Grey Cat

Interesting, I had met some of his patients returning from surgery in the lobby of the hotel. I am so glad I went with BariatricPal for my procedure!

I have had the band since 2011 and am going to Mexico to Dr IIIan to have it removed and revised to the sleeve. I have had nothing but issues since getting it. I was wondering did you all have issues with the port once it was removed? Like pain in the port area? I am doing as much preparation as possible so I know what to expect My surgery is scheduled Jan9th In Mexico

Hello I have been doing a ton of research on Dr IIIan and have view so many glowing reviews of him and Bariatric Pal Mx. I was wondering if anyone could provide me with any links pertaining to his certifications or affiliates? I would really like to use them for my band revision surgery, but I am having trouble finding anything that states his qualifications from a non biased source. I also researched the ASMBS website search for Doctors in his area of Mexico and could not find him? Maybe I am doing the search wrong. Thanks

Did you have to have a ton of classes before he allowed the surgery? Whereill I live In Kansas we are doing self pay as our insurance will not cover the procedure- even with self pay I have to do 8 weeks of classes, a psych evaluation, as well as a battery of tests. I do not mind the tests and such but I really need a band removal to gastric bypass or mini bypass to help manage my diabetes. My band has made me miserable. Even after seeing the specialist here in wichita, they still want me to go through classes that I had when I did the band surgery all for a removal and bypass!! and we have to pay for each of the classes ...

The thing is, If I wanted to go on a fancy diet and exercise like a mad woman, I think I could have done that without paying $15,000 to do it. I did do that. I lost 38 lbs. I was banded in july of 11 and now gained all of that back post surgery.

I will be sure to check you out on your blog.. Cream of Wheat? Does it keep you full? I will try it. You have a point about eating for the rest of your life.

Wow that is great that you have been able to lose that much! Good for you.. Where do you get RVL meal replacement shakes… GNC ?

That is a good idea too. I do eat eggs and yogert but kashi cereal too makes me sleepy…lol do you like egg beaters?

I agree with all that was said… I too suffer from depression, off and on through out the years, The funny thing is that it comes and goes and for years have not had any symptoms, until I had miscarried twins. Then it came back. I didn't want to leave the house, and do much of anything, no cleaning, no exercise and I love my pool, maintaining it — lost interest in that as well. I had gotten the band 7 weeks ago and thought that would help. If he weight came off then I would feel better. But of course that was not the case. So I got put on welbutrin, and have been for 2 weeks.. i am starting to feel much better. Sometimes we put on weight to hide our feelings, and when we are given the tools to take off the weight, we still do not deal with the underlying reason we put the weight in the first place.- thus the depression can get worse. Hang in there and know that the band is not a cure all, its a tool and your heart can also be a good tool. Do not be so hard on yourself. Hang in there! cat

7 weeks post op, I did not have saline in my band either. I have heard that some doctors do that, but mine did not. The swelling in your tummy should as others have said cause enough restriction. I followed the diet to a T after the band was placed for a week. I had gas too. or Air Bubbles in my body cavity that occur when you are cut open and the air gets inside and then after sewn up, have no real place to go but to dissolve on its own back into the blood system. This is how i understood it. The only relief I had was Walking and lots of it. The bubble moved to my shoulder blade, and was uncomfortable for awhile. So I know what you are feeling.. and I wish you luck and I am glad you listened to your body. It is worth it.

Do not be dismayed when you find yourself hungry after the band. I have found some foods that I love before the diet, were good in moderation, HOWEVER they slide right through the band and do not make you feel full. The high protein food that is good quality will remain in your pouch longer and make you feel fuller. I was confused and hoping that I would not be hungry anymore and was sorely let down when after 3 weeks post op.. nothing was filling me up… because i was still leaning toward my old diet… and habits that i reasoned if in moderation wouldnt be that bad because the band wouldnt allow me to eat much of it… but not true! Good LUCK and I hope your surgery goes well!

I am down 14 lbs. and have been eating Adkins products, bars and shakes… Does anyone have any better alternatives? The morning Breakfast bar is still making me sleepy after i eat it about an hour of breakfast. I do not get sleepy if i just drink the shakes- but its not enough to fill me up. What does anyone think? I am 7 weeks post op. Had one fill last week so far. I have taken your comments to heart because Success is learned and taught. It does not just happen! - catina )

I am glad you learned some new stuff! I really do not have a filter when it comes to expressing my thoughts when it comes to the band..lol and I am very glad that I have such a strong support group!

I never realized that about the protein and I will give it a try. I too get tired if I have too many carbs.. i get that mid morning crash. Thanks for your input! I love crystal light sunrise too! and congrats with your battle. The lap band is in for life, so you are right diet is not the term.. its more of a lifestyle change.. Thanks!

Thank you! I love crystal light grape drink..lol and sunrise.. i have not tried the others… I will give it a try and see what happens the trick is just finding balance i think.

Its been 6 weeks since being banded… and I am moody, and grumpy.. More so than before. I was hungry all the time before I even got the lap band, and found myself binge eating because I would wait until I was totally starving… Now I really try to have 3 meals a day.. And sometimes a high protein snack. But old habits are hard to beat… I crave chips, burgers, pizza and chocolate.. cheese, umm everything that made me fat in the first place.. I hope those cravings go away…because i can eat them with the band.. but they do not satisfy me.. and i end up eating as much as I did before the band. Then im so full i feel ill. So i really have to find the food that works with the band. Why does the food not fill me up?

Thanks for the feedback! I am relieved to know i did not ruin the fill. I have not had anything get stuck thank goodness! I never even vomited. Now its just knowing what foods work with the band and what don't. I really want to feel full, and I have found some foods do make me feel fuller faster than others. Anyone have a difficult time with raw veggies? - such as salads lettuce tomatoes onions? it seem that the " output" is not very pleasant to me, as before salads did not bother me at all.

I had my first fill, and was told 24 of liquid, 24 of blended, and 24 soft, and back to the normal diet. I went back to eating normally maybe too soon. Does this ruin the fill.. And why does it ruin it? I mean if its filled its filled. I ate eggs and a protein shake. instead of blended food… i am hungry all the time BTW

Its been 5 weeks post op.. I have lost 14 lbs, and gained 7 back. I don't know where to put that weight ticker thing…. on here. I suppose I will put it on her later. I am getting frusterated. I have gained 7 lbs. and Went in for my first fill. I have been hungry all the time. 3 weeks after surgery it started to happen. Now I am one day fill, and still hungry. If I wanted to diet and starve i think I could have done that without dropping $18,000. This band is supposed to restrict food intake and give me a satisfied feeling. I did at first.. now I am feeling just like I did before I even had it. When it was put in, it was empty. I mean a fancy diet of liquids and shakes and mushed up food … i could have lost weight without the band if I wanted to go that route. I got the band because I wanted a long term solution for a never ending hunger. I eat protein and I am hungry 3 hours later. I am not an emotional eater, I do love the taste of food. So restricting the food i love would be a great way to lose the weight that Is slowly killing me. I am just frusterated… i think it should get better. I was told that It takes a few days for me to feel the tightning of the band.. wierd. i think it should be immediate. Oh and I got this weight tracker thing… and cant figure out how to have it by my name when i comment on blogs.. so i guess i will try it on here… later when i figure it out

I am so sorry that you had to go through that. I too have paid cash for mine, so I would not have to go through all the hoops that insurance makes you go through. Insurance companies want you to be fat, they want you to gain weight and get all sort of health problems… they want you to be ill, so you have to depend on their services and they make money while you get sicker. If insurance companies covered Lap band, and Gastric bypass, they would lose money, because healthy people don't have the medical problems that are associated with being obese. They know that obesity is the number one cause of death in our country. When they see those stats, they see dollar signs. Good luck.. and keep up the fight!

I started this journey 1 year ago, decided to investigate and choose to lose 34 lbs and maintain that loss for a year now. I have been approved for the band, and my surgery date is May 3 2011. I have some concerns, The surgery center is in Wichita, kansas, but the procedure is in Kansas City. Thank goodness I don't have to drive there and back several times before the procedure, its an all in one visit. I am concerned because they scheduled it for less than 2 weeks away, and with the welcome package, it says to have liquid diet 2 weeks prior to surgery. I don't have that luxury. Also the receptionist that called me to schedule the appointment, did not give me any additional information such as when i arrive, what time do they want me to do more blood work the day before, and directions to the hospital, also she didn't have a clue about the diet drinks before the surgery. I did some research before choosing a surgery clinic, and this one out of wichita seems very well reviewed, but why do I feel so clue less? During pre op I got a packet, and was told to read it. Had blood drawn got approved, but not much else. ..Anyone know much about More of life weight loss surgical center out of KC?