bandiva

Hi everyone. I have been off the computer for a bit, but I will now tell you about the obstruction. Before I do, just wanted to tell you that as of today I am down 100 pounds! So, I think it happened when I was in Alberta making a big dinner at my moms. I was rushing and snacking while I was preparing food. I think I ate a piece of ham skin, but i am not positive. I felt ok, and went to eat a 'meal' and nothing would say down. The next day I had trouble keeping things down, but didn't really pay to much attention, just thought it was stress. The next day I flew home and by this point couldn't keep water down. The crazy thing is that I wasn't worried about it, I just figured oh, well, it will go away. Then I went to bed....I kept waking up choking (found out later that I was probably choking on salive) so the next morning I went to my gp and he sent me to emergency. There is a bariatric surgeon here and he met me at the hospital. On other occasions when I have spoken to Dr. A. and his office they have been rude to me and said they won't fill me because I went to mexico to have my band done....needless to say, I was ready for a fight! It all went ok, he was nice to me and offered to take me on as a patient. By this point I was dehydrated and quite weak so they gave me fluid through IV. He (Dr.A)completely unfilled me and had me drink a couple glasses of water. Then he gave me 1.6 cc's back and told me to come back if I had a problem, otherwise to see him in his office in a couple weeks. I go for my fill tomorrow so I will see if I like it there or if it is better to go back down to the states or mexico. Someone was asking if my Dr gave me a fill of 2 ccs for my first fill. Yup. I told him if I was going to travel through three countries to see him I wanted him to be agressive. It worked well for me, but having said that, I have been a very very good patient because I knew I was playing with fire. Thanks for your support everyone. I feel like we have such a great bond on this journey. I am glad you are out there in cyberworld to help me!

Thank you....your message gave me chills. I love the support we can give each other! Congrats on your weight loss! It must feel great!

ADD ME TO THE LIST!!!! 100 pounds of ugly and unhealthy fat gone forever. I am so thankful for my new beginning and healthy lifestyle. I wake up happy to be here and excited! Over the last 100 pound loss I have been able to get off all my meds....just living healthy now and loving it!!!

BIG milestone today.....100 pounds gone! Woohoo! My next goal is to lose the last 15 by Christmas.

A few weeks ago when I was at 75 pounds gone, my trainer brought a 25 pound vest to my workout. I could barely move in it, it weighed me down so much. To realize I had taken off 3 of the vests was huge. The stress we put on our bones, joints and organs was unbelievable. I wish my hubby could see the long term damage he is doing to his body. He just gets mad if I even hint that he is not in perfect health. It makes me so sad.

2 more pounds and I can post here. OMG I can't wait. This thread has been such an inspiration to me!

I just took the time to read through this thread from beginning to end. First of all YOU ALL ARE AMAZING even though almost a year has past, I still feel your love and support when I read your messages. The second thing is...my how my mind haschanged. Wow. I can't believe the way I used to think and how vulnerable I was to outside influences. My self esteem has grown so much in the last year. That is the greatest gift of all. Soon we wil be celebrating 100 pounds gone forever....only 4 more to go! I will post a pic as soon as I figure it out! lol.

Kay...In March I got my second fill which took me to 2.5 in a 4cc band. I was really comfortable there. Recently got an unfill to 1.6 and I still feel restriction here. I think fills are such a personal thing, and we all have our own magic number. I guess the key is...are you hungry? If so, get a fill. I rarely get hungry, and I LOVE that. Don't beat yourself up about the mindless eating....everyone does that...that is why we are banded. After we do it a few times we catch on! lol.

I have been lurking around this thread for almost a year. It seems unbelievable to me, but I almost get to post here....just a few more pounds and I will be shouting it from the rooftops! Thanks for the encouragement. Victoria.

Congrats and best wishes. You will do great!

:clap2:You all are so terrific. Thanks for the encouragement and the good advice. I am feeling much better. Still tender. It is so great to have this forum and to know that we are 'normal' and experiencing 'normal' things. Have a fabulous day everyone! BTW...I can't believe how well we are all doing!:clap2:

Very reassuring info. Thanks.

You look great. Your skin looks fantastic...you have lost the weight very gracefully!

WOW! You look fantastic! Congrats.

Congrats on your surgery. It is a journey, be patient with yourself and remember one day at a time. You will do great!!

Boo - you are looking very glamourous...congrats. One of these days I will get some pics taken and post them. You are ALL doing sooooo great. Very motivating!

Hello Everyone! I have been going along nicely, watching what I eat, exercising about 5 days a week. Life is good. I had a little hiccup this week so I thought I would share it. I have been so fortunate and have not had any problems...I guess it was my turn. So...I must have got something stuck. I couldn't keep anything down for a few days and then started waking up choking. Then I decided it was time to go to the Dr. So I went to my doc and he phoned the local bariatric surgeon and the bariatric surgeon wanted to see me at the hospital. So I went to the hospital and waited and waited and waited. Then I was dehydrated, so they put me on IV. I was scared because the dr I was seeing had turned my away in the past. His office said...he doesn't treat people who had their surgery in Mexico. My GP said that I should be calm and remember that he is morally and ethically obligated to treat me and that he can't do anything without my permission. Anyways....the surgeon came in and he was great. He unfilled me (I had 2.5 in a 4 cc) and then I drank a couple glasses of Water and he gave me a partial refill to 1.6. He also agreed to be my new Dr. and for that I am thrilled. I was very frustrated with all the traveling I was doing when he was just down the street. I am feeling better now, although I still cant eat much and I am tender. He and I are both concned that I might have caused a hernia or slipped by causing a portion of my esophogus to get stuck in my band but we are just going to take it day by day. I seem to be getting better. However last night I did wake up choking again. Has this happened to anyone else? I am going to try to something new and not eat or drink at all in the evenings just in case I am having acid reflux. I appreciate any feedback. You all are the best! I love reading about your trials and successes...it is great we have this support.

Mandi....wow wow wow. I hope you feel terrific!

Louise....you are awesome. You THINK like someone who is in control. That is so important. You are doing great. Yeah for you!

I went there too, and they were great!

I went out of the country and had an excellent experience. I think it is important to remember that we are not going out of country because we want to, but rather because the health care system has failed us...specifically here in BC. Obesity is a serious health problem that leads to other health problems that the province will treat...that makes no sense to me. Also, these dr's who won't treat patients who are done in Mexico, in my opinion, make themselves look bad by being close minded. Dr. Ortiz is a top specialist in his field, the Dr's in BC do about 4 lap bands a month...he does 5-6 a day; so why would the Dr here discredit his...except for $$$$....hmmm. What is important is YOU, do what is best for you and the rest will always fall into place. I have no regrets. Best wishes.

Great job Andrew. What an inspiration. You look terrific.

FF - It is normal to have pain after surgery. Just give yourself time to recover. You are doing the right thing by letting your body heal without solid food. Beleive me it is worth the pain. Best wishes.

This is great info...thanks so much for sharing. Did you consider surgery in TJ? I am having a consult with Dr.Quores (sp?) as I was referred to him by Dr. Ortiz. (Oct 8). I am pretty excited!

This is great information. Thanks!