LoisinStA

Holy Crap!!! Is that for real??

How much biotin are you taking each day? I am thinking I might want to start now when I am not having a problem.

I haven't noticed anything different when I use a straw or I don't. I also make my drinks with a ton of ice and have not had any problems.

My surgery was in April and since then I eat to live, not live to eat. I must admit that some of the pleasure of eating has gone because I am eating differently now. There are certain foods that just don't go down well and others are just an effort - chew, chew, chew, eat slowly, etc - all behaviors that were foreign to me. The good news is that my cravings have gone away - I don't crave sweets anyone and the urge to binge has gone - probably because I know that I can't do it. Food is not important to me anymore and that's OK. I have no problem going out to eat, going to parties, etc. and finding something to eat - I just eat MUCH less and take the leftovers - usually can get 3-4 meals out of a restaurant portion. All in all, NO REGRETS!! My foodie friends miss me joining in with mucho gusto, but losing 35 pounds feels better than eating a pint of ice cream.

Has anyone noticed any correlation between your band feeling tighter when the weather changes and there are bad thunder storms? About a week ago, my band started to feel tight and I was having trouble eating. It has also been storming very badly every day for the past week or so. I was wondering if barometric pressure might have any effect on the band. Just a thought.....

Since I couldn't/wouldn't give up my one cup of vanilla nut coffee each morning, I decided to mix it with my protein powder. I make a pot of coffee each MOnday and refrigerate it. Each morning I take about 8 oz of coffee, one sweet and low and a scoop of protein power and put in a large measuring cup. I then blend with my immersion blender, pour over ice and enjoy it. I bought my whey protein powder online in vanilla cake flavor and chocolate fudge - some days I use half of each and it is great. It is my treat for the day.:thumbs_up:

I was banded in early April and still have a goose egg near my port - don't know if it is from surgery or from my first fill when I developed a hematoma. I have lost 35 pounds and it now sticks out. I asked my fill doctor about it and he said that when I get to my goal if it is still sticking out he can do a port replacement to a low profile port - minor office procedure. When I wear a knit top and look in the mirror at just the right angle, I see the goose egg.

I used Dr. Zapata in Monterrey Mexico - it was a fabulous experience...clean hospital, wonderful doctors. I was taken care of from the time I was picked up at the airport til the time I was dropped off again 4 days later. When I got back home, I called the surgeon on his cell phone to ask him a question and he called me back within 5 minutes. When was the last time your USA doctor called you back so quickly?

I went to Mexico for my surgery - met my sister there who was also having surgery. We both went alone and it was fine. I would do it again in a minute. I have lost 34 pounds since April 9th and feel great. My treatment in Mexico was fabulous - the hospital was very clean, the doctors were terrific and I was taken care of from the moment I was picked up at the airport til the moment I was dropped off at the airport 4 days later.

I was banded on April 7th...have lost 34 pounds, 16 more to go! I used to eat Cookies by the bag, ice cream by the pint (not every day but whenever I got the urge/craving). Since my surgery, I have had a cookie once or twice, no ice cream, and really very little that is sweet or baked. The really interesting part is that I no longer have cravings for that stuff. When I was in the grocery store yesterday, I would walk through ALL the aisles and amazingly the bad stuff did not call out to me. It surprises me every time. When I am at other people's homes and they serve dessert I can take one or two bites and be completely satisfied. My morning Protein shake and my nightly sugar free fudgesicle (sp?) seem to take care of my sweet tooth. BTW, I was also a bread and Pasta addict and have not had any pasta and once in a while I have a piece of bread. Hope this helps to encourage you that you can beat your sweet tooth...

You don't always know within a few hours. My last fill, fill #3 did not kick in until 2 weeks after. I was all set to go for another fill and 3 days before I was going I noticed more restriction than had been in the first 2 weeks. It seemed strange to me for it to take that long to it to kick in but it happened. I have to drive 1 1/2 hours so I can relate to what you are saying.

When I was given the choice, I told my doctor to make the decision. I did not know enough about them to make an intelligent decision - he does this surgery every day - he's the expert. I had my surgery done in Mexico and he used the Inamed lap band.

I went back to Atlanta to visit family last weekend and loaded up on some things from Trader Joe's. They are wonderful bruschetta, tapenades, and other vegetable dippy things that are delicious. I also picked up some Thai sauces that would be great with chicken and/or fish.

I needed to lose 50 pounds and had a not too terrible BMI. Since I was self pay, I chose to go to Mexico where I had the surgery done for $7,000 (which included 2 night in a very nice hotel, one night at the hospital in a private room, all the tests, doctor's charges, etc AND transportation to and from the airport. I was able to get a round trip airline ticket from Jacksonville, FL for $500. The only recommendation I would make is for you to set up your aftercare before you go. Most US doctors will not take you on if you had your surgery in Mexico - there are fill centers around the US that you can find for your fills. I found a doctor in Orlando who took me on as a patient. In Mexico, I went to Monterrey and had the surgery done by Dr. Zapata. It was a fabulous experience all the way around - except for the fact that it was surgery.

If you can find someone that you know or who knows someone you know, that has had the surgery in Mexico, ask them about their experience. I found Dr. Zapata through my sister who had a friend who used him. After many discussions with her, we felt comfortable that we would have a favorable experience like she did and decided to go to him. It was more than favorable and since my surgery, I have come to find other patients of his here in NE "Florida who also had good experiences with him. Doing research is well and good but nothing is better than a personal recommendation.

I got a fill on June 3rd. Felt good but thought I could use a little more. Mty doctor was out of town last week so I set up an appointment for this coming Thursday. All of a sudden yesterday and today I seem to not be able to eat as much, getting more stuff stuck. Is it possible that after 13 days it would tighten??? Anyone else have this happen? I figured I would see how I do tomorrow and Wednesday and then decide if I want to keep the appointment. Any advice would be appreciated....

I have been going to Altamonte Springs, FL ( just outside Orlando) to Dr. Beltre - he is wonderful. I have also sent other folks there who also love him - we have all been banded in Mexico. I am going back to him on Tuesday - for my third fill. He is knoweldgeable, personable and easy to get in to see. It takes 1 1/2 hours to get there from St. Augustine. If you want any additional info about him, feel free to PM me and I will share whatever I know. I highly recommend him.

I need some advice. I got my second fill on May 15th for a total of 2.25 cm in a 10 cm band. At first I felt the restriction and things were going ok. After about a week, I noticed I was eating larger portions and was getting very hungry after only 3-4 hours. About 4 hours after lunch I am ready to eat my arm with my stomach growling like a lion. I think that if I get a small fill I will get to that point of eating less and not being starving so quickly. What do you think????? Oh, BTW, I haven't lost any weight in the past 1 1/2 weeks and my snacking has increased (which is why I am sure I haven't lost any weight). Thanks.....

I had my surgery in Monterrey Mexico by Dr. Zapata in April. The doctor and his anesthesiologist were very professional. The surgery was done on MOnday morning, he came by to see me in the hospital that evening and again the following morning before my discharge. During his visits, he answered all my questions and added additional information that he thought I needed to know. The hospital was clean and my care was impeccable. I would do it again in a minute. The most impressive part came after I got home. I developed a bad case of diaahrea. I called his US facilitator and she told me to call the doctor directly. I had his cell phone number so I called. I left a brief message and within 5 minutes he called back and told me what to do. I don't know, but when I call my doctor's office here in the states, it sometimes takes over 24 hours for a call back.

I am sorry you had such a bad experience. I had a fabulous experience in Mexico with Dr. Zapata. The hospital was as clean or cleaner than any I have seen here in the US. I would go back there in a minute and recommend him to all.

I emailed the doctor in St. Augustine and they do NOT work with folks who have been banded out of the country.

I too was banded by Dr. Zapata - isn't he wonderful. A few days after I got back I had terrible diarrhea also. We called him, he called back within 5 minutes and told us to eat yogurt with active cultures. He said that he thought it was the antibiotic that we were given - it destroyed the balance of bacteria in the stomach. It helped.

I went yesterday for my 2nd fill and it was great - he used something to numb me first and then found the port pretty quickly - I didn't feel a thing. What a difference from the first time. :thumbup:

Are these doctors who will do fills for Mexico banded patients as well. I am particularly interested in St. Augustine...I am currently traveling to Altamonte Springs for fills (1 1/2 hours).

I had my first fill last Tuesday - have to drive 1 1/2 hours to get it done since I was banded in Mexico and no local doctors will take care of me. With no anesthesia, it took a few good pokes and prods before the port was found. I was filled with 1.5 cc. After a week, no weight loss, intense hunger I made an appt. for tomorrow for another fill. I developed a huge hematoma after the first fill and still have an egg size lump that sticks out of my stomach. It feels hard and now I worry that my port moved, or scar tissue is surrounding it, etc. - all the things that I have just read about. I will discuss all of this with the doctor tomorrow. I must say I am nervous - it was pretty painful last time...hope it won't be so bad this time. Going through the pain and then not losing any weight was not fun....