Carramia

Ok so this is my story. I started seriously thinking about Lap Band along with a co-worker, when some friends starting talking about a Dr. in Mexico where she had just returned and the price was very reasonable and the Dr. was awesome. My insurance would not cover the procedure so it was going to be self pay so price was important. So I started communications with the clinic and got some questions answered and decided to go for it as did my co-worker. She actually went 2 weeks before me. (sent her as a guinne pig) if she came back in one piece I would be more comfortable! :lovechoc: So my date came...I did a liquid diet 10 days before the surgery and boy that was hard. I never realized how much I thought about food. I live in Southern Utah so we had to Drive to Vegas to get the flight to San Diego. Me and my friend left my house at 1:30 in the am. We did stop by WalMart on the way to get Protien powder. I knew on the way back I wouldn't feel up to it. (which was a good thought). We got to Vegas in plenty of time to get parked and to get to our plane. Can you believe they charge for any checked bag now.. Also I was not to have ANY liquid 10 hours before I arrived so it was hard to walk by Starbucks and not have ANY. So we made it to San Francisco on our layover. Then we made our flight to San Diego. We were met a clinic staff member named Victor. He was very polite and very nice. He drove us to the Clinic in Tiajuana Mexico, which was a total of 20 min drive. We met immediatly with Dr. Huacuz who was waiting for us to arrive, we got there around 11 am. I filled in paperwork. Dr. Huacuz showed me my band and explained everything to me. He asked if I had any questions and when I didn't have too many (because I am an avid researcher) he would start describing things which of course let to questions. He then should us to our room in his clinic. It was VERY clean and private and nice. I was instructed to take a shower and get in my gown. They then came and took blood and put the I.V in (which hurt less then when I had my baby). They gave me a little Yellow pill to calm me down so the nurse told me in her broken english. WOW that was quite the pill :tt1:. It knocked me out. I was awoken by the EKG guy who did his tests and told me that I was perfect! (I knew that already!!!! lol). He left and I passed out again. The nurses came in at around 4:30 to get me to walk into surgery. I have to tell you I remember VERY little of this. I am not sure what that pill was but it made me not remember things. (which bothers me slightly) although I am not sure I wanted to remember a lot of it. So I remember taking off my earrings before heading in...I don't remember walking into the surgery...I don't remember getting on the table...I have a dream like memory of seeing the two Dr's in the room, but they were wearing the scrubs and the room around them was black (very strange). Then I remember Dr. Huacuz lifting up my hand and saying is that a tattoo...he was talking about a circle birthmark I have on my hand. I said very clearly no that is my birthmark. The next thing I remember was scooting on the bed from the other bed and I remember crying. Dr. Huacuz said that I was crying in recovery too. I guess some people have that reaction to anethisia. I don't remember. Luckly my friend got photo's and wrote down funny things I said. I had spent a lot of time on Lap Band Talk before my surgery and I read a thread about naming your band. I named my prior to the event and her name is Pixie. Apparently I said as I was waking up. "The pixie's kicked by butt" :scared2: which I think is so funny. Anyway...back to the story. So I was awakened every couple hours by the nurses to check on me and do vitals and stuff. I woke up at Midnight feeling like someone was sitting on me. The nurse told me it was the air they had filled me with and it was settling there. Walking was the trick. We walked the halls and I even saw Dr. Huacuz there...I said what are you doing here so late, go to bed. They gave me a thing of Water and brought me back to bed. I slept pretty good that night. I woke the next morning feeling really good. I got out of the gown and into my comfy clothes after a shower. This day was kind of hurry up and wait kind of day. I got Breakfast which was Tea, Jello, juice & a yougurt drink. I think all I could eat was the jello and juice and tea. Then around 2pm Dr. Huacuz came and drove us a couple miles away to the X-ray where he was going to check on the band and do the first fill. There was someone occupying the room some lady having her gall stones removed. So we had to wait in the hall for an hour or so. It was a great time to chat with the Dr. and get to know his funny sense of humor too. About 5 min before going in I started to feel a bit green :eek: I don't know why we had already been there awhile. I guess it was the oh my what is about to happen and how will it feel feeling. So I stand on the x-ray and pull my shirt up...everything was going so fast. He handed me the Barium and I started to drink it...all the while trying to hold my liquid. He was watching the x-ray as was I trying to figure out what was about to happen, when he says looking for the port, looking for the port...ahh there it is JAB and FILL(needle in my stomach). I stopped drinking...and almost passed out. I looked at him and said oooohhhh I feel that. I felt the restriction right away. (very strange feeling). He said are you ok I said NO please lie the table down or I am going to fall over. He did but he was also in a hurry to get back to the clinic to pick more people up to get a fill. (the hour delay really messed his day up). So on we went I was better after my short lie down. I thought I might make it to the Mall which was right next door but after that I wasn't up to it. We got back to the clinic and our room and they gave me more liquid pain killers and I went to sleep. My friend was pretty bored, but then again I am not sure she has ever rested so much so that was good. Then they brought dinner which was a cup of broth (oh that was good). It filled me up! I then went to sleep. They came in maybe every 4 hours that night. The next day was the day we were heading home banded and all. We had a nice morning just relaxing. Dr. Huacuz came by to say Hi and bye. I got his picture. He gave me the meds to take with me and his cell number just in case. (VERY nice) I only know one other Dr. who would do that and that is my regular dr. here at home. He was so nice and so were his staff! So Victor picked us up around 11 and drove us back to San Diego. It took about an hour to get over the boarder and the Boarder guy was an A**. Talk about power trip. We traveled home, it was a VERY long day just having had surgery, not to mention having to drive 3 1/2 hours at the end of it. Luckly my friend drove and I slept. I went to work the next day (I know I am a glutton for punishment). I was sore but otherwise good. I did have a lot of Air in my small stomach. It was so much gas as air so it made it hard to swallow. That went away after about a week. I also had gas but gas-x helped with that. It was kind of hard to Drink as I was still on liquids for a couple weeks. I have just started to eat a bit. It's amazing how you just can't fit anything but small amounts in. I have lost 15lbs so far with 75 to go. I am excited and I am looking at this as a journey. hopefully I will be at my goal weight in a year. I just went to dinner with my husband for the first time at a resteraunt and i had a few chips and a quarter of a quesadilla and I got too full...I was dying. Got to watch that it was very uncomfortable for about an hour. Well that is my story. I am so glad I did it. I would reccommend Dr. Huacuz to anyone and I would reccommend the Lap Band too! Good luck with your journey & story. I hope you enjoyed mine. Carramia

I am in too! I would like to lose 11 lbs by Jan 1 09. My stats are Current 11/19/08 231 would like to be 220 by Jan 1 Thanks for doing this it's very motivating!

Hi Laurigee, Congrats on your progress! you are the same height as me and I am reaching for 165! I say it's all about how you feel and no matter what other people say. If 7 more lb's would make you feel the best then go for it!!! I set myslef a goal of 165 but if I still feel like I need to lose a couple i will. Being too thin sure would be a change from being too fat nobody every commented then did they. Good luck!

Hi, I was banded on August 25th and was feeling great up until about 2 weeks ago. I started being able to eat and drink less and less. I just thought maybe I iritated my stomach (which I still think I did) then the acid reflux started and I couldn't sleep without throwing up it was awful. Finally I went to get some of the Fluid taken out of my band. I had 2 CC in a 4 CC band. My Dr. took out 1 CC and I felt instantly better. I am not sure why it did this, maybe because ate something to iritate my stomach and therefore my band but basically nothing was getting through. I hope I still continue to lose weight even with 1cc taken out. If not I will rest my stomach for the next couple weeks and get the other cc put back in. I just thought I would share that experince just in case anyone else was feeling the same way. My suggestion don't wait until your kidneys hurt to go get an unfill like I did. Thanks and good luck! Carramia

Hi again Banded Butterfly, I tried the warm Water thing too. Unless they are HUGE bites that nurses rational is stupid. You shouldn't feel/hurt bites of food and water. My Dr. Told me to do nexium and a liquid diet for 15 days after 3 days of trying this and throwing up all night I said enough. I bet if they even take 1/2 of what they put in you will feel better. I think they should take what the patient says more than what they "think". Good luck I will be thinking about you. :rolleyes2:

My kidneys started to hurt because I couldn't drink not even Water. I would take a sip and I would get a stabbing main in my chest, so I got to be even scared to try. I was so weak and dehydrated. When my Dr. took some out I drank a cup of water and felt instantly better. I would have some of your Fluid removed. Did you feel sick before the fill? I have read that it takes some time to get the sweet spot on the fills. I think I could take a 1/2 cc more but I am going to give my stomach a rest for a couple weeks first. Good luck I suggest you go and see the Dr. soon before you get any sicker. Carramia

Hi I totally recommend getting a bit taken out of your band. It helped me SOOOOOO much. Good luck let us know how it goes. Thanks Carramia

I am having the same problem. My Dr. told me to do Nexium and go back on liquid for 15 days...I am sooooo hungry. Even drinking water hurts. I think i might go in and tell them to unfill some because I need some relief....ugh....

Hi, I went to Mexico to Dr. Huacuz. He was WONDERFUL. The care was outstanding. I have lost 19 lbs so far I got banded on 8.25..it was the best thing I did. The care I received by Dr. Huacuz & Staff was really professional and caring. Dr. Huacuz was very available for any questions. Rocio who is the Patient assistant is really helpful and sweet. I totally reccommend him. Good luck with your surgery whether you did it hear or there. It is a life changing thing. Thanks

Hi, I was banded on Aug 25th and I have a 4cc band which was filled with 2cc. I can eat only a small amount, but I have been getting stuck, throwing up and sliming more and more. Has anyone else had this happen? Am I eating too fast maybe? not chewing enough? Thanks :crying:

Hi, I had the same thing. I am now 2 1/2 weeks past banding. I get it back if I eat something that gets stuck (BTW that is NOT fun). It does go away after surgery. I had it for about a 1 1/2 weeks. Good luck it does get better.

I had lap band 2 1/2 weeks ago and I have a cup of coffee and day and I am fine. I am giving Wine a little bit longer....like maybe another couple of weeks. Good luck!

I had the same thing happen with deviled egg....OYE I must not have chewed it enough. I agree that the band is teaching me the way to be. Being in that pain is NOT fun. I am going to give my stomach a couple of days of liquid again too mostly because I am nervous and afraid to eat anything. I am sure I will buck up and try it again and Chew Chew chew. Slow Slow Slow.

Hi Bluzbandit, I am sorry yours wasn't so personal but I am glad you are ok and banded and happy. Good luck on your journey!

Hi, I suggest you go to this forum and check out some stories. I just posted my experience top to bottom....Lap-Band Success Stories (NEW!) - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum Good luck

Yeah I would suggest you do...it is really hard to get up for the first 2 weeks or so after surgery. Good luck!!!

Hi, I got banded on 8/25 and I had the same thing happen to me. I just hoped they would go away and they finally did. I am now almost 2 weeks past and I feel so much better!!! It does go away. My dr. told me to go and get mylanta. I didn't because it all finally went away! Hang in there about after a week and a half it feels much better. Good luck Carramia

I was Banded by Dr. Huacuz on 8/25/08 and he was WONDERFUL. He was so kind and concerned that you knew what was going to happen and making sure all questions are answered. His staff was professional and the clinic was clean. I had a wonderful time. I am now going on week two of recovery and I am feeling great. ANYone wondering about him feel free to send me a message I will be happy to share my experience step by step.

I am one week post op and when I stand up I have a lot of port side pain too. I have a lot of brusing around two of my incisions I am thinking some of my pain is from that. I am glad to see some of these posts saying it will go away. I just really want to feel normal again...I know it will take some healing time. Thanks everyone!

Hi, I have heard that Chicken is VERY hard to process. It tends to glob back together in your pouch and create a ball of chicken hard to process. I saw a You Tube video warning that it was awful pain. She suggested doing ground chicken. I am still on liquids having been banded this past Monday, but I will be very nervous to try Chicken when I start eating. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Hi, I was just banded on Monday and I have been just basically sipping some form of liquid all day long. Lots of water. I have been drinking Yogurt smoothie's and broth etc. I am going to add some protien shakes tomorrow. I am having some bubbles in my stomach since which is making it a bit hard to know when I am full. I am hoping that goes away soon. Good luck and keep sipping!

I had surgery in Mexico for 1/2 the price that it costs in the states because my insurance wouldn't cover the cost. I got the GREATEST care and Dr. Huacuz was so nice and he actually cares! I would reccommend him to anyone. His staff was so nice and caring and his Clinic was super clean. It's worth looking into if you want it. If you want to know every detail I will be glad to share. Good luck!

I was told Zinc would prevent Hair loss. I just got banded and heard it was protien, but my Dr. says it is Zinc that you need! Good Luck.

Hi All!! I am back from being Banded!!! I went to Mexico with Dr. Huacuz. He was so professional and great! I am doing pretty good. I seem to have a lot of air bubbles in my stomach it makes it hard to know if I am full or not. I hope that goes away. I actually went to work for a few hours today they just can't keep me away...so I am just trying to get used to shakes and getting protien in. Can't wait to taste some real food again. Haven't lost anything from before I left, but I am hopeful. I got a fill the day after the band was placed and boy that was a strange experience. I almost passed out. I hope to hear from others! Be well