Pistol

I hardly ever post, because I can't spell to save my life. So...please accept my apologies now for the errors to come. I have been reading about you all since my surgery in October 2006. I hate the computer and only get on it sporatically. I was moved to post, because I too have come across a few folks that have been less than supportive. My mother, for instance, gave me 2 boxes of candy and 4 tins of cookies for Christmas (a whole 2 months after obesity surgery). She is getting married in August and has recently informed me that she has already purchased my dress, she hopes I fit into it. Who knows what size I'll be by then? The thing I try to focus on, is that I do have folks in my life who more than support me. Get the positive energy flowing in your life. Surround yourself with people who love you and are proud of your choise to make your life better. Appreciate the old friends, new friends, neighbors, or complete strangers who look at you differently. You had this surgery for you and no one else, so live well and be happy with your path in life. I've heard it said that the best "revenge" is living well. Your friend probably is dealing with some serious self esteem issues... if all she can do is tear you down to feel good about herself. I suggest celebrating her weight loss with her and yours along side, because it's not how you got there that's the issue, it's that both of you have better health.

Hi I was banded 10-02-06 and got my first fill 02-22-07. I'm a little over 3 weeks post fill and still having a tough time with solid foods on a regular basis. I get most of my nutrition via shakes at this point. I have lost a little over 60 lbs total and continue to work at it. It seems to me that eveyone is doing great. I do love to read about you all and wish you all the best of luck

First time fills: I was really worked up about my fill as I was banded in Mexico, Dr. Rumbaut, and would be going to a new Dr. in the states. I had read too much and was very nervous for the proceedure. Trust me, you're there for less than 1/2 hour and I left feeling I should have gotten a more agressive fill. Just wait for a couple of days, that's when you really feel the restriction. My Dr. had an ultrasound machine available in the room in case he was unable to find my port by palpation. It was like he had a map and knew exactally where it was. I thought I knew, but I was actually feeling my band and tubing. I was banded 10-02-06 and got my first fill 02-22-07. I waited a long time to get it. Eat light the night before and make sure your top pouch is empty before the fill. It's now 3 weeks post fill and I still have a hard time with solid foods, but it's getting better every day. Prior to the fill my weight loss had slowed to nothing, and the fill forced me to start over again from scratch and really kicked off my weight loss again. I wish you all good luck with the fills.

I am a computer moron so everyone will just have to bear with me. Also another forewarning, I don't spell well and have been unsuccessful at getting the spell checker to work. My father and I were banded on 10-03-06 by Dr. Rumbaut. I had difficulties with gas post-op and my father had problems with the shoulder pain. The flight home was very uncomfortable for us both. My father is very adventurous and has tried everything from carbonated beverages and liquor to regular or large sized meals. He has noticed a slow in his weight loss, but otherwise is doing quite well. I have followed Dr. orders to the "T". I exercise at least 30 mins. a day and have elected to restrict my portions to between 1/4 cup and 1/2 cup at a time. I was satiated at first, but am now have some real hunger pains. :hungry: I do my best to get through it. I am back to work and find it's easier to drink a shake in the A.M. and eat when I get home around 5 P.M. with another meal around 8 P.M. If I get hungry during the day I have stopped at Walgreens and picked up a single serving string low fat cheese for $.50. I can't get over the amount of money I'm saving. I am doing everything that I can to stave off or postpone the need for a fill, but I have noticed that my weight loss has slowed drastically. I have read that your body does better if you provide it with a shock weekly. In other words, your body tends to accomodate or get used to your eating style and will learn to maintain as long as you do. I read that if you eat something "bad" or different from your recommended diet for 1 meal 1 time per week that it would keep your body guessing, and you would be less likely to plateau. Does anyone else practice this?

Wife (Pistol) and FIL went to Dr. Rumbaut the first week of October. We chose him because of experience and track record. He may be the best in the Western Hemisphere. Pistol said that he has a wonderful bedside manner. Though we are self pay, we'd have paid the extra $7,500 to have it done closer to home if we could have found a surgeon with Rumbaut's reputation. Unfortunately, Rumbaut would have to give up his practice entirely for several years before surgeon's in the U.S. can match his experience. Land of the free my a**! Pistol and her dad have both traveled extensively and are used to being crammed into tiny seats. The flight from Denver to Monterrey had them packed in for five hours. They both spoke of discomfort due to the influence of pressure changes on the gas in their abdomen's during the flight back. The advantages to finding a local Dr. are obvious; and if you can find one with an excellent track record and lots of experience, go for it! Otherwise, go for the best. take care, Pistol's husband.

Pain in the shoulder is a referred pain. It is a result of the incision in the upper abdomen. Pain in the left arm during a heart attack is a result of the same process. PH

Oh yeah, congrats threebeauties! Turning down the "midnight snack" is a huge deal. You can do it! I've been proud of my wife every time she walks away from a bad habit. Keep telling your husband that you need and appreciate his support...every day. We men like to "fix" things, and it is very frustrating because this is something we cannot just "fix" like an alternator belt. Let him help when he can. hang tough, Pistol's Husband

Good news. Pistol broke the 200# mark this morning. She started out at 225# before her pre-op diet. She is now 198#. YEA!

Well, Pistol just got back from Dr Rumbaut's in Monterrey on Friday (surgery on Tuesday). Gas and some tenderness around the port (and feeling like she ought to be DOING something) are her biggest complaints. The flight back caused some discomfort due to changes in atmospheric pressure. Throw in a little PMS and we've got a loaded Pistol:) Did I mention that she is a redhead? We're doing 40-50 grams of Protein and less than 20 grams of carbs per day. I've tried several different recipes with the protein powders. One that tasted pretty good is just Water, ice, vanilla powder, and Crystal Lite (to taste) in a blender. Cream of Wheat w/vanilla powder tastes OK too. Advant Edge Carb Control premixed shakes are good on the go. Pacific Natural Foods makes pureed Soups that you simply shake, pour, heat and serve. They are very tastey and organic. The french onion Soup tastes much better than boullion and has half the sodium. I blend a small amount of unflavored soy protein into the soup prior to heating. I purchased everything at the King Soopers except supplements (which are split between Vitamin World and GNC). She is down 8 lbs. since this time last week. That's all for now, Pistol's Husband PS: Isopure may be the most foul stuff I've ever had in my mouth.

My wife and Father-in-law will be banded by Rumbaut on 10/3/06. While Pistol (my wife) is testing protein powders and shakes now, a final dinner is planned for this weekend (Italian food).

Dr Rumbaut will knock $1K off each surgery if you take a friend. My wife and father-in-law are being banded by him on 10/3/06 at a cost of $9,500 each. I did all of the research (several months worth) and determined that Rumbaut is the best in the Western Hemisphere. I recently went to a clinic sponsored by a group of local bariatric surgeons in Colorado who seemed ashamed and even apologetic about their inexperience when compared to Rumbaut (who, btw, is a member of the ASBS). Inexperienced and an extra $10K for the same procedure locally? Knowing who to pick was hard, knowing who to eliminate was reletively easy. PS: I hope I didn't overstep my bounds by not needing the band myself and commenting on this forum. My wife doesn't like computers, but I've encouraged her become more comfortable with it. Hopefully she'll spend more time here after her surgery. Until then, I guess you're stuck with ever-supportive husband.