GeezerSue

I've corresponded with two South African Lapbanders on the Spotlight board. I don't know if they still visit. Jennye, can you find them? Sue

I think you've diagnosed it well. Once you irritate the stoma, it can swell for a few days. You might be able to look back at your surgery to see how sensitive you were for how long post-op. If I really irritate my stoma, I count on liquids for a day or so, just to be on the safe side. Sue P.S. Although my doctor advised chipped ice for such occasions, many people find that cold causes more restriction. You might want to try warm-ish chicken broth.

I'm not YET a success story and I paid cash and I'd do it again. I long-ago figured I'd lose the Miss Congeniality Contest, and this may tick off some people, but here goes: I think a good part of obesity is simply that we are crazy. I don't mean lock-up-forever crazy, just crazy enough to keep engaging in a self-destructive behavior...kinda like smoking. I tried several times over almost forty years to quit smoking. Then one day, I decided that I had just had my last cigarette and that was four years ago. Done. No more self-destructive smoking. The deal is, I'm not there yet with food, and I think we have to "be there" in order for the band or the bypass or Weight Watchers or whatever to work for us. Now the surgeries are a FAR more powerful tool than a diet or Jenny Craig, but they can be circumvented and are on a regular basis. (That crazy stuff, again.) If you hang around long enough on wls boards, you start learning that many people who have had RnY start--usually at about two years out, when the malabsorption begins to wane--to go through the same garbage that we banded have to go through from the beginning. The fortunate (those brighter than I) learn to make those changes right away, the rest just take longer. I know that the band is there and that I know what I have to do and I just need to get around to doing it. (Like when I REALLY quit smoking.) If I had had the RnY with my same resistance to change, I'd be much thinner than I am now, but not necessarily any brighter or any less crazy. Sooooo shortly, I'd start gaining weight. (With the band, I've lost SOME, gotten an unfill, gained some, lost a little of that and then maintained.) And then, right about the time I'd finally get around to getting smart, the malabsorption wouldn't be there and I'd be in the same battle with only a smaller stomach than before. With the band, the small stomach can just sit there and wait for me to get less crazy or more smart...whichever comes first. We are a new board, so I don't know if anyone here besides the CoffeeWench (starrring in a commercial or on a billboard near you) is at goal yet. But there are bandsters at goal. Sue

The "liquids only" part of banding is a very small part. Good luck on everything, but are the other five people there too old/young/gone/frail to help out just for a couple of weeks? I'm not trying to pick on your family, just to mention that it IS hard to not eat and maybe you could send them out to feed themselves for a week or two? If not, then just hang in there, even if the post-op loss slows down (it often does)...but do whatever you can to make this difficult time easy on you. (I think many obese women are obese because food is the only thing we "do for ourselves" when there are other things we need more.) Oh...your questions. I had "about one week clear" and "about one week full" liquids. I wasn't told to do sugar-free anything, with so few calories going in it didn't seem to matter. Do get some protein in. Protein drinks or the like will help with the hunger. Sue

No offense, but: And in two or three years, you'll have..another old car and ... ??

Sandy, I didn't know you didn't know. You say that "the buzz is that Kuri and/or his group don't like Ortiz and want to keep HIM away!" Do not assume that that sentiment is a one-way street. You'll have to trust me on that; I've been there and I know. And I took it with a grain of salt. The deal is that they are competitors in a pretty tight market. While some insurance companies have stopped covering RnY, others have started approving the band..and those patients stay in the states. Three years ago almost no doctor in the US was placing LapBands, now many are. And, the prices are going down. When I went to Mexico, it was mostly for my surgeon's experience. But it did save me $20,000 compared to local doctors' prices. Now the difference is only about $2000, if I'm willing to go to Northern California and $4000 closer to home. And there are many people who can and will come up with an extra two to four grand to stay in the country. I suspect the Tijuana surgeons now (or soon will) have to offer more to pocket less to stay competitive in a tighter market. Meanwhile, JNJ should be about half-way done with their band's clinical trials and that product, if successful (and I hope it will cuz I bought the stock), will likely be the star of its own tv commercials. I'm checking with my surgeon to see which--if either--bash he is attending. Any time I can drive a couple of hours to see him, instead of flying for twice as long, I'm packing and driving. If he's planning to be in Tijuana and to see patients, that's where I'll go, even if it's the Tijuana Hard Rock Cafe on cinco de mayo. And, I'm just curious, bit if Ortiz isn't aware of this bash, does that mean that right now you have a doctor-less bash? Wow! Sue

Oh, and while I'm being a Number 4, here's something terribly clever that thought of at the right moment. (Usually, there's a delay between the event and thinking of the right thing to say.) DH and I went out to dinner at a seafood place I wanted to visit. Rather than HIS favorite seafood place. Me: What did you thinK? Him: Well, I like the other place better. Me: Too bad. Him: Why? Me: Cuz the other place is dinner and this place is foreplay. Him: But it IS starting to grow on me.

Alexandra, I think that on a support board, we are all that person you described...but each in our own way. In other words, I'm here looking for support, too. But I'm way meaner than you. Now, don't get me wrong, because I don't mean that you are clueless...what I mean is that whatever the topic and whatever the goal, you'd be pretty much a Number 2. You are so kind and so giving and you really tend to the needs of others. You would be that way, I'm betting, if we banned all talk of weight and lap bands and limited outselves to discussing Boston ferns or internal combustion engines. You're just nice, no matter what, and you want people to feel good. (For many of us, that's just not naturally a big issue. We really have to work at it.) I'm--generally speaking--a world-class problem solver and reseacher. With no tact at all. I have anal tendencies and want things to say what they mean. Exactly. And I have no idea why I do better reading what y'all have to write, but I do. Even though I'm pretty sure I'm getting out of the "real work," when I'm hanging out here. And I think Donali is, as usual, right on. I have MAJOR issues with weight loss. And a few complications. But I don't really want to go into detail, because I have a really good idea what's going on here. I want to read of your lives and how you are solving your issues. And I'll do that, right after my grand entrance in my pink fur cowboy hat. Now, if you all would just utilize your Section 125 benefits, and file the bills in THIS little thingy, and calculate the net cost of participating in your 401k, and stop by the hotel and pick up the two-for-one dinner coupons and, yes, I'll write the letter to your landlord and yes, you'll get your deposit back...and**flinging the boa back over my houndstooth muumuu**pick up your taxes at my house because I've done them for you...see what I mean? Sue

Sandy, THIS is what's posted on the Kuri Bandster Bash board: From:_ XXXX Date:_ Fri_Mar_19,_2004_ 9:38 pm Subject:_ 5th Annual Bandster BASH 2004 MARK YOUR CALENDARS! DON'T MISS THE 5TH ANNUAL BASH!!! It's official!! The TJ Bash this year will be held in Rosarito, MX, about 20 miles south of the border. What: Dr. Kuri's Rosarito Beach Bash When: September 10-12 2004 Where: Rosarito Beach Hotel, Rosarito, Mexico Cost: 90 Oceanview Rooms at $99 per nite 20 Rooms with no Oceanview $78 per nite Registration Fee – To Be Determined but Significantly Lower than Last Year Events: Main Bash Event will be Saturday, 11 September 2004 Sat AM – 5k Walk/Run on the Beach Spas/Facials/Massages available Peer Discussion Groups Transportation to & from the Border will be Arranged Come one, come all Bandsters – you don't have to be a Kuri patient to attend this celebration! Newly banded, pre-band, bandsters of all stages are welcome!! Come early, stay late, the weather should be great! The Steering Committee will be meeting soon and details will be released as they become available!! ~~~~~~~~ Sandy, the motive for this Tijuana happening may be pure as the driven snow. Or, it may be that a couple of Tijuana doctors are having ego- or business- problems with each other. Such is life. But that is THEIR problem, and patients or potential patients shouldn't be misled because of whatever is going on there. The way the Tijuana deal is being promoted and the misinformation that is being promulgated has been called "tacky" on a Yahoo board, and you seem to have been torn to shreds on the Spotlight board. I should think you'd want to revise your remarks such that even those of us who DO have bands around our brains can read our way through to factual data; right now, the facts are seriously obscured by inaccurate sniping. Sue

Sandy, I'm not convinced that you are explaining it--or that I am comprehending it--completely. Dr. Kuri has hosted the Bandster Bash in Tijuana for four years. He's had other surgeons participate, including mine. This year, from what I understand, Kuri decided to move the party to Rosarito and away from Labor Day Weekend. I don't think he uninvited any other doctors or their patients. (He was not my surgeon and he did invite me.) Then, if I am reading correctly, a few patients AND DOCTOR ORTIZ decided to "appropriate" the title of "Tijuana Labor Day Bandster Bash" and have their own party. My issues with this advertising campaign is that you, as the leader of this group, have kind of muddied the waters and caused the confusion. My skeptical side is convinced that the confusion is intentional, but I'm willing to accept that it may be accidental. Either way, however, there should be more of an effort to unconfuse the mess. Your party should have the title of "The First Blah Blah," to differentiate between yours and the established bash. And, you should stop insinuating that Kuri's bash is closed to other doctors and patients, because that's simply untrue. I won't be going to the Labor Day party in Tijuana, mostly because I have better things to do than spend HOURS crossing a border, to visit a hot city, on a busy traffic weekend during a time of national security problems, (I'm a frequent traveler to various countries/continents and have been crossing the border at San Ysidro since 1965.) On the other hand, I may not go to Kuri's party, either, even though it will be along the beach, on a not-holiday weekend. But I know which one sounds more enjoyable. Sue Just trying to clear up the misunderstandings

Nancy, Many, many years ago, I learned that there are four "types" who show up at a meeting: Type One are those who go to make sure every "i" is dotted, and every "t" is crossed. Type Twos go and are not concerned about what's going on but want to make sure that everyone is happy with the process. Type Threes hate the entire process, show up because they have to, and are convinced that nothing is being accomplished. Type Fours are those who arrive late, make splashy entrances, have minimal respect for anyone else's comfort zones, but have all the great ideas. The deal is, if anyone is missing, the meeting is generally a failure. The personalities totally disagree and don't really have much respect for the others' needs (except for the second group), yet they need each other to function. Think of the boards as meetings. It should help. Sue P. S.--I'm Number 4, then Number 1, with a little bit of Number 3. Who are you? Edited to correct the description of a "Type 2."

Call and ask them if they want you to eat before the fill. Most do not. Sue

With capsules, you put one in your mouth and let is sit there while the Gelatin softens. Then, just as it's ready to start dissolving, you drink some Water and wash it down. With pills and caplets, I use a pill cutter and take one-half or one-quarter of the tablet at a time. ;-D

Bob, When Donali notices your post, she will likely participate. She's a Dr. Lopez patient and so she is most likely to be able to answer many of your questions. (I've met him, once or twice, I think.) Good luck, Sue

There are two events this year, right? The oniginal Dr. Kuri Bandster Bash has moved to Rosarito (on the beach), and moved to a week or two after Labor Day, and this new Dr. Ortiz event has moved into the locale in Tijuana and the same holiday weekend that the original bash used to occupy. A bit confusing, perhaps, but at least there are options.

I went to Curves, on my sister's recommendation, because she loves her Curves. The sign-up was $150 (they have frequent 50% off specials), and then $39 per month for a one-year contract. I opted for one month only and did not like it. The hours were very limited and I spent a lot of time looking at the rear end of the woman who signed me up...as she went around the circle talking to friends/older customers, and was not helpful at all. I have sinced joined a real gym. It costs LESS than Curves, is open seven days a week, is also women only, has showers, is open from early mornng until night, has a jacuzzi and a sauna, and offers Pilates, yoga, and other classes in am and pm at no charge. Also on staff, but for an extra charge, are a massage therapist and a certified trainer. For less than Curves. Any exercise is good. I think Curves is a good starting place, to get you out of the house and in the mood for physical training. But I think that anyone who actually goes will--within a year--feel that they need a more challenging environment.

Sam, Dr. Kuri (in Spanish-language cultures, it goes "First Name...Dad's Last...Mom's Last" so that he is Dr. Kuri, whose mother's maiden name is Santiago and that Roberto Rumbaut Diaz you've been reading about is Dr. Rumbaut) is one of the LapBand pioneers. He is where problems are sent by Inamed, the manufacturer. And, while other Mexican doctors proctor US doctors as they learn how to place the band, Kuri prefers to stay home. So, if you have complications of any kind, it is HIGHLY likely he will be available by phone as opposed to on an airplane somewhere. Now, here's where I get in trouble. One of his facilities (he now has two) is very bare-bones. Very. (When I was last there, the daily rate for a room there was $47.00. And it looked like a $47.00 room to me.) Now, before I am (again) assaulted, I have NO BASIS to judge what makes a good hospital. And I never saw the OR. And many nurses have been there for surgery and swear by the place. But, had I "signed up" for surgery and walked in without a warning, I'd have walked out. (Yeah, I know. My loss.) I go to Dr. Kuri for adjustments. I trust him implicitly. Inamed trusts him to fix messes. But I'm a spolied, big city girl and Monterrey had big city (teaching) hospitals, whereas the typical Tijuana hospital is very small and has very few doctors who work there. When I go under, I want to know there's a cardiologist down the hall and a pulmonologist on the next floor and that kind of thing. You can't go wrong with Kuri. Sue One other thing: the first time I stayed at the Palacio Azteca, all went well. The next time, it was okay. The third time, my friend and I had to check out and go elsewhere, as there were REAL plumbing problems and it was a tad icky.

So...50% of excess weight lost at five months? Talk about being ahead of the curve! Congrats!

Little Miss Reflux, reporting in for duty! I tried all the Rx's and then, all of a sudden, couldn't deal with one more day in that condition. I had the band emptied. Dr. Kuri offered to remove MOST of the saline, leaving me with some restriction, but I decided I wanted relief. I had the band emptied. The reflux ended IMMEDIATELY! And I gained 20 pounds. Now, I'm working on finding the right place. He filled me again, but it may still be a bit much. My understanding (always subject to error) is that pre-op reflux is usually improved by the band...but, post-op reflux is because the band is too tight. BTW, the reason I couldn't deal with one more day was that i found some online photos of what reflux looks like. I'll see if I can find them again. Sue To anyone who is having reflux symptoms and is reluctant to have an unfill...this MAY be what you've got going on inside: http://www.endoskopischer-atlas.de/o09e.htm

Julie, Yes, bypass patients can become pregnant. Many do and surprise themselves. The health issues are nourishment for the fetus (which depends on the level of malabsorption going on), and then, for the patient, the bypass is a much more invasive procedure, so there should be plenty of down time between the surgery and the blessed event, to allow complete healing to happen. Sue

Hanvan, You've already made up your mind and I know that. But...let me mention the statistics to you, IN CASE you haven't encountered them. You are, according to the charts, about 60 pounds overweight. The average band patient loses about 62% of his or her excess weight by the two-year mark. That means that the average 5'5", 210# patient will, two years after surgery, weigh 180. You may do better, you may not do as well, and you won't know until after the fact. The reason I mention it at all is that you are not morbidly obese and you need to know that sometimes, "lightweight" patients think that because they have less to lose, they will get to goal in a hurry. But that isn't how it works. The lightweight patients have the same success rates as everyone else. I guess I want you to not make too many demands on yourself once you've had the surgery and expect to--and get frustrated when you don't--lose as fast as someone who has two hundred pounds to lose. Buena suerte! Sue

Therapy. And I'm not kidding. And I'm going myself. (And I'm probably older than your mother.) I am probably WAY off base, but here's what I read in what you wrote: My mother and I have always battled over control issues. She knows I want her approval, so she withholds it when I'm not doing everything her way. I know that one of things she wants to control is my weight, so I eat whatever I want, even to my own disadvantage, just to show her which of us in charge. It appears to me that as long as she tries to control you, and as long as you crave her approval, things may not change much even with surgery. She needs to be able to say--and really mean, "While I care about your health, I adore you just the way you are." And you need to be able to say, "I love you, but I am a whole person, with or without your approval." Therapy will probably help. Sue

Guessing here...but it can take 20 minutes for swallowed food to get to the banded area...depending, of course, on how much is stacked up in the esophagus waiting to go through. But that wouldn't match with a pain that wakes you up. (Unless you eat and then crash, which can be done.)

P, I was 55 when I had my LapBand surgery. My surgeon had already placed a band in a 70-year-old, so he had no problems with my age. Sue

Good deal. Now don't choose the surgeon based on cost alone. The learning curve requires about 50 LapBand placements. (All LapBand surgeons are experienced at laporoscopic surgery, which is nice, but doesn't cut it. Kinda like saying, "Sure! He's parallel parked his MiniCooper thousands of times, so I'm sure he'll be just fine parallel parking that set of doubles." The experience with the specific surgery at hand is what counts.) Good luck on your doctor-hunt!