• Name: victoria R.
  • Username: victoriarivera
  • Location: goose creek, SC, USA
  • Member Since: 11/19/2004
  • BMI: 28.3
  • Surgery date scheduled
  • Surgeon: Pedro Kuri, M.D.
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Surgeon Testimonial

Pedro Kuri, M.D.
rnrnI cannot say enough good things about Dr. Kuri and his staff. My banding experience was wonderful. I have even been back to TJ twice for fills. The only down side I've experience by choosing to go to Mexico for my surgery is aftercare. I have had a problem finding a local Dr. that would provide me with fills. I finally found one 4 hours away that does fills for me when I can't make it all the way back to TJ. Dr. Kuri probably has the best bedside manner of any Dr. I've ever had in my life. He treats you like a precious little baby.....
Member Interests

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by piesmom on 12/30/04 6:38 pm
    Victoria, you had your done before me, so hows it going ? I just love it !!
  • Comment by Dakota Mom on 12/9/04 2:12 pm
    Best wishes on your surgery! May God be with you, your family, and your surgical team! I pray you have a quick recovery! :) Gail
  • Comment by Cyndi M. on 12/8/04 4:13 am
    ~~~~CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR UPCOMING SURGERY. ~~~~ Prayers that the Lord will guide your surgeons hands, and you have a speedy recovery. You are about to start an amazing journey. Some days will be good some will be bad, but the results in the long run are worth it all. Looking forward to hearing from you on the loosing side. Huggs and Prayers ~~Cyndi M~~
Click here for the surgery support page
Hey everybody,  I have been a member here on OH since 2004.  I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Kuri in December of 2004.  It has been a journey of ups and downs, victories and disapointments but I'm still fighting the fight...I have been successful with the band but havnt made goal yet, still working on that.
victoriarivera's Blog
victoriarivera's Blog


It's been awhile.....
on June 23, 2010 3:04 pm
Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted here.  I've had some major changes since my last post.  I have recently lost my Mother to brain cancer and cared for her 5 months before she passed.  I am also seperated from my husband as well but I'm moving on in my life and I will take it day by day.  I finally started losing again and today I am 181 only 6lbs from goal I also had a tummy tuck, brachioplasty and breast lift with augmentation last month and I'm very pleased with my results however my thighs and but need some attention but that will have to wait.  I am wearing size 12's and have some 10's in pants, shirts are large and some mediums so I'm really tickled but I have to be careful because I know I can gain back really easy if I'm not careful. 
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2 Tight Again!!!!!!UGH
on September 30, 2009 5:01 am
I''m not liking my band too much right now.  I got a fill Friday and was hopeful it would help me jump start my weightloss so I can finally start losing again.  I did fine Friday night and was pleased at how satisfied I was on a little food Saturday well Sat. night the reflux kicked in and I've been dealing with it ever since as well as night cough.  I know I'm too tight so I will have to call to get some unfilled.  It's aggravating because I can eat and drink fine and even have lost a few pounds but I can't handle the reflux or night cough it's dangerous and I can't sleep because of it.  I was really depressed about this and even for the first time started thinking about "what if" I ever have to have my band removed, I know deep in my heart I would struggle but the weight would come back and probably bring friends along too:(  Even though I am still to reach goal weight I consider my band a success, I've lost over half of my excess weight and it's given me my life back, I'm doing so much more now than I was at 250+ lbs.  I have been lurking on other boards (revision,vsg) and I think if I ever lost my band I would be revisied to VSG.  For now I'm going to get some unfilled see if the reflux and night cough stops then take it from there, try to work my band and get my head straight to lose some more weight.  I now know without a doubt that even though there is plenty of more room in my band for fill that I cannot tolerate it so I'm going to have to deal with it which is a bit depressing. Just venting here... I'm not bashing the band but I'm just frustrated.  I see so many people have made their goal and look soooo good and I just want to make my goal too.  I feel like a failure and worthless sometimes because I have not made my goal and I've had weightloss surgery. 
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UP AGAIN
on September 26, 2009 11:37 am
Well I'm back up again.  I swear I can gain 10lbs in 2 weeks no problem.  I had a meltdown so to speak last week.  I indulged here and there and kept going back for seconds, indulging in fattening foods, just sprialing out of control.  I weigh 204 today:(  The good news is I finally have an aftercare provider 20 minutes away from me, not a 5hour drive one way.  I was banded in Mex. and aftercare has been challenging for me and I really think I could have done better had I had consistent local aftercare.  I am still happy about my surgery and my choice of going to Mexico.  Anyway I met my new fill Dr. yesterday via Fillcentersusa and I really really liked him and his staff was AWESOME.  He is a weightloss Dr. so he understands what I'm going through. He even gave me a script for diet pills to use if needed.  I'm not advocating the use of diet pills here and I have used them consistently before and lost weight but it came right back. I only intend on using them on days when I just can't seem to satisfy my hunger and see how that works.  Anyway got my fill yesterday and I do feel more restriction and I feel fullness after eating a cup of solid protein could I eat more yes I'm sure but I'm really trying to get back to the basics of the band so I can see 185lbs.  Yall if I ever hit 185 I am gonna be one happy chick. I CAN DO THIS< I WILL DO THIS
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Checking in>
on July 8, 2009 8:04 am

I can't believe it's been sooo long since I've posted.  I havnt been on OH much for quite sometime but I do have some positive things to report.  As of today this year I have completed 2 half marathons, a 15k, 2 10k's, an 8k and numerous 5k as well as a sprint triathlon, yes me, I did it.  Excercise is a big part of my life now and I've learned to like running and most importantly I've learned to challenge myself, get out of my "comfort zone".  I havnt been doing much outdoor running this summer do to the intense heat & humidity we have here but I've been hitting the gym for cycling classes, power pump classes & I even did my first step class this morning which was a  NSV for me because I havnt done step since the 80's & was always intimidated to try, I did it but I need to practice some of the moves because I'm sort of clumsy.  I had a small fill 2 months ago but I think he could have put a tad more in.  I'm down to 195 but I've really toned up, I need to measure & check my body fat % again.  We went on vacation in June to Orlando & never once was I worried about fitting on rides which before band I would have never gone because I would have been miserable about myself.  I also got a really big complement in the gym the other day.  One of our beloved instructors is moving away, well I got to the gym a few minutes before class and was settng my gear up & went back out on the floor & this man walked up to me and asked me if I was taking the instructors place & I replied no but thought to myself I've really come a long way for someone to even say that so that made my day.  My biggest problem is my love for sweets especially at night so I've got to work on that.

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Time flies!!!
on January 16, 2009 11:37 am
Wow, I can't hardly believe we are halfway into January already.  I promised I was going to be better about documenting my journey.  I had a 5k on January 3, I finished in 34:55, I ran the whole thing, stopped for water about halfway.  I was hoping for better timing but I'll take it.  Last Sunday I ran 9 miles, my longest distance so far.  I have that half marathon coming up on Valentine's day and then the triathlon on March 14.  I've had some moments of doubting myself but I seem to overcome it.  The problem I have been facing since the holidays is too many carbs (chips & junk) I really have to get a grip.  I'm training a good bit but I'm sabatoging with more food.  I havnt gained but I havnt lost anything the past few weeks.  I have yet to get a road bike but that's another thing I'm nervous about is getting out there on the road on a bike.  My swimming will have to be put on hold for a week or 2, my plastic surgeon did the dermabrasion on my skin graft and told me no swimming until further notice. 
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My Story



Hello all, this is my story in a nutshell.  Like most of us I've struggled with my weight ever since I can remember.  After the birth of my twins in August of 2003 my weight settled at around 250lbs and wasnt budging.  I was so happy about being a new mom to twin boys that I didnt care what I looked like and I figured I'm already in my 30's, married with kids who cares what I look like.  Well I did start to care and noticed how far I'd let myself go and tried by dieting to get some of the weight off but it wasnt working.  In November of 2004 I found this website and learned about the Lapband, I found a surgeon in Mexico and emailed the office and a woman called me back that night after speaking with her for awhile on the phone I knew that's what I wanted to do.  My husband agreed and gave me the money I had the surgery done in December of 2004 and the weight was starting to come off it felt wonderful.. Then something a bit unexpected happened, I got pregnant in Feb. 2005 so that meant I had to put off my first fill and just focus on eating healthy until I deliver.  I went through the pregnancy and gained the weight I'd lost back and maybe a few extra pounds but I was really proud of myself for watching what I ate and monitoring my weight so closely.  I gave birth to Dylan on October of 2005, he weighed 8lbs 7oz. I weighed 258 that day.  When I came home with Dylan it was time to get down to business and start back on my weight loss journey I had my first fill in December of 2005 and the weight was coming off fairly easy and I started working out.  Fast forward to spring/summer of 2006 after working out regularly and keeping track of my food intake I'm down to a size 14 from a 20 and I'm down to around 205lbs. I'm getting all kinds of compliments and attention that I havnt gotten in years and shopping wow I have done loads of shopping in the past year.  Well fastforward to present June 2006 I havnt lost any weight in a year well actually I keep gaining and losing around 10lbsf I'm still working out somewhat and I've even had 3 fills in the past year but what has happened????  Those old habits are hard to break and sneaking too much junk into my diet has sabatoged my efforts.. You know the ice cream not just every now and then but more like a few times a week, stealing fries and chicken nuggets off of my kids plates after I've already eaten my dinner, not to mention the chips and queso at the Mexican restaurant I used to allow myself 8 chips lately I havnt been counting how many and oh let's not forget the choclate I sneak in, I LOVE CHOCLATE....OMG  Well no wonder I havnt lost anymore weight and I'm struggling to maintain what I lost so here I am ready to get back on track and finish what I started.  I have started to view other member's posts and read blogs and I've been inspired so hopefully by me writing my story and blogging will help me be more accountable.  I have to watch what I eat and how much... I love my band but I have to do my part as well.  I am scheduled for a fill next Friday and I'm really looking forward to getting back on the losing side.  I so want to be in ONDERLAND...