marjon9

What you are going through is common and normal. You don't hear of people getting "recreational" lap band surgery. This is serious stuff. It's real. It's scary. And it is not necessarily for everyone. It is good and necessary to have questions and ask them until you are comfortable, sure, and ready.

I'm no expert. I'm not banded yet, I have my surgery next week. But I can just tell you that I had all the feelings and questions you just described. I'm just a little past that now. Still nervous, but the decision is made. Plane ticket in hand. I'm going. And I'm really ready.

I'd like to say a couple things about the issues you raise.

As for Dr. Ortiz and Tijuana, there really are nothing but glowing reports about this doctor and the cleanliness of the facility, and the professionalism and friendliness of the staff. I'm sure you will hear from some people who went to him. Tijuana has some rough edges, but the clinic and the overall facilities are first rate. And Dr. Ortiz is one of the most experienced lap band surgeons in the world.

On the other hand, if you are just plain uncomfortable going to Mexico, you might consider my doctor, Dr. Kirshenbaum. He's in the Denver area so not too far from you. His fee is just about the same as the Mexican doctors. You can get more info at www.lapbandrockies.com if interested.

Another thing I want to say is that most people do have success losing weight with the band. Some complications are possible, but they are not common overall, and none of the common ones like erosion or slippage are truly serious from a medical point of view. The odds are very, very good that you will lose most of the weight you want to lose over time.

Some people do not have success with the band. It is rare but it does happen. Many of those people find a way to "eat around" band by eating shakes and ice cream. It is possible to have the band and even gain weight if you work at it. There is the occassional person who seems to do everything right and still does not have success. This is very unusual but it does happen. The band is still the best chance you have for serious, longlasting weight loss that does not involve re-arranging body parts.

So, keep reading this forum and ask questions. Take your time. Do what it takes to make the right decision for you. Then, get off your ass and get the damn lap band already!!! Just kidding. Sort of.

Judy, might I suggest diet and exercise? JUST KIDDING!!

From what I can tell there are quite a few higher BMI folks who have had and are having success with the band. There is a thread on here especially for larger bandsters. I'm sure you will enjoy reading that.

Strange that doctors say such things.

Don't despair. You are definitely a candidate for banding.

I'm not banded yet either, but I have noticed from reading the forum that people sometimes do find that they can't eat certain things that they used to like a lot. That does happen. For the most part, though, people can eat a large variety of things, and don't feel too deprived if there are a few old favorites that they can't eat anymore.

For example, many people have trouble eating bread at all. That's always been a favorite of mine (and look where it got me). I'll probably have to say goodbye to it forever once I'm banded.

Well, I just got a call from the sleep study center and I do have sleep apnea, it is not severe, but I do have it. She said anything over 5 occurances in an hour is considered need for treatment, mine was an average of 11. Over 30 is considered severe. So mine was considered mild/moderate. I have to go back tonight for another sleep study test with the machine. She said she won't have the results for that until Monday. They did say that they would not delay my surgery. So I was happy about that.

I'm feeling a little bummed too. But, I'm excited about getting something that will help me sleep better, and let me wake up feeling refreshed. Also, I hear it helps you lose weight. :huggie:

I was bummed when I got the diagnosis too, but since then I've changed my view because I feel so much better.

In your case, it's true that you'll feel better having the apnea treated, but it's also true that you'll probably be able to get rid of the machine fairly quickly once you lose weight with the band.

One other thing I want to mention again (I think I mentioned it before). If you go to your next sleep study and you find that they want to give you a big mask that is uncomfortable and claustrophobic, just remember that there are numerous other options for masks out there. The one I use, the "Swift," is small and sits lightly under your nose. So don't worry about that. For all I know, these days they use these lighter masks in the sleep studies. When I did it a few years ago, I felt a bit like a disabled hockey goalie when I had my sleep study.

But the main point is, we'll probably be done with these in no time anyway when the weight starts to come off.

I'm sure I'll have more questions for you almighty great ones when the date gets closer. /quote]

Yes, my child. We are prepared to grant an audience when you have purified your heart. :biggrin1:

He got up over 300 pounds.

Hey, what are you trying to say.

:biggrin1:

It was just announced that we got the Democratic Convention! I am psyched. Hubby and I trying to figure out how to volunteer to help so we can attend. How exciting!

That is cool. There are about 137 people running for president this time, so the whole campaign should be interesting.

Al Roker had GB looks like he's lost 100 lbs or so, but he does'nt look medium sized. He still looks overweight to me.:phanvan

The thing about Al Roker is he seems to have gained some of the weight back. A couple years ago Al had that typical look of a prison labor camp survivor that GB patients seem to have, and since then he seems to have gained back at least 30 or 40 pounds. He is still less than before the surgery, but some of the weight is coming back.

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that?

Can plastic surgery really get completely rid of surgery scars? Thats what I wonder about with celebrities, because even after nearly a year, my abdominal scars are very obvious.

It may be that part of the answer is also makeup. Movie makeup pros could make me look like Brad Pitt.

Note to self: Don't hire movie makeup pros.

Firstly is completely deciding which doctor/surgeon in Mexico...More leaning towards Dr. Ortiz. The other is I take several meds and use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea.

I take several meds and use a cpap. My understanding is that these things are not a problem for getting the surgery. I'm heading out to Colorado to get banded next week. The cpap and meds will go with me. I'm also hoping to shed the cpap at some point after I lose weight.

By the way, my doctor is just about the same price as Mexico. I don't think there is anything wrong with Mexican doctors at all, but just in case you are interested you can check out my doctor at lapbandrockies.com

Good luck to you.

I'm doing great Kristen, thanks for asking. A little nervous, but OK. Yes, we head to the airport on Sunday, banding on Tuesday. I'm a little worried about the Denver weather, it looks like there could still be some problems with travel. But I'm hoping for the best on that. I'll report in when I return!

I see you've lost 20 pounds already, before your first fill. You must be a very serious-minded bandster! I hope you are recovering well. Talk to you later.

Mark

Ok- I'm supposed to be banded on the 15th and woke up on the 7th with a major cold/flu thing. I'm SCARED!!! This has been a 3 YEAR process for me, I've already taken a week from work and now I'm SICK?!

Anyone with any advice?

That sucks lala. You still have a week to go, maybe it will get better. I've heard docs will do the surgery if it's just a cold, but it can be a problem if it's the flu. I guess you don't want to be throwing up and all that. Your best bet right now is probably just to do everything you can to get better, and it's probably a good idea to get in touch with your doctor. If all else fails, I'm sure they'll reschedule very soon.

Get better!

Well Nathalie, 750 calories is probably OK at your age. You don't look a day over 2. I did not know they were banding so young these days. Be careful not to lose too fast or there will be nothing left!

I also have a dull story. We refinanced and took a little extra for the surgery. Also used the Christmas bonus from work. All in all not too painful. Found a doctor in Colorado, Dr. Kirshenbaum, who does the surgery for $9950. I figure I'll be able to cover the cost for this in a couple years just from lower grocery bills, not to mention lower doctor bills.

And if that doesn't work I can try baking some cakes.

My list includes:

1) Scarlett Johansson

2) Sandra Bullock

3) Scarlet Johansson & Sandra Bullock at the same time.

Wow, that is an impressive list of people with shrunken livers. It seems like more and more people are going for this lap band thing. There must be something to it. I'm going to be clipped in a week. 1/16. Getting a bit nervous. I sure hope it goes as easy on me as it has on Audree.

Tonya, I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes with your sleep study.

I'm also scheduled for Jan 16th and I go back and forth on the nerves. When I'm at work and concentrating on what I'm doing I'm fine. These days, however, the middle of the night is another story. I usually wake up around 3:00 am to my own private banding house of horrors. I imagine that I'll become paralyzed from the anesthesia and after surgery the only thing I'll be able to move is my forehead, so the only activity available to me in life will be frowning.

Well

the good news is - that at least for me, I lose just fine if I keep my calories under 1500-2000. It isn't FAST - but it's good and steady - and you get to live a normal life.

Good luck!

That's the way I'm looking at it. 1500-plus calories is so much less than I normally eat now that I'm sure that is low enough for me to lose weight. I don't have a huge metabolism problem, I just have an overeating problem. If I stop overeating and just eat light, I'm sure I'll lose. I have no doubt that 1500 is low enough for me to lose, "good and steady," as you say, and lead a relatively normal life. I'm hoping the band will let me do that while also not feeling hungry. That's the goal for me.

i love Oprah, but i think she had "something" done.

I was thinking the same thing. She's starting to look too like like Beyonce or something.

If you are a little on edge in unfamiliar places then you might want to think about taking a tour or two. It's hard to know for sure what is available since Katrina, but I am sure they have some great tours. Your hotel should have all the information. That way you can relax and have fun without having to worry about where to go and what to see.

And I want to say one thing about the food. New Orleans is world famous for its great restaurants and incredible food. I'm talking about food on the level of Paris and New York. This is unquestionably one of the great culinary cities of the world and it is well known for that. They take food very, very seriously there. As one of the previous posters mentioned, it's hard to get a bad meal there. Even your average corner restaurant often serves food that is so good you can hardly believe it. Again, I would check with your hotel for some recommendations. If you are ever going to "try something new" this is the place to do it. Trust me on that.

Have Fun!

I find it quite curious that after asking a question of the "guys" out there, so far only women have posted an answer. Just another example of how they want to put words into our mouths.....LOL /quote]

Not quite "only" women. But that's OK, "Marjon9" is not exactly gender specific.

Mark

"The Lap Band: So easy a Cave Person can do it."

That's pretty distressing, I'm supposed to fly in on Sunday.

Maybe I'll ask Dr. K if he can just freeze me instead of using the general anesthetic.

I do worry a little bit about the fact that some of the healthiest foods out there like raw fruits and vegetables and off limits with the band. For me I feel like the weight loss is the priority for now, but I also do think that there could be negative consequences for health if you need to go your whole life not eating carrots, apples, etc.

I can't really discuss this issue because I have not had other surgeries but here is a short thread where the issue was discussed.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/too-many-laproscopic-t26493.html

Good luck

I was just wondering if anyone would like to put this in perspective as to whether its true or not, if not I will when I see some changes on my end.

Huberslave, I can only say that if it does happen, I hope you do see the changes on your "end." I'm not sure where else it would go.

In my particular case this is one of the reasons my wife was against the surgery. She said if I got any bigger she would start having nightmares.