FunnyDuddies

I don't know about other mexico doctors. But the one I chose is Doctor Sanchez in Monterrey Mexico. He works out of an american hospital and I have been told that he will in fact take care of you if there are any complications afterwards like erosion or slippage. His cost covers the plane ticket, a few nights stay in his guest house, the surgery and a nights stay in an american owned hospital, and the surgery and band, plus all the psych and nutritional help, and free fills by him in MX.

Well the truth of it is that it has only been around for a relatively short amount of time compared to the other WLS out there. Still it has been around long enough to show that, for at least the first 10 years, there are no major complications that occur except for the ones we know of that are possible like erosion and slippage and leakage. But past that time we really don't know. It is good that you are doing this research though. It will make you more confident in whichever decision you make.

I love to share my smoothie recipe with people, so pardon the hijack. I got it from a gym DH and I went to in college. It is the best smoothie I have ever tasted, and I know you will like it too. 2 bananas peeled, broken in half and then frozen 1 cup frozen strawberries 1 cup plain yogurt 2 cups 100% apple juice .25 cup wheat germ (optional for additional fibre) You can add anything else to this. I usually add some more frozen mixed berries, esp .5 a cup of frozen blueberries. They are sooooo good for you. You can also substitute POM pomagranite juice, but that can get pricey. POM is extremely good for you though. The key is for all the fruit to be frozen. This allows you to blend it all without having to add ice and Water everything down. The yogurt is a great way to get dairy Calcium and Protein. The fruit is all natural and healthy of course. the wheat germ I like because it adds Fiber and a littl crunchyness to it all. It also helps to fill you up and keep you full for a while. Put your juice, yogurt and bananas in the blender. Liquify. Add other frozen fruit till blended and liquified. Then add wheat germ. Pour and drink. It is a fabulous taste, really really thick, and not watered down in any way. Enjoy!!

I am on such a tear to be 299 by the time my surgery happens. I am using fitday.com, and working out everyday (hour of tae bo and hour of pilates). I am gonna do this!! Dammit! LOL I am also keeping my diet to around 1200 a day. I have eaten so much healthy stuff i feel like i am going to sprout roots and grow a tree out of my ear.

Hi JJ! Welcoe to LBT! Glad you have decided to start posting. First things first. My family also felt surgery in Mexico was insane. Even I had some speculation about it all. I am not familiar with Dr. Kuri, but I know that there are some REALLY good hospitals in MX. The dr I chose was Dr. Sanchez who is in Monterrey MX. The hospital he practices out of is actually owned by an american team, and those who have gone to it say it is nicer, cleaner, and a lot friendlier and nicer than any hospital in America. Being a self pay really does make those cheaper alternatives look great! My surgery will cost me 9100 and includes airfare, everything for the surgery, time at the guest house, and any follow ups or complications that might arise. Compared to the 17000 I would pay here in Tampa, it is well worth it after everything you receive. There are plenty of people here who have had surgery with Dr. Kuri, and I am sure that they will be happy to discuss their exp and stories. As for fills, check out Fill Center USA on the web and see if there are any fill dr's in your area. There are a lot of doctors that will not do fills on patients that have had the band installed by someone else, whether it is MX or France or here in the US. But you can find a few through Fill Center USA. And the issue of cost really is a huge range. I have heard of people getting fills from $50 all the way up to $750. It really depends on the doctor and how he does it. I hope that helps!!

kimberlily...with all that is going on, dh talked me out of getting one. even a local one. we have soooo much to do to this house before bringing in one more mouth to feed lol oh but i love to snuggle little bunnies. they are so perfect and soft. you should pm me when you come to town. we can go get coffee.

My psych told me that too. I did not have a food addiction, I just enjoyed food too much. He said there was a difference. LOL Hell if I see one!! I have been wondering about the Optifast. How is it tasting?

I think there are two types of people that say "its the easy way out" The first are the people who do not understand the struggles we have. The ones who feel they need to diet because they are 3 pounds over their norm, and feel good in a week after dropping it. It is a control issue. And they look down on people who are not in the same boat as them. They see they can drop those 3 pounds, why can't we drop 200? It just takes a little longer. Right? They see the band as a lazy person continuing to be lazy and not trying to do things for themselves. The second set of people are the jealous ones. Usually they are slightly over weight themselves at least, and have gone through the same struggles we have. They see someone having the surgery as finally doing something maybe they cannot or will not do. And they know that 99% of the time, that person is going to finally succeed. Its hard. I have been that person. I have looked down on people for having GB. And it makes me feel sick that I have.

Andy has done ok. One day he will stay dry all day, and have no accidents, go on the potty without being asked. But other days he has huge poop accidents, and i find him coming downstairs in different shorts, only to find them wet and hidden in the guest bedroom. I am not sure why he is hiding it. We do no scold him for having accidents. I think he is embarassed cause he is trying so hard.

Diane, you look unbelievable!! And your gorgeous smile is only getting prettier!! Isn't it nice to not have to wear that mammoth bra anymore? LOL And I think they are right, next before and after shot will be in a thong! LOL

Since the kids have come along, we have tried to fix our swearing. We have taken it to the levels we use around DH's mom. I'll be John Brown, Foot (instead of F*ck), Sheets, Freakin (another F), Oh me (instead of oh God), Good Golly Gracious is one I use a lot instead of GD. And we use the typical spongebob ones like Tartar Sauce and Fish Paste. Those always make the kids giggle, but I get a lot of weird looks.

LOL that is so descriptive if I shared that with my DH he would not allow me to have the surgery. Purely based on the fact that the thought of something that gross coming out of his wife would turn him off forever. Child birth was a joy for this man, let me tell you. Great writing, great story. Congratz on your first PB. I certainly am not looking forward to them. LOL

Yeah I think a craft would be great! Maybe some ceramics that they can paint? With that budget you could do a few different ceramics that would really go a long way. or maybe have a magician come in, then have little magic kits for the kids to play with afterwards... They could break up and do magic tricks for each other. My daughter got a magic kit for christmas, and i think it was under 20 bucks. for a budget of $1000 you could easily fit that in, plus a magician, plus refreshments. and the kids have something to take home and show their parents.

sounds like gas if it is slowly creeping on like that, and the burp relieving it doubles that assumption. maybe you should try some enzymes or gas-x or something like that before eating. help to keep the gas from building up. does it happen all the time? what about drinking a glass of water before eating? I heard from anopther bandster that that helps to flush the system before eating so that gas does not build up.

ok, some things i noticed. look at where your port scar is now!! is that going to cause any problems for you in the future for fills or unfills? I was under the impression they used the scar to see where the port is to make fills/unfills easier. not being banded...i don't know for sure. And in the closeup i see that your tattoo on your breast is under the tape. Did you lose part of it? And will you be getting what is left removed? You look absolutely amazing!! Wait till the swelling goes down in your breasts and they take on a natural form. I was amazed, after my breast reduction, with how my breasts looked. You are so beautiful. This is a great change for you!! Congratz again!!! Job well done!

oh if you were in florida i would take one. i have been thinking of getting one for emily.

ok i am confused. who's mandisa?

oh my goodness you look great!!! wtg girl!!! i am so happy for you!!

i'm on!!! although my marker doesn't seem to be in theright place lol

it really depends on the ages. do you know what the average age will be?

I actually researched if this could be done, having insurance pay for one surgery, and the doctor do another at the same time. The insurance company, the hosiptal, and my pcp said that it used to be done a lot, but now was tantamount to insurance fraud. And insurance companies are not allowing other surgeries to be done any longer while another procedure is being paid for. I feel bad for you, really, and how you were treated is really sad. But it is something that he could possibly get in a lot of trouble. That still does not make it right that he did not talk to you about it though.

it is because you are developing muscle. you are toning and building, and with that form of workout, you are buildiung the largest muscles in the body...the legs. it is not uncommon. you have had huge success with the fat loss as evidenced with your slimming bod. be happy. :scared: realize that you are losing, and try some other forms of working out. the body actually gets used to workouts that are done exactly the same every time. you actually lose less if you do not incorporate variety. do the ddr maybe 2x a week, bike or walk or run 2x a week, and do light weight muscle toning once or twice a week.

CUTE! And a great smile to go with it! you can tell you are very pleased with yourself. :scared:

you may be adding muscle. it all depends on what sort of workout you are doing. also, how many calories you are consuming. doesn't matter if you are eating in the right order, or anything like that. if you are still eating more calories, or the same calories, than what you are burning throughout the day then you will not lose. i am sure you know all of this. just take a really good look at what you are eating. also measure in other methods than just the scale. measure your arms, legs, butt, tummy. are your clothes fitting better?