IM_LORI

An x-ray really isn't going to show anything, but look at the band for mere curiousity. It's there. No use in exposing yourself to additional radiation. Unless there is a reason for an x-ray, a physician isn't going to do that routinely.

oh , a quick tip on how to make delicious shakes! Go to the grocery store, or coffee shop, and buy the Sugar Free flavored syrup. 0 calories. Add 1 tsp to your vanilla protein drink and it turns into a gourmet dessert! Hazelnut,,,,,almond,,,,,,,,CHEESECAKE! The possibilities are endless.

Stay OUT OF THE HOUSE! Go visit people, walk to the park, go to the mall, don't bring money, do anything but sit in the house by the fridge. I didn't have to do a pre op diet, but that would be sooooooooo hard! ughhhh I feel for you. But this is probably the hardest step in the process. You can and WILL do it! If you need to, you could take some Benedryl in the evening and just sleep! That passes the time quicker. And keep this in mind. The pre op diet isn't to starve you, it's to quickly burn off the fat around your liver. If your surgeon gets in there and can't get around a fatty liver, he'll have to close and try again later. Now that would be horrible and it's happened so some people.

Heyyyyyyyy Bobbie! Congrats! I"m at work right now,but I'd love to tell you more about the band, the good, the bad, & the ugly! I'm originally from Bismarck, but I"m out in Costa Mesa, California the last 3 years. I've got some company coming over tonight but your welcome to give me a call. email me! what's your email?

Oh, you sound like me. Everyone responds differently and your getting a little more discomfort. To this day, nearly 1 year out, I can not burp. That may or may not change for you. Some people get a lot of gas, or heartburn, indigestions, etc,,,,which causes gas. If you can't burp, it causes pressure up under your ribs, and limits the amount you can eat or drink. Tip #1. Gas X Strips, or Mylicon drops. When you drink your protein drink or broth, take one of the strips BEFORE or use the drops. It helps break down the gas before it develops. Also, some peoples stomach reacts not in a friendly way to the band. (mine) It swelled a LOT! I was soooooo tight, band completely unfilled, I could hardly drink. And unfortunately you can't unfill an empty band. Ways to reduce swelling,,,,,,,,,,sip ice water. Much like icing a sprained ankle. I eventually had to do 3 days anti-inflammatories to reduce the swelling. That's not normally recommended for band patients but my Dr. felt it necessary, and it worked. You may be taking a little longer for your body to recover and adjust to the band, but it WILL happen! Hang in there, and in probably a week, or less, you'll wake up and be doing stuff in the house and realize your eating again, feeling better and life is good !

Nope, you are not in bandster hell! heheh I"m there though! That is when you have your band, but no restriction, and you feel like you could eat the entire Dominos Pizza, and sometimes try! I've found you CAN'T consistently eat 800-1100 calories per day while working out. Your body NEEDS food to work. Your metabolism is like a fire, and when it has no oxygen, the fire goes out. With no food, the body quits burning it's fuel, which is fat. You may up your calories to 1200/day, especially while hitting the gym, and also, a BIG helper, EAT EVERY 3 HOURS! That also keeps your metabolism in high gear. Grab some nuts or a fruit mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and evening. Sometimes when your hitting a plateau, your body is readjusting itself and you can observe changes in your shape. I bet your clothes fit differently in the last 2 weeks? Up your protein, reduce your carbs, bump up to 1200 calories, rev up your fire by providing more fuel more frequently and I bet you'll see a significant drop this week. Good Luck!

I haven't heard of him. WHere is he at? I've heard of Dr. Oliak here in Orange County, great reputation. I"m in Costa Mesa. I had mine done in TJ, MX. My insurance wouldn't cover it and it was $7000 there. Let me know what you decide!

RELAX! Although slips are not extremely common, many times if you unfill the band, and jump back to liquids for a few days, the stomach will slip back into place. This isn't the end of your band.

Lay it on THICK! Add ankle weights when they weigh you if you have to! haha High blood pressure? back pain? knee pain? pre-diabetes symptoms? sleep apnea? Whatever you can add in as a co-mobidity (weight induced problem) is to your advantage. List all the numerous weight reduction plans you've failed at.

SMART move! With 5 puncture holes through your abdominal wall & muscle, and trapped carbon dioxide gas under your diaphragm from surgery, you DON'T want to be coughing and hacking on sinus drainage. Make sure you are well. It will happen when the time is right.

Sometimes patients have extreme nausea. That can trigger vomiting which will cause the stomach to swell. Some people (myself) will develop lots of stomach swelling anyways just from the band squeezing the stomach. Much like a blister from a new pair of tight shoes. Those who travel great distances, or out of the country typically stay as well. You need to be sure nothing develops as it's not as conveniet or quick to travel back to the surgeon. In addition, the additional atmospheric pressure of traveling via air creates tightening of the band, which needs to be avoided initially. My doctor routinely has patients stay overnight. Although it is done laparascopically, it is surgery. There are 5 incisions, one larger for the port. General anesthesia, 5 puncture holes through the abdominal wall & muscle, trapped air in the abdominal cavity from the carbon dioxide used to inflate the abdomen, post op nausea or vomiting, or significant pain. It's just necessary sometimes with varying circumstances.

Nearly everyone I've talked to who had a hiatal hernia, had theirs repaired at the same time they had their band put in. The nissen fundoplication (hernia surgery) literally takes 10 minutes. It's nearly nothing. There should be no reason he can't do them both at the same time.

I just caught you are in California too. I"m down in Costa Mesa. My insurance didn't cover this either. I had mine done down at Bajanor in Mexico, $7100 self pay. Right now I think it's $6800 My gosh I sound like a spokesperson! hehehe They are cheap, excellent, by no means fancy, but get the job done. Obesity Control Center is also in TJ and are probably the most well known facility in TJ. They cater to us obese Americans, have very high standards there, and you wouln't be at all disappointed with them. :wink_smile: Good luck!

Me included! 6 weeks after my band, my gall bladder died. It's VERY VERY common with any weight loss, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, etc... When we eat fatty foods, the gall bladder squeezes out the bile to digest the fat. When we diet intensely and don't eat fats, the bile sits in the gall bladder. Somtimes the bile forms stones, sometimes the gall bladder walls lose the ability to contract and quit functioning. I had mine out August 1st, and after 7 months of hell with the thing, I am only none too happy to see it gone! I can eat again, no pain, no bile reflux, just living good again. Thousands of people have their gall bladder removed each year. Once in a while people will get what is called Post Cholecystectomy Syndrom. It basically causes some mild diarrhea. When the gall bladder is removed, the bile continually drips out of the liver straight into the small intestine. For some people this causes diarrhea for a few months. Fortunatley not myself. They can give you a medicine called Questrin, which binds the bile and eliminates the diarrhea. Not a big problem.

You'll be posting back tomorrow night girl! You'll be feeling great and motivated tomorrow, just a little sore. Relax, feast your "last supper" tonight and don't ever look back. You have a new road ahead of you.

When you are in Mexico, you will get meds in Spanish. Just like in Egypt, they will be printed in Arabic. They all come from the same pharmaceutical company. I never had torn sheets, etc....... granted they are not the same quality as here in the states, but that's why we paid $15,000 less than we would here. I hope the end results were successfull for you. I"ve had a great experience with them, and results have been ideal outside of my gall bladder issue. I'm 25 lbs from goal, they continue to support my weight loss, correspond via email regularly. When I look at the website, the picture is the same as the side of the building in the parking area, and the waiting room is definately the same as well. I"m sorry you didn't share the same experience. I"m talking with them now about a tummy tuck sometimes this winter. I found great support, Dr.'s and friends at Bajanor.

I just saw your post. I had my surgery done there October 2007. INCREDIBLE! They are great. I've stayed in touch with them throughout the process. I had a number of problems arise (gall bladder related) and they've been a great support throughout the entire ordeal. Dr. Carlos Alessandrini is the CEO of Bajanor. He coordinates the process. Dr. Miguel Alessandrini, his brother, will handle any questions, problems, follow up, fills, etc...... The surgeon is Dr. Covarrubias. He's absolutely wonderful. Very kind, very patient, HUMBLE! They cater to us obese Americans. This is their basis of work, so they are very skilled at it. You are in good hands with them. The hospital is not like the US hospitals. But they are clean, private, and sanitary. I'd go back there again, and do for my fills, and I recommend them to anyone. They have a special right now, $6,500 which is incredible! Let me know what you decide!

That was my surgeon too, Dr. Covarrubias. I had numerous problems, and was being treated by a GI doc here in the states. I finally went back to TJ to have him remove my band, and he LISTENED (something they don't do here in the states) and found out it was NOT my band, but my gall bladder. Removed the gall bladder, no problems since then. I"m curious why did you have to have your band replaced? Did Dr. Covarrubias do that as well? I LOOOOOOOOOVE the man! He's great.

which side is your port on?

These are questions for your doctor. They are all different. Some insurances approve quickly (1 week) some not, (1 year) Most doctors will NOT schedule it until your insurance approves it, or you pre-pay it yourself. I self-payed in Mexico. Called and got all the info on Monday, scheduled it on Friday, did all the pre-op testing in the morning I got there. Give your Dr. office a call and ask them how they proceed through the entire process. They probably have experience with approvals/denials with different types of insurance as well.

Well, if you have a 14 cc band, your only 1/2 full. Some people hit that great spot at 1cc. some at 13.5 cc. Keep going so the band is working for you. YOu shouldn't have to do this alone. THe band should make a significant difference on what you can eat, how much you eat, your hunger, etc..... Be a little push with your Dr. if he's conservative. You paid for this!

Gall Bladder. Stones, or a non-functioning gall bladder cause swelling. It feels like "something is stuck" in there. Just not quite right. VERY VERY VERY common during weight loss. Ask your Dr. for a gall bladder ultraound to check for stones, and a HIDA scan to check the function of it.

hahah! That is so neat! I've done that too. Just been busy doing the program and wake up one morning and go, "Whow! what happened!" Enjoy it. Sounds like your doing great!

Everyone is different in that regard. Before I was working out, I was aiming around 1,000. Once I hit the gym, I had to bump it up to 1,500 Listen to your body, and watch the scale. If your weak and tired, you need more food. If the scale is stuck for 2 weeks, you need to cut back and increase your activity. The scale is there for feedback. If your eating 1500 calories and not losing, then you need to adjust your plan. Good luck!

Here are some more ideas for pureed foods. I found these on a website: • The Key to making Puree food great is all in the seasoning. If you prefer, you may always open a jar of baby food, but sometimes it is just better to make it yourself. Please see your food processor instruction and menu ideas for puree food ideas. Also remember that mashed potatoes are a viable food source in this week. And do not forget to drink a lot of water! Tips: • Use a small bowl for your puree food. (preferably one that holds about ½ cup of food. • Use this bowl to serve yourself all your food for this week. • Eat slowly, try to eat your food over 20 minutes. • Eat up to six times a day, preferably 3-6 times a day, eating half cup portions each time. • Drink a small glass of lowfat or nonfat milk, plus 1 cup of low fat yogurt each day. This will give you Protein. Here are some food ideas: *Blended Fruit and Water *Blended fruit and milk *Lowfat or non fat yogurt *Breakfast Cereal (soggy) *Blended Healthy Choice or Stouffer Dinners *Baby Food *Low fat Jell-O pudding *Blended meat and vegetables *Mashed Potatoes Menu Ideas for the Puree stage: Breakfast: Mix ½ cup of yogurt, 1 glass of milk and 1 egg in a blender with your favorite fruit. This makes a great beverage that is filling and enjoyable. Snack: Drink 1 glass of water, and blend juice and/or fruit with water and ice into a frothy beverage. Lunch: ½ cup of boiled and blended chicken and vegetables with a small serving of apple sauce. Snack: ½ cup of yogurt and blended fruit. Dinner: ½ cup of boiled beef, and potatoes, blended, and served with a small serving of mashed potatoes. Late Night Snack (if necessary): ½ cup of apple sauce. ALWAYS: Keep drinking water, and vegetable juices with pulp, this gives you Fiber. Also take a Vitamin supplement if possible. You may add additional Fiber to your diet. • NO LONGER drink Protein shakes, you will get enough protein from eggs and other sources of protein in your diet. • NOTE: If you vomit or regurgitate your food, you are simply eating too much, cut back, and slow down in your consumption. • ALSO, if you are really still hungry between meals and Snacks you may add more yogurt (up to 1 cup, no more) to your shakes. • PLEASE DRINK a lot of water, before your meal, and try not to drink any liquids for 30 minutes after your meal to prevent flushing the food through the band.