DonnaB

Hi Teasie, Welcome to LBT. I'm being banded next Tuesday in Monterrey, Mexico by Dr. Roberto Rumbaut. He says my port will be a few inches above my left hip bone but most of the "scar-share" pictures here show it higher and closer to the middle. Not sure why there's a difference. Good luck to you and don't spend too much time on the "Complications" thread. It gets too scary and you'll need to be coaxed back out from under the bed! lol Best wishes and again, welcome. DonnaB 03-07-06 Surgery date Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico 282/150 5' 9"

This is not going to be your favorite reply. Please understand that I'm not being judgemental in ANY way. I'm at my max weight as we speak. You have to save yourself (and your SO) by losing the weight you've regained. Don't throw things at me. I SOOOOO know it's easier said than done but you've got to try. Has the snoring resumed in the last 5 - 10 pounds of weight gain? Try to get just those pounds back off. You can do it. You've done it in the past and you can do it again. I've heard that some people are having good experiences with controlling their appetite and/or head hunger by going on anti-depressants. Effexor is the one I've heard mentioned recently but I understand Wellbutrin has been effective too. Please don't be upset with me I just want to encourage you to help yourself in the only way I can think of. Spray snore relief didn't work for me but I couldn't tolerate the taste/feel of it. I'm being banded on March 7th and I'd like to believe that the lessons I will learn will help me if I ever have to have the band removed. Don't wait - try to nip this thing in the bud. Best wishes to you.

OMG This is so funny! Thank you Dr. Hek for a true "Laughing Out Loud" moment. Wish you were my PCP! :pound: DonnaB 03-07-06 Surgery date :clap2: Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico 282/150 5' 9"

Yay!!! My surgery date is March 7th too! We'll be band-sisters! I couldn't agree with you more on the incredible support to be found on this board. I don't know how I would have found the nerve to keep moving forward if it weren't for the advice and insight I've found here. Best wishes to you and to all March bandster babies! DonnaB 03-07-06 Surgery date Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico 282/150 5' 9"

I had United Healthcare when my husband and I were going through invitro fertilization and they covered EVERYTHING. I love United Healthcare. Sadly, DH's employer changed insurance companies and we now have Aetna. Aetna is Satan's less nice brother Beelzibub (sp). No kids, no lap band. DonnaB 03-07-06 Surgery date Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico 282/150 5' 9"

This is one of the things I'm really scared about. I worry that I'm going to have some serious problem but that doctors are going to think the problem is due to my band and ignore me. Then they find out after my death that I was having a heart attack/gall bladder attack/tumor/hang nail well you get the idea. I'm afraid that non-bariatric doctors are going to give me substandard care because I was so weak and such a loser that I had to resort to an implanted device to control myself. I know there are doctors out there who ARE like that. I know, I shouldn't worry so much, but it's pretty hard to not think about it. And I know that I'm not weak or a loser but I also know there are plenty of people who perceive lap band surgery that way - which is why I'm not telling anyone I'm having it done. DonnaB 03-07-06 Surgery date Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico 282/150 5' 9"

If I were you I wouldn't tell a "fib". They tend to get a teeny bit bent out of shape when they find out you weren't up front with them - you really don't want to incur a body cavity search do you? lol I'm just kidding, I don't think that would even be legal. Oh God - I HOPE that's not legal. How screwed up is this world? Don't answer that. If you don't want to talk about it where you might be overheard just tell them you want to go into one of those privacy screened areas to tell them. I don't think they'd object to that, after all you do have a right to privacy. At least in this country - who knows about foreign travel. DonnaB 03-07-06 Surgery date Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico 282/150 5' 9"

I'm not banded yet - next Tuesday *gulp* - but I went for a meet and greet to the doctor I'm planning to use for after-care in the states - I'm being banded by Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey, Mexico. Anyway, while I was at the doctor's office I met a very nice lady who was there for a fill. She was put in the room next to me while we were both waiting to see the doc and she overheard me asking to see the room/equipment, etc. they use for fills so I wouldn't be so nervous when it came to be my turn. I've been soooo nervous about this - not a big fan of the needle either Ellymay! That wonderful woman - her name is Shirley - thank you thank you Shirley - offered to let me watch while the doc did her fill. It was so not a big deal. He laid the fleuro wand on her tummy, pointed out the port. Picked up the syringe and popped it in. He asked her if she was in any pain - nope - moved the needle around a tiny bit, pulled the plunger back to show me he measures what's in the band to be sure there's no leakage, then pushed the plunger back in with the new fill amount. Out comes the needle - no pain, no blood, no bandage - and shirley adjusts her waistband and smiles at me. No problems. I know I'm rambling but it's because I've been sooooo incredibly tense these past few days as it's getting closer and closer to my surgery date but I'm starting to calm down a bit. After her fill Shirley did a barium swallow - while I watched - everything looked good so she went home and I went back to the docs office to discuss my upcoming surgery and aftercare. I was so grateful to that generous woman. She eased some of my fear by allowing me to be (a very small) part of her lap band journey. God bless all generous people and lap-banders in particular! :-) DonnaB 03-07-06 Surgery Date *chewing on cuticle* Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico 282/150 5' 9"

I just bought a whey protein from Wal-Mart that was in a reasonable size and reasonable price container. Suprise of all suprises I don't have to ((gag)) it down. It's actually OK. My DH mixed it up for me - plain just to see how bad (not bad at all actually) and with fresh raspberrys from Sam's Club (pretty darn drinkable). Don't get me wrong, I'd still rather have a large Dr. Pepper with a bunch of ice through a straw but still this is MUCH better than some of the proteins I've tried. This doesn't have that ooogie medicine smell and doesn't leave an even worse aftertaste. I give it 4.999 out of 5 stars! I can't imagine a protein mix that would actually get 5 stars! lol The brand is Body Fortress and comes in a 2 lb. canister. I got the Vanilla flavored so I could try it out with fruit and stuff but it also comes in Chocolate. After tasting the Vanilla I might actually try the Chocolate. hmmmm. It cost right at $13 for the canister. 20 grams of whey protein per 8 oz serving. Not bad. 3g net carbs. Totally doable. DonnaB 5' 9" 03-07-06 surgery date Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico 282/150

Sorry, I guess I'm a newbie still! (Dang, I thought I was getting over that.) What is NSV? (New Self View) (Naturally Sexy Vamp) nah (Nasal Stomp Victim) (Nagging Spouse Vermin) oh I give up. DonnaB 5' 9" 03-07-06 *gulp* Surgery date Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico 282/150

Look into Dr. Roberto Rumbaut. He's in Monterrey, Mexico. His web address is: www.gastricband.com. They've been great to deal with and he has lots of experience and a very low complication rate. DonnaB

Cutie - do a search for diabetes or diabetic. There have been lots of discussions on this board about it. Good luck. DonnaB 5' 9" 03-07-06 Surgery date Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico 282/150

OMG and LOL (to be read while chuckling - or at least smiling) Can someone help me pull my BIG foot out of my BIG mouth?! :confused: I hereby apologize to any and all who were offended by my spelling/grammar rant. I frequently put the apostrophe in the wrong place. Ditto the comma. I certainly don't hold a grudge against anyone who types and posts without previewing to be sure they got it right. I'm sure I get it wrong A LOT. I was simply replying to the query "why is YOUR nose bent out of shape... " and now I feel really bad that people think I'm a grammar Nazi. I'm not. Although I have to be honest here and admit I'm not really sorry I posted that - it produced a very amusing thread. WORLD'S MOST ANNOYING MISPRONUNCIATION: President George W. Bush: Nuc-u-lar for Nuclear And he JUST KEEPS SAYING IT! He sounds like the biggest dumbass! and he JUST KEEPS SAYING IT! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!:lalala: DonnaB 5' 9" 03-07-06 Surgery date Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico 282 (Dr's office today) (crap)/150

Hi Dancer, Your husband's loyalty should be with YOU now. Does he tell her about EVERYTHING else? Does he tell her about his taxes? His driving habits? His sex life? It's time for him to realize that YOU are his family now. I know I sound kinda pushy but for crying out loud, this is your body and your choice. I think it should be your decision when the time is right to tell. Good luck to you. DonnaB 5' 9" 03-07-06 Surgery date Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey Mexico 275/150

Good job Penni and everyone who has publicly committed here. If you truly want to change an old habit (at least for me) add this clause to your committment: I will not beat myself up if I do not STRICTLY adhere to my goals. I'm not trying to add a cheating clause just a change from past habits. I will start my 5 day pre-op fast on Thursday. I will try to control my terror of: Flying (Mexico) Surgery Loss of food/friend Failure DonnaB 5'9" 03-07-06 Surgery date Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico 175 (closer to 180 actually)/150 PhotoNut: I have success in battling the 'lazies' if I give myself a specific goal. i.e. I may sit and read a book or watch a movie without guilt if I vacuum the house first. Or go to the grocery store first. Or load the dishwasher and then clean the catbox first. Usually once I'm moving and I know I'm going to 'indulge' my lazyself I end up doing much more than the original goal. I don't know if you've tried this or not but it really works well for me. When I'm done with my task(s) I really am much more relaxed and can enjoy my down time. Out of curiousity, have you recently stopped working?

Hi, South Grand Prairie here! I see lot's of "we should get togethers" but has anyone actually done it? DonnaB 5'9" 03-07-06 Surgery date Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Moneterrey, Mexico 275/150

I get bent out of shape over the misuse of 'there', 'they're', and 'their.' How's that for psychotic? Seriously, WHO CARES? For some reason I do. Since I've been on this board I've noticed that 'loose' for lose is starting to grate. Nope, I'm not an english major - not even close. It's just some weird fishhook in my brain. I have to agree that 'thru', 'kwik', and any cyber abbreviation like 'b4', or 'cuL8r' are truly reprehensible, and now I will never be able to see '12 items or less' without cringing. (thank you for that one) Having said that, I freely admit that I never correctly spell 'forty' (fourty!) or 'ninety' correctly the first time out. So. If you don't pick on me for my quirks (not kwirks), I won't pick on you for yours. It WOULD be much easier if everyone could assume 'best intentions'. But we're human. And we can't. DonnaB 5'9" (why doesn't everyone put their height?) 275/150 Surgery date 03-07-06 Dr. Roberto Rumbaut Monterrey, Mexico

Hi 4MyFuture, I'm in the same spot as you - except you won the insurance lottery and are covered where I am self-pay and emptying my savings account! :welldone2: I'm worried about 'mourning' for food. Here's how I'm dealing with that aspect of this craziness: Have you ever been in a restaurant at the end of your meal and you're feeling really really full - sort of too full - and you see someone else's food coming out of the kitchen on it's way to be served? Don't you get a kind of almost sick feeling? Thinking, how could anyone ever eat that? Or feeling like you never want to eat again? I get the feeling that if the band lets me feel full on a small amount of food, THAT'S how I'm going to feel. I have to learn to stop feeling hungry with my head and start feeling IF I'm hungry with my stomach. Doesn't that sound right? I don't know if this logic will hold up post-surgery but that's how I'm hanging in there till the surgery is done. What I do know is this: The VAST majority of people who lose weight on their own gain it back plus some. I'VE lost 65 pounds 'on my own' in the past and gained it all back plus LOTS. I can't waste what's left of my youth (ha - I'm 44 already) being fat and miserable. As some wise person once said (can't remember who - see I'm already losing my memory) "If you don't change something, nothing will change." Lap Band surgery is the change I'm making. Can't wait to see the change that follows. Sorry to ramble - I hope I've at least given you enough of a push to go for the next round of tests - why not, insurance is paying for it, right? Best wishes to you no matter what you decide. DonnaB 275/150 (really dreaming of 140) 5' 9" Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey Mexico March 7, 2006 (wish me luck) Secret Skinny Dream: I want to wear Victoria's Secret underwear in 2006.

Hi Shontel, I am also a self-pay having surgery in Mexico. My surgery is on March 7, 2006 and my surgeon is Roberto Rumbaut. Who are you going to have do your surgery? DonnaB

Hi all, My surgery date is March 7, 2006 - two weeks from today. I'm being banded in Monterrey, Mexico by Dr. Roberto Rumbaut. I did my pre-op with his associate Dr. Rodriguez today and he says that most erosions occur when the patient continues to eat too much food. The pressure of the band combined with the pressure of too much food in the pouch stops the circulation of blood in the stomach tissue and that tissue dies - erosion. He said that some erosions occur for undetermined causes but that the majority of erosions can be avoided by eating the "right" amount of food. :mad: I don't know about the rest of you guys but THIS is my biggest worry. If I could eat the right amount of food I wouldn't be in this situation to begin with! He tells me that that will be easier with the band and I guess I'll just have to trust him on that one. :nervous My other big worry is port site infection. Too many horror stories. Read the "Complications" thread about that but take my advise and don't stay on that thread too long. Too scary. As far as pre-band diet goes - my BMI is 40 so my doctor says I don't really NEED to do it but he says that there are benefits to the diet that may make the surgery easier to recover from. I'll be fasting with Protein shakes for 3 days pre-op. I want to be one of those cases where the patient is up and at the mall the next day! Wish me luck, DonnaB ADDED TWO MINUTES AFTER FIRST POST: (!) Doc says drinking Water with food washes food down and defeats the purpose of the band. It occurs to me, I'm transcribing my pre-op consultation which I taped so I wouldn't forget the details of the conversation (I'm not only pre-band but pre-Alzheimers. I call it Halfheimers.) (That was a joke. Sometimes jokes just don't translate in email.) :car: If anyone is interested I could post the transcription. Let me know. DonnaB

Sorry you had a crappy Valentines Day. I was bummed because I'm in a different city than my husband tonight. Maybe I should be thankful - my guy's not a big romantic either. Look on the bright side - wouldn't it have been worse if he'd brought home a big box of chocolates? Ya, you're right. Even chocolates would have been better. Sorry. DonnaB

Hi Robin, I am also scheduled for surgery on March 7, 2006 - different location. I'm happy you found this website, it's been a great resource for me and I'm sure you'll find all kinds of helpful information here. One word of advise - take it or leave it as you choose - try not to spend too much time reading the "complications" thread. I know it's important to understand what kind's of complications are possible but if you spend hours (like I did) reading that thread you may become too anxious about having the surgery. I'm struggling with that right now. Initially, I looked at that thread out of curiosity; I continued to read the thread because it gave me some questions to ask my surgeon - questions that hadn't occured to me previously; finally, I kept reading because I couldn't look away from the car crash. Now I'm scared silly that I'll crash too! I'm coming to grips and I just keep telling myself how much better my life will be after WLS and that the actual rate of complications is quite low. I hope I didn't throw a dark cloud over your plans, I just don't want you to spend as much time worrying as I did. Best wishes for your surgery and the wonderful future you're going to have. Sincerely, DonnaB

Hi, my name is Donna and I'm very new to the board. I'm scheduled for surgery on March 7, 2006 in Monterrey, Mexico. Before reading these threads - particularly this thread - I would have walked into surgery blind. I've been 'researching' but without this board I would never have thought of some of the questions you've made me aware of. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your input. I'm so very grateful. I'm scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Roberto Rumbaut and he sounds like the right surgeon for me but now I'm questioning the wisdom of having surgery in Mexico. Dr. Rumbaut performs surgery in the hospital designated by the President of the U.S. for emergency services when he's in that region so I'm not too concerned about the facility. After reading this thread I AM concerned about being so far from my surgeon and what to do about follow-up care in case of complications. I guess I better do some soul-searching (along with some physician-searching) and come to a decision about something I thought I'd already decided. :-) Wish me luck, and thank you all again for your insight. I'm sorry that my 'education' comes as the result of your misfortunes. Sincerely, DonnaB

Hi all, My name is Donna and I am being banded on March 7, 2006. I'll be having surgery in Mexico with Dr. Rumbaut and I have an appointment to see Dr. Maese at the end of this month so I'll have an 'after-care' doc here in Texas for when I get home. I live in South Grand Prairie and I would love to get together with people in the D/FW area to talk about our experiences with obesity and lap band surgery. I've been reading the posts on this website for a few days now and I find them to be both inspiring and frightening (vomiting, slime (?), will-power, healthy eating habits? If I could pull off healthy eating habits I wouldn't be in this position to begin with, right?). Anyway, I would be happy to host a get together or just arrange for a time and a place to meet if anyone is interested. It would be a comfort to meet other people who have gone through the apprehension I'm feeling right now and survived it. Looking forward to hearing from you soon, DonnaB Pre-Band (03-07-06) Dr. Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico 275/150 5' 9"

OMG. What have I done? I just got my surgery date today (03-07-06) and purchased my plane tickets. This post is scaring the cr*p out of me. Looking for some reassurance, Donna Pre-Band (03-07-06) Dr. Rumbaut 275/150 5' 9"