agreatknead

Hey Wendy, Just breath! I went to Mexico by myself and I had a couple of those moments just before surgery. It will be fine. I'm sure you have a good surgeon. He was not mine but I have heard many good things about him and there are many Americans that go to Mexico for medical and dental work. Relax, your not crazy, your smart and you will be so happy you had it done. Sally

Hi, I hope your over the episode by now but tapping on the sternum really helps me and just walking, walking, walking. You might want to get some chewable papaya to keep in your purse. That stuff is amazing for me. You have had some amazing results, congratulations on your weight loss. As my husband says someday your look back on this and laugh! Sally

Hi Mrs' I don't know about others but I find trying to "wash" anything that seems stuck down with water only makes it worse. Walk around and do some tapping on the sternum, that usually helps a lot. Every day is a new lesson. Sally

Hi Roy, Congratulations on being a bandster! I think we all get a little nervous as the time draws near for surgery. I would have been the first one to tell you that "no matter what I do I can't loose weight". Well, I hadn't done this and now what I have I am losing weight. I went to Mexico by myself and it was a breeze. Get up and walk asap after surgery, I think it makes a huge difference. Your wife will be so proud of you and you will feel a huge difference as the lbs start coming off. I am only about 20 lbs down and I feel like a new woman. Just to go though the closet and wear things I couldn't wear last year (or the year before) is a huge reward. You are to be acknowledged for taking the steps to make this happen. Good job! Sally

Hi, I had my surgery in Mexico so I spent the night at the surgery center and flew home the next day. I slept a lot in the afternoon after surgery and was glad I had the day to rest. An hour and a half inst bad you could probably do it with no problem but you might enjoy the day to rest before getting back to the normal routine. Good luck, you will be glad you had it done. Sally

Hi Nance, I also had my first fill today. I was banded in Mexico but saw a local Dr. for the fill. I thought it might be a problem since he was not the surgeon but it was a breeze. I only got 1cc which was a little disappointing but I go back in 2 weeks for another. No numbing agent either, just $200 and 30 seconds and I was out the door. We should make money like that huh? :-) Sally

Hi, I got my first fill today. It was very small, just 1cc in a 10 cc band. What did you get. Try chewable Papaya from the health food store. It's a great digestive aid. Where did you get your fill? Glad to hear you are doing well. Sally

Try making your pizza with an eggbeater crust. Kinda like a fritata, its good!

I was banded in Tijuana 4/14/08 by Dr. Francisco Gonzalez. I have not had any problems and it was a great experience but, I was convinced before I went I would not have and problems. The mind is a great tool if you use it right. Best wishes to all that go to Mexico, there are many great Dr's there.

Hi, Sorry to disagree on the lemon but it is very alkalising to the body. I am pasting a post from e-zine on lemon Water. The beauty of lemon water is that it is tasty, refreshing and best of all, alkalising. The lemon juice raises the alkalinity of the water so even with standard tap water you can make your drink pH neutral. The alkalising effects of this drink are essential to our blood and energy levels. Try using lukewarm water for the best results. Congratulations on your re-determination. You can do it girl, we all support you. Sally

Hi Katya, Everyone is different so I can only tell you my experience. I live in Michigan and had my surgery done in Mexico. I was by myself and I left Mexico the day after surgery and flew back to Chicago. My husband picked me up and we drove about 3 hours to get home. I had absolutely no problems. I think I took a pain pill that night just to help with sleep and one the next night and that was it. I have read that others have had much more discomfort than I did so I can't say you won't have any problems but if your experience is anything like mine, it will be a breeze. I am 58 so you have youth on your side as well. Start walking as soon as possible, I think it makes a huge difference. I had no problems with gas pain and the port area was only slightly sore. I wish you the best and acknowledge you for taking this step. Your child will love the fact you will be able to run and play with them as they grow. Best wishes, Sally

Hi Wicked, I had my surgery on 4-14 and did not have one physical problem. I flew home from Mexico the day after surgery and only needed 2 pain pills at bed time the next 2 days. I was back to work full time doing massage 3 days after surgery. I think your family will eat healthier after you have limitations on what you can eat. Although I don't have kids at home anymore I still cook for my husband and just find things we both can eat without any problems. The important thing is that you make the decision on what you feel is right not on what others say. This is a gift you can give to yourself if you are open to it. My only regret is that I did not have it done sooner. Best wishes to you, just remember it's time to be good to you. Sally

OMG I'm still laughing about the JD label!

Ginger is really good for nausea. Have some ginger tea or get some hard ginger candy (remember just 1 or 2) your taking it for the ginger not the sugar! They also have acupressure bands you wear on your wrists that work really well. They have a little bead that puts pressure on a point on the wrist that helps nausea. You should be able to find them a most pharmacies. Good luck, you probably won't need much of this anyway, the nausea could just be from the anesthesia. Sally

Hi CShel, I was also banded on 4/14 also. I think that's a great date. I don't get my first fill till 6/12 because I had my band in Mexico and needed to find a local Dr. That would do my fills. I have lost 17 lbs since surgery but I will be happy just not to gain anything back until I get my first fill. I am eating more than when I first got the band but I still fill up easier and am eating less then before, its just that the scale has stopped for a while. Good luck and let me know how your first fill went. Sally

Hi, I think you would be much happier getting the lap band before you trip. You will be down a few lbs and that always makes you feel great. I had my surgery in Mexico. The day after surgery I flew home about 4 1/2 hours and then had a 2 hour drive. I think I took 2 pain pills the next 2 days but I was back to work the day after I got home doing massage. You shouldn't have any problems. I'm 58 so if I can do it that easily I'm sure you can. Have fun and celebrate the beginning of your new life! Blessings, Sally

HI Robert, My Dr. told me the nerves that sense your stomach being full are located at the top of the stomach (close to where the small pouch is). I had my surgery on 4/14 but have not had my first fill yet. I am eating more than I did right after surgery but still less than before the surgery. I will have my first fill on 6/12. You will be able to tell if you cross the line and eat too much and believe me, you won't want to do it again, it is very uncomfortable. Kinda like eating 2 Thanksgiving dinners in one setting, with a golf ball thrown in for good measure! Trust the process it has worked for thousands of people and it will work for you. Good luck and enjoy the journey. Sally

Hi, I had my surgery on 4/14 and I have not had my first fill yet so at this point I can only say do your homework. I bought a book called Lap Band for Life by Dr. Ortiz. It answers a lot of questions and I was prepared for my surgery. What I didn't know was how easy it would be. If I had I would have done it a lot sooner. The band is a tool, you still get hungry in your head and you still need to control your cravings. The band is like a good pair of crutches for someone what has a bum leg. It works if you use it right. My surgery was in Mexico and it was a snap. Walk a lot after the procedure as soon as you can, I think it makes a world of difference. You are going to love your journey. Good luck. Sally

I had a great experience in Mexico and would do it over again in a minute. I have a local fill Dr. that I will be seeing on 6/12. I had absolutely no problems with pain on the journey home several hours by plane and car. Do your research and find someone you feel comfortable with. Then just go for it. You won't regret it. Sally

Hi Gerard, I know this is the MENS room but though this was a pretty generic question. Since I had my surgery in Mexico on 4/14 I feel confident it is a great choice for people that are self pay. My Dr. was Francisco Gonzalez in Tijuana and I was very pleased. In fact I read some of the comment from people that had their surgery here in the states and I am thankful I went to Mexico. I will have my first fill on 6/12 here in Michigan so that will also be a new experience. Let me know if I can answer any more questions. Good luck, you won't regret your decision. Sally

Lapband4me, I used to live in Phoenix for 3 1/2 years. Too darn hot! Congratulations on your weight loss. Sounds like you know West MI pretty well. How long will you be in GR for the wedding? Let me know maybe we can get together. Sally

Hi Barbie, Do you live in Detroit. I just scheduled my first fill in Troy at the fill center USA since I had my surgery in Mexico and will be going there on the 30th of this month. Sally

Hi Cyd, Congratulations on all your accomplishments so far. This is only the beginning. As far as a foreign body in your body be glad its not a pacemaker or some other device that you can't live without because of your weight. Learn to love it and it will work for you in wonderful ways. Blessings, Sally

Thanks so much. I was thinking of going to the fill center in Troy but Kalamazoo is only an hour away and my daughter lives in Mattawan so I could visit (just not for lunch! hehehe) How long have you had your band? How is it going? I am so glad I had this done but I hope the fills don't create an unpleasant experience for me. Thanks again, Sally

It will be fine. I went to Mexico alone, flew home 4 hours and drove back from the airport 2 hours the next day. The day after that I went back to work doing massage. It was a cinch and I'm 58 years old so you won't have any problems. Gotta love yourself enough to hold your own hand. Good vibes are being sent your way from all of us. Blessings, Sally