agreatknead

Hi, I also have told very few people. I had my surgery on 4-14 and only my daughter and husband knew I was going to have it done in Mexico. Since then I have told a few people who have all been very supportive. I guess part of my fear was that I needed this tool to help me make this happen and my other fear was, what if it doesn't work the way I think it will and I've told then about this great surgery, WOW now they will really be watching me. Well, what I think is happening is that the weight loss is pretty slow, not like GB. No one seems to be paying any attention to what I am eating and they just think I finally have learned how to stick to my diet. I imagine I will tell others as time goes by but I don't think I need to rush into it. Just do what you are comfortable with and don't worry about it and no one else will. Good luck, your on the right path. Blessings, Sally

Hi, Does anyone have info on a fill Dr. in the GR area? I had my surgery in Mexico and have made a couple of calls. Everyone so far says no fills for Mexico lap bands. I would love to go back to my Dr. in Mexico for all my fills but the flights just keep going higher and higher with the gas prices :biggrin: and fewer flights I better find a way to stay closer to home. Thanks, Sally

Hey Christy, Look at it this way, its not as far as Mexico :-). You are going to be so happy to have this done. Congratulations. Sally

Hi Janessis, I went by myself to Mexico and had my band done on 4/14. The experience was great. I was up and walking 30 min after I woke up from surgery. I flew home the next day for 4 hours, rode in a car for 2 hrs and worked part of the day the next day. I have lost 15 lbs since surgery and expect to go back to Tijuana in a week or 2 for my first fill. I had Dr. Francisco Gonzalez and was very pleased with all the staff there. Much better care than my daughter had when she broke her ankle and was in the hospital here in the states. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I will be happy to answer any of your questions that I can. Blessings and good luck, Sally

Hello Blkshadow, I recently watch a DVD of Louise Hay working with a group of aids patients and one young man said "it's time for me to stop asking what am I dying of and start focusing on what am I living for. When you look at yourself in the mirror imagine you are looking at someone else that you love. Would you be that critical or would you say "your perfect just the way you are and now you just need to get perfecter!" :biggrin: Let the meds do their work and try to shift your focus to the good things in your life. They say your energy flows where your attention goes. Beautiful children and an opportunity to turn your physical body around while you are still young. You are very blessed. We will all be here for you helping in what ever way we can but you need to do the rest and it sounds like you are. Good job. Blessings, Sally

Hi Christy, I am also 58 and live in Michigan. I was banded on 4/14 in Mexico. What part of the state do you live in? I am in Grand Rapids. I had a wonderful experience in Mex. and have not had any problems to date. I have lost 15 lbs. that were impossible before and am looking forward to my first fill. Sally

Hi, I was banded on April 14 in Mex. I live in Grand Rapids, where are you? Sally

Hi There, I loved the title of your thread. You know they say opinions are just like assholes, everyone has one. You know you are on a healthy path, just follow it and make as little mention as possible about what you are eating and no one will pay any attention. I have been amazed at how little attention anyone pays to what I eat since the surgery. I really didn't tell anyone and though they would be asking why I wasn't eating as much but no one really cares. If you don't give your friends anything to push against they won't know what to do and will let it go. You will win in the end, we are all so proud of you. Usually people that criticize are the ones that don't have the balls to do what we did! Good job! Sally

Hi Jess, Congratulations, I also had wonderful days after my surgery on April 14th. If you like to cook try making some chicken soup. Use the chicken for the broth then take out the chicken and finish cooking the veggies. Add lots of seasoning like basil and chives a lot of garlic (if you like it) it's very good for you and maybe some Lowery's then do a quick whip in the blender. It's a little thick but I found it really satisfying. Don't forget lots of water and its getting to be ice tea season too. The days will go fast and getting on the scale in the morning really helps that feeling in your stomach because you know there is a good reason for it. Keep up the good work. Blessings, Sally

Hi Medge, I can understand how frustrated you are. Do you live in Michigan? I live in Grand Rapids but I had my surgery done in Mex. It sounds like your Dr. is not going to budge so be kind to yourself. Even if you gain a pound or two, this is something we are doing for a lifetime, all is well. When I went to Mex I met a lady who had her surgery in November and didn't get her first fill till April and she had lost 40 pounds. The end of the month will be here before you know it :-) Sally

Hi, My Dr. explained to me that all the sensors that tell you that you are full are at the top of the stomach (makes sense for a person with a normal appetite). Since the pouch is at the top of the stomach that full feeling is reached very quickly. It seems to be working for me and I am 2 weeks since surgery today. Good luck, the band is a wonderful tool but you still have to do the work. Blessings, Sally

Go for it. Have a positive attitude and know that your prayers have been answered. I know that if you really believe that this is the right thing for you no one will deny it! Blessings, Sally

gwhite, Has anybody told you lately how amazing you are? How brave you have been to take the steps you have taken? What an amazing gift is this body we live in? You have already done things that some people live all their lives without doing. In 1999 my husband died of lung cancer and I lived by myself for the first time in my life at age 50. It can be frightening or it can be an amazing opportunity, you get to make the choice. Don't kick yourself when you are down, just pick yourself up and get going. Goodwill, Salvation Army and others have great clothes you can wrap your creative side around, it doesn't take much money to create a stunning outfit. Be as kind to yourself as you would be to someone you love. You gotta love yourself first, it's a rule. Blessings, Sally

Hi, I know my Dr. showed me photo's of people that exercised and people that didn't and there was a huge difference in the skin factor. It's a small factor considering the benefits of the weight loss but, exercise should definitely help. Blessing to you on your journey, Sally

Just remember, your chances of dying from this are much less than your chances of dying from childbirth and you have done that twice :-). I flew to Mexico to have my surgery and had the same thought very briefly then I just let it go and continued to focus on the bright future I will have. You will be so happy you had this done and so will your children. Blessings, Sally

Hi Jaclyn, So great to hear from you, I have been thinking of you and wondered how work went. Actually I don't have any problem with the pill. Dr. G said pills would be no problem till we get our first fill. My incisions are healing up great so I don't anticipate any problems but you should probably finish them up. You are going to be such a beautiful bride. I can't wait to see wedding pictures! I'm trying to figure out how to get my ticker on the sight, any ideas, anyone? Please take care and stay in touch. Sally

I agree, if you have no pain you are probably fine. A lot of healing can happen in 11 days. I am a massage therapist and I went back to work 2 days after surgery. Well, massage isn't exactly like pushing a Ford but sometimes it feels like it! Take care and try to help your bf remember to keep gas in the car!

Try a nice big glass of water or ice tea (if you like that) add some lemon and make it pretty. Hang in there, only 11 days to go. You will make it.

Hello Everyone, Just wanted to say thinks for all the support I have found on this site. I was banded in Tijuana, Mexico by Dr. Francisco Gonzalez on Monday 4/14. As of today I have lost 7 lbs and I feel great. The surgery and the surgery center seemed wonderful. I have only had one previous surgery in the states, a tubal ligation and this was much easier. The day after surgery I flew 4 hours and rode in a car for 3 hours with no discomfort whatsoever. That night I took 1 pain pill and the next night I took 1 pain pill and that's it! I feel great. I really recommend walking ASAP after surgery. I has up and trotting down the halls within a half hour after I woke up. I think it made a big difference. No one really encouraged me to walk that soon so you need to take responsibility for yourself and just get up and do it. I am 58 years old and finally decided I didn't want to spend the rest of my life looking for plus size stores (and I love to shop), I wanted the energy and that "feel good feeling" I would get when I lost weight but always gained it back (plus more). My husband has been so supportive and up to this point I have only told a few others. Mexico was a good decision for be because of being self pay. Something about paying for the surgery yourself can add that little extra desire to make this work, and I know this will. Feel good about your decision and then go for it..... Blessings, Sally

Hi Happy Joy, I have a date in April as well, the 14th. I will be going to Mexico because I am a self pay, but I live in Michigan. We should get together and compare notes. I have not told anyone except my husband and my daughter so it would be nice to have someone close to talk to. Good luck to your, I know it's going to be great for both of us and all the other April folks out there. April is all about new beginnings, you know! Blessings

Hi Lise, I love your blog. It is like sharing your journey with you. I didn't see any photo's of you though. When do we get to see the before and after? Sally

Hi Connie, My last name used to be Caldwell. What a small world. My husband passed away from cancer in 1999 and I have since re-married a wonderful man. They say there are only 6 levels of separation and the world is getting smaller every day with the help of the internet. I am very much looking forward to the cruise and then getting down to business. The next cruise I go on I want to be proud of the way I look in a bathing suit! Thanks for your support. Sally

Hi, Your post reminds me of one of my favorite quotes. "Be careful of the words you say, keep them soft and sweet because you never know from day to day which one's you'll have to eat." Sounds like you have a great Dr. Congratulations on you weight loss. My surgery is scheduled for 4-14 on Mexico. Hope to be able to use some of your hand me downs one day. Sally

Well, my first attempt at posting ended up being a reply instead of a new thread so I am trying again. Hope it works this time :wink: Hello All, You have no idea how helpful and supportive you all are to those of us lurking around this site. Thank you so much for helping me make my decision. I read Dr. Ortiz's book "Lap Band for Life" and will be going to Mexico for my surgery. Actually it worked out perfectly because I am going on a cruise out of San Diego with my daughter and granddaughter. It is a Body, Mind and Spirit cruise with Wayne Dyer and others. Since my daughter paid for my flight from Michigan I will already be in San Diego and will go for my surgery right after the cruise. My BMI is around 40 so I was allowed to forgo the pre-op diet. That's a good thing although I don't plan on splurging on the cruise I'd hate to be in my cabin drinking Iso-Pure while the others were dining in luxury :-). I look forward to having the help of all you wonderful people after surgery on April 14th. You are such a great group you have no idea how much you are appreciated. Blessings,:smile: Sally

Hello All, You have no idea how helpful and supportive you all are to those of us lurking around this site. Thank you so much for helping me make my decision. I read Dr. Ortiz's book "Lap Band for Life" and will be going to Mexico for my surgery. Actually it worked out perfectly because I am going on a cruise out of San Diego with my daughter and granddaughter. It is a Body, Mind and Spirit cruise with Wayne Dyer and others. Since my daughter paid for my flight from Michigan I will already be in San Diego and will go for my surgery right after the cruise. My BMI is around 40 so I was allowed to forgo the pre-op diet. That's a good thing although I don't plan on splurging on the cruise I'd hate to be in my cabin drinking Iso-Pure while the others were dining in luxury :-). I look forward to having the help of all you wonderful people after surgery on April 14th. You are such a great group you have no idea how much you are appreciated. Blessings,:smile: Sally