coppercorrie

I've read that a lap band patient should expect to loose about half their intended weight loss in the first year so you are half way there in only 90 days. So don't beat yourself up. I've been impatient to see more progress myself but it took along time to get into this condition, it will take a little time for me to get back out of it. LOL C in Tucson

This really helps me. I was banded 3/15/08 and have had 3 fills so far and just can't seem to get it right. I have to drive from Tucson to Tijuana each time and its getting a little OLD. LOL The first fill was too loose - I guess I was nervous and it made it look like it was tighter than it really was. I went back 2 weeks later and told them to tighten it and they overfilled it but I decided to just live with it (104 days) and when I got where I couldn't keep much of anything down and was really weak I went back. Now it looks like they took too much out, which I told them when I watched the fluroscope. I'm tempted to find someone closer to do it but I have a feeling it will be expensive... I emailed my doctor today to ask for the # ccs from each of my fills/unfills. I hope she responds soon since I am gaining weight back fast. c

I didn't qualify either at 200lbs and 5' 2.5" but I had it done in Tijuana March 15th and I'm so glad I did - I'm down to 162. I had them fill my band super tight so its been a tough lifestyle change but really worth it.

I have the same problem but I can't even take a couple of bites - I have to take one small bite and then see if my band will let it through - mornings are the worst but if I am under stress (am alot) it can get tight on me too. I used to eat when stressed and that was a big reason for my excess weight - now I have a really loud alarm bell that says if you want to eat, you are going to have to relax! I asked to have my band real tight and some days its hard to deal with but I am more than half way and I was banded on 3/15/08. Good luck and thanks for posting. Corrie

I just had to email when I read the words "heavy slime" that is exactly what I have been trying to descibe to my surgeon in Tijuana and I don't think she understood what I was trying to tell her. this stuff won't let anything through - on bad days not even water. If I spit into my sink strainer it will hold water for quite some time. Do you have any remedies? I would really like to know how you are handling it. Thanks, Corrie

I was banded on March 15th in Tijuana and was very happy with the care I received. All the doctors spoke English well and were very thorough. The nursing staff are not 100% bilingual so if I had it to do over again I would have asked for the translated list of frequently used phrases in advance of my trip. They give you one but its 24 hours or more after the surgery and I could have used it when I arrived because the nurse who did my IV had a hard time (but so do the healthcare professionals in the US), I have really tiny veins - I wish I could have communicated with her and some of the other nursing staff better. I have to say that the nurses were all trying hard to learn English and were very open to attempting communication. My Spanish is almost non-existent so I was at a disadvantage. I have kept up with all of the patients who were banded on March 15th with me and we are all doing well. At the 5 month mark, I had lost over 50% of my desired target weightloss. The hardest part is getting the band to the correct tightness and then mastering the behavior modifications that you go through a couple of months after the surgery. If you follow the rules closely and contact the staff any time you have questions, you should do fine. I have my band super tight and its not always fun, but it is always worth it (to me). Good luck and feel free to keep in touch. Corrie

Just wanted to say how much I appreciate hearing from someone who has been banded for a long while. I realize that alot of folks move on and don't stay active on this site but for us newbies it is good to hear from someone who has been so successful over a number of years. It helps me to be patient. I have had to have my band tightened twice this month so that I can finally see some progress (Banded 3/15). I was wondering if at the beginning you had trouble in the morning. I have trouble even with warm liquids first thing in the morning. I have only been at the proper restriction for 3 days but I noticed right away that first thing in the morning not even water wants to go down. It is all worth it though because now I am finally seeing some progress. I lost my first 15 pounds in the first 4 weeks and the past 6 weeks I had only a pound or two and in the last 3 days I've lost as much as in the past 6 weeks!!

Just wanted to say how much I appreciate hearing from someone who has been banded for a long while. I realize that alot of folks move on and don't stay active on this site but for us newbies it is good to hear from someone who has been so successful over a number of years. It helps me to be patient. I have had to have my band tightened twice this month so that I can finally see some progress (Banded 3/15). I was wondering if at the beginning you had trouble in the morning. I have trouble even with warm liquids first thing in the morning. I have only been at the proper restriction for 3 days but I noticed right away that first thing in the morning not even water wants to go down. It is all worth it though because now I am finally seeing some progress. I lost my first 15 pounds in the first 4 weeks and the past 6 weeks I had only a pound or two and in the last 3 days I've lost as much as in the past 6 weeks!!

Hi, I just turned 44 and was wondering if this is an open group. I was banded 3/15 and am looking for a support group.I live in Tucson and haven't found anything local so far.

I am scheduled for surgery in Tiajuana 2/14 or 2/17 and was told I would have Dr Lopez. I did some research on this site and saw mixed feedback. The other doctor I saw mentioned is Dr Rodriguez. Does anyone have feedback on how to choose between the two. I chose Belite over another group in Monterrey because of the number of surgeries performed. I assumed that more experience was the reason for the higher price. Also it was more expensive to travel to Monterrey even though the procedure was $900 less there. I haven't paid my deposit yet so if anyone used Monterrey and really loved it let me know. Copper