sirena63

there is someone in the december bandsters...bkwalling is her screen name, she is 22 yrs old....thought you'd like to know.

I too had a great experience with OCA hospital and Dr De La Garza. The hospital is very modern and elegant. I am a nurse and have worked in OR, I was very impressed with the way they run their OR. They are very neat, orderly and seem so much more professional that in the states. All their equipment was new. The OR team was actually my favorite, they were very personable, talkative, made me feel more calm, actually I was very nervous. I was fine until I was wheeled into the OR, started thinking "what the hell am I doing?" The anesthesiologist was great and the assistant surgeon was very nice...he actually trained a few years in Boston... I believe his name was Jonathan. I have traveled extensively through Mexico, been to Monterrey about 7 or 8 times, had never stepped foot into a Mexican hospital, but I was very impressed! They will take wonderful care of you...have no fears.

I am 43 and was banded in Dec. I wish I could have been banded at age 21, I weighed around 220lbs at that age. Met my husb. (ex-husb) at 23. I'm sure things would have been different, had I not been obese. I think there would have been alot more men to choose from. Sometimes I feel I settled for the first man to come along because I felt so lucky that someone loved me as fat as I was. Sure wish I weighed 220 now, haven't seen that weight since age 21!

Oh yes, of course I told my 3 boys I was having surgery, like 5jacks says, you can't keep that from those little ears, they hear everything!

The only people that know I've had lap band surgery are my mom, sister and 1 friend. I chose not to tell anyone at work for the same reasons as others, I don't want to be scrutinized, especially while I'm eating. I don't want to have to explain why I'm not losing weight...if that is the case. I am a home health nurse and have told 2 of my patients, both morbidly obese and advised by their MD's to have surgery or...die. One patient has had a thin oxygen tube inserted into her throat so she can breathe...she has so much fat in her neck that it blocks her air passages. Less than 2 weeks post op, I proudly lifted my top and showed her my scars ( I would never have let anyone see my fat tummy before!!!!) She shook her head and said she was afraid of surgery and said she would do it on her own. I felt so sorry for her. She has had a surgery to help her breathe because she is too fat...but would not have an operation to save her life...didn't make sense to me. The other patient I hafe known for several years, but had not seen for a couple months, she has diabetes (the other patient too..both on insulin) leg ulcers, knee problems and sleep apnea, wears a CPAP machine at night with oxygen. She was supposed to meet with a bariatric surgeon and I asked her how it went...she said she never went to the appt....she is too afraid to have surgery. Well, I had to tell her I had it done (in Mexico no less) and showed her my scars! I am so happy I have done something to better my health that I must tell these people....let them know they have options...instead of all these health problems they have to live with every day! I can't wait to lose a significant amt of weight, and go back and visit these women and show them, not to brag, but to see if my success will convince them to take the step and save their lives. I have been wanting to tell someone about this. I have been keeping my band a secret from so many, but am so willing to tell other obese people.

Hi Jaqui.....I think that hunger must be normal...I get very hungry also...so hungry it hurts, then when I start eating, it takes forever to feel full, or feel better, I still feel empty after eating. I was banded on 12/20 and feel ready for a fill. I just e-mailed my Doc asking for a date for a fill.

I am happy to report a day with no pain. Glad to hear you are feeling better too Mine!

Hi y'all I don't write much, but am reading your posts every day. So sorry to hear about your complications Nathalie, I hope you are feeling much better. I was wondering where you live in Michigan, I was born and raised there, and am now living in south Texas. I am 11 days post op and have finally gotten rid of the shoulder pain!! Now I feel back to my normal self. Wow Kay that tenderloin must have been hard to resist.... I really wanted to have steak before my surgery and never got to it, now all I dream about is a juicy piece of beef. I am so hungry for meat and vegetables. I did put brisket in the blender with beef broth, got the flavor..texture was STRANGE!! I'm down 19 lbs since pre op diet. Clothes are fitting better, in fact I'm ready to get rid of my most comfortable "fat" pants...they are falling off. Your posts are really motivating.... I really have no one to talk to about my band. It's good to have a group of people you know will understand what you are going through...no matter how strange it may be.

7 days post op and still having shoulder/gas pains. I thought I would feel much better by now. I'm very hungry and the liquids go through me so fast. sweethot...loved your reference to the mideval hospital, sorry the staple removal was so rough....but doesn't it feel much better now that they are out?

hey grandma...how is your arm pain, did it go away? how was your Christmas?

Hi all My name is Beth, I had my lap-band done on 12/20/06..just 3 days ago!. I had my surgery done in Monterrey Mexico, by Dr. Javier De La Garza. I had a wonderful experience, as far as any surgery can be "wonderful". My only problem has been shoulder pain from the gas used to inflate the abd. The incisions bearly hurt at all. I am looking forward to this pain going away so I can get on with my life. I look forward to sharing my experience with anyone who is interested and learning from all of you that post. 290/276/160---I've lost 14 lbs since preop diet (highest 305) Beth

Hi Kaboom, I too am still dealing with THE PAIN!!!! It hits me when I least expect it. I had a good morning though. I ate my full liquid diet this pm, was very hungry, and 30 mins later, the pain is coming back. I have such trouble burping, and what comes out never seems to be enough. I just lie on my left side, usually fall asleep...wake up and it is gone. I have to go back to work tomorrow...I hope I don't get an attack of that pain.

thanks Kathy for the response and support!....Beth

Hi y'all, I'm new here, banded on 12/20 with Dr De La Garza in Monterrey. Glad to find the December bandsters and read all your posts, alot of us are going through the same pain and challenges. Sweethot, cannot understand why your port incision is that large, mine is about 2 inches long, luckily I did not have staples, just glue and steri-strips, the middle and right incision are approx 1/2 inch and the lowest on the left is a little over 1 inch. Have had that pain others speak about when turning, but the pain from my incision are nothing compared to gas pain...which seems to be easing up quite a bit. I love the side effects of this surgery...poor appetite! So far have not been too tempted by food, even when cooking for my kids. 290/275/160 highest 305

Hi Kaboom, Sorry to hear about the shoulder pain, I know what you are feeling. I found that lying on the side that hurts, lying almost flat can give me some comfort. Gas X thin strips helped a little. Drinking hot tea and hot broth seem to be comforting. I get up and move around and the pain comes back, I just lie down and wait for it to subside. The nutrionist that spoke with me said to lie completely flat and let the air bubbles move down your body (that trapped air is pushing on the diaphragm,we cannot burp it out or pass it..it has to be absorbed slowly) and hopefully cause less pain. Gas-x has helped me because I cannot seem to burp and when that gas pressure builds up with the rest of the pressure, it makes it painful to move and breathe. Let's just say that today has been a much better day for me and I have been pain free for longer periods and am feeling much better. But, not good enough to go shopping or to church!.........Beth

Hi Kjojo, I live in south Texas, 20 miles from the boarder...just a few hrs from monterrey. Went there by bus, Veronica met us at the hospital and got us all checked in. Yes, I dealt with Ann Marie, she seems to be having a rough time with her pregnancy and is in California right now. I haven't heard from her lately, so I'm not sure how she is doing. How have you done after surgery? Losing? No problems? Hungry? I have very little appetite (what a blessing) only complaint is the gas/shoulder pain...and not being able to burp when I need to!..............Beth

hello mine, We are in the same boat. I was banded on 12/20, have the gas/shoulder pain almost constantly...and am sitting here trying to burp...I have never been one for burping and now it is such a chore!!! THe pain and pressure build up and i can only burp a small amt. Have tried gas x with no results. Am trying warm tea and soup to see if I will "loosen up". Beth

Hi Kitty, I just have to say from my own experience, that I could not get pregnant until I lost weight. I did well while I was pregnant and did not gain much...but after baby...did I gain the weight. I think you should get the band, loose weight and get healthy, you can aways have your fill removed and eat...small portions (healthy portions)