marys

I went to mexico because my bmi was too low to be considered in the U.S. I was told by a Utah lapband doctor (or by someone in his office as my inquiry was responded to by email) that i would have to gain over 140 lbs to be considered. Although I could have easily done that and have gained 100lbs many times before - i typically would easily gain 40-60lbs or lose them every year of my life since i was 18...it seemed stupid. I am 5'2 was up to 185 and miserable once again. I found the lapband on the internet - researched it for 6 months and narrowed it down to 3 docs. Ended up with ortiz for my own personal reasons and was very comfortable and happy with my choice. worked out the financing and did it. that's why i went to mexico. In fact, unless i knew of a u.s. doc with ortiz's experience i wouldn't have used them anyway.

I thank god every day for showing me the lapband and sending a way for me to afford it - and for everyone who has come into my life because of it. I am thankful for so many blessings.

We're not - uh oh! Sweet potatoes are 'better' for you than white and i love them cut into fries and baked in the oven - i've even eaten them raw

You are wise to consider all aspects of banding - not just the surgery but the aftercare - living with that band. Believe me i only focused on the surgery as i was so scared about it that i didn't even think about afterwards - i just thought it would take care of itself - yes, blind and stupid but that's me. And yes, you are right to concerned about your attitudes toward food etc as that is a huge part of banding. But you can do it as we all have bad habits and issues surrounding food and eating. however you have to put that effort in so you are smart to think of those things now- you can be rebellious etc but you will pay - in discomfort and possibly slippage if you really overeat and throw up all the time so there are consequences to your behaviour. you might want to make sure your doc has a regular in person support group or get into counseling as well as use these boards (they are super duper) but if you are a hard head case like me you need to have more help than most - you can do it just dont wait until you've been banded to set up your support systems. mary

I'm excited to get my next fill on Wed. and a little scared - not sure how much he should put in. i really want to lose weight but always have trouble with pbing and have enjoyed not doing that for about a month since my unfill. i've also kept my weight steady but no loss and i really want to get at least 10lbs off by october.

My friend just turned me onto Bear Creek Soups and i am sooo hooked. they come in a pouch and you mix with water - they are so incredibly good - i've tried the potatoe and cheese, tomato, hot and sour (beyond to die for) and a few others. i can't believe how good they are - the pouches make a lot (around 8 cups) but im sure you could cut them down. yeah, no trader joes in my neck of the woods (utah) either but i bet you could get the bear creek in regular grocery store.

Wow congrats on that weight loss - you must be doing something right - just a suggestion - maybe you DO need to up your calories somewhat so you are not starving - you can eat until satisfied - just not FULL/stuffed. And sometimes if you lose too fast it's not too good either. So, i know you are unhappy but your doc sounds sensible and is telling you, hey, eat a little more so you are not hungry and lets see how much weight you lose like that. Give it a try, i bet you will still drop some lbs (remember 1-2 PER WEEK is considered great and you are WAY beyond that) no sense being hungry all the time - eat bigger meals or have a few high protein snacks between meals and enjoy some food. hang in there!!! mary

WOW WOW WOW - margo you look amazing and very happy as you should be. thanks so much for posting those pics - you are an inspiration to us all. Keep up the good work!

I agree Carlene - I think John Ramsey's statements have been pretty calm considering all he was put through. I hope the Co police don't mess this up and if this guy is guilty, gets off on a technacality - They didn't seem to know what they were doing from the beginning and believe me I'm not anti -cops - I've always hated how everyone blamed the family though- And from what I heard, this suspect was emailing the reporter for over 4 years and had sent several letters to the mom with one saying how sorry he was and that she didn't suffer...sad sad sad.

So very funny - i loved reading your story. My friend had a similar experience and had an hour session with a maniacal trainer (relative of Satan) that left him quivering and shaking. The next day he had to fly for business and couldn't even put his bag in the overhead.

I think you have some pretty good ideas here. I told my boss i was having minor surgery and he just asked if it was anyhing he needed to be concerned about and i said no and that was it. Later i asked him to take a client to a coffee house for a meeting becaue he told me the guy was just getting over the flu and i mentioned I couldn't afford to get sick while i was recovering. He did it! I don't have any other co-workers to speak of so it wasn't hard for me. However, I have always manintained a don't tell policy - i've only told my sig other and one close friend (and that was 6 months after surgery). I'm a very slow loser and esp glad now i didn't - i too have endured years of everyone inc strangers commenting on everything i put in my mouth, what my size is, should i be eating that, etc - i just can't take it. if you can, i would just take vacation days and keep my mouth shut about anytype of surgery - it is none of their business.

Congratulations - are you home now/did you have to stay one day in center/hospital? Don't worry, things will improve and you feel better/stronger every day. I had gas pains a lot and on the plane ride home I looked deranged - it was the worst. Gasx helped a little and walking not much. What really helped was having my guy pat and rub my back and left shoulder area - he would gently move me around (kinda hard to explain) by putting one hand on my front to steady me and patting the back. honestly that worked and he did it rregularly - make sure you get someone close to you as you will probably burp and pass gas like crazy - it felt heavenly and really worked for me. i hope it works for you as i know it hurts. sorry don't know about the gurgling question tho. mary

Wow joe and others - you are an inspiration - it makes me realize this is a lifelong process with ups and downs and you just have to hang in there. Good job. not sure if this would work cuz my problem is with Peanut Butter - just can't have it in the house but you seem a bit stronger than me...maybe you could treat yourself to an ice cream cone or treat (bought at a dairy queen or store) every two weeks if you stay on track with your eating goals - that way, it's not in the house and you can have one every once in a while (and if you go two weeks following your plan you deserve a treat! Keep up the good work.

I was restricted on my second fill but it may have been a bit too much as i needed an unfill when I got something stuck, threw up and swell shut (couldnt keep liquids down). I'm a bit nervous about my next fill in a few days but i really need one to start losing again. To me it seems like a mix of art and science to get this fill thing right - but i'm not giving up.

My first job was working in a pizza sub shop in Fredericksburg VA for a crazy guy names Les - He was maniacal always screaming and yelling cuz my girlfriend and i would just talk away and always burn the pizzas. on sundays he would lock himself in the backroom cooking his family dinner and come out with some strange hungarian recipes. once he gave my brother a large container of pepper soup and my brother ate it on the way home and almost wrecked his car. One day Les came in with a big paper shopping bag huddled to his chest - he called us girls over and pulled out a huge handgun and put it under the counter - he said we were to shoot anyone who tried to rob the store. i quit shortly thereafter.

I am sad to say I did not know Ryan since joing lbt but my prayers will be for him and his family. He sounds like a wonderful person who gave of himself to help others - a man who struggled with a 'demon' we all know too well and who left us too soon. I believe he is resting in peace, no longer in any pain and reunited with his beloved pet and friends and family in a place we will all know one day. Love and Hugs to his wife, family and friends.

That is terrific - i am very happy for you. Keep up the good work. I'm going for my next fill on 8/23 and if i get 12lbs off in a month i will be yelling from the rooftops.

I agree - wait two weeks and then decide - and remember, just because you can eat everything doesn't mean you should - you still need to stick to bandster portions, etc. I can eat most of those foods you mentioned but I eat them in extreme moderation and sometimes they work, sometimes they dont. Also I'd rather get more fill then have to get an unfill - went through that and that was misery and am getting refilled in a week or so. Good Luck, hang in there.

I agree - get on the scale, look at yourself naked in a full length mirror, look at pictures of yourself 65lbs heavier, sign up for weight watchers, and join an exercise class or gym and Go those are just a few of the things that have worked for me in the past. And, congrats on the 65 but as we all know, you can pack that back on in no time - weigh yourself now before maybe 15 turns into 30 and 30 into 40, well you get it. Maybe writing here was your first step but you are the one that has to do it. I've lost and gained weight so many times in my life i always wished someone had shook me as I was getting bigger because I used to be in a daze about it and felt like i just woke up one day 75lbs heavier. STOP NOW before you undue everything you've worked so hard for. AND, get a fill if you need one - sure it won't help you cheat the band but it may be what you need if you commit to getting back on track. Now just do it.

Hi Miper - I too share your struggles with feeling full, feeling like I'm eating too much etc. I've been banded since November of last year and it is a lifelong learning process (i believe). First I wanted to suggest you re think your feeling of full - I just finished Breakfast and as soon as I ate my last bite I wanted more, however, I got up did the dishes and am writing this and realize I am full. Full to me now means satisfied. Full pre banding meant stuffed to the gills. I am rarely full using my former description now cuz that means i'm almost sick. You are recently banded so you may need to work on this. Also I've never been one to eat 1/2 cup of food and be full, boy i wish i was and maybe i will get there - i struggle most days to keep my calories to 1200-1300. My doc suggests a proper fill is one that allows you to eat solids 3/day and eat 1/3 less than pre banding. So, maybe you need a fill or maybe not - Another bandster suggested we eat as little as possible to feel 'full/satisfied' rather than eating as much as we can stuff into that pouch so again it starts in the head and moves into the body. I admit it is HARD and I am still learning but you can do it. That is why they say the band is not a miracle cure but a tool - I also agree the small plate is good idea - i bought a kids Dora plate that has a large section and two small sections. I put my meat and salad in the big section and eat that first, then I put a small (it's about 1/4 cup) of starch and maybe a desert or fruit in the other two and that is it. You'd be surprised how that might help. Good Luck. Mary

My friend's doc told her that sore throat thing on one side (of course after ruling out the allergies, etc.) was a too tight band and as soon as he pulled out a little fluid it disappeared. Also my doc is pretty adamant about reflux alot of times being a too tight band too - something you don't want - a too tight band is asking for slippage and misery trying to eat, drink etc. I think you've gotten some good advice here but is it possible to get a tiny unfill and see if that helps.

Wow I too know exactly how you feel and we're similar in that I even am a personal trainer, have done many triathlons AND could never sustain a normal weight - phew. Now on to the hubby issue - yes, most have experienced that -mine was at first completely against the surgery BUT he is very analytical and once I got him to research it and the doc (ortiz) he was actually super on board and felt it was safe, etc. What he did question was how are you going to live with that band? So I know about the pepsi thing and quite honestly you should listen to that and at least acknowledge you will have to think about that and how hard it might be for you. Granted soda was the easiest thing for me but my hubby was right about thinking about life after the band. You've beeen on this site and know it's not a piece of cake or a miraculous cure - all those habits that keep you at your current side dont dissapear. Sure you can't binge like before but I have to work pretty hard at the measley 15lbs i've gotten off since January - those head issues don't go away so maybe hubby is just wanting to know you've thought about the lifestyle and lifechanges that wll happen after surgery. I dismissed my hubby and was ONLY concerned with the surgery - we ve had many discussions after and while he is still my biggest champion he reminds me often (when I'm complaining) that this is for LIFE, take it slow, stick to the bandster rules, etc. Good Luck!!! mary

YES YES YES It is better for me because I feel better about myself and while I'm still not where I want to be body size wise I notice the difference - I'm not as uncomfortable with myself. As for my guy- well I've always been the luckiest gal in the world as he has loved me well over 200 lbs and at my teeny tinest 120. He has never ever said one negative word about my size and always tells me he loves me just the way i am - THAT is what has always sustained a pretty active and wonderful sex life even after almost 14 years.

hey there - i'm glad my huge drinking days were over long before my surgery but i do enjoy a few drinks now and then sooo i still enjoy them. i haven't had any carbonation since surgery so no beer, champagne (miss that the most) or sodas alone or in mixed drinks but i have had martinis, margaritas, wine, and that may be it - my regular low tolerance is even lower so two is pretty much my limit at all times. i think i had my first drink sometime after my first fill.

Wow a new baby and a saved marriage - that seems like true blessings from above. You are right to now worry too much about your weight (but if you don't go too crazy with eating it will be easier to get off afterwards) as your health and the baby's is most important. All the names you picked out are beautiful. good luck with everything and thanks for updating everyone.