Looking For August Bandsters....

[kimster 0]

Hi Everyone:

I just wanted to let you know I’m back from Monterrey, and wanted to tell you about my experience.

I would do it again in an instant. I wouldn’t change a thing. Dr. Arturo Rodriguez was the most compassionate doctor I have EVER met. He visited me at least 5 times during my 1 day hospital stay. Each time, he stayed as long as I needed him to. He made sure that my every need was attended to.

The Osler hospital was a smaller, clinic-style hospital. Not the fanciest place, but it was very clean. They were a little understaffed for nurses, but the nurses they had were very, very good. I know when my first 3 babies were born in hospitals in the USA, I had to wait a really long time sometimes to get a response from a nurse. It was one of the reasons I decided to have my last baby at home. The nurse response time at the Osler was a little slow at times, but I could honestly tell that they truly responded just as soon as they could. The head nurse even had my Sleepy Pete Lamb (a microwavable herbal hot pack that I sell) heated and waiting for me when I returned to my room after surgery.

Dr. Rodriguez also arranged for a member of his staff to take us shopping at the mall the day after the surgery, to get us up and walking. Every person I met from the Dr.’s staff or from the hospital’s staff was caring and professional. I have only the best things to say about the care I received.

My recovery is going very well. The surgery was not bad at all. Apparently, my liver was enlarged, and this made it more difficult for Dr. Rodriguez to do the surgery. He had to do a lot more man-handling with my insides, so that’s probably why I’m still pretty sore. The good side of it is that he unearthed that liver problem before it became something serious. He said that it was enlarged because I was eating too many carbohydrates (never knew that could cause your liver to enlarge), but that he felt that with the surgery, I should be able to completely shrink my liver back to normal size as my weight goes down. So, I guess this operation was truly life-saving after all!

So, now that I’m home, I’m working on recovering and moving on with my new life. My mom is here to take care of the house and the kids, and I’m slowly easing back into my job. The liquid diet isn’t too bad. I’m finding ways to cope with it. I think the hardest part is smelling my mother’s home cooking. It isn’t so much that I want to eat it. The problem is that the smell lingers for so long. My brain keeps thinking food is coming, and then it never comes. I’m sure it will pass soon enough. I’m just trying to stay very focused on my new life and very positive about the changes I’m making.

Each day is one day closer to the weight I want to be. Each pound that goes away is never coming back. I have been blessed with this wonderful, life-saving LapBand tool, and I plan to use it to help me live the life I’ve been wanting to live for so long now. Thank you Dr. Rodriguez for giving me this new start on the second half of my life.

[weightshaker 12]

Hi Kim,

I just had surgery with Dr. Rodriguez on 8-17-05 last wed. I do agree with you that he is the greatest, and so is his staff. My stomach is still a little sore, as I too had an enlarged liver. As of yesterday I had lost 10 lbs and it is the most awesome feeling.

Who took you to the mall? Gabriela took my hubby and I and she was the best!!:knockedou We will have to keep intouch w/each other.

Take care and welcome to band land,

Shelley

Dallas, Ore.

[Barb 0]

I also went to Dr. Rodriguez in Mexico. Everything was great and I have felt good from a few hours after surgery.

I am glad everything went well for you all.

I was also at Osler.

[Margo 0]

CaliQueenBee, sisterp, Chris101....hope your surgery was smooth and your recovery even smoother!!!

[HotLikeHer 0]

I dont remember if I posted on this, but my surgery is in a few days, Aug 30th,,,

Only nervous about the IV and the Anesthesia, and never once have I not woken up vomiting....and um,,, "combative"

Hey other than that,, heh heh, I am ready to go,,,lol

[loopylou 0]

I always wake up crying how embarassing!!!

maybe give the nurses a 'heads up' on what they may want to expect and they can have some ....er 'soothing' meds waiting for you

[MerryHearted 20]

Well, we're headed into "caboose" week! Only a few more days left in August. I am nervous :nervous: and not sleeping well. I switched from Optifast to Glucerna because the Optifast was giving me eczema... boy I just want this over with and the weight to start dropping off.

Hope everyone who's had it already is recovering well!

[Margo 0]

Hang in there, MollyMolly....you will be banded before you know it!!! Right now is probably the hardest time....on the Clear Liquids, waiting, and being happy, but nervous! One way to look at it is this....next week this time you will be a bandster!!!

[CaliQueenBee 0]

Hey Margo & all...back from MX am now an official Bandster! Everything went smoothly and I will be goin' back to work tomorrow. I couldn't believe how easy everything was - I have nothing but positive things to say about the whole surgical procedure and the wonderful Dr Ortiz & staff. Whoo-Hoo, band is in and I'm feelin' great other than a little soreness around the port incision. And oh yeh, this liquid diet is rough...but if it helps me lose this weight then what's a couple weeks of broth, popsicles and jell-o? :eek: Thanks everyone for their support!!!

[divaliciousdee 0]

Welcome back Queenbee! It is on now girlfriend! Work that band! LOL. Well I go for surgery tommorrow at 6am. feeling a little nervous but leaving it in God's hands!

Glad you are doing great.

DeeDee

[CaliQueenBee 0]

Good luck Dee Dee! Let us all know how it goes. You'll be up and around in no time. Have plenty of broth, gatorade and sugar free jell-o on hand.

[Margo 0]

Aimze. divaliciousdee. and showboatgirl......tomorrow is the big day!!! Good luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery!!!!

[Aimze 0]

Thanks so much.. I will take that luck with me for tomorrow.. see you on the other side of band land...

Amy

PS. Good luck to all of the lap bands going in tomorrow

[Pianoman 0]

I had mine done on August 23rd... Everything A-OK so far.

Amusingly enough, My surgeon's name was "Dr. Nick"... Now if you've watched the simpsons, you'll know what I mean.

EVERY OPERATION FOR $29.95!

[MerryHearted 20]

Well guys, here I go!! Keep me in your thoughts and send good wishes my way tomorrow morning at 8:15 am PDT.