imalene

There are just too many posts by the same people. Over and Over and Over. It is like an exclusive group that runs this board. I have posted what I thought to be interesting threads - and they are not "up-front" long enough to be seen because of the people who post threads constantly, which their band buddies reply to. I think they should just private email each other or use the telephone. Sometimes the threads look like Instant Messaging dialogue. Personally, I really don't care what anyone thinks anymore. I am so through tip-toeing around this board - watching out for everyones feelings-wading through posts hoping to find something useful - searching - this board is supposed to be about the lap band not what to name our dogs, or where to buy appliances with all the bells and whistles. People who post stuff like that are using up valuable space - And I've just got to think that there is a chat-board out there that would serve them better than this one. I know that there are people on this board that have become very close friends - And honestly - God bless them, but why not communicate with each other about non-band stuff through some other form of communication?

We sometimes set ourselves up for this stuff. I've learned in the course of a 23 year marriage to simply tell my husband what I expect - a few days before I want/need it. Then if he does not do it - I can honestly be mad at him. Remember just because you have asked for something does not mean that when you get it that it is less of a gift.

I love the good ol' USA too - but, many, many, surgeons in Mexico doing Lap Band surgery are better than some U.S. doctors. They have been doing this surgery for a longer period of time and the surgery technique that was mentioned on this thread as being the best - has been used in Mexico forever. Actually I believe - but am not positive that they have advanced a step even further than that "newer" technique. I went to Dr. Kuri in TJ, Mex - because I was self-pay and after doing as much research as humanly possible I decided that I would go to him even if I had insurance in the states that would cover it. Just looking for a doctor here who will fill a person banded in Mex - would make you think twice about them. They (and their office staff) can actually be mean - while they are turning you down, or accepting your $1,000. as payment for a fill. Please do not go into that liability excuse - because thankfully there are some consciencious U.S. doctor's who do accept other surgeons patients. I have found a very good surgeon at the U of M hospital in MN (very well respected head of bariatrics) who has willingly accepted me as a patient - if I'm unable to get to Dr. Kuri and the matter is pressing. His name is Dr. Sayeed Ikrumuddin and if he's willing and able to do this other doctors could be too. And as far as erosion goes - it can happen to any one no matter who did their surgery. Erosion in Mexico is no more prevalent than in the U.S. On another board a woman who was perfectly banded in Mexico went to a U.S. doctor for a fill and he wanted to actually move her port to her upper chest area - because it would be easier for him to fill. There are horror stories everywhere. Since this surgery is newly approved in the states (2 years) we need to remember who taught our surgeons about the lap band surgery in the first place. Honestly, I just get so sick and tired of people puting down the Mex doctors - without any real knowledge of them. I'm done now.

If you start now - following the band rules - even before you have the surgery to will have a 2.5 week jump on the "official" start of your new "diet". I don't think you said how much you weigh - but it seems that the more you weigh the more you are apt to loose in the very beginning - so if you are like most your quickest wgt loss will be in the first 6 month - and since those are the months before seeing your family - I think you could definitely WOW them. Like I said get on it now! :puke: Patti

Alex - Good for you for saying this. Honestly I was about ready to drop out of this board. It just get's tiresome when you can't just simply voice your opinion without people thinking you are disrespecting them. opinion. I just get sick of hearing/seeing IMHO, IMO, etc. I figure if they are writing it it is their opinion and it is NOT directed at me. If I write that I think taking Hoodia or other OTC appetite suppressants isn't for me because I swore when I got the band I was not ever gonna "go there" again - it does not mean that I think the person who started the thread is doing anything that needs to be defended. I just want to speak my mind freely without the fear of hurting someone's feelings. Patti

This is the dumbest thing I've seen yet on here. I think maybe it was posted just to see how many people would reply to such an idea. Well, here I am replying - making that number go up - hope that makes you happy Magic! Dumb, Dumb, Dumb.:tired Patti

Sounds like so many things that are literally shoved down our throats to line the pockets of someone else. I did hear about Hoodia - and also some of the side effects of it - sleep probs, ingredients that are questionable, etc. Remember Metab-o-Lite - you don't hear too much about that one because it ran it's course, people stopped buying it - so "they" had to come up with something with a different ring/zing to it. Personally, I got the band so I'd never have to "go there" anymore. If they come out with a prescription drug that has been tested and proven to work - I would look at that if I needed to - but not this stuff that appears in magazine ads and/or topics on TV programs. They know that anything having to do with wgt loss draws a huge viewing audience - because there are so many desparate people wanting and needing to loose weight. You can buy a tapeworm in a capsule on the internet and there are people out there desparate enough to use that and risk their lives doing it. I wouldn't want to encourage people in the direction of wgt loss capsules or anything like it. They just do not work. I'll probably get some heat over this - but honestly - these ads and programs that give people false hope and take their hard earned money just make me sick. Patti:mad:

I doubt that there was anyone more scared, hesitant, or worried than I was even after making the decision to have the surgery. I nearly cancelled it. Thankfully a sweet peace came over me 2 days before having it done - and I felt very good about my decision. The decision must be your own. But you are not alone in your fear and hesitation. By the way - I am about 19 days post op and I had a very good experience. No complications. Nothing. My bmi was 34-35 something like that. Good luck with making a decision. Patti

:phanvan Actually, my post does apply to Jamoorse - see above. OK I'm done.

:embarassed: I'm sorry I misread your date as having had surger 1/13/06 - not 05. You must think I'm nuts. I take it all back and beg your pardon! Patti

I'm also 2 weeks post op. Remember you just went through quite a surgery. Your incisions will take MUCH longer to heal than two week and especially your port site. If you are concerned that you have an infection - hot, oozing to the extreme - you should call your doctor and report this. Maybe you should anyway because you seem a little lost as to what to expect. (I'm not trying to be mean - just want you to feel less confused/scared). As far as the stinging or other odd sensations inside the incision of your port - I expect that is going to go on for awhile. You are in the very early stages of healing. Good luck to you! Patti

Do you think that having been in TOP's (take off pounds sensibly) weight loss support group - off and on for the last 40 years would qualify as a prior attemp to loose weight? I could (maybe) contact their hd qtrs for registration information which would proove my membership. I don't know if all the weekly records still exist as - my chapter disbanded a few years ago. Thanks!

I posted before in response to this. But this really bothers me. Who is your doctor and where does he practice.