amaltha

Thanks for the bullet advice. I found them at GNC...here is their website :: Innovative Delivery Systems - Welcome to IDS Sports :: I had half a one today and looking at another half later in the day. I mixed mine with apple juice...it was tolerable. Pains are down to a dull roar now which is fantastic.

Hey not a problem! Go ahead and go to my profile I put it all in the blogs there. I didn't have a "bad" experience. It was an interesting one to say the least. The hospital was the cleanest one I have EVER seen, with nice marble floors. (find that in NYC ) The Dr. was good and even fixed a hernia I didn't know I had. Pretty cool. Just know, bottom line...this is a business, they want your business. One other thing I forgot to mention. Make SURE you have a Dr. lined up for your after care back in the states. Make sure they take patients from Mexico. That gets kinda tricky as well. Best of luck to you, keep me posted!!!

Good for you for staying strong! It is hard watching everyone eat all the time but it sounds like you did great!

To both of you. This time last week I was heading down to have my surgery last week in Mexico. I know nothing about those two doctors so I can't give you any feed back. Here are two things I STRONGLY suggest. #1-Do not go alone. Should you speak fluent spanish it will be best, but if not if you can (#2)-bring someone who does it will be just as good. Here is the deal. Mexico is a beautiful country. But they don't have the same laws. If "anything" goes wrong, and you are all alone down there what is going to save you or get you back to the states? Just food for thought. And I am sure they are loading you up with "they will take care of you" blah blah just like they did me. I was told I was going to be treated like a Princess...not quite. The hospital staff hardly ever came and checked on me. If my parents weren't there I would have had the worst experience of a lifetime: being all alone, in a foreign country, having surgery and not speaking the language. You will be ok, but I highly don't recommend it. Try to find others who went to that same doctor and went alone and get their feelings and go from there.

Hmm never heard of the "bullets" I will check them out.

I guess I could...but then I wouldn't really be doing my job correctly. The consumer isn't swishing it around and spitting it out. I am not all that worried about but it is something I will have to really be aware of.

Ok so I am getting this: after a few days take the bandages off but not the strips. Let those fall off on their own. About when were you able to bath and get in a pool again?:thumbup:

I did that yesterday in the store. Everything I used to binge on looked great but no can do now. :thumbup: Step one to a new fantastic life!

I gave up the carbonated drinks when I started the clear diet, which I am on for another week. I have a different delima. i am QA at a juice plant. It is our job to be tasting juice all day everyday. (all wasted calories) Luckily it is all natural and organic stuff so that part is good. I am hoping I will be able to keep the sip tastes small enough that it won't load me up on calories. My coworker years ago had a GB and lost an amazing amount of weight. she said since she has started she is starting to gain it all back. (her job requires more tasting) So I have to be REALLY conscious of what I am tasting all day. Anyone else work in the food industry?

I am having a hard time getting it all in too. I am still on clear liquids and will start on the protein next week. I think it will be chanllenging though. But now it is like the more I drink the more gas I have...:thumbup:

Congrats!:tt2:

I am in the same boat as you. I had a hiata hernia repaired so they told me recovery would be more than normal. My biggest pain is in my right shoulder blade. It was horrible when I woke up from surgery and has eased down to a dull roar now. I find walking is good. Big huge yoga breaths tend to make me feel better. tooting is about the best thing ever right now that relieves a lot of pressure. I too love this thread. GO BURPERS AND FARTERS! :tt2:

Whoa... you were banded by Corvala? Me too! Hey I am having some problems right now with the bandages..they told me NOTHING about after care for them. What did they tell you?:tt2:

thanks to everyone for their imput!!! That will be a bummer for no swimming or bathing for 6 weeks! Pool will be cold by the time I can get back in! Oh well it is all for the better anyway.:tt2: I hope everyone is doing well!

hello! I got banded on monday and was looking for some others that might be in the north state. I live in Chico but was wondering if any of the shasta or butte county crowd were here! Good luck to everyone!

Hello, I am new to this thread. I got banded on Monday. Just popping in to say hello to everyone and meet others in the 20s So far I have lost about 12 pounds so things are swinging in the right direction finally! WOOO

So I have 5 poke holes...all of which they put bandages on. But never told us when to take them off...they prescribed some ointment and how many times a day to use it, but not when to start using it... Anyone have any advice on when these things can come off...I know I should be asking the doctor, and believe me I have...seems they have better things to do. I posted this blog...again for those considering Mexico, know you are going to be dealing with this: So I got banded on monday. Today is Friday. I was discharged Tuesday from the hospital in TJ. I had a feeling that what I am about to write would happen. Since Tuesday, right after I left the hospital I had one more question about the cream they prescribed for me and when I can take the bandages off...The hospital (though I have emailed 3 times and called) have yet to get back to me and answer. Instead, the MedToGo coordinator called some other doctor in the business and got the questions answered. Here is my point for those thinking about Mexico...what you get is what you pay for. They told me up and down at the hospital, "just call" "just email" if you have anything...what a crock of BS. I understand these doctors are busy and have busy days, however, responding to an email like that takes 3 minuts tops. It is a clear case of I paid them to do a service and they did...well and the business transaction is over. If any of this is something you don't want to be involved with rethink going to Mexico. In other news all is well (regardless) and I am under 200#s YAY!

Being nervous is natural. I litterally was about to cry when they took me out of my room to take me to the OR. I was so scared I wouldn't wake up. I don't know why I just did. Finally, he was nice and told me I was going to feel dizzy and sure enough I started to feel like one of those jager nights in the college days and woke up 2 hours later. You will be fine but don't worry about being scared I was a big pussy cat.

You will be fine. I found that having a midsized "hard" pillow is a must. You put it over your abdominal and hold tight when you sneeze, cough or laugh...my mom is a nurse and had that in her bag of tricks it really helps...Also helps on the bumps of car rides. Congrats!

So I got banded on monday. Today is Friday. I was discharged Tuesday from the hospital in TJ. I had a feeling that what I am about to write would happen. Since Tuesday, right after I left the hospital I had one more question about the cream they prescribed for me and when I can take the bandages off...The hospital (though I have emailed 3 times and called) have yet to get back to me and answer. Instead, the MedToGo coordinator called some other doctor in the business and got the questions answered. Here is my point for those thinking about Mexico...what you get is what you pay for. They told me up and down at the hospital, "just call" "just email" if you have anything...what a crock of BS. I understand these doctors are busy and have busy days, however, responding to an email like that takes 3 minuts tops. It is a clear case of I paid them to do a service and they did...well and the business transaction is over. If any of this is something you don't want to be involved with rethink going to Mexico. In other news all is well (regardless) and I am under 200#s YAY!:frown:

So I got banded on monday. Today is Friday. I was discharged Tuesday from the hospital in TJ. I had a feeling that what I am about to write would happen. Since Tuesday, right after I left the hospital I had one more question about the cream they prescribed for me and when I can take the bandages off...The hospital (though I have emailed 3 times and called) have yet to get back to me and answer. Instead, the MedToGo coordinator called some other doctor in the business and got the questions answered. Here is my point for those thinking about Mexico...what you get is what you pay for. They told me up and down at the hospital, "just call" "just email" if you have anything...what a crock of BS. I understand these doctors are busy and have busy days, however, responding to an email like that takes 3 minuts tops. It is a clear case of I paid them to do a service and they did...well and the business transaction is over. If any of this is something you don't want to be involved with rethink going to Mexico. In other news all is well (regardless) and I am under 200#s YAY!

Well I made it! Here was my experience: As most of you have read I did mine in Mexico and not the states because insurance denied me. We flew to SD and a gentleman was waiting to take us over the boarder. We arrived at the Hospital that was imaculate. Very state of the art and cleaner than any hospital I have seen in the states. Apparently they are doing a lot of advanced research there??? Anyway, I had all my pre-op stuff off the bat and then went to my room. Dr. Lopez came in and the anastegiologist came in we had a quick chat and then they came to take me to the surgery. I lied in bed for 20 minutes and then they took me to the surgery room. I saw Dr Lopez and smiled. *funny moment* So am a bit of a smarty pants. They had needed to get the the EKG thing and so my robe was down (breast exposed) and so I was about to go under when I looked at the one person I knew spoke english and whispered "you know I usually charge men to see these" :ohmy: and then I woke up in recovery shaking uncontrollably. They gave me something and we went back to the room. the enxt few hours as my prior people will say were the worst. I was sore, they weren't giving me very much pain meds. none of the nurses spoke a lot of english, and my spanish is broken enough for us to barely get by. The doctors all spoke perfect english. I got up to urinate often and walked up and down the halls when I did. The next day I was wisked away to drink some icky pink stuff and take another x-ray of me. (which looked pretty funky!) And then I was discharged. I had the choice of staying in the hospital another night and opted not to. (my mother is with me and is a nurse and I wasn't getting all the attention in the world so I figured it is best to get back in the states) So we bumped up my plans by a day to return home and get on with the rest of my new life. I am walking a lot. I feel the gas build up and am a bit sore from it and walking helps emencly. Sipping my broth and apple juice like a champ. Apparently, while they were operating on my they found a hiata hernia and he fixed me up right there at no extra charge. :frown: To all those who were in my situation financially. Here is who SHOULD NOT do this. If you are a person who likes plans, and likes to stick to solid timelines this is NOT for you. I am not sure how they do it in the states but there was just a fly by the seat of my pants feeling the entire time. I kept asking, "what time will the doctor be here? what time for this what time for that. all the answers were....oh he come find you. oh she will find you. When they said "we do this in 5 minutes" it always was an hour or better. It was a little annoying but I dealt with it. I can imagine someone who likes a tight ship would hate this. If at all possible bring a spanish speaker with you. I think that would have helped a little bit. Don't get me wrong I didn't have a BAD experience but there were moments of uncertainty. I was very scared getting wheeled around the moments before surgery, I was afraid of going under, and the surgery and they left me alone alot to sit on it. I keep thinking...wow in a matter of 24 hours I just changed the rest of my life. I suppose it is a similar feeling when you give birth to your first child. To all the other allstars I wish you the best! I want everyone to have a speedy recovery to the rest of our lives. Congrats to all my other 4th Peeps!

Well I made it! Here was my experience: As most of you have read I did mine in Mexico and not the states because insurance denied me. We flew to SD and a gentleman was waiting to take us over the boarder. We arrived at the Hospital that was imaculate. Very state of the art and cleaner than any hospital I have seen in the states. Apparently they are doing a lot of advanced research there??? Anyway, I had all my pre-op stuff off the bat and then went to my room. Dr. Lopez came in and the anastegiologist came in we had a quick chat and then they came to take me to the surgery. I lied in bed for 20 minutes and then they took me to the surgery room. I saw Dr Lopez and smiled. *funny moment* So am a bit of a smarty pants. They had needed to get the the EKG thing and so my robe was down (breast exposed) and so I was about to go under when I looked at the one person I knew spoke english and whispered "you know I usually charge men to see these" and then I woke up in recovery shaking uncontrollably. They gave me something and we went back to the room. the enxt few hours as my prior people will say were the worst. I was sore, they weren't giving me very much pain meds. none of the nurses spoke a lot of english, and my spanish is broken enough for us to barely get by. The doctors all spoke perfect english. I got up to urinate often and walked up and down the halls when I did. The next day I was wisked away to drink some icky pink stuff and take another x-ray of me. (which looked pretty funky!) And then I was discharged. I had the choice of staying in the hospital another night and opted not to. (my mother is with me and is a nurse and I wasn't getting all the attention in the world so I figured it is best to get back in the states) So we bumped up my plans by a day to return home and get on with the rest of my new life. I am walking a lot. I feel the gas build up and am a bit sore from it and walking helps emencly. Sipping my broth and apple juice like a champ. Apparently, while they were operating on my they found a hiata hernia and he fixed me up right there at no extra charge. To all those who were in my situation financially. Here is who SHOULD NOT do this. If you are a person who likes plans, and likes to stick to solid timelines this is NOT for you. I am not sure how they do it in the states but there was just a fly by the seat of my pants feeling the entire time. I kept asking, "what time will the doctor be here? what time for this what time for that. all the answers were....oh he come find you. oh she will find you. When they said "we do this in 5 minutes" it always was an hour or better. It was a little annoying but I dealt with it. I can imagine someone who likes a tight ship would hate this. If at all possible bring a spanish speaker with you. I think that would have helped a little bit. Don't get me wrong I didn't have a BAD experience but there were moments of uncertainty. I was very scared getting wheeled around the moments before surgery, I was afraid of going under, and the surgery and they left me alone alot to sit on it. I keep thinking...wow in a matter of 24 hours I just changed the rest of my life. I suppose it is a similar feeling when you give birth to your first child. To all the other allstars I wish you the best! I want everyone to have a speedy recovery to the rest of our lives. Congrats to all my other 4th Peeps!

wow I feel your gas pain. Well it is mine but know where you are coming from. It is getting better by the day but WOW. hope you have a speedy recovery!

Good luck for aug 4 peeps!! :w00t: