lisae

Denise, I was banded in Monterrey by Dr. Rumbaut. He's one of the Inamed trainer surgeons and has placed close to 2000 bands. He also has the band himself and has lost 100 pounds. I paid $10,000 in two checks, as mentioned before. I paid the doc $7500 and the hospital $2500. I had a wonderful experience and am very happy. Check out my good friend Lori's website. We met in Monterrey and she has put together a wonderful site with pictures of the hotel/hospital, doc and everything. You'll even find me in her pics! Good luck to you! http://www.cascadeaccess.com/~kbauer/Lori/lorilapband.html Lisa (Las Vegas, NV) Dr. Rumbaut 7-8-03 Fill 8-12-03 Loser of 40 pounds and counting!

Marsha, That sounds so frustrating. Hang in there.........it's worth it. At least your insurance is willing to approve the surgery. Mine wouldn't even consider it, which is why I was self-pay in Mexico. I didn't even want to try to fight my insurance. $10,000 later and 40 pounds lighter, I wouldn't change a thing! Good luck and patience to you!

I still get some discomfort when I sleep on my left side/stomach. I think it's the actual band that I'm feeling and not the port. It's not too painful, but sometimes I have to move around to get a comfortable position.

If you don't have insurance, Mexico is a good option. My surgery was $10K. Was it worth it? Absolutely!! You might want to try the yahoo group MexicanBandsters. They have a database of a lot of Mexican doctors and the cost. Dr. Rumbaut is one of the more expensive docs, but I chose him for my own reasons. Good luck!

Thanks, Quaker! I was beginning to thing that NO ONE eats fiber!! I will try the Gardenburgers. I used to love the Boca burgers. See, I forget about that stuff!! Thanks for reminding me about the great vegan foods.........

Hi all, I'm wondering where everyone gets their Fiber for the day? I don't want to eat Cereal because of the milk factor. I sometimes eat it dry, but it's only 4 grams. "They" say you need 25 grams a day. Any suggestions?

Even if it's the scale you've always used in the past.........check on a different scale. Even though we use the same scale all the time doesn't mean the scale won't break or malfunction! 10 pounds seems like way to much to be water. Do you feel "poofy?"

Drinking with meals is a no-no! My good friend, who was banded on the same day I was, ran into serious trouble because of drinking with meals. He has stretched his esophagus!!! The doctor said it was partly because of drinking too much fluids with his meals. I used to want to drink with meals all the time and my mind would fight it...........now I think differently. I still have a small "sip" of Water after my meal, just to get my mouth and throat wet.

Hi Holly, My port is stitched down....I don't know with how many stitches, though. The port is just below my sternum. I asked Dr. Rumbaut about it flipping and he said "not a chance" with it stitched and the location. Good luck!

Congratulations Desiree!! Why was the hospital miserable? Were you in pain or were the facilities not what you expected? Welcome to the other side............now the healing begins (both physical and emotional!)

Most ports can be repaired and even replaced under a local anesthetic in the doctor's office or a day surgery place.

Good luck to you!! You'll be fine!

Hi Bright, In my opinion, try to stay away from Slim Fast.....it is loaded with sugar and will NOT increase your energy. In fact, you'll probably get the sugar low that goes with it. I'd choose milk and an egg or two, which are a good source of Protein without any sugar. Or tuna, or cheese (you get the picture!) Carbs are what make us lethargic. If you can eat good protein without them, you will get a natural energy boost.

I've always been an all-or-nothing person. So when I'm losing weight and feeling better beacuse old clothes are fitting, my mind takes over and wants to do more. You don't have to start big. Right now, I take the dogs (my 2 children) for a walk every night that's only 20 minutes. When I have extra time, I might go to the gym and do more. In my opinion, anything is better than sitting on the couch. Start slow and you'll probably want to do more. And when we want to do something, we seem to always find the time!

Hi Kellymoos, I have found that I never feel the FULL that I felt before banding. I'm training my brain to acknowledge "satisfaction" for being full. Before banding, full to me meant that I had to unbutton my pants. That has never happened since I've been banded. The chest pain and pressure is a spasm of the esophogus, caused by who-knows-what. I get it all the time when I eat too fast.

Kellymoos, I get the chest pressure when I take too big of a bite of something. I asked my doc about it and he said that it's a spasm of the esophagus. It will pass, but it can really hurt. Just try to relax and breathe........it will go away. Take it as a reminder that you need baby bites. Sometimes if I've eaten too fast or too big, then the pressure doesn't go away until the food comes back up. :sick

You girls have staples? I didn't at all. Maybe it was because I went to Mexico and couldn't really follow up in a couple of weeks. Sometimes my scars still itch, so don't think it will go away too soon!! scratch, scratch

Hi MLB, The more solid your foods, the longer they will stay with you. Soft foods such as Pasta and especially pudding will slide through your stoma. Try eating solid stuff and see if it helps. Good luck

I can drink it with no problem. Unfortunately for me, I guess! I wish I could stop!

Bobby~ I don't understand what you are asking. Could you clarify your question?

Hi~ I had my first fill one week ago today in Mexico. I was filled with 2.1 cc. That's more aggressive for the first time, but keep in mind that I went to Mexico. I feel great. I have good restriction and hope I won't need another fill for a while. Can you ask your doc for an aggressive fill? I know that a lot of docs in the states want to start with 0.5 cc at a time, but with that price, I'd want a big one first! My fills are free without fluoro or $100 with it in Mexico. For your cost, I'm almost better flying back to Mexico! Ask to "fill 'er up!" Good luck!

Dr. Rumbaut called me when I was first inquiring about the surgery to tell me about it and answer any questions about it. He said then and now that I'm banded that I can call with any questions. I know from my friends that he calls personally with responses to questions. But that's why I think I went to the most wonderful man in the business!! (nobody take offense....I'm just a little biased!)

Larry, Congratulations on your fill. I'm glad everything went ok. Now the real fun will start!! Just take it slow!

Angel, The hardest thing for me has been recognizing that "Full" doesn't mean, "Oh my gosh, I need to lie down and unbutton my pants." I was banded 5 weeks ago and had my first fill 2 days ago. I'm trying to retrain my mind that full means my stomach is no longer growling and I no longer feel empty. It's very hard for me, but, I guess if I'd recognized when I'm satisfied, I wouldn't have ended up here, anyway!