Legallyblonde

16 days post op and 12 lbs lost. My incisions are healing fine although the port site is taking it's time. That dermabond skin glue only holds for 4 or 5 days and then I was sure I would cough and my guts would spill out. I am feeling depressed because I don't know if what I am feeling is normal..........IS THIS THING WORKING!!!!!! I am wondering if there is even a band in there! I did liquids for the first 7 days, then mushies and liquids for the next 7 and now feel like I could eat way tooooo much food. Don't get me wrong, I haven't tried anything life-threatening like bread or big chunks of anything but I don't get it. What's all this crap about eatting with a baby spoon and only being able to drink small portions of liquids??? I literally have to stop myself from eatting too much. Given the chance I could drink liters at a time. I never feel full. Here's what I do notice...is this normal????? My constriction/restriction feels more like it is in my throat and not where I know my anotomical stomach to be located. Anyone else??? Also, it ocurs in the AM mostly. I haven't vomited at all. That's good. No heartburn or reflux. I never saw a nutritionalist so I am making this up as I go. I can't wait for my first fill so I can be sure this thing is working! I'm just depressed because I don't know if what I am feeling is normal and did I blow all that $ on nothing? Oh, someone please write back and tell me I am not crazy. Sleepless night #17. Thanks in advance... P.S Real name is Christine.

Dr Lopez (01152)(664)634-3870 or (01152)634-3871 or (619)247-4813 or (619)247-3201. The last two numbers are personal cells. Regarding a few things.....his heavy Mexican accent? He's Mexican! I think we all knew that going in. I understood him fine. It is not fair to expect the exact same things in Mexico as we get here in the states. But this is why we go to Mexico. AGAIN, if I could have had this done here, I would. He spoke with me at great length about any and everything. I never felt rushed or cut off. How many people can say the same about their U.S doctor? I got an email today from the president of Inamed. It was a letter of good standing and appreciation regarding Dr Lopez. He gave me his number to call and verify it was in fact him. I did. What more could I ask for? I saw 3 diferent doctors the day after my surgery. One doctor waited with me outside for 20 minutes for my cab. I ask you, what U.S hospital provides that level of service. I've never done it for a pt and I think pretty highly of my work ethic. Not only do I have copies of my records, a video was done of my surgery. Here's what I will leave you all with. Some of you ladies seem like such sweet and genuwine people. To you, I am sorry you have encountered any negatives regarding this procedure. It scared even me. And your experiences are your own and nobody can tell you diferent. You have every right to feel however you want. To those who have had NO personal experience with a particular doctor, Oh, I don't even care to expound on it. Most of us overweight people have a lot of issues. I sincerely hope you get help. That's all I have to say. I will now graciously bow out. It's too hot in here.

Went down on Sunday afternoon. Only took 2.5 hours to drive. The staff at the Lucerna could not have been nicer. Very clean with the hardest beds in the entire world. Wished I would have taken better advice and packed lighter. I am sorry I took my laptop. They have internet access in the lobby. Monday at 10am I was picked up and taken to all my appointments. What a breeze. No problem. I quized Dr Lopez at great length about all the negatives I had read about him. He was very informative and was able to back up all his facts. He basically said he was willingly to do whatever it took to make me feel comfortable. Dr Lopez is aware of all the topics discussed on this forum and is very keen to remedy any past problems. I thought that was very professional. There are 2 sides to every story. Let's all remember that there is great competition between the doctors in Tijuana. Sad really. I saw 3 diferent doctors, a cardiologist, a psychologist, radiologist, and others. Had my surgery at the Lityen clinic which is next door to his office. It is a surgi-center and is EXCELLENT! A person who can have their surgery there really should do it. You need to have a BMI under 40 and no health problems and speak Spainish. It was sort of like a spa. I was the only person there. I had a nurse and a doctor to myself. I actually told them to leave me alone so I could sleep. They just wanted to do whatever they could for me. Massages etc...Sweet people! I have to admit....when I first woke up, I wanted to die. I have never felt like that. Combination of the gas pains and nausea. The worst WORST headache from Diet Pepsi withdrawl. With every passing hour I was better. I got up and walked 1 hour after surgery. I spent the night in the Lityen and left the next morning. Took a cab to the border and walked across and another cab to my car. Took 6 hours to get home due to traffic. I wanted to be home so bad. I was home and in my own bed only 27 hours after surgery. I am in love with Dr Lopez's assistant Dr Barba. What a great team! All so helpful and intelligent. Just wanted to say I was home and alive. Thank you all for your kind words of support. I am excited about the future.

Thank you for the kind words and support. I am leaving in the morning and will be home (God willing) on Wednesday. I will certainly post and tell you I made it back alive. You both seem to have good hearts and positive attitudes. I ate my last meal tonight and was too nervous to enjoy it. I felt like a prisoner on death row. It may sound strange but I am more sad about giving up my be-loved Diet Pepsi than anything else. Again, thank you for the replies and sweet words. One last thing.....I was wondering if I could bring my laptop to the hotel? I wonder if the rooms have internet hookup? Anyone know?

Yes Marie, I will be recieving an Inamed band from Dr Lopez. I just don't understand why if a person trusts the Inamed name and the Inamed product, there would be any uncertain feelings regarding the professionals who run the Inamed company. Like I mentioned, I did extensive research. (I'm sure we all did) What I came up with was a very broad range of diverse oppinions of the diferent doctors performing this surgery. There are as many good things mentioned about each one as there are negative. It is not my nature to mention any names so I won't do that. Having spoken to many physicans,(and maybe I have an advantage since I can speak to them as a colleague and not Pt/Dr.) I have chosen to put my faith in the makers of the product itself. The Inamed doctors. Having said all that.....Who knows what will happen. Only God knows. Maybe I should add that although I would have prefered to have the surgery here in the states, I could not find a Dr to touch me since I am a lower BMI Pt. I don't have any professional or private affiliatin with any company or doctor performing this surgery. I am just a private person who wants to get help with my problem. As it was stated before, this is just a site devoted to sharing the stories of those who have had this procedure. This is mine. I wish you all peace and happiness.

Thank you both for your gracious tips. I have researched this so much I feel I could do the procedure myself. Just give me the equipment and I am ready to band myself! But seriously, I work in both the medical and legal fields and have made this research my top priority for 6 months. I am sorry that anyone has had a bad experience with any surgeon. I think Dr Lopez has worked on some of the past problems and I can't tell you how comforted I was to have the head of Inamed sing his praises. Thanks again!!! I am glad I found this site and I hope all will keep an open mind to diferent experiences from diferent people. I am.

Thanks for the advice of what to bring. Anyone else have anything to add? Anyone have their procedure done at the Lityen?????? ANybody else go into this feeling like they needed to write out their last will and testiment? I still have a small voice in my head that questions why I am going to Mexico for surgery. Guess I am just scared.

I have looked at all the posts regarding Dr Lopez and cant seem to find anything regarding the facilities I mentioned. Also nothing about things I should bring etc... Was hoping for something a little more positive regarding Dr Lopez. Being informed and being scared are two diferent things. The negativity has been getting me down. Thanks.

I am getting banded on Monday by Dr. Lopez in Tijuana. I am staying at the Lucerna and my procedure is being done at the Lityen. Can anyone give me ANY suggestions or advice. My mom will be with me. Has anyone been to either place? What did you think? What do I need to bring? Will my mom be O.K while I am having surgery? Is Dr Lopez's staff good? Facility clean? Anyone's feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.