marys

Omamoon, My thoughts are with you. Thank you so much for sharing this with us as you are right, we need to know. I am heartfully sorry you are going through this - you sound pretty darn strong and brave and I hope you recover quickly. When you are well, possibly share this experience with Dr. Ortiz so he too is aware of what you have gone through. Take care and good luck. mary

Kat that was a wonderful explanation and even after all this time of being banded - I still struggle finding that sweet spot. It is amazing to me the amount of restriction i have now at the lowest level of fills since starting fills. I can also eat many more foods without pbing so i think it is close. I know I am happier not being scared of every single bite and eating more solids than liquids. I may have even lost two pounds since my last fill which is significant for me although I have been taking diet pills too. I still stop way before full and fight that head hunger but have never had that full feeling with the amount I am eating. Maybe I am properly restricted - still don't know. Regardless you described it perfectly - thanks

oh my gosh thanks for that information - i will get a copy but i do think it was a tsh test and I will do some more research on the new levels/cut off as well as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I just have one more question and I will leave you alone - lol Do you think I should go to an endocrinologist or another type of specialist to get more specific testing? I am willing to try anything and I just went to a lab to get tested and they sent the results to my band doctor. Lastly I don't know if there is a hereditary connection but my mom had her thyroid removed quite some time ago though I can't remember why. THANK YOU. mary

You are very nice to ask me these questions without passing judgement - i feel like when I tell people my situation they don't believe me but I swear it is all true. And yes I did just recently have my thyroid tested and it was smack in the middle of normal - i think they said 2 - but yes i do have dry skin but it may be the climate i live in and definitely not as bad insomnia as in the past when I had a super stressful job but very irregular and poor sleeping - i can take a long time to fall asleep and wake up often - many days i feel not rested and i am always cold. i am also 48 and on birthcontrol pills and think some of this must be due to going through menopause. And my huge history of weight fluctuation and dieting since i was 9 years old. My band doc talked to me at length at my last unfill and i do feel i am eating better now - more solids and less liquid meals and lots less pbing so i am very happy about that. Even if I stay the same weight at least I am eating better quality and more variety of food. I also eat carbs and some bandsters don't. If I could eat bread more I would - although I eat very small amounts of them now but I haven't given up Pasta (1/2 cup), sometimes rice with sushi one slice of bread or a few crackers if it works. I am hard headed and don't want to give it up - i'm not a big lover of meat. I just started eating a green salad FIRST with dinner and that really makes me eat even less so i'm going to try to do that regularly. I've also thought about just eating a green salad for lunch with my Protein mixed in it. It fills me up and has almost no calories if I watch the dressing.

I snow ski 4-6 times a week for about 3-4 hours (but some of that time is on the lifts!) and I take a boot camp 1 hour class (mix of cardio and weights) 3 days a week and I walk to work 1-2 times a week 25 minutes each way. In the past, I have exercised 4 hours a day and that worked great - I could eat what I wanted and looked very fit. I don't want to do that anymore. Today I went skiing from 12:30-4:00 and went pretty hard. I think intense cardio for at least 60 minutes straight 6 times a week would help drop the pounds but I haven't been motivated to do that. Maybe after ski season ends! oh yeah and here's what I ate: B: 1 EAS Protein lite shake with 1/2 banana L: 3 hard boiled eggs with 1 tbls of lite mayo After skiing for Dinner: We split an appetizer which is racqulette - melted cheese with potatoe wedges, tomatoes, small pickles and onions. I ate a very small amount - maybe one of everything and equivalent 1-2 slices of cheese Now - sugar free hot cocoa and that's it for the day!

No Susan you are not missing anything and I got the lapband exactly for the reasons you stated - I did not want to be on diets again - I thought it would help me eat small portions of a variety of foods and I certainly never thought i would take a 'diet' pill again. Unfortunately no matter what I do I can not lose weight so it was a last resort for me. I will say the one difference with the diet pills is they seem to affect my brain/brain chemistry in that the head hunger is not as much of an issue. Without the pills I still want to eat whether i am hungry or not - i don't think of food as much when I take them. I eat about 1/2 of what I did prebanding but that is not enough to make me lose weight. I still am glad (mostly) that i got the band because I think I mentioned I don't gain weight and was always previously a serious yo yo dieter - i typically would gain up to 60+lbs in a year so it has stabilized me and taught me how to eat normally and chew my food and take my time. I don't binge or overeat so its good for that. I wish it worked as you described but it doesnt - hence the diet and pills.

I do remember exactly (plus I wrote it down) as I have over a year of food diaries - B: 1 scrambled egg, 1 sausage link, 1 piece of toast L: 1/2 grilled cheese sandwhich + 1 cup tomato Soup D: grilled salmon, 1/4 cup mashed potatoes, small salad snack - Protein eas lite shake I had absolutely no restriction but was trying to keep the few pounds I lost off and was very very careful. Not huge appetite either but remember being very scared to eat and going super slow, chewing (it was good practice for the hell to come -lol) have fun, enjoy on this next step of your journey - it's definitely a learning experience.

Dont listen to others - listen to yourself first and then maybe maybe one or two of your closest and dearest to you. Don't tell anyone else - it is no one's business but your own. the lapband is certainly not the easy way out but too many others (ignorant) will feel that way. This is your life, your decision, your risk and ultimately your rewards will follow. I wish I had addressed 'this problem' when i was 20 years younger - believe me it will not necessarily change or get easier. With that all said - study, research, mediate on all you learn and follow your heart. Let no one else sway you once you have decided.

Hey there - go to www.lapbandforum.com and leave an email for LoriBecky - I used Carolyn who was wonderful and LoriBecky is the newest member of the team and kind of overseas his website - she will respond immediately. Rene is the office manager (i thought) and he is quite helpful with administrative stuff but both LoriBecky and Carolyn are bandsters (I know Carolyn has been at goal weight for quite some time and is on his website) and LoriBecky is newly banded and I believe quite successful at her weight loss. don't give up - I really think Ortiz is outstanding lapband surgeon . good luck. marys hey - i went to the website and got this info on lori.. Call her today - I know she will respond quickly to you! Lori Patient Care Coordinator Obesity Control Center Lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com www.obesitycontrolcenter.com 1-866-376-7849 ext. 81

oh my gosh girl - what you have been through! I hope this last round works for you. Since you are losing so much weight do you think your band is getting tighter? Also, I don't understand it either but you'll notice I have less in my band then I've ever had yet still have seemingly more restriction/better restriction then at higher fills. fills are such a mystery to me and apparently my roadblock to losing weight so at least I am glad you are/have lost weight. I also notice now around my period i am tighter than a drum and while i can still do liquids, solids always pose a problem during the week before and sometimes during my period (again you'd think I would be a toothpick) Just keep your focus on the end result - you are almost there and your band is in good shape. Who cares what the amount of saline is when in the end it is working for you. It is most imp to be comfortable and feel good and be able to eat normally - you know how miserable it is to be obstructed - it is absolute hell. i love dr. romero and go to ortiz office for most of my fills - good luck to you and thanks for sharing - as you can see there are others (maybe not quite as severe) but have that have trouble with these damn fills. My fills unfills have cost me almost as much as surgery but i refuse to give up (at least until i reach the two year mark) then I've decided i will just accept wherever I am. take care.

If the problem is doing a good eating plan we all need help with that sometimes - for you maybe weight watchers would help or if you have a lot of money you could have your food prepared for you. I ve tried diet to go in the past and they delivery 1200 + calories meals to your door. Also i just read on 3fatchicks.com another program that they reviewed and it sounded wonderful - again about 170.00/week so not cheap (you can check it on their website). If you don't like to cook - try a simple meal plan like a Protein Bar for Breakfast, cheese stick for snack, ww or lean cusines for lunch and even dinner if you have too. I make hard boiled eggs for Snacks, keep yogurt around cuz it's an easy snack and a few pieces of fruit. You really have to plan to have good food around. And heck you've lost even more weight than me and I've been banded longer and do things 'right' about 95% of the time. For me it's not the food but lack of consistent exercise. If on the other hand you really can't eat healthy foods you could be too tight even with one fill. It's a miserable cycle but now with an unfill i can eat three bandster meals a day - good food and while i'm still not losing weight i feel better eating solids and not just Soup and Protein Shakes all the time. good luck and start planning and shopping for good food you like!

yes, even my nutritionist said you can stay on it for a year but she recommended only taking it when needed. i feel your pain - i was very successful on the phen phen protocol and am thankful i didn't have any heart valve problems with it. the thing i liked and continue to feel to this day is the change in BRAin CHEMISTRY it caused - i could look at a basket of tortillo chips, eat 2 or three and not care a damn about any more - yes i wasn't hungry but my head didn't care about food. it wasn't a constant obsession/thought like it is all other times. yes the band helps but my head is still as screwed up as before banding - i just have a little tool to help. With the phen phen i felt free from food and ;normal'. i'm sorry you cant have raductil again but maybe your doc would let you try another diet pill? we do have to be careful that what we think helps us won't hurt us in the future. good luck sweetie!

My band doc's nutritionist prescribed raductil which from my research looks to be meridian and I like it - the first day I felt a little speedy (very little) and I felt 'something' - hard to explain but nothing like the phentermine i took like candy in the past -. i'm one of those rare bandsters that can't get a pound off and i just decided to take it religiously for the next two weeks (i have a 30 day supply). It not only cuts my appetite but does it in a way that the old phen phen did for me - it makes my brain not want food - i don't have to struggle with the head hunger demons - i'm not saying its a miracle by any means but for me it gives me what most bandsters talk about - they aren't hungry. I'm praying it will help me get off even 5 pounds.. i have friends that take Fiber and i just know you need to really increase your Water with extra fiber or your tummy will hurt.

I don't know where Dr. Kuri's office is in relation to Dr. Ortiz but Dr. Ortiz uses the Lucerna hotel and I think it is lovely. Clean accommodations, nice rooms (although the last time I stayed there the pillows were hard as a rock) they leave complimentary coffee and Water in the rooms, a beautiful courtyard and pool and two restaurants with many more in the area. I think Dr. Kuri had his bandster bash there so it must be close to his office. Why don't you also ask his office which hotel they use as they might have a discount. i know you can find the lucerna on the internet - www.lucerna.com (or lucernahotel - not sure but I know you could find it) good luck with your surgery and banded life.

I also take tylenol meltaways - i think they are for children but i just take an extra one or two.

I drank about 1 gallon of diet organge soda every day so i think that qualifies me as a true 'addict' ha. I gave it up with pretty much no trouble. I've missed it maybe thre times but honestly for me that was the easiest part of banding - i did flatten it once and it wasn't the same. Also my doc relaxed his opinion on carbonation and says now that afer 6months banding you can have it occassionally - just to be cautious if it hurts, don't do it and watch empty calories in carbonated beverages with calories (beer, champagne). Since banding I've had 1/2 diet soda, a few sips of champagne with no pain but I don't do it because I can live without it. Giving up bread (mostly) has been much harder for me and I try it all the time hoping it will work - lol. You may be surprised at what you can do when you have to.

I have also heard very good things about Dr. Kuri although in the end I chose Dr. Ortiz - also in Tijuana. I researched extensively, talked to the doctors and several patients as it appears you did. The both are very experienced. I was initially quite scared of surgery and surgery in Mexico but was pleasently surprised and i think the care and facilities far exceeded anything i've ever had in the U.S. There are some risks that are there that aren't in the states - no way of malpractice suits should something go wrong but that seemed minor when I knew of the doc's track record etc. Good luck on your journey.

I know what you mean about trying to find other things to do - I'm not sure how long you've been banded but it is still an ongoing issue for me (sometimes I wonder if I'm mental - I mean, how long does it take to replace all these old behaviors??) Anyway, no doubt food is a source of comfort and response to any and all emotions. I used to get up every night in the middle of the night for a snack - for 6 months I would stare in the refrigerator until I decided to read a book and eventually that behavior stopped. You are obviously under a lot of stress but good that you won't eat (even if out of fear) -so maybe you can explore another way of soothing yourself? Try a few things - I like to keep busy with hands, scrapbooking, crocheting, organizing a closet or drawers - writing a letter are a few things that help me. Good luck to you!

Thank you for clarifying that and for the correct spelling of anesthesia - I will try to commit it to memory! I do remember Dr. Ortiz telling me something about the type of anesthesia and all I can remember now is it was related to use with heart patients/heart surgeries. I'm going back to Tijuana at the end of March and will try to ask a few more questions. I was intubated once when I had my jaw surgically broke (and gosh darn it even after 6 weeks of having my jaws wired shut and dreaming about food every night i only lost 5 dang pounds - it wasn't done for WL though even though I was heavy) and it was positively awful. I want to avoid that at all costs in the future. anyhow - thanks again. mary

Wow Wow Wow - congratulations on everything - your weight loss is terrific and you look so happy in your pic. A wedding must be a great motivator to reach your fitness goals - since you are already going to the gym - can you afford to hire a personal trainer? That might help you really get the focus/attention you need. i also found this site on the web that has pics and covers the entire upper body... http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwfit/upperbod.html good luck!!

BetsyJane - I really want/wanted the band to end the diet struggle for me and for over one year i tried to eat sensibly and much much much smaller portions - unfortunately it hasn't worked for me in the weight loss department. It has stabilized my weight which has never happened for me - i still put effort into keeping it stable but not tons cuz the band helps. I still have to make good choices etc but I don't binge or overeat anymore. I also got a rx for raductil from my docs nutritionist at my last unfill and i am going to religiously take them for the next two weeks - they really cut my appetite almost to nothing and i need it as I'm contemplating another small fill. I'm actually going to up my exercise as I'm focusing too much on the food side and the exercise needs to change/be more consistent - food/diet alone just doesn't do it for me.

ReneBean: Yes it sucks lol but you are so right. I just signed up for a 'boot camp' three days a week at my gym. I do snow ski several times a week and it FEELS strenuous but it just isn't enough. I know from my past I have to do cardio regularly (and that is my problem - consistency) at least 5 preferably 6 days a week. Diet alone just won't work for me - i've tried every one and several after banding. I just gotta do it and quit complaining. mary

I have heard wonderful things about Dr. Kuri from his patients but I also chose Dr. Ortiz because of my research, conversations with him prior to surgery and then very high on my list was talking to his anestiologist (i shoud learn how to spell that word!) - they use a revolutionary type of anestesia and you don't have to be intebated. I think the more research you do before hand on all types of wls is great - this is a big big step and you want to be sure. Good luck. I love spicy foods and can eat them no problem as long as i 'm not already irritated for some reason. I do drink occassionally and Sunta I am jealous you mentioned you had two glasses a wine a night and have lost all that weight. I gave up drinking (which i do soooo minimally cuz my tolerance is nil) for 2 1/2 months to see if it would help me lose and nada - no difference - so i put it back in. lol mary

Erin, Dr C suggested I write you via the forums on the new website but I 'm had a little trouble signing up (seems I said I was 13 and under - lol) - anyhow as you can see from my 'ticker' info - I am a failure at losing weight. My recent unfill has allowed me to eat better - 3 solid meals a day but still not losing. I'm planing to start my raductil regularly (have about a 3 week supply) as I've noticed my appetite increasing and now am having a harder time controling my appetite. Am also considering another small fill at the end of March. I am 48 and on bcp - surely going through menopause - but don't know what to do re: diet. I can be ok with maintainence but still need to lose 50lbs. Would be happy to pay for consult or advice - Thanks, mary

hey there - wow - it is close - good luck with all your tests - pretty soon the date will here and it's perfectly normal to be nervous - we've all been there - but the faster it gets here, the faster you can start your new journey. good luck!!