vintagehound

I was banded in July in mexico (TJ) by Dr Kuri. I had a great experience! For the most part, the docs down there have done more Lapband surgeries than the US docs. My doc does any thing I need later, related to the band, for free. I went for a fill there also and it went great, under fluoroscope, no cost but a 95.00 hospital fee. Surgery was $8000. Good Luck!

hi all! thanks for starting this thread! I have PCOS and got banded July 21 2006. I have lost 37 lbs since my highest weight. I am so happy to have my band! I did have a bizarre complication however. I was told after lapband surgery by my doctor that he saw a orange size cyst on my right ovary. Between July 21st and Oct 24th it grew to a watermellon! I had to have emergency surgery with a 7" long incision to get it out on the 24th. I looked pregnant! It turns out that trauma to the body including surgery can cause a cyst to grow! Mine grew and grew. Just something to keep in mind and watch for if you already have functional cysts before surgery. Besides this rather irritating event, I have done great and am on progesterone to regulate my period as I had a lining build up in my uterus and at time of cyst surgery had a D & C. I had my first real period that I can remember ever this month!!!! I am happy to share any of the info I have learned through this experience if anyone wants it. Careful of Soy products, PCOS is caused by estrogen dominance (which is because fat stores estrogen) and soy is a natural form of estrogen. Loosing weight will also cause loss of estrogen which will help allieviate symptoms of PCOS. Zoe

I am wary of any stats that aren't backed up with a reliable source.... It is such a new surgery in the states, I trust the opinion of my doctor in Mexico that has done almost 3000 surgeries as apposed to many US docs that are expressing opinions based on less than 500 surgeries. Many of them have done less than 100. It was only approved here in 2001. I do not think we have enough statistics yet to really say. There are so many factors involved with each of us being so different. Whatever he was saying was prob. not supported by a reliable source. Soda: I never hear mixed messages, everything I have read says carbonation can lead to erosion.........

hi all! I don't know what a NSV is?..... but I think I had one. I had a moment last night.... I had a big giant try-on-a-thon with all my clothes and couldn't believe what a difference. Clothes that I haven't tried on in a long time that used to fit were huge, and clothes that never fit before were looking hot! I have gone down about 2 sizes already. It was so satisfying to fit in new stuff. I am trying to resist shopping at all for a while so I don't waste my money! Leona I pm'd you about clothes....

Is it still considered PBing when you just slime, and no throw up? I have slimed and had the golf ball about 4 times in 2 months since my first fill, but it eventually went down every time so far. I was close once on a piece of steak and almost gave in to tossing it up. I have been afraid of steak since.

I agree, maybe too tight. Vinesqueen I love the "food lube" line, now I know what to call it! I find it helps a lot to add some lube to meat especially. Let us know if it helped any go down. I use a little cottage cheese with meat sometimes to keep it from getting so dry before I swallow it.

I got banded in July of this year. I keep thinking that I could have done the same dieting before the band and lost this weight. I could have.... But then I think about how I could not have kept it off without it. Unlike any other diet, this time every pound that comes off I know is gone for good! It feels different. Good luck! zoe -35 lbs

This is a great thread for a difficult topic. I am an open book, I can't help it. My mouth just starts going sometimes and doesn't seem to stop. I do dislike the "food police" and the "why aren't you loosing faster" questions...... However, I like people to know what I have gone through and how hard I am working to make changes. I do make the announcement like a speech. I always start by saying, "have you heard of the weight loss surgery called RxY where they re-route your insides and you loose weight drastically fast?" Most of the time they have heard of it or know someone that has had it... Then I say, "well I did not have that surgery, but I did have a different kind of WLS called lapband.. the procedure I had is less invasive, removable and adjustable, and with a lot of work I will loose weight slowly but surely." Of course they usually want to drill with questions and I am happy to give the juicy details. This approach has worked great, and those that I have told don't expect unrealistic results. I try to focus my answers on the fact that is is a tool, not a solution. A hottie that works at UPS, where I go twice a week for pick up, knows that I did this surgery and last week he said " Zoe you look great and I can really see your weight loss". That made me feel so good! He may not have felt comfortable saying anything to me about loosing weight if I had not been so honest before about what I did. I feel like I have opened doors of communication with random people by sharing my story and made them feel comfortable talking to me about my success later. Zoe surgery 7-21-06 -35 lbs!

Hi so sorry you are uncomfortable! Try starting your day with some hot tea or such and stay on mushies and liquid for a few days, it will get better! To make sure you still get a lot of protein, I would reccommend cottage cheese, lentle soup, and Kefir (probiotic yogurt). Good luck, and try to enjoy some of the softer foods for thankgiving today..... Zoe

hi all! Happy thanksgiving! I also have some clothes, size 22-26 mostly from stores like Torrid.....kinda edgy... Anyone? The sizes range a lot... My shoe size has changed too, I have some 8.5 that are hardly worn, again kind of edgy- platforms etc. have a great day! Thanks for being there everyone! LOL Zoe

hi all! I lurk around, sorry I am not more involved.... I posted some pictures on the before and after thread today. Everyone looks fabulous that I have seen pics of. Chris, Work it....! Zoe

Everyone looks so great you inspired me to put some pics on here. This thread is amazing! These are my first pics I have put on here. I don't know if I did it right... Moderator can you help? I put them on as attachments. If this does not work I will try again. I am the one in the middle........The first one is two weeks before surgery on July 25th 2006. The second one is the last week of August 06. The last (and blurry one) was today at my store Nov 19. Pardon my crazy girls! I sure can see it in my face. These are the only pics I have cause I wouldn't take pictures if my friends didn't force me! I have lost a total of 34 lbs. Thanks for being there everyone! Zoe

When I first began researching this surgery a year ago, nobody ever heard of it! I had two people call me yesterday to say they saw a commercial for lapband surgery on TV! At the end of the add, they show a diagram of it. One was on CNN, the other on Oxygen. I can't believe it has already made it to TV advertising. It won't be long, and those before us will have been the pioneers, Thanks for being brave! Zoe

call your doctor! I agree, Have blood tests done checking for blood sugar. Dehydration could cause it but how often do you drink water? Let us all know what have you been eating and how often? If it turns out to be a blood sugar thing, then don't be afraid of the good carbs, like apples and bannanas....... keep us poted, good luck Zoe

Raynie you haven't failed yet girl! I don't see any harm in chew and spit, of course it is kind of ironic that we are feeling like doing a anorexic/bolemic behavior! I have done it with steak! I thought I was going to die on clear liquids, but I made it ok! I think of it a lot, because I survived the hell of clear liquids I have more faith in myself and I feel like I can resist so many things now! You can do it! Zoe

When I was in Mexico having the band put on, Dr Kuri told me I had a cyst. It was too low for him to take care of. He said it was the size of a orange. When I got home i recovered for a month and went for a ultrasound about the cyst. At that time they said it was huge 23cm! Like a 5 month pregnancy. So I scheduled surgery. I have no insurance and got denied for emergency medical so I had to use my doctor for the surgery and had to wait a month longer. I had surgery Tues of last week, a full Laparotomy, It was so big they could not do it laproscopically. These details are gross, sorry: They cut from my belly button to the crease line above my, ya know. The cyst was so big, it took up the entire right side of my abdomen all the way to my ribs! They removed 4 liters of Fluid, that is 2 giant 2 liter sodas!!!!!!!!!! My ovary was twisted three times, I lost it. Luckily, the doc says my other one looks good cause I hope to use it one day! She said that the sac that formed was so strong and full of blood vessels. When I was recovering form lapband surgery, my body probably focused energy to this growing alien! I am 8 lbs less now, thankfully! Who else can say they gave birth to a 8 lb baby alien watermellon!!!! Needless to say, I am so glad it is gone, even though I had to do another surgery so soon after lapband. The good news is that I am now 32 lbs lighter than my heaviest! Why am I telling you all this? I know it is common for those of us with a weight problem to have cysts and PCOS, we are not alone! Apparently, surgery or other body trauma can cause existing cysts to grow. If you know of a cyst or have a "functional" cyst beware of not getting rid of it before surgery. I looked pregnant, and now it is gone and I can finally see the weight loss I have been working so hard to loose! Zoe

I agree with Jacqui, fruit and vegies...I can't imagine a world without them! I love to shop at Trader Joes, they make some great products Nitrate free meats, low carb spinach Frittata, exotic fruits....whole grain and nut breads that are all good carbs....organic milk, etc.. I love my fiber, and believe my body is digesting and processing what I eat better the more I have. I have 2cc in my band, I was afraid of salad, but it turns out it is very easy for me to chew and swollow well. Even though sometimes I feel like I haven't lost weight fast enough, I have been paying so much attention to what is going in and it's balance, I feel so much better! It is slow, but steadily going down....... zoe

hi I have had losses and plateaus since surgery in July. I think the most important thing to look at when choosing your diet is to keep your carbs low. Weight watchers and Protein shakes are often low cal and low fat, but not always low carb. When I am strict about the low carb thing, I loose, when I am not, I plateau. I have a degree in health and can tell you in my opinion, that 40 carbs or under a day is great!!!!! Also, I have concerns about you getting a fill before eating solids, how do you know if you need one if you don't know how much solids you can eat? I am a coffee drinker, and I have one yummy cup a day. I give up 5 of my carbs (out of 40 a day) to add my favorite creamer. The jury is out on this topic still......................there are other successful banded coffee drinkers out there that I have talked to......... Good luck! Zoe

So sorry about the headache! I get them too. I get a eye attack (auras) about 30minutes before the migraine hits. It is sickening. I take my pill fast and hope it stops the nausia that will happen when it hits. It hasn't happened since banding, yet. I am worried the pill is too big. I used to have them all the time, and then I was able to figure out some food allergies I was having that triggered them. The biggest one is Sodium Nitrate. It is a preservative in any processed meat, lunchmeat, ham, sausage, pepperoni, etc. Apparently I am not othe only one with this severe allergy, it is a very common trigger. Luckily, I have found some items with no SN in them. If you think you may have a food trigger, email me I have lots mor info about more bad ones. Good Luck! Zoe

I was never a burper before surgery, now (9weeks after surgery) I burp every time I eat. I think it is like drinking from a water bottle and you have to let the air in for the water to come out. Because there is a non expandable hole now, the air has to come up for the food to go down. That is what it seems like on the fluoroscope, the liquid lifts up, then slides through.....just my theory.

4 days after my fill we went to a sushi bar and I was so happy to discover that the fish (with no rice) went down great. I was so happy, I got kind of creative. I think it is because it is kind of oily. I have to make some of the foods I eat saucy or greasy sometimes...

I had surgery in Mexico July 21st 2006 with Dr. Kuri. The hospital was new and very, very nice! I am going back this week for my first fill, under fluoroscope by my doc. It is a $7.00 cab ride from the border to the hospital. My surgery was $9000.00 and included the hotel. I researched a lot about the lap band and the surgeons doing the surgery before I had it done. The thing is, it was not approved in the US till 2001, so the doctors that are experienced at it in other countries are the same ones training the US docs how to do it. The number of surgeries done by the docs in Mexico seemed to me to be more than the numbers done to date by many US surgeons. Dr. Kuri has done more than 2500 lap band surgeries, that is a lot. Other docs in Mexico have done that many or more! One Doc, Ortiz I think, wrote a book about lap band surgery. I have not read it, but heard it is great. For me, it was a surreal and overall great experience to go to Mexico. Good luck to all future bandsters! Zoe down 10 lbs since surgery day 1st fill this week

banded July 21, 2006 Dr. Pedro Kuri, Mexico Hello July bandsters!! We can do it!!!!! update: I am so sick of pure'ed food!!!! I have gotten creative for the sake of protein and staying alive...... One of the best was pureed chili with meat, it was great and high in protien. My worst was the pureed salmon that came out like catfood.... I am so excited about the mushies. My port site is still sore, but not as bad. Help: My incision for the band (the middle incision) is not healing great, like the stiches didn't heal closed. It looks like a vampire bite. Am I the only one this far after banding with any scabbing? All my others are healing great and not very scabby. Every scale I have been on has been a different weight. I bought one last friday and I can only go off that one..... I will weigh again on this coming friday, I am down about 15-20lbs from my highest weight, since biginning the pre op diet. Thank you everyone for your honesty and information, it is invaluable!!! Zoe

I thought it would be interesting to start a thread for bandsters that got their surgery done in Mexico to share their experiences as many people are curious. I was banded on the 21st, 5 days ago. If you write about your experiences, don't forget to let us know who your doc was...... Dr. Pedro Kuri - Tiajuana July 21st 2006 34 years old Want to loose 100lbs My experience: First of all, I was kept informed and received information from a facilitator here in Cali. on behalf of the office. All of the arrangements were totally smooth. It was all done online. I had an appointment within 3 weeks of deciding to do it. It all happened very fast. My facilitator sent me all the information I needed for diets, payments, all medical info.... The pre-op diet information could have been more specific. The day before surgery, we were picked up at the border parking lot promptly at the arranged time by the driver Miguel. I heard about his driving, but honestly I have been way more afraid in cabs in NY! It wasn't so bad. Very fast to the hospital from the border. Dr. Kuri's office is in the building right next to the hospital, it was very convenient. The Kuri staff was very nice and spoke great english. It was kind of assembly line. One doc took the EKG and did a small physical, at the hospital I gave blood (never got any results back...), Then we had a brief rundown and were sent away for our last meal. Several of my fellow banders and their companions and my husband and I went out to eat. We had to be back at the hospital by 6:30 to check in, no more food....... The hospital was really nice, marble floors, the rooms were very clean and lovely. Nobody in the hospital spoke a word of english. I had to use sign language the whole time. There was a bad smell on the main floor. That evening, a bit later than scheduled, we had a group meeting with Dr. Kuri. It was not very long. I got to touch the band and inspect it. This was the first time any of us met him. There were 6 of us getting banded the next day. He does 8 a day sometimes! That day he said he did 20 fills. All the customers I saw in his waiting area and getting banded were american. That night, they gave us a sleeping pill. Too bad my husband didn't get one, his bed was........ Very early the next morning all of us bandsters were woke up early and told to shower. I was last to be banded, I did not go in until 12pm. I was taken to a room with a couple of other waiting banders, and given a "happy Pill" the nurse said. It went under my tounge and tasted horrid! I turned to the lady next to me and commented on how rank it was, and I remember nothing else. When I got to my room I felt terrible! I was in pain and out of it, and I had a catheter eeewwwwwww. As soon as I could, I signed to the nurse to get it out and went to pee. They gave us nothing but ice the whole surgery day and night. I would have liked some tea maybe..... That night of surgery, late, Dr. Kuri and his team came to each of our rooms and let us know how we did. I unfortunately got some bad news that while he was inside me with the camera, he saw a cyst on my tube or ovary the size of a small orange. He said he would have taken care of it but it was too far down, and would have required more incisions. I am glad he was paying attention. I will have to deal with that next...... The next day we got our first meal, Jello & apple juice, both of which I hate. I suffered a few bites and I was starving! Before we were discharged, we had to do a barium swallow in the floroscope. It was great! You stand in front of a wall and watch your swallow go down your esophagus through the band and into your lower stomach, on a TV screen. We were later given copies of it on XRAy to take home. This made sure the band was on right. We were picked up by the hotel and driven there with a fellow bandster and stayed for 2 days at Tiajuana's version of a 5 star hotel. The fee of $9000.00 I paid for surgery included the hotel for both nights. They had the best buffet I ever saw with every tropical fruit known to man, and all I could eat was broth and jello. It sucked! I hear mixed reports about how some people feel hungry after surgery, and some don't. I never stopped feeling ravenous. I stuck to the gross diet though, for the sake of healing correctly. I was very sore for the next two days, and used all my pain pills. I tried to walk as much as I could per instructions. I am so glad I had a bandster friend there with me to share with. Go Denise!!!! I had terrible dreams and nightmares too. I woke up the night after surgery and had a wierd anxiety attack of shaking. My husband had to calm me down. I think I was starving to death, or maybe a little in shock. The next day We were promptly picked up by the driver again and taken back to our car at the border parking lot. 12 hours later, we were home! MY BED!!!!!!!!! I haven't had a good nights sleep yet, anywhere, cause it is so hard to find a comfy position. I went to work last night for about 7 hours and did what I could to revamp my retail store. I am sore today cause of it. I am in high spirits, so far I would do it again, I feel great except sore at my port site. The pain in my port area is attached to a pain in my abdomen somehow....anyone else..... I think I have a lot of energy. I graduated to pure'ed food yesterday, thankyou!!! I can only eat about 1/4 cup at a time, but it moves through quickly and I eat another 1/4 cup about 10 minutes later. I am suprised how fast I get full!! I am trying to eat mostly organic, I have pure'ed several Amy's Soups. I don't know if I have lost weight since surgery, I have no scale. I am going to buy one on Friday and only use it once a week.....I sure hope I have, it was a trying week! So far, I am so glad to be a bandster and I am very excited!!!! I look foward to hearing all your stories.... Zoe

I have always been a ruthless rider! A couple of years ago, I went to 6 flags and I was going to ride their new roller coaster that hangs you suspended. I saw the sign at the line entrance said this ride can not accomodate larger sizes. I worried the whole hour in line and sure enough my skinny legs fit great in the saddle, my tummy was too big to close the harness! I had to get off the ride and walk the walk of shame past everyone in line! It was mortifying. I have never gone back because it felt terrible even though I fit on all the other rides..... You will not have that problem sooner than later!!!! Zoe