gadgetlady

I've had a hard time staying out of this thread but I want to put my $0.02 in. I equate choosing to have surgery in Mexico to choosing to have a home birth. It may work out wonderfully, it may be a terrific experience, and you may have great results. But if something goes wrong, the results can be disasterous, much more so than if you have the surgery in the US (or have the baby in a hospital). No one can say definitively whether the risk of complications is higher if you are operated on in Mexico vs. the US, although I have my own personal beliefs about how the standards in the two countries differ. But I think you will hear a resounding difference between how doctors and facilities in the two countries handle complications. That is not to say all US hospitals and doctors are top-notch. They aren't. But in the case of complications it is clear and obvious that Mexican doctors and facilities can't handle it. It is also quite clear that the Mexican doctors do not have the same reprecussions in the case of complications. Again, this is not to say Mexican doctors don't care (some might and some might not); it's just to say that it is very difficult to "go after them" if something goes wrong. And I'm sure that impacts aftercare and complication management. Finally, I don't necessarily believe that Mexican doctors are more motivated than US doctors by financial gain. I don't know that anyone can speak to their motives. Certainly, doctors on both sides of the border make money and are quite happy doing so. I think it is more important to speak to results and complications than motive. I wouldn't go to Mexico for surgery for any amount of money. Heck, if I were travelling in Mexico and became ill, I'd either self-treat or, if it were serious, cut the trip short and get back to the US for treatment. Again, there may be many members here who have had successful Mexico experiences. But I don't think one of the most important things in a doctor is not how he handles the "routine" surgery, but rather how he handles himself when a problem arises. Another analogy: I'm pretty confident the pilot flying the plane I'm in can land it under normal circumstances with all of the equipment working; after all, he's done it hundreds of time. But how well does he do when the landing gear doesn't come down and all of his gauges are out? <stepping off soap box now>

This still cracks me up. Especially the guy peeking over the wall. I can't NOT laugh when I see it.

I know there's a big debate about this and some people will disagree, but I wouldn't for a moment even consider surgery in Mexico. I come from a medical family and I know the standards are not the same there as they are in the US (that's not to say there are not poor doctors in the US as well). I don't want to get into that argument because I know some people have had good experiences in Mexico, but if I were you I would wait the 6 months and get it done here. Every surgery is risky but in relative terms, this one is rather uncomplicated. I was scared beforehand, wrote a good-bye letter to my family, etc., but I am so happy now that I had it done.

I'd like to think I would have walked up to them and started oinking like a pig. If they said anything, I would have said "that's the closest I could get to identifying you with a sound, as I don't know how to make the sound of a %$&(*#$" (insert your favorite word here). More likely, I would have cried. So sorry this happened to you.

TOO FUNNY!!!!!!!!! :clap2::clap2::clap2: :grouphug: :clap2::clap2::clap2:

I met my husband at church. We dated for 3 days and were engaged, married fewer than 6 months later. That was 13 years ago, and we're happier with every day that passes. I was chunky but certainly not skinny. And I was in a great place emotionally. Church is a great place to meet your spouse!

Hi Tracey, My doctor's office sounds similar to yours except for the only 2 wls/week. I think the numbers are about the same, too -- 80% or so choose bypass. I considered bypass, but only briefly. I think everyone who goes for bypass does it because of the rapid results. In fact, my surgeon even told me he recommended bypass because patients get discouraged by the band because they don't lose as fast or really start good loss until 4-6 months after surgery. For me, once I learned about the band there was no other option. I think bypass is too radical and the long term effects are too scary. I'm sure you'll get a lot of input here. Good luck!

It's true. The vomit is, in the long run, easier than the sliming and waiting for it. But I'm still a vomit-wimp and I'd rather slime and not have to vomit at all. Better yet, I'd rather avoid the whole thing entirely and not slime OR vomit!

Well, after many episodes of sliming, I had my first vomiting experience with the band. I'm pleased to say it was the most pleasant vomiting experience I've ever had in my life (not that I will willingly do it again, but I was pleasantly surprised). I've been living in fear of the dreaded "PB". Vomiting, in the past, has been truly awful for me. I vomit so violently it comes up so quickly it comes out my nose. Several times I've popped blood vessels around my eyes and cheeks and on my neck from vomiting too hard. This vomit was very mild, only once, like a quick "blurp" and then it was over. Nothing out of my nose, no awful taste left in my mouth, and I finally realized why -- it didn't involve any stomach acid! I'm very happy to have had it happen; I'm no longer scared of it. Of course I don't want it to happen again and am working on chewing a lot better, but <phew> glad it's over.

This thread makes me cry. Not in chronological order: I remember sneaking plain sugar out of the sugar bowl because I was craving sweets and there weren't any around. That was grammer school. In kindergarden, we were supposed to write a short blurb about our moms for Mother's Day and the blurbs from the whole class were printed up for posterity. Mine was "My mom buys me blueberries and they're not fattening." My mom's mantra to me, again in grammer school: "Pull it in and tuck it under." She said it to me over and over. Pull it in = stomach, tuck it under = rear end. I remember eating out with my family and hearing my parents whisper to my two older brothers (both skinny as rails to this day): "Don't order dessert or your sister will want some." Bless them, they meant well. They still do. They paid for diet after diet after diet and did everything to support me. They love me to pieces and are terrified of the health problems that go along with overweight. But I write this through tears. What a horrible way to live.

I do fine with lettuce. So happy to be able to say that!

I find I do better with chicken and beef than I do with soft foods or pasta. For me, it's because I'm really carefuly with chicken and beef -- I chew and chew and chew. But with mashed potatoes or peanut butter or even pasta or cheese, I assume it's soft and it's going to go down easy, so I get lazy and don't chew enough. So for me, the softer something is the more likely it is to get stuck.

I homeschool, but in California. Don't know if I'll be able to help.

I know the band is playing at Lake Las Vegas Resort on May 12th at 7pm (our gondola business has gondolas on the lake there). Anyone who lives in the Vegas area should go see them!

My doctor did her surgery. I keep forgetting to ask every time I go in. I'll try to remember (again) at my next fill!

Go to a bedding store (or get someone to go for you) and buy a wedge pillow. Roll to your side, legs off the bed, before trying to get up. Buy some flexi-straws so you don't have to sit up to sip. Good luck!

$900? YIKES! My doctor included free fills for life with my surgery. If you do a thread search, I know there are some CA doctors that will take on a Mexican-banded patient. Good luck!

I'm 5'2" and 250ish is always my "breaking point" for needing a seatbelt extender. Pre-band, 255, I needed one. My most recent trip post-band, 235ish, I was fine without. Don't be embarassed. Quietly ask for one.

Follow up: who CARES about the pain from the fill . . . I'M LOSING WEIGHT AGAIN! WA HOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tried to eat some crackers the other night and ended up moaning in pain. I have never PB'd but I've had a lot of sliming (and I never want to PB!). My DH asked me if I was OK and I told him, "Yup, just learning the rules." That's what the past few days has been for me -- learning the rules. And clearly I'm "getting it" because the scale has started moving again :-D

Since the theme is romance, I'd like to offer everyone a 20% LBT discount on a gondola cruise out at Lake Las Vegas. It's on the way to Lake Mead. It's great for couples (champagne & chocolates or a dinner), or larger groups can go and just have fun. You can go to www.gondola.com for more info (click on "Locations"). I know ppl don't like advertising on this board, but I thought this was a perfect match for the location and theme.

My dr didn't give specific directions, other than "when you're comfortable". I think we waited about a week. I'm a little over 2 months out now and still feel a bit of discomfort -- not pain -- in the missionary position. Port just feels weird and I have to press on it.

Really, really thirsty and really, really tired. I was falling asleep in the wheelchair as they wheeled me to get my barium swallow. Very little pain, some discomfort, but mostly just THIRST!

Well, I didn't say I made it, I only said what the instructions were lol! I made it 5 weeks and 4 days <g>

My doc told me no bathing, swimming, or jacuzzi for 6 weeks. Basically -- until after the incisions had completely healed.

Holy toledo you guys are a talkative group!!! I've been really busy and then I was on a cruise for a week (and, of course, catching up as soon as I returned) but I wanted to check in. Seems like everyone is doing really well! I'm settling in to banded life and I really love it. I haven't PB'd yet (hopefully never!!) but I have slimed many times. I find I am extremely restricted in the daytime but only slightly restricted in the LATE afternoon (3-4pm or later) and evenings. That actually fits with my normal routine, as I'm not a breakfast eater. Unfortunately, I don't think it's the best for weight loss to eat everything at night. The cruise messed up my weight loss because I ate a lot of desserts. I've been hovering between 15 and 20 lbs lost since I went back on solid foods a few weeks after surgery. I am happy to return from a cruise and only see the scale go up 1 lb!!! But since I got back from the cruise, I've been going down steadily every day -- YAY!!!! I was scheduled to go in for a second fill tomorrow but I've canceled it because I think my restriction is good right now. Interestingly, the one time I came closest to vomiting was when I had breakfast the last day on the cruise -- cream of wheat, of all things. I think I just need to stick to my protein shakes and tons of water in the mornings from now on. I am so happy with my band. After warnings from the doctor, I didn't expect to lose any significant weight until 4-6 months after surgery. He told me most people settle in to a good restriction after about that time. So for me to see the scale moving a little every day (and notice the body changes) at this stage post-op is very exciting. I'm looking forward to getting out of the 230's and into the 220's. Just that much closer to Onederland -- and that's when I start looking like a "normal overweight person" rather than an obese person. BTW -- a NSV -- for the past few flights I've taken, I've either had to be very uncomfortable with the seat belt or request an extension. On this trip, no extension needed! Woo hoo!