Morsaille

I am a Kuri gal and LOVED his new hospital. It is gorgeous and your husband can stay with you in your hospital room and after in the hotel which is quite nice and a block from a pharmacy and grocery. Kuri is wonderful and I can recommend him easily. Learn a little Spanish, with the new hospital they have a new staff. The staff is actively learning English, but try to meet them halfway, it's just nicer. Bring DVD's, unless you and your husband have a LOT to talk about you will get bored. PM me with ANY questions from either you or your husband (mine was nervous too). Or you can email morsaille at hotmail dot com.

An almost instant cure? Ginger! You can boil root slices for tea, or eat ginger chews (let them dissolve in your mouth, DON"T swallow chunks of candy!) What worked best for me was fresh ginger slices. I just kept them close all the time and when needed would tuck one into my cheek sucking on it when I felt brave. This works for morning sickness, travel sickness, or the stomach flu. You can find the fresh, tan, bumply root in grocery stores produce section. It can taste strong, but will grow on you when it works! No more nausea!

This is how I explained it to my husband: My band holds 4cc, I may never need that much, most people never need that much, some need more... It's like having a closet full of shoes in every size. You most likely will never need those 14's. But isn't it nice knowing they are there?

Forgot to add: Once you've had a fill you will be planning your next. Nerves are the worst part. I love my fills because they make it work. Who wants a $10K tumor?

Fills are no big deal. I had one that went badly and to tell the truth, it wasn't THAT bad... My fluoro fill didn't use lidocaine and it really didn't hurt much at all, easy. Number two was a blind fill with lidocaine. He stabbed me for nearly 35 minutes until we found the port. I stressed, but didn't feel the needle. They are expensive. I am busy saving for number three. Maybe that'll work for me, not much restriction yet. I wish I was like Nora.

I'm guessing dannygirl got this thread confused with the American Idol thread. It's OK, it happens. Welcome Still working on the icebreaker question for you Wheetsin.

I have seen threads on this topic before and the options that stuck with me (if you loathe the idea of sharing) are: 1) Tell people who find out you are having surgery (leave request?) that you are having a hiatal hernia repaired since docs frequently do this while they are there. 2) When people notice your weight loss say that you have been eating much less lately and exercising more. This is not a lie and will keep them from "watchdogging" your progress. 3) When people ask if you had anything done, ask them... "Why do you want to know?" <-- this one is just a little bit sassy and may scare away new acquaintances

I have never spoken to anyone who had the band, then chose not to use it. My surgeon told me in my pre-op consultation that he had a patient who never received a fill and lost about 130 pounds. Maybe it was the commitment the surgery represented, maybe just knowing it was there was enough. This is a-typical though. Bands are made to be filled. An empty band is an idle band. Use your tool!

WOW! Thank You so much for sharing. You are so brave to show so much. The education is invaluable and your results are amazing. Does it still hurt much? I wanna be like Jess when I get smaller...

Well, you aren't alone. You may not want to hear from someone who has lost less than 28 pounds in almost twelve weeks. It is not the spectacular story I told myself, but it is working with me where nothing else has. My weight loss is right on track for 'normal' even though I hoped to be a WLS star. I have had two fills now and am right at your fill level with almost no restriction. If you want to know the band is there... have a bite or two of pot roast in the morning. I have discovered that I can either eat a whole bag of popcorn or a couple handfuls and either way, I am just as full. I just don't have the restriction to make me stop. Technically I could eat as much as I wanted if I gave myself enough time to chew. On the bright side, the band has helped to reduce my impulsivity so I haven't felt the drive to binge like pre-banding. With luck and another fill or two, we will be on the fast track to slims-ville.

Yeah, there are lots of opinions, diets and techniques. This fast track diet is the speediest I have seen. This is what I did, when I got the urge to push forward I just pictured my new stitches - stretching and unhealed. Gross huh? It works. It will get easier in a month or so when you get a fill.

I was a little bit more depressed than usual during the initial week of the liquid diet, just because of the headache. During week two of protein, my mood improved (I think it was the stabilizing of my blood sugar). Since then, things have only gotten rosier. Of course my depression is minor and due to the social stigma of obesity. Check with your doc regarding med changes with the band. Lots of luck.

This actually makes ME feel better because I can let it go. I have been feeling weak and stupid for going self-pay. Knowing that a month or year of fighting would not better my chances lets me know I did not waste time, effort, and money NOT losing weight. Thanks Wheetsin, and sorry ELLYMAY. I would recommend my doc in Mexico, Dr. Kuri http://beliteweight.com they are friendly, cheap, and cover after-care.

I am sure it is discriminatory, but I went self-pay after they added the written exclusion to my policy. Check out Obesity law if you are looking to make the world a better place to get help. I didn't have the fight in me. http://www.obesitylaw.com/

Kathy, I had surgery in Mexico for the same reason, not covered. My insurance had added a written exclusion while I was completing my requirements. I had done all the documentation, nutritional consults, testing, sleep studies, and met the physical requirements two times over (BMI 52 with multiple comorbidities). When I got my denial in the mail, I called around and found that the exclusion had been added that same month. It was not yet even in issued print. Bites. So, I couldn't NOT get surgery. I took comfort in all the extra experience the Mex. docs have. They have been banding years longer. I would have made the cutoff if I hadn't had to wait almost 6 mos. for my sleep study. rackin' frackin' Group Health, grr...

I was a Kuri patient and was very happy with both him and the brand new hospital. It is gorgeous. He and his team of surgeons were wonderful. All post-care, transportation (to and from airport) and lodging are included in the price I paid: $8,950. The hotel was very nice. I had a friend who had been banded in Mexico, so I knew that it could be done. Nothing like a friendly guinea pig, right? Check his site: http://beliteweight.com

He isn't happy. BUT THAT IS NOT YOUR FAULT No one is responsible for anothers happiness! If he believes your thinness would make him happy, that is just a lie he is telling himself. That he hits you over the head with that lie, makes it abuse. I SO want to quote Jack and the other guys, because it bears repeating: JACK-Poverty of the spirit and plain stupidity just can't be fixed. You are fortunate to discover this now while you have the youth and opportunity to remedy this situation....whether you seek counseling or a new locksmith and attorney, certainly a new action plan is indicated.... SEMINOLE-He does not seem to be worrying really about you he is worrying about him. He is selfish and holidng you hostage with your child. Lose the weight for you and your child. getting healthy will help you live longer and take care of your child. Ultimately, it is up to you to find a good role model for your son. The words said, and actions taken determine what kind of man your boy will be. Will he be a loving, compassionate individual who values people? Will he become a superficial mysoginist who never learns what it is to truly love? Will he know what it is to support and how to solve conflict without hurting? That is up to you Mom.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Kat- The liver shrinking works because the body uses the livers fat stores FIRST. In ketosis, the body is using fat and protein as energy. The liver has to be very active during ketosis for all the extra bile that is needed. Any carb dense food can put the liver right back to sleep making a week or more of hellish dieting nothing but wasted time. This is the easy version, sure. But it works. So everyone! If you cheat, cheat with unseasoned solid proteins: Tuna in water (drained) or dry chicken breast. If you take in too much fat your liver won't "give it up". So thats where liquid protein diet differs from Atkins. Low to No fat. It's hard, but it could prevent internal bleeding. Listen to me preach... Guess I am just proud of myself for getting through it.

Me too! Two weeks of protein shakes and protein bars. No more than 40 grams of carbs / day. No solids, no REAL foods. Everything sweet, blech! I thought I was going to die in the first week with a headache that wouldn't stop. It got easier, in the last week I had some mild joint pain. BUT... I had a gorgeous liver and NO gas pains.

I flew with my DH and DD, they stayed with family in CA while I did the over the border thing solo. I had them close to help if I needed it, but didn't have to 'mommy' my little girl when I couldn't move so well. American cash is great, just bring smaller bills too. You may end up getting change in pesos. Easy conversion for border towns (just divide pesos by ten) $100 phone card costs $10 US. Have fun and bring water.

You can blend most anything. At the peak of my liquid frustrations I blended a lean cuisine with a little skim milk. Mashed potato with milk or broth works too. Enjoy your spuds now 'cause once you are on solids they become unhealthy again. Like Lynn, I got so sick of everything being sweet. Chicken broth is yummers, just drink lots of water or you will swell. When you fantasize about mushies, figure out what you would try, then find a way to get it through a straw.

Unless your Ins. has a written exclusion, like mine did. Absolutely no coverage for obesity related services including supplements, counseling, and surgery. Actually they added the exclusion while I was waiting for my approval. Sucks doesn't it? Group Health I had a BMI of 52 with multiple co-morbidities and documented weight loss attempts. Luck fighting the good fight.

Cheese balls? I thought the breath thing was primarily the GB people... Some Gastric Bypassers have the 'Breath of Death' due to their unique metabolic situation. Now I know to have mints on hand. Hopefully it will be less severe than what GBers have, it was on my top twenty list for why I opted for the band.

If you are the type that enjoys a good sneer, just wait until they are regaining and you are looking good with a whole arsenal of healthy skills. The looks they give you will be much different. Good job, and keep up the incredible work.

It's Friday! Aren't we supposed to have fish on Friday? Let's see... Where can I get a fish? Oooh! Girl.....Scout.....Cookieeeeeeee........s (are gross, ick) See, I would feel guilty for this, but we are getting a spankin' new thread tomorrow. And I may just be looking to get hit with a fish on April 1st. It's tres chic! Don'cha know Lots of love to you Skye! It is not an easy path you are walking, my family has been there too. Hugglets to you, so you can use them throughout the day.