jkpenny376

Down to 231.8...and slowly dropping

I am now at 234 and teetering...

:frown:I am getting so frustrated...I haven't lost any weight in almost a month. I have teetered from gaining +/- 2 lbs. I haven't had a fill yet and was banded on June 3 of this year...but I still have restriction at times. I can't ever eat breakfast...to tight so I was drinking the equate brand shakes and added a banana and splenda with a dash of vanilla and blend up with ice for bfst...but I think maybe that was actually hurting me..I don't know I just know I am not losing. I have started walking 3 times a week and walk a min. of 2 miles..and thought that would help my flatline of weightloss..but it hasn't touched the scale. Pelple are telling me they think I have lost more, but I can't see it..at all. That ole'belly is still hanging low low low..hahaha. I am kind of afraid to get a fill because I am feeling restriction, but I know I am able to eat more then I should...but am afraid once I get the fill it will be horrible. I do PB and slime still and so I don't want to make it worse. Any help from someone has been there would be greatly appreciated...Thanks guys....

I am in the DFW area and wanting to know the cash prices of fills for some surrounding states. We travel and I wanted to know what the price differences were from us here. I am needing a fill and if the prices are drastically different then it might be worth the cost to fly or drive there. Does anyone have any info on Tunica Mississippi or Memphis fill doctors. I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Rod.

I can't keep off the scale.....I find myself weighing everytime I go to the restroom..just to see. I know a lot of people don't and don't recommend it..but I like ot see the numbers. It makes it real for me since I can't really see it in the mirror....

Way to go Long2b...over 40 lbs. What an inspiration.... I really am positive about the loss...I guess it was just a wake up call when I thought I was doing good and focusing on the loss and then I saw a picture of me from this weekend...and I can't see it so it discouraged me for a brief moment...but I won't lose my faith that it WILL WORK...and it will just take time. It is nice reading these and gives me hope. Have you had a fill yet? What is your average weekly weightloss?

I seem to be teetering at this weight amount. I was banded June 4 and I started at 264 and I am 240/241 now. It feels like this weight is taking forever to come off. I know it didn't get put on in one month and it won't come off in one month...but I can't tell a difference in my appearance really. I guess I can tell my BELLY doesn't hang down as much and my rear doesn't have quite the shelf it use to...but you would think that a 20 + lb loss would show a little more. I guess I am lucky I am not gaining. I talked to my coord. about getting a fill and because I currently have restriction then she thinks it isn't a good idea. I was told that about 1 in 10 bandsters don't need fills and have immediate restriction...maybe I am one of them...I don't know. I need to be happy with the loss I have so far...but it's hard seeing yourself so large still. Sorry didn't mean to rant. I am thankful that I am here and losing even at a snails pace....

That is a completely NORMAL feeling. I even wrote a 5 pg letter to my kids and husband just in case...because I knew I had to do this for me and for them...and I wanted them to know this. I think anyone who goes under has those feelings. I had the feelings also because even though it was a necessity it was still a choice and I know if something happened it would have ulitmately been by my choice...but I think if you weren't worried....then you wouldn't be taking this seriously..and it is serious. It is LIFE changing. I was banded on June 4th and have lost a total of 22 lbs..and I will say the beginning weeks were hell...Hunger, emotional.....just it all came crashing down on me all at once...but that being said..I still wouldn't take back the band...as hard as it has been it is still better then where I was Pre-band. I am making life changing choices everyday...and learning that I matter and this weight will not own my anymore....I have taken control of this beast once and for all and I will fight it to the end. Everything will be be fine...and it's normal to feel the way you feel. Hang in there. It will all be okay.

I am down a few more pounds...woohoo. It's slow going, but as long as it's going I don't care.

:confused:I was banded June 5 and I haven't had a fill yet, but am feeling restriction???? or what I think is restriction....since I haven't had a fill yet, I don't know exactly what restriction feels like so this is my best guess. Tightness when eating certain foods, and in the beginning it's hard to eat...much easier for me in the evening. Also my nose runs when I am getting full. I know this sounds weird, but it does. I was wondering about anyone else out there and how they were feeling and coping and what their docs had said to them about it and how to know if you need to get a fill and if this is normal.

I was banded on June 5th....tomorrow is my one month anniv..woohoo and I have lost 18lbs...my prob is that sometimes I feel no restriction and others I can barely get a meal down. I don't eat near what I did before...maybe like a 1/4, but I was wondering why I might be having restriction while others don't? Does this mean I don't need a fill until I have no restriction or where do I go from here?

I would run!!!!!!!! I had my surgery in Mexico w/ Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Juarez and was very happy. If she can't get it together now what makes you think your coord/fac. will be able to get it together when you have your surgery. If you have already paid your deposit it is worth losing that money to be safe. I have never heard of that Dr. on these boards. It sounds fishy and if your gut tells you this then drop it like a hot potatoe and find another Dr. There are more qualified Dr.'s to use. Don't become one of those mexican mishaps because you used some quack less then on the up and up dr's. YOU WILL REGRET NOT FOLLOWING YOUR GUT INSTINCT.

:biggrin2:I found this website that has all the fastfood chains and their nutrition for their menu. I don't know if this has been on here before..sure it is but none the less I couldn't find it so am posting it again. It helped me to determine my calories and Protein intake when eating out. http://www.chowbaby.com/fastfood/fast_food_nutrition.asp?ff_restid=1059

Be careful talking bad about A. Rod...some of "us" (not me) get testy if we even mention the fact that A. Rod is less then perfect and doesn't have great references.....I wonder Trisha is this is enough to make you think that maybe some of what is being said about him MAY indeed be true?

What causes melted fat...oops re read it again and saw what you said. Now in the beginning it was a clear liquid...before it turned reddish brown... I sent an email to my facilitator and awaiting what she says. Is there anything you can do for it or just let it take it's course?

:confused:Hi I was banded on June 5th of 08..I am 10 days post op. My incisions have been healing nicely or so I thought. I was sitting here tonight and noticed that some smeared discoloration was above my port incision....I looked at it and as I pressed near the incision to wipe it some clear drainiage came out...so I pressed more until the drainage no longer came out..not hard..just enough to ooze it out...then blood came out after that..but it wasn't bright red blood it was kinda brownish...I mean it was red but a browner tent to it...it is coming out a small pinhole of the incision. You can't even tell where it is coming from unless you see it coming out. It is not red, hot to the touch nor did the drainage smell....could it be infected. What do I do? It wasn't a large amount. Enough that one kleenex was able to do the trick to get it cleaned up.

Cosmos...who were you banded by in Mexico?

No it isn't out there...it's a point of view...I completely see it's relivance.

Thanks Cosmos...you Da Man...:smile:

You are right I stated that everyone should voice their opinon but not keep it on Auto Pilot and keep going on and on about the same thing. You stated that you didn't like the fact that she didn't have the stats to back it up..OKAY..does it mean that she has to stop feeling the way she does no...does it mean when asked or on posts to not put her opinion in on Dr. Rod no...likewise for you as well...but put it and leave it. It appears from his website that you are pretty close to him...pictures with you and him and so forth. I would assume you think of him as more then a Dr. but a friend...or so it would seem. What I am saying is that PRIDE sometimes causes a person to only see one side. Theirs...and I say this for both sides here. If I was banded and had major complications due to the surgeons negligence do you think that I would say great things about that surgeon...HELL NO I wouldn't. Do I want to hear all the good and bad about my Dr. HELL YES...will I take it in stride base my decision on many factors of course I will. What I am trying to say is that you are emotionally involved it would seem because you become so volatile about protecting his image and anything negative that is said about him. I know of a few people that had bad issues with Dr. Jose Rod...you drop that like you are going to hurt my feelings...I did my research and have heard from them..am I mad at them for not being happy or having a bad experience..NO that would be down right STUPID. We don't have to like everyones surgeon..and you aren't his protector...he's a big boy...if he doesn't like it let him deal with it directly to the person that is saying it. You said that you talked to him personally well then he knows about it and let him handle it.

Okay guys this has to stop...everyone has the right to say what they feel and share their experiences. Nobody has personally any connections with one another so to say that that person did or did not have a conversation with another person is CRAP. Only they or the other person know that. I feel like we are on here to share our experiences about our banding and with our doctors. Cosmos has a right to also share their experience with the Mexican system and what they suffered and we have the choice to listen or to not. This thing started because people don't agree...that is fine they dont' have to and Tricia you can keep going to Dr. A. Rod. and Wassa can choose to not and you can promote him Tricia and Wassa can state her stand and individuals can take it or leave it. I would assume also that if infact Dr. Aturo Rod. did not say those things then he would be in personal contact with her in order to stop the slamming. As far as offense...being overweight does not make one ugly and not attractive...who knows maybe Dr. Arturo Rod has a thing for fat chicks..JUST KIDDING..nobody scream at me for this...I just think everyone is entitled to their opinion and Tricia I must say in researching my docs I did come across individuals that complained about Dr. Arturo and the problems that they had with him...this was from approx 5 or 6 previous patients that wouldn't go back to him or had issues pertaining to the band. At that point I quit looking at him for my choice surgeon because of what I was hearing. Now does that mean that he isn't a good Dr. I don't know, but if more then not people were telling me they weren't happy with him I am not going to try my odds...I crossed him off and kept going. I wish now that I would have kept all the emails and contact with them so that I could show them...Or better yet lets make a forum for his patients that have not been happy to post so that you can see that it isn't all in our heads and misunderstandings. I know there are a few that do not like my Dr. Jose Rod. and that is okay as well. I listened to what they had to say and took it into consideration when I made my choice....when I finally came to the conclusion that he was infact my Dr. of choice I went forward with even more research. When I called Inamed about my list of Dr.'s Inamed stated that Dr. Arturo Rod was one of 2 that I looked into that they said was not a proctor of the band...I had a list of Dr.'s trying to find out which one I would use. I think emotions have gone rampid here and I know that every person banded thinks that their Dr. is THE BOMB...because infact they have given us our lives back....but I know my Dr. J. Rod is not perfect and that things happen...I am just happy that thing didn't happen on me..and sorry for those that it did. I am just wondering how much PRIDE is playing a role in this conversation than anything else...and pride never gets us anywhere. I think both of you should start a thread on each of your stance and let everyone chime in on their experiences and then go from there...because us all bickering about it isn't going to get us anywhere...it isn't until the patients themselves speak that it will be settled. We aren't helping eachother...we aren't making it easier on newbies like me to make a decision because frankly if I hadn't been on here before this to see how helpful these forums were I would have said no thanks..I can get enough drama elsewhere. I am here to get clarity and help me decide on a life altering procedure...and to maintain and share with others in my same situation. It isn't productive.

Cosmos...I think she was talking to you.

Cosmo I totally get where you are coming from and being a Mexican bandster I do appreciate it....I think it is important that everyone going into this needs to know the pros and cons of the procedure....and post op possibilities...and you are right when you say that your ins. isn't going to pay for self pay for anything related to the band..in the US or Mexico so all SELF PAY patients should be aware of that. If you are self pay in US or MX and you have issues your insurance will not cover any problems that they can find that stemmed from any part of your band. NICE HU? I am so sorry that you had that issue with your Doc...and I am glad that you place his name out there for other bandsters that are researching going there.....Mexico was my choice for many reasons....time frame, money, hassell and not personally knowing but one person who was banded here in the states..my other three friends were all banded by my doc and loved him. I think had I not known someone personally that was banded by him I would have been much more leary of it all but only being a week out of being banded I have to say I am happy with my choice. I do think that there are many differences from US and Mexico ......if you are a VERY needy patient then Mexico is probably not for you...but for me I wanted to be banded--made sure I was fine and out the door..hahaha I did however stay in the hospital for 3 days after being banded because that is how my doc does it knowing that almost all his patients are out of country patients he wants to make sure there are no complications...he also does an upper barrium swallow after surgery to make sure all is working properly and sends them back with you for your US doc if you choose to not return to them. I have to say as far as recourse...in MX you are right..no malpractice....but as you can see on the boards us AMERICANS tend to have HUGE mouths and they know that we are their bread and butter and that if they are continully have problems they will be tagged as BAD BAND DOCS. Again I am so sorry that you had so many problems and I wish you much luck. I think you are just trying to warn us and anyone should read your story and apply it to them as it applies. To date I am a happy mexican bandster. Kelly

I have lost over 12 lbs and tomorrow will be my week since getting my band placed. I know it won't all fall off like this, but hey its a start. Its a shame I can't tell I have dropped that weight. My stomach is still very swollen and puffy so I actually probabaly look even heavier. I can't wait until I can really start noticing the weight loss. I am going to take weekly pictures of my face with my digital camera to see if I can tell.....Great job everyone.