Kris_TX

NAME: Kris LOCATION: Cancun AGE: 33 YEARS GENDER:FEMALE BAND DATE:March 22, 2006 HEIGHT: 5'4 HIGHEST WEIGHT: 222 CURRENT WEIGHT: 156 GOAL WEIGHT: 142

I was banded almost two years ago. At the time of surgery, you're given a card that says you should be allowed to order from the kids menu. I've never had to actually show it, but a couple of times I've had to inform the waiter/waitress that I did have a card and they WOULD be letting me order from the kids menu...at the kids price. Some have tried to charge a higher price for the exact same kids plate, and I don't accept that either. Its not a bigger portion...so, not going to be a bigger price. Most of the time, I avoid it by sharing with someone...but, don't be afraid to order off the kids menu. Stick up for yourself!

Long story short...I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in March 2006. I had several fills in the months following, but then moved to Cancun, Mexico in November 2006. I cannot find a fill doctor here and its just not feasible to make a trip to TJ. I have a trip to Albany, NY scheduled for the end of January 2008 and would really like to get in for a check-up and fill. If anyone can make recommendations on a doctor in Albany (or near by), I would appreciate it. Thanks, Kris 25 lbs left to goal!!!

I started diving again 5 months after my surgery, with no problems whatsoever. I think use common sense...if you are healed and available to exercise, the band isn't going to hold you back from heading down an atmosphere or two! (my opinion only...although I did get all this cleared with doctor before diving)...

Getting the right fill level is a bit of trial and error...I have a question for you though: Are you drinking while eating? I know in my own experience that I can eat almost anything if I drink while I eat. I've committed to not doing that anymore and it has made a HUGE difference. The scales are going down again! If that's not your problem, I would say just give it some time. After all, any weight loss is good news...just think, its weight you aren't EVER going to see again! Good Luck! It could be worse...you could have moved to another country and can't find a fill doctor to save your life. Oh wait, that's me.

Dottie, I was banded about 1 1/2 yrs ago and am an avid diver. I live in Cancun and dive regularly, with no problems, whatsoever. Nearly 20 years of diving...I made sure there wouldn't be any problems before I had the surgery. So, get back to it! Kris

That's great advice, but I just can't eat anything until around noon. I am one of those "allergic to the planet" people, who has tons of congestion...and so my band rejects pretty much everything until early afternoon....even yogurt doesn't work in the morning hours. So, I either have a cup of coffee or a protein shake...that's about all I can do.

I was banded one year ago by Dr. Ortiz in TJ. Like you, I had some pretty rotten luck and got the flu the first week after my surgery. It seriously sucked, but fortunately, there was no damage to the band. Since then, I've only gotten sick once (with a migraine). I stayed on liquids for a couple of days after and all went back to normal. Vomiting with the band...definitely not fun!

I moved to Cancun, Mexico about 5 months ago (solo) and have definitely felt the absence of a local "support system"...but, this site is great for encouragement, support, general questions, or whatever you need. Stupid Hurricane Wilma...if not for her, Dr. Ortiz might still be in Cancun! Seriously though...I've only lost 50 lbs in the first year and have felt like my weight loss is slow. But, I also know that I'm not doing everything I should be to promote weight loss. The thing is though...I'm still 50 lbs lighter than I was this time last year and the great thing is that it is 50 lbs that are NEVER GOING TO COME BACK!!!! The rest of the weight loss will come...the rest is up to me. Good Luck!

I've been diving nearly 20 years and actually moved to Cancun about 6 months ago. I work in a dive shop and dive regularly...no worries!

Congratulations on your weight loss! Where's your tummy scars though? I know I'm very fair complected, but even after a year, mine are very visible. Did you have something done to minimize them? Just curious...

My life changed one year ago, tomorrow. Like many here, I made the decision to take control over my struggle with obesity. I made the decision to get banded. The first year has definitely been a learning experience. I've lost only 50 lbs in the first year, but hey...its 50 lbs that I'm not carrying around anymore! I have another 40 to go and know that it will come...the first 50 weren't that hard to lose, but I know I'm going to have to work for the last 40... Even having only lost 1/2 of the weight I need to lose...it has made a tremendous difference in my life. I sold everything I owned last fall and moved to a foreign country...just for the adventure of it. That's something I never would have done before. I always had the sense of adventure, but not the confidence to back it up. I still struggle on a daily basis with choices...what I choose to eat, what I choose to do with activity level...and honestly, its hard down here sometimes without an immediate support system. But, I guess what I wanted to get across with this post, to those of you who are new to the band, or thinking about getting it...or even those of you, like me, who have had it for a while, but who struggle...it absolutely is worth it. It does change your life...the question is...are you ready for the change it will bring? Thanks for all the support given here...Good Luck to you all. Below is a link to show you all what a difference a year can make... http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y19/DarkP.../OneYearPic.jpg Kris Banded 3/22/06 222 (starting weight) /172 (current) /142 (goal)

My surgery was one year ago, tomorrow. I've only lost 50 lbs in the first year and there are times when I feel frustrated with it...but, then again, its 50 lbs. I have another 40 to go, but honestly, if I would just work a bit more at it...well, we all know how that goes. No worries...it will come off. It will just take some time...

Steve, It sounds to me like you are experiencing gas pains--left over from the air that was pumped into you during surgery. The way to fix it...WALK, WALK, and then WALK some more. I walked tons after surgery to prevent this, and so I never got the shoulder pains. But, I know I've heard from folks who have had the gas pains in the shoulder that walking helps, even if you already are having problems. So, my non-expert advice (as I am not a doctor--only a fellow bandster)...get to walking. Hope that helps! Oh, and did I mention WALK?? Kris

Also, the hotel has jello! I had strawberry jello when I got back to the hotel, after surgery...while watching my best friend sit across from me eating a fabulous meal. Guess it was too much to ask that if I couldn't eat, that she shouldn't eat either??? Ah well.

Kim, I know that for me...I have really bad allergies and so I usually have lots of congestion that accumulates during the night. I can't eat hardly anything until about 1pm. So, usually in the morning, I have a protien drink or just coffee. I've tried to force it a few times and it always comes right back up...yuk! So, I just wait until I can feel the band being more open and eat then... I'm nearly a year out and this doesn't change for me. You just have to kind of go with whatever the band feels like! Good Luck! Kris

SUGAR FREE POPCICLES!!! Those were the best during the first week after surgery. Also, sugar free cups of Jello and some Gatorade for energy. Popcicles were my favorite, though! Did I misspell popcicles??

Hi Renee, While I've never been pregnant...I chose the band because of the flexibility it offers. You will notice after getting banded - in your weeks before getting your first fills - that you can eat almost "normally". If pregnant, they can pull all the fluid out of the band and allow you to eat "normally". (I use normal in quotes, because once you are banded, your perception of what is "normal" changes greatly.) I have no idea if I even want to have kids...but, its nice to know that with the band, the option is still there. Good Luck! Kris

Please see here: http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showforum=10 for topics on lap band over bypass. Good Luck! Kris

This is true. It does become another part of you...a part that you have to learn to work with, but a permanent part, nonetheless. I agree with Becki in that we certainly could live without it, but I sure am glad that I don't have to. Nearly a year out, its hard to remember what it was like before I had the band. Well, I remember being overweight, that's for sure...but, my point is that it truly does become a part of who you are. The things that you give up become less important and living with this and eating the way it demands you eat...well, they become "normal" for you. Its funny how perception changes and what we used to see as a "normal" amount of food, now seems enormous!

Dottie, I had my surgery nearly a year ago and can tell you that I was back in the water about 8 weeks after surgery. You will want to wait at least that long before any heavy lifting (and even then, be careful). I have been diving for nearly 20 years and so this was also a concern of mine before I committed to the surgery. Rest assured, once your body heals from the surgery, diving is no problem!! Good Luck, Kris

Kerri, If I can offer you any advice...its stop drinking with your meals. Period. End of Story! I know that this is the thing that has been the hardest for me to follow. I was banded nearly a year ago, and most of the time I have been a "good" bandster. Thus, I was rewarded by the scales going down. I recently relocated my entire existence to another country, and with all the stress that came from that move, I ignored what I should have been doing and so the scale didn't move for two whole months!! I didn't need a fill...I was just ignoring what I should have been doing. I got back on track a couple of weeks ago and wouldn't you know it...the scale started going down again. If you are looking for a good exercise...check out the DVD called "Walk Away The Pounds". Its great! Its super easy to follow and it will make inches disappear. Congratulations on your decision (42 lbs is great!!) and best of luck to you! Kris

Lori...thanks for your reply. I have to agree. While I know we certainly appreciate the support, excitement and encouragement from posters like LittleRoo's...I think that unless you have actually been banded, gotten fills, etc., you should refrain from offering specific advice to others. Its irresponsible and unwarranted to tell someone what they should feel after surgery or after a fill, if you haven't felt it yourself. I've been banded nearly a year, and I can assure you that until you've been through the entire process, you can't possibly understand what it feels like, or what it should feel like. I sincerely encourage those of you who have yet to be banded to continue with your research and questions and please seek encouragement from this board...it is a wonderful board. I found it to be a very useful tool before getting banded. That being said...if you are unbanded, PLEASE cease with the advice giving to those of us who have actually had the operation and are living with this on a daily basis. I assure you...you can't possibly understand what we go through (although we are glad to share with you--since we actually have the band), until you've been there yourself. Thanks and Good Luck... Kris Banded 3/22/06 by Dr. Ortiz 222/174/142 p.s...Linda, I've never really had second thoughts as to the band, but every now and again I do wish I could chow down on a burger and fries! It will get better. Hang in there and just take it one day at a time.

Yes, he does charge the $100 for the cost of fluro. Good Luck...

You can see that there are many of us here who started out with lower BMI's. I was banded last March and have lost 44 lbs so far, with another 36 to go. As a lower BMI patient, the weight does come off slower, but hopefully that gives your body time to shrink with you (and avoids loose skin and such). Good Luck.