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what a vacation

shinkodude

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shinkodude    0

shinkodude
Posted

I was on vacation in Beirut Lebanon on September of 2004 when I had my surgery, I met a few people that had the lap band done and they looked great. My 3rd day there I visited with Dr. Biagini, 9th day I got the lap band installed I was his 876th patient by 10 am surgery day. 3 more people were scheduled For surgery that day also. I didn’t even know what lap band was until I went to Lebanon and met those who had it done.

I was out of the hospital the next morning and it took me 3 days to recover. I got my first fill 10 days after surgery; 1 day befor leaving to the states. I was suppose to go back in February 2005 for my 2nd fill but things got shaky, the former Prime Minister of Lebanon got assasinated, so forget about going back home for the time being I said. I called a few clinics around my area but none are willing to accept me.

I weighted at 298 lbs prior to surgery now I’m at 257 lbs my first fill didn’t really do much tightening I had trouble with the food that I did not chew thoroughly, I had never heaved or gagged yet or even induced it. My eating portion is cut down in half; I have been going to the gym for at least 4 days a week since November and that is helping me shed the additional weight since I got no additional fills for the time being.

Having the lap-band encouraged me and gave me the strength and motivation to re-route my health habit I know I got a device installed that is fail proof if I maintained my self. If I keep doing what i’m doing now I don’t think I will be needing an additional fill, but still I want to be on the safe side, I want to feel stress free knowing that their is some one that can assist me (A doctor) in my region as far as check ups, medical advice and future fills if necessary.

I think this forum is a wonderful asset to have I already feel the extra drive to keep up what I am doing and more.

I hope this story reaches lots of you because it has definitely reset my clock of strength.

B.E

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AnotherMe    0

AnotherMe
Posted

Brian, wow! You didn't learn about the Band from anyone here in the States? I think it's by far safer than gastric bypass, but the word is just starting to spread.

Even without another fill you're doing an awesome job!! Keep up the hard work.

I would suggest you go to the Inamed website and search for a Dr in your area... http://www.inamed.com/products/obesity/us/patient/patient.html

(click on surgeon locator)

* also, at the bottom of the LBT home page look for Local Lap-Band Support forum at the bottom and click on your state.. if you start a thread there I'm sure you'll get lots of support.

good luck and keep us posted on your success,

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shinkodude    0

shinkodude
Posted

Thanks for the additional info Karla i think my next step is to contact the Wish Center in Washington State, the Docs in my state will not take outsiders especially without the proper medical release of information from my Doctor back home it is tough to get it.

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shinkodude    0

shinkodude
Posted

Thanks a bunch Jenna, I will be giving wish center a call on Monday/ now for your 2nd question: "What type of band do you have?"; are you asking me about size or brand? Size I don’t know off hand I have to check my companion card that I take with me when I travel incase I beep going through the airport metal detectors. The Brand it is the Lap-band from www.inamedhealth.com corp.

shim.gifwww.inamedhealth.com

shim.gif

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hagerteresa    3

hagerteresa
Posted

Hello,

Did you say you live in Washington State? I got my band in Mexico and use a wonderful fill doctor in Portland Oregon for my fills and aftercare. What part of Washington do you live in? Anyway my docs name and number is Thomas Eubanks at 503-353-3005. If you can't find anything closer to home, he will take out of country patients. Hope that helps. Best wishes, Teresa

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Go To Topic Listing Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

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    • Alisa_S

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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