Heather228

I had to cancel my surgery today. My grandfather has gone into the hospital and it doesn't look like he will make it through the week. He's been in ICU since early Saturday morning, and it's just really a waiting game, for lack of a better term. So, I can't travel. I don't know when I will. Before I sound completely insensitive, please understand that he's almost 90, has been in a wheelchair for the last 7 years with no use of his right side and complete aphasia (sp?). (He's stroke victim.) Truthfully, his passing would be a blessing for him, a once robust and very active man.

I can't get my deposit back because it's less than two weeks before surgery and they won't make exceptions. I scheduled for late June just to have something to look forward to...

I'm so depressed.

Heather,

I do need to have it re-pierced, it was not done right the first time and got caught on my pantyhose and ripped so i need to go behind the scar tissue

Shameless, .... hummmmmmmm... my bellybutton was not what was changed. LOL

do you have a site that you sell jewerlry?

They could not put the spacer in last night becuse it was too far off, but they did change it from gold to sergical stainless steel and said i should be ok, so I am going to call surgeon Monday. But I had one of the pressure hoops so I could not get it off - at least now I have a barbell so I can change myself..

OWWWWW! When I read that, I cringed for you. Going thru the healing process was enough for me in terms of discomfort...I can't imagine having that happen! I'll say it again. OWWWW.

When I said shameless, I meant me for plugging my own body jewelry here online. Just a natural salesperson, I guess. I don't have a specific website for them, I sell on ebay. I don't have any listed at the moment as I need to take pics of the newest shipment to post them. I'll send you the link when I get it done.

I'm like you...I love my piercings and tattoos. People just don't expect me to have them. I work in a rather conservative environment, and usually I blend in. Friday, none of the bosses were there, so I wore one of my sparkly nose rings. My co worker, half way through the day, said you have some glitter on your nose. I laughed and explained it. So he got real interested and said he'd had no clue that I'd had it pierced. I said, I've been waiting for someone to notice all this time. And he got real pompous and said, well I noticed it first thing this morning, but didn't want to say anything. It was so much fun to say "I've had it this way for a loooong time, not just today."

YEAH!!! Heather!!!!!

I'm it, your big/little sister! That is the most exciting thing I have heard all day! It made me cry, and you will understand why next year at this time. After I've adjusted to the banded life, and have enjoyed the benefits of the work I've done, a tremendous appreciation has grown inside me. My life has greater meaning. Each day is full of awe, instead of self-loathing and fear. Now, I want that for others (YOU!).

I love going to Mexico for check-ups. Going to Ortiz' office for a fill has another purpose. Every time I go, someone is sitting waiting for surgery. Of course, I receive compliments even though I have only lost about 40 pounds (size 10 jeans, though!) The satisfying part of these day trips is to reassure the nerves, answer questions, and put a friendly face on a banded stomach.

I won't lie and say that this next month will be easy. Being on liquids for six weeks was very difficult for me. And I truly beat myself up for being so sneaky and weak to choose TJ for surgery! You will try to talk yourself out of it, and afterwards you might blame yourself for making a mistake. But hold tight! You have to dig down to the depths of your soul and cling to that resolve to CHANGE! We all choose this course of action because we don't want to live with the handicap anymore, AND because we envision another life.

Keep telling yourself to be patient. Be patient with your hunger. Be patient with your band. Be patient with your weight-loss. Be patient with yourself. There is no rush, we just have to comply with the rules and plan given by Dr. Miranda, Dr. Ortiz, and Dr. Martinez. Soak up EVERYTHING they have to say. They really do know what they are doing in the O.R. and in how they advise their patients.

One other thing about Ortiz that patients don't know, you can make a request for music as you go under. First I listened to Andrea Bocelli. I love "classical" music and also requested the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah." I thought it appropriate and was singing "Hallelujah" in a full operatic voice! I went under laughing and in a good mood, and woke up the same way (minus the singing). But if you love country or mariachi or Snoop Dogg ("drop it like it's hot), just let them know. They will change it and listen to what they want while they operate.

I wish I could come down and meet you that day. I will be there a week earlier for a fill. (I am completely unfilled at this time...MAJOR temptations abound!!) But we can exchange e-mails and also post. It is extremely helpful to have mentors through this process AND peers!!

Again, YEAH!!!!! Go, HEATHER!!!!!

Boo, you are so awesome. Your enthusiasm just makes me feel so good and hopeful. It's funny because you hit some of my current issues on the head. I've been second guessing myself the last few days, and was thinking maybe I shouldn't do this. When I read your post, my committment was renewed, and I was thinking "you know, I really DO want to do this." So, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Good Morning Everyone

Welcome Dave & Pat

Pat - did you read all our post, I was freaking out last week for the same reasons. But much calmer now, and even better since I actually was with someone who had it done this week.

I am so glad I decided to tell people. Last night I had to go get my piercings changed for surgery and the girl who did it asked what king of surgery I was having, so I told her, her boyfriend was thinking about doing it but was on the fence about surgery. She asked me to check in with her and let me know how I make out. I'll check in because as we all know you shouldn't wait, it is the greatest thing - but she will see me again when I get to the point that I get my bellybutton re-pierced.

Happy Saturday

Hey Jen,

How long have you had your belly button pierced? If it's been awhile, you really shouldn't need to have it re-pierced but perhaps stretched with a special tool they use. I have had mine for 10 years, but had to take it out with all 3 of my pregnancies and have never had much trouble getting them back in. Also, you could use one of the plastic or acrylic retainers to hold your piercing. I had my nose re-pierced about a month ago after having it fall out while washing my face two years ago (it closed up quick, but it was only about 3 weeks after having it done.) I've changed the ring 3 times this time around without problem, but I will be wearing a clear retainer for my procedure unless they give me grief about it. (I just had oral surgery with the retainer in and had no problems.) You can easily find them online. (I also sell body jewelry--and have some cute dangles when you're ready to put it back in! LOL) I'm just shameless, I know!

Hey Boo--

It's been a few day since your post, but I wanted to make sure I responded. I actually moved my surgery up one day to the 5th so I could go with someone I met on the board on the same day. She and I are both going alone, so I did it so we both could have some support even if we don't know each other! LOL So, I will actually be banded on your bandiversary! Whether you like it or not, I'm designating myself your official Little Band-sister. :wave:

I haven't met Ortiz yet, but am really looking forward to it. I'm getting nervous, but reading everyone's stories really helps keep me focused and excited.

Pre-op diet hasn't been too hard due to the dental work I've been complaining about all week. I'm really not looking forward to the post op liquid phase, but if I still can't chew, what difference will it make, right?

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Hi Everyone,

Just checking in. It's been a busy day at work and this is the first time I've had a chance to read. I haven't said much the last few days, but I'm here!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Happy Bandiversary to my new mentors!

>There was no intended tone in my posts, it's just my sucky writing style. I've tried for years to change it and it just doesn't work. The nicer I try to sound the nastier it becomes. Writing just isn't my forte, honestly.<

LOL--That cracked me up because I can relate.

If I was sensitive...I apologize. It could be my lack of nicotine (day 6), it could be my pre-op diet (day 3) or it could be the major dental work I just had done (day 3...ugh, I hurt.) Or it could be your sucky writing style. (Just kidding.):welldoneclap: :heh:

Heather

Bubble--

I understand where you are coming from...I think. These are not merely "affiliations" as though he paid a membership fee and got hooked up with the ACS.

As defined by the ACS: The letters FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after a surgeon's name mean that the surgeon's education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by the College.

I am reassured knowing that at least an agency that upholds the standards of care, to which I am accustomed as a U.S. Citizen, has investigated this person, his practice, his experience, his ethics, and found him to be worthy of a Fellowship. I never said that it is what makes him a great surgeon. Quite the contrary. I'm sure, especially from reading on LBT, that there are other great surgeons in MX. However, I (and I only speak for myself) cannot merely base my decision on what I read on a bulletin board. I needed something more concrete.

The doctor you write about should be reported to ACS and to other entities (i.e. board of certification) for possible revocation of membership and/or certification. Other obvious legal pursuits should be endeavored if she is as bad as you say.

I feel Ortiz is the best person to perform surgery on ME. I personally prefer that he does only lap bands, as that is what I want to have done. I want to go to the person who devotes his/her time exclusively to the procedure I'm having. I'd rather have the guy who has done this thousands of times in a row--so much that he could do it with his eyes closed if he wanted--than with someone who does it less. It's one of the things that make me feel secure.

My post wasn't a commercial for Ortiz, and I certainly wasn't casting any aspersions on Aceves just because I didn't choose him. In fact, I believe I said as much. I'm a little puzzled by the tone of your response, but I respect that you prefer Aceves. Like I said, I'm sure he's capable, if not better than that. I'd probably be in just as good of hands. (and I'd save 300 bones going to him!) The question was about whether the original poster was crazy for considering surgery in Mexico. I gave my experience.

Initially, I felt the same way about Mexico...I was like "No way in hell would I go to a 3rd world country..." but...after researching everything, I had a complete change of heart. My husband is still not on the bandwagon about Mexico, and probably never will be. He even said if any complications occur (God Forbid!) in his mind it will be because I went to MX, regardless of what the truth is. I feel if most people knew I was going to MX, this is how they would feel...but that's just a lack of education.

I initally started researching Dr. Aceves. I am sure he is more than capable, if not great. However, I came across Dr. Ortiz during this time and what has drawn me to him is that he is a Fellow with the American College of Surgeons. This is an American entity that investigates all of it's applicants thoroughly. (Check out the ACS website...very informative about their criteria and what applicant's must voluntarily do to be considered...) It's a big deal to be an FACS in the U.S, to me it's an even bigger deal to be a doctor outside the US and be recognized as a fellow with the ACS.

He's also a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons (ASBS), another US entity. These are voluntary memberships, and they don't just accept any Tom, Dick or Harry. (Again, check out their membership requirements on their website). Since I know that he has been investigated by these American entities and subjected to US standards in these investigations, I feel as secure as I possibly can about having this done outside my home country. The way I look at it, through my research, I have found the best Dr. in the world to do this surgery...it just so happens that he is in TJ, Mexico.

Just my opinion.

This totally reminds me of that song that was popular about 6 years or so ago, where it was this guy reading an essay set to music--I think it was 'Always Wear Sunscreen' or something like that. It said something about remember the compliments you're given and forget the insults. It's so true how the things we hold on to are the things that hurt us.

This thread has also made me think about the things we say and think to ourselves, about ourselves. In my experience, I am so much worse to myself than any of the people who said these things to us--and that's just woefully sad. It makes me wonder if any of those mindless a**holes out there (the ones who think they are duty bound to tell us that we are fat and disgusting) have any clue how it is to be in the head of a person with a weight problem? Would it make any difference, since they clearly have some mis-wiring in their sensitivity chips?

I've had a few humdingers, but the ones that really stick with me came from the woman I now lovingly refer to as my husband's ex-mother. She never liked me for reasons I never understood. The only thing I can think of is that I have never been rail thin. I'm 5'8ish" and currently 228 lbs. This is the largest I've been without being pregnant in my life...usually I would peak at 190 in my non-pregnant fat days. Anyway...it all began when my husband and I had been dating about 2 years. She came for the holidays and my husband picked her up at the airport. He had put on some weight, and she was riding him about it. A day or two later, I was wearing a pair of my husbands old jeans that he could no longer wear (mind you, his old jeans were a 32 waist, 34 inseam). She looked at me and said, oh I like your jeans! I laughed and said "they're your son's jeans." She shrieked and squealed "You mean to tell me he's gotten THAT FAT????" I was stunned! Especially since he wore these jeans BEFORE he gained weight! All I could do was laugh, pretending to be light hearted about it. I weighed about 165 lbs. then.

It got worse though, she came to live with us when my oldest child was a year old and I was expecting my 2nd child. She just had such inexplicable derision for me. It came to a head after my daughter was born--I was still breastfeeding at the time and she started screaming about how I was a fat, f*cking C-U-next tuesday...and how she didn't understand why my husband cared more about me than her. I finally confronted her and said, what if I am fat? Big deal. I just gave birth to your GRANDCHILDREN, for god's sake. You're not exactly thin yourself. She lifted up her shirt and pointed to her abdomen and said see this? Those are my ribs. I bet you've never seen yours. It was funny because you couldn't see her ribs, but I played along and said, Are you sure? They look like wrinkles to me. I then said, it's not as if you being thin makes you a better person. She said "Yes it does!" So I told her the gap in her nasty teeth and her wrinkles, and shitty personally made us even. Not my most graceful or proud moment, but damn, it felt good. Oh, and I weighed 190 when the last incident occurred.

I don't know what's worse--having complete strangers come up to you unsolicited and say horrible things to you, or to have people who know you intimately say stupid things.

I don't know if the quitting 2 weeks before surgery has as much to do with healing as it does with respiratory issues. I posted on another thread about my experience with a surgery last October, where I never stopped smoking beforehand. Although I came through just fine, there was an issue with me not breathing deeply enough as I was coming to. They had me on oxygen when I woke, and the nurse told me she'd take it off but I had to work at taking very deep breaths.

My surgery date, which I just moved up a day, is now 4/5. I am planning to start the patch tomorrow, but I am concerned about being able to do it and the pre-op diet too, so I have my reservations!

Jenn,

I can so relate too! I think we all do. Like many of the ladies here, I was at an all time low in my weight 2 years ago. I was wearing a size 8 or a 6(!) in some styles, and I was so thrilled. Then, like you, I became pregnant (with my third child in less than 4 years) and I ballooned right up to 240 like I did with the other two. The difference this time was that I did not lose the weight at all. I went down to 200 while breastfeeding, but then when I stopped and began dieting, rather than going down as before, I just got bigger and bigger. Now I'm pushing 230, and it kills me. I hate all my clothes, had to force myself to buy new work clothes because I have to wear suits to work. It sucked to think I was spending money on a size I don't want to be, don't plan to remain at, and am terrified I will be for the rest of my life.

I told one friend I thought would be supportive, but it was quite the opposite and it wasn't just disappointing it was alienating. She told me to go to the gym and sign up with a trainer. First, I do get a good amount of exercise, I can outwalk just about anyone I know--even my fittest friends. (But I could never run...!) Anyway, my problem isn't just about losing weight--I've done it over and over again. It's the maintaining it. I see the lap as a fantastic tool to keep me from overdoing it after the weight is gone. The gift that keeps on giving, if you ask me!

I'm scared and excited about the surgery, but it's the one thing that's giving me hope and focus right now. If I didn't have the money to do this, I think I would be even worse off emotionally.

So count me in on the group hug, ladies. We're all gonna become butterflies (again!) together.

Hi Everyone!

I too am to be banded next month!:clap2: I am scheduled for 4/6 with Dr. Ortiz. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and making new friends who understand this journey! I haven't told many people because while they would want to be supportive, they don't know how. I did ask one friend to come with me since DH can't go, but she shocked me by sending me an email basically begging me not to and saying I should "just go to the gym." #1 DUH! Like that never occurred to me and #2, I DO GO TO THE GYM! So, that pretty muched curtailed any other notions I had about telling anyone.

I, like everyone else, realize this is not a miraculous 'cure.' I see the initial advantages, but I really want it for the maintenance factor!

Anyway, great to meet you all and can't wait 'til we're all banded. (I just know there's a terrible joke to be me made here about a "bandwagon" but I just can bring myself to make it.)

Hi CJulzgo...

I am scheduled to be banded on 4/6/07. This board has been very helpful to me and I'm sure you will be pleased to join. I mostly lurk to learn right now, but I am sure that I will get more 'vocal' as my day draws near.

I wish you much success!

Hi! I am being banded 4/6/07 by Dr. Ortiz. Would love to get to know anyone in nearby!

Here's a "virtual touch" and agreement with you that you will come through this surgery without complication and minimal discomfort. We further agree that this procedure will help you accomplish your weight loss goals and improve your health so that you may flourish and enjoy all that you have missed in your life before now due to your weight.

Hi everyone,

I am scheduled to be banded on 4/6/07 by Dr. Ortiz. I am getting very excited! I had so many reservations about going to Mexico, but after doing all my research, I could not feel more confident about my decision!

I look forward to getting to know everyone. I'm sure I'm going to have a million questions and need lots of support!

Heather