work out now =) and during the weeks I dont, if I dont loose weight, I have no one to blame but myself. 4) I am much more excited about the second year of my banding than the first. I actually expect it to go much better now that I have learned so much about my body and how it works with the band. I do expect to be at goal by next year. I am happy that my band and I can get along and work with each other. I am happy that after a year of trying to loose weight I am gung hoe to start the next year. I have never staid motivated for more than a few months. I am glad that the band is a life change for me. Because it is a life change, I KNOW it will work for me. Maybe slower, but it will work. Happy Bandiversary to my band and me. I love you band!:cool:
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Has anyone gone to mexico for lap-band?
headin_to_mxico replied to grni77's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I had the exact same problem with surgery in the US and the same BMI as you. I went to Mexico and had my surgery by Dr Rumbraut (sp?) Myself along with other bandsters here have used him and everyone I know who has used him has loved him and his staff. PM me if you want more info. One awsome thing about him is that he only cuts one incision thats about two inches instead of the five that most Drs do. That was the deal sealer for me. He cost around 7k if I remember right. Now one last thing. I feel I need to be honest with you and tell you that one year out I am only 30 pounds down. I know many bandsters who started with low BMI who loose much much slower than average. I am now half way done with my weight loss one year out, but going into it I thought because I had minimal amount to loose that I would be done faster. Not the case. Now some bandsters who started low BMI do end up loosing really fast. BUT, I think for most starting with a BMI under 40, it is much slower going for us. So mentally prepare yourself for that. I didnt, and I had some really dark moments where I didnt think it would work for me an I got really depressed over feeling like a failure. I now realize it is totally working, just taking me twice as long to get there. -
hey hows it going? Are you still tring to get insurance to approve your band?
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I also just wanted to point out that you and I are like so close with our stats. We had almost the exact same amount to lose when we had surgery, and we lost almost the same amount in the year since. Thanks for being my band buddy! Its helped me feel more normal with so many others zooming by me!
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I know I felt the same way. I thought I would be at goal 12 months out. And really at this rate, come mid July (my one year), I will only be half way there. But honestly, Im starting to just accept that its slower for me. Thats ok. As long as I keep losing I am not going to be hard on myself. The pound here, pound there is adding up. I am close to half way to goal now. If it takes one more year to get to goal, thats ok. As long as I keep losing slow is fine with me.
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Hi. Its been a while. How are things? Im doing pretty good. I really stepped up my excersise and have lost 25 pounds now from day of surgery. Can you believe we are coming up on our one year?
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It doesnt work the same for everyone
headin_to_mxico replied to headin_to_mxico's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Ah Willowcat! I read your posts and I am so happy that you are doing so well with the band. It was such a bumpy journey to even afford this band, travel to Mexico, and be banded. I was sure at the time it was the answer to all my weight loss problems. No such luck. I hope that by tweeking some things likemy Protein intake amount that I can turn this around. I really want this band to work for me too. Thanks for the link. You are so kind and thoughtful. Not only words of encouragement, but also useful information! Who could ask for more in a friend? -
It doesnt work the same for everyone
headin_to_mxico replied to headin_to_mxico's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Im sure I could get sleeved, but honestly, after spending 10k on a surgery that didnt work for me, I would NEVER get another one. The only WLS Im convinced would work for me is a bypass since they actually take out a good part of your intestines and thus you cannot absorb much in the way of calories. Thats a pretty good guarantee of weight loss. But the side effects are soooo crazy, and I have seen so many people gain the weight back after a few years of the bypass! I would never do that to myself. And the sleeve sounds good, but I am not convinced it would work for me after this failure with the band. Im just going to live with the choice I made of the lapband. -
I am at 3.4 cc's in my 5cc band. I have to chew really well and eat slowly or else I PB or/and get stuck. Its not the way I eat that makes me feel like I need a fill, because I think that I have a good amount of restriction. Its the amount I eat that makes me think so. In order to feel satisfied, I still eat a lot. When I got the band, my Dr said that the band would only allow my pouch to hold 1/4-1/2 cup of food. Even though I eat protein first and veggies and then carbs, I still find myself eating a normal portion, which is at least an entire cup of food. For instance, I go to chipotle and I order grilled chicken in a bowl with whole pinto beans and fresh salsa, and I am satisfied after I eat that whole bowl. And if you have seen one of those, you know they are big. I dont eat rice anymore in those bowls, because I have enough restriction where carbs like rice, pasta, bread and french fries dont go down well. I made an apt for a fill this Friday, but I dont want to get so tight that I am gagging on my own spit. The other night I ate a steak, and a salad and a few bites of potato. Then I felt satisified, not overly stuffed. For those of you with good restriction, do you think I could use a little more if Im still eating a cup at a time? Or do you think this will make me too tight since I already cant eat breads and stuff?
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It doesnt work the same for everyone
headin_to_mxico replied to headin_to_mxico's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I know right! Thanks for posting. You are so right! I did make this choice, and I need to live with it and make the best of it. I wish I could be more mature like you! Im such a cry baby! I seriously feel like rolling on the ground pounding my fists and legs and having an all out tantrum. :thumbup: Not even kidding! I get so frustrated. I need to just accept that its going to be harder and just work that much harder. Im honestly disappointed with my band. I hope that I can pull out of this funk because Im not going to get anywhere with this attitude of mine. But knowing what I should do and doing that are two different things right? lol. At this point my bad attitude, Im sure, is just making matters worse. Maybe I should stop doing cycle classes and join a kickboxing class to get this aggression out in a productive way. lol I just really know that I have to go on a hard core diet, and work my butt off at the gym. I know I can loose the weight this way, I only really hope that with the band, this time I can keep it off. :thumbup: -
It doesnt work the same for everyone
headin_to_mxico replied to headin_to_mxico's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
LAGirl, You may very well end up being fine once you have restriction. Tighten that baby up. I wouldnt worry untill you actually HAVE good restriction. If you restricted nice and tight and you still arnt loosing, come join my pitty party. I am handing out invitations, misery loves company! :thumbup: -
It doesnt work the same for everyone
headin_to_mxico replied to headin_to_mxico's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
LorieO, Sorry youre having these feelings. I know how awful it is to be in a negitive rut. But I honestly wouldnt give into these feelings if I were you yet. You probably dont have good restriction yet. You are still really fresh out of surgery. I hope that this will turn around for you. :thumbup: -
It doesnt work the same for everyone
headin_to_mxico replied to headin_to_mxico's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I was able to keep a good attitude at first by telling myself that I was in bandster hell and I needed better restriction before it would work right. I actually didnt get to this negative mindset until really recently. But Im now over seven months out, I have good restriction, Im making good choices, and Im STILL not loosing. I honestly dont know what else to do accept for go on some sort of crazy diet. And I was sick of going on crazy diets, thats why I got this band. I have lost the weight before on diets and Im thinking thats what Im going to need to do. Go on a hard core diet and loose the weight and hope that maybe with the band, this time the weight wont come back on. The way the band was explained to me was that if I made good choices, I wouldnt have to diet like crazy. My Dr says I am doing everything right. I just went in and saw him on Friday and told him my feelings. He ended up giving me another fill, even though I was already having good restriction. I really dont think that this fill is going to do much more for me, but I guess Ill see. The only way I can see to proceed with this is to go on a hard core diet, cut ALL cheese, ALL dairy, ALL fat, ALL sugar and most carbs until this weight comes off. And then see if it will stay off once I add those things back in moderation. Because I can only diet like that for a few months. I cant change my life to never eat cheese or dairy or sugar again. I can keep them in check, but I cant forever cut those things out (I dont think anyone could), which is why I got the band. So I could be normal. It just didnt work for me. Its important for me to let people know that it doesnt work the same for everyone. I am living proof of it. Back to the life of crazy diets, even with a band. -
Bump** Anyone have any thoughts? I mean, should I go off of how much I am eating? Because if so, I think I need a fill. Or should I go off of how slow and how much I have to chew to eat? Because if so, then I'd guess I have enough restriction. **Confused** :blushing:
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Hey, thanks for your response. I was going pull out a gun if someone who has lost 100 pounds in six months got on there and told me how wrong I was and that it works the same for everyone, that I just am not doing it right. Seriously, I just wanted to post that so other people could know going into this that it works different for some people. It may have helped me mentally prepare for that possibility and not be in the mental place I am in right now. I think I will get through this and get more positive, but this is how I feel right now, and I appreciated your reply. So thanks. I needed that.
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Large AP Lap Band and lack of success?
headin_to_mxico replied to jtreece's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I have a small band and have the same problem as you, so I dont know if you can attribute it to the size of the band. I have a 5cc band and was banded in July and have only lost 16 pounds to date. Its very frustrating. I have just under 4 cc's in my 5cc band and I still dont have enough restriction. I have come to believe that everyone's stomach is different and reacts different to being cinched up. My stomach isnt phased the way some peoples are. I have half way given up thinking this will even work. And yes I do exercises and eat right. Thats how Ive lost the 16 pounds I have lost so far. I needed to loose 65 pounds and seven months out I still have 50 to go which seems pretty impossible to me unless somehow something changes with this band. So to answer your question, I personally would say that it isnt so much the small vrs large band size. It may just be the sensitivity to an individual's stomach. Thats my theory at least. But I could be totally wrong. lol -
Why Tell Anyone?
headin_to_mxico replied to HAL380's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I was orig only going to tell my spouse. Obv he had the right to know. I ended up telling one close friend who is not friends with any of my other friends. She is like a mother fig to me, and since my mother can be a bit of a talker with my other fam members, I chose not to tell her. So I am 9 months out and only two people besides my Doctor know. I do have friends I have met on the band websites who I can talk to about my experiences, so I dont feel like I need to tell my friends for support. Thats why sites like these are so important to long term success for those of us who choose to keep it private. That way I have support, but I dont need to compromise my privacy. I dont think I will ever tell anyone else about my surgery.