grammylew

Updating myself. Thanks NAME ... Start Weight ... Goal ... Current Weight ... To Go 4jin............225.......199...........219.5.........20.5 Abby1...........172.......140...........172...........32 Allaboutme .....211 ......165 ......... 205 ..........40 Allison925 .....175 ......145 ......... 175 ..........30 Ann.............287 ......180 ..........197...........17 Anyalee.........231.......199...........231...........32 Angie4b1g ......237.8 ....205...........222.4.........17.4 Ariel ..........199 ......169 ..........199 ..........30 babs0101 .......216 ......190 ..........200 ..........10 Bbgray .........260 ......220 ..........260 ..........40 Bigbaby ........207.......167...........193.5.........26.5 bobby_hamrick...233.......199...........233...........34 Chocolate_Snaps.292.......242 ..........274 ..........32 chickatee.......184.......145...........176...........31 Cookielover ....198 ......175 ..........198 ..........23 cQQlgirl .......220.......195...........209...........14 Debihaines .....254.......200...........227.9.........27.9 eugeniam........200...... 185...........200...........15 Faithmd.........308 ......300. .........302.1........2.1 FairyFacade.....333.......180...........246...........66 Foofy ..........244 ......210 ..........235 ..........25 Gayle...........246.......190...........214...........24 Georgia Girl ...275 ......237 ..........255 ..........18 grammylew.......216 ......190 ..........200...........10 Hazeleyegrl1 ...233 ..... 200 ..........208...........8 HeatherA .......255.6 ....225 ..........250.9 ........25.9 HoppingToIt.....309.......240...........309 ..........69 Hungryforchange 225 ..... 190 ..........225...........35 Ivyrose325 .....261 ..... 215 ..........250...........35 Jeni 85 ........214.4.....184.........200.5...........16.5 Jennie1976......235.......205...........226...........21 Jfran ..........181 ......145 ..........181...........36 Jsprague .......240.......220...........233 ..........13 KarenG..........195.......165...........174...........9 Katrose.........268.......215...........234...........19 kristin1031.....256.......226...........199...........27 Legster ........216 ......187 ..........189 ..........2 Linda Lu:.......228.......195...........15.2.........20.2 liz_hager.......196.......170...........172...........2 Loftonall.......210 ......150...........210...........60 Lori_NC.........281.......250...........281...........31 Luluc ..........166 ......135 ..........142 ..........7 MamaJava .......283 ......233 ..........283 ..........50 Mamato3.........242.......199...........223.5.........24.5 Mandyjo.........188.......150...........175...........25 Mary-2b150 .....225 ......150 ..........193...........43 MissTrini.......218.......170...........218...........48 msdaneen........305.......145...........236...........91 Nadean .........204.6 ....160 ..........190.4.........30.4 Nhanson ........226 ......196 ..........220 ..........30 NOlanebryant....238.4.....198 ..........238.4.........40 Nykee...........325.......299...........325...........26 PigsRFlying.....230 ..... 150...........192...........42 Rainer .........256 ..... 216 ..........233...........17 Redtulips3 .....245 ......199 ..........217 ..........18 Sfeiner.........285.......271...........245...........40 Shadst83 .......233 ......199...........233...........34 Smithem1 .......240.6 ....190 ..........240.6 ........50.6 Soaf9...........265.......145...........220...........75 Squale..........314.......285...........314...........29 Sta6160.........205.......140...........170...........30 Stacy73 ........226.4 ....194 ..........222 ..........28 Starryeyed .....237 ..... 199 ..........229...........30 Sunny112........215.......130...........143...........13 Suzzzie ........297 ......243 ..........273 ..........30 Syndy...........252.2.....212.2.........252.2.........40 TheCapn.........520.......399 ..........469...........70 Trish5713.......255.......230...........255...........25 TxArcher .......360 ......285 ..........346 ..........61 Wombat712 ......152.8 ....120 ..........132.2.........12.2 Wrestlersmom....266.......150...........260...........116 Tmusicmaker123..384.......299...........311...........12 __________________

Yep, Fill Centers USA. Hopefully if more of us use them, the more docs they'll recruit to do this for us. I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana and knew I'd have to get fills at FCUSA. I just wish my guy was closer than 6 hours away.

I had IBS and was on prescription meds for heartburn for YEARS before my surgery. 7 months out and not a problem one with any of those things. I take my metamucil daily to stay regular. Before my surgery the only person I REALLY listened to was the one who had actually had the surgery and I knew personally. I've never been "sick" since the band. I threw up once and was pretty stuck once and had to wait it out. When I get too full or sorta stuck, or forget and drink something with me meal, if I just bend over the sink, it flows right back out. No gagging, no vomiting, no pressure, just bend over and open my mouth! That has only happened 3 times in my 7 months though! Twice in a restaurant when I unconciously drank from my water glass while eating - you'd think I'd have learned! Anyway, my advice would be either don't read this stuff before banding (but don't keep your head in the sand, research docs and stats, etc), and if you know someone personally that you can talk to IN PERSON (on the phone), do it. These forums are great for getting a "feel" for what everyone else is experiencing. But when push comes to shove and you are worrying, or have a question, or a stuck episode you want someone to TALK to NOW (even at 2 AM). That's what friends with bands are for! Not for medical advice, but common sense, this is what I feel, did you ever have this happen, what did you do, is this normal and DON'T LAUGH AT ME I KNOW I SHOULDN'T HAVE GULPED THOSE GRAPES EVEN THOUGH YOU WARNED ME ABOUT THAT KIND OF THING! Good luck, this decision is yours to make, look at the big picture, your future of running through RN school, instead of stumbling through on arthritic knees!

I SOOO like my fill doc. When I go in the staff takes my history. How much can I eat, what am I eating, how long am I satsfied, am I exercising, do I feel restricted or am I running on will power? THEN they weigh me. My fills depend on the eating habits/restriction, not on the amount I have lost. Although that might be different if I was losing 20 pounds a month, never had that problem. I think that's like - if you lose weight on a 6-mo. pre-op diet, you don't even need the band, cause you can lose weight without it! Sorry, I want my band, and I want it working WITH me, cause I couldn't do this on my own for very long. And my band didn't come with a calandar, it doesn't know 6 weeks from 3 weeks, it just knows when it needs to be tightened.

You know what - your friend is absolutely right! Not about the quick fix, but about being able to lose weight with just diet and exercise. I am living proof! I have lost 500 pounds (off and on) over the last 40 years through diet and exercise alone. Unfortunately, I also gained back 600 pounds (off and on) when I STOPPED the diet and exercise. I'm sure every person on here has lost weight through diet and exercise, and personally know 10 more who have, as well. PLEASE, show me 4 people who have lost over 100 pounds through diet and exercise alone and KEPT it off for 5 years! I want to shake their hand. I DO know folks who maintain healthy weights by healthy living. God Bless Them! BUT - These people have never been overweight to begin with! I don't know if they were just taught better by their parents, or it is a metabolism thing. Whatever it was, they are very lucky! But in the real world, with normal people, who have everyday lives, we need all the help we can get! To me WLS is a tool to control a disease, just like prescription meds are tools to control other diseases. If you want to control a disease and live longer you take whatever actions your doc rocommends - whether it is pills or surgery! Good luck. Remember - this is YOUR body, YOUR decision and YOUR quality of life.

I'd do it again in a red hot minute! When you first learned to ride a bike you probably fell off a few times, and may have scraped a knee once or twice. Did you quit? Did you consider not doing it because of the possible pain? Nope? If you are one of the VERY few this doesn't work for - it is reversible. But I don't understand how it CAN'T work, unless you conciously sabotage yourself.

I do understand that docs are very busy and stressed and letter writing and jumping through insurance hoops can be a pain. But GEEZ - didn't they know that going into the profession? Isn't their staff competant enough to have these types of letters ready to be tweaked and signed? To me this is just like writing you a prescription! Your RX is medically necessary just as your WLS is, or your surgeon wouldn't be doing it. Perhaps writing a letter to the insurance company to complain about this might also make you feel better. Is your doc in private practic, or is this a partnership. Do all of the partner's have the same policy? Hang in there, you will find a way around this, and look back on it later as just a bump in the road!

I have wondered this myself. I had my surgery in Mexico with a doc who has done thousands. But my husband's insurance will pay for his and he is starting this process to get approved now. The surgeon he has been referrred to has done less than 100. His success rate is good, but with so few, long term stats are not available. He has his first surgeon visit in 3 weeks. If all is a go, his surgery should be in Nov or Dec. I am hoping the doc will have lots more bands "under his belt" by then. Of course, if my husband isn't comfortable with the surgeon after meeting with him, it will be a moot point. We will be searching elsewhere.

Hang in there. And BTW - why is that stuff in your house?

Yes, Dr. Ortiz is one of the docs that started FCUSA. A much needed service for those who were banded in Mexico, or have moved and can't find a doc to do their fills. I LOVE my fill doc, I can get an appointment anytime. Only problem is he is nearly 6 hours away!

I was banded in Tijuana by Dr. Ortiz, as were 2 friends I PERSONALLY know - not folks I've "met" on the net. :thumbup:None of us have had any trouble! We were self pay because our insurance wouldn't cover us. :tongue_smilie: I have never gone back to MX for fills but the other 2 have. I live in NC, they live in the Pacific Northwest. We have all gotten fills in the states, too. I go to Fill Centers USA, because no doc in this area will do fills on patients they didn't do the surgery on. But I knew that going in. I have had questions and concerns in the last 6 months and called and/or e-mailed Dr. Ortiz's staff and have always gotten a prompt response. Of course, the concerns were just me worrying over nothing, but they did put my mind at ease. I'm sure there are some docs in MX that don't do the best of job, just as there are docs in the states that have the same problems. And surgery has it's chances no matter where you go. But if you do your research, I see no reason NOT to choose a GOOD doc in Mexico to do your surgery. Just be sure you have aftercare lined up near your home, unless you can afford to go back to your surgeon for that.

I was 59 when I had this done (60 now). :tongue_smilie: Within 24 hours, I was on a plane for home. Took me 2 planes, 6 hours in the air and then a 2 hour car ride home. I never had pain meds, never had gas problems and I've lost 65 pounds in 6 mo. (I was self pay in MX because I had no co-morbs and ins wouldn't pay). My husband is 67 and just beginning his process to get approved by insurance. He may be 68 by the time of surgery. If our docs didn't think this was safe, they wouldn't suggest/approve it! This surgery will be better for my hubby than the diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol he would have lived with for the next 10 - 15 years! Instead, now he'll have 20 plus years of much higher quality of life. Remember, our perspective of "old" changes the older we get. I come from a line of very "long livers" and expect that 50 was just middle age for me! Both my Grammas died past 95, my Mom is 84 and in excellent health. Why live with poor health because you are past 40, if this surgery will make life much better for you?

Well, I haven't actually gained back any weight, but I have sure had my plateaus. Your doc may be upset if you go back and have gained back 11 pounds, but they are gonna be VERY upset if you wait and go in with a 30 pound gain! Your floors aren't gonna get clean if you set the mop in the bucket and watch it - you have to participate! Your band isn't gonna work if you have it put in and don't do what needs to be done! The amount of fills a person needs until they get to the sweet spot, is different for all of us. YOU NEED A FILL!! You are gonna KNOW when you have good restriction. Surely your doc gave you guidelines. Are you having to pay for your own fills? Is that why you didn't continue to go in until you were adjusted correctly? If you weren't prepared for the maintenance costs, you should have been. Good luck to you. Get in there and talk to your doc/nut!!! Get a fill scheduled!!!! Keep going back for more until it is right!!!

Gee, I'm sure sorry you have had this experience. I know that until we KNOW how the band works we may have a few pb experiences, etc. I have read on the boards that some folks do have problems, but you make it sound like EVERYONE has them and is covering them up! How many people do you actually KNOW who has had the band? I don't mean on the boards. I mean, met, talked to, compared notes with? I know 4. One just had the surgery 2 months ago, one 3 years ago, me and the other between those times, so I think we are a pretty good cross section. One has had 4 fills, I have had 3, so we are all experienced with our fills, too. We can all eat almost anything (most not bread or pasta, but SO WHAT). We just have to chew, and take tiny bites. If you are going out to eat with people that are watching THAT closely what/how YOU eat, they must be REALLY nosey! Do you pay that much attention to their eating habits? I had a slime episode once in a restaurant and just excused myself, went in the bathroom and spit! I also take a lot of my meal home with me every time. No biggie! If anyone asks, I'd just say my husband loves left overs. Sounds to me like you are too tight and should talk to your doc. My doc has me drink water DURING the fill. When it STOPS going down, he backs off a tiny bit, has me drink more to be sure it goes down OK. No fluoro. Two of my friends have their fills under fluro and their doc does it differently. Good luck to you. I hope you develop a better relationship with your band.

Yep. Tijuana, Dr. Ortiz, $8500, my daughter paid for it. Consequently if I have complications I would also have to pay for it myself, either here or in Mexico. I get fills at Fill Centers USA.

Good luck, my DH is retired and I have TriCare standard. I was 100 pounds overweight, but had no co-morbidities. I went to Mexico. My husband has Medicare and TriCare For Life and is just starting the process to get approved for this surgery. Seems to me more insurance companies would want us to be proactive with this. Why wait until we have those co-morbs and have done the yo-yo thing for years, and cost them thousands more in health care costs!?! Maybe in a few years they'll come around. Good luck! I hope you can get approved.

Grammylew........216...........190.............206:thumbup:

Good luck with your surgery. I have my fills done by a doc contracted with Fill Centers USA. He is 5 1/2 hours away, so I get the fill in the afternoon, do a little shopping and go check into a motel for the night. I don't want to be all the way home and wake up to discover I am too tight and have to drive back for an unfill! I knew from the beginning that there were no docs in this area that will do fills on you if you didn't have surgery with them. So I was prepared for this. I CAN still go to Dr. Ortiz for fills, and will at around my 1 year anniversary. And with the price of gas and hotel, it would probably cost me the same to fly to MX for my fills! The plane ride would be shorter than the car ride I now take!

I've only been banded for 6 months, but I no longer measure either. Eat the right stuff and by now, we all know when to stop. Like most, sometimes I can eat more than other times. The band is fickle and you can't figure it out. I keep a mental running tally of the protein I get and still sometimes have a protein shake in the evening if I feel the need. Just go with the flow.

I had my daughter with me, but we came from different parts of the country, so I flew there and home alone. (Surgery in Tijuana, we met at the San Diego airport). It was GREAT having her there for support, but I could have done it alone, without a problem. But I was one of the few who had NO PAIN, NO TROUBLE and NO WORRIES. I was on the plane home within about 24 hours of my surgery. I COULD have stayed longer as part of my self pay package, but I felt FANTASTIC and just wanted to get home! I had to take 2 flights (a total of 6 hours in the air), and a 2 hour car ride to get home and I felt just great the entire trip! Good luck to you, you can do it. And I'm sure you will meet lots of others there for the same surgery and can "adopt" someone elses support person if needed.

No Pain. My doc rubs some numbing stuff on before the fill needle. My port is about 2" below and to the left of my port incision, so the first fill he had to feel around alot to find the right spot to stick me. Now we both know where it is, and he finds the place with his fingers right away, before the poke. I was more scared of the 1st fill, than I was of the surgery! I guess because my daughter was with me for the surgery, and I was on my own for the fill. How silly of me!:thumbup:

My doc says - no foods for 12 hours prior, nothing (including fluids) for 4 hours prior. Liquids for 24 hours after, mushies for another 24 hours, then back to solids. He wants to be sure I am EMPTY when he adds the saline. SO DO I. He doesn't use fluoro. He has me drink cool water while he fills and I tell him when it won't go down. If I already have stuff in my pouch, how will we know if the saline he is adding is working? Makes perfect sense to me!

My advice - don't give up! Increase your exercise, be sure your calories for the day include enough protein (check with your nut on how many he/she says), be sure you are getting ALL of your water! I had NO restriction until my 2nd fill, and then it decreased from week 3 to week 6 when I was back to NONE! My 3rd fill is still doing well after 5 weeks and I hope it continues for another few months! My surgery was 10/1/07. It took me 3 months to finally accept the fact that I am a "drop and stop" kinda gal!! I'll lose 2 pounds, and then stay the same for a week or 10 days, and then drop again. It doesn't bother me anymore, just so it's never a "stop and hop" (up). I may be losing slower than most, but I am still losing. Lately I haven't been as religious with my exercise as I should, but I still "move" on most days. Hang in there!!! This was a "forever" decision, and forever is longer than 4 months! GOOD LUCK!

I sure wish mine had been covered. I am TriCare, standard retired dependant. Have to use civilian doc. 100 pounds overweight, but no cm. I was self pay in MX last Oct. We are currently trying to get my DH approved - he is on Medicare and TriCare for Life. Good luck to you. I hope you can find a cheaper solution.

OK, I'm in, never did this publicly before. My end goal weight is 175 and I gave myself until August 2008 - I should reach that easily, but if I set too high a goal, it is a disaster for me! So here goes, slow and steady wins the race. Name ..............Start Weight ...Goal ...Current Weight grammylew.............. 267......... 290........ 216