Anu

Has anyone used Dr. Ungson? Were you happy with the procedure? I had a lap band procedure with Dr. Ortiz two years ago. Great doc, great procedure, great results. I went from a size 24 to an 8/10. However, I now live in Sonora Mx. My sister is coming to visit soon and she is interested in having the lap band procedure. Dr. Ungson is just down the street. It would be way easier and less expensive if she goes to Ungson...any thoughts? Thanks for any help you offer- Anu

Getting a lap band was a great decision for me. Exercise has really helped too. I bought a high-energy puppy in February, six miles a day if I like it or not!

For years my house was always a wreck. I was a single working mom with three children. Once a guy I was dating brought me home. We had been dating for a few months and he wanted to come in. There was no way I could discourage him...he was my boyfriend after all. When we walked in the house it was it's usual mess. "Oh my god," I said, "someone broke in and ransacked the place!" and he said "and look, they left three bowls of oatmeal and their sippy cups in front of the TV!" I guess he was on to me after all. After I got married and my children all left home my house was....still a wreck....how DID THAT happen? Magic I guess. Anyway, it's not a wreck anymore, it is really, really, clean. That is because we moved to Mexico and we had to sell or give away nearly EVERYTHING we owned before we left. And when we got here the house came with a maid. I am so much happier in a clean house. I feel less crazy and frazzled and I love being in my house. So, while I guess my housekeeping suggestion for moving to a foreign country might not work for everyone, you might want to think about it. Or maybe rent a storage unit, put EVERYTHING in it, and anything you don't retrieve from it after 12 months gets tossed. You could put your husband in the storage unit too....it might work....couldn't hurt to try. I hope you are healing and feeling better soon! Anu

Sorry, I was using Wiccan/Witch interchangeably. I didn't mean to add to the confusion. I know some folks see a difference there, so sorry if I confused anyone. Anu

Contrary to my previous belief, kitchen witches are not required to have a cat. It is just coincidence that every kitchen witch I have ever known has had a cat. Generally speaking in Wicca, there are very few requirements, as long as you are true to yourself, and cause no harm, you are good to go. However, I would think a requirement of a kitchen witch would be a kitchen, of some sort. That is just my thought, take it or leave it. Merry Part- Anu

Merry Meet - I have not been to lapband talk for several months. This afternoon I was having some unusual discomfort in my belly, and I thought I would see what other bandsters had to say about it. I can't tell you how happy I was to find this thread. Usually when the topic of religion/lifestyles comes up, I tell people that "I am on my own spiritual path". A little this, a little that. I am Wiccan/ pagan with bits and pieces of other practices that I find helpful, meaningful, fulfilling, or fun, thrown in. I've always wanted to be a kitchen witch, but I haven’t really gotten my act together to head in that direction yet. Plus I am allergic to cats...don't you have to have a cat to be a kitchen witch? I have always been a solitary practitioner, but there were always others around and we had the sabbats and celebrations, and discussions. It is fun to have found y’all. Now my band info: I was banded in September 2005 (age 45). My start weight was 234. I now weigh between 175-180. I am 5'11" so I am pretty happy at 175, but I am quite sure if I paid better attention to what I ate and did more aerobic exercise I could lose a few more pounds. After my band was placed I lost fifty pounds in about six months. It came off pretty easily. The remaining weight (another 10 pounds or so) came of much slower, but it has stayed off. I have had NO PROBLEMS AT ALL with my band. I feel very fortunate. My surgeon was Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana, and it was THE BEST medical experience of my life. About eight months ago I moved to Sonora, Mexico, from New Mexico and every time I have dealt with Dr's and clinics here it has been very personal and very professional. I have no qualms about the level of care and expertise I receive here. I LOVE LIVING IN MEXICO. Oh, by the way, apparently the discomfort in my belly was just gas. I feel better now. I am happy to correspond with anyone who has questions or concerns. In love and trust Anu

Congratulations to all of you who are doing so well...it seems your fitness levels rival that of professional athletes. You have much to be proud of. As I read through the various threads on the exercise forum I noticed that there was very little discussion/information/comments for those who are obese and struggling with even the thought of exercise. I am hoping this thread will help those who are very new to exercise and are generally intimidated by the thought of going to a gym, or even wearing work out clothes. I am a personal trainer with a number of certifications and many years of experience. I have worked with individuals who's mobility was extremely limited by their weight. Sometimes the first several workouts were just standing for a few minutes at a time, progressing each day to a longer and longer period. After a month we progressed to sitting in a chair and standing up several times in a row. Sometimes you just have to start very, very slowly. For those of you who have not yet begun and exercise program, I encourage you to visit your doctor, have him write a prescription for you to see a physical therapist, and to work with the physical therapist to design a program that is right for you. A personal trainer, no matter how qualified, should not be your first step. You need someone who is trained MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL that will work with your doctor and can understand the implications of all your medications, the limitations of your heart, circulation, lungs and various joint and ligament issues. Please remember that exercise and fitness is highly individualized. What is ideal for one person can be devastating for another. Seriously, this is not just a disclaimer, but before beginning ANY exercise program, you should see your doctor. Anu

I had a BMI of 35. My insurance wouldn't cover it because I didn't have any SEVERE complications due to my weight (define severe?). I went directly to Dr. Ortiz and I have only great things to say about him and my experience. That said, however, I would encourage you to try to get your insurance to cover your lap band procedure. I am a little nervous that with all your other health issues that if you were to have a problem (not related to the band) that they might decide the lapband is part of the problem and not cover some treatment that your really need. So that is my two-cents. Best of luck-

After reading all these posts I thought I would let y'all know that I found a "sexy" swimsuit that covers my stretch marks and bit of a belly. It is called a "mono-tini" (Bisou-Bisou) I ordered it from JC Penney. It looks like a bikini from the back and in the front the bottom and top come together like a one piece. It has a bandeau top, but I took the skinny little strap, cut it in half and sewed it to the sides of the bra cups so it holds up my boobs better. When we went to the beach both my hubby and my sons (ages 21 & 23) thought it looked really great. This was confirmed when my boys asked me to walk across the beach to a bar with them. I said, "wait let me grab a wrap to cover my butt" they said- "No, mom you look great, let's go!" So I walked across the beach in flip-flops and my mono-tini, that was it! --FIRST TIME EVER!

Hi! My name is Anu, and I am a lurker. I wanted to let everyone know that, generally speaking, I appreciate much of the information I read on LBT. I know a lot of people have issues with those of us that lurk, but I lurk due to time and logistical constraints. Pretty much it is the regular stuff that everyone has-- family responsibilities, a very demanding career, working out, growing my marriage, nurturing friendships, and then there is the rest of the life-type-of-stuff. I frequently feel compelled to contribute to a LBT thread, but then I am concerned that someone will respond to it and then it will be another week or so before I can get back to them or explain what I meant, and that would make me feel bad, and look bad too I suppose. A little LB bio-I was banded by Dr. Ortiz on September 29, 06 at 234 lbs. Today, March 1, I weigh 190 lbs and I hope to eventually weight 165. My band works great, and I have not had a single problem. I love my doctors and they have been very open and responsive to my questions and concerns. I rarely PB, I eat healthy food, and enjoy the occasional margarita. My favorite occasion is everyday at 6pm. I am a happy, fairly well-adjusted grandma that thinks Jon Stewart would make the ultimate dinner guest. Anyway, I thought I would start this thread to see if any other lurkers had something to say. I was thinking maybe it could be a thread where folks can just put a comment or two out there, without the pressure of responding to whatever comment is made next. I am writing this now and I probably won’t get back to LBT ‘til at least next week. Y’all go on ahead and have fun without me. Or conversely I guess my comment could just sit there and next week when I visit there it will be all by it’s lonely self...C'est la vie! Anu<O:p</O:p

My BMI was 34 and I had my surgery done with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. It was the BEST medical experience I have ever had. I weighed 233 (I am 5'10") when I began the pre-diet liquid phase, 224 the day of surgery on September 29, 2005. I lost an additional 15 lbs before I had my first (and only) fill on November 14. In the last three weeks I have lost another 8 pounds. The scale has been teasing me for the last few days and it refuses to drop another 2 pounds to allow me to weigh in at 199. I don't think I will need another fill anytime soon. I start each day with a 200 calorie Protein Shake that I drink on the way to work. Four hours later I slowly eat a healthy lunch (generally grilled Protein and a salad) and at night I have a cup of Soup and sugar-free Jello. Sometimes I do over-indulge with holiday treats. I work out 4-5 times a week. 45 minutes cardio, 30 minutes weight and floor work. I stretch daily. When I was in Mexico the night before my surgery I wrote a contract with myself. Many, many times I have tried to get my weight and my life under control and every time I have failed and beat myself up for it. I decided this time it was going to be different. I was spending $10k to make a life change, and I was going to succeed. I am sure most will think this is silly, but I bought a silver band from a street vendor. I then read my contract aloud to myself and made the commitment tangible by sealing the contract by slipping the ring onto my right hand ring finger. Everytime I look at the ring I realize I have made a commitment for life. My husband, family and friends have been very supportive. I have not had a single problem with the procedure, the band, food or poop. I know I am lucky. I feel this has been the best decision I have made in 15 years. Do your research, think hard about the long-term implications, and if you make the financial and physical commitment to change your life, make sure your head is ready for it as well. I am happy to chat with you about any questions you might have. Wishing you the best- Anu

I went from a 44DD to a 38 Xtra Long. Yeah, pretty ucky-- new boobs for me after my extra weight is all gone. I am even going to get the kind where the nipples point up!

I had tried everything, massages, hot tub, heating pad, tylenol. I was in tears and terrible pain. I took the post-surgery percocet the doc gave me for the shoulder pain instead of port/belly pain, and it was still hurting! I finally went to see my primary care doc. She said the gas is very de-hydrating and once the muscles begin to knot up, they can't loosen themselves because they can't get hydration/blood flowing though them. She gave me several shots of saline (one in each muscle group I think) and then she massaged my shoulders for two minutes to work the saline through them. I left her office pain free. It was amazing. I felt like I had an evangelical healing experience. Hallelujah! It worked for me, you might want to think about giving it a "shot"!

Just for clarafication...the STOMACH is eroded by the band (the band itself doesn't erode)?

I would prime them over the next few days with phrases like: "I am so excited, I can't wait to show you my surprise!" and I always tell people I had a "simple procedure"... Hopefully when your Dad and Stepmom see how excited and happy you are, and how AMAZING you look, and how much HEALTHIER you are, they will be happy and excited for you. Good Luck! Anu

Hello Terrilen- I too am bi-polar. When you said it scared you to "have those old feelings again" my heart skipped a beat, and even now I feel a little unsettled just thinking about it. I have been on medication for three years and have not had an episode since my meds were balanced, but there are times when I can feel myself "sinking" I have no other way to describe it. Did your depression have anything to do with daylight savings time? I guess the change in the time can trigger episodes. I have been working closely with my psychiatrist through out my banding experience. As I am sure you know one of the triggers for an episode is a deviation from routine, and changes in your body’s bio-rhythms. So, it makes sense that you are having problems. Some things I discussed with my doc to try to keep me as healthy as possible through the banding and for life ever after: Stay on a routine schedule every day sleep at least 8 hours every night Stay hydrated- Water, water, water! Walk or get some form of moderate exercise. Avoid traveling to different time zones Of course take your meds. Some of them need to be taken with food. Most importantly, please call your psychiatrist. It can quickly become too overwhelming. Please stay in touch and keep me posted as to how you are doing. You are in my thoughts- Anu

Take the higher road- In a very happy confident voice tell them- "Thanks for your concern, but I am really far luckier than most others. The REALLLLY GREAT THING about the lap band is that I CAN EAT ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING I WANT AND NOT GAIN WEIGHT!" (so there are a few details you leave out, you don't have to explain any that to them). Then give them your best and sweetest smile as you walk away (with a loaded plate that you can slyly dump into the trash as soon as it is feasable). You want to let the commenters know you are in control and whatever they say is not going to matter to you one way or another. If they are "well-meaning" or not if you feel hurt, angry, or rude then they get their little thrill. Don't let them have it and then they feel foolish. Have fun with it! Anu

Hello Bhartzoge- I was banded on 9/29. Post surgery the only real pain I have had was in my neck and shoulder. I normally carry my tension there so I assumed it was stress, but inspite of regular massages (four in one week!), hot pack treaments, tiger balm, and meditation sessions it grew worse so I went to my primary care doc. She said it was probably a combination of stress, dehydration, and the gas from the procedure (mostly likely not gassy foods). The muscles get all knotted up and dry and they can't release because they aren't getting hydrated enough. She gave me several shots of saline in the muscles of my neck and shoulders and my pain was IMMEDIATELY relieved. I have continued the hot packs and neck and shoulder exercises and I have had not had a single problem since. It has worked for me. As they say "individual results may vary" Best of Luck- Anu