PhotoNut

Err.. after I posted this, I re-read your post and realized that you weren't asking about going to Ortiz for the band, but for fills. However, since I spend all the time on the reply, I'm going to go ahead and post it. Who knows, maybe you'll be glad you read it. :confused: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nuria, there have been many long and lengthy threads full of debates over your question - should I go to Mexico or get the band locally. There are a lot of things to consider when going out of the country. The primary concerns are finding local after care for your fills and medical support (some Dr's won't touch someone banded in Mexico); what if something goes wrong with your band when you return home? (most people cant afford to fly across country for a Dr visit); there have been some questions about the quality of care in Mexico, particularly in TJ. (I am not trying to discredit anyone here, just saying that I've heard of some serious issues with the Dr's there. Although quite a few patients still stand behind Dr Ortiz, I have heard enough to make my shy away from him). Here are a few threads you might want to scan through while doing your research. A thread about TJ vs Monterey: http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15047 A thread about erosion started by Dr. Ortiz: (This is a very long thread, but many people had some very good things to say in it, so its worth the read.) http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14432 A gathering of statitical information from LBT bandsters: http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14559 As for foods you can or can't eat, that will only been found out when you try to eat them. Everyone is different. Many experience problems with stringly, grissly meats that are hard to digest or chew small enough (steak and hamburger) but some people can eat them with no problem. Also, soft fluffy breads and gooey pastas seem to cause problems, probably because they just turn in to large balls of goo in the tummy and are hard to pass through the banded area of the tummy. I hope I've helped ya some. Best of luck to you in your decision making. Take your time and go with your instincts. Above all, choose saftey and logic over cost.

Oh yeah, some people deal with the gas for a long time. Walk as much as you can, the more you move around the quicker that gas will dissapate. And do drink protein! Be careful to get a good one, otherwise you'll just be dealing with more gas, of a different kind. *chuckles*

Hiya DeeDee, My adivce would be to make sure youre eating enough Protein. Try to eat about every three hours. Small meals, avoid carbs because they are quickly burned up by the body and you'll be looking for more fuel in no time. If you do go to the buffets, choose chicken and some veggies. Eat very slowly and don't drink while you're eating. Maybe have someone else go up to get your food so you dont have to face all of the temptations? If you'll be with friends or family, maybe they would be willing to bring back an extra small plate and share a bit with you since they can get more. I hope youre fill gives you all the restriction you need before you go. Best of luck to you!

Ack! No oil, it will coat your skin and hold in the heat. Plus I've found (from the old days of laying out in the sun) that baby oil actually dries out my skin. Here are some tips I found online: Medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are useful, especially when started early. For mild sunburn, cool compresses with equal parts of milk and Water may suffice. You may also use cold compresses with Burow solution. You can buy this at a drugstore. Dissolve 1 packet in 1 pint of water. Soak gauze or a soft clean cloth in it. Gently wring out the cloth and apply to the sunburned area for 15-20 minutes. Change or refresh the cloth and solution every 2-3 hours. Anyone raised in a beach community knows the secret of aloe-based lotions. There are many commercially available types. Ask the pharmacist at your local drugstore. Tearing apart your aloe plant in the yard and applying the cool jellylike substance inside the leaves is no longer necessary. Cool (not ice cold) baths may help. Avoid bath salts, oils, and perfumes because these may produce sensitivity reactions. Avoid scrubbing the skin or shaving the skin. Use soft towels to gently dry yourself. Don’t rub. Use a light, fragrance-free skin moisturizer. Avoid lotions that contain topical anesthetic medications because you can become sensitized and then allergic to that medicine. Obviously, stay out of the sun while you are sunburned. |Medical Treatment| Silver sulfadiazine (1% cream, Thermazene) can be used for treatment of sunburn with appropriate cautions about use on the face. If your case is mild and not life threatening, the doctor may simply suggest plenty of fluids, aspirin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Additional topical measures such as cool compresses, Burow solution soaks, or high-quality moisturizing creams and lotions may be prescribed. If your case is severe enough, oral steroid therapy (cortisonelike medications) may be prescribed for several days. Steroid creams placed on the skin show minimal to no benefit. Stronger pain-relieving medication may be prescribed in certain cases. If you have blistering, steroids may be withheld to avoid an increased risk of infection. If you are dehydrated or suffering from heat stress, IV fluids will be given, and you may be admitted to the hospital. People with very severe cases may be transferred to the hospital’s burn unit.

I figured that's what happened. I've done that before too *grins a Donali* I'm sure Deb will understand that she just happened to be in the way when the blast finally came. *hugs* Try to have a good night at work Lou.

Aww Lou, I don't think Deb meant it like that. I think she was trying to say what's wrong with eating a cookie? And I think she meant it to those who say not to eat a cookie. I hear you. I really do hear you and my heart is breaking for you. If you are seeing a counselor, I would strongly suggest you change to one who can also hear you. I think Jachut is right.. you need to take care of your insides first. And while you might get a lot of well meaning advice here, I think your need goes beyond what any of us can do and I worry that your disappointment in the responses you get here will only lead to deeper feeling of despondence. Please forgive those us of like me who are only looking on the surface and handing out more pep talks for losing weight. I really do hear you now, and I really do want you to find someone who is qualified to really help you. Not just charge you $100 an hour to feed you crap. There is someone out there that you'll relate with and can help you. I'm sure of it. And please dont think I'm telling you to stop looking for support here. By no means. Stick close to your friends here, but try to be patient with those of us who fumble around while -trying- to give you the right answers. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. I promise. *hugs*

Heyas Nickysmom, It took me until about the middle of week three to stop feeling so darn sore and get rid of the gas (thats what the pressure on your chest is). Some people walk out of the hosptial the same day feeling great, and go shopping the next day. Others require a few weeks. Don't get discouraged, and don't push yourself.. this will all pass and you'll soon be feeling great. How long has your doctor told you to be on clear liquids? Mine told me to be getting 60 grams of Protein everyday from day one to help the muslces repair and fight infection. Could it be you misunderstood about not being able to have Protein shakes? Maybe you should check in with your doctor to be sure?

So happy to hear everything went ok for you. And I had that sinking feeling of OMG what have I done about a week after surgery. It will pass and as you start seeing your weightloss you'll have answered your own question of why??!

Aww, hang in there Pattman. It's amazing what weightloss can do for our self esteems and in turn help our relationships with everyone. Grats on you and your wife's weightloss! Is she banded too, or going it alone like my Dawg?

I'll be believing everything's just fine, Razz. Let us know when you find out anything. *hugs*

Sorry if this hijacks the thread, but what kind of tanning bed/booth/whatever gives you a tan like that?? I've -never- been tan, and I wanna! *whines*

When Dawg and I reach our goal weights, we will have lost that 284 pound person that's been coming between us for years. No more threesomes! *grins*

*tries to look very serious* Well, yes. Isn't that what I'm supposed to be eating?

Well hm.. I suppose this might happen if the information convinced you that you were not willing to undergo such things in your life. However, nothing I learned about the band scared me away, or made me doubt my decision. In fact, it encouraged me and empowered me to proceed. Sure, there are problems we might run into, but nothing fatal. Perhaps you need to sift through your information and breaks it into a logical pro's and con's list. See where you are then?

I'm reminded of the stuff I read in Gypsygirl's blog about the trouble she had with fills. Skim thru it and see what you think. I haven't had a fill yet, but from all I've heard, and from reading her blog, I'd say that MyKdsDad is right when he asked why not just back off a little? Why remove the whole thing and then try to put so much back in at one time? Anyway, read her blog! You'll be inspired and maybe get some help with what you're going through. By the way, Gypsygirl is my Hero of Today as well. She rocks! :confused: Here's the link to her blog: http://obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=G1029860910

*gasps* Clipping your own toenails! I can't wait to sit on the bed and put my foot up and clips my toesnails without being out of breath from having to fold up so much fat! LOL Good for you Hairagain!

Dawg's right! We had our first full frontal hug yesterday since surgery, well even before because of my painful hernia. We used to have to lean in with our shoulders and keep our hips back because our bellys were too big! But yesterday we had a great hug. Amazing what 77 pounds can do for a hug! (As of today - me, 38 pounds.. dawg, 39 pounds!)

Here ya go.

I take Synthroid, .1 mg. It was no problem with my doctor. I was told that as long as these things are controlled, they will not deter your weightloss. I was almost turned down because of depression seen in the psyc tests. But they gave me a few more weeks on the Efexor I had been taking for only 4 weeks and then retested me. I was still depressed, but what a change for the better. I was diagnosed as being severely depressed but in remission. LOL Something else to remember as we lose weight is to keep tabs on the levels we take. The weight change could change what we require.

We all need a certain amount of carbs. Healthy carbs are found in fruits and veggies and whole grains. Empty carbs are usually the ones we find the hardest to eat - soft fluffy breads, gooey noodles and the like. These typically get stuck and cause PBs (productive burps) because no matter how much you chew, they still glom together in the stomach and form a ball of food too large to fit through the banded stomach. Many will say they can still eat breads but have to eat it very very slowly, giving each bit time to pass through before adding in more. And many also agree that because of the time it takes to eat it, along with the risk of it not going down, it's just not worth the effort. I am a dough freak. I still think about breads from time to time, but I plan on turning to a thin 1/2 piece of diet whole wheat toast when I can't stand it anymore. The drier stuff, like crackers and toast seem to be no problem for most folks. Hope that helped.

So last night I was sitting here at my desk, like I always do. I was leaning forward in my chair and, as usual, I could feel my fat belly rolling onto the tops of my thighs. I sighed and thought, "That is so gross, I can't wait until I'm not freaking fat any more!" Then I reached down to touch my stomach and much to my surprise it wasn't my belly at all! I was feeling a fleece jacket that I had laid over my lap earlier because my legs were cold. I had rolled it up on my lap so it wouldn't hang in the floor. I blinked and moved it and even though my belly roll still touches my legs it was nothing like I was used to! OMG!! This is working! *insane laughter*

During the first few weeks of the post-op diet I was instructed to get about 600 calories a day. During the second phase I have been on 800 calories a day. (Getting in 60 grams of Protein during these phases can be tricky, but possible and important.) Tomorrow is my six week mark and I'll be slowly moving up to 1,200. And right now, 1,200 seems like so much food! I'm having a hard time eating enough to reach 800! Oh yes, I love my band too!

My mother was visiting us the day I found out there was a way to get the money to get banded. Within minutes she was on her cell phone chatting with a friend, and to my dismay I hear my dear mother telling her friend that I was going to have weight loss surgery. I fussed at her a bit, trying to be nice about it, but within minutes she was telling someone else! Ack! I can't complain too much though. I've been banded 6 weeks now, and last weekend I proudly told a complete stranger in the grocery store that I have the lapband. LOL

Hello 4MyFuture! Wow, you sound exactly like I did pre-surgery. Nervous, excited, depressed, elated, worried if I could do it, what if I failed, let's get this thing done!, but.. but.. my food! *cries* I just knew in my heart that I was doing the right thing for me. My problem is quantity eating. I was eating so much at one time that it makes me gag just to think about it now. The transition to eating small amounts has been easy for me so far. It's odd to prepare 1/2 cup of food and believe that it's really going to satisfy you, but it really does! I can eat more in the evenings, so I really have to watch myself not to overdo it. I can tell I'm full when I start to feel pressure behind my breastplate. Not the same overstuffed gut feeling I'm used to, so I have to eat slowly and be on the lookout for that new feeling. If I'm distracted by tv or the computer while I eat, it's easy to miss that feeling. I used to eat fast, and I often felt that uncomfortable feeling of too much food going down the pipe at once, but once it was down I kept eating. Now I have to stop when I feel that. So, it's been a change, but one that's not so very hard to do. I also fear PBs so I'm careful to chew, chew, chew till it's goo. This new way of eating has also allowed my head enough time to get the signal that it's time to stop, I'm no longer hungry. Something a lot of us other bandsters have been talking about recently is the importance of knowing that the band is not a cure all for eating disorders. Those who have serious disorders are not really good candidates for the band. It doesn't resolve emotional issues, it merely controls the quantity of food we eat. It won't change pizza and cake into health foods. In order to succeed with the band, you will need to be prepared to make some changes. Choosing healthy foods that agree with your band, exercising, taking your Vitamins, and drinking 64oz of Water per day. Yup, that sounds like dieting doesn't it? Well, actually it is a factual thing that we all face in order to be healthy. The band is a tool which helps us keep from falling completely to Point A when we do slip up, but it won't keep you from slipping up. If you think you're ready to make that kind of commitment to your health, then you'll do fine. And as for you concerned family members, perhaps providing them with more information will help them relax and become more supportive. I know that some of my family's instant reaction was fear, but that's because they didn't know the facts about the lapband and thought I was going for the extreme bypass surgery. Best of luck to you! Oh.. and get those appointments set up! Don't waste anymore time! *big smiles*

Welcome to LBT, Jen. There's a bunch of great bandsters in the DFW area that will have you feeling like one of the gang in no time. I admire their group. Best of luck to you and keep us all posted on how things are going for you!