Dreamingof139

I think of the pre op diet as a test of sorts, a way of preparing for the surgery post op and life with a band. I did fairly well on my pre op diet and then was told that I could eat whatever I wanted the night before surgery. I was actually upset at this because I had essentially white knuckled it for two weeks and had a medifast shake for dinner instead of going out. It was in that moment that I realized that something inside me had changed. In the moments after you ate that food, I think that you had a similar realization. We have, I would imagine, spent way too much time beating ourselves up about food and what we ate or are eating. We are not perfect and life can and will happen. What will help you be successful I believe is that you realized that was you had done, however accidental was not what you wanted to have done in that moment and you decided to stop and do something different. Please put this in the rear view - it was once. If you find that this happens again, stop and try to think about it and why it happened. From that insight I believe that you will change and grow in the way that you want to.,

I could not agree with you more and I thank you for taking the time to make such a thoughtful post. There are sadly some people who are just miserable (sad, but true) I have had my moments myself and I would suspect that most if not all of us have had those times when we were not feeling our best for whatever reason(s). What is troubling to me is someone who strikes out at others - there is a way to disagree and discuss without sounding/acting like a five year old or being mean. I know for myself, when I am in a down mood, and I have clinical depression so this is common for me, things hurt me that normally would not hurt me. If we are going to have a positive and helpful forum here, I believe strongly that honesty is essential, not meanness but respectful honesty. I try to say things along the lines of this is what I experienced, and I work to avoid statements that include terms like all or every, but I have still experienced the anger of those who did not agree with me. Thank you for posting - this is a great discussion to be having.

LOVE LOVE LOVE that PDF - thank you so much for posting that - I will put one in my car and also in my purse - great info to have for sure.

ROFL - love your fluffy comment - I could not agree more. I flew to Mexico on a Thursday (two segments) had surgery Friday evening and flew home on Saturday (two segments). I was tired, but I was fine. If I wanted my surgeon to do a fill, I would have to fly to see him. I had surgery a few years ago and wanted to fly to visit family and the doc said absolutely no. I think he was an idiot - I was fine and would have really enjoyed recovering by the pool, but oh well. If a doc told me that now, I would ask a lot of questions as to the why. You will be fine... take good care and be careful with the peanuts...

I am at three and two thirds months out and I feel great. I am reminded that I have a band if I fail to chew completely or try to eat too quickly. I also feel my port if I am wearing my tighter jeans (totally worth it, they are a size 10) and I tried to use my belly this weekend to push in a shopping cart - it was not awful, but I could feel it. I think that I had most of my energy back at about six weeks. Overall, I would do it again in a minute.

No, she did not insinuate anything, that is what you read into it. I re read her post several times and did not get any negative tone from it - she was just asking a question, trying to understand. Wondering why if you are so angry at your band and your situation why you are posting here and taking your anger out on everyone else? Does it help you to get it out and vent? Venting is fine - we all need to do that from time to time, but I think that it can be done constructively. I do not judge anyone, ever, its just not me. But I would prefer to see more respectful and polite posts from everyone. I understand passion and I can understand being angry about a situation, but personal attacks are just not called for and they are really not productive.

Thank you for your service. Yes, you may be hungry before your band is adjusted - hang in there with the liquid diet as long as you can. Good Luck!

Crocheting has really helped me to not eat without thinking. I enjoy making things for people and 99% of the time they are appreciated.

I do not think that we have to lie. If people ask how I am losing weight, I can very honestly answer that I am watching my portions and working to get 80-120 grams of Protein in each day. I also play racquetball with my hubby. I feel strongly that this is no ones business - and I also do not intend to lie. If someone asks me point blank if I had surgery, I will not lie, but may tell them that I prefer to keep my medical issues private.

There are horror stories from all over the world and EVERYONE needs to do their due diligence. I am VERY happy to hear that you have that access to your surgeon - that is how it should be in my book and you are the first person that I have known of who has been able to do that with their doctor.

I am wondering who was less than honest with you - your doctors office?

Restriction is a misnomer. I loved that article because I have never felt restriction with my band in the way that I expected I would before surgery. I thought that I would eat a half cup of food and feel full, but that is not how it works. I have eaten too fast or failed to chew enough and been miserable and brought it back up. For me, the band creates a need for mindful eating. We went out with friends last weekend and because I was eating slowly over two hours, I actually ate a good amount of food - more than you would think someone with a band could eat, but I ate slowly...

I have been trying to understand why some US docs and some US patients continue to slam the surgeons in Mexico. Is it arrogance? Is it prejudice? On what basis does a doctor comment that the Mexican surgeons are using an older generation band? Does he have facts and statistics to back up that statement, no, because it is not based in fact. I was banded in Mexico and have the latest and greatest in bands from the people who make THE Lap Band. Are we still living in a time where Mexico is somewhat less than our country? Our arrogance just amazes me and is rather infuriating at the same time. The doctor that did my surgery in Mexico has easily twice (yes, I verified the stats) the experience of any doc that I could find here. I have his cell number and can call or text him 24/7 with any questions. Can anyone report that same ability to reach their US doctor? I could not find a US doctor that would do my surgery because I was not big enough for their standards. To me, being 80 pounds overweight was enough, but the US docs did not want me to mess up their stats. I did tons of research, talked to lots of patients and docs and found a team that I was comfortable with. The hospital was the nicest one that I have ever seen (and I have seen many of them) and my experience was wonderful. I had my surgery in October and half of those 80 pounds are GONE. Some things to consider - aftercare - my doc will see me any time, but I have to get myself to Cancun or TJ to see him. I attempted to and thought that I had gotten setup with aftercare here and learned that even though the doctor wanted to treat me, his shrink and office manager did not want a patient who had surgery elsewhere, so I am on my own. My GP has been researching and learning for me and I found a PA who will do fills for me if I ever need another one. If you are someone who needs weekly support groups and a medical team to follow you, then find a US practice that will pick up your aftercare. Any questions - feel free to PM me.

Do you mean losing weight Emma? A few thoughts - are you getting enough liquids in? Check what your doctor has recommended for you - each one is different, but I know that when I am stalled, being attentive to my Water is key. You are still early out and you may not be eating enough - what does your plan say you should be getting in terms of protein each day. I find that the more protein I eat/drink, the better my weight loss. Good Luck!

I am so glad to hear that you found a practice that would help you out. I called around as well and got the snotty reaction too. Even had my first fill with a doc who wanted to treat me, but the rest of his team did not, so out I went. Good to hear that it worked out well for you - fills under fluoro are what my surgeon preferred I have....

My experience with BCBS of Idaho has been AWFUL.... good luck.

I was also banded in Mexico and I have a 4 cc band. My surgeon uses both, but because I did not have a lot of weight to lose, he went with the smaller one. I was filled to one in surgery and to 2 cc's six weeks post op. I have hit my sweet spot and do not think that I will need another fill. I would go back to Mexico if I needed another fill because they are free and the doctor here in the states that did my fill has fired me from his practice. Apparently one is not allowed to ask to have their insurance billed for their visits... I live in a very rural area and after a bunch of research, actually found a PA to do fills about two hours from my house. I believe that I found the info here on this site. Good Luck!

I flew to Cancun on a Thursday, had surgery on Friday evening, flew home Saturday and drove the few hours from the airport home on Sunday. I was wiped out, but I was fine to be at my desk job on Monday. No one knew where I was or what I was doing.

Wendy's chili is excellent for many reasons... it is all about the portions... and I would leave off the sour cream... but if you can grab that on the go.. wonderful. It was listed as a staple food on another board that I belong to.

Two thoughts here: Personal shopper - some even modestly priced stores have these and if budget is an issue, you can let them know what your limits are. If you can find a great shopper, his/her help would be invaluable. There is no charge for this service. Years ago, I developed a relationship with the manager at my local dress barn - she would set aside things that she thought I would like and I would stop by and take home what I wanted. I am sure it helped her sales numbers and I appreciated the service as I was a busy career person at that point. Thrift store, second hand store... most have a dressing room and you can always donate/sell your larger items as you shrink. Even small towns can have some awesome items. That was the where - the how is another matter. Find someone that you think looks great and ask them for their help or find pictures that you like and carry them with you... Good luck!

Thank you for posting a positive experience! My fill was a breeze even with the white chalk beverage and I wanted to shout from the rooftops. Things can and will happen, but we need to remember that it is very possible that things will go very very well.

Some docs recommend nothing larger than the size of a pencil eraser. I have been working to take small bites and to chew at least 20 to 25 times. When I do that, I am fine. When I do not do that... look out...

Hills or Valley - sorry, I could not resist. Grew up in that general vicinity, but have been far far away for a very long time. Would be willing to be email buds if that would be helpful - I have no plans to be back that way that I know of...

This us a huge life changing decision and you need to learn as much as you can and educate yourself until you are comfortable moving forward. I had my surgery in September and less than 10 people know about it. No one at work, not my husbands family, very few of my friends. I told my family, but they all live thousands of miles away and I told them after the fact. I just told a close friend last week - we were eating lunch and I was careless and starting foaming and had to excuse myself - she looked panicked, so I told her. She was really happy for me, but she is really big and I can predict that our friendship will NOT survive my weight loss. Very sad. Thank goodness you have a supportive husband - that is a great asset to you on your journey. Let me guess, your friend with the opinion is either naturally thin and likes that you are bigger than her or she is also big and scared of what will happen if you lose the weight. Major reason that I did not tell people - I just did not want to hear it. My primary doctor said to go for it, it is completely excluded in my insurance, so I ripped open my retirement and flew to Cancun for a few days. Only my husband knew where I was going. YOU ARE NOT A SLACKER. Trust me, if this was easy, morbid obesity would not be as big an issue as it is right now. Statistically, the risks of staying obese are much worse than the risks of surgery... in my case, I was WAY more likely to die driving to the airport or flying to Cancun than I was during or after the surgery. In the last five days, I have played racquetball for an hour four of the five days... and while I am not great at it - I can run around and hit the ball and laugh for an hour without having to stop every few minutes to avoid fainting (pre op). Has it been all roses, heck no. Would I do it again - in a NY minute. My two biggest regrets are not doing this years ago and not bringing someone with me to Cancun - I had a nurse friend lined up and she was not able to make it. I also realized that I do not want/need an expensive aftercare program - good thing as I live in the middle of no where and I have been kicked out of the closest one (three hours away) for asking them to bill my insurance for a fill - I had to ask six times and it has still not generated an EOB... people... so, they told me to find another doctor. Talk to as many people as you can who have had the surgery - most docs will have info seminars and will have patients there for you to talk to. I was able to email and call a number of people before I had my surgery. For some/most people, a support group and aftercare are crucial - if this is you, be sure that the program that you choose has all of the things that you need. Learn as much as you can and lean on the support that you can find here. Be careful about other groups - some are very negative - this one is wonderful... Good Luck and please remember that you deserve to be happy and healthy.

In TJ? We may have the same surgeon - verboonen? He will do your fills for free, you just have to get there. I searched and searched and finally found a PA that does fills in my area - I am in a VERY rural area. He charges $135, but my surgeon told me to only get filled under fluoro, so I am hoping that I will not need another fill... as I have no clue where to get another fluoro fill, other than in Mexico - I had one fill here and it was $750 - the doctor was a turkey and has since fired me because I will not spend thousands on his aftercare program..l. Good Luck.. the more populated your area, the better your choices.