aladdinwy3

My journey began a long time ago but until last year I did not realize what an easy desicion it should have been. I am diabetic and have been for 24 years. I have high cholesterol, manic depression, thyroid that does not work, and on top of that I was dealing with bone healing issues. I broke my leg in 2005 and it did not heal so I had to have surgery to have the hardware removed. Broke it again a year and half later and could not heal. During those three years I had gained 80 pounds. This of course spiraled my diabetes out of control. I decided I needed to make a decision to do something and realized I could not do it alone. I researched the lap band for a long time before deciding to do it. I could not get it done in the US because I was not "heavy" enough to qualify. I then started to research Mexican physicians. I found Dr. Kuri and decided to take the plunge. His patient coordinator was amazing and the entire experience was outstanding. I would do again in a hearbeat. It has been one year and I am down 63 pounds and feel amazing. I have eight year old triplets and full time jobs so getting my energy back was so important. I have not had any problems with my leg and my insulin requirements are half what they used to be. I am exercising again and feel like my old self. I could not do it without this amazing tool. It has given me the boundries that I was unable to stay within. I am not at goal yet, still have about 15 more pounds but am so pleased with the process and the way I feel. I have since gone back to Mexico for a breast lift with liposculpture. Another great experience. Best of luck to all out there, your goals are within reach.

I had 80 to lose and at down 49, I am also struggling but I just keep looking at my FAT photos and telling myself that EXERCISE is key right now and when I get to doing that again I start to lose a little more. Just keep on going and know you are on the downhill side!!!!

I am just starting that process with Dr. Sufficool out of Rapid City. He is with Black Hills Medical Associates. I have to fax my surgery report from Mexico for them to look at before they will approve to do it, but once that is done and they think it is positioned correctly then they will schedule you. It is the closest I have come. The number to call for the coordinator, Terry Anderson, is 605.719.1101. Hope this helps!

I just got my first fill at 6 weeks and it took a total of 5 minutes. This was with the flouro and 1.7 cc in the 10 cc band. Dr. Kuri is amazing and it was so nice to see him again. I feel great and the fill did not hurt at all. I had a bowl of soup following and am not hungry at all. This is after not eating at all since this morning. The fill was at 3:00 pm and like I said it was a breeze thus far. Just wanted to share the good with everyone. I am down 20 pounds and feeling great.

I feel the same way that you all do... I am SO hungry. I have gained 1 pound since starting on solids and I am counting my calories. trying to stay below 1200 but I today was at 1380... doing the best I can but could eat as if there is nothing there. I have done well up to this point and do not plan to head in the other direction. I have my first fill on May 13 and CAN not wait for more restriction. Hope it helps to know that there are others that are feeling the hunger pains as well. Keep up the good work and the positive attitude and it will all work out! We can and WILL do this!:wub:

Banded March 29, S-211.6 C-196.1 G-130:thumbup:

Hi there. I too felt the same way that you did. I was right at the border of the BMI of 35 and went through the emotional roller coaster you did. However I decided after reading so many posts by people that I had to do something to prolong my life and be happier and healthier for my children and husband. I had the surger 3/29 and I believe that it was one of the better decisions I have made in my lifetime. I am 33 and felt 60. I am on my way and have zero regrets. I look forward to each day with a different outlook and am already seeing the results of something I have tried to for 5 years. You have made the right decision and as long as you know that do not think of the opinions of others. This will help you be the person you want to be by making you healthier with more energy and a better lifestyle. Hang in there and continue to read the boards as they have the best information and personal stories. The other person that really helped me was my Patient Facilitator. She became a real friend and someone that helped me through each phase of feelings. It will be wonderful and a positive experience. :purplebananna:

I am nine days out today and am feeling GREAT! I have had a wonderful experience. I am eating like I should be and the hungry feeling is not as obvious as it was. I even called the 888-number to ask the office when the Satueday fills were in May and guess who answered the phone?...DR KURI, how many doctors in the US answer the calls when there is not any office staff? He talked to me for a long time and it was awesome. I recommed Dr Kuri 1000 times over. He is amazing. I am down 10 pounds and going strong. Best of luck to all!:purplebananna:

Well, I got it done. 3/29/08 with Dr, Kuri and the experience has been wonderful. I am leaving to fly home tomorrow and am ready. Just had my first meal of broth and jello bites and half way through I was full...who would have known! The surgery went really well and was easy with the staff that was phenomenal. I was really out of it for about 14 hours, but got up to walk and within a couple of hours felt much better. There was no nasuea or PBing. I did not have but a little shoulder pain that was taken care of by gasX strips. It truly feels like I have done at least 50000 crunches, that is the worst of the pain. The incisions look great and are very little. I am so glad that I have taked this step to get my life back. Here is to the rest of my life!!!!

I agree with everyone... I am only five days out and am itching, but in the past I have always found that to be a good but annoying sign. I am using the aveeno very little and that seems to help. Just think in the long run it will look better and be all so worth it!:biggrin2:

I am now five days out from surgery. I feel great. I went back to work after a day from...well you know. I spent 14 hours in the airport with delayed flights and when I finally got back to the home airport at midnight, the roads were bad so I had to drive 2 hours home instead of one...but the only moral to that story is if you have to travel pack your food, in the liquid stage at least. Got up bright and early yesterday and worked a nine hour day where I am up and down and packaging items (did not lift over 10 pounds :tt2:. I was a little tired but am sure that the walking around and not staying idol helped a lot. I only took two tylenol and had a fine day with the eating. Jello, broth, protien water, milked down pudding and liquid cream of wheat. Had really soupy mashed taters and they went down well. The hunger seems to be worse if I do not eat something small every two to three hours. Still no gas pain and the 1000 crunches now feels like hmmmm maybe 50? I am down seven pounds in five days. Looking forward to new each day and know this was the right decision with the best doctor (of course just my opinion) out there. To all of you who are posting, best of luck, good job, and face it with a smile!:thumbup:

:thumbup: I just had my surgery on 3/29 in TJ with Dr. Kuri. He is truly amazing and the hospital is state of the art. The staff was wonderful and couldnot have made me feel more comfortable. The after care was also phenominal and the hotel that they put you up in for up to two nights is spectacular and it is all within a short drive from the San Diego airport. The facilitators are great and help you every step of the way so that you are as comfortable as you should be with this decision. I would recommend Dr. Kuri and his staff in a hurry. The cost was $7500 and that inlcudes two nights in a hotel, your transportation to and from the airport as well as free feels for life. They are amazing and it is all well worth it!

Okay maybe a little fib, I am not sure i have ever done more than 100 but I think that this is what it would feel like!!! My gas pain has been very minimal, only used two strips to date. I am at the airport and I must make the reccomendation that you bring some jello or something like that because I was not able to find anything that would work and I ended up at the airport for four hours.... I did end up drinking some V8 juice to help with the hunger, but would suggest you take something with you in the case you are flying. Best of luck tomorrow!

I also felt guilty...I am in the hospital now and have done all of the preop work, met the internist, the surgeon and am going in at 10:30 in the morning. This is not a easy way out but a tool to get your life back and under control, no one should feel guilty for taking control. I am 5'5 and 210, barely there, so yes I understand what you feel-but know after going through this and meeting other people this is the best decision I could make. Hang in there and think of it as taking back your life. Best of luck!

I am curious as to what determins the size of band you get? I have noticed that some are 4, some are 10 and some are larger.

Good morning! I am new to the site but have found all of your threads to be extremelly helpful and encouraging. I have also gotten many ideas from your journeys. I am to be banded by Dr.Kuri on 3/29/08 and am ready as ever. The question I have is related to fills. I live in a small town in Wyoming (on the border of South Dakota and Montana) and the closest cities are Spearfish, SD, Rapid City, SD, Gillette, WY, Sheridan, WY or Billings, MT. I am wondering if anyone knows of physicians in any of those cities a or local areas that offer fills? Any help is appreciated.

:thumbup:Thank you for the info on Cheyenne, that is only four hours and an easy drive. Do you have any idea what the fill costs are? Thanks again for the info!!!!

Thank you so much for your reply, that will help and I have family that lives in Castle Rock so I could make the trip to denver without any problems. Dr. Kuri is in Mexico, I am going there for the surgery due to cost and insurance not covering any of it but would like to get fills locally. Your weight loss is amazing and I would love to keep in touch with someone close. Such a small world once you start to get out there!!