burnsun

Dr. Van Wagner out of St. Alexius Hospital. He has seen myself and my mother in law. We were banded by Dr. O

CONGRATULATIONS SHELL!!!!!!! I new it would happen- I have recently revised goal and am glad to see some else thinking of that! Keep trying - I know I am enjoyin buying the size 10 jeans and fainted when they fit!!!!! Hope you have a similair reaction witht he size 8 's soon!

I had three children the day of surgery and I cried the day of surgery that I was so worried I would never see them again! (that little adivan pill really does a number on you when you are already scared) I am so happy I did it! We run play and have fun. I can now fall down and get up when we do ring around the rosey! I love feeling great! and I know it is making my kids enjoy things a whole lot! I now have four little ones and it is so onderful knowing that not one morbid obese picture will ever be in Miranda's album. Even now my little girl calls my "fat" pictures the other mother. I will always keep them up- but it is so weird (and she is 2 so she doesn't know better)

Note- Eric and I took them to the cultural museum the day after surgery (we walked) and to see a movie the next day (again walked) and shoping. It was a taxi trip if you want- but It was easier to walk with the strollers and the tax's and my need for car seats!

Well _ I am a lone idiot and took all three of my little ones (at the time ages 3 1/2, 2 1/2 and 13 months. The 13 month old was still nursing. The two older ones are also special needs and have down syndrome. (I also took my husband) So it can be done! We took am extra day to recover before leaving and I came back to the hotel the night after surgery. The hard part was getting all three carseats, dh, me and grandma- (dh mom) who had surgery the same day to fit with all our "crap" in the suburban - and it was big! We had to- Eric was really worried about the surgery thing and really needed to be there. I think I would have died if I had left the kids with him alone (or he would have) and at least my house was clean when I got back. Now I have four- and am actuall considering taking them with us when I go for plastic surgery- Or at least 2 of the four and leaving two with grand ma! I had no problem at the border- just bring birth certificate. (if you are really worried- you can get a pass port for the little one- I will be applying for passporst after we get our latest adoption finalized next week and the birth certificate arrives.

Shell is so right- any weight lost now is a great benefit, I lost about 25 lb and plateued before my first fill, I have lost about 2 lbs a wee consistently since then. The slowing down was normal and to be expected. It is hard though when the scale stops moving- but SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE!!!!! I have lost over 114 lbs and still going strong and I really don't feel like it has been that big a change- but today I ran into a lady I hadn't seen in about 8 months and she almost didn't recognize me. I forget - it is a lot of weight even though it is two pound a week average! GOOD LUCK!!

Jenna said it perfect! I have not had any problems. I will be returning for a genral check up if my house ever closes- or october- which ever comes first

No- but that is my one year anniversary! You give them all a big kiss for me!!!!

I just started getting hanging skin after about the 100 pound loss (excep the arms- those are horrid) My breasts are now gone if I am not wearing a bra. I also am starting to get the "hanging thigh- they are batwings on arms what are they on thighs" So will I need plastics- it depends on my mood and my day of thinking. I really think I am going to get my arms done- but I can wear a size 10 top (but the arms make it hard if it is cut close. I think I will plan on waiting till at least next march before I finally make my mind up on the rest. I however am under 40- but I have been over 100 pounds over weight for more that 15 years and have kiddos, and breast fed for long time. But up intill about a few pounds ago there wasn't much. I also seem to have suddenly developed old wrinkly skin- I am upping my water to see if it improves.

I use One source chewable (a generic children's chewable at walmart) It is really great. I also add more folic acid. FYI---there is a chewable prenatal vitamin if anyone needs it!

I do mostly what I am told. I exercise a lot - but right now I am drinking a protein/icecream shake (I knmow no liquid calories-) but DH has to eat it and I just can alway do the skim milk thing. I have done wvery well. For the most part I do follow the rules too mostly- But I have enjoyed foods I wanted and that include chease cake and ice cream and lamb and anythin with in reason- just small amounts. My hardest has been cooking for holidays and such and not being able to eat the left overs befi=ore they went bad!

You will need till I believe 2008? a birthcertificate and a phoyto ID. I took my mother in law (getting banned at same time) my dear sweet husband, my 3 1/2 year old, my 2 year old and my 13 month old (at tthe time) with us!. It was a great and positive experience. There was a lot for them to do- but they wouldn't do it without me! Next time we do the beach!!!!!

I would do it again tommorrow!!! Without thinking (even counting the people article today)!!!!! If it had to come out- I would do it again as soon as possible- no matter what it cost. I have 11 lbs till I am a normal BMI and you know what- that will happen!!!!!! Sooner than I thought! My ob didn't even recognize me the other day- he wouldn't have had his nurse not pointed out who I was- I was visiting a friend who recently delivered. Today I crossed over 100 lb loss. Years ago I gave away my favorite all time thin dress. I cried then cause I knew I would never ever wear it again! I knew I was just going to be a slug and accepted it. I tried and failed so many times -- That I really thought this was going to do it again to. I have been really lucky- only one fill needed (consistent loss- way to go Dr. M) - I have follow up here if I need it. I plan to go back to TJ in Aug or Sept (wanna meet Shell?) have everything checked and buy some horchata,vanilla & some cool crystal light flavors (I am almost out) It almost makes me want to go to my highschool 20th reunion this year (OK not really- but heat there is always 25 maybe I will have forgotten all the jerks by then!!!!) I made the three weeks not bad & I was nursing a 13 month old at the time. It just takes planning and a desire to make it work (and I really wasn't that bad (but I did add clear protein drinks earlier due to baby)

Well I am a glutti=on (remeber I took three children under 3 with me when I was banded & went back to the hotel to nurse that nught & dragged them through the airport with our luggage and husband) & I lived. I didn't have much "recovery" time but that is because those MOM duties always seem to interfer. Good luck and take plenty of bottled water and shakes and broth

I am a big pear. After almost 100 pounds- I am still a pear- just a baby pear. However I am finally loosing moer weight off the bottom (that is cause it ialmost all gone of th etop!!!! I am now a 10 or Medium on top and a 12/14 or large in most but an occasional 16 on the bottom. This is still close to what I was before in concept - I was a 22/24 on top 2xl and a 26/28 on bottom or 3xl. OK not really that close but same perspective. I think that is the way I am and If I want more I will have to have it the same I will have to visit a surgeon!

If you are close to St. Louis- Dr. Van Wagner will fill mexican patients at this time. He has done my mother in law

Well - I have four little ones under five. The youngest is 3 1/2 months (adopted) and the oldest is 4 1/2 . Three of them have significant developmental delays. I am also still nursing the soon to be 2 year old and the little one too. I think I lost more weight because I keep up with them. My biggest problem is my son (4 1/2) is freaked out a little becasue I can't eat at the same time they do. (unless soup or something like that) It is really hard to concentrate on three with ds, watch their eating and manners, keep them happy and remember to chew. All but one of my PB's have been when I was forced to quickly swallow because someone three a fork or grabbed someone elses sandwhich or the etc. I solved this by the kids eating alone and dad and I eat after in bed (7:30) I understand some of the issues you face and it can be done- just keep some liquid protein in the car so you aren't tempted to cheat and know it will go down if you need it. Those are my hints- I get stuck out a lot driving from Drs to dance to sports,to therapy etc- and can no longer drive through for me (OK I can do chili from wendy's or BK if I have to or pintos and cheese from Taco Bell.) Good luck!

I thought the anethiaoligist was great!!! I got the view of the golf course- but mom had the hotel side. They have every thining there that is on a "crash cart" don;t worry. They also have ambilances and stuff like that to transport if a problem (I am sure) PS- I wanted to walk out when I got there- I was so scared- I cried while waiting- or maybe it was becasue I couldn't get my soap (ABC channel) at the hospital just NBC & CBS and it was a big plot day. I also missed som nursing so my breats hurt! but I was freaked I would die and leave my then three children motherless. I even kept telling them "bus accident" that was if i died- I wanted them to write it was a bus accident so Eric got more money from my life insurance. BUT I SURUIVIED (ok hallf of me did)! Good luck

I find it hard for people having surgery in mexico to understand some things are very different. I lived in southern mexico for one and half years (and visit often). It is very common foir surgeons to own a "suite" with their own operating room, they bring their own surigical equipment; and have it well stocked (if they are a good reputiable surgeon). There were not any "public: hospiutals like we think of here in US where I lived - most that served the "public: were religiously affiliated. This said- Dr. Ortiz has an excellent - by both US and exceptional by Mexican standars. Surgical clinic. He has to meet minimum standars by Mexico (some are much more stringent that those on US rural surgical centers) as well as meet minimum for Innamed (as a proctor). It is also normal for most plastic surgeons in us to operate with same type of "surgical center" in their own office. One of our local band doctors is trying to get one started to lower the cost for US out of pocket payments. You will be transportecd in US if a problem or operated on at different location if necessary also.-- the same is true for Dr. Ortiz- please be aware of that. Personal note- we were some of the first to use the center. I found it lovely and much better equipped than our local "Top 100 hospital" I also know (personal experience here- It would be much easier to get Drs Ortiz or Martinez back there if a problem than your orginal surgeon in the US. But is is different than what you might be expecting - but I live in very rural Missouri (thought close to STL) and if I went to local hospital to compare to his- the equipment was newer, better maintained and cleaner- personal opinion.

It took me about a week to be back to normal energy after the surgery. Now I have so much I alsost kill my husband with my lists (and he thought they were bad before). I also have four children under 5- so I am a bundle till I collapse each night For perfomance (vocal or theater or what type?) I might think you would be concerned at makeing sure you eat and/or drink appropriately to maintain what lkevels you need, but that might need to be something you experiment with. The cost of the surgery varies, on where performed and who/which doctor is doing it and what else they are doing? (roughly about 7K to 30K is what I have seen)

My family (all the kids and DH came. They like the pool (but we thought it was cool)- we walked to the curtural museum the day after surgery and that was great. They have an IMAX there. We also wen t to the mall- did a lot of shopping and took photos of all the statues and fountains. On our fill trip- we took a taxi to the wax museum. I agree with Michelle on everything. But I also took some of those therma care patches. I am a heat relieves pain person. They were perfect. I wore them on the plane home. (Between scholder blades to help with gas pain) The hotel restaurant had wonderful food and great staff. Just remeber to return your pool towels.

Please call the office and see if you can get them to verify. It is important you follow their instructions for YOU! I had protein drinks around (milk based ones) about day 10. But I had different circumstances. Trying to still breastfeed a baby. I used the clear liquid ones before that to keep hunger at bay and the gatoraide to get enoguh carbs to maintain milk. But again different situation.

I haveto say I know it will work. THe hardest part for me was waiting for that first fill. I lost and gained and lost till I got it. I have to say (even though I didn't listen to well myself) That first four to six weeks is for healing! Any weight lost before your fill is a bonous. Hard to imagine- but you have to weight. Don't every regret choosing the band over the bypass. FASTER IS NOT BETTER!!! You will get there in your own time and when you do- you will be healthier and still be thinner

Here are your photos- Michelle. You look great too!!!!

I wish her all the luck in the world - and boy won't the two of you do great when you go out! You can share a dinner and be cheap dates. Good luck!!!