soon2bskinny

Welcome and Congratulations!

Welcome and Congratulations!

I felt the same way. I wanted so bad to have a big plate of gravy and biscuits (I am from the South) for breakfast. I knew it wasn't possible but it didn't stop me from wanting it. I had a list of what was allowed and what wasn't so it was easy to stay on track. I agree when you get to the solid stage then there is no list and the choices are unlimited it gets much harder. I lived on tuna and chicken salad for about a month. Nobody can guarantee that you make the right choices but you. My theory is that if you make the right choices 85% of the time (if your like me) then it is probably 75% more often that you did prebanded! I admit I slip up, maybe even too often and I have still lost. I try to balance it and make up for it the next day if I have over done it the day before. Perhaps if I have too much ice cream or I ate a candy bar then the next day I do a shake for breakfast and lunch. I felt very guilty the first time I did this and I was probably a month into solids when it happened. I dwelled on it for about three days just knowing this was never going to work, that I had already wasted money and ruined the whole thing. My hubby said, "Shut up whining and crying and just forget it and start again tomorrow." So I did. I went through a tough time about four months out when tomorrow never came. It all started with one doughnut and then went down hill. My sweet tooth was determined to be my cause for failure. After being miserable for about three weeks I just woke up one morning and said, "No more!" I have since gotten back on track and while I still don't make the best choices always they are most assured smarter and better choices then pre-banded. I still eat lots of tuna (for lunch mostly) because it is easy and I am always in a hurry (big problem for me). Hope this helps. I am sure this is not the only pep talk you will need or get. Good Luck!

I would think you haven't done any damage either. But I would definetely not make it a habit. Your right they are poor food choices but we are all human and it happens to the best of us. I have done it as I am sure most here have. I do believe though that it is VERY important to following the liquids and mushy stage all the way through. You don't want to risk band slippage. Give yourself that pep talk and don't look back and make yourself feel guilty that will only make the matter worse. Good Luck!

Sheryl, Welcome and I hope you find the answers you need. Good luck in your journey.

I will be seeing Shawna, Dr. Morton's nurse for a fill on the 11th. She seemed very nice. I hope she is good because having it done in the office without x-ray is a little scary. She said Dr. Morton puts his ports right under the skin and that is not so with mine. Although I can feel it, it is pretty deep. Good luck with your support group. I had surgery in Mexico but live near Dalton, GA and I do believe there is a support group here but I have never been. Sounds like a good idea though.

My surgery was $6500 and that included all hospital charges, tests, and doctor fees. It did not include travel. I do believe that Dr. Rodriguez is going up to $7000 due to increased hospital charges. My hubby and I took the Greyhound bus which was $288 for both of us. We stayed at the Best Western two nights (night before and night after surgery) and that was around $100. We used the taxi service to get back and forth across the border, to the bus station and to the Wal-Mart ($60). My meds (no antibiotic) were about $30. Hope this helps.

I too had surgery with Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Acuna. I would recommend anyone to him also. My experience was wonderful. He is a very intelligent man. The hospital may not be as fancy as some of those others but it was fully staffed and very clean. The hospital is small (10 rooms) but that is what keeps the costs down. My surgery was $6500 but I do believe he is going up due to the hospital charge is going up. Good luck in your search and feel free to e-mail anytime with questions. the_mills@charter.net

Elizabeth, Great to hear from you. I was not banded in Dalton and although I have heard great things I have only seen them once and was only with the doctor about five minutes. The cost of the fill I received was outrageous (around $800). I hope things are going well for you and I too pushed the boundaries while in the mushy phase. Thankfully it doesn't last too long and you will eat solids and not much of them I might add. I was very restricted for about four weeks after I started solids before I begin to be able to eat more. I have no restriction now and it is scary. Keep in touch. My home email is the_mills@charter.net Good luck, Sandy 04/01/03 336/280/g160

I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Rodriguez on April 1, 2003. I am coming to Nashville on the 11th. Since I am self pay the fills here in Dalton are around $800 so I found a Dr. Morton in Nashville for fills. This will be my first time there. His nurse Shawna does them in the office for $150!!! This will be my second fill though. I have an 11cm band and have 3cc in it now. I am hoping to get another 3-4cc this time. I have no restriction now and am struggling to keep the weight off. I have lost 56lbs so far and don't want any of it to come back. Keep in touch. My e-mail at home is the_mills@charter.net Always, Sandy 04/01/03 336/280/g160

Does anyone else have the 11cm band? I had surgery in Mexico and this is the one I choose. My first fill was 3cc and I had good restriction for about a month. I am now scheduled for my second fill on 9-11. I was just wondering if anyone has this size band and how much their second fill was. I drive a long way to get a fill and do not want to have to go back in a few weeks. I was thinking about 2 or 3 cc's but I am not sure. Also has any heard of having something other that saline put into the bigger bands. I am assuming she was refering to the solution they use in the Swiss band. She said sometimes the saline difusses out of the larger bands so the sometimes use the mixture. Does it make a difference? I want the stuff that doesn't diffuse just in case if it doesn't matter. Any feedback would help. Thanks, Sandy 04/01/03 336/280/g160 Dr. Rodriguez Acuna, Mexico

Just thought I would introduce myself. I was banded on April 1st in Mexico by Dr. Rodriguez. I have since lost 55lbs and and am down from a size 34w to a 24/26w. I am not at a stand still and waiting for my next fill appt on 9/11. Looking for to exchanging ideas and posts with all of you. Bunches of Hugs, Sandy

I love being able to just actually shop for clothes. I had become so big that I had to order from a catalog. I couldn't wear clothes from the Wal-Mart or anywhere like that. I have tried not to go overboard by buying too much but it has been about two years since I have shopped other then flipping through pages. Keep in touch and let me know how that fill goes. I have 3cc in my band (Inamed 11cm) and hope to have 2 more this time around. I am also hoping this will help jumpstart the loss again for I have hit a standstill. You can e-mail me at the_mills@charter.net anytime. Good luck in your journey. Sandy

Way to go Victoria. I go for a fill in Nashville on the 11th. Good luck in your weight loss journey. It seems your off to a great start. Sandy

Hi Bren, I live in North Ga. and was banded on April 1st. I had to self pay so I had my surgery done in Mexico but I had my first fill through Hamilton Weight Mgt. I have lost 55lbs since surgery and have had one fill (3cc) on June 11th. I have an 11cm band that holds 9cc of Fluid. I am going to Nashville on the 11th of Sept for another fill. I have chosen to go there because of the cost. I had to pay $800+ for my fill in Dalton but it will only be $150 in Nashville. They do their fills in the office. I wish you the best of luck in your weight loss journey. Sandy

I was banded on April 1 in Mexico by Dr. Rodriguez. He is a wonderful surgeon and all has gone well since surgery. I have lost a total of 55lbs and I feel wonderful. I was 336lbs before and my BMI was 53. I am now 281lbs and my BMI is 47! The band does not lose the weight for you but is sure does help. Good luck in your weight loss journey! Sandy