BeanieandRosie'smom

Half the woman, I have the same fears as you! I was banded August 2010, and had high hopes. As of today, I am 10lbs over my starting weight pre-band. :{ I had an endoscopy today to check my esophagus for scarring because of my continual vomiting with the band. I am desperate and about 99% sure I will be getting the sleeve. I am scheduled August 11 with Dr. Almanza in Tijuana, Mexico. I had my band placed there by a different doctor. Best of luck to you!!! Erika

This is so encouraging! Congrats to you for losing so much weight! It doesn't seem slow to me at all! I am still pre-sleeve and 26 (almost 27 years old). A big reason I am having the surgery is so I can be healthy enough to get pregnant. I currently have moderate HBP and take meds to keep it under control. I know many people who only gained 20 lbs with each pregnancy, and it came off in a snap. You will do great! Good luck to you! Erika

Elaina! I just saw you're in WA!!! I know it might be a drive, but I goto Northwest Weight Loss Surgery center in south Everett. The doctors there are awesome and that's where my amazing counselor, Linda Ayers is! She is an ANRP/Psychiatrist so she does my psych meds as well. There has got to be someone closer to you that you can see for help. I work in Seattle and getting sleeved in August, so I want to Find a sleever support group in the Seattle area. Hey, we could even start our own, lol! I'd drive there! I swear I'm not trying to be weird, but I know that despair feeling and I don't want you to feel that way. I also read that you have kids. I know that they just adore you no matter how much you weigh. What a blessing to have kiddos. They are one of life's best (and most difficult) blessings! I teach 4 & 5 year olds and they are the lights of my life! Sending love, Erika

Dear Elaina, I know how you feel girl! Don't feel bad! I have a gorgeous mom and sister who are a size 0 and 6! Then there's me, size 16-18...my dad is a fitness buff, and both my parents can be very pushy about my weight. (My mom has an eating disorder which is why shes 5'6" and 115lbs...) My mom pushed me into the lap-band surgery two years ago. I did no research and, like you, did it in Mexico. I had no clue what I was getting me into. Here I am two years later, just where I started if not a fewpounds heavier. My family makes me feel really crappy because no one even in my extended family is obese. I weigh more than my overweight uncle! AND my husband! (Isn't that fun?!) I don't know your background, but you sound a lot like me, and like you're in a deep depression. I know exactly how that is! I've been taking anti depressants for years (over 10 years, and I'm almost 27). They really help, as does a good counselor. (Not trying to force anything on you of Course!) I go to a wonderful woman who actually has had weight loss surgery herself and specializes in working with people struggling with their weight. There are lots of doctors in the US that will see patients done in Mexico!! What area are you in? Praying for you sweet girl. Never give up hope. You are valuable, you are beautiful, and you have all the strength you need to get through this. please message or email me if you want to chat. I'm sure we have lots in common and I'd love to talk with you. Sending love, Erika erikaj@aol.com PS I had a little girl in my pre-k class ask me today if I was "pregnet"..haha! Hope you can get a chuckle out of that!

Hi Kate33! I can't really answer your questions, BUT I currently have a Lap-Band (that I hate), I got it in Mexico (which I loved!) and I am 26 years old! I haven't run into too many "younger" people yet, so it's nice to see you here! I have some of the same questions as you. I have a date, and a surgeon, but I am still apprehensive! I am scheduled for August 11, in TJ with Dr. Almanza. I had my first surgery in TJ with Dr. Rodriguez and had a great experience. I have thrown up so much that I need an endoscopy this Thursday to look at scar tissue in my esophagus... I was banded in August of 2010. I have found a place here in Seattle who will do patients from Mexico. My American doctor told me that in this economy it would be stupid for weight loss surgeons not to see patients with procedures done in Mexico. (Many were trained by the Mexican doctors!) He said it is just losing them business to turn away potential patients because they were banded or sleeved in Mexico. He said initially he thought it would change patients' minds about going down to Mexico, but it hasn't deterred it--and it's much cheaper. Anyway! Nice to find you on here, if you'd like to talk more or exchange stories, here's my email: erikaj@aol.com <3 Erika

Spainter2009, what day in August are you? I'm scheduled for the 11th! Good luck to you!

Wow, CowGirlJane, That was very inspiring! You are a strong and determined person! After reading that, I just want to give you a hug. What a nightmare we all live in when we struggle with obesity. Unfortunately, I am the first in my immediate and extended family (parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins) who has struggled with obesity. It really is hard having a thin or "average sized" family, and husband--then there's me, 5'3", 26 years old, and 240lbs. They don't know what to do with me. :/ I chose the lap band two years ago, (had it placed on my golden birthday! 25th), and thought I would see the end of my weight struggles. I, too felt like a complete and total failure after losing 20-30lbs and gaining all of it back after being drained when my band got so tight I couldn't eat or drink. Thank you for giving me hope! I also hope that we all will not be a part of a fading fad that only works for a given time. Thank you for your post and congratulations on your success! May it never end! Thank you again!! Erika

Thank you CowGirlJane and Ricky!! (My parents considered calling me "Ricky" too!) It is so inspiring and helpful to hear from you! Thank you for taking the time to write your posts. I was on another site for the last week or so and no one would respond to me and I got discouraged. I really appreciate your responses, and I am so happy for you guys! Hope you continue to experience much happiness with your sleeve! ...I may come back for more questions later!! Thanks again, and much love! Erika

Wow, thank you so much for your help! This site is awesome. I am so thankful for all you who have been responding to me! So kind of you, and extremely helpful. I was almost totally against the sleeve, and now I feel completely the opposite. I need a life change and I'm ready. I know how to eat slow from the band. It has become a part of me now I guess. I just hate that tight pain in the chest. You're never really "full" for real. It's like you're either in pain or sliming everything up. It is humiliating to be out to eat and feel everything you just ate come back into your mouth, and you're talking so you have to swallow-even though you know how badly it will hurt!! My dad doesn't know how he feels about the sleeve, but he says the best part would be getting that band out! (No more sore port from where my pants are digging into it!) much love & thanks again!! Erika

Wow, this is exactly what I've experienced with my band, but never heard from other bandsters! My doc made me feel like it was my fault as I held back tears in his office trying to explain how I hated my band. How I couldn't eat anything. I am scared for a revision because I know it will be permanent. I realize this topic is from a few weeks ago, but anyone willing to help meby giving me their experiences with the sleeve---I'd be so appreciative!!! Thank you!!!

Carbgirl, I currently have a band (completely drained at this point) and when I was filled, I couldn't eat anything...it was a horrible life. I have to have an endoscopy on the 24th of this month to check for scarring in my esophagus. I couldn't eat healthy veggies or fibrous fruits like grapes or apples. I have put my deposit down for the sleeve on the 11th of August, but I'm not sure I will do it yet. Can you help me with some of my questions? Are you able to eat most foods, just a smaller amount? Who was your surgeon, and do you know what size bougie he/she used? Do you actually feel "full" or nauseous/pain? I greatly appreciate your help! I am 26/f 5'3"/240lbs.

Wow, LCS! You have given me hope. I have been on another sleeve site for about a week looking for answers. I am scheduled to have a Band to Sleeve revision on August 11. I have put my $500 deposit down, but I am not sure I will actually go through with the surgery. I was banded two years ago in Mexico (had a wonderful experience there). But had a really disappointing experience with my band. I've been completely drained about three times and spent $100s on adjustments that have left me vomiting and also affected my esophagus. I hate that when I'm filled, I can't eat raw or fibrous veggies. It's like a game to figure out what I can and can't eat from day to day, hour to hour! I have been completely drained since March and still vomit on occasion (bread...) I am around 240lbs and need a way out of this hole. Can any of you band to sleevers give me some advice? I'd be so very, very grateful! I'm so impressed and amazed by all your strength and perserverence! Thank you for inspiring me! Many thanks, Erika