mica

I don't believe a word! If your condition in so "life threatening" and that death is a "very real possibility", why are you not recovering in ICU instead of typing such long-winded entries on this forum? If I had a plastic tube burrowing into my colon, I would insist on getting it the hell out of there ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!. I think maybe something went wrong with your band but I doubt that it is what you said.

I was banded in Tijuana, Mexico by Dr. Ramos Kelly Jan 25, 08. $7500.00 plus cost of flight. My surgery went fine, no complications, home in 3 days. Don't worry about the language barrier as there is always someone there who speaks English. The care was excellent and I get my fills here in Saskatoon. The director of the clinic is coming to Saskatoon May 3, 08 to do information sessions and fills, might be worth your while to come this way for more info. Contact me for more info.

Hi, I am using "Johnnys great caesar! Garlic spread and seasonings". It is awesome! I buy it at costco (I'm from Canada), hopefully it is available where you are. It is a powder, come in a 510 g jar for about $5.99. Hope you like it. If you like garlic and caeser stuff, you'll love this.

It could be that they use a cautery scalpel (which burns instead of cuts tissue) and maybe the smoke smell/taste is that being slowly released via the lungs. Or..........you could be a sleep walker who just took up a nasty habit!

I hear ya Bandvirgin! It is beneficial to be aware of some of the problems that can occur with the band you can't be stupid or naive, you need to be informed and to make an intelligent decision, but I think it is as important or maybe even more important to hear of the positives! It is so encouraging to hear the good stuff, it makes me feel like "I can Too!!!" I was banded in Mexico, so really have no follow-up here, but I was aware of that and accepted that before I set out to get banded. I have a fill-nurse here which I will see for the 1st time on saturday. I'm certain that I will have down days, problems etc... but am confident that the good will out weigh the bad! The outlook often predicts the future! sometimes, I read postings that are so negative about the surgery, the Dr. etc... that had I discovered them before the surgery, I would not have done it, and feeling how I feel now, that would be tragic! Cuz it is going well for ME! And I'm sure that it is going well for a whole lot of other folks out there too. Lets be positive! We've all enlisted on this life-changing, life-giving (in some cases), and lifetime journey, lets make it a good and fun one!

Hi, I live in Saskatoonand I was banded in Tijuana, Mexico Jan 25,08. I'm down 15-20 lbs and doing well. Looking forward to my first fill this saturday. I am intested in communicating with any other fellow Saskatchewanians out there who are experiencing this life-changing journey. Mica

I hear ya Slcmommy! I've been fat all my life, under 5 feet 2 and 185 when I had my band done. I've done the diet thing countless times, with success, failure, success failure and on and on it goes!!!Each time, my self-esteem lost the weight while I got fatter! I do believe that my problem could never be solved by dieting alone, I needed an actual tool that prevented me from overeating. When people say it is the "easy way out", I say B.S.! How long should one continue on this road to nowhere before they are allowed to actually take a path that is successful? I'm pretty sure that no one getting this done has been fat for a short time! We all have a longstanding problem that we have tried countless times to address, to no avail. This tool is here for us, and we are gonna use it!

Hi everyone! I am about 3 wks post-op and feeling fine. I have secured a fill nurse and am relieved about that. I live in an area where there is not alot of lapbands (if any) being done and therefore no need for a fill person. I was worried that I would have to travel 6 hours to get it done! I think I am about 15+ lbs down since surgery. Most of the swelling and pain in the abdomen has abated. Last night I watched a video of a lap band surgery on line. Being a nurse, I found it facinating, and only wished I'de seen it before surgery so I had an idea of what exactly is being done. If anyone is interested, go to the top of the page and do a search for lapband surgery video. I watched one from Utah, I think and it was good. If your'e squeamish, maybe avoid watching it as it is after all, surgery.

I was banded in Tijuana, Mexico Jan 25, 08. I'm looking to team up with any other local (or from anywhere really!) folks in the same boat! Maybe we can walk this walk together, share experiences, troubles, solutions and offer support! I find that it is much easier to get through something with someone who is going through the same thing. I look forward to hearing from you!

Yes, I did do this alone, maybe not recommended but I did survive! I really am happy with not having to rationalize or legitimize my decision (does that make sense?)My 3 sisters are very understanding but have never had an issue with weight and I don't think that they get the overweight thing, so, although I am very close to them, I will not tell them. I guess I'll just have to come up with creative things to tell them when they see me not eat like before.How about you, where were you banded? when? and how are you doing?

:biggrin:Wow, how happy am I to have discovered this forum???? What I'm reading, I have or am experiencing! I am 46 with a bmi of around 35, I am 5'1" and fat all my life. I told only my husband and kids about the surgery! I just didn't and don't want any of the hassle and explainations that come with people knowing and not understanding! I flew a few thousand miles to Tijuana Mexico on a thurs, had surgery on a friday and flew back on the sunday morning. I had about 4 plane changes as well as a cancelled flight and subsequent overnighter in Calgary to finally make it home 1 day late. I would not recomend this!It's very difficult getting comfortable with all the pain from surgery and gas etc...on a plane.Since getting home I am slowly healing and I think am doing well, I just don't have anyone here to talk to about my experiences.One of the tough things has been lying to all the people who ask me where I went, or even those that I met on the plane! I am happy with my decision and hope that I can finally have some control over my eating.I look forward to reading more!