loridee11

THanks Karey! I'll be sure to follow your thread. Good luck on your surgeries! ~Lori

I had my lap-band surgery just over a year ago, and am down almost 90 pounds, with between 60-80 left to go. Today I was at the store trying on bras since none of my old ones fit, and when I lifted my arms to make sure everything stayed put, I can see my rib cage! I know most people would look at me like I was crazy for thinking this was a big deal, but I really wanted to share because I can't remember the last time this happened! I'm at my lowest weight in at least 8 years based on clothing sizes (I never used a scale until about 5 years ago) and am only going to go down from here. Anyway, I just wanted to share with people who would understand. ~Lori

Thank you all! I really appreciate the support and I look forward to my next NSV!

Hi, I was banded in Mexico just over a year ago by Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey. Overall the experience was very positive, but it was still scary. I was in a country where I didn't speak the language by myself! On my way there my flight got delayed causing me to miss my next flight, and I had a hard time catching another flight that night (and my pre-op tests were scheduled for 9:00 AM). I finally caught the very last flight standby and arrived in Mexico at around midnight. Unfortunately, I hadn't taken any numbers with me on the plane, and so the car that was supposed to be waiting to pick me up, wasn't (they had obviously waited for the earlier plane). I don't speak any Spanish, and finding the right car service and getting a ride was SO frustrating. I was already nervous, and I was almost in tears in the back of the cab thinking "what am I doing". Fortunately, that was the only negative part of the experience. The hotel had my room waiting, and the next day an english speaking driver picked me up and took me for my tests. I met some very nice patients who were also staying at the hotel for my doctor and did great. I do have to second what one or two other posters have said - make SURE you can find a local doctor to fill before you go to Mexico. Check fillcentersUSA as they have locations throughout the US. Best of luck either way you go! ~Lori

Hi Sharon, This is what is commonly referred to as sliming on the board. If I understand it correctly (and anyone please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong)... your body is creating extra saliva to help the food go down. I get this when I haven't chewed my food well enough, or if it's one of those foods I just can't eat anymore. If this is happening everytime, it may mean your fill is too tight, or you may just need to switch to liquids for a few days to allow for any swelling to go down. Hope this helps, ~Lori

Hey Valerie, I've found that my band tightness will vary throughout the month. So, one week I'll feel like I can eat anything in any amount, and the next I'm so tight that I have to be very careful or I PB. I've identified a couple of things so far that make me seem tighter: * If I have a cold and a lot of congestion, I get VERY tight * If I'm a little PMS and holding Water, I get tight You may want to try and drink lots of water and see if that won't help your body release water and reduce restriction. I'm not sure about everyone else, but that always seems to help me! ~Lori <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Hi All, Thought I'd give you a quick update! Since I started working out regularly my weight loss has picked up. I also just went in for another fill, and I have officially lost more than half the weight I want gone! 85 lbs down, 80 to go!

Hi All, I've read on the board about people being on a liquid diet for 10 days or more pre-op, and am wondering if this is accurate? I am scheduled for Surgery on January 11th and my doctor is saying with my BMI I only need to be on liquids for 3-4 days. I just was wondering if anyone knows why the difference? :help: Lori

Hi all, I had my last fill in about 3 months ago, and have been happy with my restriction. I haven't been too full (in fact, some days I can eat way to much) but have been losing about 1 lb a week and have been happy. This last week I have been extremly tight. I've been PBing almost every day (and I've only done it twice before in the year since my surgery). I do have a cold and have been taking cold medicine, but nothing with anti inflamatories in it. Help! Does anyone know why this is happening or what I could do to fix it? Is it maybe the cold medicine? I appreciate any assistance you can provide. This is miserable! ~Lori

Hi all, Has anyone checked to see if you can use the amount you paid for the Lap Band surgery towards a medical tax deducation? I know the law is that if you spend more than 7.5% (I think) of your adjusted gross income in medical bills in a year you can use it as a write off, I'm just not sure if this counts, or if it's considered elective since insurance didn't cover it. I appreciate insight anyone has... it would certainly be nice if I could get some extra relief at tax time! Lori

Hi All! It's been a week and a half, and I've made it to the gym 6 times, so I'm on track for my four times a week goal! I am so excited because this is a start of a habit for the rest of my life! As an FYI, I've been working with a personal trainer (because I know it's the only sure fire way to get my butt out of bed) and he stresses how important weight training is. In fact, according to him weight loss is: 50% diet 40% weights 10% cardio So for those of you focusing on the treadmill, you may want to get a set of cheap weights or a video. So far so good!!! Lori

I was SO hoping that was the case! Now I just need to track down all of my receipts (or call the doctors), and here I go! Every little bit helps!!!

Thank you all! I am finally getting over this cold, and have been able to keep stuff down. I was really freaking out that I had somehow done something to my band :pray2: I'll know next time I get a cold to stock up on items that are easy to sneak through! ~Lori

I'm in SLC and see Dr. Muse. He's with Fill Center USA, and they work primarily with patients banded in Mexico. You can reach them at fillcentersusa.com ~Lori

Hi All, Count me in - I actually already started adding exercise to my weight loss journey. I signed up for a gym last week and began working with a personal trainer (paid for a lot of sessions up front, so I'm definately motivated!). 2007 was the year I focused on what and how I ate, and 2008 I will ad exercise to that!

Hi All, My surgery was January 11th, and I am down 65 pounds. I agree with everything everyone has said, and want to add: - I have learned that this is a tool, and I can use the tool or try to work around it. When I work with it the results are worth it! I can't wait to see where I am next year at this time! Lori

I had my third fill a little over a week ago, and I am definately feeling restriction now (:clap2:). It has made me realize that I definately need to find a high quality Vitamin that I can take with the band. Does anyone have any recommendation on a good quality chewable or liquid vitamin? I would appreciate any and all recommendations! ~Lori

I use Dr. Muse and FillCenter in SLC as well, and I have been very impressed with him. He hasn't been doing fills for long, but he is always very fair and tries to do what is best for the patient and the band long term. I just had my third fill and am up to 2.8cc's. This is the first time i've felt real restriction. So it may take a few fills, but I do believe Dr. Muse is trying to do what's best long term and not just make money ~Lori

Hi All, I got my band in January, and last night is the first time I've had anyting stuck (after my third fill). For me, I'm fairly cerntain the challenge was I simply didn't chew my food well enough I have to say it is quite painful, but I wouldn't describe it as the worst pain ever. However, it was enough to remind me to SLOW down and chew. This is something I struggled with pre-band, so it was a good reminder. Lori

:help:Hi All, I'm wondering if anyone has a solution for what type of painkillers are okay to take once you have restriction. Since my last fill I've found it very uncomfortable to swallow tablets (sometimes, I'm guessing it's the direction they are facing when I swallow?). I don't take them everyday, but when I get headaches I'm wondering what options there are. I do know tylenol comes in liquid form but I've found it doesn't work for me. Does anyone know if Ibprofen does? Loridee11

I don't have a personal story but my doctor told me that you should wait a couple of years after being banded before getting pregnant. The good thing about the band is that you can have an unfill to ensure you are getting enough nutrients for you and the baby. Not sure about the morning sickness thing, but I seem to recall that vomiting was only a major concern right after banding, and that once healed the flu would not be a big deal... You may want to talk to your surgeon if and when you decide to get pregnant. Loridee11

Hi all, Sorry to jump in mid-thread here, but I wanted to introduce myself. It seems like I have a lot in common with a lot of you on the thread! I had my band 'installed' in January of this year, and so far have lost just over 30 pounds. I'm to the point where I know I need to focus on myself and losing my weight, but at the same time I'm kind of lonely and in need of something. Hopefully friendships on this board can help keep me focused. For those of you who were talking about your 'list', I have to agree with all of you on the no drugs, have a car, have a job. And I'll add - have motivation. I'm so sick of guys who are happy doing nothing. If your passion is a job like teaching, great. I don't need a millionaire, but someone who has something they love and is working towards it. Lori

I had my first fill almost 2 months ago, and I felt very little restriction and it was gone almost immediately. I have a second appointment this week and hopefully that will do the trick!

Hi All! I just had my first fill on Thursday and so far I haven't felt any restriction from it. Reading through the threads a lot of people say the fill takes some time to "kick in". Can anyone tell me about when I should feel it so I know if I should schedule a second fill in a month or wait? Also - does anyone understand the reason why a fill may take a while to kick in? Logically it seems like it should be immediate? Just curious :nervous ~Lori

Hi all, I´m back and I am banded :clap2: I checked into the hospital yesterday at about 9:00 AM and had my surgery around 11. I stayed over last night and was released at about noon today. So far so good. My only problem so far has been some pretty serious gas pains, but a little Gas-X seems to have taken away most of that discomfort. I´m so excited...So far I´m struggling to get all my liquid in, but I´ll continue to do my best :nervous Lori