Kat225

Sugrbear,

I live in York!

What is that and where do i get some??

I had surgery in Mexico. I went to Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Juarez, MX. I had a terrific experience! That hospital was spectacular and the care was far better than any I've had in the states. You fly into El Paso, TX so it's not that expensive to fly. Juarez is like 15 min across the border. As for Ortiz...I've heard great things about him as well. He was not on Oprah but his patients were. He has written a book as well. Mexico has been doing the band far longer than the US so many surgeons are more experienced and have trained US doctors. As long as you do your research well in picking a doc you'll be fine going to MX. Also fills will be your responsibility so find a doc that will work with Mexico patients before getting banded. My patient facilitator emailed me a list of all the docs that work with Mexico banded people a head of time so I could set up my after-care before hand. Fills for me cost $200. It is pricey but what can you do about it if your insurance won't pay???? If you have any other questions feel free to contact me. Hope this helps...

I'm from PA too. I live in York. What part of PA are ya'll from?

It's not gas that settles in the actual shoulder...it is gas that pushes on your diaphram, that causes pain in your shoulder due to certain nerves or something like that...very normal that's why I know this. I've read many people complain about it. Luckily I didn't have this.

It can be - but there are alternatives. In my mushie stage FF refried Beans w/LF sour cream were a staple. I make homemade guac A LOT and use fresh ingredients, avacados are a great source of Protein & use often in salads or sandwhiches.

I brown ground turkey frequently to make taco salad - again using LF sour cream / FF refried Beans .... Living in TX , you can find a LOT of Mexican low fat alternatives to get your fix in.

There is no subsitute for cheese - it is what it is..Yum

That's awesome that you've been able to substitute some of these things. My sister was telling me she does this too when it's taco night at her house. I may have to try it...YUM

I've been thinking about this now...I don't wanna give up gum...I love gum. It helps me when I'm craving sweets too. Man! I'm so upset about this!

Wow this is new to me. I never knew this. My doc never said I couldn't have it. I've been chewing it everyday. I never accidently swallowed gum before so I think I'll be ok.

HI we were banded the same day and I am glad to hear I'm not the only one who is hungry lol! I have to wait 6 wks before my first fill. Didn't your doc tell you when to get your first fill? It is normal to be hungry with no fills and I hear that it could take several fills until we will get a little help from our band. Right now it is us on our own to lose like before we were banded. That's why it's called HELL!!! Call your doc to see when you can get your first fill. You may have to wait a few more weeks. Keep me posted on your progress. I have lost 12lbs so far...

I feel the same way....HUNGRY!!!! Can't wait to get filled on May 14th!!!!! I hope I get restriction for at least a little while. I want to lose 12lbs a month to meet my mini goal of losing 60lbs by Sept. 1st.

I was feeling very weak the first week or so after surgery. I know it was due to my lack of food intake. I was on Clear Liquids for about 5-6 days. This was just broth, SF Jello, SF popsicles, and crystal light. I started to get my strength back as I went on the mushy stage when I got to eat things with more nutritional value. I don't know if this is normal but it was for me. I wasn't able to eat or drink very much so there wasn't much choice in the matter.

I take a chewable because I've never been able to take regular Vitamins. They always made me throw up. I take children's chewable with Iron and I also take Biotin for my hair.< /p>

I never heard of this before??? Interesting! It's not unusual to not have restriction until several fills so I hear.

I get this too. I'm only 3 wks out so I'm thinking it will sease. How far along are you?

I'm hungry too! I can't wait to get a fill to help. This is why it's called banster hell!!!

Soda can stretch your pouch and cause band errosion...BAD!!

Soda is bad because it can stretch your pouch and it could cause errosion which will lead to you losing your band...

I am very blessed to have a great best friend that supports me 100%. She even went with me to Mexico to get it done. She called me brave for taking control of my life. If she does feel I took the easy way out she never says it. She too has struggled with her weight but she lost it on WW.

I think your friend is jealous but not in a bad vengeful way but is probably in pain about her weight. Being overweight as we all know is very painful. I think you should approach her in a sensitive way and just explain to her that the band is not easy and it takes work too. My sister in law is trying to lose weight right now and made the same comment as if we don't have to eat right and exersice to lose weight too. It's just people's perspective of WLS. Although I never put someone down for getting WLS, I remember thinking it was going to be easy...boy am I surprised!!! LOL!

I don't think it matters what your taste buds are because regardless of what types of food you prefer, one can still eat around the band. chips and bread break down into sugar anyway. It's all carbs. Mexican food is really fattening. Sour cream, cheese, sauses, guacamole, are all very soft foods that will be very easy to eat with the band but they are not healthy. Just be careful

I haven't had a PB yet but I've never heard of them being described like this. It's when food gets stuck and it comes up. Tell your doc ASAP!

I take a chewable Vitamin with Iron. But you should be able to get by with just cutting larger pills in half with a pill cutter. If the pill is really large maybe cut it into 3 pieces. Not a big deal.

I'm still working on this. If I do drink with a meal I take just a small sip and move it around in my mouth to quench the dry mouth but I really try hard not to do it at all. I do drink before meals and I don't think I'm waiting long enough after to eat though. I barely have any restriction since I'm newly banded and have no Fluid in the band. I will really need to perfect this once getting filled.

The band will not be effected while in the plane. I flew to Mexico to get my band and I didn't notice anything on the flight home.

This is exactly how i feel too...hunger is back and it's ugly!! I don't go for a fill until the 21st...pray for me

How much experience has this doc had with the band???

It would make more sense to me to completely unfill you then slowly fill you with little bits at a time so you can eat and have some relief. Who cares about weight loss at this point. You will still lose weight you will just have to work harder.