matamace

email me at tamryno@msn.com because I dont know how to get around on this site. Thanks, Tammy

Our experience was wonderful! We flew in 1 day early and stayed in the recommended hotel. They picked us up in the morning. The ride in the van was ok but if you suffer from motion sickness you'll want to ask ahead of time if you can take something. When we arrived at the hospital we met Dr Aceves. A very nice man! The staff weighed and measured us and the usual routine medical stuff. They also gave us a tour of the hospital. Then they took us to a very nice hotel maybe 20 miuntes away (?) They told us we could eat anything we wanted (we had to pay for it of course). Then we all met with one of the Dr's and he explained everything that would happen the following day. He showed us an actual band, explained the surgery, and the life we would have after the surgery. He answered all of our questions. They gave us sleeping pills to make sure everyone got good rest. In the morning they took us to the hospital and checked us into our rooms. Dr Aceves came to talk to us individuallyand answer any questions. They gave us some medication and then took us in for surgery. When we got out of surgery they had us up and walking within a couple of hours. They were generous with the pain meds and very accomodating. Since my husband and I were scheduled 1 day apart I slept on a VERY COMFY sofa in his room the first night. The next day (my surgery day) I had my own room. We wanted to share a room that night so they gave us a bigger room but the couch in it wasn't as comfortable so they moved beds and swapped sofas! The facility was very clean. There was NEVER a time that we were in the hallways that we didn't see someone mopping or cleaning! We met with Dr after surgery and they gave us a written detailed report of our surgery along with xrays to take home. We met with a nutritionalist about our future diet. We were driven back to the airport with "Pain meds to go" and haven't regretined one second of it.

Day 1 - Get picked up / get medical info / explain procedure

Day 2 - Surgery

Day 3 - Still in hospital, see nutritionalist

Day 4 - Go home

It has almost been 1 year for us. We went back for a fill 7 weeks after surgery. It wasn't enough but we didn't go back. I was still able to eat way too much junk. We got our 2nd fill locally 1 month ago and I finally understand fully what it's like to live with the band! I have lost 33 pounds. It might not soung like a huge success story but I haven't excersized 1 single bit and eat ice cream every night. Fortunately it's physically impossible to get a Big Mac down. Keep in mind also that I wasn't as overweight as a lot of people with the band. I started at 205 and am now 172. I went from a size 18/20 to 10/12. Also consider that it's been 1 year and I haven't GAINED weight! My husband has lost 60 pounds. (28 of it has been since we had the proper fill 1 month ago) He also doesn't excersize. He went from 305 down to 245. (He's 5'11)

We don't regret 1 single dime that we've paid and would recommend this to anyone with a weight problem!

Good luck with your decision. Go for it, you'll be SO GLAD THAT YOU DID!!!!!

PBing is Productive Burping. I haven't had it much and Ive been banded for 9 months although I never had proper restriction until last week so this is all basically new for me. I have quite the case of hiccups right now which is why I'm on this sight (hey, I think they stopped! Apparently it just takes yelling at children to make them go away!)

As far as your diet, Unjury Protein Powder is good. They have a money back guarentee too. A really good drink is SlimFast Low Carb vanilla drink. It's really dumb but the Low Carb version has more Protein than the High Protein version. It's really good but for some reason it gives you bad breath. I still drink them because they have 20 grams protein and 180 calories. Good luck to you and congratulations on making such a positive life changing decision!

It's on the calendar! Thanks! What's your name (if you don't mind me asking) We're about the same age and I grew up in Burlington. Just curious. If you don't want to answer that's fine it probably seems kinda weird. Well, hope to see ya at Haggens, Tammy

when were you banded? Will you email me at tamryno@msn.com It's much easier than finding messages on this site. I would love to chat with you, I could sure use some support!

Yes, I am high Protein (60-70g/day) and low carb. I love "Slim Fast Low Carb Diet" drink. It has 20g protein and only 4g carbs. Don't confuse it with "Slim Fast High Protein" drink which has less protein and more carbs (weird!) I also use "Unjury" Protein Powder. 1 scoop of chocolate is 20g protein and works well in pudding. I don't even notice it! I am soooo burned out on the chicken broth but is is actually pretty good. I think I found it at Unjury.com. I'm doing ok with it all. I'll email you in the next few days. Take care

I am totally happy with losing 15 pounds. It's more than I lost before the band! If I could have lost it on my own I wouldn't have got the band. I did email my Doc, Im just waiting for a response. This forum thing is confusing for me. Email me at tamryno@msn.com so we can keep in touch since we were banded so close together. It's fun to follow the success (and frustration) of the girls who were banded the same day I was in the same hospital and 2 others the next day which is when my husbands was. Hope to talk to you soon!

Good luck to you on your weight loss journey. When you can have full liquids try "Slim Fast Low Carb Diet" drink. 180 cal, 4g carbs, 20g Protein and tastes GREAT! (Vanilla Cream). Don't confuse it with "Slim Fast High Protein" drink which has less protein and more carbs (weird huh?) Good Luck!

I'm 3 weeks post-op AND DOWN 15 POUNDS!!! After I eat or drink I get a sharp pain in my right side about waist level. My 11 oz Protein Drink (SO GOOD!!!!!!!) I drink on the way to work (15 minutes) and I have that sharpness. Today I drank it over the course of 1/2 hour. Then 1/2 hour later had 5 bites of pudding and have had the pain for 30 minutes now. Not "painful" or unbearable but it's definately noticeable. Anyone else have that?:smile2:

Crush it and put it in juice or applesauce. Not all pills are nasty. My Dr recommended to put it in food rather than liquid (I don't remember why though) Call your local pharmacist since they know the make-up of the drug. Some drugs can't be taken crushed as it will have a different effect. What do you take?

Jo75219 , When are you scheduled? Ask WASabubblebutt about Ortiz, she seems to have the scoop! Good luck to you!!

My surgery with Aceves is $7,900 which includes being picked up at the San Diego airport and driven 90 minutes to Mexicali. 1 night hotel stay the night before and 2 nights in the hospital. They also take us back to the airport. My husbands surgery is this friday the 4th and mine is Saturday the 5th. We are both VERY excited (and scared!)

Hope all goes well for you! email me and let me know tamryno@msn.com (I'm still trying to figure out how to navigate my way around this forum.) I'll be thinking about you on Friday!! Tammy

never mind, Isee it now. Congratulations on your weight loss!

when were you banded?

Thanks everyone for your reassurance I'm getting pretty excited!

Congratulations on your success! I tried to click on your picture to make it bigger but I don't know how. I LOVE the before and after pics. How do I see yours better? Sounds like Aceves comes highly recommended if you've referred that many people. I'm felling better already! The pics and stories are so inspirational, I can't wait to be one of them!

Thanks for the reassurance. Looks like you've lost a lot of weight in a short period of time. Congratulations, it's very encouraging!

My husband and I are both scheduled with Dr aceves in April 2008. We haven't read anything bad about him so far. I do keep seeing Dr. Ortiz and Rumbaut's name pop up all over. I hope I am making the right choice. Aceves was cheaper than Rumbaut and closer to the border. Those 2 factors are what persuaded our decision to go to Aceves but I want to make sure he has a good reputation. This is scary stuff to me, I hope we made the right decision!

We refinanced our home as well. We will be going to Mexico to have Dr. Aceves band us. It's around $8,000 Good luck to you

I'm 38 years old and live in Sedro Woolley. My husband and I will both be getting banded by Dr Aceves in April 2008. Would like to see if there is a support group nearby and if anyone has any advice. Thanks, Tammy

My husband and I are still doing research and have heard a lot about Dr. Rumbaut. Please share your experiences good AND bad. We need inexpensive due to no insurance coverage and the cost is doubled since we are both doing it. However, I don't want back alley/basement surgery either. (I don't think Dr Rumbaut is back alley) Please help with your feedback - I am anxious to get banded! Tammy