Newly Banded Nov 1, 2006 Mom and Son

[Teri]

I just want to say......................... with sadness.

I had high hopes for Kyle. For those of you who have been following our progress, the thought of losing weight for myself and Kyle was pure joy. I have been disappointed in him not the band. He has not wanted a fill at all and when I have taken him, he cannot handle even a small amount (says he cannot drink even water). It's always been my suggestion getting fills for him, and he begged for the band. I was thinking, this would be wonderful for him to. He just loves food more than being filled properly so he can eat like he likes. I've come to terms with the fact that he has this awesome tool for the day if and when he is ready to lose weight. I am sad about it, and being that he was young when banded the "ball" has to be in his court and there is nothing I can do but to wait till he is ready to drop the weight. I refuse to spend any more money on fills for him until he's ready for the proper amount. I havent changed the signature until now, but he does weigh more then before he started pre-op. I have several different emotions about it. It's been difficult trying to deal with him because I know what it is like not being able to drink. But fills are the key.

Teri

[kym828]

Oh Teri,

i am so sorry to hear that... i remember Kyle on the day of our surgeries and he seemed excited and ready for this challenge. The one positive is that when Kyle is ready the band will work for him. He will get there, we all get there eventually. Hang in there, I think you are doing the right thing by not pressuring him any longer, he will come to terms with this on his own. He is very blessed to have such a wonderful mom that has provided him with this tool when he is ready!

Kim

[Teri]

Thank you so much Kym. You look awesome by the way. Can you believe it is almost a year????????? Yes, with Kyle, it's heartbreaking to know that other people would love to be in his position and have the band as a tool. I just have to let it go, but we could have used the money for other things, right now, it seems a waste. I have been thinking about sending him to a nutrutionalist and then take him back to TJ for the proper fill so he will lose. His schedule and mine are quite different these days, so I'll have to time it. Anyway, keep up the great job, you do look fabulous.!!!!!!!

Teri

[Teri]

Gosh, I have to say, losing 33 pounds feels great, wonderful and fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

********************ONE MORE HUGE THING*******************

I have been on Advair medicine for 18 years thinking I had Asthma. For the last say 5 months or so I have only needed to use it a handful of times. I was using it twice daily. I think now looking back, I might have had major allergies to corn. I have laid off the corn products and viola, the need for the medicine has been eliminated. YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not sure if I ever did have Asthma???????????????

I am thrilled!!

Teri

[Teri]

I just dropped back into the 149's. I am so excited about it. It's been a long time. 36 pounds down now and I wouldn't have had this success without the band. So blessed the timing was right to be banded. If I had known about it earlier, I would have gone sooner. With the band, they say expect to be at your goal weight, or close to it in 2 years. So, with 1 year almost here (Nov 1) I am very happy. Had some more tightening issues over the weekend. My last 2 fills of 3.7cc worked great for a while, then I tighten. So, I'll stay at around 3.5 or 3.6. I hope it's enough to keep me from eating to much. It's getting harder to lose weight as the weight comes off. Plus, my metabolism is slow, and I need to work on walking or cardio (love jazzersize) - just wish they had classes right around the corner from me at the Fitness center. I think I'll go for a walk now.

Teri

[cyndiwilson]

Sorry to hear that Kyle has choosen to continue his habits- :-( #-o Hannah has gained alot of weight she is at around 225- she is my height and I look at her everyday and hope people don't make fun of her at school- you get what I mean- He will mature and like I believe was said - when he is ready he has the tool to help him------We are coming up on that year yes we are- you have done good for the small amount of weight that you are wanting t0 lose---I am down from 267 to 191 and am thrilled- i have had 2 fills one by Dr. Ortiz's office and one by Wendy- that was back in May and I think I hit it right on the nose with that fill- I have to watch my bites and make sure I chew- and not drinking during has been a big step to climb and I still have to work it everyday- I just started working on my stomach to see if I can get rid of the innertube look LOL theamount I have lost without exercising I feel is a good thing one year out- 10-16-2007

Hope your family is doing well

Cyndi

[Teri]

Well it's over a year now. By about 2 weeks. I have had my struggles. With success though, I might add. I do love the band still, because I lose weight. It's been tough, I will admit. 37 pounds down and I am really

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I will update a new pic when I can get Kyle to help me. He has a new girlfriend and now is taking an active part in doing his part with the band. Salads, running, etc. I am happy for him. It feels so wonderful everyone. I havent been on in a while, almost a month now, and I miss you guys. Will write and read again soon.

Teri >

[Teri]

Sorry to hear that Kyle has choosen to continue his habits- :-( #-o Hannah has gained alot of weight she is at around 225- she is my height and I look at her everyday and hope people don't make fun of her at school- you get what I mean- He will mature and like I believe was said - when he is ready he has the tool to help him------We are coming up on that year yes we are- you have done good for the small amount of weight that you are wanting t0 lose---I am down from 267 to 191 and am thrilled- i have had 2 fills one by Dr. Ortiz's office and one by Wendy- that was back in May and I think I hit it right on the nose with that fill- I have to watch my bites and make sure I chew- and not drinking during has been a big step to climb and I still have to work it everyday- I just started working on my stomach to see if I can get rid of the innertube look LOL theamount I have lost without exercising I feel is a good thing one year out- 10-16-2007

Hope your family is doing well

Cyndi

Thanks Cyndi,

Hard to believe we havent gotton together yet. I am down in the 7-8's to 9-10's and some little 12's. It varies. Just went out with a couple from Gold Canyon last night. Brian and Jenny (I think you know them). They kept saying the whole night, Teri you are hot, on and on. You lost so much weight, oh my gosh, Ward, you better watch out for her. It was so uplifting to know people notice. HAHA I will have to get over to your shop. Teri >

[Teri]

YA HOO Down 42 pounds and I feel so much lighter. I feel like I'm in heaven.

[Teri]

Hi Everyone,

Thought I would post, it's about time. Hmmmmmnnn the band. I think for me, it has taken a good year + to get use to how it really works. It wasnt easy for me, and very frustrating to say the least. The band is something I am aware of every every every day and every every every meal. It's just the way it is. For me, it's been all yo-yo. And to think I thought that would be over when I was banded. Life with the band is a constant reminder of how much money I spent between Kyle and myself.

Right now, NOT WORTH IT. I am still learning though. Very hard to deal with the instant tightening. I start by taking tiny bites the size of a pea, if it goes down, I continue with that size, then I open up and am able to take bites normal sizes, say the size of a large marble. It has been tough. I was down 42 pounds, but it was a false loss due to not being able to eat or keep liquids down. Time will tell since it has taken me soooooooooooo long to adjust to it. I still like having the band because I would be 200 + by now. I am just not where I would have liked to be. Let me put it this way, if I would have spend half the money, say, 4,000, It would be more in tune with the way it has reacted to my body. The 8,500 is steep for the results we have and have not gotton.

This is just my story, and Kyles. I dont want to sway anyone, either way, because our bands are very different reacting from each other and so many other people experience differently. I am happy for all who have lost thier weight thru being banded, and feel for all those who are still struggling.

Teri

[erin2796]

:) Our experience was fantastic! It has been 4 days since our surgery. Dr. Ortiz is wonderful! We were scared to death (literally) of going to TJ MX. And 17,000 for the both of us was lots of $. Thank God, I have a wonderful, kind, generous hubby! I hate to sound selfish, but our health, mind set, and feeling and looking good about our body image is worth it. I have been a yo yo struggler my whole life, only to keep gaining at 48yrs old. I know I dont have as much to lose as some folks, but the never ending struggle with food is the same.

Kyle was following in my path at only 15yrs old. I started at 185, 5'3" and Kyle 225 at 5'5". We both averaged about 77.5 body fat. Thats ALOT. After researching 24/7 almost constantly anyway, we followed all the preop stuff to begin a new and healthy life. My biggest concern was being able to stick to the liquid stage afterward. I mean, come on, we are eaters and that is our favorite thing to do! Pitafull, I know, BUT LIQUIDS for 21 DAYS! It was TOUGH ENOUGH sticking to the slim fast and a lean cuisine. As luck would have it, My B-day, Oct 26, and Anniv Oct 27! fell into the preop diet. So very tough. I cheated a little.

We flew into SAN. on Oct. 31, Halloween, and I passed out candy eyeballs, how lame, but fun. LOL (I think it was a way to keep my mind off of what was going to happen). We were met by a chaffeur, Fransico, drove threw rush hour traffic and took about an hour to get to the Lucenera Hotel. The security was GREAT there, and everyone friendly. We were shown our room, ate at the MX rest. (good) cheated again. Back to room, fell asleep nervously, woke up and met Mrs. Ortiz in the lobby. She drove us to the Clinic (Bev Hills style).

We checked in, saw Dr. Miranda (she went over the diet post-op) we were weighed, etc. they drew blood, (Kyle almost passed out & about 4 nurses, Dr's. came rushing, laid him down, etc.) very comforting. Next we saw the cardiologist, took a breathing test, EKG, passed everything and were ready for surgery. They gave us 2 pills to relax us (which they did very nicely).

Dr. Ortiz came in and was so funny & made you feel at ease. Talked about how weight is everything, along with being healthy. YES it is!! and he said, Kyle, today your life will change! For the better. He told Kyle to follow the rules for a couple of months, and then he said, Kyle were MANLY MEN, we eat hamb. pizza and eat MEN things, like WOOD and BARK (LOL) and after 2 months I dont care what you eat, eat anything! (Dr. Miranda might have been....a little shocked.) He said teens are the best patients, and he will lose. Kyle loved Dr. Ortiz & the nurses loved Kyle like there own son, then Kyle went back to his room, (he was having surgery 1st) I fell asleep, and was awoken by the nurse.

Kyle had been banded already, I walked in to see him, he mummbled some things, then I walked to O. R. and dont remember anything until I awoke and I was banded. Then we were encouraged to walk. Surprisingly, no pain, but we were given pain med. We were up and using the computers, called home, all the calls home were free. Stayed overnight, the beds were very comfortable, flat screen TV's with more channels then you can imagine. The service was impeccable. The nurses gave us popsicles, chicken broth, etc. Continued to take Blood Pressure, etc.

We were discharged the next morning. Another driver drove us back to the Hotel, for lunch we sipped chicken broth 1/2 cup and were stuffed! (Thanksgiving Stuffed) the same for the O.J. for breakfast the next morning. We took a taxi to the Mall, walked around, bought some things. Back at the Hotel we had a Mom & Son laugh & cry. Talked about how painful it has been that kids will be kids with the teasing of fat kids & how fabulous it is that it will soon be behind him. Kids can be ruthless, and even though you have the ability to laugh it off, the hurt lingers. Great Bonding Time. (He kept this all inside, I didn't know how this effected him) since he knows how to "give it back"

Watched the tube, went to sleep, had breakfast (the OJ). Kelly whom we were banded with the same day, rang our room to meet her and her husband in the rest. We talked for an hour or so, exchanged email and the driver was there to take us back across the border to the Airport. Flew home, and we literally cannot stop laughing from how full we feel. After drinking that O.J. 1/2 cup, at 7a.m. we were stuffed until 5pm. YA WHO. I dont want to get to "cocky", just want to enjoy the wonderful feeling's we are feeling.

I can already see a difference in Kyle's attitude about his weight, He put on a T-shirt he hasnt worn since last year, (a tight muscle T) and He was smiling from ear to ear, and so was I. Apologies for the length, but this was our experience on being banded. He is down to 210 and I am down to 175. He lost 10lbs pre-opt and I lost 8lbs. Were just a little tender but no pain. We LOVED this experience together, and for anyone considering MX. and Dr. Ortiz, it was far more then what I was expecting, and I had high expectations before going.! If your questioning TJ, MX, your probably going to be jumping out of your skin, like me, but not to worry! So, signing off, JOYFUL in AZ! Teri and Kyle PS. Wishing EVERYONE the BEST with whatever you decide!

It is nice to read your story! I am scheduled to be banded on June 19th and have been very nervous about the whole TJ Mexico thing. I have been pouring through this forum for days now and am feeling more and more at ease from everyone's great stories! I have 3 kids, two of which are overweight and if all goes well for me I will seriously consider bringing them in for the surgery also if they chose to have it done. These post are great and I am getting a clearer picture of what to expect when I arrive at OCC so I want to thank everyone for being so honest and providing such detail in your stories!

[Teri]

It is nice to read your story! I am scheduled to be banded on June 19th and have been very nervous about the whole TJ Mexico thing. I have been pouring through this forum for days now and am feeling more and more at ease from everyone's great stories! I have 3 kids, two of which are overweight and if all goes well for me I will seriously consider bringing them in for the surgery also if they chose to have it done. These post are great and I am getting a clearer picture of what to expect when I arrive at OCC so I want to thank everyone for being so honest and providing such detail in your stories!

Hey! You are in really good hands at OCC. As a matter of fact, I love the health care so much in MX, I took my daughter to TJ to have LASIK eye surgery. She can see 20/15 instead of the usual 20/20. The care is just fabulous. Still to this day, people just freak out when you mention MX, especially TJ. And then throw the surgery word in there and OH MY GOSH, you would think they swallowed a golf ball from thier reaction. The media here has told horror stories from other countrys hance the apprehension. I would bet the horrors happen many many more times here in the U.S. Anyway, have a wonderful journey, enjoy it, treasure it, and work with it. It is only a tool. It's a wonderful treat though. Every time you take a bite you are always reminded to slow down, enjoy the conversation, and hope your food goes down, especially around people who dont know your banded. Good Luck again, and thanks for your nice comments. Teri

[MamaMichelle]

Teri Can you share who did your daughter's Lasik in TJ and how much it cost??

[Teri]

Teri Can you share who did your daughter's Lasik in TJ and how much it cost??

Hi Michelle,

The Dr. is Arturo Chayet. He INVENTED Lasik. He's about 5-10 min from OCC. The web site is www.codetvision.com. He has an advanced machine the U.S. doesnt have yet. This Dr. has so many awards lining his walls we actually stopped counting, there were so many. It was 800 an eye + drops ($100) + something else they charge for, cant quite remember but it was around $200, free inhancements for life. Same kinda deal, they pick you up from San Diego airport. The hotel room is extra but very nice. The phone number is on the website. My daughter (24) was basically blind with a stigmatism & wore glasses since 4th grade. She absolutley loves it. If you'd like any more info, just PM me and I'll write you back.

Good Luck Michelle,

Teri

[Teri]

Hi All,

I am feeling like I am truley on the road to loosing weight after about 1 and 1/2 years. I have gotten very small doses of fill the last 3 months. Just creeping up on it. I have no idea what is in my band, and frankly it doesnt matter to me, as long as it restricts me. Unfills, fills, unfill, fills, it has been crazy. I am eating a lot less with this last fill of only .125. I was afraid to get 0.2. It's that close. And with me, the band tightens within weeks, so, there ya have it. Hopin this will work, cuz if this fickle band tighens again so I cannot drink water, I will just have to settle for eating regular meals, and that means weight gain.

The journeys going to happen, so I feel like I have to enjoy the weight I have lost and kept off. I dont necessarily always like working WITH the band, but you dont have the choice when you want restriction.

Have a great day.

Teri

[Teri]

Hi Everyone!

It's been almost 2 years. Was going to wait till Nov 1 to reply but thought I would reply now. I was at OCC Sept 4, 2008. Was in the fluro room for about one hour. I had 3.8cc's in my band and could still eat 2 pieces of the texas garlic bread, about 6 oz's of steak, potato, salad, and veg. Way to much food for me to losse weight. I was gradually gaining. I went for a blind fill every month since January (not at OCC) to creep up to the correct fill amount with no luck, hence the trip to TJ.

While at OCC, I wanted answers. The Dr. asked what I was drinking in calories. I was drinking a lot of wine. But, I was also eating to much food with little restriction. The fill was such a fine line. The Dr. basically said if I have any more fill, I won't be able to keep water down. I said, Why am I able to eat so much then. Everyone is different. My brain is not telling my stomach I feel full. So he basically gave me a smidge more, basically, he said, it was'nt even a fill. I didnt even pay for a fill, just the needle usage for $30.

At the clinic on Sept 4, I weighed 169. Today I am back down to 155. I have lost 14 more pounds since about a month ago. I am only eating 1/4 cup of food and doing that very slowly, and drinking very slowly. I am tight. Enough for me to loose weight.

Still can eat steak, just about 3 normal size bites though. (I cut them though the size of a peice of corn, or peanut). Then I am finished. Feeling full, and if I dare take another bite, forget it. I will Upchuck. I was drinking wine every nite. I decided to cut that out completely during the week, and only have a couple of glasses on Saturdays. I realized I was replacing food for wine, and almost got caught up as an alcoholic. It scared me to know, I was at my limit in the band, and I couldnt recieve any more fills without becoming overfilled. I needed to get serious about cutting the wine, and I am so glad I did.

I met some nice ladies at OCC who were banded getting there first fills. I remember being there, being so excited to have restriction. Boy, it's been a long drawn out battle. I pray all of you find that sweet spot. Keeping my fingers crossed as I write, (well, thats kinda impossible, but in my mind I am.)

Kyle has neither lost or gained. He has a wonderful girlfriend whom he told about the band after hiding it for months. I wish he would grow taller soon to help with his body. LOL. All in all, we are happy to have the band.

I LOVE THE BAND still, with all the troubles and money is cost me. Because without it, I would be 50 pounds heavier then I am. I feel very fortunate to have the blessing of being able to be banded.

Sincere wishes and prayers to you all in your weight loss.

Teri >

[MrsParris]

Thank you for the update. I am to be banded Nov. 20th. I think it is a good decision, then I read negative posts and I re-think my decision, especially the financial part. But, being a normal size has always been the one goal in my life that has been the most difficult to attain. Your post has helped me to see that my weight loss may not be quick, but if I am persistent it will be attainable eventually.

I also have an overweight son. I am doing this for him too. If everything goes well for me, I plan on having him banded summer 2009.

Once again, thanks.

Kimberly

[HopefulFuture]

Thanks for this post. I read it before my surgery and I am reading it again. I understand the struggle with the band and I hope that I can overcome most obstacles thrown my way.

Congratulation on your weight loss so far. I hope I can lose that much too.