bramante45

I am 5'4 and 176 lbs. I am tired of struggling. I am getting a lap band in Mexico mid-May. I am very curious how the weight loss will go. I have 2 friends who have had the lap band and both are doing great. I know my weight doesn't seem like a lot to some but to me it makes all the difference in the world. I don't understand how people can get boob jobs or tummy tucks and that is ok but when someone gets a band so they don't have to be "fat" anymore it is bad or you are cheating. Aren't we all cheating whether it is cosmetic dentistry , botox, boob job etc. I want to be thin and I can't do it on my own. My goal is 145 by August 2010 and 125 by my anniversary date for a total loss of 50lbs. :wink:

I feel this question is different for low bmi'ers that is why it is here. Wondering.... when should I get a fill they say between 6 and 8 weeks, but what if I don't need one? I am flying back to TJ Mexico for my fills and tickets are cheap if I buy far in advance. I am afraid I will buy a ticket and then not need to go yet.....???? Any advice out there on this?

Started creamy soups today..... they fill me up nice, but seriously this is not a very healthy option why suggest creamy soups when they are so full of sodium and fat?

Hey Sunshine! I have the realize band too! Maybe that is why we are not having as many issues? Everyday I have been hungrier and hungrier. I figure by day 21 of liquids I will be dying for some solid food. I think I am going to schedule my fill for 6/22.

Banded the 10th, well yesterday I think I pushed it a bit...... (MY BACK IS KILLING ME) I got up 5;45 showered got up the little one, went to look at my new house, went shopping for a baby gift, to the bank, pick up one of my older kids, went to visit a friend with her new baby, showed a home and property, then I came home and was done!! I just can't keep up with my life...I guess I better get used to it. As far as some of you having problems with nausia, pressure, pain etc. I can tell you my doc is really strict I am on day 8 and have had nothing but broth, Water , watered down juice, coffee and Protein water. Nothing else. I can't ad Protein shakes until next week and tomorrow I can have 1/2 cup of liquid yogurt. I am on liquid only for 21 days. At first I was thinking well others are having applesauce etc. but now I know why...it doesn't have to do with things getting stuck it is more the effect it has on your stomach as far as gas, bloating , nausia. Reading what some are going through, made me realize I am 100% sticking to what my doc (Ortiz) has planned for me. As far as not being hungry...no, I am not hungry but man EVERYTHING SOUNDS SOOOOOO GOOD!!!!! you would think I have never eaten in my life. I want everything I see and smell!!! lol I hope everyone starts feeling better! Maybe go back to clear liquids if you haven't tried that already. Oh I still haven't weighed myself! I am too scared I will be disappointed!!!!

I was monday the 10th, doing well, no meds since surgery day. Just haven't needed them. Still on only clear liquids, my doctor does 21 day liquid diet. Just trying to take care of my little one without him kicking my belly! So happy I have dad's help the next 2 days!! :w00t: No walking yet, but I am on my feet almost all day and up and down the stairs at least 10-15 times a day chasing a 12 month old. I am not physically hungry, but very bored with my food options. Going to go get some popcicles this evening. Haven't got on the scale but I can tell I am still pretty bloated and haven't had a BM. I will wait until I feel thinner before I get on :laugh: Should I be worried about the BM?

Ahahahahahah!!! I am going crazy! I was banded 5/10 only 5 days ago. I am doing ok but it is driving me crazy that I can't talk to anyone about what I am going through. None of my friends or family know I had the procedure. I was low bmi 30 and didn't feel like explaining my self to them. Now I feel so alone. My husband goes to work (he knows) and I am by myself with a one year old (2 kids at school) We are also moving in the next 2 weeks and I have packed nothing..... I feel like I need to heal faster. Where am I going to find the energy? I can't ask for help...... By the way my surgery was in Mexico with Ortiz and the experience was great, considering I was having surgery.

You are not alone :thumbup: I would like to lose 50 lbs. At the OCC (Ortiz) they set my goal at losing 35??? but I didn't go through this to still be even a tiny bit chubby...lol Feel free to send me a message anytime!

Well I did it I got my band on the 10th. 4 days later and I am doing great. I opted to not stay the night in the clinic and got up put on my clothes and went back to the hotel. The clinic was great I was just antsy and needed to get moving. I have been uncomfortable on occassion but never in really bad pain. I am home taking care of my 12 month old, just trying to keep up with the minimum. I haven't had a pain killer or even a tylenol since the surgery day. So far I am pleased with The OCC and Dr. Ortiz. Everything went very smooth. I am on clear fluids and can have liquid yogurt in a few days. Haven't weighed in and don't plan on it until I get rid of my bloated belly. :biggrin: I am moving in 2 1/2 weeks and havent packed a thing yet. I hope I heal quickly!!!

I am so glad you "butt in" :smile2: I needed to hear something positive. I have to go to Mexico 1. I can't afford more $$$ and 2. It is scheduled, tickets purchased and I have paid a deposit. You actually made me excited for the first time since I started this process!! How many fills have you had to lose your 40? Do you think I should go back to Mexico to get my fills? He does flouroscopy so he can actually see how much he is putting in. Or get blind fills with a fill center about an hour from home......

I am right there with you. Did you get my email? I posted recently on the May bandsters page how I am wondering if I should be doing this .....I have been going back and forth, but I am almost 100% yes now. I need this . I need to be a good weight and maintain it. Like you I could easily be 300lbs every day is a constant battle not to be. What is the difference between someone who is bmi33 and 30 really??? I have heard of so many happy people that if I don't give this a shot I will regret it and always wonder if I should have. Dr. ortiz can also do the procedure in one incision if you are that low in bmi. That is what they told me. I agree with the previous post why can't we do it for cosmetic reasons???

I will tell you Dr Kuri will not band someone with a BMI of 30, I spoke with Jessica with his office on a couple different occasions. and they would not consider me. I am so happy you got your band now I have someone with a low BMI who had their surgery in Mexico close to the same time as me!! Ok well I want to know all the details, incisions? Pain? was TJ scary? They just had an earthquake there ...kind of scared! When do you get your first fill? Are you going back to Kuri for that? TEll, Tell, Tell!!! :smile2:

Yes I am nervous, not about the surgeon or the care but Mexico in general. I think it is ridiculous that they wont do my surgery here because of low bmi. No matter how heavy I have been before. If I don't fly back to have my fills I will get them at a fill center about an hour from me. I am afraid the fills will cost me a small fortune. Again my day is May 10th and I am starting to freak out....wondering if I am doing the right thing. Wondering if I should keep trying on my own...... so confused, but so tired of being over weight!! just want to be myself and not feel like everyhting revolves around being fat. Also I was told no pre-op diet because of low bmi. but I was also told not to gain weight. I am pretty sure I have... too scared to weigh. I am starting south beach today as I have had a lot of success with it before, just cant do it for too long.

My surgery is scheduled for the 10th. I am having mine in Mexico. Because i have a low BMI I don't have to do a pre-op diet but they said the more weight I lose the easier it will be for them to do the surgery with only one incision. So I will try as I get closer. :thumbup: Seems like forever away..... I will also be flying back to mexico for my fills. WHich will be a pain but he does them with flouroscopy (sp?) so I think I will need less that way???? I don't know I am very nervous but also extremely excited!:thumbup:

YES!YES!YES! Exactly how I feel. My Aunt had a lot to say about it, how it wasn't really neccessary and that I could lose it on my own if I tried. Yes...I could lose it on my own and I have before but I end up right back where I was because as soon as I gain 1 lb. I start getting depressed and in goes the food! :cursing: I am not telling anyone except my husband and my mother. My mom is coming with me because my husband said I can't go alone. He would come with me except we have a 10 month old and two older kids that have to be with one of us. I feel consumed by this , like my life wont begin until 5/10. I just want to be a normal person without my weight always being an issue.

TTDRAPER77 - We are the same age! :cursing: After a ton of research I am going with Dr. Ortiz, the surgery is $6,800. I don't have to do a pre-op diet they said if I lost some weight that would be good though. He is actually going to do my surgery with only one incision for the port and the rest he can do with needles because of my lower bmi. He is 1 of only 2 doctors that does this as it is so new. But great for minimal scarring. I have had 3 kids and am so lucky I have no stretch marks or scars on my belly (other places took the hit) :crying: and it was one of my deciding factors. I have been trying to decide who to go to for after care..it is so expensive! I think I might just fly back to tiajuana for my fills???? Still undecided. Jacquie0120 - Dr. Kuri was the other doctor I was looking into. I am so Jealous you are getting yours end of March! I feel like May is forever away! They could get me in sooner but I can't come up with the $$$ that fast. :wink: Where in FL are you? Do you know where you will receive your after care?