Zoe

Way to go, Pam! I'm happy for you. And since you've researched the band so thoroughly, I'm confident you will do well. Just don't try to roll out of bed too fast the first time!

Belgium, eh? I read your great blog, Wiz, and I too was astonished at the low price of the surgery. We yanks could fly first class, stay at a posh hotel, & still save a bundle over the costs here. . . plus there's that Belgian chocolate before the big day. From what you have written, your doc's before- and aftercare sounds pretty perfunctory, but the surgery went smoothly & that's what matters. Good luck, and welcome!

Vicki, if you haven't already checked out the "insurance" section of this board, please do so; it's a subheading under "general discussion." You'll find some helpful comments there. Good luck to you!

More great pictures! You look fabulous. "Too bad when I take my bra off they are down to my knees": My friend Marcia lists her bra size as 42 long.

Hi Nancy -- I've been banded just over three weeks, and I can second what Leatha wrote. I was lucky; I didn't have to change my diet before the surgery, and if anything I was eating worse than usual. I had BBQ ribs the night before the operation! (Maybe not the smartest move.) I didn't have much appetite for the first two and a half weeks, so getting by on Soup, smoothies, and Jello was relatively easy for me. Then the old appetite kicked in. Still, it's not that bad. You WILL get through this. I think the hardest part might be the liquid diet your doctor is requesting for two weeks before the band. But you'll discover you have more choices than you may think. There are a lot of (smooth, not chunky) Soups out there that taste pretty good, and assuming your doc isn't too much of a hard-*** you can even have things like popsicles, horchatas and virgin margaritas. Just remember, you are not going through this alone. People will support you when things get rough. And we are proof that you will come out OK on the other side. Whippledaddy, good luck to you. I'm glad you got some answers. Just think, less than two months to go!

Hey, I'm just .75 inch shorter than you -- and if I looked the same as you at 262 lbs. I might not have had the surgery! The side-by-side pictures really help show the change. Wow!

Thanks, Wiz & DeLarla. I love the repair analogy! Right now someone's hanging new cabinets in my kitchen; I haven't had a kitchen sink in weeks, and it won't be reinstalled until October. Meanwhile, there's a little bit of progress every day, but it's frustrating because I want the final result NOW. Kind of like this dopey nagging thought I have: I've been banded for three whole weeks; how come I'm not thin yet?! (You can see one reason I repeatedly failed on diets.) Patience is a virtue I lack, but I'm learning. By the way, any prospective bandsters who are also remodeling, consider having your kitchen torn up while you're on liquids and mushies -- just make sure there's a clear path to the refrigerator, and that you have some way to heat up soup.

Great story, Sue! DeLarla, if you want to contact Rumbaut, try e-mail, so you won't have to pay long-distance tolls: rrumbaut@gastricband.com. Count me as a big Rumbaut fan. (This is not a paid announcement!)

Slenderella's description is right on. Believe me, you will know it when you have it. Feels like a tennis ball lodged under your sternum. I had read about PBs and thought I would be able to avoid them. Ha. My first one hit a couple of days ago while I was walking the dog, after eating some oily tuna. The urge to spit up came suddenly and uncontrollably. Luckily I always carry extra plastic bags!

I agree, and that's why I made my choice: $11,000 for one of the most experienced surgeons anywhere vs. $15,000 for one of his local students (considered one of the better guys here in town). Even so, the cost difference between my two "finalists" is half the difference between the Chicago surgeon and DeLarla's local doc -- but maybe you get tickets to Cirque de Soleil at the Vegas hospital, and a chance to meet Wayne Newton. All this makes me wonder if there are a lot of bandsters who have travelled not across the border but to a different part of the US for their surgery based on cost and/or the doctor's expertise. That's another thread waiting to be started.

Another fabulous set of pictures! DeLarla, I've read some of your posts about your difficulties with your port and your doctor, and now I can really see why you would say it's worth it. You look great. And your black-and-white dog looks like he could be the uncle to my Sophie (b/w Lab mix). These pictures are inspiring me to stay away from Ben & Jerry (my favorite guys) during mushy week. Thanks!

Wow, 42 pounds in three months! What an inspiration. Considering that your weight loss slowed in recent weeks, that's especially impressive. I hope I do as well as you. Thanks for sending your pictures.

Hey Sue and DeLarla, your points are well taken. I initially wrote in response to what I saw as ill-informed prejudice against anything south of the border. But you're both right -- all facilities, not to mention all doctors, are not equal. DeLarla, I've watched too many M*A*S*H reruns and I loved your comment about battlefield surgery. Prospective bandsters, listen to the ladies and do your homework. Remember that even though the surgery fee may be lower than in the US, you'll have to add transportation, lodging, and meals to the cost of your operation in Mexico. I might as well mention that most Mexican citizens can't afford access to the high-quality private facilities like Monterrey's Hospital San José. Teresa, thank you for your helpful comments. Anyone else have a story about your family or friends' reaction to your Mexican surgery?

Sounds like you have a good plan with your cover story, Gail. People who are wondering if or how they can keep their LapBands secret can learn a lot from your posts, and from others here. The esophagus story is totally credible -- and for some bandsters it will even be true. I hope that the fill adjustment does the trick for you. I haven't had a fill yet, but I'm learning through the often difficult experiences of others that getting the right restriction can be tricky. Good luck to you, and thanks for sharing your story.

Sounds good! And here's a non-dairy alternative: about 1 c orange juice 1 banana handful of frozen strawberries or raspberries (plain, not in syrup) Optional: Protein powder Throw everything in blender & crank until the berries are ground up. Not exactly low cal, but very filling & good for liquid/mushy phase.

Good for you, Teresa! I've started a new thread on Mexico, beginning with a copy of my comments above. Please go to http://lapbandtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3111 to join in. (Teresa and Pam, I think lots of people would enjoy your posts, so feel free to copy or edit what you've already written here.) Figured this way we can keep on track with "My Secret Lapband."

(this thread started in "My Secret Lapband") A lot of my Anglo friends hear "Mexico surgery" and picture a Pancho Villa imitator swigging a bottle of tequila, strapping patients to the back of a donkey, and wielding a rusty machete -- before taking a siesta in the shade of a giant cactus while a rogue Chihuahua lifts his leg. And if I happen to mention that the operation was less expensive than at a US hospital . . . well, let's just say it doesn't help. I have nothing but praise for my Mexican surgeon, his staff, and the hospital where I received my band. Most people who make derogatory comments about Mexico haven't been there, and certainly haven't experienced the health-care system. They're probably well-meaning, just worried -- and uninformed. If Mexican president Vicente Fox discovers that US bandsters could become public relations spokespeople for Mexican health care, we'll probably see charter planes flying to surgical centers.

OK, since this thread has veered off anyway... Pam, I loved your post about the sharpened rocks! I know just what you mean. A lot of my Anglo friends hear "Mexico surgery" and picture a Pancho Villa imitator swigging a bottle of tequila, strapping patients to the back of a donkey, and wielding a rusty machete -- before taking a siesta in the shade of a giant cactus while a rogue Chihuahua lifts his leg. And if I happen to mention that the operation was less expensive than at a US hospital . . . well, let's just say it doesn't help. I have nothing but praise for my Mexican surgeon, his staff, and the hospital where I received my band. Most people who make derogatory comments about Mexico haven't been there, and certainly haven't experienced the health-care system. They're probably well-meaning, just worried -- and uninformed. If Mexican president Vicente Fox discovers that US bandsters could become public relations spokespeople for Mexican health care, we'll probably see charter planes flying to surgical centers. Meanwhile, Gail, how are you doing? Any news on the secrecy front?

Wear clogs or other slip-on shoes, and don't bother with socks; you may have a hard time bending to adjust anything. I suggest super-baggy clothes. If you don't mind being totally unfashionable, something like a muu-muu or dashiki would be perfect -- no front seams, no waistband to rub against your incisions. Take earplugs in case you are in a noisy hotel. If you don't mind being a wee bit floppy, this might be the time to leave the bras at home. Good luck! You'll do fine!

A big brava to all you ladies (and bravo to Whippledaddy). As Billie Holiday said, "Ain't nobody's business but my own." Gail, you might want to check the US Dept. of Labor web site; your employer may be violating the law by refusing to give anyone a break during an 8-hour work day. Just yesterday I had to contend with an obnoxious acquaintance who overheard me talking about mushy food to a friend who is in the know. She kept pestering me -- "Why can't you eat anything else? What happened?" -- and I kept refusing to answer. Finally, after the fifth question, I left the room. Luckily, most people I know aren't this rude, and the dunderhead in question is moving across the country in a few days, probably (as Blossom suggested in her post) thinking that *I* was extremely ill-mannered! Whether we keep our bands a secret, a semi-secret, or are totally open about them, I think we're all going to hear ignorant, malicious, nosy, or just plain silly questions sooner or later. The trick seems to be finding a graceful way to handle it while keeping a sense of humor. I'm still working on it, and probably will be for a long time. Meanwhile, I feel great, I'm still not hungry, and the gossips and buffoons can do what they like! Gail, I hope you can keep the people you don't trust from (1) finding out, and (if they do) (2) using your private information against you. Remember, if they had real lives of their own, they wouldn't need to feed on yours.

Ann Wilson has posted a great three-part account of her ongoing Lap-Band journey. The type is very small, but it's definitely worth checking out, especially if you haven't been banded yet. See http://www.spotlighthealth.com/common/ediary/MO/ann/ann_story_one.aspx

Congratulations! It only gets better from here. Each day you'll feel a little less sore, the incisions will start to heal, your energy will return. Glad to hear everything went so well. Welcome to the newly banded club!

Hi Gail. I'm sorry you were backed into a corner by the person who asked, "You're sure you didn't have your stomach stapled?" It's really no one's business. And telling people about your band can feel kind of like coming out of the closet (something I have experienced!) in that you become vulnerable by telling people this very personal information, and you're rightfully worried about becoming the subject of gossip, especially at work. Gossip we can't control, and unfortunately for us bandsters, a lot of people think this is a juicy topic. No way around that one. But there may be many people you'd rather keep in the dark, because there's no real need for them to know, just as they wouldn't need to know about any other intimate medical procedure. I respect your initial decision to keep your band a secret. And you should be proud of having a strong moral center that makes you feel guilty about "taking credit" for weight loss you may feel is not totally earned. But (as I'm just beginning to learn) the band is not a panacea for obesity, and requires a lot of work. You can still be proud of those pounds you have lost, and anyone who dismisses your progress as "easy" is ignorant. Whether you feel it is worth your time to educate such people is solely up to you. If you do decide to tell more people about the band and it gets back to your coworkers and boss, you can still save face. First, this is a medical, not cosmetic, procedure, and you can hold your head high when you say you needed it. Second, there's nothing wrong with saying that you don't feel comfortable discussing personal medical topics. That can be the explanation for both your initial lack of disclosure and your current reluctance to talk about the band. I was banded just over two weeks ago, and at first, like you, I told just a few close friends. I went off to Mexico in secret; people at work (including my boss) knew only that I was taking a few days off for a medical matter. Since I gave no details, I think they assumed it was gynecological, and I did nothing to dissuade them. But when I came back I was so excited that I started blabbing to family and more friends, one of whom lives next door to a coworker. Sure enough, last week this colleague obliquely asked me about my "surgery goals." I kept my answer vague. Since I'm so recently banded, my appearance hasn't changed yet... but, alas, word is getting out. In general, as with coming out of the closet, I have been delighted and moved by the support of people I care about, and I can't be bothered about the rest. But I realize that's a luxury not everyone can afford, especially if their work situation is precarious. Whether, when, and whom to tell about the band is initially up to you -- then, yes, it might become public information. Whatever you decide, don't be hard on yourself for first electing to keep it secret. You've taken a big step in your life, and it's not easy to share the news with people you may not fully trust. Good luck.

Hi C -- When you move to full liquids, try Campbell's Creamy Chicken Verde. It's a little more caloric, but in the liquid phase, that doesn't really matter. You mix the condensed soup with milk. It's filling, mildly spicy, and tastes great, especially if you're yearning for salt and spice.

Jeanie, I just got off the phone with Dr. Rumbaut, who said I could expect to lose weight until about a month after being banded, then I'd probably hit a plateau for a couple of weeks and be ready for an adjustment around week 6. I don't know if other doctors' patients have similar stories, but if you were a Rumbaut girl you'd be right on schedule. I know what you mean about that 200 mark. I'm excited just to be on the other side of 250 for the first time in over a year!